The Guest by B A Paris

The Guest: A Novel by B.A. Paris
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 1 day

Pages - 560

Publisher -

Source - Bought

Blurb from Goodreads

Iris and Gabriel have just got home from a make-or-break holiday. But a shock awaits them. One of their dearest friends, Laure, is in their house - sleeping in their bed, wearing Iris' clothes, even rearranging the furniture. She has walked out on her husband - and their good friend - Pierre over his confession of an affair.

Iris and Gabriel want to be supportive. But as Laure's mood becomes more unpredictable, her presence begins to unravel secrets in all their pasts - until things reach breaking point ...


My Review

Oh the scandal! So Iris and Gabriel have been married for evaaaaa, they have a grown kid away doing her thing and for them they have just had a make or break holiday. Things have been rough, there is a wall between them, Gabriel doesn't want to talk, Iris doesn't know how to reach him but she knows they can't keep going like this. When they get home, the house should be alone but someone is in the house. Don't worry it isn't a dodgy burglar it is their pal Laure who has taken refuge at their home after a fall out with her husband Pierre. The couples have been pals for years and often stay at each others homes (they live in different countries) although they normally give each other a heads up. Slowly they get the details of what has happened, Laure doesn't seem in any rush to go home and when you are having your own issues your patience and hospitality run thin. As tensions rise, things get uncomfortable quickly and then dangerous.

So I think this one has a few sides to it, Iris and Gabriel and their issues in their marriage whilst dealing with an uninvited guest who is a close friend and also going through it in her own relationship. Close quarters, Gabriel off work sick and processing some grief/health issues and shutting Iris out. However the meat of it is the growing presence of Laure, her overstaying her welcome, things because tense, prickly and as with Paris books DAAAAANGER.

Affairs, secrets, lies, boundaries (lack of them, pushing them, testing them), friendships of years being tested, marriage under strain and danger, missing person. The book has a bit of everything and you feel the anguish of Iris because you want to support your pal but you weren't expecting her and you are kinda dealing with your own crap with your husband. The one time you really need your own space and time but you can't tell her to bolt. Then her presence becomes more irritating and almost like she is taking over and it is having a negative impact on you and yours but she is also going through a horrific time herself. It is a catch 22 and you totally empathise with her, 4/5 for us this time.

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