This is the first book I've read by B A Paris, and I can honestly say I enjoyed it very much! I will say that it sounds as though this is completely different to her other books (focusing more on the family drama side of things rather than any sort of thriller element), so that may come as a surprise to those who have read and enjoyed her previous books. However, for me, this was a great read for me and I would highly recommend it to anyone.

I tried reading another B.A. Paris novel and just like the last one it was so predictable. I absolutely hated the wife. She was so incredibly childish and selfish about not having a wedding that she needed an extravagant 40th birthday party to make up for that. The husband I just felt sorry for.

Compelling, full of suspense but not my cup of tea! Which is a personal thing. I prefer something more uplifting. The story is a contradiction. Livia is preparing for her 40th birthday party. She has been planning this party in her head for two decades and it has dominated her life, which is mostly perfect. It is a substitute for the fairy tale wedding that she never had. It should be a fun, joyous evening but there are too many undercurrents and it appears this party will bring many of these secrets to a head. Both Livia and her husband carry tragic secrets and the reader waits in suspense as the secret unfolds and as we wait for them to be delivered. 
Its not easy to sustain suspense, mostly this is attained, and admittedly I was too curious to put it down. That said, there were times I wanted to shake the characters into action. I also felt a bit frustrated with these seemingly perfect lives and loving relationships, despite the cliched hardships in the past. As a result I didn't feel invested in the characters. The emotion is well captured and definitely pulled at the heartstrings but overall I'm not racing to recommend. A solid read if you like this genre.

This isn't always an easy book to read, and there are quite a few thought-provoking passages throughout. This was my first of BA Paris' books, and it has made me eager to check out their back catalogue – although I've heard this is a rather different style to previous works.

There are some moments of predictability, but there's a fantastic ending waiting for you.

Such a difficult book to review... I *really* couldn‘t put it down but it‘s rather unbelievable.

It centres around two dilemmas - both parents think that they know something terrible about their daughter, but don‘t want to tell the other so as not to ruin the Mum‘s 40th birthday party.

Be warned - one of the ‘dilemmas‘ is so much more than that, which is what made the book rather implausible. Also, all of the characters were rather obnoxious, particularly the mother who seemed to want the party at all costs.

4 stars though, for unputdownability!

This was totally different to this authors previous books & I really enjoyed it.  Heart breaking & thought provoking I’d recommend it to anyone.

I found this quite a quick and straightforward book to read, practically reading it in one whole sitting, and whilst the topic may not be the cheeriest at points, I would class it as an easy holiday read by the pool.  We are told the story from the viewpoint of Alex and Livia, a couple that have been married together for many years with two grown up children, Marnie and Josh.  They had their first child whilst having only been together a short while and still relatively young, and so whilst not having a great deal of money had a very small and simple wedding.  Livia has always wanted a 'big' day in her life, and feeling that she missed out on this with not having a lavish wedding day, so her big day is now to be her 40th birthday.  The book is based around the whole day of Livia's 40th, including all the preparations, and as the story unfolds between Alex and Livia, the backstory to the party and to their lives does too.  It is well written, and the two different viewpoints of events by Alex and Livia keep you interested as a reader.  Whilst the book cumulates in a dramatic ending, the leading up to the events at points seemed slightly predictable, which until I got to the latter part of the book was disappointing and came across as an average storyline in parts.  However, I found the ending to the book was written not only in a very sensitive way to the subject matter, but also very powerful with some excellent and realistic dialogue, as you would ask yourself what you would do if faced with the same dilemma.  Overall this was an enjoyable book which leaves you musing over the end.  My thanks go out to netgalley and Harper Collins providing me with the opportunity to read and review an ARC of this book.

Another stunner of a story from B.A.Paris and this one centres around the hidden cost of keeping a secret, so as not to spoil a big day - one of those that has you constantly thinking 'what would you do in the same situation?'. And I still don't know what I'd do, and if there's a wrong or right way of dealing with such a traumatic event.

Livia is eagerly awaiting her 40th birthday party. When many want to forget their age and not make a big fuss, she's been planning this for years. It's a big deal to her! And her husband Adam knows this, that is why he's faced with an awful decision when he hears horrific news. Dare he tell her straight away? Maybe if he waits, then things won't be as bad as he first fears? He's in a no win situation.

The story is told in alternating points of view - from the wife and the husband - and I found myself totally immersed in their lives and seeing the story unfold in this manner. The tension really builds up as you get caught up in the excitement Livia feels for her party, alongside the devastation that her husband feels as he waits for news on the horrific event that has caused him so much worry and anxiety. You live every moment with him and my heart kept breaking as he tried to put a brave face on things knowing he and Olivia's world could be changing forever and there was nothing he could do about it.

There are darker secrets revealed along the way which just add to the complexities of family life and how tragedy can often reveal a side to people that you may not wish to confront. It explores the dynamics within a family and how relationships are pushed to the extremes.

This story briliantly portrays the toll a devastating secret takes on the person in the know and I loved every single second of it!!!

I literally devoured this book in one sitting on Saturday night, started at 9.30pm and finished at 12.30pm.  I just had to keep on reading.  The main bulk of the story takes place during one day from two different view points.  It covers heartbreak, lies, deceit, hope and much much more.  Very powerfully written and I was in tears at times.

Such a good read, a solid five stars from me and I am keen to seek out other stories by the same author.

Thank you to the publisher for the opportunity to read this book via NetGalley.

I've loved B.A Paris's previous books and was excited to read this one but it honestly felt like a different writer. The story was boring and i had to force myself to continue. The characters motivations were rather preposterous and there was no tension in the story because you just didn't care about any of them.

This book was good, it was intriguing although at times infuriating. It felt as if the characters were making work for themselves simply to drag out the plot. However there was a real sadness to it, and I like a book that can really make me feel something. I would recommend this.

I was looking forward to reading this as I loved this author’s previous books and I found this was a good read. It is very well written and doesn’t take long to read. Interesting story with great characters.

It's the first book I read by this author and I'm more than happy I requested it because it was a great discovery.
It's a gripping and entertaining read, it kept me on the edge till the end and it was a rollercoaster of emotions and "GASP".
I think that Ms Paris is a master storyteller and she is great at creating an engrossing plot and fleshed out characters.
I will surely read other books by this author.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

This was a fantastic read to start the year with.  It’s Livia’s 40th party and she had planned it for years.  Her Husband Rob is by her side to celebrate. Livid and Rob both have something they are hiding from each other’s until the party is over.  
The story is told in alternating chapters from Adam and Livia’s point of view.  This book took me to the top of a cliff and then pushed me off.  For a simple premise I was absolutely gripped and read until 3am to finish it and was then lost when it finished.
This author will always be at the top of my pile. 
Thanks  to NetGalley and HQ for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book was great, just enough to keep you guessing and even when you do discover the secrets its gripping enough to keep you until the end. 
I very much enjoyed this book and didn't want to put it down

I loved this book . Hooked  from the first page . I am a huge fan of this author and this book didn’t fail . Easy 5 stars 🌟

Livia always resented the fact she had not had the big wedding she dreamed of after her parents cut her off when she became pregnant. She had a happy marriage with Adam, two children she loved  but she still wanted a 'big event'! From early on in her marriage she started saving for a big party for her fortieth birthday. It has been anticipated for years. Soon the big day draws close, but Livia has something she has kept from Adam.  Adam knew how much this party meant to his wife, however when something dreadful happened on the morning of the party he couldn't decide when he should do- tell Livia or let her enjoy her big day & tell her afterwards?

Told from both points of view B.A. Paris makes the reader think about what they would do in the circumstances. 

Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review this book. It was a good read.

B. A. Paris writes a hugely engrossing and entertaining novel of romantic suspense, awash with harboured secrets. Although, The Dilemma is a little different to B.A. Paris' previous novels, in that it's more of a family drama than a psychological thriller, it had a pleasing synopsis, so I jumped at the chance to read it and there were no disappointments here!

Livia is married to Adam and she is rapidly approaching forty. Her birthday is actually very soon and she has organised the best party ever. But Livia and Adam both have secrets that they have been keeping from one another.

Told from the perspectives of Livia and Adam, leading up to and on the night of the party, The Dilemma isn't the read I had been expecting. Although I had been anticipating something pretty good, it was first-class! Livia and Adam are both wholly unpersonable, but that made for a more interesting and addictive read.

B. A. Paris delivers this unrestrained story with a delightful cocktail of miscommunication, indecisiveness, duplicity, rights and wrongs, and little white lies. The Dilemma is beautifully plotted, a cracking story and a book I revelled in all the way through. The author did a brilliant job of drawing me into the plot, capturing and commanding my attention with her superbly drawn characters, while adding in clever twists. Nearing the point of the final revelation, I thought I knew what was going to happen, but I didn't. Along with its well-executed, satisfying and fulfilling finale, The Dilemma is sure to please both fans of B. A. Paris' previous novels, as well as those discovering her for the first time. 

A riveting, stellar and exemplary novel that I'm delighted to recommend.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel, at my request, from HQ via NetGalley, and this review is my own unbiased opinion.

The Dilemma follows husband and wife Livia and Adam and the long awaited party for Livia’s 40th birthday. After falling pregnant young, being disowned by Livia’s parents and tying the know in a small ceremony, Livia knew she wanted a huge party to celebrate her 40th and make up for the wedding she dreamt of but couldn’t afford. However as the party gets closer it becomes clear that their daughter Marnie won’t be able to attend as she is studying abroad, and when the day arrives, both Livia and Adam are hiding some life changing secrets. Should they open up now and cancel the party? Or go ahead with the dream party and deal with the consequences afterwards?

The character development in this book is perfect. After about 40 pages I felt like I had been reading about these characters for months and was already part of their world. No one was absolutely perfect, but they all had a likable factor about them (well almost all of them).

Whilst reading The Dilemma, there were a couple of points throughout the plot that really got me. I had to stop reading once or twice to really digest what I was reading. Its at these times that I know a book has well and truly got hold of me.

This incredibly emotional book will really put your life into perspective and make you take a step back from what you think is important in life. Paris has done a fantastic job in portraying every characters feelings and emotions.

I can honestly say I have never found a book easier to read than The Dilemma. Paris’ writing is extremely rare and unique and the kind that I quickly become completely absorbed in. I was discussing this with another blogger and friend of mine and we realised that it is because Paris’ doesn’t spend an unnecessary amount of time (and word count) on over the top descriptions. Another fact you will know about me if you have been following for a while is that I hate pages and pages of descriptions. I lose interest easily and either skim read those parts, or put the book down. Every single sentence, paragraph and page that Paris writes is building on the plot and pulling you in with every word.

I am so excited for everyone to get their hands on The Dilemma and I personally cannot wait to see what Paris has in store for us next.

Honestly, this book is absolutely brilliant! On more than one occasion I was up until stupid o’clock in the morning because I just couldn’t put it down. Both of the main characters are struggling with heartbreaking decisions and choices they have to make, which will inevitably have huge consequences for the family and their friends. 
I have to admit to crying at several points during this thought provoking book. The way the characters have been drawn, and their individual struggles told, this book stayed with me for days after I’d finished it. Another excellent story for an author who keeps pushing the bar higher with every book!