
Member Reviews

Have you heard? B.A. Paris has a new novel coming out this summer! Just like her previous novels Behind Closed Doors and The Breakdown, this is an addictive psychological thriller you don't want to miss!
Twelve years ago, Finn took a trip with his girlfriend Layla. On their way home, they make a stop somewhere and Finn leaves Layla sitting in the car. When he comes back, she's vanished without a trace.
It was a struggle, but Finn moved on with his life, finding love with Layla's sister Ellen. Everything is going well until the day Finn gets a phone call informing him his former neighbor thought they'd seen Layla. That was unsettling enough, but then an item is left at the house he shares with Ellen—something that held significance to Layla that few people knew about. The emails started coming soon afterwards, hinting that Layla is still alive... emails that sometimes seem to be coming from Layla herself.
Finn is desperate to know the truth and determined to keep Ellen in the dark until he gets the answers he needs. If Layla really is alive, what will that mean for his relationship with Ellen? And if she isn't... who is messing with his head?
Bring Me Back is cleverly written, telling the story of Finn's present day life with Ellen, as well as his past life with Layla. I love it when a story is rounded out this way, giving the reader little pieces of the past to attempt to put together before the Big Reveal comes. Each new discovery makes the things you already know take on new meaning.
I was immediately struck by the differences between the two sisters—Layla is carefree and vivacious, whereas Ellen is serious and restrained. The more aware I became of how little the sisters had in common personality-wise, the more I wondered about Finn's relationship with Ellen. Their pairing certainly seemed an unlikely one, and I liked the way Finn thinks about that more and more as he tries to sort out the truth about the emails and items left for him to find.
Finn makes important discoveries are made early in the book, and the story takes a decidedly sinister turn as it gets into part two. I thoroughly enjoyed the first part of the book, but I have to say it gets MUCH better in the second part! There's a definite cat-and-mouse vibe going on here, and I couldn't put it down.
Even though I managed to figure out something crucial before it was revealed in the book, the ending was still significant and played out in a shocking way I didn't see coming, and made me bump my rating up a bit from four stars to four and half well-deserved stars.
Put this one on your TBR, y'all... and get ready for a great read this June!

3.5 stars rounded down.
Having really loved this author's previous two books, I was very excited when I saw she had a new one out. I was even more excited when I managed to snaffle an early review copy. I cleared some space on my TBR and dove right in. All was going swimmingly and I was really enjoying it until about half way through when I paused and said to my brother that I thought I knew where it was going and that I really hoped I wasn't right. I put it aside and carried on regardless. Sadly I was right and even with the author's explanation which satisfied a few of the niggles I had about the outcome, it just wasn't enough for me to really believe in what I had been reading. In fact, I even called the red herring that the author also slipped it, I was actually hoping that this was going to be the real reveal! Looking at other reviews, I appear to be in the minority and I admit that maybe my early guess may have skewed my later feelings and things could have been very different for me had I not seen it coming. But that's how it was and I have to write my reviews with honesty or I am not being true to myself as a reader/reviewer.
It wasn't all bad though, as I said, I was really enjoying it up until I had my moment of clarity. the characters were working well for me, the story was interesting and kept my attention nicely. Actually, the story kept me interested throughout as, ignoring my feelings about the way the book was going, it was still interesting how we would eventually get there and what would happen when we did. Niggles aside, I though the actual ultimate ending was very well done.
It's hard to write much more about the book without being able to qualify my thoughts and feelings. I have tried to put a few things down but invariably they either don't make sense without further explanation, or hint too much about things that are best left unsaid. I will just end on a positive point though. Everything aside, it was a very readable book. I absolutely flew through it - both before and after my epiphany. So I guess I can't feel too hard done by. It also hasn't skewed my feelings about the author and wouldn't stop me reading any of her future books.
My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

This was a quick & very intriguing story from page one with a wonderful twist!

B.A. Paris has crafted yet another psychological thriller, this time involving a woman who mysteriously disappeared and was never found while en route home from a holiday with her boyfriend. Five years later, he met her sister as they accepted that she was never returning and memorialized her. Now they are in a relationship and planning to marry, but strange events lead him to believe that perhaps the missing sister is alive and toying with his emotions. After all, he never quite told the whole story to the police. As Russian dolls keep materializing -- symbolizing a childhood event that only the sisters knew about -- the pressure builds, culminating in a plot twist that many readers either won't see coming at all or considered but, thanks to Paris's clever diversionary tactics, dismissed a few chapters back. Bring Me Back moves at a steady, fast pace as the action accelerates to the shocking climax. It is refreshing that, unlike in Behind Closed Doors and The Breakdown, the female protagonist is not weak, gullible, and helpless, although there are moments when it seems she might be too trusting and loving. Again, Paris's writing suffers from one drawback -- a significant suspension of disbelief is required in order to accept the ending to the story and its resolution will leave readers asking many questions. Nonetheless, the story is enjoyable. Paris has delivered another quick read that's perfect for a rainy afternoon or beach outing.

I never expected the book to turn out the way it did. I was blown away! While reading the book though, as usual, I thought I had figured out everything. Although I had my doubts, the ending was pretty mind boggling. I've heard people say that this is not B.A Paris's style of writing but to me it was and as usually was a real page turner. I finished it in a day. I did prefer Behind Closed Doors, but this is a great one ! Highly recommend.

Finn and Layla were "happily" engaged but while vacationing in France Layla goes missing. Flash forward 12 years and Finn is "happily" engaged to Emma, Layla's sister. When Finn starts to receive Russian nesting dolls (an item from the sister's past) and ominous emails from "Layla" he becomes crazed with questions, doubts, and suspects. Is Layla really back, where has she been all these years, could it be his friends, could it be a former lover? I love how B.A. Paris really stepped up her game with her writing. I really enjoyed this book, up until the ending, where it fell a bit short for me.

Ten years ago, Finn McQuaid and his girlfriend were on their way back to England from a skiing trip in France. But when they stopped at a service station in France... Layla disappeared.
Finn has now settled into a normal life with his new fiancé, but suddenly clues start turning up to suggest that Layla may be back. Finn must discover if it's really Layla, or if someone is playing tricks on him and Ellen.
As with all of B.A. Paris's novels, this one will keep you guessing until the end. Even when you think you have it figured out, you'll discover there are still more twists. I was so into this book, I read it in a single sitting!

This third book by B A Paris is amazing! I think this is her best book yet. I loved how the story was told in alternating voices. Such a surprising ending too. I cannot wait to see what she does next. I was sorry it ended....I could not put it down,. Thanks to the publisher for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed both of B.A. Paris' other books, but this was pretty much a dud for me. It was a quick read with short chapters, but the plot and story line was just so blahhh. It didn't suck but it wasn't good either.

Most thrillers have an "Aha" moment-when two plus two finally equals four- and you think "so that's what's been going on!" Sometimes this defining moment comes abruptly, other times it slowly unravels like a spool of thread, but either way you're confident you've put the puzzle pieces together and know how the plot is going to unfold. But what if the moment is so subtle you miss it, or misinterpret it's meaning? Well strap yourself in and bring the Dramamine because Bring Me Back has so many moments where you're sure you know what's going on only to have the rug pulled out from under you you'll get dizzy trying to keep up. What drives Bring Me Back is Ms. Paris's pitch perfect use of the English language. So masterful are her choice of words- especially in the chapters told in flashback -you'll find yourself wondering if there's a hidden meaning in almost every sentence. Bring Me Back is one of those books you'll probably want to read twice to find all the subtle clues you missed the first time. This is B.A. Paris's third novel and with each she has upped her game, but Bring Me Back is so darn clever and twisty it will be hard to top. A definite 5 star!

This was fabulous--if you've liked B.A. Paris's other books, you'll love this one!

Thank you for the advance copy. I had high hopes for this book based on previous books by this author. However, I did not feel the plot was as developed as it could be. I felt the twists were predictable and not shocking. There is a theme through the book about Russian dolls, which was so redundant it drove me crazy. Basically, this book was just average. However, I will continue to read books by this author.

I was really excited to r ad this book and it did not disappoint. I’ve been a fan of Paris for a long time and is usually the most recommended when someone asks for a good read.
The writing is amazing and just as always you are hooked until the end. I couldn’t put it down.

Good but definitely not as compulsively readable as the authors first book. I enjoyed the story but never really connected with the characters like I wanted to. I was pulled in by the mystery of the description and the first part of the book kept that need to know the truth going but at some point the pull just kind of died out. I still wanted to know how everything worked out but there wasn’t the feeling of racing through the final chapters to get there like I love experiencing. I would still recommend this to anyone who enjoys a good domestic thriller but I’m hoping the next book hits more like the first did.

When the book opens, things just don't look good for Finn and Layla.She has vanished without a trace. Finn seems to be kind of an average guy, nothing too special. But Layla, she is the kind of quirky, silly, cool girl who that is confident and vulnerable all at the same time. Think Drew Barrymore in Mad Love or Baby in Dirty Dancing. Just something special. And Finn knows it.
So when she goes missing, he seems to accept that the bright shining center of his life will never return. And so...years later, he cuts his losses and settles down with her older sister, Ellen. Still a beauty. But a quiet one. She has brown hair, not fiery red like Layla, and their life is comfortable, but lacks both the ups and downs of Finn and Layla's relationship.
Bring Me Back definitely leaves the reader guessing. Finn alludes several times in the beginning of the book that he knows Layla isn't coming back. Something sinister lurking? Then, the plot thickens as we learn more about Finn's back story and specifics of both relationships.
Bring Me Back is another page-turner. I loved the story, the mystery and the setting (a quaint town in rural Ireland). It's one of those stories that makes you question one character's motives, then another character's sanity, then everyone's motives AND sanity until you finally get your resolution.
I highly recommend this book to fans of B.A. Paris and other books of psychological suspense. It will keep you guessing! I also appreciated that the loose ends were tied up quite well in the end. Happy ending? No spoilers here, you'll have to see for yourself.
Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for a free e-galley in exchange for my honest review.

Wow, Paris has done it again.
I'm always wary after finding good books that subsequent publications won't live up to the hype. Well, you won't be disappointed with this.
Twelve years ago Finn's girlfriend disappeared. He told the police the truth about what happened. But not the whole truth.
More ups and downs than the big dipper, I honestly didn't see how this was going to end and thought I have guessed the ending several times, but was thrown red herrings. The last twist got me.
My only complaint is that B.A. Paris cannot write books as fast as I can read them! Please cancel all your pans and write more books soon!

I received an early copy of Bring Me Back by BA Paris from Netgalley and the publishers for a honest review.
First, I was over the moon to have received an ARC. This book is coming to you June 19, 2018 .... mark your calendars!!! You will not want to miss this one! This will make the perfect beach read!!
Second, there is something magical and addicting about this author’s story telling abilities .... ADDICTIVE!!!!!

Oh. My. Gawd. I do love a BA Paris story and this one did not disappoint.
What I loved: the characters, the setting, the twists, the turns, the whole thing. The. Whole. Thing.
What I liked: Harry's character, I think there's a back story that needs explored there.
What I hated: without spoiling anything, something at the end rubbed me wrong, but I'll leave it at that. It wasn't enough for me to change my overall feelings.
I could easily see this being a book discussion book.

1 1/2 stars. I swear I gave it my best shot. I really wanted to love this book. Paris' Behind Closed Doors kept me on the edge of my seat, but her sophomore novel The Breakdown bored me, so I figured two out of three ain't bad, right? Sorry, it's a Meat Loaf kinda morning.
But this book is so CHEESY.
I'll give it an extra half star for keeping me reading despite rolling my eyes every few pages, but that's the most enthusiasm I can muster for it. The twist/reveal of the book may be shocking to new mystery readers, but it's actually been used by too many authors for me not to see it coming at this point. And many of those authors have made it more convincing than Paris managed here.
Bring Me Back alternates between the past, in which Finn (the narrator) and his girlfriend Layla take a holiday in France and she disappears; the present, in which we find ourselves ten years later with Finn about to marry Layla's sister Ellen; and first person accounts from Layla, where she mostly talks like a comic book villain, figuratively twirling her mustache. Muahaha.
Most of the book takes place in the present. Despite believing Layla is gone for good, signs start popping up that she may be alive. Her beloved Russian dolls start appearing everywhere, and when Finn receives emails from a mysterious source who seems to know too much, it becomes obvious something nefarious is going on.
Problem is, it's all a bit like a slightly comical (though unintentionally so) B-movie. Every chapter ends with some really cheesy line that is supposed to be ominous. Like:
"I don't ever want you to be scared of me," I say.
Not like Layla was, that night, I silently add.
***
So I log on to my emails and find one from Layla.
YOU HAVE TEN DAYS
It was just so ridiculous I wanted to laugh. The narrative reminds me of the criminologist from The Rocky Horror Picture Show, raising his eyebrow at the camera and saying "Or had they?"
And it was difficult to become invested in any of the characters' stories. Finn seems like a dick from the get-go (and a dumbass - why would he go meet someone he suspects is a kidnapper?), Ellen and the secondary characters are bland and one-dimensional, and don't even get me started on Layla. There was no hook; no exciting questions. The middle dragged as I was forced to ponder what exactly I was supposed to be caring about - are we supposed to be afraid of Layla? Are we supposed to care about the romantic relationships and who Finn will choose?
In general, I prefer more carefully-crafted plots with more complex characters than Paris offers up here, but I can definitely enjoy pulpy, nasty thrillers like her Behind Closed Doors. Unfortunately, though, I don't think this book was particularly clever OR fast-paced and enjoyable. I guess her first book might have been a one-off for me.

I must start off by saying this author is an auto-buy/request author. I have loved absolutely every book I’ve read by B.A. Paris. I skipped reading the synopsis of this one because with her books I love being surprised. As usual this book is made up of short chapters that leave you wanting more. I really dislike comparing books to other more known and widely loved books but… I really got Gone Girl vibes throughout the whole book, with the way the chapters were set up, and the fact the the characters leave a lot for questioning.
I enjoyed the fact that the book was told in chapters going back and forth with “his” life now (with his missing first loves sister, who he is engaged to) and “his” life then (with his now missing first love). I like the change in pace and how he described each relationship. I will say with this type of narration there was a bit of repetitiveness, but I wasn’t bothered by it at all.
I was on the edge of my seat throughout the whole book, whether it was the action keeping me interested, or the mystery. The whole book was set up with twists and turns that I did not see coming. Honestly reading this one is making me want to re-read all of her books again. This one absolutely lived up to all of her other books, maybe even surpassed it. I can’t wait to see what she has in store for us next.