Happy New Year
At the start of this new reading year I'm delighted to bring a new monthly feature to Jaffareadstoo
And it's all about a book that's about to be published that I'm really excited about, so without further ado, here's the latest from talented author, B A Paris.
It's published by HQ and is out on the 9th January
 |
| HQ January 9th 2020 My thanks to the publishers for my ecopy of this book |
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?
One day that will change a family forever.
What did I think about it..
Livia has been planning a party of a lifetime to celebrate her 40th birthday and nothing has been left to chance. Everything is organised to the nth degree and Adam, Livia's husband, is happy to go along with Livia's plans as he feels that she needs this special celebration in order to come to terms with her past disappointments. And all would be perfect if not for the fact that Marnie, the couple's daughter is currently studying overseas and won't be able to make it to her mother's special party.
What then follows is an emotional and rather deep story about the minutiae of family life and of the hurts, disappointments and secrets which threaten to engulf the most stable of relationships. Both Livia and Adam have secrets which they are struggling with and, for one of them in particular, the hurt is absolutely bone deep which, when revealed, will alter their family life forever. As always this talented author draws you into a story which is filled with an abundance of difficult scenarios, some of which make a real tug on your heart, and, as the secrets in this family start to be revealed, so the heartbreak of love and loss start to be revealed.
I devoured this book in one sitting as I really couldn't put it down, as the difficult dilemma that features so prominently throughout the story is the stuff of every person's worst nightmare. I think that the author has captured the atmosphere perfectly, true, there's some superficiality around the planning of the party, and I'm not sure that I liked Livia very much at the beginning, but when all is combined with a devastating family situation the story allows an emotional glimpse into the terror of loss and the abiding sadness of grief.
I have no hesitation of kicking of my Featured Book feature with The Dilemma.
What then follows is an emotional and rather deep story about the minutiae of family life and of the hurts, disappointments and secrets which threaten to engulf the most stable of relationships. Both Livia and Adam have secrets which they are struggling with and, for one of them in particular, the hurt is absolutely bone deep which, when revealed, will alter their family life forever. As always this talented author draws you into a story which is filled with an abundance of difficult scenarios, some of which make a real tug on your heart, and, as the secrets in this family start to be revealed, so the heartbreak of love and loss start to be revealed.
I devoured this book in one sitting as I really couldn't put it down, as the difficult dilemma that features so prominently throughout the story is the stuff of every person's worst nightmare. I think that the author has captured the atmosphere perfectly, true, there's some superficiality around the planning of the party, and I'm not sure that I liked Livia very much at the beginning, but when all is combined with a devastating family situation the story allows an emotional glimpse into the terror of loss and the abiding sadness of grief.
I have no hesitation of kicking of my Featured Book feature with The Dilemma.
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of Behind Closed Doors, B. A. Paris, grew up in England but has spent most of her adult life in France. She has worked in finance and as a teacher.
Twitter @BAParisAuthor #TheDilemma
@HQStories
@HQStories
Great review. I have this on my TBR. I will have to push it up the pile, it sounds good.
ReplyDeleteHi Veronica - Happy New Year ! Definitely push it up the pile. I enjoyed it :)
Delete