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.

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

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.

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.

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!

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.

🏞🚗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!

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.

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.

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.

Five years has passed since the night he was knocked unconscious and his girlfriend Ali was taken. Now he is on a college trip to Italy, when his Dad lets him know that Ali's car was found in a lake. He has been under suspicion all this time, maybe now they will be able to find out what happened. Then the strangest thing happens, he sees the guy who knocked him out and he tells him that Ali is alive. After a lot of searching, his life may depend on a young Deputy and a Mob Boss.

Great characters and a great plot that hold your interest throughout the book.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in return for my honest review.

If Something Happens to Me- Alex Finlay
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to @macmillanaudio for this amazing ARC! Available wherever books are sold on 5/28/24!

THIS BOOK WAS EXQUISITE! Several POV’s telling the same story as they lived it, and all of the characters (even the bad ones) were so LIKEABLE!
A teenage girl is violently abducted just days before graduation, and her high-school sweetheart along with the rest of her small Kansas town are left to deal with the fallout. Suspicion, violent murders and strange disappearances wreak havoc on several families for five years until a sunken car with two dead bodies is unearthed and a cold case is reopened.

This was the first thriller novel I’ve read that didn’t have me rolling my eyes at dumb decisions characters made. There was no “going outside in the night to investigate a strange noise” or “not telling anyone what’s going on because I need to do this alone and in private” book killers!

I was truly and wholeheartedly engaged from start to finish!

My only qualm was the surprise twists were somewhat predictable, though executed wonderfully!

This book comes out at the end of the month, so if you’re looking for an amazing psychological/mob thriller… this is the short & sweet book for you!

QOTD: if you had to enter witness protection and could pick your own name, what would it be?

🚗 ☘️🔪👻📝🇫🇷🎨🖼️🏀🚔

I’ve read and enjoyed every one of Alex Finlay’s books, but this might be my favorite yet.

“If Something Happens to Me” is the kind of thriller that grabs you from the very first page and does not let go. It’s sharp, fast-paced, and emotionally gripping in a way that surprised me. At its heart is a brother trying to find his missing sister—he’s fresh out of prison, she’s the only person who’s ever believed in him, and time is running out. There’s conspiracy, suspense, action, and heart… and somehow Alex Finlay balances it all without losing the tension for a second.

What really stood out to me this time was the emotional weight. The sibling relationship gave the story so much depth. And while there are definitely twists (some that had me audibly reacting), they never felt cheap or overdone. Everything landed just right.

If you liked “Every Last Fear” or “What Have We Done”, this book has that same energy, but feels even more personal and urgent. I couldn’t put it down—and when I did finish, I immediately wished I had someone to discuss that ending with.

Highly recommend for thriller lovers, especially fans of Riley Sager, Lisa Jewell, and Gregg Hurwitz. Finlay just keeps getting better.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press/ Minotaur Books for the DRC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

I actually really enjoyed this one! It was fast paced and suspenseful, just like I like my thrillers. There were multiple characters/POV’s and the timeline jumped around but I didn’t mind. I found it easy to follow, and I loved how everything came together at the end. There were a lot of twists and turns along way. I thought it was an entertaining read!

A good book with an interesting story. Definitely kept me interested & I was dying to find out what happens. Nice, short chapters were perfect for my short study breaks.

I didn’t love this. Didn’t hate it. I always wonder how long lost loves and coming back into each others lives would work out and I’ve always had the feeling that an ex is an ex for a reason. Yeah, this book didn’t change my mind.

This is a very compelling psychological thriller. I recently started reading this author's books, and I enjoy them, especially on audio. A great twisty plot that moves along nicely kept me on the edge of my seat and turning pages, just one more chapter.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for a digital copy. All opinions are my own.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advance copy of If Something Happens to Me by Alex Finlay in exchange for my honest review and opinion. I'm going to say that Alex knows how to write one heckuva thriller! I literally was drawn in on page one and was unable to put it down until I finished. I was reading at my kitchen stove as I was cooking dinner as I had to know what was going to happen next. I highly recommend this and can't wait to read more by him in the future.

Alex Finlay has always been my must-read thriller author. I enjoyed reading If Something Happens to Me but I found it a bit less intense/believable than his previous books. It’s still a crazy story though and not at all what I thought it’d turn out to be. I’ll still recommend this anyone looking for a good thriller.

I received this as a digital ARC. I tried to read it and was super bored by it. I listened to the audio and it was easier that way. However, I guessed the twist, as it was very similar to another book I read recently. Overall, average at best.