Review: The Dilemma by B.A. Paris

I received this book for free from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

The Dilemma by B A Paris
Published by HQ on January 1, 2020
ISBN: 9780008390754
Genres: Fiction, Thrillers, Suspense, Women, Psychological, Family & Relationships, Parenting, Parent & Adult Child, Friendship, General
Pages: 352
Format: eBook
Source: NetGalley, Publisher
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The million-copy bestselling author returns with another breathtaking book... ‘A powerful, beautifully crafted story that ratchets up the tension with every page and packs a huge emotional punch’ TM Logan, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Holiday Knowing the truth will destroy her. Keeping it secret will destroy him.
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?
One day that will change a family forever, The Dilemma is the breathtaking, heartbreaking new novel from the million-copy-selling, Sunday Times bestseller, B A Paris.
Praise for The Dilemma:
‘A powerful, beautifully crafted story that ratchets up the tension with every page and packs a huge emotional punch’ TM Logan
‘A departure from B A Paris’s previous psycho-thrillers, this emotional story is gripping’ The Daily Mail
‘A heartbreaking page-turner that will have you up at night reading just one more chapter’ Catherine Steadman
‘A dark family drama ... builds a palpable wall of tension that leaves you desperate to find out what happens next’ The Sunday Mirror
‘A beautifully written story of love and loss which will stay with me’ Louise Jensen
‘What a book... utterly unputdownable!’ Sam King
‘A beautifully written novel that will stay with you long after you’ve turned the final page. B A Paris has a unique ability to get inside your head and stay there!’ HC Warner

The Dilemma.  To tell someone something that will not only shatter one world, but many.  What more could you possibly want in a psychological thriller?  My attention was immediately stolen.  I was hungering for the words contained in this explosive novel.  I particularly enjoyed the element of older characters being in the forefront.  There unique take on life, their emotions and their reactions when they are faced with the explosive ramifications that life can throw at you.  I was deeply curious to see how the author would weave a highly addictive plot that would have me hooked by the end of the first chapter. 

I cant applaud B.A. Paris enough for writing yet another compulsive psychological thriller.  This book was refreshing and felt entirely unique.  It gave me a propulsive look into a family’s life almost like looking at it through a microscope.  Livia and Adam Hartwood tell their story over the course of a day, told over increments of an hour.  They both have a dilemma.  Both of them know something that will crush the other.  If they divulge that secret, will they ever be the same again?  Livia has experienced a traumatic childhood and no longer has contact with her parents much to her lifelong regret.  Adam had a perfect childhood with supportive parents but has equally made mistakes that have impacted their family life, but will these secrets finally break them? 

Its finally the day that Livia has been preparing for for the best part of twenty years.  It’s her fortieth birthday party, the day that has been arranged to make up for the wedding she didn’t get.  It’s going to be a fantastical affair with everyone and their granny invited.  Livia leaves for the day to treatments at the spa with her friends.  Adam however, needs to get into town to pick up her birthday present.  He discovers however news that could potentially rock their worlds.  How can he possibly let the party go ahead now?  B.A. Paris sent a wave of unfairness coming over me like a tsunami.  How could this actually be a family’s reality? 

This book made me feel things!  I had moments of anxiousness, sadness, fear and sadness.  I had so many questions and my brain seemed to be operating at over its capacity.  A book that makes me ask questions turns it into mush – it was a glorious and exciting feeling!

Livia wants nothing more than to have all her family around her, but one key person isn’t able to make it, their daughter, Marni.  Adam has a difficult past with his children – this is the part I loved.  It made the dynamics of family life more realistic.  Having children young for many people is no picnic.  It can be fraught with hardship and conflicted feelings about the perceived life you have left behind.  B.A. Paris has defined what real life looks like and hasn’t sugar coated it.  It reads effortlessly and ramps up the drama into the top gear. Both Adam and Marni hatch up a plan for her to get there secretly, a birthday surprise for Livia.  Will it all come together and be the day that she has been imagining forever?

The Dilemma is a twisted and utter compelling psychological thriller.  Cunning and captivating a book that deserves the idiom – utterly unputdownable.  Be ready to have our mind blown.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

B A Paris is the internationally bestselling author of Behind Closed Doors, The Breakdown, Bring Me Back and The Dilemma. Having sold over one million copies in the UK alone, she is a New York Times bestseller as well as Sunday Times bestseller and a number one bestseller on Amazon and iBooks. Her books have been translated into 39 languages. Having lived in France for many years, she and her husband recently moved back to the UK.
Her fifth novel is out in 2021

Follow B A on Twitter @BAParisAuthor

BA Paris