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The Dilemma cover art

The Dilemma

Written by: B. A. Paris
Narrated by: Beth Eyre,Peter Noble
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Publisher's Summary

A woman's birthday party takes a dark turn in a poignant, heart-stopping new novel from the reigning queen of suspense, New York Times and USA Today best-selling author of Behind Closed Doors, The Breakdown, and Bring Me Back.

"A heartbreaking page-turner that will have you up at night reading just one more chapter." (Catherine Steadman, number one New York Times best-selling author of Something in the Water)

"The phenomenal B. A. Paris has done it again! I devoured The Dilemma in one sitting - it grabbed me from the very first page and wouldn't let go until I'd finished. Secrets, guilt, shame, and heartbreak - this story has it all in spades." (Sandie Jones, New York Times best-selling author of The Other Woman)

Knowing the truth will destroy her. Keeping it secret will destroy him.

It's Livia's 40th birthday, and her husband, Adam, is throwing her the party of a lifetime to make up for the wedding they never had. Everyone she loves will be there, except her daughter, Marnie, who's studying abroad. But Livia is secretly glad Marnie won't be there.

Livia has recently uncovered a secret about their daughter that, if revealed, will shake the foundation of their family to its core. She needs to tell Adam, but she's waiting until the party is over so they can have this last happy time together.

Adam, meanwhile, has his own surprise for Livia: He's arranged for Marnie to secretly fly back for the party. But before Marnie arrives, Adam hears some terrible news. Now he, too, is faced with a dilemma: Does he share what he's learned with his wife? Is hiding the truth the same as telling a lie? And how far are Adam and Livia willing to go to protect the ones they love - and give each other a last few hours of happiness?

A Macmillan Audio production from St. Martin's Press

©2020 B. A. Paris (P)2020 Macmillan Audio

What listeners say about The Dilemma

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Do not recommend this book

I found this painful to wade through. Also not believable. But beyond the leap of logic that the husband would keep that secret throughout the party, is the lack of a punch at the end - no reward for having suffered through all the bad writing.

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3 people found this helpful

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Very implausible

A very implausible set of behaviours by the protagonists. At times a frustrating read/listen. Do not recommend.

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1 person found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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Ugh

Painful 😩 too drawn out!
Did not like the storyline, much too slow.
Performances were ok.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Very Good Book

A little slow off the start but it kept you captivated and wanting to keep reading.

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This is an amazing story.

This is an amazing story. I have had this book on my TBR forever. My only regret is that I didn’t read this book sooner. Definitely recommend to everyone.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Powerful, emotional and definitely five stars.

i can't even express how intensely emotional this book was. The alternation between the female and male characters was so well done and delivered such a punch of her joy verses his anguish was captivating and built to such a pinnacle, that when there are answers to the questions that build up, and once there is a resolution to the dilemma in question, you just feel this heart wrenching emotion that overtakes you. i highly highly recommend this book, but get ready for a rollercoaster of emotion, unlike most books in this genre, and have your tissue box handy!

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Fabulous read!

Really could not stop listening! I was looking for reasons to go for a drive ...really well written and the plot kept ticking along. Give this one five stars all across the board!

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Loved it!

Great storyline. I've loved every book by this author, who really keeps you on your toes.

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  • Lee Zahavi
  • 2020-07-07

NOT A Suspense Novel

Make no mistake about it: This is not a suspense novel. This is a book about grief. The worse kind of grief. The grief of loss. Tied into it are the dilemmas faced by our two protagonists; what to reveal to whom and when, and the consequences of not being honest with your spouse. But calling this a suspense novel is by all means a stretch. If you're looking for a book about loss and heartbreak, this might be the one for you. If, like me, you read for escape, for the exciting twists and turns that you don't see coming and which come along with a suspense novel, the sort that we have certainly grown to expect from B. A. Paris following the masterful Behind Closed Doors, this is just not it. Disappointing.

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23 people found this helpful

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  • Jerry
  • 2020-07-01

returned half way thru

the narration was ridiculously dramatic. the plot never thickens. the story spans about a day, but I feel like it took me a year to listen to the just half way point. ba paris has let us down on this one but as a favorite of mine, I'll still be eager for her next!

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16 people found this helpful

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  • Beth
  • 2020-07-01

Weak

I normally enjoy this author’s books. But the whole premise that this story was built around is utterly ridiculous. The people don’t behave or react in the way that is even vaguely realistic. I give a lot of leeway and even enjoy some implausible plots. But this was just... no.

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15 people found this helpful

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  • GAmom
  • 2020-07-01

What if, what if, got old fast

This story was pretty bad and very disappointing as I’ve loved her other books. The story line just goes on and on and on about what if situations and I got so sick of hearing about the dam party!

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15 people found this helpful

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  • Jennifer
  • 2020-07-02

Zzzzz

Listening to this book is like listening to paint dry. This is the longest short story ever.

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13 people found this helpful

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  • Jennifer Wakefield
  • 2020-07-03

Her worst book

I was so exited about her new book and am so disappointed. I kept waiting for a twist but this book was so dull and anticlimactic. I waste of time and a credit

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10 people found this helpful

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  • Cassandra
  • 2020-07-04

TERRIBLE READ!

This long drawn out story is barely worth one star. Absolutely wouldn't recommend. When I was on Chapter 40- and still nothing exciting had happened I jumped to the last chapter. I couldn't take it anymore. I've read her other books and enjoyed them but this was dreadful. I kept waiting for it to get good and it never did. Same lines were repeated over and over and it literally could have all ben condensed into about 5 chapters . Don't waste your time or money.

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  • Amazon Customer
  • 2020-07-18

Glad it was over!

I really wanted to like this book but I was so glad when it was over. The story line, characters never really developed. Just so boring. A huge disappointment!

Betsy G.

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  • Troy
  • 2020-07-04

I JUST CANNOT

I have about 5 left to listening left. I just can’t do another 5 minutes. Throughly enjoyed previous
B A PARIS books. This one was painful. Returning immediately

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  • Skyler & Savannah Hadley
  • 2020-07-02

okay, storyline could have been shorter

Not BAD but definitely feel like it could have been shorter. Definitely not my FAVORITE BA Paris. Preordered because I LOVE Paris but was definitely not my favorite. performance was good though.

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