Although enjoyable this story was full of unlikeable and unreliable characters and was slow to start. Not one of my favourites by this author but still entertaining enough

This domestic drama follows Gabriel and Iris on their return from a much needed break after a very stressful time. But when they arrive home, they find their friend Laure has all but moved in to their house after leaving her husband Pierre behind in Paris. It isn't unusual for the couples to stay in each others houses while they are away, but they have never turned up unannounced. Having made herself very comfortable and seemingly having no plans to return home, Laure is turning into the guest that won't leave! But when there is no contact from Pierre, even when Gabriel goes to Paris to speak to him, holes start to appear in Laures story, but what is she trying to hide?

This was a very slow-burner of a read with a brilliant ending that made all the build up kind of worth it! And it is one if the few final reveals that I really didn't see coming!

This is my first BA Paris book and I listened to it on audio book. I was hooked from the start. I love that there's only a few main characters so you really get to know them.

It has one of my new favourite tropes but I can't say what it is as it's a spoiler!

The narrator was great and it really did feel like I was listening to Iris. The story focuses on Iris and Gabriel and the appearance of their French friend Laure who has left her husband Pierre after he confesses to a secret love child. Gabriel is on leave from his job as a GP after finding a dying local boy and having to live with his last words. But Iris is focussing on taking care of Laure and her reluctance to leave, as well as making herself too much at home, wear Iris' clothes and rearranging the kitchen. But soon Iris and Gabriel are wrapped up in an other drama that gets fingers pointing everywhere!

I didn't think it was going to be resolved until the epilogue came up and

I 100% recommend this book and can't wait to read more from BR Paris.

Absolutely wild! That epilogue 😮😮 what a twist, I didn’t see it coming at all! BA Paris is back to her best!

I've only read two books by BA Paris so far but I have been loving the tone of her psychological thrillers with dark twists. And at first, this one was heading in the right direction as The Guest begins with a lot of intrigue. These characters seem to be having a lot of bad luck as more and more goes wrong, all the while you're wondering who's behind it all.

Unfortunately, the tone only gets more and more domestic as the story begins to focus on the somewhat lacklustre characters and their drama rather than anything more interesting or sinister. But that's a personal preference, and you'll likely enjoy this one if you're a fan of domestic dramas with a thriller twist.

At less than 300 pages long, it's definitely one you can read in one sitting and I found the audiobook version very engaging. However, when the reveals came, all at once at the very end, my eyes rolled. The story follows one of my least favourite thriller tropes and I felt that the format of the story was too lazy, attempting a big shock by explaining everything in a single monologue instead of weaving these revelations in more subtly.

For the right reader, the twists in this one will definitely leave you in shock. But for me, I prefer my thrillers much more complex and dark.

This was such an easy book to listen to and the narrator, Emily Joyce read the book superbly.
B.A.Paris certainly does it again, the lies the intrigue, the twists and the complete turn around to this story will have you gasping!
This is a great thriller and a total MUST for fans of B.A. Paris. Loved it...!

Thank you to Netgalley, B.A.Paris, Hodder & Stoughton for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook in return for an unbiased review.

A tangled web of betrayal, lies and secrecy that cleverly unravels at the turn of each new page.
Thoroughly gripping, entertaining and compelling, I simply couldn’t stop reading until the shocking and unexpected finale.
5 Stars and highly recommended.

Firstly, thank you to Netgalley and Hodder for accepting me to listen to an early copy of this suspense filled thriller. I honestly cannot stop thinking about it and cannot turn to another story until I’ve got this out of my system.

The Guest is a slow burn with a lot of information being drip fed slowly. There are three sets of couples all with their own lives, secrets and lies – and a number of things link them together. Now this is an extremely hard story to review as there is so much I want to say and so much I truly cannot say.

What I will say is B A Paris knows how to captivate an audience from the off. I was intrigued as each of the characters have their own stresses and strains. Let’s take Gabriel for instance from the start I was captivated by what was making him act the way he was, I wasn’t expecting what came to be in any way shape or form. It made sense in a lot of ways by his behaviour but that was only the surface of what was to come. Laure is an interesting character – there really is so much to her, granted very early on in her stay with Iris and Gabriel I found her annoying. I found myself wanting to scream at Iris and Gabriel to throw her out.

In this story there are two questionable guests that will leave you questioning a lot about our couples. What BA Paris has also done is interlinked a mystery that will keep you guessing until the very end. What I will say is you will not believe the outcome. The epilogue is fast paced and full of so many twists and turns that will make your eyes pop. I’m jealous of everyone who hasn’t read this book as that first read you’ll never get that feeling back.

Iris and Gabriel are returning from a much-needed holiday. Gabriel, a GP, is struggling after recent events. He's lost his father and his dog in recent months. His grief has been compounded by tragedy, he stumbled across a dying teenager and comforted him as he died. It was hoped that the holiday would give the couple a chance to come to terms with what had happened. As they arrive home they discover that a close friend has left her husband and made herself at home in their house, sleeping in their bed, and even wearing Iris' clothes.

Back in October 2022, I read my first B. A. Paris novel, The Prisoner. I enjoyed the novel but felt very let down by the ending. This wasn't enough to put me off reading any more by this author but didn't cause me to rush to pick up another book. The opportunity to try an audiobook seemed ideal. I'm pleased to say that I found The Guest far more to my liking.

We are introduced to Iris and Gabriel at the beginning as they return from their holiday. Middle-aged, relatively well off (he's a GP, she's a self-styled interior designer) and their only child has flown the nest. Things should be perfect but we quickly learn that recent events have taken their toll on Gabriel.

The much hoped-for reset in their lives is halted when they return home to discover a close friend, Laure, has left her husband, Pierre, and fled Paris to England. Knowing Iris and Gabriel were away she took the opportunity to stay in their house while she tried to come to terms with her husband's revelations - that he's had an affair and fathered a child.

The story is told from Iris' perspective and narrator Emily Joyce does an excellent job at portraying a calm and collected manner but also voicing the little frustrations at realising Laure has moved herself into the master bedroom and even helped herself to clothes. The perfect set-up for a cuckoo-in-the-nest style thriller.

Both Iris and Gabriel want to be supportive since Laure and Pierre are friends they've known for years. It is easy to grasp their disbelief in the situation and the irritation that neither Laure nor Pierre seemed to be interested in finding a solution. The resentment begins to grow and fester as Laure makes no effort to leave their home. At this stage I began to wonder if there was more to Laure's reluctance to speak to her husband, particularly as Pierre was ignoring calls and messages from Gabriel. Was there something more sinister afoot?

Luckily Iris makes a new friend in the village when she strikes up a conversation with Esme. This gives Iris a sounding board, someone she can vent her annoyance to. Through this friendship, we are introduced to Jacob, Esme's gardener. The relationship between Esme and Jacob seems to be over-familiar which makes Iris wary, particularly when she discovers that Laure and Jacob are lovers. We also learn that Jacob has links to the teen who died in the quarry. Your suspicion grows when you realise that Gabriel hasn't been entirely truthful about what happened in the quarry.

There are so many strands to this story, I was amazed at how well they were all woven together. It is easy to like and sympathise with some characters and dislike and doubt others. These all add up to a story that keeps you hooked, has you guessing and then turns everything you thought you knew on its head.

The excitement levels always rise when reading a B.A Paris book and this one doesn’t disappoint. When Laure first comes to stay with her friends Iris and Gabriel, no one knew their worlds were about to implode. After hearing her husband, Pierre, has fathered a child years ago, Laure has come back to England for some rest bite Laure goes back to Paris to discuss their marriage, but Pierre is not there and Laure ‘s stay with Iris becomes long term. She starts a fling with the gardener. Soon all the secrets start overspilling and has dire consequences.
There are several characters with their own sub plot and secrets. Together they blend well into a great read. Full of suspense and intrigue, I found this psychological thriller hard to put down, especially towards the end when the secrets are exposed and the situation escalates out of control.

Absolutely amazing. Love B A Paris’ books, every single one of them are easy to follow or read and sink into the story. This one is more proof. Narrator was perfect.

Absolutely fabulous as all BA Paris books always are. 5 massive stars. Recommended to all my bookish friends

I really enjoyed this thriller and will definitely be picking up more books from this author! Thank you to the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this arc! I don’t want to give any spoilers but the TWISTS had me needing more, until I had finished the book! Definitely recommend this if you enjoy a good thriller!

🎧 Audiobook Review:
The Guest by B.A. Paris
Narrated by Emily Joyce
Published by Hodder & Stoughton, 20 Feb 2024
⭐️⭐️
Synopsis:
Iris and Gabriel return home from holiday to a shock. One of their dearest friends, Laure, is in their house - sleeping in their bed, wearing Iris' clothes, even rearranging the furniture. She has walked out on her husband - and their good friend - Pierre over his confession of an affair.
Iris and Gabriel want to be supportive. But as Laure's mood becomes more unpredictable, her presence begins to unravel secrets in all their pasts - until things reach breaking point ...

Review:
This book started with such promise, with the unexpected guest. It was a very slow burn, with not a great deal really happening until much later, and it all felt a bit flat.
I thought the narrator did a great job with the French accents, but I didn't find Iris or Laure very likeable, and by about halfway through, they were both really getting on my nerves. Gabriel's character I found much more agreeable.
The story picked up pace towards the end, or what i thought was the end, until the narrator announced "epilogue". A 54-minute epilogue that basically laid out the whole plot as a reminiscence! What a cop out!
*I received an audiobook from the publisher via NetGalley. This is my unbiased review.

#Bookstagram #NetGalley #TheGuest

Wow another brilliant story from B A Paris. This one starts quite slowly but builds into a fantastic thriller that twists and tricks all the way to the end and beyond, Really great narrator too. Would totally recommend.

This audiobook was a five-star listen for me until the final section, in which the murderer "reminisces" about their crimes. I've put "reminisces" in scare quotes because the set-up doesn't convince me that it's someone reminiscing - the text is too explanatory for that.

Given that there are two other characters who would be well within their rights to expect an explanation from the murderer, I think the epilogue could easily have been reframed and presented as a showdown between the murderer and one or other (or both) of these other characters. I think I would have preferred that, and it would have been in better keeping with the tone of the rest of the novel.

If I had been reading the print copy, I know that I simply would have stopped reading about a page into the explanation and flicked through to ensure there wasn't another twist because that would have confirmed I was correct in suspecting the person I suspected from about two thirds of the way through. That would have left me thoroughly satisfied by this tale of infidelities, unexpected offspring and house guests who outstay their welcome.

4.5 stars rounded down because I didn't read the book, I listened to the audio, and the final section, therefore, dominated my consciousness more.

Would definitely recommend to others who like domestic noir.

Lots of twists and turns throughout and at the end. I can’t say much as I don’t want to give anything away. I suggest reading/listening without knowing anything about this one! I flew through it - another great read from B. A. Paris. I recommend to all fans of the genre. Looking forward to the next. Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers.

Huge fan of BA Paris. And this title didn’t disappoint. Great plot. Good depth of characters transported the reader to another location. My first book of 2024. Great book to read on the beach if I say so myself ! You’ll love it

This domestic thriller concerns a loving couple Iris and Gabriel and their friends Laure and Pierre, living in Paris. Laure turns up on their doorstep one day claiming Pierre is cheating on her she’s in no rush to return home. Whilst the four have spent holidays together. Living in the same house is quite a different story, especially when Laure has moved into their bedroom and is wearing Iris’ clothes.
Then add to the mix a new couple Esme and Hugh, who come to live in the village bringing their gardener with a suspicious backstory, who Iris is a bit too keen on. But is it reciprocated? Then there’s Iris and Gabriel’s adult daughter who returns home from Greece and seems to be spending a lot of time at the newcomers home. Writing this down it seems to read like a French farce but it’s so much more than that. And the ending? Well I guarantee it will give you whiplash! You won’t see any of it coming.

With thanks to Netgalley, publisher - Hodder and Stoughton and the author - B.A.Paris for an advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest, personal opinion.

I enjoyed this family domestic drama.

I listened to the audio book and at first, couldn't keep track of who was who - but the more engrossed I was, the easier it was to work out that Iris and Gabriel were the main couple in the story and their friends Laure and Pierre had separated. There were a number of other characters involved and instrumental to the story line. I found myself wanting to listen to more to find out why Laure and Pierre had separated and what was happening along the way with the other relationships.

Loved the ending, absolutely didn't see it coming! Would recommend.