I found ‘The Dilemma‘ to be completely different to previous novels from BA Paris. It’s heartfelt rather than sensationalist. I find it hard to classify more specifically than ‘modern fiction’. It was the strength of the author’s previous work rather than the blurb that piqued my interest, but I’m so glad I went with it - it had me hooked from the beginning and delving into it at every opportunity. I’m gutted I’ve finished as its a tough act to follow.

Without giving too much away, Adam finds himself with a huge dilemma - he suspects something has happened that will cause his wife’s world to shatter, and must decide whether to tell her on the night of her eagerly anticipated party, or let her have her night in blissful ignorance. Written from both perspectives equally really works, making both main characters likeable and relatable.

This story is so well written I’d advise any fans of BA Paris to run, not walk, to procure a copy.

Thanks to Netgalley, author and publisher for the pleasure of reading this book in exchange for an honest review.

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?

****
Ooohhhhh B A Paris is back with a bang!! I absolutely devoured this book over 24 hours and couldn't put it down. This had all the tension of her first book 'Behind Closed Doors'. I enjoyed her subsequent books, but nothing quite lived up to her first one. Until this!!

I love a good dilemma, and this had you thinking all the way through 'what would I do'. I may have done things differently, but completely understood Livia and Adam's reasons for hiding things, until the truth all came crashing out.

Loved it!

This book was very traumatic. A husband who couldn't bare to tell his wife bad news. A wife who hadn't told her husband anything it would seem about their family and friends over the years - news that could crush him. I hated every character. No one had any backbone. You just knew the bombs were going to fall and I felt angry at them keeping such important secrets to themselves. No thought of anyone else. Had enough energy and foresight to lie, hide things and misdirect the truth though. There were no dilemmas for me - just obvious tell them now! things.

I shouted at this book so much my voice was hoarse by the end. Even though I didn't like it - it was a powerful read I have to admit. A book hasn't had such a reaction from me in a while. That's the nature of a powerful read, right?

Not for me but someone else is going to appreciate it more for the twisty, evil destruction of a family within.

This story is definitely going on my top 5 favourite books for this year.
It's gripping, holds your attention with every page turned, it's heartbreaking and most of all, it's a love story and shows that a marriage can overcome everything in its way if the love it's strong enough.
Being a young woman and getting pregnant, marrying a man that your parents don't approve, trying with everything you have in your power to make that marriage work, will make you give up at some of your dreams but when everything settles you can still archive one of them. Olivia's 40th birthday party is like the wedding day she dreamed but never had the chance to get.
The story's compelling, it's based more on what happens in 24 h, Liv party day, with a few flashback moments from the past for both Adam and Olivia, with their relationship, kids and jobs. As a mother, you'll always try to protect and keep your daughter secrets no matter how hard it's to keep them from your husband and best friend. As a father, Adam goes through a difficult time trying to figure out how to balance the short-lived happiness of his wife for her birthday as he's hiding a secret that eats him up and can destroy them.
The author has a great gift in showing the emotions and how everything unveils making this story very reliable and daring us to think for a moment what would you do faced with a similar situation.

The Dilemma was such a great read, I was unsure when I first started this book on how it was going to turn out but the more I read, the addicted I became!

Oh I LOVED this book but it was very traumatic!

It’s Livia’s 40th birthday party, a day she has planned for and obsessed over for years. But something she knows has thrown a dark cloud over things. Husband Adam is determined that Livia will have her dream day..But he has a secret of his own…

What an emotional rollercoaster of a read this was- jumping between Adam and Livia as things unfold you often want to clap your hands over your eyes in dismay for them as each reveals the thing they are hiding, to the reader but not to each other. The author manages the emotion of it pitch perfectly, her eye for quietly compelling characters is second to none and it’s utterly riveting and hugely thought provoking.

It’s an emotionally relevant human question- when do you give news that may tear your family apart, how long can you let your loved one remain happily oblivious- I honestly don’t know what I would do in either Adam or Livia’s situation. You spend the entire read waiting for those bombs to drop and when they do it is hugely heart breaking.

This is a love story. That’s what I think. Beautifully written and plotted to give full impact, The Dilemma will have you thinking about it for a long time after it’s done.

Excellent. Highly Recommended. But you may want to keep a box of tissues and some chocolate handy…