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3.27 AVERAGE
3.27 AVERAGE
This was different. Huh. I could see it hitting me as a terrible book on another day, but today something unexpected was perfect.
This was a fine read, and I enjoyed the suspense that builds throughout the book. I found the characters incredibly frustrating though as the entire plot revolves around them not communicating with each other. I was completely shocked by some of the truths that were revealed, as they were twists I never saw coming. Overall, I wasn’t happy with the character development or the ending. I was thoroughly disappointed in the outcome. Thank you to the publisher for the advance reader in exchange for my honest review.
I loved Behind Closed Doors and was really looking forward to this book. I struggled with a lot of it though. The subject was difficult for me (but don’t want to share spoilers) and much of the plot was kind of unbelievable. I found it hard to buy that a couple with such terrible communication were supposedly this wonderfully in love couple who somehow survived really difficult life events - without good communication skills. It felt very drawn out with nothing surprising happened in the last hour or so of the book. I kept waiting for another twist that never came.
I received an advanced copy from NetGalley for review.
I received an advanced copy from NetGalley for review.
Having read B. A. Paris’ novel Behind Closed Doors, I went into this book with high expectations for a suspenseful thriller. The Dilemma takes place over the course of a day, during which a couple, Livia and Adam, prepare for and celebrate Livia’s 40th birthday. Each person knows a secret, and struggle with when and how to tell their partner. The novel is told from alternating viewpoints of Adam and Livia pre-party, during the party, and post-party.
Overall, the novel was okay, but did not live up to my expectations. Based on the description, I had expected this book to be a bit more suspenseful and thrilling, but felt that it fell a bit flat. While the novel kept me fairly engaged, I did find some parts to drag on, or just be a bit repetitive. I also felt the fact that the main character, Livia, was so obsessed with her elaborate 40th birthday party that her husband felt he could not share life-changing news with her a bit ridiculous.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advance copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review.
Overall, the novel was okay, but did not live up to my expectations. Based on the description, I had expected this book to be a bit more suspenseful and thrilling, but felt that it fell a bit flat. While the novel kept me fairly engaged, I did find some parts to drag on, or just be a bit repetitive. I also felt the fact that the main character, Livia, was so obsessed with her elaborate 40th birthday party that her husband felt he could not share life-changing news with her a bit ridiculous.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advance copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review.
Another good B.A. Paris book. This one read a little different than her other books to me. It had the suspense factor for sure but there was also deep friendships, love, good character development and some interesting twists and turns.
I recommend this book to everyone on its Pub day of June 30. Thank you to the publisher via Netgalley for the early copy.
I recommend this book to everyone on its Pub day of June 30. Thank you to the publisher via Netgalley for the early copy.
Livia has dreamed of her 40th birthday celebrations for the last 20+ years, since her parents shunned her for getting married and having kids so young. She wants everything to be perfect, especially as she believes this is the last day to hold onto her life as it is, before she has to tell everyone the big secret.
“If I’d been able to have the wedding they promised me, I wouldn’t have become obsessed with having my own special day.”
What Livia doesn’t realise is that her “perfect” day would turn out to be anything but!
What I liked about this book:
It was intense from beginning to end. There were multiple plots unfurling at once, but not in a way that was confusing, or drew the focus from one issue to another. I felt genuinely frightened and sad for the characters. The different POV were written very well, which I do not always find to be the case. I also loved Livvy’s character, I found her so strong and fierce (Adam, on the other hand, not so much!)
What I didn’t like about this book:
I felt the ending was a little weak. After so much drama throughout the rest of the book, I wanted a little bit more excitement as the story was wrapped up.
“If I’d been able to have the wedding they promised me, I wouldn’t have become obsessed with having my own special day.”
What Livia doesn’t realise is that her “perfect” day would turn out to be anything but!
What I liked about this book:
It was intense from beginning to end. There were multiple plots unfurling at once, but not in a way that was confusing, or drew the focus from one issue to another. I felt genuinely frightened and sad for the characters. The different POV were written very well, which I do not always find to be the case. I also loved Livvy’s character, I found her so strong and fierce (Adam, on the other hand, not so much!)
What I didn’t like about this book:
I felt the ending was a little weak. After so much drama throughout the rest of the book, I wanted a little bit more excitement as the story was wrapped up.
I have read all of B.A Paris’ novels and found every one binge-readable and suspenseful.... until The Dilemma. Woof. I don’t know if she was trying for more of a family drama than a thriller/suspense with this story but it fell very flat for me. This book is incredibly slow paced despite the fact that the chapters are never longer than 5 pages. I found both main characters frustrating and their “dilemmas” have very predictable outcomes. The most obnoxious part of this book was how repetitive and over-explained every little plot point was, I wanted to skip entire chapters at a time (and probably could have without missing anything). I was holding out for a big plot twist or surprise at the end that unfortunately never came. It gets 2 stars only because I made it to the end instead of DNF-ing. Very disappointing as I really enjoyed Paris’ other books, so please go read those in place of The Dilemma.
This was extremely disappointing, her 3rd book was even worse than this so I thought she would make up for it. I only kept reading because I was waiting for a twist or something shocking to happen. The story could be figured out so easily I kept thinking there had to be a twist I couldn’t see coming.
2.5 stars.
First off... I was under the impression this was another wonderful domestic thriller from the genius B.A. Paris. So when nothing along those lines happened and the stakes and mood were very different... I was disappointed. Writing "knowing the truth will destroy her, keeping it secret will destroy him" on the cover really gave me the impression we would have at least one murder.
I'm not happy that the majority of this book was a case of misunderstandings and a huge lack of communication. I think it makes sense to a degree considering what happened, but it was seriously over half the book, repeating over and over that one couldn't tell the other a devastating secret. Once you see inside their heads, it's like....... okay, just tell them or time skip, babe. I have a life.
It's especially painful to sit through when you know one "secret" is WAY worse and makes the other practically insignificant by comparison, and these are issues that aren't meant to be dealt with alone.
That being said, the writing was good, the emotion was there, and the variations of displays of grief (guilt, fighting, shifting blame, reconciliation, desperation, and acceptance) felt real. I was satisfied enough with the ending. But you truly could have cut this book in half without losing anything. The first 2 and last 2 hours were all you needed.
First off... I was under the impression this was another wonderful domestic thriller from the genius B.A. Paris. So when nothing along those lines happened and the stakes and mood were very different... I was disappointed. Writing "knowing the truth will destroy her, keeping it secret will destroy him" on the cover really gave me the impression we would have at least one murder.
I'm not happy that the majority of this book was a case of misunderstandings and a huge lack of communication. I think it makes sense to a degree considering what happened, but it was seriously over half the book, repeating over and over that one couldn't tell the other a devastating secret. Once you see inside their heads, it's like....... okay, just tell them or time skip, babe. I have a life.
It's especially painful to sit through when you know one "secret" is WAY worse and makes the other practically insignificant by comparison, and these are issues that aren't meant to be dealt with alone.
That being said, the writing was good, the emotion was there, and the variations of displays of grief (guilt, fighting, shifting blame, reconciliation, desperation, and acceptance) felt real. I was satisfied enough with the ending. But you truly could have cut this book in half without losing anything. The first 2 and last 2 hours were all you needed.