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3.26 AVERAGE
3.26 AVERAGE
Thank you @stmartinspress and @netgalley {#partner} for gifting me with an electronic and physical advanced readers copy in exchange for an independent and honest review. Get your copy of this book on 06/30/2020!
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Review of The Dilemma by B.A. Paris:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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Imagine a huge extravagant event, close friends and family, years of planning. Imagine harboring secrets that would impact several in attendance. Now imagine that you discovered something so devastating, so shocking, that you knew it would change your family forever? Would you allow your partner those last few hours of happiness before shattering their life or would you tell them right away? Would you carry the burden of what you know as it tears you up inside while pretending everything is normal or would you share the burden and cancel the event? The Dilemma is about just that. The dilemma of sharing secrets or hiding them to prevent the fallout. To preserve one last moment of normalcy before your world gets rocked off its axis. In B.A. Paris’s latest novel, Adam and Livia are both harboring secrets from one another. And they’re both faced with the dilemma of if and when they should share those secrets while weighing the cost of doing so. Would you torment yourself with a dilemma like this?
This book is gut wrenching. It tore me apart. Probably because I could relate to so much of it in its own way. I’ve lived through devastating news and how it can completely change the lives of a family. The shifting to a new normal. The life before “X” and the life after. But this book mainly centers on the middle and it is as much heartbreaking as it is fascinating to understand their rationalization for their choices. Told from alternating perspectives, this book is unlike Paris’ other books. There’s certainly an element of suspense but it’s very minute as this is more a family situational drama. After reading this, I‘m sure there will be many conversations exploring how you’d respond if faced with such a dilemma. I know I will be.
.
Review of The Dilemma by B.A. Paris:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
.
Imagine a huge extravagant event, close friends and family, years of planning. Imagine harboring secrets that would impact several in attendance. Now imagine that you discovered something so devastating, so shocking, that you knew it would change your family forever? Would you allow your partner those last few hours of happiness before shattering their life or would you tell them right away? Would you carry the burden of what you know as it tears you up inside while pretending everything is normal or would you share the burden and cancel the event? The Dilemma is about just that. The dilemma of sharing secrets or hiding them to prevent the fallout. To preserve one last moment of normalcy before your world gets rocked off its axis. In B.A. Paris’s latest novel, Adam and Livia are both harboring secrets from one another. And they’re both faced with the dilemma of if and when they should share those secrets while weighing the cost of doing so. Would you torment yourself with a dilemma like this?
This book is gut wrenching. It tore me apart. Probably because I could relate to so much of it in its own way. I’ve lived through devastating news and how it can completely change the lives of a family. The shifting to a new normal. The life before “X” and the life after. But this book mainly centers on the middle and it is as much heartbreaking as it is fascinating to understand their rationalization for their choices. Told from alternating perspectives, this book is unlike Paris’ other books. There’s certainly an element of suspense but it’s very minute as this is more a family situational drama. After reading this, I‘m sure there will be many conversations exploring how you’d respond if faced with such a dilemma. I know I will be.
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
It's the first book I read by this author and I'm more than happy I requested it because it was a great discovery.
It's a gripping and entertaining read, it kept me on the edge till the end and it was a rollercoaster of emotions and "GASP".
I think that Ms Paris is a master storyteller and she is great at creating an engrossing plot and fleshed out characters.
I will surely read other books by this author.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
It's a gripping and entertaining read, it kept me on the edge till the end and it was a rollercoaster of emotions and "GASP".
I think that Ms Paris is a master storyteller and she is great at creating an engrossing plot and fleshed out characters.
I will surely read other books by this author.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
4.5 stars
I read this within the day so that speaks volumes.
In this new B A Paris novel which I received as an advanced reader copy from @harlequinaus we see a slightly different novel. In the past the author has been known for her psychological thrillers whereas this one is more of a domestic noir. Still plenty of suspense but none of the crazy twists and turns that are sometimes found within psychological thrillers.
The story begins at 3.30am on a Sunday morning. After the opening chapter, the timeline reverts to the previous day and the reader is constantly wondering what happens to lead up to the events of the opening chapter.
The chapters alternate in points of view from the two main characters and each chapter is short which helps build the tension. At the core of the story is several moral dilemmas and the impact that they could have.
This was a really enjoyable read. Tense, morally challenging at times and sad. I loved how the story started 3/4 of the way through and then reverted back in time. Slightly repetitive in one section as the tension is built but otherwise I felt that this was very well done. Don’t go into reading this expecting a psychological thriller, but do read this if you want a satisfying read.
I applaud the new direction that B A Paris has taken.
I read this within the day so that speaks volumes.
In this new B A Paris novel which I received as an advanced reader copy from @harlequinaus we see a slightly different novel. In the past the author has been known for her psychological thrillers whereas this one is more of a domestic noir. Still plenty of suspense but none of the crazy twists and turns that are sometimes found within psychological thrillers.
The story begins at 3.30am on a Sunday morning. After the opening chapter, the timeline reverts to the previous day and the reader is constantly wondering what happens to lead up to the events of the opening chapter.
The chapters alternate in points of view from the two main characters and each chapter is short which helps build the tension. At the core of the story is several moral dilemmas and the impact that they could have.
This was a really enjoyable read. Tense, morally challenging at times and sad. I loved how the story started 3/4 of the way through and then reverted back in time. Slightly repetitive in one section as the tension is built but otherwise I felt that this was very well done. Don’t go into reading this expecting a psychological thriller, but do read this if you want a satisfying read.
I applaud the new direction that B A Paris has taken.
It wasn’t the worst but it wasn’t that great. I’d probably rate it 2.75 stars. The main characters drove me crazy with keeping secrets from each other... like if you’re married to this person just tell them instead of keeping it in.
It was repetitive too and I didn’t really like Livia all that much and the way she obsessed about her party. All I can say is that I’m glad this was a library book and not something I bought.
I hope the authors other books are better as some of them are on my want to read list.
It was repetitive too and I didn’t really like Livia all that much and the way she obsessed about her party. All I can say is that I’m glad this was a library book and not something I bought.
I hope the authors other books are better as some of them are on my want to read list.
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Where is the thrill ?!!!!!!!!! I picked it up thinking it's a thriller but good lord where is the thrill ???
The book is soo slow paced , there is no plot development neither character development
It's a 2 way narration which makes it even more BORING ..
Not recommended at all
The book is soo slow paced , there is no plot development neither character development
It's a 2 way narration which makes it even more BORING ..
Not recommended at all
I loved Behind Closed Doors and have been eager to read each new B.A. Paris book since then, but I feel like it would have been a great idea to alert the reader early on that this isn't really a mystery in the same vein as the previous books.
Oddly, I felt like I got to the end of the book asking "What is the point?" Liv and Adam each have a secret that for reasons (some arbitrary, some well-intentioned) they are going to wait until the end of Liv's party to share. But the breakdown of the secrets starts feeling repetitive quickly, and the ultimate revelations feel surprisingly thin given the stakes that have been set up.
Oddly, I felt like I got to the end of the book asking "What is the point?" Liv and Adam each have a secret that for reasons (some arbitrary, some well-intentioned) they are going to wait until the end of Liv's party to share. But the breakdown of the secrets starts feeling repetitive quickly, and the ultimate revelations feel surprisingly thin given the stakes that have been set up.
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Grief
Moderate: Death
Meeslepend, maar tikje te voorspelbaar. Hoedanook perfecte luchtige vakantielectuur.
I thought this was devastating and beautiful. The devastation and selfishness of secrets; the beauty of love; the resilience of families. Thank you Netgalley for my review copy. This is one I won't forget.