Wow! I had no idea where this book was going!
Finn and Layla stop at a rest stop. Finn tells Layla to lock the door while he goes inside to use the washroom. When he comes out, Layla is nowhere to be found. He calls out and looks everywhere. Well... at least that's the story he tells the police.
Ten years later, Finn is engaged to Layla's sister, Ellen. Finn's life begins to unravel as he begins to wonder if Layla is alive after all. Phone calls and emails solidify what he doesn't believe to be true. Layla is alive and wants Ellen out of the picture. But, is that true?
Great read and highly recommended!

I received this advanced readers copy in exchange for my honest opinion!

Having read and enjoyed BEHIND CLOSED DOORS and THE BREAKDOWN by B.A, Paris I was excited to read BRING ME BACK. I wanted to love it; I tried, I really tried and as I painstakingly turned to the very last one, I was mostly bored. There were moments when I thought it was picking up but it actually never did.

The word that comes to mind is redundant. BRING ME BACK alternates between the past, where Finn, the narrator and his girlfriend Layla take a holiday and Layla disappears and the present, ten years later where Finn is about to marry Layla's sister Ellen.

The book revolves around Finn and Ellen alternating between believing Layla is still alive or believing she is dead. Layla adored Russian dolls and they suddenly start appearing in the lives of Finn and Ellen; and appearing and appearing and appearing. I felt like the whole book just repeated itself til the very end. The middle of the book was Finn and/or Ellen finding a Russian doll and speculating on its appearance, ad nauseum.

Considering my enjoyment of B.A. Paris' first two books I plan to continue to read her books and hope she returns to her writing style of the first two novels because she truly lost me with this one.

After enjoying the rush of adrenaline from B.A. Paris's previous novels, I was excited to crack this one open as soon as possible! While Bring Me Back is equally suspenseful and chilling, it had a different feel from the other books since it featured a male protagonist this time. I also read it on Kindle instead of listening to it, like I had with the first two books.

The story messed with my head as much as it was messing with Finn and Ellen's heads. B.A. Paris had me guessing the whole time as to what was really going on. The settings were easy to visualize, even though I've never been to the area of the UK where Finn lives. The dialogue throughout the novel felt very natural and genuine.

However, after all the build-up, I wasn't impressed by the ending. I felt it moved too fast and didn't really answer everything it was supposed to. Also, the beginning felt a bit slow until about a quarter of the way in. Then it really picked up and kept going on that momentum. This is why I gave Bring Me Back four stars after giving five stars to B.A. Paris' previous two novels.

If you are a B.A. Paris fan, it's worth picking up and trying to guess what will happen. If this is your first time reading her books, you may want to start with Behind Closed Doors. I like her writing style and hope she will continue to write more thrillers!

If Hollywood comes calling...
Finn: Michael Fassbender
Layla: Jenna Coleman
Ellen: Gemma Arterton
Harry: Tobias Menzies
Ruby: Lara Pulver

Bring Me Back by BA Paris is a new thriller that makes us wonder if we really want our pasts to return.

Twelve years ago, Finn’s girlfriend, Layla, went missing. Was she a victim to his blinding rage? Did she meet with foul play?

Layla’s absence has become the biggest presence in his life.

But time has passed and now Finn’s engaged to Layla’s sister, Ellen. While she’s a lovely partner, she doesn’t quite have the spark or vivacity that Layla had. In fact, Ellen is exceedingly bland and one-dimensional throughout most of the book.

But now, Layla might be back. She starts leaving Russian dolls, a talisman of hers, where Finn and Ellen will find them. The mystery is whether it truly is Layla and why she has returned.

Instead of serving as a talisman for Layla, though, the Russian dolls seem to serve as more of a harbinger for how the rest of the story plays out. By the end of the book, multiple dolls have been strategically placed in Finn’s path to be puzzled and fretted over and analyzed. There’s so much fretting, in fact, that the dolls lose their punch.

Another doll? Meh, just throw it on the pile.

The pages of puzzling take the snap out of what’s supposed to be a wallop of an ending. Finn spends a lot of time in a state of “I don’t understand! How can that be??” forcing his friends to spend pages and pages explaining the twist to him.

When we finally get to the final shocker, we again stop to get pages and pages of explanation. Maybe it was supposed to be emotional. I was just ready for it to be over.

Bring Me Back could have worked much better as a searing short story or novella. My brain had already caught up to what was going on around the halfway mark of the book. I didn’t need the remainder of the pages to explain it to me.

This isn’t a complete takedown of Bring Me Back, though. Check out the other reviewers - many people like it quite a bit.

Another book by BA Paris, Behind Closed Doors, adds a mighty thrill to the thriller genre. For those who want a book that hits harder, Behind Closed Doors may be the cure to a Bring Me Back hangover (Boy, I am in a metaphor-mixing frenzy today. Fights and hangovers. Nice one, Beth).

While I won’t be bringing back Bring Me Back to my bookshelf, I still look forward to reading more from this author.

* spoiler alert ** Thanks to the publisher for a copy to read and give my honest opinion.


Flummoxed.....that's exactly how I feel after reading this book. I did not see that ending nor did I even feel it was feasible. I mean really....we are supposed to guess what happened to Layla after she disappears one night but I would never have guessed that.

After 12 years, Layla has been missing and Finn is set to marry her sister Ellen. When these little mysterious Russian dolls start to appear. Something that Layla used to keep with her as a sort of Talisman. The closer Finn moves towards the wedding, the more crazy the behavior is. Finn keeps Layla's correspondence from Ellen until he is sure that she is truly alive. This is one of those morbidly shocking books that just make you keep reading because you just can't fathom what is truly going on.

The story line was easy to fall into but the plausibility of the ending is just too much. Without spoiling it for others I just can't put it into words why I don't believe the ending. I gave it three stars. Vivid and emotional but just a hard sell on the ending.

Like it, didn't love it. I did enjoy the alternating viewpoints.

My rating scale:
5☆ - I loved this book and it brought out true emotion in me (laughter, anger, a good cry, etc)
4☆ - I loved this book.
3☆ - I liked this book.
2☆ - I didn't really care for this book.
1☆ - I did not like this book at all and probably did not finish it.

I enjoyed this book so much! This is a phenomenal psychological thriller. The suspense made it unable to put down! The characters and setting were all great! I don’t want to ruin it for those that have not read it yet, but if you like suspense this book needs to be at the top of your list!

Thank you St. Martins Press for my gifted copy in exchange for my honest review.

This book was AMAZING, probably my favourite B.A. Paris book so far!   I devoured this book in one sitting.

I have read a lot of mixed reviews on this one about the plot and twist being implausible and far-fetched, but that IS why it's called fiction right!?  Personally, I loved it.  

The story was broken down into three parts and told in alternating POVs (recurring theme in fiction lately, which I love because it keeps things interesting and you really get to feel your characters and get to know their story).

The chapters were short which I also love  - makes for a quick read.  And let me tell you, you want to read this one quickly. I couldn't read fast enough and was dying to know what was going on.  I managed to figure it out about three quarters of the way through but was still engaged and still wanted to see how it all ultimately unfolded - it was THAT good (for me).

Paris' last novel, The Breakdown, was a slow burn - a great twist at the end but SLOW burn.  This one was the total opposite - quick burn right through to a crazy end!   The storyline literally had me holding my breath at certain points.   For me, the tension began right after the first chapter and  never let up right to the last page.  

Also, lots of smoke and mirrors to keep you engaged the whole way through and were well executed.

I highly recommend this book if you are seeking an addictive, fast-paced, and mind boggling suspense.  And if you have read Paris' other books, I think you will thoroughly enjoy this one too.

My Rating 5/5

I have always enjoyed this author books. It's never a disappointment and I enjoy her work. If this is usually not your genre, maybe you want to switch it up a little. The plot is amazing and characters are flowing great with the whole story.

B.A. Paris has quickly become my favorite author of psychological thrillers. Her new novel doesn't disappoint. It's another well-crafted thriller.

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Sarah Joint
Sarah Joint's Reviews > Bring Me Back
Bring Me Back by B.A. Paris
Bring Me Back
by B.A. Paris (Goodreads Author)
19758811
Sarah Joint's review May 26, 2018 · edit
liked it
bookshelves: traveling-sisters

Fun to read, but too implausible for me. I didn't understand the relationships between the characters, so it was hard to wrap my head around everything. If you can suspend your disbelief enough, it's a wild ride that is easy to devour quickly. I particularly enjoyed the short, punchy chapters. I read this one in a group, and we were pretty divided over this one. Some loved it, some weren't as impressed. I could have done with a little more realism and a few less dolls, but those aspects worked wonderfully for some of my fellow readers. The ending certainly packs a punch.

When Finn fell for Layla, he fell hard. He had to have her. She was enigmatic and spontaneous, so different from the women he usually dated. He had no idea that their relationship would lead to unanswered questions for years, and his own heartbreak. One day he leaves her in the car at a gas station to use the bathroom. When he returns, she's gone without a trace.

Ten years later, he's engaged to be married. He's moved on. He's finally ready to begin again, to let go of the past. His world is rocked when he returns home one evening to his fiance curled up staring at a piece of the past: a little Russian doll that makes her think of her sister. The sister that disappeared ten years ago: Layla.

This is only the beginning. Someone is messing with Finn, sending him more little dolls and endless e-mails. Is Layla still alive, or is someone taunting him, wanting revenge for something he's done in the past? If Layla returns, can he choose between his first love and his new one? Why did she stay away for so long? ...Why is she back?

St. Martin's Press kindly sent me a copy of this book to read. This in no way affects my opinion.

I received this book in exchange for an honest review. This book is about Finn and Layla. Layla goes missing one night and then is never heard from again. For ten years, Finn wonders what happens to Layla, something that he thinks is the worst thing that could of happened to him. The never knowing. Out of the blue, clues that Layla could still be alive start to surface. Two people see her, strange dolls start to get left where he can find them, and he begins receiving emails...but where has she been all this time. Finn is now engaged to Layla's sister, Ellen. Which women should he choose?!?

I am such a fan of BA Paris and her writing. This book started off a bit slow to me but I'm glad I kept reading it. Several points in the book I couldn't put it down. There is twists and turns in this book that I definitely did not see happening. I would recommend this book to any BA Paris fan or a fan of psychological suspense!

Bring Me Back…. Exhilarating, Gripping, Engaging.

This is a exhilarating read. It left me guessing until a couple chapters before the end. Even then the unexpected still happened. You know that feeling where you feel you have figured it out but what you thought is not at all what it was. I love that feeling that mystery and this book gave it to me.

The smart, devious, mysterious Ellen and the confusing Layla. Why did she do the things she did? Is she alive? Is she dead? What the hell is going on!!!????

I loved how B.A. peeled the onion open in this book. Little layer at a time. There are three parts and each part you get to learn more about Ellen, Layla and Finn’s relationship. All the characters played important roles. I loved how they were all interlinked. Very well written book.

Once I got to Part two of the book I thought I had it figured out but then I was left questioning again. 🤔

So engaged in this mystery I sat at my desk reading on my phone instead doing the important task that I being paid for, how well…

I felt bad for Finn, the emotional and mental stress that he went through, it just wasn’t right. If you love someone why do that????

The ending of this book left me in AWE!!!….. POOR FINN…..😪

This book I recommend to all. A MUST READ….. 😍

I know I said this in a Goodreads update, but Bring Me Back made me think of Clue. Players are supposed to weed out potential suspects to determine who the killer is, what weapon was used, and where the murder occurred. This book made me feel like I was playing that game, only I didn't have any cards and didn't know all of the rules. There were a few times when I had no flarking idea what was going on.

Finn was quick to second guess himself and everyone around him. It was hard to follow his train of thought sometimes, and occasionally he would make connections with information that would have been impossible for the reader to know. When he originally attempted to decipher the email address, he comes up with something that's completely bananas.

I will say that my theories were disproven time and time again. I was always wrong with my assumptions, and frankly... that was infuriating (in a good way). I quickly became just as frustrated as Finn. Nothing made sense and everything was misleading. If you enjoy books that are nearly impossible to figure out, Bring Me Back might be a good fit for you.

Even though I was engrossed in the mystery of this book, it wasn't too hard to put down. I think it's because I felt like the story kept going around in circles. We keep coming back to the same theories that have been reviewed and examined multiple times. The characters also tend to do the same things over and over again throughout the book.

It's always a little irritating when the main character refuses to involve the police, even when it's clear to everyone else that they should. I felt like a lot of things could have been avoided if Finn had just picked up a phone. Oh, and his obsession with Layla was strange. I didn't really understand why he felt so connected to her, or why his feelings were as intense as they were. It was literally love at first sight and also love at twelve years later, even though he hadn't seen or spoken to her.

Bring Me Back was an interesting story with a mystery that I wasn't able to solve on my own. I was kept in the dark with Finn until the very end, and I'm sure Colonel Mustard would be proud.

Originally posted at Do You Dog-ear? on June 19, 2018.

Twelve years ago Finn’s girlfriend, Layla, disappeared from a rest stop on their way home from vacation. In his statement to police, he said that Layla was in the car when he stopped to use the restroom. When he got back she was nowhere to be found. His phone wasn't getting a signal so he drove to the nearest gas station to ask for help. It was the truth, but not quite there whole truth... Twelve years have gone by and while Layla still hasn't been found, Finn has found himself in love with Ellen, Layla's sister. Their relationship is a bit rocky, she is Layla's sister after all, but things take a turn when Finn proposes to Ellen. Layla returns. Without spoiling the book, I will say that this one is a page-turner! I enjoyed the story telling going between "then" and "now" as it gave a better understanding on what did happen with Layla and Finn! At times it was a bit far-fetched, but it kept me reading until the very twisty end!

B.A. Paris did not disappoint in the thriller, "Bring Me Back." After falling in love at first sight with Layla, Finn moves full steam ahead with the relationship until Layla goes missing from a rest stop while the two are on a romantic vacation. Ten years later, Finn is engaged to Layla's sister, Ellen, and strange Russian dolls keep appearing at their home. Layla had Russian dolls as a child and both Finn and Ellen are convinced that Layla is back. Finn begins to receive clues and messages from Layla and realizes that he has really loved her all long, but is he able to bring her back?

Finn is an Irish e-patriate living in England. The disappearance of his girlfriend as they return from a ski trip in France sets the stage for an intense story.. Finn and the other main characters are described in detail, while the environment for the most part is painted in broad strokes. The effect on Finn as evidences of his girlfriend's return begins to appear after a 12 year absence. The possibility of her return is scary, because Finn is now living with her sister, and has asked her to marry him. The story raises many questions both for Finn and the reader, leaving resolution to the very end. The ending does strain the pounds of possibility, but answers all the questions.

This was my first B. A. Paris book and it was wild! I love fast thrillers and this was perfect. I enjoyed how creepy this felt and how the pages flew by. Will be picking up their previous books now

Bring Me Back was an easy read, but it didn't captivate me or have me on the edge of my seat. Even though I was able to figure out most of the mystery surrounding Layla, I kept reading to find out the details. I liked it, but I didn't love it. It was just an okay read for me.

I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary Advance Reader Copy from NetGalley.

This is my first book by B.A. Paris. Bring Me Back is a quick and easy read and I thoroughly enjoyed it. There is enough creepiness and suspense to keep me glued to the pages. I had kind of figured out what was going on around 70% but that didn’t spoil the rest of the book for me. There was still enough going on to let me see how the story unfolded and kept me engaged untill the very end.