2006

Finn McQuaid and Layla Gray were driving back from a skiing trip late at night. They stopped at a picnic area for Finn to use the bathroom. When he returned to the car, Layla was gone. He searched everywhere and could not find her.

2018

Even though Finn was originally arrested for the possible murder of Layla, he was later released. It has been 12 years and Layla has never been found. There have been supposed sightings of her over the years, but all have been for naught.

Today, Finn is a successful businessman and has a fiancee, Ellen. It so happens that Ellen is Layla’s sister. They met when Finn had a memorial ceremony for Layla several years ago. The sisters had both been given matching sets of Russian dolls when they were children. Ellen says that Layla took her set and did something to it. Ellen had really loved those dolls. So when Russian dolls start showing up on their doorstep, Ellen gets excited as she’s certain that Layla is alive and trying to communicate with them. Soon, Finn starts to receive emails saying Layla is alive. He tries to figure out the puzzle and is convinced that the emails are coming from Layla herself.

But, Finn does not know the whole story behind the lives of Layla and Ellen. Before long, things begin to get scary and Finn doesn’t know what he is dealing with.

This is another good thriller from this author. When I read her first novel, “Behind Closed Door” I loved it and have been eagerly awaiting this second book. It started out a bit slow for me and there seems to be some repetition that was becoming boring until the author upped the pace and the story came to a crashing conclusion. This is an author to watch!

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

This was such a rollercoaster and the suspense kept me on my toes. I mean, honestly, Finn is not really the dream man. He has problems with his temper and throughout the whole book I struggled with the question how much I believed in Finns story about the night Layla goes missing. It wouldn’t be a big surprise if he’d had killed her in a fit of rage. When Russian Dolls starting to emerge does that really mean Layla is alive? And in the end everything was so tragic. All I could think was NO, NO, NO. WHY? I highly recommend this book to all psychological thriller readers.
I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press!

*Slow clap* Yet another book from B.A. Paris that I thoroughly enjoyed. I want to start off by saying, she is the QUEEN of making you rethink everything you know over and over again from start to finish.

This book had me on my toes from the get go. First, I really had no clue what was happening. As the story picked up, I was excited to see exactly where it went. While reading it, I had suspicions, then she would crush them one at a time. I always seems to get a mental whiplash when reading her books. I love every second of it.

That ending. I will be honest, I had the thought a few different times. And looking back on it now, I see even more signs than I saw while reading it. Some might not like how things ended up being, but I can't say I am disappointed. I can't find a scenario for the ending that I wouldn't have been okay with.

Well didn't see that coming. Another good thriller/mystery book by B.A. Paris. Was she still alive, was she kidnapped, did she run away? All very good questions. These are questions you want to know the answers to as you are reading this book. I want to feel bad for Finn but at the same time I think he got what he deserved.

*I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.*

3.5 Stars This book was a exciting page turner. Once I got to part two I couldn’t put it down until I had finished. I enjoyed the alternating POV. I didn’t know who to trust in the book and I liked that. While the ending wasn’t my favorite it didn’t take away from it being an enjoyable read. Great escape book.
Thanks to St. Martin’s Press and Netgalley for an advance reader copy.

From my Blog: Always With A Book:

B.A. Paris has become the author where I just about drop everything to read her latest book when it shows up. And the fact that they are usually quick, binge-worthy addictive reads is just an added bonus! She really knows how to do play with your mind and get under your skin and I love every minute I am immersed in one of her books!

I devoured this latest book in two sittings - it's that quick and addictive a read. Yes, it does have short chapters and that always helps but I also think the story line itself lends to the binge-worthiness of this book. You just can't help but become completely wrapped up in what is going on and find yourself in a place where not only do you NEED to know what is going to happen next but you also NEED to know how it is all going to play out. That is this book, in my opinion.

Right from the start I had an uneasy feeling about the characters and was unsure of who I could trust. And let me just say - I love books like this...I love trying to figure out if it's just the main character that is unreliable or if there are others that are just as unreliable. It makes for such a good, fun reading experience - always wondering if what has been said or done is done in good will or not.

This book is full of tension and dark undertones - that is apparent right from the start - and it carries through all the way. You just know all is not really what it appears to be and this makes for such good suspense - when is it all going to come crashing down? Because you know something is going to happen, something big...you just don't know what or when.

And that ending...while it may not be what you were expecting, I think it definitely deserves major kudos for being one that took my by surprise. I had put some of it together but by no means going to that extent, which is why I liked it so much. Will it work for everyone? Probably not, but I guarantee you, if you like a thrilling, creepy ride along the way, you won't be disappointed. This has just moved up to be my favorite book from her - and I've really them all!

You know, as a blogger, I tend to have a lot of books floating around at any given time. Months ago, I snagged another book by this author, and I just haven't gotten around to it (#bookwormproblems). But then I got a chance to read "Bring Me Back" and I was so excited since I've been eager to read this author. 

Oh.My.God. My mind was absolutely blown. 

I finished several days ago and I'm still thinking about the story and the crazy thing is that once I knew the conclusion, it made me want to re-read the book because it has made me see everything differently. That is how you know you've got an amazing thriller in your hands. 

Finn and Layla were in love. Until things fell apart. Layla goes missing and Finn eventually moves on. Twelve years later, Finn is engaged to Ellen, Layla's sister. But suddenly Finn starts getting clues that Layla hasn't disappeared like everyone thought. 

One of the best aspects of this story is that you truly have no idea who is a good or bad person. You think you've totally figured it out and then you realize you were wrong. Or were you? It was so much fun trying to guess at where this story would lead. None of the characters are overly likable, but you also don't dislike them. For me, that helped this story go to the next level. Because I was unsure of the characters, I was always slightly suspicious. Then I would think I was figuring it out, until I wasn't. 

Then when I got to the end, it was so insane. I always feel like you get the blurb saying "you won't believe the ending". But with this book, it's true. 

If you love thrillers, or are looking for a book that will be different than anything else you've read, you need to read "Bring Me Back" by B.A. Paris.

While Finn and his girlfriend, Layla, were on vacation, they stopped at a rest area to use the restroom, and when Finn returned to his car, he found the passenger door of his car open, Layla was missing, never to be seen again. Twelve years later, Layla is presumed dead and Finn is engaged to her sister, Ellen, when he begins to receive emails suggesting that Layla is alive and wants to pick up their relationship where they left off.

This is the third book I’ve read by this author, and while I found the subject matter of Behind Closed Doors uncomfortable, The Breakdown was a very compelling read, and both were well written, so I figured this could go either way. The chapters alternate from the points of view of both Finn and Layla, alternating between the past and present, and as the story unfolds, I couldn’t think of who else could be behind the mysterious emails, or how the story would end. Sadly, nothing prepared me for how ludicrous the conclusion would be, but up until then, I was drawn in and found this book engaging. 2.5 stars

NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press kindly provided me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Bring Me Back hooked me pretty quickly with its dark and creepy opener and part one kept with that tone as the tension builds. Add in our totally unreliable narrator, Finn, and the questions mount up. Is Layla alive? Is someone messing with Finn? What's up with the Russian nesting dolls? The story is more telling than showing, but with an intriguing premise and good start, I was hoping for an edge of your seat thriller. However, when I started reading Part Two, the story started going downhill for me. It didn't take long to figure out where things were going - anyone who has ever watched a soap opera has seen this storyline at least once and it was no more plausible in print than it was on TV. I did keep reading, mostly in hope that I was wrong about where this one would go, and while I didn't have all the details worked out, I did have the gist of it. To sum it up, this one started out as a solid four-star read, but ended at one to two disappointing stars with the overly done conclusion, so I split the difference with an it's okay rating.

We meet Finn, a young entrepreneur who's dating Layla, a young beautiful woman. One night, Layla disappears without a trace. 12 years later, Layla is still missing. Finn has moved on with Ellen, Layla’s sister This book was my second of Ms. Paris’s. I loved all the characters especially Finn, Harry and Ruby. This book had so many twists and turns that it kept me guessing til the end. That ending was OMG

I almost guessed the ending from the first few chapters but since I wasn’t 100% sure I still found it suspenseful and a quick read.

B.A. Paris's most recent thriller is an entertaining read, but it ultimately failed to impress—which is a shame, since it's my first novel by an author I've heard so much about.

When someone starts sending Finn cryptic suggestions that his long-lost first love, Layla, may not be dead like everyone assumed, everything about the life he's carefully crafted since that fateful night is suddenly in jeopardy ... including his blossoming relationship with Layla's sister, Ellen. Predictably, Finn keeps the growing list of strange occurrences and eventual threats secret from Ellen and the police. And, predictably, he's been lying for a decade about what really happened when Layla disappeared, so he takes it upon himself to uncover whether she's alive after all these years.

From the start, the characters feel very superficial and hard to connect with. It's a struggle to muster any sympathy for Finn and his single-minded personality. Impenetrable characters usually heighten the intrigue around what they're really hiding, but Finn's "secret" fails to shock, and the anticlimactic truth about the night of Layla's disappearance ten years ago casts a damper over the rest of the novel.

The same suspects cycle in and out of Finn's spotlight, which grows repetitive quickly, and some of the clichéd threats he receives are cringe-worthy. My predictions about the twist were slightly off, so while the big reveal did garner a respectful nod, I still wasn't invested enough in the plot to fully appreciate it.

Nevertheless, several of the secondary characters are enjoyable, including an ex-girlfriend that alternates between suspect and sounding board, and the Russian nesting doll aspect of the plot is delightfully creepy. Another plus is the structure of the first half of the novel, bouncing between the present and the past. The past thread is narrated by Finn as he directly addresses Layla, which is a unique and refreshing approach to the dual timeline.

Overall, Bring Me Back is a solid psychological suspense novel, but it just didn't quite work for me. I struggled from the start to connect with the superficial characters and plot, but I did find parts to enjoy, and I'm still looking forward to reading more of B.A. Paris's work in the future.

Bring Me Back is a good twisty thriller!

Twelve years ago, Finn stops in a French picnic area to use the rest room. His girlfriend, Layla, stays in the car. When Finn returns Layla is gone. Fast forward to the present and Finn is engaged to Ellen, Layla’s sister. When Layla is seen by an elderly neighbor, the plot starts swirling into the twisty rollercoaster read I expect from this author. Layla’s body was never found. Could she have returned? Is she leaving Russian nesting dolls to terrify her sister? What happened between her and Finn the night she disappeared? How do Finn’s anger issues fit within the story?

I loved the buildup to the conclusion of Bring Me Back. Just when I thought I had figured out the finish, a final twist caught me off guard. Recommended for thriller lovers and fans of Girl on the Train and Gone Girl. 4 stars!

Thanks to the publisher, St Martin’s Press, and NetGalley for an advanced copy.

B.A. Paris has become one of my favorite authors of psychological fiction. I loved both Behind Closed Doors and The Breakdown and had been eagerly anticipating reading Bring Me Back. For the majority of the book, I enjoyed trying to figure out the twists and turns of the story; but in the end, I found myself wanting a bit more.

Finn and Layla are on holiday in France when Layla goes missing. Finn steps away from their car for mere moments, but when he returns, Layla’s no longer in the car and can’t be found anywhere. A subsequent police investigation turns up few leads. Layla has disappeared.

Twelve years later…

Finn has moved on and is now engaged to Layla’s sister, Ellen. Layla’s and Ellen’s personalities are quite different: where Layla was more fun-loving and mysterious, Ellen is serious and a bit boring. Finn and Layla had an intense, whirlwind romance. Although Finn would say that he’s happy with Ellen, his relationship with her feels like a consolation prize in many ways.

One day, Finn comes home to discover that someone has left a nesting doll outside the home that he shares with Ellen. This has a special significance because Ellen and Layla had a similar set when they were children. Gradually, more clues turn up that lead Finn to believe that Layla might still be alive after all this time—and that she might be trying to come back to him.

As always, B.A. Paris weaves a twisty plot that had me guessing for the majority of the book. However, the big reveal felt rather disappointing to me, partly because I wanted it to be something more mind-blowing and plausible. Also, the ending is quite bleak, but not necessarily in a satisfying, resolved way.

Ultimately, I’m still glad I read Bring Me Back because I do love this author, but it’s definitely not my favorite in comparison to her other fantastic novels.

Bring M Back is a gripping psychological thriller. The plot kept me on the edge of my seat. Could not put this book down! I highly recommend this book.

interesting enough to keep my going, but always in the hope that the plot will escalate or twist...

Not so! Predictable conclusion to stereotypical psychotic characters. Abusive and co-dependent, the story gets old with repeated tellings

Not what I expected! The love that Finn had for Layla seemed genuine but is it realistic that Ellen could full him. I thought for sure that Ellen and Layla were working together but was somewhat surprised that it was Layla working alone. Really, Finn? That being said I did read the whole book and went back to cross check some things to see if I could pick up on the twist. Not a book I will recommend but clearly something I am still thinking about.

I love a good thriller and for my mind to be twisted and turned and thinking "Whodunit". That's what has captivated me in this genre for so long.
This book definitely caught my attention and kept me turning the pages....in part one. And even in part two. But I knew a lot of part two was going to happen in part one. It wasn't that hard to tell. Finn, Layla and Ellen were the three main characters and Finn was the man linking them all together. When Layla goes missing for many years, Finn goes on with his life and soon meets a woman that completes him in a different way than Layla did. Ellen is the perfect calm to his storm.
But Finn isn't all storm, I think it's his past that makes him just a little interesting. I never felt that connected to Finn. I don't know if it was because he seemed a bit dull and uninteresting, but he just wasn't a character that pulled me in with his personality. But Layla did. And she went missing right at the beginning! She obviously had a past and something to say. But what was it and would we get it from her after the fact?
Then there is poor, nice Ellen. I feel like she is Finn in the female form. Again, not a character that felt fully developed and easily likable. She was a character that loved and supported Finn, but their relationship felt a little forced.
Then comes the twist. Really?! Very soap opera like. Not exactly what I was expecting from a B.A. Paris mystery. It was just over the top and so unrealistic. Really? You went there? This IS fiction, but nope. Just can't. I mean, I was enjoying the book for the most part, even with the lack of connection to the characters. I was enjoying the story, The mystery and what was going to happen to these three. But the twist left me dropping it a star.
Overall, it's actually a good book with a great plot that has potential (in the first half). Just wasn't interested in the twist so much. It just felt way too juvenile and lacked creativity for the last part.
3.5 stars.

Bring Me back begins over a decade after Finn's girlfriend Layla went missing from a rest stop after the couple came home from a weekend trip. Finn was hopelessly in love with Layla and her disappearance affected him deeply. After meeting Layla's sister Ellen, who was opposite from Layla in every way, he got to a place where he could love again and eventually proposed marriage to Ellen. Shortly after the marriage announcement, things begin to happen that makes Ellen and Finn believe that Layla is secretly trying to sneak back into their lives.



This book strongly captivated me from the beginning. The chapters are short, so the flow is quick. The way the focus flips back and forth in part one from past to present events it keeps the intrigue up. I had a hard time putting the book down. Finn eventually begins to descend into a type of madness. Unsure if Layla is behind the events plaguing him, or if in fact, he can rid himself of Ellen, Finn secludes himself and bogs himself down with worry. I was sympathetic with Finn, albeit a little frustrated. Secrecy was probably one of the worst things he could have done, but as a third party observer, it is always easy to draw those conclusions.



For me an enjoyable mystery/ thriller gives me hints about the events without being too overt with it. I can't help but spend my time trying to figure out the end game. Bring Me Back was no exception. The plot gives just enough to think I figured it out. Then other feasible scenarios come to light and supply the doubt to consider alternate theories. The formula works very well.



The ending is where I had a problem. Although, problem may not be the correct word, but I was not a fan. I don't want to give too much away, and in all reality, it probably would not have been a happily ever after no matter what at its conclusion. I did, however, hate what happened to Finn. It made me feel terrible for him, and Ellen, and Layla. In no way would the ending prevent me from recommending this book. Just do not expect Bring Me Back to have any sunshine or rainbows at its conclusion. This book was given to me by Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for my honest opinion. My opinion may not be that of others, and I encourage all readers to come to their own conclusions.

Expected Publication June 19th!

So I'm just coming off of a total binge-fest with this book. I literally devoured it. The writing was easy and flowed smoothly, but the cliffhangers were what kept me going. It was page after page of thinking "WTF is going on?" that kept me flying at the speed of lightning. I read it on my Kindle app which gives me percentages for my progress rather than page numbers, so imagine my surprise when I learned that the hardcover is 336 pages! It felt like maybe 250 pages based on how quickly I finished.

It's super hard to give a brief synopsis of this book without giving away any of the story's twists. So let's just leave it at this... Girl goes missing. 12 years later, shit hits the fan.

What is real? Who can you trust? How much can you really know about a person?

B.A. Paris, author of Behind Closed Doors, has done it again. Her writing was fabulous and the concept of the book was great. While it wasn't the most mind blowing or original thriller I've ever read, it was certainly entertaining and I enjoyed every second of it. I have to admit that I guessed the ending pretty early on in the story which was probably the biggest downfall of the book, hence the 4 star rating rather than 5. But, it's still totally worth the read!

I would liken it to Gillian Flynn's Gone Girl or Paula Hawkins's The Girl on the Train. If you're looking for your next psychological thriller you should add this one to your TBR (book lingo for "to be read" for those whom I just confused). It won't take you long to fly through it like I did!