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The Dilemma

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

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

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, The Dilemma is the breathtaking, heartbreaking new novel from the million-copy-selling Sunday Times best seller BA Paris.

©2020 B A Paris (P)2020 HarperCollins Publishers Limited

Critic Reviews

"An addictive new voice in suspense fiction." (Sophie Hannah)

"A departure from B A Paris’s previous psycho-thrillers, this emotional story is gripping." (The Daily Mail)  

"A dark family drama...builds a palpable wall of tension that leaves you desperate to find out what happens next." (The Sunday Mirror

What listeners say about The Dilemma

Average Customer Ratings
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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Gripping and devasting all at once

The performance was excellent told by both male and female narrators whcih captivated the emotions of both sexes. The storyline is extremely heavy and sometimes difficult to listen to. I read reviews about other listeners unable to finish this and i understand why. I have enjoyed B. A Paris before and this is very different but not in a bad way. highly recommend if youre ready for the emotional rollercoaster.

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3 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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A great read

This book is so much more fulfilling than many reviews show. It builds tension gradually, very cleverly revealing how our beliefs and convictions are often so far from reality. We believe what we need to believe. The tension and misunderstandings become unbearable at several points. There is so much emotional pain in this book, which feels authentic. Once I'd got over the disbelief of a woman planning her 40th birthday for 20 years, I realised why it was so important - and how it became so loaded that everything - events and characters - revolved around it. The party literally shapes the characters' lives in extraordinary and devastating ways. Highly recommend this for those who like exploring the most difficult emotional terrain. I think it is an amazing book.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

You just have to keep listening

A very well written and beautifully narrated book. Handling a very sensitive topic with dignity. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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  • SMD
  • 02-04-2021

Thoughtful and enjoyable

Whilst I enjoyed this it got a little slow and repetitive 2/3 the way on and found myself skipping a couple of hours to “just get on with it”. Narration was excellent

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Gripping listen

I listen to books while driving around for work. Every now and then I have a book that I’m compelled to continue when I get home - this was one of them.
The story is intense and emotional. I like the different perspectives given by the main characters and the feeling of connection with each of them. The narration is easy and compelling to listen to and the storyline keeps you in suspense. Great book.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

loved it

this book kept you on your toes it made me laugh and cry loved it

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Phew !

Glad that’s over! Tedious, garrulous… unconvincing, implausible and dare I say melodramatic. ?? Yes! Melodramatic! There!!

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Well written but hard to finish

I’m this is well written and the first two thirds is suspenseful but I was unable to listen to it all because of the subject matter.

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5 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

B A Paris does it again

Thank you Audible.... for a great Book of the day deal... wish more were like this. A great read .....begs the question if we had bad news would we put off telling a loved one for any reason. What would you have done? Enjoyed this very much!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

100/10

I loved this. The suspense, the altering perspectives, the performances.m, the drama, the pain. I love books that truly make me FEEL. The ones where shit is hitting the fan so much you have to keep going. This was it for me. Loved it.

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