Behind Closed Doors by B. A. Paris (2016) Review

Why I picked up the book:

Grace and Jack are the perfect couple: Grace is the quintessential housewife – everything she does is magazine-worthy. Jack is a lawyer with an impeccable record. They are never apart. Are they as perfect as they seem? Even behind closed doors? This book is a wild ride that promises and delivers to keep you on the edge of your seat!

The book through my criteria lens:

I am an amateur reader, but to these eyes, Behind Closed Doors can’t be faulted. Paris gave me everything I want in a book: Amazing characters, tension, a despicable villain, a tight plot, and perfect execution. There weren’t many characters, but each of them was well-drawn and clearly distinguishable. I fell in love with Millie, in hate with Jack, and cheered for Grace throughout the book. Hers and Esther’s character arcs were so wonderful to witness.

My personal feelings:

The female characters were unforgettable! Esther was one of the most interesting characters I have read in a long time; Millie was someone only a heartless person won’t fall in love with: she is strong, independent, caring, sweet, innocent, and to me, was represented with respect. A lot of people have mixed feelings about Grace, but I don’t. This is a work of fiction, but I know it’s always easier to tell someone (especially a character) to overcome their hurdles than it is to actually do it. Even though I was one of those people who thought Grace’s actions to be plausible, some situations she found herself in (i.e., the hotel and the doctor) required just the right amount of disbelief I was glad to suspend for a book.

**Major Spoilers below** (click on the arrow)

I buddy read Behind Closed Doors with a friend, and it was a fascinating experience because she had a hard time suspending her disbelief. She thought Grace had many opportunities to leave, and I kept arguing that she was in an abusive relationship. It’s not easy to leave a relationship when you have been broken down to the extent she was. I understand that this very thing will be what makes or breaks a reader’s experience. Personally, I believed in Grace’s actions and knew in my heart that there was only ONE thing that could give her enough courage to break the cycle. And that’s what it took. I have been in situations when I can’t defend myself, but I can’t explain the strength I get when someone I love is in distress. Millie was always Grace’s only hope. Their relationship was beautiful, and Paris made it clear from the beginning that the love Grace has for Millie is as strong as it gets; Grace loved Millie like a daughter. That love and bond were also the only things Jack couldn’t have predicted because, as a sociopath, he ultimately lacks empathy.

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While in the spoilers, I just wanted to say how much I appreciated Esther! Talk about wrong first impressions! I HATED her in the first chapter; I thought she was a one-up bitch who was going to make Grace’s life even more hellish. Facepalm. Every time she appeared, I loved her more and more, and by the restaurant scene, I was already her fan… but where her arc ended gave me chills and made me cry. MVP!

Right after reading Behind Closed Doors, I purchased all of B.A. Paris books, and I cannot wait to keep reading her books! She is now one of my auto-buy authors.

My total rating: 5

Until next book, be the hummingbird!