Finn and Layla are returning from vacation when they pull into a rest area. Finn leaves to go to the restroom, locks the car, but when he returns Layla is gone. Now 12 years later Finn is in a relationship with Layla’s sister, Ellen. Russian dolls begin to appear and Finn gets e mails claiming to be from Layla saying she is alive. She wants something from him before she will appear in person. Is it really Layla or someone playing a diabolical game. Finn doesn’t know where to turn or who to trust.

This was a really diabolical plot. It seems like every time I turned a page there was another twist to the story. This book will keep you engrossed til the very end trying to figure out where it’s going next. This book is written in the first person, not my favorite style but it wasn’t long before I was so engrossed I didn’t even notice. I highly recommend this psychological thriller. Thank you to net galley for an advanced review copy of this book.

I received a free e-copy of Bring Me Back by B.A. Paris from NetGalley for my honest review.
This book started out strong, and then for me, just fizzled out. I felt that a lot of it was unbelievable and I did not care for the end at all.
We have Finn whose girlfriend, Layla, goes missing at a rest stop never to be heard from again, fast forward ten plus years later and Finn has a new girlfriend Ellen who happens to be Layla’s sister. Finn starts receiving emails that hint that Layla might be alive. And here goes the quest for Finn to find out who is behind these emails and hints and if Layla is truly alive. This is about where I decided that it was a little silly, some of Finn’s actions were farfetched. Come on ya bloke don’t be dense!
The ending was solid three stars. This was the first time I have read anything from this author and I would give her other two “Behind Closed Doors” and “The Breakdown” a whirl since they seem to be popular but this book didn’t do much for me.

How well do you really know someone??

I was lucky enough to get an advanced copy of this book. I think because I loved Behind Closed Doors so much, that this book and The Breakdown had some big shoes to fill. I was a little disappointed in both books.

This one was a little slow to get into, there were some good twists and turns I never saw coming but it was not the page turner Behind Closed Doors was for me.

Loved this book! The twists and turns keeps you on the edge of your seat the entire time. Every time I was convinced I knew who Layla was, I was wrong. This is a must read to learn the story of Finn, Layla and Ellen.

This is my first book by B.A. Paris and I was very excited to get notified that I would be getting an ARC of the book through Netgalley. I have been seeing this book talked about all over social media and with suspense being a category I have recently been bingeing on, I was excited to dig in.

Starting right off with Finn telling us (the reader) what happened the night that Layla disappeared, I settled in and couldn't wait to see where this story took us. I highlighted a lot of passages along the way, just knowing it was a clue of some sort. Since I haven't read any of Ms. Paris' other books, I had no idea what her writing style was, so I didn't really know if things I thought could be a clue or hint of some sort would end up really being one, but that's half the fun of reading a new to me author.

Finn and Ellen are together now, having connected at a memorial service held for her sister Layla. They are set to be married, but Finn drops little hints along the way that he doesn't feel the same way about Ellen that he did for Layla. But life has to go on, right? It isn't healthy to stay buried in the past, and Ellen loves him so that's good enough for him.

But both Finn and Ellen are holding on to a huge amount of secrets, and as the story unfolds, we find out in alternating points of view just what secrets Finn and Ellen are keeping. I have to admit that after looking at a couple of the passages I highlighted as clues, I formulated a theory as to what was really going on, and it turns out my theory was correct, which really never happens.

I did enjoy the way Ms. Paris twisted and turned this story, and used a couple of key side characters as diversions to what was really going on. I really enjoyed the cat and mouse game that Finn was playing, or was he being played? You'll have to read to find out.

The book was a little slow in the beginning, but once the momentum built and the suspense ratcheted up, I couldn't put it down, just needing to know if my theory was correct and how Finn was going to handle that bombshell? Even though I guessed correctly as to what was going on, I did not guess that ending at all, and I have to say Ms. Paris did surprise and shock me with that. I am anxious to look at her catalog of other books to see what else she has published in this genre.

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me an advance copy of the book in exchange for an honest and unbiased review

This book was certainly a page-turner. With short chapters that alternate between time frames and characters, you're enticed to plow ahead to find out what happens next.

The book also has an intriguing premise and an interesting (although maybe a wee bit overused) plot device of Russian nesting dolls. In many ways the book matches those dolls with layer upon layer of mystery being revealed to the reader.

However, for me, the book fell a little flat on two counts...

First, Finn spends a lot of time processing his many theories about what's happening to him and why. For the reader this means you're reading long paragraphs composed of open ended questions. ("Did Layla mean THIS? If so, what does that mean? If I do that, then what do I tell my fiancé? And what if she doesn't believe me? Should I talk to someone else?") I think you get my point. Basically there's a lot of stretches with just one character thinking and not engaged in a whole lot doing, and that felt a little boring at times.

My second issue (and the much bigger one) was with the ending. Suffice it to say, I DID NOT BUY IT. At all. In many respects the ending made most of what came before it (which was a solid mystery, in my opinion) seem pretty silly. The only plus is that it has made for highly entertaining discussions I've had post-read with different sets of sisters. (They didn't buy the plausibility of that twist either.)

Thanks to the author and NetGalley for granting me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

First and foremost, avoid any and all spoilers before you read this book. Avoid plot summaries and synopses, just read it and read it soon. And don’t you dare jump to the last page, the final sentence will hit you had.
In my opinion, this is far and away B. A. Paris’s best book to date, and is the early front runner for my vote for any book of the year lists. The writing is tight and fast paced, the narration is authentic and the plot is a page turner.
Anyone who likes a psychological thriller that plays with your mind as much as it does the characters’ minds, anyone who just likes good writing, and anyone who enjoys a book that keeps them from doing anything else until it’s finished should put this on their must read list. I know I’ll read it again, I just wish I could read it again for the first time!

Finn and Layla are on vacation when he stops at a rest stop and Layla disappears while he is inside. Fast forward 10 years and although he has never stopped loving and missing Layla, he is now engaged to Layla's sister Ellen. He doesn't love her with the same passion he loved Layla, but no sign of Layla was ever found so he has to assume Layla is dead. Out of the blue strange things begin happening, leaving Finn and Ellen to believe Layla may be alive after all.
I could not put this book down. There are so many twist and turns that kept me turning the pages, and the suspense kept me on the edge of my seat. I highly recommend this book!

This review was provided in exchange for early access to Bring Me Back by B.A. Paris through NetGalley. I had high hopes for this book, but was somewhat disappointed. It begins with Finn and Layla who appear to be madly in love, then Layla goes missing on a trip to France. There is considerable speculation and mystery surrounding her disappearance. She never turns up, but her sister Ellen enters the picture when she and Finn have a memorial for Lalya months later. Ellen and Finn start a relationship, but the past rears her beautiful red head and the twists and turns begin.

The first 30% of the book focused on the development and background stories of six main characters as they related to the main storyline. As the book moved on the focus was on the thoughts, feelings, and perceptions of Finn and Layla as the story unfolded. It moved along at a snails pace, but the author consistently fed you bread crumbs to keep you reading. It finally got pretty interesting around the 70% mark. Overall, the story was ok and it was well written, yet it was a bit predictable and the ending was a let down - I wanted more for the characters. If you are a fan of Gone Girl, then this is a book for you!

3.5 stars. This is the second book I have read by B.A. Paris (I still need to read Behind Closed Door). Bring Me Back involves our main character Finn, whose girlfriend, Layla, went missing while they were traveling in France 12 years ago. Layla is never found and the case is never solved. Finn is now trying to move on with her life and has recently asked his new girlfriend, Emma, who also happens to be Layla's sister, to move in with him. Everything is seemingly fine until someone starts leaving reminders of Layla in places that Finn is sure to find, followed by an email from someone claiming to be Layla.

I liked this book, but I was not the biggest fan of the main character Finn. I can say that I figured a few things out before they were revealed, but there were others that I didn't. Bring Me Back is a fast paced thriller and caught my attention from the first chapter. I enjoy the author's writing and the plot line is really interesting, I just had some problems with it at some points. I don't want to give away any spoilers, so I will leave it at that. Overall, I enjoyed this book and I think that fans of B.A. Paris and fast paced thrillers will also like it.

Thank you to the publisher, St. Martin's Press, for sending me an ARC of this book.

I have heard of BA Paris from the previous book but I never thought to buy it. I knew that it was hard to find a copy because it sold out fast. This was my first chance to get something thanks to Netgalley. Finn and Layla share a story that will keep the reader hooked. Reading suspense fiction one can expect surprises and more. This didn't disappoint. I can't wait to finish it. Sadly, my graduate studies take precedent now. Once I am done with that I will devour this book and not come up for air until I am finished.

Finn and Layla are in love and have taken a ski trip in France. Finn needs to stop at a rest area in the middle of nowhere on the way home. When he returns to the car Layla is nowhere to be found. He obviously becomes the number one suspect in her disappearance. 12 years later, Finn is engaged to Layla’s sister, Ellen. They have moved to the small town of Simonsbridge in England. Suddenly,someone is leaving Russian nesting dolls for Finn to find. Evidently Layla and Ellen had a set of these dolls as children. Ellen is convinced that the dolls being left or from that set. Finn starts receiving emails from someone who claims to be Layla. She wants him back. Where has she been for the past 12 years? What will Ellen think? The book goes back-and-forth between present day and what happened 12 years ago. It all leads to a shocking conclusion that I did not see coming. Talk about a twist! This is the first book I have read by BA Paris but it will not be my last. *I received a free copy of this book from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I loved B.A. Paris' other books and could not wait to read this one and it did not disappoint! This book had the ability to keep you wanting to turn the page and keep you asking questions. I thought I had figure it out, but then I was wrong. I felt like I was Finn and questioning everything I though I believed was happing. This book is about Finn who is know to have a bad temper and become violent when he is angry enough. One night on New Years Eve he meets a girl named Layla and falls in love with her instantly. One night on their way home from a trip he goes to the bathroom and she disappears. Finn tells the police everything was fine and she was just gone, but is that the truth? Is Layla dead or alive? 12 years later Finn finds himself engaged to Layla's sister Ellen, but now he is getting cryptic messages, could they possibly be from Layla or is someone playing a sick joke?

For a psychological thriller, I felt the suspense piece of this book was lacking. I didn’t feel like there was a strong pull to keep reading as the plot seemed to stagnate; however, I anticipated a twist, like any thriller, and I wasn’t disappointed. Rather, I was still pretty floored. I thought I had this story figured out; I was wrong.

The book begins with a police report about the night Layla was kidnapped. There is no build-up to the event at all, and the story begins after the fact, far after the fact, years after. Though Finn has physically moved on, he will never forget Layla and wonders everyday about her. Those thoughts are muted—until Finn begins to suspect that Layla may not be gone. Twelve years after her kidnapping, he begins to wonder if she may be ok, and may be trying to contact him.

The clues he and Layla’s sister receive suggest she’s back, but doubts still arise. Someone else COULD be sending the clues, but why?

Finn is a pretty round character. In his first person narration he confides weaknesses and strengths to his readers. Some of these weaknesses cause the readers to question his authenticity in his narration, but he is honest enough that we tend to stick with him.

If you liked The Good Girl by Mary Kubica, you’ll enjoy this book. I felt the same reading her text. I didn’t feel like there was much driving the story, but at the end, it all changed, and the end was worth it! I recommend The Good Girl just like I recommend Bring Me Back. It’s worth the read, and even though I finished it a few days ago, I am still thinking about it. THAT is a true telling of a good book! Don’t be fooled by the 3 stars. To me, 3 stars is a very good thriller—it does its job!

The good things first: I liked how the narration shifts between Finn and Layla. I also shift in narration during the first part where Finn addresses Layla as if he's talking to her. I guess the shifting in the narration keeps you in your toes. That being said, I immensely found the book lacking. I did not like Finn or Layla as a narrator especially Finn. I was frustrated in Finn's characters. He has been making a lot of bad decisions and is a big baby. As for Layla, she needs help, medical help. There was a lot of plot holes and for a mystery/thriller book it was on the slow side for me.

Thanks netgalley.com for the free copy!

Bring Me Back from B. A. Paris sucked me in from the very beginning.Finn and Layla went away for a weekend getaway and Layla disappears from the car at a reststop...over a decade goes by with no sightings no contact...nothing. Finn moves on with his life, such as it is, falling in love with Layla's sister Ellen....soon after Finn asked Ellen to marry him, little Russian nesting dolls start appearing (special to Layla & Ellen) and Ellen believes she sees Layla on the street. ...Finn is told he has to choose...either Ellen has to go or Layla will disappear again this time forever!
Well written storyline, interesting characters a pretty solid read. Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for allowing me to read this ARC book for giving my honest opinion.

I received a copy of this book from Net Galley and St. Martins Press in return for my honest review.

When I read B.A. Paris' first novel, Behind Closed Doors - I was riveted from cover to cover. It was suspenseful and filled with twists and turns that kept me turning the pages and prevented me from putting the book down. It was a one sitting read!

Paris's writing did nothing but go downhill from there and now with her third novel, Bring Me Back, the downhill slide continues.

The premise of this novel seems interesting but, sadly the execution is lacking. I had figured out "who" Layla very early on. The story from then just drags on. And, of course - the husband "gladly" goes to jail.

I really wanted to like this book more and I remain hopeful that Paris will regain her mojo from Behind Closed Doors in her next novel. I wish I could recommend this book, but I cannot.

3.5 stars

Finn and Layla are returning from holiday when they stop for gas. When Finn returns from the restroom, Layla is gone, never to be seen again.

12 years later, Finn is now happily engaged to Layla’s sister, Ellen...a woman very different from Layla.

Shortly after their wedding announcement is posted, Finn returns home from work to find Ellen holding a Matryoshka doll. She is convinced that it is the tiniest of the nesting dolls, missing from the set she had as a child. But only one person could’ve left this doll for Ellen-her sister, Layla.

Is Layla alive? If so, where has she been? And, why return now?

This was a buddy read with Danielle (The Blonde Likes Books). We were both drawn in by this unique story and compared thoughts every 10 chapters. Our theories kept changing (a good thing, kept us guesssing!) .

My rating reflects that I would’ve been more satisfied by ANY of our guesses, more so than the actual conclusion! (See her review on Goodreads and her blog!)

If you prefer thrillers with a twist, no matter how implausible than you won’t be disappointed!

For ME, if the journey is enjoyable, as this most definitely was, than I would rather guess the end, than have a twist just for the sake of a twist. Or at least an ending that I can buy into, if I do not see it coming!

Still, I preferred this book to “The Breakdown”, and do recommend it for fans of B A Paris.

I would like to thank Netgalley, St. Martin’s Press and the author for the ARC provided in exchange for my candid review!

This book will be released on June 19th, 2018

This is not the first book I've by B.A. Paris and I was so excited to read another one. The book didn't disappoint as far as the writing and keeping my interest. I finished the book fairly quickly and could wait to hear the ending. That is earned it an extra star. The story itself was more of 3 star rating to me, but the fact that I couldn't put it down made me elevate it to 4 stars. I thought the ending was pretty strange and in my mind I few ideas that I liked for the ending. I loved the writing and will definitely read more books from Paris!

In Bring Me Back, we are introduced to Finn and Layla. They had been dating about thirteen months before she was kidnapped one night at a rest stop in France. Twelve years later, Finn begins to receive emails and Russian dolls. All this began after Ellen announced their engagement in the paper.

Ellen is Layla’s older sister. Finn had never met Ellen while dating Layla. She was still living at home taking care of their father. Finn finally met Ellen at the memorial service for Layla.

The story alternates between the past and the present, in part one. Finn narrates part one. Part two is told from two separate points of views. Part three continues with alternating points of views.

All the suspense, or the little bit included in the story was held unto the end. I’m trying to decipher if this is an attempt at a second chance or something more sinister. I’m certain these sisters have some backstory that will come into play in the end. I got lost in the execution of this story trying to determine what I was suppose to focus on. Was I suppose to want Layla to be with Finn? Or was I suppose to question Finn and his temperament? Was I suppose to question Ellen and her motives?
To be honest we know very little about Finn, Ellen, and Layla. This lacks the necessary character growth and development used to establish motive. The first part focused on some emails and dolls which was anticlimactic upon reveal. These emails and dolls took up a good portion of the story. The problem with these dolls is that the significance of them was limited to knowledge of four characters.

I don’t like the way B A Paris speculates about these undeveloped characters with her accusations pointing fingers in every direction to throw the reader off course. In the beginning my mind conjured up some thrilling possibilities, but none of them panned out. Instead I was left with some confusing email messages and some Russian dolls.

In order to clarify my confusion about these Russian dolls I looked them up hoping to find some type of reason for their creation and meaning. That didn’t resolve anything. This author has chosen these dolls for something significant to these sisters yet withheld the meaning. These dolls meant nothing to me. I wasn’t scared or worried about these dolls and I could care less who was leaving them.

There is nothing to connect with other than the dolls. How am I suppose to connect with these characters when Layla is nonexistent and Ellen gives Finn a wide birth of space.
Between the dolls and emails this story became a game of What if? It was a tiresome read with nothing going on except more dolls. Where did this jealousy stem from between sisters when Ellen hadn’t met Finn when Layla dated him?
When it was all said and done I wasn’t surprised by the reveal. I had figured out most of it. The how’s and why’s became unimportant. Sadly, this story wasn’t executed in the way I had hoped for this type of reveal.