This book had me hooked from the beginning, I didn’t put it down until I reached the end! Fantastic! Definitely worth reading.

I was so excited to get chance to be on this tour having read all the previous B A Paris books and been hooked, this was just such an amazing oppurtunity.



The Dilemma follows Livia and Adam. Its Livias 40th brthday and she is finally get the party she has always dreamt of as she didnt get her dream wedding day. It all has to be perfect. Adam is going to make sure of it, there is only one member of the family missing and that is the couples daughter Marnie. Livia has a big secret to tell Adam about Marnie and Adam is keeping his own.



But it all boils down too the couple wanting to have one lat happy family moment. What would you do?



This was such a gripping read, it really posed such moral questions that as a reader you spend the time questioning what you would do? The characters had their flaws, and personalities that made them feel so real and i enjoyed that greatly.


The chapters were short enough that you flew through them quickly but long enough that you got plenty from each one, i also really liked the way we followed the evening from both points of view as it all unfolded before us, the reader.



It was a thrilling read but felt so much deeper than that, its up there as one of my favourites by the author and it was a truely great way to kick off the year and i really suggest this is one to add to your TBR

The book centres around Livs 40th birthday party something she's been planning for over 20 years. Liv knows something about Marnie (the daughter) which she has kept from her husband Joe but has decided to wait until after her party to tell him . Joe also knows something about Marnie which he plans to divulge as soon as they are alone after the party.
Not a book of suspense more a family saga with all it's ups and downs some deep, deep downs....
Not my favourite B A Paris novel but still worth a read.

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and the publisher HQ for the opportunity to read this advance copy.

The Dilemma has a very different feel to the authors other books and is much more of a domestic drama than a psychological thriller so that may be worth bearing in mind before you decide to read it. So although it wasn’t quite what I was expecting, it did work well for me and I really enjoyed it. This was mainly due because of her great use of character development but also her ability to create situations that generated not just a wide range of emotions but also a thought provoking dilemma of your own. What would you have done if you had been Liv or Adam?

Now I mention character development because I have to start by saying that this married couple did actually annoy the hell out of me!! I’m not one to judge how others live their lives behind closed doors but really?!?! A happily married couple keeping such huge secrets from each other and why? Because of a birthday party!! I couldn’t believe how big a deal this party was to Liv and how she acted like a rather spoilt child at times because of it. I know it was her 40th but she had chosen her HOUSE 20 years ago mainly because it had a better garden to hold this party!! That’s not to say I didn’t understand why or feel sympathy towards the family problems that lay behind her obsession but to be honest I kept wondering, if it was due to not having the wedding of her dreams, then why didn’t they just have a beautiful party for them both in that carefully chosen garden and renew their marriage vows?! But that small niggle aside, this book was like being a fly on your neighbours wall-especially if those neighbours aren’t quite the perfect, happy family that you thought they were. I love a dysfunctional family and here we meet one who don’t seem to realise just how lucky they are! Yes, Liv and Adam make mistakes and will have you shouting “For Gods sake COMMUNICATE!!” at them but ultimately this heartbreaking and gripping book will play with your emotions as you follow them during one day that will change their lives forever.

An addictive read that will really make you think long after you’ve read the final page.

Livia didn't have the fantastic wedding she always wanted - she was accidentally pregnant far too young, so she has been saving for years to make her 40th birthday party a magical evening to replace the kind of wedding she always wanted. Her husband Adam is determined to make sure she has that amazing evening come what may.

Unfortunately both Livia and Adam are keeping a major secret from eachother with the potential to ruin not only Livia's magical evening, but the rest of their lives.

Can they get through the evening together and have one last perfect evening, or will it all explode?

This is a real page turner. I didn't want to put it down. Well written with extremely believable characters you feel very invested in. I loved Livia and Adam's story and was praying love would see them through.

Livia has been planning a party of a lifetime to celebrate her 40th birthday and nothing has been left to chance. Everything is organised to the nth degree and Adam, Livia's husband, is happy to go along with Livia's plans as he feels that she needs this special celebration in order to come to terms with her past disappointments. And all would be perfect if not for the fact that Marnie, the couple's daughter is currently studying overseas and won't be able to make it to her mother's special party.

What then follows is an emotional and rather deep story about the minutiae of family life and of the hurts, disappointments and secrets which threaten to engulf the most stable of relationships. Both Livia and Adam have secrets which they are struggling with and, for one of them in particular, the hurt is absolutely bone deep which, when revealed, will alter their family life forever. As always this talented author draws you into a story which is filled with an abundance of difficult scenarios, some of which make a real tug on your heart, and, as the secrets in this family start to be revealed, so the heartbreak of love and loss start to be revealed.

I devoured this book in one sitting as I really couldn't put it down, as the difficult dilemma that features so prominently throughout the story is the stuff of every person's worst nightmare. I think that the author has captured the atmosphere perfectly, true, there's some superficiality around the planning of the party, and I'm not sure that I liked Livia very much at the beginning, but when all is combined with a devastating family situation the story allows an emotional glimpse into the terror of loss and the abiding sadness of grief.

This really was an emotional ride that by the finish had the tears pouring down my face.
This really needs to just be picked up and read with no prior expectations.
Its essentially at heart a family drama that focuses heavily on the family dynamic and what makes people tick.
A dilemma of ultimate truth told from both Husband and wife Livia and Adam who are both holding their cards close to there chest, temporally withholding certain facts they believe will protect and shield there loved ones.
The events unfolding here play out over a very brief window of time which expertly manages to increase the intensity and increasing sense of horror, disbelief, betrayal and despair all depending on whose head we are in at that moment in time.
But I also equally felt such a sense of connection to this family and I could definitely feel there love and commitment for each other despite and also because of the obstacles they have managed to overcome.
So despite my Sadness here I was also left with an emerging sense of hope and also growth.
That this family have managed to pull together in such a make or break scenario and even eventually emerge intact as a unit.
This was such a heartening thing, so yes I did enjoy this it's excellently written and managed to get me feeling all sorts of mixed-up emotions.
My rating reflects also on the toll this took on me personally, my enjoyment of this was also mixed with a profound sense of loss and I was left feeling wrung out and put through an emotional wringer.
Also, this was quite slow in regards to plot direction as I said it focuses more on feelings so at times I did find myself skimming slightly, In conclusion, this was a solid emotional read that I would recommend just keep the tissues handy.
I voluntary reviewed a copy of The Dilemma.

Once started I found it very difficult to put down - the tension just built up and the characters very believable.
Livia is celebrating her 40th birthday with a party she has been planning since she had a small wedding as a teenager.
She has a secret she will share with her husband Adam after the party.
Adam has an even bigger secret to tell...but should he wait until after the party, or spoil the celebrations?
A difficult storyline well executed. Read carefully as clues and red herrings are dotted through out..

This book grips from the outset and keeps you hooked throughout. The characters and their motivations are perfectly explored and whilst the book is set over the course of one day, it flows well and has perfect timing

A story to make you think. A true dilemma. Very different to BA Paris' previous books but just as riveting. This is a family drama set over one day. A party and secrets being held. A story to make you think. A real heartbreaking story. I loved it and devoured in two days.

And what a dilemma it is. I honestly don't know what I'd do in either Adam or Livia's position.

Would you be able to put your own feelings aside, your own upset aside to allow your partner a few more hours of blissful ignorance?

Livia had been planning her big 40th birthday party for many years. But in some ways she is dreading it, because of what she knows but hasn't done anything with the info of yet.

Equally on the day of the party Adam hears some life changing news but has to decide when the right time to reveal it is.

This is a very tightly plotted, incredibly compelling story that had me absorbed and oblivious to the world around me.

It is heartbreaking, I'll admit I didn't cry but can imagine many will, as we see hour by hour the day of the party from both viewpoints.

At first you have no clue what is being hidden other than its big stuff, and as everything is slowly revealed I found myself gasping and almost audibly swearing.

I've been a fan of this authors's books from her first one, and although this is a change of direction for her, it is still as wonderful as ever.

Thought provoking, addictive and fabulous.

Thank you to HQ and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

The Dilemma had me gripped for the first half as we got sucked into the story and secrets were revealed but I found the second half slow with a surprising and, to me, disappointing conclusion.

The story is told over the course of one day in one hour chunks. The day is Livia’s 40th birthday party which she has been planning for about 20 years to make up for the big wedding she was unable to have. Her and Adam got married in a bit of a hurry as she was unexpectedly pregnant with Josh, now 22, at the time. Livia’s parents declined to come and then cut her off completely so have never met their daughter Marnie who is now 19 and spending a year in Hong Kong as part of her Uni course.

Livia is hiding a big secret which she is keeping from Adam until after the party. Then Adam discovers some potentially devastating news on the day of the party but is in a dilemma as to whether to spoil Livia’s parry as the news is still not clear. What both Livia and Adam are keeping secret become clear about halfway through the book and it then gets somewhat tedious as they go round and round the loop or almost revealing but then getting distracted so not revealing. I was finding the whole idea of planning a party 20 years in advance, including choosing the right house as it has a big enough garden year in advance, quite hard to believe.

With thanks to NetGalley and HQ (Harper Collins) for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. 3.5 stars from me.

Absolutely amazing read - I'm not sure if I should write this review now as I'm still so moved by this fantastic read . . . . Definitely one I can't recommend you read as soon as you can but make sure you keep the tissues handy if you get as engaged in it all as I did!

Livia and Adam married as teenagers, despite her parents' objections, and shortly after had their son Josh. Livia had always dreamed of having a beautiful wedding, but it didn't happen, so now she's saved and planned to have a fabulous party for her fortieth birthday and she's unaware of all the surprises her family have planned to help her celebrate the day. Livia is keeping secrets about their daughter, Marnie, but intends to let Adam know them once the party is over . . . . She doesn't know that their daughter, Marnie, is planning on secretly flying home to join the celebrations.

Adam is hoping everything will go well at the party, including Marnie's surprise arrival. However, when he goes to collect his present for Livia he hears devastating news. Should he share it with Livia or wait until after the party. How can he keep it secret? How can he consider spoiling the party by sharing it?

Secrets, kept with the best intentions, pose huge dilemmas for both Livia and Adam, but the fallout from them will be dreadful. The story is told from the alternating points of view of Livia and Adam, ensuring readers know both individual dilemmas and reasoning behind their choices. It is such an emotive, dramatic story of love, loss, drama and grief, a book that deserves to be at the top of everyone's read list. It is a family drama involving choices, relationships, friends, love and mistakes all carefully crafted into an amazing, emotive story that I suspect will stay with me for years to come.

I requested and was gifted a copy of this book and found it to truly be a breath-taking read, one that I can't recommend highly enough - simply superb!

Livia is planning her 40th birthday party to make up for the wedding celebration that she never had. It’s going to be perfect except for one thing. Her Daughter Marnie is studying abroad and can’t return home for the party. Livia won’t even be able to contact her on her special day as Marnie is going away for a few days to revise and won’t be contactable.
Adam is hoping that his Wife’s party goes without a hitch and secretly arranges for Marnie travel home to surprise her Mum. During the morning of the party Adam discovers something terrible, but decides to let Livia enjoy her party first, before telling her. Meanwhile Livia has been keeping a secret of her own. One which will tear her family and friends apart, but she can’t decide if and when to tell Adam.
I have loved all this author’s books in the past and this book is no exception. I feel that this book has a different style of writing to her previous books and doesn’t really have a massive twist to reveal before the end. However, this book makes for great reading. There are a few of the main characters who all have their own dilemma to deal with and these are slowly revealed to us, like peeling away layers of an onion.
I really enjoyed this book and can’t wait for the next one.

A superlative novel of immense dramatic irony. There is never a good time to deliver or receive bad news but choosing the right moment is imperative. Livia is launching a lavish 40th birthday party. You become aware that she has an issue with her daughter, Marnie. Adam, her husband has a different issue with their daughter. Both issues remain uncovered between each other. I couldn't believe that they could be so detached from each other and manage to successfully conceal the matters. .It says much about the state of their marriage. The diverse characters with all their own simmering undercurrents are introduced well and their interaction at the party is so perfectly typical. In my opinion, I thought the first description of the bike ride was superfluous and confusing. When it was repeated verbatim towards the end it did actually make complete sense and an impact. The aftermath a year later was also too long for me, nothing had changed much. I thought it might contain a twist but it didn't. It was a hugely enjoyable novel leaving me with lots of impressions and thoughts to sieve through. Thank you to NetGalley and HQ.

Wow, what a rollercoaster of a ride.

My first book by B A Paris & already I’m excited about reading the others.

I loved this book & devoured it in one sitting. Intriguing storyline which had me hooked from the outset.

Thoroughly recommend 4.5 stars

This book is like a slow burning firework which burns and burns until it explodes. Adam and Livia both have a secret about their daughter Marnie but neither one can find the right time to tell it. So the tension builds until it explodes. Questions what would you do in this situation? B A Paris is a master of suspense. Well worth a reaf

As soon as I saw this was available, I couldn’t wait to read it - her other book, Behind Closed Doors, is still one of my all time favourites. Though The Dilemma didn’t quite match BCD I couldn’t put it down. Some parts seemed a little far fetched but all in all this was another fantastic book from Paris.

The book had me hooked right from the start. I don’t think I have ever devoured a story so quickly! I really needed to know the outcome and hoped for the best all the way through. Likeable well rounded characters, the story is told from both Adam and Livia’s perspectives with each section having their name at the top which saved any confusion. I recommend this book, thank you #netgalley.

I found this book to be a very different read to previous B A Paris books which I loved so much. It wasn't a psychological thriller to my way of thinking at all. Difficult to describe without giving away the plot line.
There are twp dilemma's in the book but personally I found one of them to be unrealistic, hard to believe and not plausible. If the dilemma had lasted a couple of hours, but it was a whole day and I found the whole thing was dragged out for far too long. I just kept asking myself "really!" who would do this?
The ending was extremely raw, so sad and very well written. Certainly it was an emotional read, but not the book I thought it was going to be based on previous works. There is a final few pages on what happens one year later on which I am not sure was needed as it seemed to detract from the ending. I would say if this is your first B A Paris do read the earlier works as they are truly psychological thrillers.