Member Reviews
This story is gripping, if a little unbelievable. Would a man who was deeply in love with his girlfriend not recognise her, even if she was pretending to be someone else? The clues to Layla's instability come quite early on, when her sister Ellen explains how she was after their mother died. I didn't pick up on the clues at that point. The psychology of the story passed me by somewhat, because I did not guess the obvious until quite late. It is quite a difficult book to review without giving away too much information about the story. There are several red herrings, and I pretty much fell for all of them!
Nevertheless, it was a story that kept me guessing, and I read it in one sitting. I am not sure which ending I prefer, but I don't think that Finn deserves the ending he received, all he was really guilty of was having a bad temper, as far as I can see. Well worth reading?
Having read all this authors previous books and recommended them to friends I was thrilled a new one was out. Once again this has not disappointed a great read. I will never look at a Russian Doll in the same way again.
I eagerly await the next book from this author who is rapidly turning into one of my favourites.
I really enjoyed this book. Never expected the ending at all . Another great novel by B A Paris, would highly recommend
Another great psychological thriller from B A Paris. Lots of tension, twists and turns and an unexpected conclusion.. Really good characters and believable interactions. A thoroughly good read.
Having read every book that B A Paris has ever written, I can honestly say that she is an author who can do no wrong. Her books are consistently superb and seem to get better and better and Bring Me Back was absolutely no exception to this. A true psychological thriller in every sense, I was hooked on Bring Me Back from the very first page and raced my way through this book, devouring it in just two sittings.
Twelve years ago Finn’s girlfriend, Layla, disappeared from a rest stop in France in the dead of night after Finn left the car in order to use the restroom. Arrested on suspicion of Layla’s murder, Finn was soon released due to insufficient evidence and cleared of any wrongdoing but Layla was never seen again. Now some twelve years later, Finn has moved on with his life, has a successful career and is even engaged to Layla’s sister, Ellen. However, when a Russian doll turns up on their doorstep, something which only Layla could ever know the significance of, their lives are turned into turmoil and are never the same again particularly when identical dolls quickly follow. Just who is behind these Russian dolls and why?
Although I didn’t particularly relate to any of the characters within Bring Me Back, all of the characters were exceptionally intriguing and all had something about them that I just wanted to get to the bottom of and discover. Out of all of them, Finn was a particularly strong and memorable character, who was clearly tormented and agonised by the past, sometimes struggled to comprehend what was happening in the present but was desperate to uncover the truth something which as a reader I understood.
One thing that can most definitely be said is that B A Paris knows how to write an incredible psychological thriller, in which there is growing tension throughout and the ending is impossible to predict. Alternating between the past and the present, B A Paris really ensures that the readers get the full picture at all times and are never missing any information. With some very short chapters, B A Paris has created a very readable and unforgettable book, one that very quickly captured my attention and was truly impossible to put down.
A thoroughly compulsive read, Bring Me Back is a book that not only had me on the edge of my seat but also demonstrates just what a talented author B A Paris is. With this being her third book to date, and the third book of hers that I loved, I will most definitely be back to read more by her in the future.
Finn and Layla seem to have it all. Although young they are financially set for life, have an idyllic cottage that they call home and plan t marry soon. But on their way back from skiing holiday Layla vanishes. One moment she's waiting for Finn in their car, the next she's gone. At least that is one version of events.
Ten years later Finn is engaged to Ellen, Layla sister.Their grief drew the together and no they're making things official. But then there's a sighting of Layla followed by a series of odd and sinister occurances. Could Layla be alive and if she is why is she back now?
This is only B.A.Paris's third book but her novels are becoming a small publishing event. And maybe that is a problem as this really doesn't live up to the hype. The start is promising but it quickly descends into a rather silly plot. As I realised where it was heading I really hoped I was wrong but no, it really was that daft. Which is a shame as I'm all for suspending disbelief but this was just a step too far for me. This is really not up to scratch compared to her previous offerings but I live in how her next book is back to her usual standard.
Loved this book!! It was a real page turner, that I couldn't put down. Loads of twists and turns that kept me guessing till the end
Wow. So I thought I had solved this but then another twist and direction of your thought puts you back to square one.
I loved the story of Finn and Layla. Didn’t overly take to Finn,his self indulgence and the way people ran to his every whim but that’s personal to me.
I read this in one day it captured me. Finns girlfriend Layla goes missing.Was it Finn or not? Twelve years on he is settled and strangely in a relationship with someone you would not expect. Life takes a turn when it appears Layla is back? But is she? Definetly worth a read to find out.
5 stars
This was one of my most anticipated reads of 2018, I couldn't wait to read another story from B.A Paris. I read 'The Breakdown' in 2017 and it made my top 10 of the year so you can imagine my anticipation. Sadly this was not up to her previous standard... I have not read her first novel (though I do have it on my shelves).
'Bring Me Back' starts off with Finn and Layla on their way home from France, whilst Layla is sleeping, Finn stops at a petrol station for fuel and to use the facilities. He is only gone for a few moments but when he returns from the bathroom Layla is missing, the car door is open but her handbag, passport and belongings are all still there.
10 years later, Finn has never gotten over Layla really - the investigation took over his life for the most part. However, he finds solace in Layla's sister Ellen. Ellen is a lot different from Layla, she is timid and not as outgoing but for Finn she is always there, dependable and someone he could settle down with and start a family. Once the proposal has been made, strange things start happening such as: Russian Dolls start turning up and Finn starts receiving emails from an unknown address who knows way too much about him, that the newly engaged couple start wondering whether Layla is still alive.
Most of the story takes place in the present but we do get chapters that go back 10 years when Layla went missing. We also get a lot of Finn (our narrator) reminiscing to a time when he first met Layla and their relationship, which I really enjoyed... I love a back story. There is a lot of email correspondence as well but I didn't like the tone of the emails, they just seemed very fake and I felt sometimes unnecessary. I didn't really care for any of the characters they were all very bland. My biggest problem with this book though was that it was so predictable. I am a person that never knows who the 'baddie' is, I was hoping I was wrong but by 50% of the way through I knew the gist of it. The book was slow in pace and then at the end sort of sky rocketed so fast that it felt very rushed.
I think if you are new to Mystery/Thrillers then this book is probably a good starting point but if you are someone who reads a lot of this genre that wants complex stories then I think you are going to be disappointed.
This was by no means a bad book but I was expecting more from this author. I will continue to read her work but I want more of an unreliable narrator that is complex with twists that you just don't see coming.
I rated this 3.5 out of 5 stars
Thanks for reading
Sorry - just could not get involved with this. Did not engage with the characters and I felt the whole thing lacked authenticity.
I've read each of B.A. Paris' books, starting with the amazing Behind Closed Doors, and feel that I know her style and will never be disappointed. Bring Me Back is no exception and from the very beginning I was sucked into the night when Finn and Layla pulled in at a lay-by in France, and when Finn returned to the car Layla was gone. He was suspected of her murder but without a body he was allowed to return to England.
Twelve years later he is about to marry Ellen, Layla's sister, when there are sightings of the presumed dead Layla around the town. Finn becomes more freaked out when Russian dolls are left by his house and car which only has meaning between Finn, Ellen and Layla.
B.A. Paris creates a level of suspense which continues throughout the book. Just as you think one part is solved, another unknown pops up. I changed my mind so many times during the book of what happened to Layla and though that felt annoying at the time, it smacks of a good plot.
Well what an opening to a story and I was left eager to find out what had happened and how everything would play out. The best part about this story was how I felt while I was reading mostly ranging from questioning everything, being suspicious and basically just ever so curious. I had to pick up this book whenever I got the chance that’s how addictive it felt.
The story alternates between two time periods (the now and before) and as the story progresses you learn more about Finn and Layla and of course Finn’s life now. There are secrets within the pages that made for such an intriguing plot with a fast paced story to make you want to find out all the answers.
I have to be honest and say that the ending was interesting but I guess I’m still a little on the fence about it although I have to say it was something that I wasn’t expecting and I do like surprises!
Overall this story was sinister at times, kept me guessing and was darkly addictive!
Four stars from me!
With thanks to HQ and Netgalley
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 the author, the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this title in exchange for an honest review.
Bring Me Back - hailed as "The gripping Sunday Times bestseller with a killer twist you won’t see coming" - is B.A. Paris' third novel, but did it live up to its hype?
I have to admit as much as I tried to avoid reading other reviews of this book, I soon discovered that to my horror, many people were in shock that this was not as good as her previous two books, and that kind of put me off reading it at first. However, I finally got around to reading it only to discover it's not that bad! Now I kick myself for not picking it up before. haha!
There is , however, quite a contrast to B.A. Paris' previous two books. I think the shocking end was a little unbelievable, although it was deliciously evil of the author to spring on us!
I also thought the ending then went on to 'wrap up' with a confessional letter revealing all, which went on for far too long and made the earlier shock ending fall a little flat afterwards.
The premise of the story is that Finn and Layla went on holiday to France but only Finn came back. The boyfriend Finn was a suspect for a while, but since Layla just went missing and no body was found the case was eventually closed due to lack of evidence.
But if Layla went missing in France, then who is sending Finn emails and leaving little Russian dolls all over the place - seemingly from her - twelve years later?
Not my favourite book by B.A. Paris, but I am pleased I read it. The mystery of who is messing with Finn is definitely worth finding out!
This book is worth a read on a rainy afternoon but I found the twist too unbelievable.
The story takes us on a journey about a man who's girlfriend mysteriously disappears. Years later he connects with her sister and makes a new life with her... until signs that she is still alive start to appear.
The first half of the book is gripping and a good read- I still don't really understand why Layla did what she did and why she disappeared for so many years- and how in the world did he NOT know the truth?? I just cannot suspend my disbelief enough for this story.
Good effort but too far-fetched.
I recieved a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
A British couple are on their way back from a holiday in France when Layla goes missing at a dimly lit services on their way back to England.
Twelve years later strange items and emails start appearing everywhere Finn looks. His new life with Ellen seems to be slowly unravelling at the seams, no matter how hard Finn tries to keep it together.
I loved this book. After reading and lovin Behind Closed Doors I knew that I had to read this book and I was not disappointed.
The character of Finn gave me a bad vibe pretty much from the beginning of the book, something about him seemed off which was obviously what Paris was going for in the way that she had written him. The whole book kept me second guessing everything I thought I knew about the characters, whether it was Finn, Ellen, Harry or Ruby, I had no idea if it was one of these characters leaving the dolls and sending the emails or if it was Layla herself. I loved the ending, it was 100% an unexpected twist that I didn’t see coming. I was immediately interested from the first page and even after finishing reading, I couldn’t help but go back and think about the book, wondering if I missed any clues on my first read through as to who the mystery sender was.
5/5 stars
I enjoyed this BA Paris novel but not as much as their previous books, something was lacking
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC in return for an honest review.
Finn and his girlfriend are returning from holiday when she disappears at a quiet services in France. There is no trace of what has happened to her. The story begin some years later, Finn is now living with another woman when some strange events start to happen.
I enjoyed this book and was intrigued to find out what happened to the girlfriend that night and how the present day story would unfold. I knew there was a twist from other reviews and I was still guessing at the end. However I found the twist somewhat unbelievable and that spoiled a very decent thriller for me.
I was sent an uncorrected proof of Bring Me Back by B A Paris to read and review by NetGalley.
I wasn’t sure that I would enjoy this novel when I first started reading it as I didn’t really like the way it was laid out. However, the further I got into the story the more involved I became and by the end of the book I realized I had enjoyed it after all!
It is a psychological thriller (although I use the word thriller very loosely) and is a quick and easy read, quite different from most other novels in this genre. I have rated it a 4 - mainly because I thought it merited a little more than a 3 - it maybe fits, for me, somewhere in between.
I think this book is the best one written by the author, it was one of those books you just have to carry on reading, you know the ones where you say "just one more chapter then I will go to sleep". When Finn's girlfriend goes missing in France he doesn't tell the police the truth, he eventually falls in love with Layla's sister, but is she just a replacement for Layla. A story with a bit of a twist.