Review - The Dilemma

Title:   The Dilemma

Author:  B. A. Paris

Genre:   Mystery/Thriller

Publisher:  St. Martin's Press

Format:  Kindle ARC

No. of Pages:   352

Date of Publication:   June 30, 2020

My Rating:   4 Stars

DESCRIPTION:

It’s Livia’s fortieth birthday and tonight she’s having a party, a party she’s been planning for a long time. The only person missing will be her daughter, Marnie.

But Livia has a secret, a secret she’s been keeping from Adam, her husband, until the party is over. Because how can she tell him that although she loves Marnie, she’s glad their daughter won’t be there to celebrate with her?

Adam is determined everything will be just right for Livia and the party is going to be perfect… until he learns something that will leave him facing an unbearable decision.

Link to purchase the book

MY THOUGHTS:

It is Livia's 40th birthday party and it should go off without a hitch. Married to Adam, with two children, Josh, 22, and Marnie, 19. All of her friends and family will be there, except for Marnie, and that is exactly what Livia wants. Marnie is a student in Hong Kong and the distance serves well for Livia. 

The Dilemma is why Livia is determined to keep Marnie as far away as possible. She is happily married to Adam, but she is keeping a huge secret from him. If Marnie were to be present, everything Livia has built up will be unraveled. Her life will be like a puzzle with 1000 pieces all jumbled up. Could she handle such disarray? 

The thing is, Livia is not the only one with secrets. Adam is holding his close to the vest as well. As the book is written, every other chapter written in Livia's then Adam's POV, the story moves quickly. I wondered at what point the two would be truthful with each other, damn the consequences.

The walls that exist between them are suddenly so high that pure chaos is the name of the game. One thing many might say is that there is an abominable lack of communication between Livia and Adam. Despite that nagging bit of frustration to me as a reader, I was drawn into the book. I was keen to know the real truth that circled around Marnie and that is what kept my attention throughout. 

This is my first book by B. A. Paris and it certainly won't be my last. This exceptional thriller was a great read and I look forward to reading more by this talented author. 

Many thanks to St. Martin's Press and to Edelweiss for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

B A Paris grew up in England but has spent most of her adult life in France. She has worked both in finance and as a teacher and has five daughters. Behind Closed Doors is her first novel.

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