"It’s Livia’s fortieth birthday and tonight she’s having a party, a party she’s been planning for a long time. The only person missing will be her daughter, Marnie.
But Livia has a secret, a secret she’s been keeping from Adam, her husband, until the party is over. Because how can she tell him that although she loves Marnie, she’s glad their daughter won’t be there to celebrate with her?
Adam is determined everything will be just right for Livia and the party is going to be perfect… until he learns something that will leave him facing an unbearable decision. "

Oh my goodness, this book is so good, I went through every dilemma, emotion, decision and worry with the whole family. I had sympathy for everyone from Livia who just wanted a perfect birthday party to make up for her missed big wedding day and Adam, who just wanted Livia to have a happy day and was reluctant to burst her bubble with bad news and spoil the party. Surely she was entitled to be happy this one last time, before her world came crashing down around her? After all, we don't know until the end of the book, what has actually happened to Marnie, and for this I was grateful.

However, secrets and lies are so difficult and I felt the Author got the balance just right and allowed the reader to consider what they would do. Do you really know what is best for someone? Even if you have loved and lived with them for 20 years? I felt I would be on Adam's team and allow one last happy moment for someone, but of course the recriminations and anger that follow must be accepted as part of the decision you made on their behalf. But, of course, Olivia is keeping her own secret from Adam and so both lives will never be the same again.

I absolutely loved the tender moments in the shed with Josh and his Dad and felt they added another layer as the story began to unfold and I felt sorry for Josh too, as he had tough decisions to make about his future too, and he felt the "second best child" vibe from his Dad very deeply.

Definitely read more by this great Author, she took me on a very thrilling family drama ride.

Unfortunately, I have not been able to read and review this book.

After losing and replacing my broken Kindle and getting a new phone I was unable to download the title again for review as it was no longer available on Netgalley.

I’m really sorry about this and hope that it won’t affect you allowing me to read and review your titles in the future.

Thank you so much for giving me this opportunity.
Natalie.

Marnie is flying home to surprise her mother, Livia, for her 40th birthday party. Adam, Livia's husband, knows about the surprise and has helped coordinate her visit. What Adam doesn't know is that Livia knows a secret about Marnie too. a secret that makes Livia a little glad Marnie isn't coming to her big birthday celebration. Some, potentially, devastating news makes Adam's secret a terrible burden to carry. Should Adam tell Livia and risk ruining her big birthday? Or wait until after the festivities and risk ruining his marriage?

"The Dilemma" may take on a different type of story that Paris's previous works, but the almost unbearable tension we have come to expect is turned up to eleven in this tale about the danger of family secrets. Prepare to miss a lot of sleep while reading and afterward contemplating the power of your own secrets and if any surprise can is good.

This was a good book. I could easily see how Adam got himself into the situation he did. Yes, it's not a tense page turner like her other books can be, but I was interested to see what would happen and read the book quickly.

B. A. Paris is one of my favorite authors! I have read all her books and cannot wait to read the next new one she writes as soon as it is out.

I’ve read several books by this author and always enjoyed them , however, this one wasn’t for me I’m afraid. I felt that it didn’t have the usual edge that previous novels had.

Livia has been dreaming of her fortieth birthday party for years. And finally it is here. All her family will be there except her daughter Marnie who is studying overseas. Secretly Livia is relieved abou this as shes discovered something she needs to tell her husband Adam but first she just wants her birthday party to be perfect because once the secret is out she knows nothing will be the same again. As the day goes on Adam learns something awful too but he doesn't want to ruin the day, and he needs to know for sure.

Lets be clear. BA Paris can write. I've read two great novels from her. Sadly this isn't one of them. The issue is twofold. Firstly it's a bit daft. At a push I can believe Livia would withhold her information but for Adam to not tell them straight away or find out as soon as possible if he's right is crazy. There's avoiding the truth and then there's this. Secondly the story is just too thin for a novel. It might have made an ok short story but it's not a novel. I kept with it as I hate not finishing a book, I like the writers style of writing and was hoping for some sort of twist or payoff at the end. But it just sort of fizzled out. I'm in the minority I think so another reader might love this, it's just not for me.

Oh no, I’ve read a book by this author and am not mad about it - at all! Livia is planning a huge birthday party for herself with every detail gone over many times to make sure it’s exactly what she wanted. Early on, on the day of the said party Adam (husband) discovers something so shocking. Turns out both of them are harbouring secrets and every time one of them decides to tell the other something or someone interrupts, so it’s not until the 80% mark that f i n a l l y everything is revealed and I found that SO annoying. Not sure who was the most irritating but I think Livia takes the prize - for being so self engrossed with this party of hers. I would categorise the book as a family drama and there was just enough going on to make me turn the pages. Also don’t think several of the characters were necessary to the plot either.

Another good read by this writer. I worry when this is the 4th novel will it be not quite as good. But no, this is a real talent and if you haven’t read any yet start with this then look forward to the others. 4/5.

I was massively disappointed with this one. I’m a big fan of B.A.Paris but felt this wasn’t her usual pace or tone of voice. The story felt so diluted and I felt that we knew the big plot lines from the beginning. I didn’t warm to any of the characters and just found the whole actual dilemma to be unbelievable.

The Dilemma is the fascinating new book from B.A Paris. Just when is it the right time to tell someone you love something that you know will devastate them. Livia has been planning her 40 th birthday party for twenty years, to make up for the wedding she was denied after getting pregnant at seventeen. As the day arrives, the marquee is up, the catering sorted and her husband Adam is surprising her by bringing their daughter home for the party. But there are things about Marnie that Adam doesn’t know, and that will effect their relationship. As the day progresses however, Adam faces the biggest dilemma of his life, something that will change their lives forever. Should he tell Livia straight away, or let her enjoy her long anticipated party and be happy for one more night.
I found this to be an emotional but compelling read. It was heartbreaking in parts but also life affirming in many ways. B.A Paris really captured the emotion and the dynamics of the family, their feelings, interactions and ultimately their love for each other. This is a moving and intelligent read.

The Dilemma is another enthralling read by B A Paris. It is a family drama centred around the preparations and execution of a 40th birthday party for Livia. Her husband, Adam has secretly arranged for their 19 year old daughter to fly back from Hong Kong to attend the party, but Livia is keeping a secret from him about their daughter that will change their lives forever. The story also provides details of Livia and Adam’s early relationship, which provides important background information relating to their current situation.
I throughly enjoyed this book; the plot moves at a brisk pace and provides plenty of twists. The relationships between the characters is well explained and despite a few plot lines that didn’t seem as believable as the majority, I would highly recommend this book.

This is a fabulous read about a family and decisions they have to make.
Both Adam and Livia have something they need to tell each other but with a party looming over them, they both keep putting it off.
Livia has been planning her fortieth Birthday party for twenty years and wants it to be special so Adam can’t find a way to tell her the truth.

As compulsive a read as any other B A Paris book. I was hooked from the beginning and couldn’t put it down until everything was revealed.

Another astonishingly good book from one of my favourite authors!
Such a clever idea and the tension mounts throughout the book making it so hard to put down. You feel the characters emotions throughout.
Thank you so much for letting me read this amazing book

The Dilemma. To tell someone something that will not only shatter one world, but many. What more could you possibly want in a psychological thriller? My attention was immediately stolen. I was hungering for the words contained in this explosive novel. I particularly enjoyed the element of older characters being in the forefront. There unique take on life, their emotions and their reactions when they are faced with the explosive ramifications that life can throw at you. I was deeply curious to see how the author would weave a highly addictive plot that would have me hooked by the end of the first chapter.

I cant applaud B.A. Paris enough for writing yet another compulsive psychological thriller. This book was refreshing and felt entirely unique. It gave me a propulsive look into a family’s life almost like looking at it through a microscope. Livia and Adam Hartwood tell their story over the course of a day, told over increments of an hour. They both have a dilemma. Both of them know something that will crush the other. If they divulge that secret, will they ever be the same again? Livia has experienced a traumatic childhood and no longer has contact with her parents much to her lifelong regret. Adam had a perfect childhood with supportive parents but has equally made mistakes that have impacted their family life, but will these secrets finally break them?

Its finally the day that Livia has been preparing for for the best part of twenty years. It’s her fortieth birthday party, the day that has been arranged to make up for the wedding she didn’t get. It’s going to be a fantastical affair with everyone and their granny invited. Livia leaves for the day to treatments at the spa with her friends. Adam however, needs to get into town to pick up her birthday present. He discovers however news that could potentially rock their worlds. How can he possibly let the party go ahead now? B.A. Paris sent a wave of unfairness coming over me like a tsunami. How could this actually be a family’s reality?

This book made me feel things! I had moments of anxiousness, sadness, fear and sadness. I had so many questions and my brain seemed to be operating at over its capacity. A book that makes me ask questions turns it into mush – it was a glorious and exciting feeling!

Livia wants nothing more than to have all her family around her, but one key person isn’t able to make it, their daughter, Marni. Adam has a difficult past with his children – this is the part I loved. It made the dynamics of family life more realistic. Having children young for many people is no picnic. It can be fraught with hardship and conflicted feelings about the perceived life you have left behind. B.A. Paris has defined what real life looks like and hasn’t sugar coated it. It reads effortlessly and ramps up the drama into the top gear. Both Adam and Marni hatch up a plan for her to get there secretly, a birthday surprise for Livia. Will it all come together and be the day that she has been imagining forever?

The Dilemma is a twisted and utter compelling psychological thriller. Cunning and captivating a book that deserves the idiom – utterly unputdownable. Be ready to have our mind blown.

B.A. Paris is an absolute gift to fiction, let’s be honest. I am yet to be disappointed by any of her books – she’s written some of the best thrillers I’ve read in the past few years. The Dilemma is a little bit different, in the sense that it’s not a thriller in the ‘someone’s been murdered sense.’ A domestic thriller, The Dilemma explores a relationship in a single day – a relationship where both the man and the wife have a secret that will change their lives forever. It’s Livia’s 40th birthday and she’s throwing the party she’s always dreamed of having. She’s obsessed over this party since she was in her late teens – but, amongst all of her excitement, she has a secret. Even worse- so does her husband, Adam.

The Dilemma allows for a whole different type of thriller – there is no murder involved, no psycho-analysis and the story itself has a particularly homely feel about it. Arguably, that makes it all the more affective in its purpose. I immediately connected with the characters and felt their ‘dilemma’ and understood exactly why they had to keep it a secret. I dread to think what I would have done had I been put in their situations and I don’t envy their torment whatsoever. This is a hard one to review without going into detail as to what exactly the two characters are keeping secret but what I will say is that you should definitely get yourself a copy of the book upon publication – one that really did keep me hanging on right until the very last page (I even stayed up until 2am reading this one one weekend in November as I couldn’t bear to go to sleep without finding out what was going to happen!).

It’s Livia’s 40th birthday and she’s having the party of a lifetime to make up for the wedding she never had. Everyone she loves will be there except her daughter Marnie, who’s studying abroad. But although Livia loves Marnie, she’s secretly glad she won’t be at the party. She needs to tell Adam something about their daughter but she’s waiting until the party is over so they can have this last happy time together. Adam wants everything to be perfect for Livia so he’s secretly arranged for Marnie to come home and surprise her on her birthday. During the day, he hears some terrible news. He needs to tell Livia, because how can the party go on? But she’s so happy, so excited – and the guests are about to arrive. The Dilemma – how far would you go to give someone you love a last few hours of happiness?

I am obsessed with this book and will be recommending it to everyone! This has to be the best yet from Paris. 'The Dilemma' is a deviation from the psychological thrillers we have come to expect from Paris although I still felt there was a thriller vibe running through the read. Early on the reader learns what the dilemma is, there are two strands, one for Livia and one for Adam, I will not go into details but one we find out and one is teased a bit longer and left for the reader to guess before it is eventually revealed. Both of them are heart-breaking and will spell massive changes for the family before the evening is over.

Heart-break is a theme of this book. First and foremost 'The Dilemma' is incredibly emotional, possibly the most emotive book I have read this year. I think it helps that I quickly attached myself to Livia, Adam and their family and friends. Paris has created a very realistic family and it was a pure joy to get to know them and I feel like I experience the events of the book with them. Because of my connection to the characters I could not help but feel despair when they did, hope when they did and love when they did, most of all I felt completely bereft when I finished it.

'The Dilemma' has no real shocks or twists in it but it is still incredibly powerful reading. Paris has crafted this perfectly, the timing of reveals are spot on and the read is simply stunning. I could give this a hundred stars I loved it that much. If you read one book this year, make it this one.

Thank you to NetGalley and HQ for an advance copy.

There is something special about B A Paris from the moment you open the first page she has you hooked.

The dilemma is another brilliant read. It’s the day of a party but both Adam and Livia are holding things inside about their daughter Marnie. The party should be perfect it has been planned for years but the weight of the secrets they are each holding takes it toll

Definitely a book you won’t want to put down.

‘The Dilemma’ has been on my TBR pile for ages, and so this week I’m pleased to say I finally sat down and read the whole book (in one sitting!)

Neither the cover nor the title give anything away and so I was pleasantly surprised to enjoy this book as much as I did. It isn’t a particularly difficult read, but I’d definitely recommend it to anybody wanting to get out of a reading slump, or just wanting a smaller, simple cast of characters to follow! That being said, don’t mistake the simplicity of this book for dullness - there was plenty of character study to follow and as always, B A Paris will have you gripped until the very last page.

Set over just one day, this book centres around the preparation and celebration of Livia’s 40th birthday. She has never had an elaborate party, or even a wedding to remember, and consequently this day has been in the making for the past 20 years and must be absolutely perfect. The marquee is set, the food has been organised and Livia is whisked away by her friends to enjoy a relaxing spa day before the big evening.

However, Livia is hiding an unwelcome secret from husband Adam that risks destroying her family. And Adam has also learnt of a life-changing headline that he chooses to conceal from Livia. Can they both keep their secrets from one another to avoid ruining the party? And even if they can, is it the right thing to do?

The relationship between Livia and Adam, despite their secrets, is very genuine and believable and the love between the two of them is plain to see. They create a strong marital unit to raise their two children, Josh and Marnie, and if their secrets get out, they risk ruining their family dynamic, social circles and friendships forever.

‘The Dilemma’ is very aptly named, with clear reasoning given from both Livia and Adam as to why they chose to hide their secrets from one another - to keep the other happy. A conscientious book about love, life and learning to accept loss.

If you’re looking for a replica of B A Paris’ other work, you won’t find it here. What you’ll find is a close study of familial relationships, and a dilemma unlike any other. Wholly recommend this read - but you won’t be able to put it down!

A huge thank you to the teams at HQ and Netgalley for gifting me an ARC of this book, and I wish it all the best of luck with its publication. This honest review has been given at the request of the publisher but all of the opinions given are my own.