The Dilemma by B.A. Paris – a Review

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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.

Review:

The Dilemma by B.A. Paris is a standalone novel focusing on a family preparing for a special birthday celebration and the ensuing complications.  Having read a previous thriller by Paris, I was surprised at this different genre, but it did turn out to be a great story that was very well written.  The Dilemma revolves around Livia and Adam, a married couple with two children (Josh & Marnie), with each having their own POV. The story starts out with Livia planning her 40^th birthday party, which she has saved and planned for many years, having all her family and friends attend.  When Livia and Adam got married, they were very young and did not have enough money for a big wedding; this party has been her dream, and she is going all out, with Adam determined to help her enjoy her day. With everyone planning to attend, Livia understands that her daughter Marnie, who is overseas at school in Hong Kong, and cannot attend the party. But Marnie plans a surprise, as she tells Adam that she was able to switch planes and be able to attend the party, and to keep it a secret.

Livia has been carrying a secret of her own that she needs to tell Adam about, but decides to wait until after the party.  The secret, which she accidently discovered to her dismay, involves Marni, and Livia knows it will destroy Adam, so she is content that Marni cannot come home.  Though she hides this from all of the family, Livia knows the family dynamics will change drastically if her secret is revealed. Hence, she will wait for after the party to tell Adam, and decisions can be made.

Adam also has his own secret, and is having a hard time not telling anyone why he seems very upset.  Before people arrived at the party, Adam learns that there was a crash on a plane that Marni was planning to travel on, but he was sure she had changed planes.  In order not to worry Livia, he keeps it to himself and continues to try to leave messages for Marni on her phone. 

What follows is a heart wrenching story about family, friendships and secrets that were meant to wait for the right time to reveal them; but when revelations are made, all hell breaks loose. Will Livia and Adam be able to come to terms with each of them hiding their terrible secrets? 

The Dilemma by B.A. Paris was a wonderful story line that continually pulled on our emotions, especially this mostly covering a 24-hour period.  I do not want to tell too much more, as you really need to read this book.  If you enjoy a dramatic family dynamics and relationships, you should read The Dilemma, written so well by B.A. Paris.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher