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3.26 AVERAGE
3.26 AVERAGE
Uitgelezen op één dag tijd en moeten vechten tegen de tranen op het einde. In mijn boek is dat een verhaal wat vijf sterren waard is.
I thought this book was thriller or at least suspense but I’m not sure I agree, something like “Family Drama” fiction maybe more appropriate. The book follows a family over approx 24hrs as they prepare to host a big birthday party. Both Adam and Livia are keeping damaging secrets from the other and of course, the party must go on! I did enjoy this book, and at times I was hooked and desperate to know what happened however it wasn’t an exceptional read for me. There weren’t any big twists and it the story felt somewhat predictable though that may have been intentional from the author to focus around Adam’s inner feelings of his secret.
Whilst I adored the writing and love B A Paris’ books, I just found this didn’t go anywhere. It was a great concept and story but it just coasted and never hit an end point.
Book received by Netgalley in exchange for a review.
Book received by Netgalley in exchange for a review.
The only dilemma in this book is whether or not it should have been published and the answer should have been no.
I don’t understand how BA Paris can write such an incredible thriller like “Behind Closed Doors” and then produce this roll of toilet paper. This was not a thriller. There was nothing thrilling about it. The only thing exciting was waiting to get to the end so I could be done. I was hoping there would be a twist to redeem the catastrophe that was the story but there wasn’t.
It was a book of fiction with no point. The entire novel could have been written in 7 pages if the idiots had talked to each other. And seriously, nothing was suspenseful. I am confused about the category here.
I’m reviewing my DNF policy as a result of this dumpster fire. It gets one star but in my heart it’s a 0.10/5. The 0.10 is for the cover art.
I don’t understand how BA Paris can write such an incredible thriller like “Behind Closed Doors” and then produce this roll of toilet paper. This was not a thriller. There was nothing thrilling about it. The only thing exciting was waiting to get to the end so I could be done. I was hoping there would be a twist to redeem the catastrophe that was the story but there wasn’t.
It was a book of fiction with no point. The entire novel could have been written in 7 pages if the idiots had talked to each other. And seriously, nothing was suspenseful. I am confused about the category here.
I’m reviewing my DNF policy as a result of this dumpster fire. It gets one star but in my heart it’s a 0.10/5. The 0.10 is for the cover art.
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
https://cdnbookworm.blogspot.com/2021/07/the-dilemma.html
To tell or not to tell? That is the dilemma upon which B.A. Paris’ latest work is based.
The story relays what happens to a family in a slightly more than 24-hour period. It focuses on Livia’s 40th birthday party, a day that she has obsessed over and planned for during the previous 20 years. Her husband Adam, as well as her children Marnie and Josh, are involved in trying to make Livia’s birthday the happiest day of her life. However, secrets and lies are hidden amongst them, and dark clouds prevail over the birthday preparations and the party itself.
The plot is conveyed in alternate narratives from Livia and Adam and is told in a manner that allows for flashbacks and backstory, thus giving the reader insight into Livia and Adam’s thought processes and a full picture of how and why each views the present situation as he/she does Although the book definitely focuses on secrets and lies, it is also about friendships and families — and the lengths one might go to keep a loved one from hearing disturbing truths.
I found the book to be a fast-paced, gripping and emotional roller coaster of a read. Although this solid family drama is a real page-turner, it is very different from the other books I have read from this author, which tend to be more or less psychological thrillers.
Thanks to the publisher and to NetGalley for providing me with an advanced reader’s copy.
The story relays what happens to a family in a slightly more than 24-hour period. It focuses on Livia’s 40th birthday party, a day that she has obsessed over and planned for during the previous 20 years. Her husband Adam, as well as her children Marnie and Josh, are involved in trying to make Livia’s birthday the happiest day of her life. However, secrets and lies are hidden amongst them, and dark clouds prevail over the birthday preparations and the party itself.
The plot is conveyed in alternate narratives from Livia and Adam and is told in a manner that allows for flashbacks and backstory, thus giving the reader insight into Livia and Adam’s thought processes and a full picture of how and why each views the present situation as he/she does Although the book definitely focuses on secrets and lies, it is also about friendships and families — and the lengths one might go to keep a loved one from hearing disturbing truths.
I found the book to be a fast-paced, gripping and emotional roller coaster of a read. Although this solid family drama is a real page-turner, it is very different from the other books I have read from this author, which tend to be more or less psychological thrillers.
Thanks to the publisher and to NetGalley for providing me with an advanced reader’s copy.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
Livia has been waiting for this day for most of her life. As a young mother, she never got to have the wedding of her dreams. Now, she is 40 and ready to make up for it. All of her friends and family will be there to make her feel special except for Livia's daughter, Marnie. Secretly, Livia is happy about this. She just discovered a shocking secret about her daughter and didn't want the day to be ruined. Meanwhile, Livia's husband, Adam, has also learned something about Marnie. Both parents are faced with a dilemma... to tell the other their news and spoil the day or keep a secret until the evening is over. Neither know which is the right choice.
I have read all of B.A. Paris' books and was excited to start this one! Unlike her previous psychological thrillers, this was more a family drama that centered around keeping secrets from one another. While it was a page-turner, I found the characters to be very frustrating. Much of the book focused on their inner dilemmas over whether to share a secret about Marnie or to save the life-changing information until after this birthday party. While the book is literally titled, The Dilemma, I had hoped more would happen. Instead, I thought the ending was predictable and without any twists.
It did describe Livia's and Adam's inner turmoil as they struggled with making the right choices. I could sympathize with the characters at these moments and the overall storyline was intriguing. Overall, it was a solid book about family drama and a traumatic event, but it wasn't the typical B.A. Paris thriller I was ready to read. Had I gone in with different expectations, I think I would have enjoyed this book much more.
Livia has been waiting for this day for most of her life. As a young mother, she never got to have the wedding of her dreams. Now, she is 40 and ready to make up for it. All of her friends and family will be there to make her feel special except for Livia's daughter, Marnie. Secretly, Livia is happy about this. She just discovered a shocking secret about her daughter and didn't want the day to be ruined. Meanwhile, Livia's husband, Adam, has also learned something about Marnie. Both parents are faced with a dilemma... to tell the other their news and spoil the day or keep a secret until the evening is over. Neither know which is the right choice.
I have read all of B.A. Paris' books and was excited to start this one! Unlike her previous psychological thrillers, this was more a family drama that centered around keeping secrets from one another. While it was a page-turner, I found the characters to be very frustrating. Much of the book focused on their inner dilemmas over whether to share a secret about Marnie or to save the life-changing information until after this birthday party. While the book is literally titled, The Dilemma, I had hoped more would happen. Instead, I thought the ending was predictable and without any twists.
It did describe Livia's and Adam's inner turmoil as they struggled with making the right choices. I could sympathize with the characters at these moments and the overall storyline was intriguing. Overall, it was a solid book about family drama and a traumatic event, but it wasn't the typical B.A. Paris thriller I was ready to read. Had I gone in with different expectations, I think I would have enjoyed this book much more.
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Miscarriage
Livia is turning 40, and preparing for the birthday party of her dreams. After she and Adam were married very young and didn't have the wedding of her dreams, Livia decided that her fortieth birthday party would make up for it. Now the day has arrived. But, Livia has a secret that she's been keeping from Adam. And Adam, wanting Livia's day to be as perfect as she has always hoped, also has a secret he's keeping from her. Each chapter alternates between Livia and Adam, and we slowly learn the nature of the secrets they're keeping, and what they will mean for the family.
I wanted to find out what happened to this couple. The writing kept me interested for the most part. It's clear that Paris knows how to craft a compelling story. But I thought it was a little long, and I don't really enjoy when the story is moved along by the trope of a couple not talking to each other. I couldn't relate to Adam or Livia, probably because I don't like keeping things from those closest to me. I also just found it a little hard to believe that a 4o-year-old woman would continue to hang so many hopes and dreams on a birthday party (and do that for 20+ years). That seemed kind of juvenile. Fans of B.A. Paris may enjoy this book, but go into it expecting more of a family drama, rather than her usual thriller.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
I wanted to find out what happened to this couple. The writing kept me interested for the most part. It's clear that Paris knows how to craft a compelling story. But I thought it was a little long, and I don't really enjoy when the story is moved along by the trope of a couple not talking to each other. I couldn't relate to Adam or Livia, probably because I don't like keeping things from those closest to me. I also just found it a little hard to believe that a 4o-year-old woman would continue to hang so many hopes and dreams on a birthday party (and do that for 20+ years). That seemed kind of juvenile. Fans of B.A. Paris may enjoy this book, but go into it expecting more of a family drama, rather than her usual thriller.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.