It’s Livia’s 40th birthday and she’s having the party of a lifetime to make up for the wedding she never had. Everyone she loves will be there except her daughter Marnie, who’s studying abroad. But although Livia loves Marnie, she’s secretly glad she won’t be at the party. She needs to tell Adam something about their daughter but she’s waiting until the party is over so they can have this last happy time together.Adam wants everything to be perfect for Livia so he’s secretly arranged for Marnie to come home and surprise her on her birthday. During the day, he hears some terrible news. He needs to tell Livia, because how can the party go on? But she’s so happy, so excited – and the guests are about to arrive.The Dilemma – how far would you go to give someone you love a last few hours of happiness?
The Dilemma by BA Paris is published in paperback today, 17 September 2020. The hardback was published in January this year. My thanks to the publisher who sent my copy for review.
The Dilemma is something of a change in style for this author. Best known for her twisty psychological thriller stories, The Dilemma is more of a domestic drama, incorporating guilt, grief and lies.
Livia has dreamt of her 40th birthday party for years. She didn't get the wedding of her dreams and her 40th was always going to make up for that. She's saved money, secretly and has plotted and planned for years. She is determined that this is going to be her day. The one day where she is the centre of attention and where everything will be perfect.
There's one fly in the ointment though, and that is her daughter Marnie. Marnie is in Hong Kong studying and won't be able to get home in time to attend the party. Whilst on the exterior, Livia appears upset that Marnie won't be there, the reader is privy to her innermost, private thoughts and we know that she is relieved that the party will go on without her daughter. However, what we don't know is why, and it is this mystery that kept me intrigued throughout.
Livia's husband Adam has his own secrets though and is plotting his own surprise for her. Adam is not naturally a secretive person and is struggling to juggle the fibs. All he wants is for Livia to have the most perfect day.
It's the day of the party and the sun is shining at last. It really does seem that everything is going to go to plan, and then Adam receives the most devastating news. He knows that he has to tell Livia the truth, but he also knows that if he does, the party will not go ahead.
That's the dilemma. Oh, along with the one that Livia is hiding ... how does she tell Adam about Marnie?
I didn't like Livia. I just didn't like her at all. However, I'm a huge fan of an unlikeable character and when they are done well, they really do make a story, and BA Paris has created Livia perfectly. Adam left me feeling a bit cold sometimes too, he's basically a weak bloke who wants to please everyone, he could do with a kick up the backside at times, but honestly, this just added to my enjoyment of their predicament. Maybe I'm just too mean ... I enjoyed their dilemma so much!
This is certainly a gripping story and as Livia slowly reveals what she knows about Marnie, and Adam gets more agitated and anxious, the tension increases. A really stylish and addictive read that really kept me on my toes.
B A Paris is the internationally bestselling author of Behind Closed Doors, The Breakdown and Bring Me Back. Now approaching 1.5 million copies sold in the UK alone, she is a Sunday Times bestseller, New York Times bestseller as well as a number one bestseller on Amazon and iBooks.
Her books have sold in 38 languages around the world.
Having lived in France for many years, she recently moved back to the UK.
Twitter @BAParisAuthor
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