Finn and Layla are returning from a ski vacation in Megeve when his girlfriend, Layla disappears. Finn stops for a restroom break about an hour and a half from Paris and leaves Layla sleeping in the car at the Rest Stop. After reporting her missing and an extensive search, Finn moves on with his life. As the boyfriend, Finn is suspected in her disappearance and repeats his story, claiming his innocence for the next 12 years. The one person who believes him is Ellen, Layla's sister. When Ellen and a former neighbor claim that they have recently seen Layla, Finn begins to question if Layla has been living in hiding and has returned. Is Layla alive or is someone determined to make Finn and Ellen believe that she is?

This book has a twisted psychological plot that I enjoyed. While I figured out the underlying secret fairly early in the book, watching the other characters discover the truth was well worth the read. I recommend this for your beach read list this summer.

As much as I wanted to love this book, the ending just didn't do it for me. I was really enjoying it until about the 70% mark when I realized which direction the book was headed. Overall, the book was a fast paced, quick read, but the ending was unfortunately a little too unrealistic for me.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of this novel. It had a strong beginning and ending, but lost me a bit in the middle. Finn is in love with Ellen, or so we think, who is the sister to his one real love, Layla, who disappeared after an argument with Finn many years ago. He seems to have finally gotten over her, but then, the "Russian Dolls" appears. A good job on trying it all together in the end.

It’s Gone Girl meets Rebecca in this tale of boy meets girl, boy treats girl badly, girl disappears, boy meets girl’s sister. Now, it looks like (first) girl may be back, or is someone trying to mess up his relationship with her sister?
This has an interesting set up but, unfortunately, I’ve read a lot of this type of book and found the ‘twist’ pretty obvious. I had it largely worked it out before I was halfway through the book , which meant there was an awful lot of ‘what does it all mean? ‘ kind of musing to wade through.
<spoiler> I do wish that fewer psychological thrillers were plotted around someone being crazy. And in this book, who’s the craziest? The woman who adopts the personalities of her dead loved ones? The man who beats his loved ones up?
The denouement is unconvincing – what’s all that about the peat bog? – spelling out what we already knew with a few unlikely embellishments. (After an extensive search for Layla, police were unable to find the driver of a car in the area because they believed it was a man and in fact, it was a woman! Back to cop school for you lot!) </spoiler>
I think the success of this book relies on how quickly you understand what’s going on. So, if you’re a smart-arse-seen-it-all-before kind of reader it might not be for you. Nevertheless, I found it a light, entertaining read with an interesting use of Russian dolls.
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and Net Galley for this ARC.

Layla and Finn are coming back from a skiing vacation in France when Finn stops at a picnic area to use the restroom. Upon his return, Layla is gone.

The book starts with Finn's recollections of that night some ten years ago. He gives the impression that the description you read in the book is what was told to the cops at the time, but that in reality, the truth about that night is very different.

Now ten years later, Finn is living with Ellen who just happens to be his missing girlfriend Layla's sister.

I have to say that I really enjoyed Behind Closed Doors by B. A. Paris, and Bring Me Back was a book that had a solid four stars for most of the story, then it got to the end and I just could not believe how improbable the ending was. I was truly disappointed with the ending. I thought the story had such a great premise and I was completely hooked. Unfortunately, I just couldn't believe the ending.

I would like to thank St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

A young couple is on holiday in France. They are driving around and stop at a shady looking gas service station. The guy runs to the bathroom and insists his girlfriend lock the car doors behind him. But when he returns, the passenger side door is wide open and the car is empty. No one ever sees the girl again.

Fast forward ten years and the guy has moved on. New life, new wife-to-be, new job. All is well until he comes home one day to find his fiancé sitting on the sofa with a puzzled look, twiddling with an object. In an instant, the past comes back. She is holding a Russian doll—an object only significant to the missing girlfriend.

I love an author that can make me question the integrity of the main character. Is he genuine? Is he lying to us, and even himself? Is he just telling the police things to make it look better? Can I trust this narrator's point of view? All of these questions went through my mind while reading Bring Me Back. All were answered...but too many pages later. Again I found myself trying not to skim through and get to the good part.

So is it a good or bad thing when only one thought lingers after reading a novel? Because never have Russian dolls seemed so haunting.

Happy Early Pub Day, B.A. Paris. Bring Me Back will be available Tuesday, June 19.

LiteraryMarie

Finn and Layla are a young couple on the verge of an engagement. When Layla returns from a girls trip she confesses that she has slept with another man. Finn is angered and pushes Layla out of their car on a trip. When Finn returns to the car from a trip to the restroom Layla has disappeared . 12 years later Finn is living with and engaged to Layla's sister Ellen. Strange things began to happen like small Russian nesting dolls looking just like the ones Layla used to have show up at their home and in their cars. Finn begins to receive strange emails from someone called "Rudolph Hill. Is Layla alive and back in their hometown? Is someone playing a mean joke on them? Stress builds up as both Finn and Ellen keep secrets from each other and both wonder who is harassing them? I was able to figure out the thing about Ellen and Layla but I didn't figure out details and why it happened till the end. The ending was not that good as the rest of the book and left much to be desired.

Bring Me Back will grab you from the start. This compelling suspense will keep you questioning until the end. Good story that moves along nicely, but for me, the ending took away from everything the characters had gone through. I understand the author was going for shock value, but it left me a little unsettled. I don’t feel like Finn deserved that ending. With the twists, turns, and shock of the story, you don’t want any spoilers. Sit back and enjoy!

Twisted, psychological thriller. Did not anticipate the ending and really felt for Finn. Well written, complex characters and plot.

The newest psychological thriller by B.A. Paris is predictable and not very thrilling. I got the big "A HA" moment less than a third of the way throughout the novel. I simply wondered if Ellen was also Layla or if Layla was also Ellen. The Russian Dolls gimmick did not cause me panic and was used too often and also became too convenient. I did like Harry, Finn's buddy, and how he stood by Finn through the initial ordeal and continued through the years. I hope Harry and Ruby will have a lasting relationship. I got a bland feeling from the ending with Finn being incarcerated so this is key to my overall lackluster reaction to the novel. On a plus side I did read it in one sitting.

I loved the author's other books; therefore, I couldn't wait to dig into this book. The opening chapter was good. I could not wait to find out what Finn was lying about. Yet, after this the story went down hill. Yes, the book was a quick read but than this because it was less than three hundred pages and the chapters were only a few pages each.

The reason I was disappointed with this book is because it read "too fast". There was not enough time to really ponder what the "truth" is and what happened to Layla. The author laid out all of the facts and truth very quickly. Also, I didn't really find Finn that intriguing.

The first half of the story was about Finn, how he met Layla and their relationship as well as the secret messages, clues, and warnings. The second half of the story was more of the reveal. Which was more interesting but again, it moved so fast. I wanted to step back and savor the moments. Than there was the ending, which I was a little let down by. Here is to hoping that the next book is like the prior novels.

Another stunning success from B. A. Paris! I have read each of her books and have had the same 'issue' each time - once I have started reading I just cannot put it down. So, a word to the wise - cancel your plans before embarking on anything written by this masterful thriller writer. If you appreciated previous books from this author then it is highly likely you will love this one too.

A dark, deep and complex story that genuinely holds your attention from the very start, with characters that are well-developed and a plot that is both strong and unique. There are plenty of twists and turns throughout to add the shock factor and I really didn't expect the ending. I look forward to her future releases and will no doubt read those too.

Recommended for those who have enjoyed previous titles from this author and those who are partial to reading psychological thrillers.

I would like to thank B.A. Paris, St. Martins Press and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this title in exchange for an honest review.

Finn McQuaid has evolved from an angry vicious bully of a young man into a successful investor. He owed everything to his best friend Harry, who assisted him with turning his life around. While he and Harry were out on the town going to a theater on New Years Eve, Finn happened to see a young woman at the station, who looked lost and scared. She hardly had any money and there were no vacancies at any of the hotels, because it was New Years Eve. Little did he know that his good grace, would change his life forever. He told Harry to take another friend to the theatre, while he took Layla Gray to their flat for the evening. He gave the sofa-bed in the study to Layla, so that she would feel comfortable and safe. Finn and Layla eventually begin their relationship and move in together. While away on a trip to France, Finn finds out some things that Layla has done. He can’t move past it, and his vicious temper reared it’s ugly head. Finn reported to the police that she is missing. What happened to her? What did Finn do? Harry, once again, came to Finn’s rescue. Since there was no evidence, and no body, the police had to release him. Finally, a memorial was held for her, and Finn met her sister, Ellen. She resembled Layla, but she wasn’t his Layla. As time went on, Finn found that he and Ellen had some of the same interests. Eventually, the two move into together and fall into a comfortable routine. Twelve years after Layla’s disappearance, things start getting a little weird. Little Russian Dolls start appearing everywhere. And Finn starts receiving weird email messages. The person won’t tell him who they are, and Finn becomes paranoid. Who is playing games with him? Is Layla really dead? Or is this person trying to make him think she’s really alive? Ellen thinks she’s seen her sister, but has she really seen her? Why now? He has just proposed to Ellen. Could this be the reason? Will Ellen find out about the dolls and the email messages? Will Finn still love and marry Ellen, if Layla is alive? The plot was genius and the character development was superb. I loved this book. It really kept the reader on their toes, throughout the book. What a thrilling psychological intriguing mystery this book was. What an ending!! I love this author’s writing style. I can’t wait for the next novel from B. A. Paris.

Heart pounding. This was WONDERFUL. Creepy a bit. Haunting a bit. Compelling a lot. No one writes like this author and every book gets better.

Anything by B.A. Paris falls into an “unputdownable” category for me, and this book was no different. The twists are unpredictable and the author ties up every loose end with consistency. Her attention to detail is part of what made me love this one!

I believe I enjoyed this more than the other two B.A. Paris books I've read, Behind Closed Doors and The Breakdown. The chapters alternate between "before" and "now" for roughly the first half of the book. Can't really describe the rest of the book without potential spoilers.

The story kept my interest for the majority of the time, but then it started to get really repetitive and feel a bit pointless. And then I was shocked to find that the resolution really was pointless. And didn't make sense. And I found none of the characters likable. Honestly, I started off enjoying the book a lot more, but it totally went downhill after around the midpoint.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the ARC.

Here’s what it’s about: SHE went missing. HE moved on. A whole world of secrets remained – until now.

Finn and Layla are young, in love, and on vacation. They are driving along the highway when Finn decides to stop at a service station to use the restroom. He hopped out of the car, locks the door behind him, and goes inside. When he returns Layla is gone – never to be seen again. This is the story Finn told police. BUT it is not the whole story....

I’m afraid to report that I’ve been left confused, frustrated, and honestly disappointment.
Confused because I really enjoy Paris’ previous TWO (2) books - BEHIND CLOSED DOORS and THE BREAKDOWN - so naturally I just assumed that I would enjoy this one as well. Frustrated because I was SO excited to get my hands on this ARC only to CRASH - like coming down from the sugar high – after about TWENTY (20) chapters in. And disappointed – because honestly, I didn’t really care for it at all.

Part of the problem, I think, is that I didn’t feel invested in any of the THREE (3) main characters – Finn, Layla, or Ellen. Maybe it’s because Paris doesn’t lay down a good foundation when she introduces them to us. Other than knowing that Layla and Ellen’s mother died when they were young and that their father had anger issues, we don’t know much else about them – like how they got along as sisters when they were growing up. Furthermore, there are ZERO details about Finn and his youth/life, just overall making it hard for me to connect with or even be interested in these characters. And let’s not forget to mention the Russian dolls – by the FIFTH(5th) doll (and I think there were like 20 dolls), I became bored and lost interest.

On the upside, BRING ME BACK is a short novel - I read it in ONE (1) day – which NEVER happens and the chapters are short as well. If you’re interested in reading this book, borrow it from someone OR get it from a library.

3 1/2 stars. I really struggled with finding a connection with any of the characters. I was driven to know how the story would wrap-up, but I ended up disappointed with the ending. I gave it the extra half star because the author kept the mystery going, and at least I was intrigued.

* I received a free advanced copy of this book from the publisher via #netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I discovered BA Paris, the author of Bring Her Back, last year and enjoyed her previous two books. When I heard she has a new book coming out this year, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it. I was ecstatic when I received the advanced copy for review.

The author is an excellent writer who keeps you on the edge of your seat. Just like with the previous two, I couldn’t put this book down and actually had to make myself stop so I could get some sleep. One reason I enjoyed her first two books is the author doesn’t use profanity, sex or violence to drive the plot. It takes integrity, skill and courage not to do what mainstream authors do. She stood out to me excellently because of this. Sadly, in this third one, there was one instance of profanity that I hope is not the beginning of her being like the rest.

I loved the book all the way up to about 90% of it. I really had no idea how it was going to end. Then, it started to fall apart. The only character I actually liked ended up not what I had expected and quite disappointed me. The ending is so unfulfilling, though I admit I can’t think of a better way to conclude this complicated story. I just felt a little betrayed after luring me into the story, after I devoted all the time to invest in the characters (some I didn’t like in the beginning, but they kind of grew on me), then only to be given a simplistic, irrational and irritating ending.

I hope Bring Her Back is a glitch in Ms. Paris’ repertoire because I want to keep her in my already very short list of favorite modern fiction authors.