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Member Reviews

This is my first thriller by this author and it was fun! It was super fast paced and I liked having multiple POVs. The plot twist half way completely threw me and that’s what I love about thrillers!!

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I really wanted to love this book based on the synopsis, but I didn't. That said, this opinion is not a reflection on this author. I feel that I was not the right audience for this book. I'm glad I gave it a shot as I have heard great things about the author. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy in exchange for my honest review.

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I love a good Alex Finlay thriller. This was a fun ride even if I did feel like I knew where it was going earlier than I should have. Ryan's girlfriend Ali has disappeared without a trace. Ryan is the prime suspect, though without real proof never charged. Five years, Ryan has started over, new life, new name when new evidence is uncovered and the case is reopened. Twists and turns aplenty, this is a fun ride.

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As much as I enjoyed this book, especially being my first by Alex Finlay, I have to say I found it difficult to follow and keep up with. If you are a book journalist or annotator, this one is for you!
The book grips you from the very beginning and then goes very quickly into multiple story lines with alot of characters and many aliases for some!
The storyline itself is fantastic but I wouod say there are a few trigger warnings to be cautious of (Su***de, bullying, etc). Its not heavy though and to me was manageable, but might not be for all.
The ending was very different than what I expected and probably not what you would expect, but still made for a good story and a quick read! I would recommend it and look forward to more books by this author!

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This was a wild ride! Full of twists and interconnecting character arcs, it had me guessing and second guessing the whole time. The audio was fantastic with a full cast of characters.
The short chapters kept me buzzing and needing to read more. I was breathless a lot of the time and shocked on more than one occasion. So well done!

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This book was super engaging and fast paced. I loved the way the three story lines were woven together as the book progressed. The short chapters combined with the cliff hangers at the end of each really kept me turning the page. I’ve read one other book by Finlay before, and I will definitely consider checking out more of his work in the future. Thank you to Minotaur Books for the ARC! I will be recommending this to my followers and friends.

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This book definitely kept me on the edge of my seat, especially the closer it got to the end. There were lots of intricate webs weaved, making for a satisfying conclusion.

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I really like Alex Finlay, so I obviously had to pick this one up. I have to say though, that this wasn't my favorite of Finlay's work. It was a decent popcorn thriller, but the plot dragged in areas and the twists were predictable. I appreciated that the chapters were short though.

Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed this one. It just wasn't my favorite.

Rating: 3.5

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Solid pacing and a few good twists. Not mind-blowing, but definitely kept me turning the pages anyway.

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I was so excited to get access to this book and I was not disappointed! This story was fast-paced and suspenseful and had me intrigued from the very beginning. Alex Finlay has written another winner.

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This was my first book by Alex Finlay, and while the premise had real promise, the execution didn’t quite pull me in. The twists felt more forced than fresh, and I struggled to connect with the characters emotionally. That said, the pacing kept things moving, and I’m still curious enough to try another from Finlay down the road.

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This is my first time reading Alex Finlay book and this book was okay.
Too many rundowns and wasnt my type of book.

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Gripping all-around! This story explores the enduring bonds of family and the haunting effects of past trauma, which kept me on edge. I enjoyed the twists, and also the variety of settings incorporated. The writer's pacing was well-executed, and character depth really had me invested. I will definitely read more from Alex Finlay.

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This was just ok for me. Ultimately I felt like there were too many characters to keep track of and I kept forgetting who was who. This didn't grab my attention as much as the author's past books. I still thought it was a solid thriller but it was not a favorite.

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The book starts with a murder that seems pretty cut and dry, but of course, it’s not. What follows is this twisty, layered mystery that jumps between timelines and perspectives — and honestly, it’s done so well. You’re constantly piecing together who’s connected to what, and just when you think you’ve figured it out… nope. Finlay throws in another curveball.

I really liked how the story balanced action and emotion. Yes, it’s suspenseful and dark at times, but there’s also a lot about family, loss, and how far people will go to protect the ones they love. The characters all felt really grounded — flawed, but believable — and even when I didn’t like all of them, I was invested in their stories.

What I appreciated most was that the pacing never dragged. The chapters are short, the stakes keep rising, and there’s this underlying tension throughout that makes it hard to put down. And the ending? Super satisfying.

If you’re a fan of authors like Lisa Jewell or Riley Sager, I think you’ll really enjoy this one. It’s smart, suspenseful, and full of those “just one more chapter” moments. Definitely recommend!

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This book is typical of other books by this author. Told in multiple timelines and POV, we follow Ryan Richardson as he relives the disappearance of his high school girlfriend, Ali. Five years later and a world away, he sees a face that has haunted him since that night. This chance second meeting sends him on a chase for the answers he has been seeking for years. Small town secrets, mob connections, and a new deputy drive this story forward to a shattering conclusion. I generally liked the writing and that the author dealt out the story in his signature way, however I felt that the story was slow to develop and ultimately I was left feeling disappointed at the end. I suppose that I didn't really believe the premise behind the connections and felt that one of the storylines wasn't as well developed (don't want to spoil anything). Overall, this is a good book but not my favorite by this author. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC and apologies for taking so long to review.

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🏞🚗Book Review:
Title: If Something Happens To Me
Author: Alex Finlay
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️/3 stars

Ryan Richardson's girlfriend, Ali, was taken in her vehicle five years ago when they stopped at a rest area. All he remembers is getting bashed on the head, pulled from the car, and seeing a man who has haunted him since. Although Ali or her car was never found, Ryan was always seen as the main suspect in her disappearance.

Ryan eventually changes his last name to Smith to avoid his past from continuing to torment him and is now attending law school. On a trip to Italy with his law-school friends, he sees that man again. Coincidentally, in the same time frame, Ali's car has been found submerged in Suncatcher Lake, located in Ryan's hometown. Inside the car are two dead men and a note saying, "If something happens to me," in Ali's handwriting.

This book was wild! It was all over the place but super entertaining and suspenseful. The twists were just crazy, a little unbelievable, but hey, it's fiction!

Published: May 28th, 2024

Thank you, @netgalley and @minotaur_books, for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

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In "If Something Happens to Me" by Alex Finlay we see how one little mistake can affect not only your future but the future of those around you. How holding onto something can destroy you and your loved ones. And how you need to forgive yourself first before everything else.

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I like the way Alex Finlay writes mysteries. They time the reveals so well and you feel like you can solve the mystery along with the main characters. This is very true to form for this author.

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I love Alex Finlay, so I was so excited to get this ARC! I think this is one of my favorites by him. The chapters jumping from perspective to perspective intrigued me, but did not confuse me, and I liked the way the twist was revealed. I wasn't something I saw coming from the start, which I do oftentimes with thrillers, but Alex Finlay always keeps me on my toes! I'd definitely recommend this book to any thriller lovers.

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