The Dilemma

The Dilemma
By: B.A. Paris

Okay, yes, Livia, the main female character, has this twenty-years-long 'need' for a huge and specific party to make up for the wedding she never had and it's pretty ridiculous. But if you can't get past that for the sake of the story, you probably shouldn't bother with this one because the entire book takes place right before and during said party. Just let it be what it is.

Now to talk about it without giving everything away...

Livia and her spouse, Adam, both have a 'dilemma' involving their daughter Marnie. Information they do not know when or how to share with each other. I have to admit, as I talked through the scenarios with my husband the decisions seemed silly and simple, but when you're reading the book, the author does a great job of drawing you into the minds of the characters and feeling their struggle. At least with Adam's struggle. Livia's struggle didn't make sense to me in the context of marriage. But I could understand Adam's dilemma a little better- and though it seems simple to an outsider, the intensity of conflicting emotions can easily cause people to think and act irrationally.

I thought it was interesting that we don't really get to know Marnie much at all. I feel like most books like this would spend time having flashbacks to the character's past to build on her personality and help you know and feel connected to her considering she is at the heart of the story. But Paris didn't do that. I can't decide whether I would have preferred that or not: on the one hand, it would have broken up the book more instead of spending so much time in one 24 hour time period and maybe would have made the reader like Marnie more; on the other hand, it seemed evident that Paris was trying to write a book focused on communication in marriage and the relationship between the husband and wife before, through, and after their dilemmas.

I read this book in about 3 days- the writing is very compelling and gripping. I was drawn in and feeling the tension. I'm glad she didn't string you along too far without revealing more details or it would have gotten annoying. But I feel like it was just the right amount of drawing out and keeps you biting your nails trying to figure out which way Paris is going to swing it.

Overall, I would recommend this book. It's not going to change your marriage by any means, and you probably won't like one or more of the characters, but I think you will connect with the story and be engaged throughout. It's not a thriller but it's a compelling, tense, family drama and sometimes we need something that touches our emotions.

And bonus!- broaden your British English vocabulary:
- to 'revise' means to study (as in school)
- a 'marquee' is a large tent
- a 'jumper' is a sweater

[Profanity: 0 f-words, 1 s-word]

**I received an ARC via NetGalley**