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.

*spoilers*

This story was a ride I went along happily. I liked that at the start you really think Finn is creepy and surely involved in Layla's death. Then Layla appears and you figure she ran away because of Finn's temper. Then the dolls appear and you realize that both Finn and Layla are creepy and that Ellen is caught up in all of that. But Ellen is so boring, so accommodating, meek, "grey" as Finn points out so you want to shake her out it. Even though Finn was being played the whole time, he was still super creepy and I found myself relishing his confusion, anger, hurt, etc.

I liked that it was told by three POVs. I like that Ellen and Layla were not two personalities living in one, but that Ellen had been a real person and that Layla had taken on her personality after her death.

It was a quick read, nothing earth shattering but worth a few hours of your time.

* 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.

I really loved the beginning of 'Bring Me Back'. The narrator, Finn, is very unreliable and I doubted everything he said about what really happened the night Layla disappeared. Small, disturbing clues start to appear that lead Finn to believe that Layla might still be alive. Is it really Layla, or just someone pretending to be her? If she is still alive, why is she back now after so much time has passed?

This book starts out strong, but towards the middle of the book I started to lose interest. After a while it became pretty repetitive, with not much actually happening: Russian doll appears, a mysterious email appears, repeat, repeat, repeat. I wanted to find out what really happened so I kept reading, but I found the last part of the book--the actual reveal--to be pretty unrealistic and unsatisfying. And I really, really wanted the book to end differently.

Well...that was not how I thought that would end!! This one actually kept me guessing almost til the very end. Told from 2 points of view, this is the story of Finn and his girlfriend, Layla, who went missing 12 years ago. Appreciated the character development as the story unfolded. Well written. Would definitely recommend and will read more from B. A. Paris!!

WOW!!!!!!!!! Just like her other two books B.A. Paris writes a story so full of twists and turns that you think you have it figured out a few times but nope whatever your thinking is wrong. Layla goes missing 12 yrs ago and her boyfriend moves on with her sister. Both if them believing she is gone forever until clues start arriving that suggest otherwise, Definetly will highly recommend this book and author to everyone. Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the oppurtunity to read this amazing novel.

The main character is unlikeable, unsympathetic, and untrustworthy. The secondary characters are all one-dimensional and mostly boring and/or unlikeable.

The teases to leave you hanging are annoying and overdramatic. Nothing was subtle.

And just in case you couldn’t follow along with what the author wanted you to think, Finn was there to state all the possible outcomes. Constantly. Like, can I have my own theories, please, without running through every possible one in a single paragraph?

I don’t think the twist was that revolutionary or hard to guess. Also, how convenient to find a confession to wrap things up?

The last book I read by this author was good but had room for improvement so I was really looking forward to seeing what this book would be like. I hate to admit that I had trouble getting into this book. It did have suspense but sometimes the way the characters acted was just a little too hard to believe and could be a bit silly at times. But I still look forward to reading the author's next book.

Paris' books suck me right in! I love the suspense and constantly questioning what happened in so many different ways. Behind Closed Doors I feel will always be my favorite because it was my first from her but this one is great! I never expected that kind of ending which is just the kind of book that I love. This book left me wanting a little more but in a good way. I really felt for Finn at the end. I highly recommend this book!

This book had a great pace...kept you want to read! Wonderful twists...right up to the end! This is the first book I have read by this author but I will be looking for more.

I could not put this book down. Throughout I formulated many different theories but at the end was totally blindsided! Paris does it again!

Wow! A fast heart-pounding, page turning thriller! I really couldn't believe the twist at the end.. Well worth a read. .

It is twisty and it is psychologically baffling and the question is – Is Layla alive after all these years? Layla and Finn were getting serious but she disappears. Presumed dead, after some years Finn moves on and finds love with Layla’s sister Ellen. Suddenly Layla’s been seen, emails start coming from someone, and strangely Russian dolls a factor in the lives of Layla and Ellen appear. Finn has to figure out what it all means and face his feelings, but where will it take him?

While the conclusion surprised me and kept me going to the end, it was the characters that turned me off. When the characters don’t catch my interest, not even my love for thrillers and mystery will bring enjoyment to a book. It was a quick and will be satisfying to many but for me a three star.