A woman’s birthday party takes a dark turn in a poignant, heart-stopping new novel from the reigning queen of suspense, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of Behind Closed Doors, The Breakdown, and Bring Me Back. “A heartbreaking page-turner that will have you up at night reading just one more chapter.” –Catherine Steadman, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Something in the … Steadman, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Something in the Water
“The phenomenal B.A. Paris has done it again! I devoured The Dilemma in one sitting–it grabbed me from the very first page and wouldn’t let go until I’d finished. Secrets, guilt, shame and heartbreak–this story has it all in spades.”–Sandie Jones, New York Times bestselling author of The Other Woman
Knowing the truth will destroy her. Keeping it secret will destroy him.
It’s Livia’s 40th birthday, and her husband Adam is throwing her the party of a lifetime to make up for the wedding they never had. Everyone she loves will be there, except her daughter Marnie, who’s studying abroad. But Livia is secretly glad Marnie won’t be there.
Livia has recently uncovered a secret about their daughter which, if revealed, will shake the foundation of their family to its core. She needs to tell Adam, but she’s waiting until the party is over so they can have this last happy time together.
Adam, meanwhile, has his own surprise for Livia: he’s arranged for Marnie to secretly fly back for the party. But before Marnie arrives, Adam hears some terrible news. Now he too is faced with a dilemma: Does he share what he’s learned with his wife? Is hiding the truth the same as telling a lie? And how far are Adam and Livia willing to go to protect the ones they love–and give each other a last few hours of happiness?
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I was hooked from page one! The Dilemma by B.A. Paris was a good read. It’s attention grabbing, it keeps us wondering until the end if some miracle is going to have happened to change the course of what’s coming, it goes deep into issues that are intriguing to the reader … but it is in no way a psychological thriller like it’s being touted. It’s not even a suspense or mystery because we basically known up front what has probably happened, we just have to ride out the book to see if it’s true or not. Had it been presented as what it is (Women’s Fiction) expectations wouldn’t have been in place of what it was supposed to be and I could have rated it higher.
Livia is a bit selfish. She’s dreamed of a day all about her for all of her life and when she was denied the wedding of her dreams, she began to plan for the future and that day has now arrived. She’s going to have the fortieth birthday bash of all bashes. She won’t let anything ruin it … not the fact that her daughter is away studying abroad and unable to make it … not the fact that she’s uncovered a secret that is going to rip her family and social circle apart at the roots.
Adam is painstakingly trying to give Livia everything her heart desires and a spur of the moment surprise with their daughter is going to really top off the day. It’s the day of the party, last minute details are being taken care of, guests are set to arrive shortly … and disaster strikes. He can’t ruin this day that she’s dreamed of for forever … but how can he keep her in the dark about something so major?
I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys women’s fiction with a hint of mystery. It’s emotional and filled with friendship, family and scandal.
I haven’t read The Breakdown yet, but The Dilemma by B.A. Paris is definitely her most unique book-to-date for me. I’m a little worried that this is being labeled as a mystery and thriller when it’s really neither of those things. This book is mostly just a slow-burn family drama filled with secrets.
I wasn’t expecting a mystery or thriller, so I think that’s what helped me fully appreciate this novel. It went pretty deep and I love that Paris showed how much dimension she has with her writing. She is not just another thriller/mystery writer, it turns out she can write a pretty great family drama as well. I was not bored reading it even though it is a slow burn, and even though they had their faults, I still really liked both Adam and Livia.
I chuckled a few times, but there were also a couple of times I just laughed out loud mostly because of shock. There was also one of those ‘hell YES’ moments that I love, because you can’t just let people get away with EVERYTHING right? The Dilemma also ended up being a total tear-jerker for me, and I had tears in my eyes for much of the ending.
I really think it is important to go into this book with the right expectations. So don’t expect a mystery or thriller out of The Dilemma, and definitely be prepared for a slow burn. I was still turning pages pretty quickly though thanks to the short chapters and dual viewpoints between Adam and Livia. There were a couple of times I wanted to knock their heads together, but besides that I just loved the experience of reading the book and the emotions it made me feel.
Thank you to the publisher for providing me with an advance review copy of this book, all opinions and thoughts are my own.
What I liked: Livia and Adam are very relatable. The couple has had their ups and downs that stems from their marriage and children at an early age. The two were genuine when addressing various regrets and the love they have for their family. I empathized with them while hoping for the best. Additionally, when one of the mysteries began to surface, my prediction was way off. I like it when I am mistaken, it means the author is thinking much harder than I am. Which I greatly respect.
What I didn’t like: I know how it ends, but I didn’t experience a continuous journey. Consequently, accept my opinion as you will. In the last half of the book, I only skimmed. It didn’t have anything to do with not enjoying the book exactly, but I could not handle the pending loss. In essence, the suspense was too much for me, at least that type of suspense.
Livia and Adam experience a gripping journey. Just know that experience is very bittersweet.
A heartbreaking page-turner that will have you up at night reading just one more chapter.
The phenomenal BA Paris has done it again! I devoured The Dilemma in one sitting u2060— it grabbed me from the very first page and wouldn’t let go until I’d finished. Secrets, guilt, shame and heartbreak u2060— this story has it all in spades.
When I saw that B.A Paris had a new book coming out, I knew I had to read it. I love a good psychological thriller and the way things get spun. I knew Paris wouldn’t disappoint. What I got was so different from previous Paris books. It was twisted in a totally unique way and I’m still thinking about it a week later.
The Dilemma is basically told over one full day and it’s more of a suspenseful family drama than a thriller. Livia’s 40th birthday celebrations are to begin and she is having the party of all parties. She has literally been saving for this party for 20 years! She and her husband, Adam got pregnant and married at a very young age. Their children, Josh and Marnie are now grown. They made life work for them as they were young parents, but now they will enjoy what comes with having adult children. That is our background of the story that unfolds in such a breath holding way.
Livia has a secret and she is going to hold until sometime after the party. She wants everyone to be happy because she knows life will change for their whole family and their friends after. She wants one last day of happiness. What she doesn’t know is Adam also has a secret and he doesn’t even really 100% know if what he’s keeping from everyone has happened or not. What follows is how these characters are feeling throughout the day.
Told from Livia and Adam’s point of views, I definitely got in the head of both of these characters. How they grappled with keeping something so life altering from one another. How they wanted everyone to have one last day of happiness. They loved one another and their family and friends enough to give them that happiness. Or was it selfishness? I felt like I was holding my breath the whole time through this story AND it was just told over ONE day!! When were the secrets going to come out? How would it effect everyone? Would they share the secrets?
I found the storytelling compelling, but at times, I just wanted to get on with it. But that wasn’t the point. The point was to feel the emotions of each character and how they were going to change the lives of those around them. You just don’t release those thoughts without thinking about it. And that’s what we got. Those thoughts and those emotions. And when they come to a complete boil, you have no idea what will happen with the family dynamic.
A different story that I enjoyed and liked getting inside the thought process of the two main characters. It definitely wasn’t an easy read, but it was one in which made you think.
I am always so excited when I learn there is another book by author B. A. Paris on the way, and I am never disappointed. No story is quite the same – sometimes jaw-dropping, sometimes non-stop danger and suspense, and sometimes a deep dive into people, their relationships, their secrets and what they say and don’t say to each other.
The Dilemma is not a thriller with an “oh wow” ending or danger around every corner. Instead it’s a story that tortuously takes you step by step through Livia’s 40th birthday party, with delicious glimpses into the past of her and husband Adam’s life together, and growing horror about what will happen when one of them reveals the big secret they are hiding to the other. Who are the heroes and who are the villains changes depending on whose point of view you are currently seeing, whose eyes you are looking through. And who secret you are keeping.
The characters are well developed, linked together in surprising ways we discover with every turn of the page. The plot flows smoothly, sometimes seeming to speed along and sometimes perfectly dragging out the suspense and uncertainty.
The story is compressed into such a tight time span that I couldn’t put it down, couldn’t turn pages fast enough I couldn’t begin to guess how it would end. I didn’t want it to end because I didn’t want the bad hidden truths to become exposed lies, but at the same time I couldn’t wait for the ending because I was desperate to see how it all played out. No way could everyone be happy when all was revealed. And who was going to reveal what first? Well done, B. A. Paris! Another totally satisfying story. Disturbing, thought provoking, and a great read. Thanks to St. Martin’s Publishing Group for providing an advance copy of The Dilemma for my reading pleasure and honest review. All opinions are my own. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and highly recommend it.
I’ve been a fan of B.A. Paris for quite some time now and even had the opportunity to meet her a few years ago. While she usually writes thrillers, this latest one is a bit of a departure but I loved it all the same!
I’m always a big fan of stories that focus on family drama and one that involves people keeping secrets and this one absolutely delivers on that 100%. It is told from alternating viewpoints of a husband and wife and essentially takes place over the course of a 24-hour period. I loved the build-up to the eventual reveal of what the secrets were – both Adam and Livia each had their own secret they were keeping from the other – and as the book progresses, the tension builds which just hooks you further into the story.
I also loved that because of the alternating view points, we are experiencing what is going on from each of the characters’ perspectives. Events are happening and because of the secrets, reactions are very different. We are privy to some things, but not everything and this proves to increase the readers anxiety – at least it did for me!
I really enjoyed this book. It was definitely more of an emotional read, filled with some suspenseful moments. There were times I was afraid to see what would come next, but I also could not put this book down either…I was so invested in these characters that I needed to keep reading.
This book, while definitely not the thriller that B.A. Paris is known for, was such a great read. It’s the type of read that will stay with you long after you finish that last page as you think about what you would have done if you were to find yourself in either character’s position. I highly recommend picking this one up.
Once again, here is another book full of secrets. That seems to be a theme in a lot of books lately, at least in ones that I have been lucky enough to read. And secrets can definitely keep a book interesting, that’s for sure.
The Dilemma has secrets, but these secrets are being kept for good reasons—not to hide bad things from the past, but to keep loved ones from being hurt. As the ‘perfect’ birthday party approaches—the party of a lifetime—we see how the stress of keeping these secrets impact the main characters. What a roller-coaster ride of emotions this author put me through.
While The Dilemma had a different feel to it for me from B.A’s other thrillers—it didn’t feel quite as intense—it was still an exciting and enjoyable read. And as always, I look forward to the next book by B. A. Paris.
Another great story by B.A. Paris!! I wasn’t sure what to expect when I started this one but it was an incredible book. It was angsty and emotional. Kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time. I couldn’t wait to learn what was going to happen with each new chapter but at the same time dreading what I was going to discover with each new chapter.
Livia has been looking forward to her fortieth birthday party for a long time, a party that she has been planning for forever. The only person on her guest list who won’t be able to make is her daughter Marnie, but if she is truthful Livia is kind of happy she won’t be there. You see Livia has a secret, something she has been keeping from her husband Adam for a while but she doesn’t want to tell him until after the party. If Marnie were there she isn’t sure she would be able to be open and honest with him about what she has been hiding. Adam wants Livia’s party to be the best she has ever had and hopes all will go off without a hitch. He has a huge surprise for her and thinks it will make her party in the end perfect. The only problem facing Adam is that he has learned something he did want to know and isn’t sure how he will handle it in the end. Follow along as both Livia and Adam struggle with the secrets that they know, will they be able to let the truth set them free or will finding out everything ruin them in the end?
Livia is planning a big blow-out for her 40th birthday. Feeling somewhat cheated out of a huge wedding many years ago, this party will make up for it.
The only person who will not be attending is her daughter, Marnie. And she’s made it plain to her daughter that she is not to attend. Livia has a secret … one she plans on telling her husband, Adam, after the party is over.
Adam does everything he can to make this party a perfect time for his wife. But during the party he learns something that will change their lives forever … and he makes the decision to keep it secret from his wife .. until the party is over.
Great character development kept me glued to the story. It’s a real page turner with enough suspense to keep the tension high. This is well written with a theme of love, loss, friendship and family. Haven’t most of us been guilty at one point or another to keep something secret from a loved one? Is there ever a ‘good’ time to share?
This is classified as a thriller. While I wouldn’t call it a thriller, it nonetheless held my attention from start to finish. I couldn’t wait to see what the secrets were …. and how it would all end.
Many thanks to the author / St Martin’s Press / Netgalley for the digital copy of THE DILEMMA. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
Livia’s surprise birthday is supposed to be the time of her life. Adam has planned for this day and wanted everything to be perfect. He is flying the kids in to surprise his wife and wants her to have the time of her life.
Unfortunately, now he faces a dilemma, does he tell his wife the secret learned or does he let her enjoy one last day of happiness?
This book was not what I expected and it seemed like everyone had secrets. These secrets could destroy so many lives. When they all come out, will they be strong enough to survive the pain?
This book was emotional and it had me asking myself, what I would do. I think I would be tempted to do what Adam did, but I wear my heart on my sleeve so I feel like I everyone would know that I was a mess. It was very introspective and it was very real.
Livia and Adam married when they were quite young. They are the parents of Josh and Marnie, both college students. Marnie has been studying in Hong Kong and Josh has been closer to home.
When Livia became pregnant with Josh before they were married, her parents literally disowned her. She has not heard from them for many years. But Adam’s parents have been very loving to them.
Livia has always wanted a huge party to celebrate her 40th birthday and it’s finally here. They will have it in their garden with food catered, lots of lights, music, and all of their friends. So much planning has gone into this event and Livia is thrilled.
Livia had wanted Marnie to attend but her studies are not over quite yet and the money for the flight would be very expensive should she come just for the party. But, unknown to Livia, Adam has arranged for her to take a series of flights to arrive on Livia’s birthday.
Livia and Adam love their children dearly, but both of them are not keeping a secret from one another about Marnie and plan to disclose them after the party. Adam’s secret is devastating but he is torn as to whether he should keep his secret for a few hours until after the party so Livia can enjoy some happy hours. Is he right or wrong to do so?
This is a nice drama with a lot of anguish that the author has managed to express very well in this book. The emotions are real and heartbreaking. Readers, take a deep breath when you read this and relish what the words family and love truly mean.
Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Pensive, unsettling, and emotional!
The Dilemma is a poignant, intense, domestic drama that immerses you into the lives of the Harman family as they each grapple with weighty decisions, make potentially unforgivable choices, keep devastating secrets, and receive news that will shatter their lives forever.
The writing is gripping and unnerving. The characters are anxious, secretive, and troubled. And the plot told from two different perspectives uses an alternating, back-and-forth style to create tension and unease as it subtly unravels all the personalities, relationships, behaviours, and histories within it.
Overall, The Dilemma is, ultimately, a novel about life, love, loss, marriage, friendship, parenting, expectations, secrets, betrayal, fear, anguish, tragedy, and repercussions. It’s not the usual psychological thriller we’ve come to expect by Paris but is nevertheless an edgy, tight, emotionally compelling, thought-provoking tale.
I have read several of this authors books in the past, but I must say this one had me wondering whether this was a book that I would enjoy as much as I finally ended up liking it. I was constantly asking myself how could they each be keeping such huge secrets from each other. This wasn’t one of my favorites but I also realize not everyone enjoys the same thing. Overall I would suggest those that enjoy this genre read the book for themselves and make their own decision about how they feel about the book.
I received an ARC of the book from NetGalley and the publisher and this is my fair and honest review.
When I began reading this book, I was expecting a thriller as her previous three books have been. But I was surprised to find it is actually a family drama story. I was skeptical about this genre switch and for probably the first half of the book I was waiting for that thriller twist. But the twist never came and, I am pleased to say, I enjoyed the book.
The book was a roller coaster of emotions, and the author made me feel them all – happiness, excitement, dread, fear, heart wrenching grief. The story revolves around 19-year-old Marnie, the extravagant 40th birthday party her mother Livia has long dreamed of, and the dilemma Marnie’s father Adam finds himself in. Both of Marnie’s parents have a secret they are keeping from the other. Livia’s secret will impact their circle of friends, nothing ever being the same after the secret is revealed. Adam’s secret will change his family’s life forever. But these secrets are the ones we keep to prevent hurting the ones we love. I kept asking myself “What would I do here?” Sometimes you just can’t win, whichever choice you make.
The emotional responses throughout the book were very realistic. It had a slow start as the tension built, but I thought it was ultimately worth the wait. The relationships – marriage, family, friends – felt real.
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for the advance copy to read and review. All opinions stated are my own.
4 stars
This book is quite different from the B.A. Paris books, but in a good way. This is not a heart stopping psychological thriller with a mind blowing twist at the end.
Instead, what you have is basically a domestic drama that slowly unfolds and pieces of the puzzle start coming together about halfway through. The story is told in alternating viewpoints between Livia and Adam, each with a secret to tell the other, hence The Dilemma. The entire story takes place over the course of one day, with flashbacks scattered throughout.
I definitely enjoyed the “Livia” viewpoints much more than the “Adam”. I really just wanted to throttle Adam for pretty much the entire book. He was so infuriating; I couldn’t believe that he was not telling Livia his secret. It’s not a spoiler to say that the secret he kept is a hundred times more monumental than the one Livia was keeping and one that should have never been kept to begin with.
I really enjoyed this book and was glad to see Paris successfully pull off a different story from her usual genre. I would definitely recommend this book.
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for my copy of this book via NetGalley
Always excited to read a new book by B.A. Paris and The Dilemma does not disappoint! This is a very smoothly written family drama told from two points of view, husband and wife Livia and Adam. They live a good life with their two grown children. But there are secrets and a devastating occurrence which puts them under unimaginable stress. Clever, original and emotional – a real page turner!
The Dilemma by B. A. Paris is a wonderful read!! Beautifully written, a heart-stopping, heart-rending drama and a family where each member is complex and relatable, this book held me captive from the beginning.
Adam and Livia are happily married with two children, Josh, 22, and Marnie, 19. Josh is about to start an internship, and Marnie is currently studying in Hong Kong. The story is told in both Livia’s and Adam’s voice, and occurs over the course of three days; the day of Livia’s 40th birthday, the day after and one year later.
Livia has been planning a big celebration of her 40th birthday for years. She didn’t get to have the wedding that had been planned for her, and she has always wanted a special day, both for herself and to celebrate her relationship with Adam. The day is finally here and she is so looking forward to the party she is throwing tonight!! All of the important people in her life will be in attendance except her daughter Marnie. But Livia is actually relieved that she won’t be here. She must share something about Marnie with Adam; she’s born the weight of this knowledge alone for months and plans to finally tell him tonight after the party. He has to know.
Adam has something he needs to tell Livia too, something that will devastate her as much as it has devastated him. After much thought, he has decided to wait and tell her after everyone leaves. He wants her to have the party she’s dreamed of and planned for so long before he takes her happiness away.
This is a well-done character driven novel. It is emotionally charged and brought me to tears. I loved it! I don’t give 5 star reviews often or easily, but there was no doubt in my mind on this one!
My thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for allowing me to read an ARC of this book in exchange for an unbiased review. All opinions expressed here are my own.