THE NEW TWISTY, GRIPPING READ FROM B. A. PARIS, THE AUTHOR OF THE INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES AND USA TODAY BESTSELLING NOVELS BEHIND CLOSED DOORS AND THE BREAKDOWN “We’re in a new Golden Age of suspense writing now, because of amazing books like Bring Me Back, and I for one am loving it.” –Lee Child “[An] outstanding Hitchcockian thriller.” –Publishers Weekly (starred review) She went missing. … thriller.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review)
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’re driving along the highway when Finn decides to stop at a service station to use the restroom. He hops out of the car, locks the doors behind him, and goes inside. When he returns Layla is gone–never to be seen again. That is the story Finn told to the police. But it is not the whole story.
Ten years later Finn is engaged to Layla’s sister, Ellen. Their shared grief over what happened to Layla drew them close and now they intend to remain together. Still, there’s something about Ellen that Finn has never fully understood. His heart wants to believe that she is the one for him…even though a sixth sense tells him not to trust her.
Then, not long before he and Ellen are to be married, Finn gets a phone call. Someone from his past has seen Layla–hiding in plain sight. There are other odd occurrences: Long-lost items from Layla’s past that keep turning up around Finn and Ellen’s house. Emails from strangers who seem to know too much. Secret messages, clues, warnings. If Layla is alive–and on Finn’s trail–what does she want? And how much does she know?
A tour de force of psychological suspense, Bring Me Back will have you questioning everything and everyone until its stunning climax.
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We’re in a new Golden Age of suspense writing now, because of amazing books like Bring Me Back, and I for one am loving it.
Holy crap!! Everything I thought I had figured out was wholly disintegrated by the revelation that I was not ready for. I started reading this last night and was immediately pulled into this mind-bending read. The twists and turns of the plot are outstanding, and though I loved the characters, I can’t comprehend how Finn just didn’t know. I recommend this psychological thriller to one and all. -The Voluptuous Book Diva
{I requested an ARC copy from the publisher via NetGalley and made no guaratee of a favorable review. The opinions expressed herein are unbiased and my own.}
This book was unputdownable with so many twists and turns. I was able to figure out the major twist before the end but I still highly recommend it for anyone who enjoys thrillers. This is the 3rd book I’ve read by BA Paris and she is definitely one of my favorite thriller authors. Her books have a way of getting inside my head and making me feel uncomfortable.
This is my first read by this author and I thoroughly enjoyed it. There are twists and turns galore which is what I love about a good thriller. I loved how it told from the very start that the narrator had lied about something. It put me right on the edge of my seat form the get go and I devoured this book in one sitting. I will admit I figured out the BIG twist about halfway through the novel and wanted to shake the other main characters for not putting it together but really, that was part of the fun, waiting for them to catch up to what I’d already figured out. And that ENDING… oh goodness, there are no words for the perfection of it. The epilogue alone was worth the price of admission after that roller coaster ride of a story. I’ll definitely be picking up more works by this author very soon.
Quite the page-turner!
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 is psychological thriller at its best! Paris knows how to twist the knife with edge-of-your-seat twists and turns. Who is telling the truth? Who is lying?
While returning from vacation Finn makes a pit stop that will change his world forever. He left his girlfriend locked in the car and upon returning she was gone. He was suspected of killing Layla but eventually the police started looking elsewhere and he moved on with his life. It’s a decade later and surprisingly Finn is now engaged to Layla’s sister Ellen, they came together over the loss of her sister and things progressed from there. With the wedding date approaching things start to happen. The detective calls to let Finn know that a neighbor has spotted Layla, but did he really? The man in question is in his nineties so Finn lets it go. Then someone starts leaving tokens and messages that remind not only Finn of Layla but also her sister. Who could be doing this and why? Could Layla be alive after all these years and if so why is she coming forward now? Take a step into the pages and I promise you won’t come out until the end. This was a wonderfully evocative read that lead me down a winding road to an ending that was truly unexpected. I never imagined the ending and can’t wait to see what the author delivers next.
BRING ME BACK by B.A. Paris is the third psychological thriller from this author that I have been excited to receive and read. This author has a writing style that pulls you in and presents you with many surprising twists and turns.
On their way home from vacation, Finn and Layla stop at a highway rest stop in France. When Finn returns to the car, Layla is gone. With no cell service, Finn drives to the nearest police station to report what happened, but not everything.
Finn attempts to move on with his life and eventually meets Ellen, Layla’s older sister. Their shared grief brings them closer together. Finn tries to see Layla in Ellen, but they are very different and even with those differences or because of them, Finn becomes involved with Ellen.
Ten years later, when Finn and Ellen announce their engagement, Finn begins to receive emails and little Russian dolls that only have significance to Finn, Ellen and Layla. Finn does not know what to believe. Is Layla alive? Where has she been? Why is she making contact now? Secret messages, hidden secrets, clues and warnings all ramp up the suspense as Finn tries to discover the truth about Layla.
This was not my favorite by this author. That said, I was compelled to continue reading until the end. The first part of this book had me turning the pages, but for me it bogged down in the middle. It does pick up the pace again towards the end. The plot bounces back and forth from present to past to reveal the twists which this author is exceptional at producing. I was able to guess a part of the resolution, but the ending was unexpected and I was not really happy with it, but that may not be true for all readers. This thriller is one that I expect many readers will have mixed feelings about. I can recommend it as an intriguing thriller read, but not my favorite from this author.
Thanks very much to St. Martin’s Press and Net Galley for allowing me to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Bravo!!!!! This is a fantastic read!!!!!! Like the two before it, this new book by B. A. Paris is just perfection! The writing is done in such a way that you read without any effort at all. The story goes and your eyes just follow. AND – as with the two before- you think you know. You think you have it all figured out…..but Bring Me Back is the best yet with throwing you off providing a huge twist in the end! I usually am never satisfied with the ending of a book I really like – simply b/c it’s ending- but I have NO complaints with this one!
Highly recommended. I am a fan! B.A.Paris is on my permanent watch list.
((Thanks to net galley for providing a copy of book in exchange for an honest review.))
Finn loved Layla and was preparing to propose to her on her upcoming birthday. She went to London with friends and they had a terrible fight after she confessed to being unfaithful while there. His rage blinds him and when he returns she’s gone, missing. He knows how things will look so he makes up a story that perhaps she was taken since he truthfully doesn’t know what he did or didn’t do. Twelve years have passed and now he’s in a relationship with Ellen, Laylas sister. Strange things begin to happen as the little Russian wooden dolls along with emails from someone eluding to be Layla are sent to Finn. He’s going mad trying to uncover the truth, but the truth is unbearable and unbelievable. I kept guessing until the end.
I definitely did not see the ending coming! When I thought I had figured out the ending, BA Paris did what she does best and went a completely unexpected route than anticipated! Only reason I gave this book a 4 star rating instead of 5, was because once I found out the truth I found it to be a little unbelievable despite all the rest of the story being very believable. 9/10 would recommend this book to thriller and suspense lovers!
I definitely did not see the ending coming! When I thought I had figured out the ending, BA Paris did what she does best and went a completely unexpected route than anticipated! Only reason I gave this book a 4 star rating instead of 5, was because once I found out the truth I found it to be a little unbelievable despite all the rest of the story being very believable. 9/10 would recommend this book to thriller and suspense lovers!
OMG…! Nothing is as it seems… creepy and made me think I lost my mind along the way! Hooked on this author… ! A great weaving of past, present, and lives as they interesect!
She did it again! I don’t understand why the bad reviews. I loved this book!! A fan for life! I can’t wait to get her newest book coming 2020.
I really enjoyed this book. Perfect for a book club. Lots of twists and turns at the end! Make sure you dont start this book to late, you wont be able to put it down.
Finn was in love with beautiful, red-headed Layla. They vacationed in France, and when she goes missing at a rest stop, Finn feels as if his whole life is spiraling out of control. How can he live without Layla in his life? Twelve years later, he’s now engaged to Ellen, Layla’s sister. Their relationship is a bit strained and tenuous. The threat of Layla’s return hovers between them like a poisonous mist.
I really enjoyed this book. It’s somewhat hard to talk about it without giving spoilers. It’s a suspense/mystery story and it keeps you wondering until the very end. Layla and Ellen used to play with Russian dolls when they were little (the dolls that come in a set and they fit inside of one another). Someone is mysteriously leaving these Russian dolls on their doorstep. Could this person be Layla?
I also loved reading a book set outside of the states. I’ve been mostly reading American novels and it was refreshing to read a European title. I highly recommend this book if you like a good, suspenseful read that’ll keep you guessing until the end.
OH! EM! GEE! “Bring Me Back” by B.A. Paris is not what it seems. Paris weaves such a tale that it pulls the reader right in for the ultimate conclusion, which is not what you expect at all.
Ten years after Finn’s girlfriend and soon-to-be fiance Layla disappears, he now finds himself engaged to her sister Ellen. Now, the smallest matryoshka doll that Ellen lost when she was much younger shows up unexpectedly causing Finn to wonder if Layla has returned. The story is a roller coaster of suspense and emotion and it comes crashing down in a freaky ending.
Paris’ character development allows you to feel as if you know each player so well. As she continues telling the tale you begin to realize that the characters aren’t what they seem to be.
This is the third book from Paris that I’ve read and she has me hooked. “Bring Me Back” isn’t always an edge-of-your-seat story but it keeps your mind engaged entire time. Highly recommended!
I was blown away by this
Another excellent book by B.A. Paris! I figured the story out halfway through, but regardless it was an incredible read while the rest of the characters figured it all out. Layla and Finn are the perfect couple–fate as brought them together. Finn has no idea what his terrible temper does with Layla’s mind. Suddenly, Layla disappears without a trace. As Finn and Layla’s sister console each other, inevitably Ellen and Finn fall in love. Twelve years later, Layla appears to have returned. What happens after that makes for a great story.