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3.27 AVERAGE
3.27 AVERAGE
The story itself is quite good but wasn’t really a fan of the writing/tone. Also one huge ????? for me was has the author never heard of a vow renewal? A 40 year old woman being obsessed with having a party because she didn’t get the wedding she wants would surely lead to that instead of a massive birthday party lol
I would like to thank the author, St. Martin's Press and Goodreads for providing me an ARC of The Dilemma in exchange for a honest review.
The book is centered around a family consisting of the husband (Adam), his wife (Livia) and their daughter (Marnie) and son (Josh). In the absence of having a proper wedding ceremony, Livia has been saving since her entire adult life for her fortieth birthday party which finally comes to fruition.
However Livia faces a dilemma. Although Livia is ecstatic to finally throw herself a lavish party, she is hiding a terrible secret about Marnie that she cannot find it in herself to disclose to Adam. Meanwhile, Adam also faces a dilemma of having to disclose another dreadful secret about Marnie to Livia and son, Josh. The book largely deals with both Livia and Adam trying to figure out the how's and when's and if's the secrets should be disclosed.
Most of the book takes place right before, during and right after the night of the birthday party. I expected the book to be a thriller but it ended up being a family drama novel, which is fine, because Ms. Paris effectively fleshed out all primary and secondary characters' human values. Family and friends can be both a curse and a blessing, things can get really complicated with them yet they can also be the best medium of support. This book makes an excellent book club choice to discuss family values, morals and if Livia and Adam could have handled their dilemmas differently. 4.5 stars.
The book is centered around a family consisting of the husband (Adam), his wife (Livia) and their daughter (Marnie) and son (Josh). In the absence of having a proper wedding ceremony, Livia has been saving since her entire adult life for her fortieth birthday party which finally comes to fruition.
However Livia faces a dilemma. Although Livia is ecstatic to finally throw herself a lavish party, she is hiding a terrible secret about Marnie that she cannot find it in herself to disclose to Adam. Meanwhile, Adam also faces a dilemma of having to disclose another dreadful secret about Marnie to Livia and son, Josh. The book largely deals with both Livia and Adam trying to figure out the how's and when's and if's the secrets should be disclosed.
Most of the book takes place right before, during and right after the night of the birthday party. I expected the book to be a thriller but it ended up being a family drama novel, which is fine, because Ms. Paris effectively fleshed out all primary and secondary characters' human values. Family and friends can be both a curse and a blessing, things can get really complicated with them yet they can also be the best medium of support. This book makes an excellent book club choice to discuss family values, morals and if Livia and Adam could have handled their dilemmas differently. 4.5 stars.
I haven't read [b:The Breakdown|31450633|The Breakdown|B.A. Paris|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1492234495l/31450633._SY75_.jpg|49326982] yet, but [b:The Dilemma|41150465|The Dilemma|B.A. Paris|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1572966712l/41150465._SY75_.jpg|62641602] by [a:B.A. Paris|14425604|B.A. Paris|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1497031605p2/14425604.jpg] is definitely her most unique book-to-date for me. I'm a little worried that this is being labeled as a mystery and thriller when it's really neither of those things. This book is mostly just a slow-burn family drama filled with secrets.
I wasn't expecting a mystery or thriller, so I think that's what helped me fully appreciate this novel. It went pretty deep and I love that Paris showed how much dimension she has with her writing. She is not just another thriller/mystery writer, it turns out she can write a pretty great family drama as well. I was not bored reading it even though it is a slow burn, and even though they had their faults, I still really liked both Adam and Livia.
I chuckled a few times, but there were also a couple of times I just laughed out loud mostly because of shock. There was also one of those 'hell YES' moments that I love, because you can't just let people get away with EVERYTHING right? The Dilemma also ended up being a total tear-jerker for me, and I had tears in my eyes for much of the ending.
I really think it is important to go into this book with the right expectations. So don't expect a mystery or thriller out of The Dilemma, and definitely be prepared for a slow burn. I was still turning pages pretty quickly though thanks to the short chapters and dual viewpoints between Adam and Livia. There were a couple of times I wanted to knock their heads together, but besides that I just loved the experience of reading the book and the emotions it made me feel.
Thank you to the publisher for providing me with an advance review copy of this book, all opinions and thoughts are my own.
I wasn't expecting a mystery or thriller, so I think that's what helped me fully appreciate this novel. It went pretty deep and I love that Paris showed how much dimension she has with her writing. She is not just another thriller/mystery writer, it turns out she can write a pretty great family drama as well. I was not bored reading it even though it is a slow burn, and even though they had their faults, I still really liked both Adam and Livia.
I chuckled a few times, but there were also a couple of times I just laughed out loud mostly because of shock. There was also one of those 'hell YES' moments that I love, because you can't just let people get away with EVERYTHING right? The Dilemma also ended up being a total tear-jerker for me, and I had tears in my eyes for much of the ending.
I really think it is important to go into this book with the right expectations. So don't expect a mystery or thriller out of The Dilemma, and definitely be prepared for a slow burn. I was still turning pages pretty quickly though thanks to the short chapters and dual viewpoints between Adam and Livia. There were a couple of times I wanted to knock their heads together, but besides that I just loved the experience of reading the book and the emotions it made me feel.
Thank you to the publisher for providing me with an advance review copy of this book, all opinions and thoughts are my own.
1.5 rounded up.
Should you keep a secret, even temporarily, to protect the people you love?
For some reason this was not what I expected but an ok read, although I must say it would really have packed a punch as a short story or novella rather than a full 300+ page novel. I have read a few books lately that I have wanted to shout - less is so often more - as the saying goes.
Should you keep a secret, even temporarily, to protect the people you love?
For some reason this was not what I expected but an ok read, although I must say it would really have packed a punch as a short story or novella rather than a full 300+ page novel. I have read a few books lately that I have wanted to shout - less is so often more - as the saying goes.
If I had known the author was switching genres, I would have gone in with different expectations. As a Liane Moriarty book, this is probably a 4. But as a thriller...eh. Still very readable, looking forward to her next either way
More of a family drama vs her normal psychological thrillers but a good story nonetheless!
This book honestly sucked. I tried my best to finish it but just couldn't torture myself anymore. The dilemma was so stupid. I'm not certain what happened but this is not the B.A. Paris I'be grown to love....