"Bring Me Back"

"Bring Me Back" was a great return to my reading for Goodreads. After a bit of an intermission, I'm back! Similar to the title, hmm? This is the second book I've read by B.A. Paris so I had high expectations, because I flat out loved "The Breakdown" by her. I would say that my first excitement for the book did play out nicely as I expected. 


"Bring Me Back" is one of those English psychological thrillers that has you confused, curious, and intrigued. However, I am one of those readers who enjoys not knowing everything that's going on, that I know no more than the main character does. In receiving multiple perspectives, I find that books lose that touch. "BMB" has three perspectives. Finn, our main narrator, as a younger man, tells his story how he hurt and lost his girlfriend, Layla, at a highway bathroom stop. Layla is presumed dead. We see him having moved on years later with his Layla's sister, Ellen, who is more prim and conservative than Layla who was wild and exciting and free-spirited. 

The book begins with Finn's police statement, which explains the incident at the pit stop, but we start to see his darker side unravel. We question if he is a villain, or if he is (the) villain. I like the before perspective, but he uses the second person perspective, speaking directly to Layla. 

The book worms and twists to allow theories you may have to develop, but then pulls them away and reveals more of the truth. Everyone is suspected, and no one is telling the truth. This is definitely going to be one of those books that I will have to re-read again.

Sadly, the book can be a bit redundant, but I really enjoyed it none the same. A few chapters are just endless and repetitive, but once you get to the exciting sections, it's worth it.

This was a twist I did not expect, could not have predicted, and I really appreciated. I find in psychological thrillers, the endings can be predictable, but often they are just letdowns. I found with "The Breakdown" by B.A. Paris, the ending was very predictable, but it still played off well. "Bring Me Back" had a great ending, and it was an all-around good book.

* I received a complimentary copy for reviewing purposes. *

"The Breakdown"

“The Breakdown”

Written by B.A. Paris

Review written by Diana Iozzia

            “The Breakdown” is very reminiscent of other female character-driven psychological horrors, for example: “Gone Girl”, “Girl on the Train”, and “Before I Go to Sleep”. This is one to add to the list of really well-written psychological thrilling fiction.

            Our main character is losing her mind to early onset dementia, as she believes she inherited from her late mother. Cass is a teacher who witnesses a woman whose car broke down on the side of the road, as Cass is driving home from a work party. Cass doesn’t call the police, and leaves shortly after waiting to see if the woman needs help. She finds out that the woman was one of her co-workers, someone she had newly become friends with. Haunted by her guilt, Cass starts to forget simple details, about a friend’s birthday present, an alarm system bought when she can’t remember signing the receipt.

            This book turns into a whirlwind in the last half, after Cass finds something out that she shouldn’t have. This is written very well from the unreliable narrative of Cass, who is slowly losing her abilities to create new memories.

            THERE IS A HUGE PLOT TWIST. If you love plot twists that sucker punch you in the gut, open this book and dive in. In addition, the last chapter is really unexpected in the resolution, and I really welcomed that.

            There are some things I didn’t like with the book:

1. Cass is an unlikable character.

2. Her husband is slightly overbearing and annoying.

3. The plot twist is great, I thought it was really predictable. I enjoyed how it unfolded and the aftermath, but I wasn't surprised.

** I received this as a complementary, advanced reading copy from the publisher. **