Not as exciting to me as Behind Closed Doors, but Bring Me Back was still a great mystery and thriller. The story follows Finn through the reappearance and taunting clues from his ex-girlfriend and true love, Layla. Finn continues on the search to find her while juggling relationships with his fiancé (and Layla’s sister) Ellen, his business partner and best friend, Harry, and his confidant and barkeeper, Ruby. This novel has a bit more violence than expected, and while it was a good read, I definitely enjoyed Behind Closed Doors more.

I didn't like this book. I was intrigued by the premise of it, but I don't believe it was well executed, It felt like it was too much going for the shock factor ending, like Gone Girl (which I didn't like either). But the ending was so far out of left field that it was hard to get the shock of it over the confusion.

Paris has crafted a twisty thriller that grabs the reader with the opening scene of a young English couple stopping at a rest area in France where he goes to the bathroom only to return to an empty car - his girlfriend has disappeared forever. Twelve years later, Finn has gotten on with his life without Layla, even to the point of asking her sister Ellen to marry him. Then Ellen finds a Russian nesting doll, significant to only her and Layla. Has Layla returned, or is someone wickedly toying with Finn and Ellen? As the plot twists and turns, the uncertainty and suspense grow. Aside from a little too convenient confession near the end, Paris does a good job of keeping the plot threads together and dropping clues for the reader to decipher. Fans of suspense fiction will enjoy Paris' new novel. #BringMeBack #Netgalley

This was an excellent thriller from B.A. Paris. She delivers again!

Finn and Layla are a couple on vacation. They are driving through France and stop at a gas station to refuel. He goes in to pay and when he returns to his car Layla is gone without a trace or explanation.

Ten years later, Finn is engaged to be married to Ellen who happens to be Layla's sister. They connected when they met years after Layla's disappearance. The wedding is set to happen but their lives get affected when a disturbing object appears at their home. What makes it disturbing is that is an object related to Ellen's long-gone sister Layla.

This was a fast-paced read for me, I kept turning the pages wanting to know more about the story. The novel is narrated in alternating points of view and was engaging, creepy, and intriguing.

Overall, I enjoyed the book and recommend it to readers of thrillers, mysteries and contemporaty fiction.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via Netgalley

Twelve years ago, Finn and his girlfriend, Layla, were driving home from a vacation in France when they just happened to stop at a service station. Finn got out to use the bathroom, but when he got back, Layla was gone. She disappeared. The police weren’t able to find any trace of her—or her body. In present day, Finn starts to receive strange clues that Layla is not only alive, but that she’s come back. But is it really Layla who’s reaching out to him? Or is it someone else, someone who wants to hurt Finn because of his recent engagement to Layla’s sister?
In a word, this book is unputdownable. The chapters are incredibly short, which left me wanting to read just one more chapter before bed. The writing is less detailed than other thrillers, with a focus on plot over setting and language. This coupled with the fast pace makes it a book that you can gobble down in just a few hours. That said, the starkness of the writing did make parts a little cheesy. The abrupt ending to chapters made me want to keep reading, but I was conscious of the writing mechanism that BA Paris was using. While cliffhangers can keep a reader turning the pages, it can also get a little repetitive and obvious if used too often!
The plot of Bring me Back was a little predictable to me, but as with BA Paris’s books, I was there for the journey, not the destination. The author does an excellent job of building up the sense of unease and distrust in the reader. The main character, Finn, languishes in the uncertainty of not knowing whether Layla is back or if he’s being tormented by someone else, and I truly felt for all the characters in this book. This is a slow burn, like Behind Closed Doors. It’s a story that a lot of people will have a hard time shaking once they’re finished!
BA Paris builds up the characters and it’s a little repetitive in the beginning, if only because Finn is revealing how he thought of Layla in the past segments and how he thinks of her in present day, and there isn’t much variation or evolution in his love for her. While this is repetitive, it’s necessary to cement his love for her, which makes the rest of the events in the book much more plausible.
I did have a couple of issues with the twist at the end. Without revealing any spoilers, I will say that I figured out the twist early on, yet I noticed a lot of inconsistencies in the plot that didn’t quite fit with the “shock” ending. Almost so much to the point where I questioned whether or not I was right about the twist. Even with these minor plot holes, the book was compelling right up until the thrilling climax.
I recommend this book if you’re looking for a spooky one-night read, and I definitely recommend it if you’re a fan of BA Paris’s other books!

This story moved quickly, and the book was definitely a page-turner. Though this isn’t a genre I typically enjoy, I had read Ms. Paris’ previous book and liked it very much, so I was happy to give this one a shot. It was a bit dark, a bit weird, but certainly riveting. I fell for a couple red herrings along the way, and though I started to guess the answer to the mystery, the ending was still a surprise.

1.5 stars.

*

Bring Me Back is a slow paced Mystery novel with an intriguing beginning, but lacking in execution. The characters are mostly underdeveloped and flat, which contributes to how unsurprising and cheesy most twists are, making the narrative sounds a little too dramatic and cartoonish. It is a story that does keep you flipping pages, if only to see how this mess gets resolved.

B.A. Paris’ writing is easy to get into, despite the abrupt shifts from past to present as the author sets up the main arc. There is something compelling about the way she weaves the narrative, which works to keep readers’ attentions even through the slow pace and cheesy dialogue.

I am disappointed. This novel has such an interesting premise, but the execution messes it all up. The characters are pretty much all one-dimensional, which makes it really difficult to care about anything that is happening. Finn, as a narrator, is very hard to connect with, considering he’s a really unlikable person.

The mystery arc is predictable. The suspense is set up rather nicely at the beginning, but as you keep reading, you can guess pretty soon how all of this is going to end. There is no surprise, no shock, just your guesses being confirmed as the story progresses. It’s kind of a bummer and makes scenes that are supposed to be impacting fall totally flat.

The ending is also a bit of a mess. The way the final reveal is done is in a format that doesn’t really work for me. There’s no emotion to it and it is a bit rushed, so it’s all around a bummer for me as a reader. I do think the conclusion is fitting to the story, though, especially considering who and how Finn is as a person.

In the end, Bring Me Back doesn’t work for me. The slow pace hurts the story, the flat characters are difficult to connect with, the plot development is a bit of a mess, and the dialogue is super cheesy. New mystery fans might enjoy this, but it’s a disappointment for me.

Started off with an intriguing premise but the end was disappointing. Moved a little slow to get to the third act. I predicted the twist yet also found it unbelievable. I enjoyed her previous book, THE BREAKDOWN, and was excited to read this, but ultimately wouldn't recommend it.

I thought this a strong concept, and a good plot ruined by the narration. I was particularly disappointed by the way the denouement came in one solid lump, as a digital file. It would have been so much improved had some of the content of that final letter from Layla been interspersed throughout the book. As it is, the resolution is melodramatic, describing stereotypical, one-dimensional characters, making the whole thing scarcely believable.

12 years ago Finn and Layla stop in a picnic area in France. Finn goes to the toilet block but when he returns to their car, Layla has disappeared. Bring Me Back is a psychological thriller.

I found this book very engaging. It had my head buzzing from the very start. B.A. Paris tells a great story that gets the reader really involved. You don’t just sit back and enjoy the tale because she puts these little lines of text into her script that make you wonder and question what is going on. There are many lies told within this story and you are forced to consider the many omissions made by Finn.

I liked the format of this book. Most of the chapters were from Finn’s point of view but the odd chapter was from Layla’s side. Each chapter was clearly labelled, some from Finn 12 years ago, some from Finn in current time and a few from Layla to rack the tension further up the torture scale.

The current day tension that Finn is exposed to is extreme. You can feel the psychological pressure he is under. Although he tells a number of lies and uses a lot of omissions to cover his tracks, I did feel a strong empathy for Finn. He was suffering from the stress brought into his relationship with Ellen and I had my head buzzing trying to work out the truth about Layla and her disappearance. I liked how this story forced me to think about why Layla disappeared, was she still alive, could it be this or that.

Although Finn is not married, he is sharing a home and in an adult relationship with Ellen. I liked how B,A. Paris explored the dynamics of adults living together - as though they were married - how they relate to each other and use personal space. I liked how love was explored in the context of comparing past partners to a current partner. I liked how the embarrassing question of “do you fancy my sister, if yes then more or less than me?” was handled. I liked how the issue of partner suitability from a man’s point of view was explored. This is not a romantic thought but how men actually think.

I liked the plot of Bring Me Back and the thinking behind it. I liked how the characters all had their part to play in this story. I liked how each of the characters could be the bad guy behind the Russian Dolls, the emails and the psychological warfare. I got a lot from this book and think it would make a great television series.

I found the writing of this book to be very high quality and it gave me just what I wanted from my reading experience. Bring Me Back is a psychological thriller that is at the top of it’s league and it gets the top score of 5 stars from me. Just for the record, I do NOT fancy my wife’s sister!

I really enjoyed the two previous books by this author (The Breakdown and Behind Closed Doors) so was looking forward to reading this. However, it didn't quite mange to pull off the psychological web of lies and deceit that made the first two books so memorable.

The opening scene is terrific and full of promise for a thrilling read. Finn McQuaid and his girlfriend Layla are driving back to their home in Devon after a skiing holiday in France when Finn pulls into a picnic spot to use the toilets. When he gets back to the car, Layla has disappeared. Despite a wide search by the police, she is never found. As the main suspect, Finn makes a statement to police, telling the reader he told "the truth. But not quite the whole truth."

Twelve years on and Finn has become engaged to Layla's sister Ellen who he met at Layla's memorial. No hint of what happened to Layla has even been found but Finn has never stopped thinking of her. Then he hears that an elderly neighbour thinks he saw her at the cottage where they used to live and tiny Russian dolls start being left in places where he and Ellen can find them. They have a significance to Ellen that make her think that Layla might be back.

However, after this cracker of a beginning and promising plot, the novel limped along rather slowly and repetitively (too many Russian dolls!) never quite achieving the tension and frisson that is the hallmark of top pyschological thrillers. Both Finn and Ellen remained fairly bland and unreachable and we never really get into their heads to see what they are feeling and thinking. The ending is foreshadowed so doesn't make much of an impact and left me feeling somewhat bewildered as to understanding the characters motives for their behaviour. The book was still an enjoyable read and one fans of this author should enjoy. I'll certainly be looking out with anticipation for her next book.

I literally finished this book in one day. B.A. Paris is a new favorite author. This was not your ordinary whodunit novel, and we get to know the characters through the alternating points of view and chapters. Normally I find this method of alternating characters confusing, but in this case it was easy to follow and we transition from Finn to Layla and get to know Ellen, Harry and Ruby. I have to say I honestly never saw the ending coming. It was a total surprise, but in the same breath a little hard to believe. My favorite book from this author is still Being Closed Doors which I found more suspenseful, but I believe this is an author I need to keep my eyes on.

I know this book has received very mixed reviews to date; I ended up on the positive side after finishing this. This is my first read by B.A. Paris and I definitely will be reading more from this author as I really enjoyed the writing style.
In a nutshell, Finn's girlfriend Layla goes missing one night at a rest stop and has not been found. 12 years later Finn is about to marry Layla's sister, Ellen when drama ensues. Has Layla returned because she is angry Finn is marrying her sister? Finn and Ellen are constantly finding these Russian dolls everywhere, which they believe is related to Layla. I couldn't quite relate to a grown woman being obsessed with Russian dolls, but that's the only negative I can say about this book. I didn't see the plot twist at the end coming and I'm mad at myself for not figuring it out. The last part of this book upgraded me from 3 to 4 stars.

**Special thanks to NetGalley and HQ for providing me an advanced read copy in exchange for an honest review. **

Another hit for B.A Paris! She has produced another domestic thriller. This one started out with Finn and Layla on a roadtrip and stopped at a rest area. He goes to the restrooom and comes back to find the car door open and Layla has disappeared. Twelve years later Finn is getting ready to marry Layla's sister, Ellen; except there are things happening that make Finn think Layla may be back. Is she really back or is someone trying to stop his wedding to Ellen? Who is behind all the Russian dolls turning up? Who's sending the emails to him? Was she spotted nearby?

An interesting unfolding even though I worked out some of what was going on fairly early (at least I thought so). The narrators here are unreliable - very much so! This will make a great summer read.

Thanks to B.A. Paris and St. Martin's Press through Netgalley for an advance copy.

Thank you NetGalley for this Advanced eGalley of Bring Me Back by B.A. Paris.

Finn and Layla are on holiday when she suddenly, and inexplicably, goes missing. Finn tries desperately to find her, but isn't sure how, or why, she's managed to disappear. Though he's eventually cleared of any foul play, the pall surrounding her disappearance never truly leaves him.

A dozen years later, Finn has settled into a new life--with Layla's sister, Ellen--and has moved on from the sensationalism that once engulfed him. However, now that he's finally moved on, signs that Layla could be alive begin to appear.

The idea that she may very well be alive and well sets Finn, and Layla's sister Ellen, on a path where both are forced to reckon with demons they'd believed were long since buried.

Unlike many, I didn't care for Behind Closed Doors. I thought it was okay, but it didn't make me want to run out and buy the next book Paris wrote. In fact, I skipped over The Breakdown altogether, so I didn't leap into Bring Me Back with any expectations.

That said, I was disappointed by its conclusion and annoyed by the amount of time it took to get to there. Honestly it wasn't clever enough to have taken so long to develop.

Even so, I read this in one sitting. Why? Because despite the ridiculous (and somewhat predictable) conclusion, it was impossible to deny a compulsive need to get to the end as quickly as possible; if for no other reason than to prove I'd come to the correct conclusion about its boring, one-dimensional, and uninspiring people.

For that reason alone I gave it two stars.

To say more would spoil "the fun" for those who look to read it, so I'll only say, it wasn't for me.

This is not my usual genre. It is a rather dark read. There are times the twists and turns are actually quite annoying. Usually, I find I unravel plots early in a book, not so here. I was consistently wrong each time, even when I was close, I wasn't. The psychology of the characters eludes me entirely, adding to the disquiet. This book is a thriller of the first order.

Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for an E-ARC of this book. There are so many twists and I could not make any predictions. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys mysteries aND thrillers. #Netgalley #BringMeBack

Bring Me Back is an edge-of-your-seat psychological thriller that begins with the mysterious disappearance of a woman, Layla, at a restroom stop in France. Finn, her boyfriend, is frantic when he discovers her gone. After months of searching, he gives up and returns home. Fast forward twelve years and Finn is engaged to marry Ellen, Layla's sister, and yet Layla is never far from his mind. After Finn and Ellen's engagement announcement appears in a local paper, an omen in the form of a tiny Russian doll appears on the wall in front of their house. The relevance and implications are monumental as it's a link to Ellen's childhood. Only she, Layla, and Finn know the significance of the Russian doll. From this point, events spiral out of control as Finn begins receiving sinister and threatening correspondence from someone claiming to be "Layla". Is it possible Layla has returned to reclaim her life . . . and man? Or is someone playing cruel, obsessive mind games?

Through alternating chapters of past and present, Bring Me Back unfolds through two points of view. I was quickly drawn into this thriller and found my heart racing as the story and Finn's state of mind spiral out of control. The first half is addictive as the dark and ominous tone, frantic pace, and urgent sense of time running out escalates. I burned through pages looking for answers along with Finn. The author does a great job setting up the characters, scenes, and plotline leading to an explosive first half. As the story progresses, secrets and lies surface clueing readers into the fact that all is not as it seems. A little more than halfway, I realized what was happening, but still felt a sense of urgency and trepidation as I read on to see how the author would weave it all together. Approaching the end, events occurred that had me thinking back over the story, and I just wasn't quite able to accept things as plausible. As a result, a story that began with great promise fell short of the mark in my opinion. Bring Me Back is a compelling story that I admittedly read nonstop, but the direction the author chose to take the plot line didn't work for me in the end. I think psychological thriller fans will be evenly split on this one. Give it a shot and decide for yourself!

Wow, just wow. I don't know what else to say without any spoilers. B.A. Paris does it again. She has become one of my favorite authors! Thank you to the publisher for sending me this review copy.

Thank you Net Galley for the book! The story was well written and kept me intrigued. I did not love the ending and thought it could have been done better. Overall I finished the book in a day so it was written very well, flowed easily and kept me interested. The main character wasn't very lovable as he came off as a bit creepy (in my opinion), and the couple seemed to have co-dependence issues as they always did everything together.