This story is about Livia and Adam a couple who have been married over twenty years with two children, Josh and Marnie. Livia has been planning and saving for her 40th birthday party pretty much from the time she got married. Livia and aAdam have been together since they were childhood sweethearts who married in a hurry. When they married Livia’s parents cut off all contact. Over the years the couple have made their way in life and Adam is a world renowned carpenter and they live in a large house in the suburbs of Windsor. The tale begins the morning of the party and is told through the voices of Livia and Adam. On the morning of the party Adam receives some news and cannot decide what to do with the information as this day is so special to Livia and he wants her to enjoy every moment.
This is the fourth novel by this excellent writer who is so skilled at keeping the reader on the edge of their seat and The Dilemma does not disappoint.

The Dilemma is a book inhabited by a bunch of unlikeable characters with lives that are full of secrets but to my mind empty of anything particularly meaningful. This isn't a negative as I'm often happier reading books full of my worst nightmare of characters as I am reading about the good and the great.

With the story set over a twenty-four hour period and featuring a tragedy it would take a far harder person than me not to keep reading to the bitter conclusion. However with The Dilemma my lack of connection with the character meant that I perhaps didn't care enough about the outcome when those secrets started leaking out.

Emotionally hard-hitting and thoughtfully crafted, The Dilemma is an intense drama about family, loss and the unravelling effect of harbouring dark secrets.

Despite being set over 24 hours, the plot felt disappointingly slow and needlessly repetiative, yet Paris' ability to tease out the secrets and the harrowing motivations behind the characters decisions captivated me enough to finish.

The first book by B A Paris that I've read and I'm looking forward to reading more by her.

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. This book is like a capsule of a moment when some knowledge change everything. Written in a two person narrative it captures the intricacies of a relationship and how it can shatter with just one small change. The two MCs Livia and Adam each are holding onto devastating news - delaying its release until after Livia's longed for 40th birthday party.

The book is so well written. The reader knows throughout what has happened but the tension rises as they wait for what will happen when everyone knows. The author captures that tension beautifully. She is an author to follow

I really enjoyed this interesting, sort-of-slow-burner of a novel. Not a lot of 'action' really 'happens' as such, and I therefore don't feel it's a thriller like with many of her previous works, but nevertheless B.A. Paris manages to infuse tension into every page.

I feel that The Dilemma is a family drama and character study into Livia and Adam, a married couple with two children (Josh and Marnie), both trying to work out what to do about some secrets that have come to light regarding Marnie. It's the day of Livia's long-awaited 40th birthday party, and so the story largely takes place over one day, with the emotions and decisions of both characters weighing heavily on their minds as they try to do the best for their family.

I didn't really know what to expect (and I don't want to give too much away about the story, as I feel this book is best enjoyed without), but I found it hard to put this novel down. It's very easy to read, and the story flows well. Although, as I mentioned above, there isn't a lot of 'action' in the novel, as it focuses on the run-up to Livia's party, there is a lot of emotions, thoughts and feelings in there, and that's what this book really focuses on. I found it a really addictive read.

Another read by BA Paris which had me turning the pages to find out the outcome of the twists. An exciting read. Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for letting me review this book.

This was the first book I have read by this author and I was absolutely gripped! The twists towards the last third of the book were incredibly well written and I finished this book in a couple of days because I couldn't put it down! I look forward to reading more from this author.

Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book before publication.

This is an epic tragedy. I was left feeling quite unsure about what the point of the book was - I felt like it ought to have a point, but the point that came across was opposite to my norms, so left me with a hollow feeling. Despite that, I think it was a great book and really well thought out.

Livia and Adam did not have the wedding that dreams are made of, so as Livia’s 40th is coming up, she wants the party of all parties. Everyone has been invited but unfortunately her daughter Marnie is studying abroad and secretly Livia is glad she won’t be there as she needs to tell Adam a terrible secret she has been keeping from him- she’ll tell him when the party is over, for fear of spoiling her time in the limelight. Adam wants everything to be perfect for his wife, so secretly arranges for Marnie to come home on the day of the party to surprise her mother. However things don’t go to plan and just before the party Adam hears some dreadful news - he needs to tell Livia, but how can he deny her the chance of happiness - she is so looking forward to this party, he can’t bear to ruin her dreams. The guests arrive, and each go about trying to act as normally as possible before their lives explode with the revelation of their secrets. Not the usual psychological style thriller that you would expect from B.A.Paris,this is more an emotional rollercoaster that leaves you tense with the anticipation of knowing what will happen when these terrible secrets are revealed. This story stays with you long after you have finished it.

My first novel to be read in 24 hours! Gripping, heart breaking and thought provoking- I loved this book. Although, I did get frustrated with the characters and their secrets, it was well constructed to help the reader understand their reasons. I look forward to more by this author.

The Dilemma is a family drama set over 24 hours and focuses on the wife's fortieth birthday party which she has dreamed and planned for years. I have read the author's previous novels so was expecting more of the same. This was a disappointing read, self absorbed, shallow characters and despite the emotional and traumatic themes, I did not connect with the writing.

Another great read from B A Paris, these books never fail me, a fantastic author who really gets you thinking with the way the story is told. Dilemma after dilemma, what is the right thing to do, would you do things the same or differently to the characters in the story! Must read

WOW what a brilliant read from start to finish you are kept guessing. I totally enjoyed this book and would recommend, B.A.Paris knows how to write a great story, her other books are brilliant too.

I have read and loved B A Paris' previous novels so was looking forward to starting this one. I wasn't disappointed.

I really enjoyed this thought-provoking emotional family drama. A fantastic rollercoaster of a book with characters who I liked and empathised with. I was drawn into Livia and Adams heartbreaking story and asked myself what would you do in the same situation. This was a cracking story which kept me reading.

I can't wait for the next one form B A Paris. Highly recommended.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review

3.5 stars.

To be completely honest I was a little disappointed by this book. I am usually a huge B A Paris fan, and love her psychological thrillers. 'The Dilema' however couldn't really be described as a thriller, it's more of a family drama.

Set over a 24 hour period, and told from both viewpoints of a married couple the story deals with a series of secrets which come to light after a family tragedy occurs. Unfortunately I just want able to connect with any of the main characters, and found them to be rather frustrating.
I also found the story to be a little to slow paced for my liking with no real plot turns or twists.


Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for allowing me to read and review The Dilema.

Absolutely bloody brilliant! Couldn’t put it down once I’d started it, unfortunately work got in the way! I was instantly drawn into the lives of Livia and her family. My heart just kept breaking for them and their losses. Another fantastic read from B A Paris!

I absolutely loved this book and couldn’t stop until I finished it at 1 AM!
I was expecting a thriller but it was so much more than than that.
An in-depth psychological investigation of the two main characters Livia and her husband Adam.

It is all happening around Livia’s 40th birthday party and the story is told from the wife and husband’s unique points of view.

A gripping and intense story, I got really intrigued and involved by ‘the dilemma’ and by the couple’s secrets but I won’t spoil anything...you need to read it first!

Would totally recommend it!

Really enjoyed this book thank you. Vibrant, believable, characters and an absorbing plot. I will ensure I look out for this author in the future!

I recently read B.A. Paris’ collaboration novel, The Understudy, so was excited to read one of her solo books and ai am so glad I did.

The Dilemma is a wonderful character study of a family trying to keep things from one another so as not to spoil a perfect day. Livid has dreamt of her 40th birthday party for years, after not getting the wedding she had hoped for. However, she is keeping a huge secret from her husband Adam, and doesn’t want it to come out and spoil the day. Adam meanwhile, has his own devastating secret to keep from everyone at the party, as he wasn’t everyone to have this final happy moment.

I loved the characters in this book, and seeing them struggle with not only their secrets, but whether they are right to keep it from those they love so they can enjoy the party. Would they want that final day of happiness, or would they want to know as soon as possible and feel guilty for enjoying themselves?

Wow what another great book from this incredibly talented author. The huge dilemma I had was whether to carry on reading or be sensible and go to sleep - in the end there was no contest as I just had to find out how things would go down. I finished it in the early hours of this morning and haven’t stopped thinking about it all day; what would I do in each situation.? The story isn’t just about one dilemma, it’s about many and this is what makes the book so engaging. A great one for book club discussions. An easy five stars