While at a botanical gardens planning a way to propose marriage to Beth, Ronny sees Geneva kissing a man named Zip. He comes home upset, but lies to Beth about the reason, causing her to worry that the stress of work has caused a recurrence of Ronny's gambling addiction. These friends are put to the ultimate test when a mistake has consequences for the future and can no longer be hidden. How the friends handle it is both heartwarming and breaking. It’s a lovely story with complex characters that mean well but fall short. The Dilemma, pulled me in immediately. It begins with a compelling story and the strong voice of a young woman, Charlotte, the main character, and her heart breaking issue with her current long-time bf Zach. She discovers he's been living a huge lie. Ugly and UGH. As one who went through infertility, and really, really wanted a child, this pained me and made me cringe! Regardless, the lie IMO was too big to forgive. But let's keep going because it's a very compelling story...what happens next??? Following husband and wife, Livia and Adam, this story takes place during the course of a single day; that of Livia's much anticipated, 40th-birthday party. The author brings up a lot of points while minimally touching on issues. Is it okay to be a single parent? Do you need an extended family to be a parent? Is there a girl code? I liked how Roberts was not preachy in her writing. Every person chooses their path and must live with the choices they make. But, what if ... What if .... I'm not spoiling, however, the author is losing me.

T]he closest I got to my mother was when she bought bridal magazines, and while we looked at the dresses and cakes and flower arrangements.

Christmas Gifts

As always B.A Paris has wowed me with another incredible book!! My heart was pounding during the party as the tension was rising and I knew the secrets were going to be revealed. I felt every emotion possible reading this. A heart wrenching tale about friendship, relationships, loss and how sometimes we really don’t know what’s best for someone else after all!! This is a suspenseful read, with a few twists thrown in, but at the heart of it is the dilemma. There are many decisions to be made in this book, with different characters needing to put things on the line, and unveiling their secrets. There are SO many secrets here.

The Dilemma” is a novel that makes you think about intentions, both good and bad and how they can be perceived. Communication in a marriage is oh so important and yet, it’s not that easy is it? Sometimes, as we all know, pretending is easier. Tiff and Charlotte are best friends through their professional connections. Charlotte gives birth to a son with medical issues. His only chance of survival may involve a life-saving transplant. Will Charlotte risk her friendship with Tiff to save her son's life?Your friend (who you neither like nor particularly trust) tells you that your wife has been saving money and hiding it in a box under her bed because she wants to leave you. Do you: Julia Roberts is a brilliant author who has presented readers with yet another evocative story, one that pulled me in right from the start. I loved the various dilemmas facing Charlotte and other characters in this book, and I stayed invested because I just had to see how everything would work out. Needless to say, I was not disappointed. There is also much heartache and pain coming up, and yet love and kindness.....with this small group of friends who somehow weathers the craziness that envelops them. I am beyond impressed. Perhaps this should be THE guide to how to deal with a very F-'d up situation for normal, and not really crazy people? Regardless....You'll grow to love them all - Charlotte, of course, Tiff, Annabelle, JJ....the way you would hope for people and loved ones in your life.,. This starts Charlotte's journey on her own. Upon leaving Zac, she calls her old modeling BFF and she helps her get settled. I don’t want to reveal much more because I didn’t know specifics going in and that made it even more interesting. Edelstein, David (January 14, 2011). "The Tiresome Men-children of The Green Hornet and The Dilemma". Vulture.