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.

Y’all this book got me mad. I would have DNF’ed this much sooner but I honestly wanted to finish it to see what happened. It didn’t keep me interested. It was BORING. Like the plot wasn’t hard to figure out at all, and that “twist” was just depressing and boring. Also I hated ALL of them. There wasn’t a single good person in this book. And I get having unlikeable/flawed characters, but I just felt like this had a whole lot of excuses and predictability. Also the plot ended up being HIGHLY UNREALISTIC AND DUMMMMB. So I wouldn’t highly recommend this. It was predictable, boring, and there weren’t even any characters I liked.

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.

I was so excited to get my hands on this book! B.A. Paris is one of my favorite writers in the psychological thriller genre. Behind Closed Doors is one of my favorites and I enjoyed The Breakdown. Bring Me Back was gripping and entertaining, but I didn’t like it as much as her previous pieces of work.

Here’s what I liked:

We get multiple POVs with this book, and Paris makes each voice their own. Finn sounded authentically like him, a middle-aged male. While Layla’s chapters sounded like …Layla.

Paris is GREAT at pulling off red herrings. It’s rare for me to actually say, I did not see that one coming while reading. She had me thinking I was outsmarting her, that I was on her trail, but really she was the one outsmarting me, pulling me along for the ride. It’s truly impressive when a writer can do that. In the first few chapters, I thought I had already figured out what happened to Layla. A few chapters later, I realized I was wrong. And repeat. A thriller proving you wrong time after time is always a sign of a good, intriguing story.

The middle of this story was so tense. I kept asking myself why. I kept turning the pages, I didn’t want to stop to sleep.

What I didn’t like:

You know how I just said Paris is great at red herrings and twists and turns? For the most part, that statement is true, but what kills me is the final twist, the last reveal – the one that is supposed to shock us put everything into place – was a huge disappointment for me. The end was so unbelievable, so implausible, I felt cheated. The ending of this book left me scratching my head in confusion, which is never something I want to happen when it comes to a thriller.

I also hate second person point of view chapters in stories. It’s such headache to read and I don’t think it was needed (although I understand why it was present).

–

Overall, this book really put me through a roller coaster of emotions. Bring Me Back will take you through ups and downs and ups and then back down again. As over used as this phrase is, this book really is a twisty, psychological thriller. The end left me with a bad taste in my mouth, but I still recommend!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this ARC. These are my honest, unbiased thoughts!

B.A. Paris has yet again crafted another hair-raising psychological twister.

Finn is a successful self-made businessman living outside of London with his loving partner Ellen. It has taken Finn time to come to terms with his fiancee's disappearance over 12 years ago. Layla Gray vanished while on a vacation in France. He had just parked the car at a rest stop and when returning to the vehicle she was no where to be found. After a long interview with the French police and an intense search for his beloved, Finn tries to piece back his life again After Layla. His Layla, the nineteen years old girl he rescued one night in a London pub. Layla whose sister is Ellen. And, Layla whom is his every obsession.

"There was no truth in this, but I needed the police and everyone else to believe that everything had been perfect between us..."

Strange events start to happen, suggestive that Layla is alive. Sightings of the beautiful redhead, the appearance of a missing Russian doll statue, mysterious phone calls, and strange emails give Ellen and Finn hope that she will appear after being lost for 12 years.

"And now I have."

Disquieting messages from Layla bombard Finn's email. Suddenly, all is in question- his life with his soon to be bride Ellen, his love for Layla, and the loyalty of the people around him. But is all of this is all a sinister joke?

"Tell Ellen, or I will.".

Bring Me Back is written in three parts is told in alternating timelines, Before Layla, and After Layla and from two different points of view. In the Before, we get the backstory of Finn's and Layla's courtship. Finn's voice is haunting as he recalls the events leading up to the disappearance of his fiancee. It almost seems like he is talking to her ghost. In the After, we see his life with Ellen and all the strange things that follow. The drama brilliantly unfolds in part two and three, revealing of secrets of the last twelve years and unhinging everyone involved. And it is unclear who is manipulating whom.

B.A. Paris is a master of psychological illusion and suspense. Bring Me Back is extremely well written with an interesting sophisticated plot laid out in a way that generates binge-worthy tension.

"And then she spoiled everything."

Thank you Netgalley, St. Martin's Press, and B.A. Paris for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

B.A. Paris has done it again!!! Her ablity to build stories and characters is amazing! I love a good mystery/thriller and I'm pretty good at figuring out "who dunnit" but I never quite figure it out with B.A. Paris' novels. I don't think I can be specific about this book without giving spoilers, but I have been finished with this book for 10 days and I am still thinking about it. Thank you B.A. Paris for another awesome read and to Netgalley for an ARC!!

I’ve enjoyed this author’s two previous works. I was excited to see what she was going to deliver next. Sadly this one just didn’t hit the mark for me. Unbelievable characters and transparent plot line detracted too much.