Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press and the author for an ARC of this book.

This book was a wild ride that I couldn’t put down. As soon as I started, I finished it in 1.5 days. The premise of how the story begins is so interesting. How has Ryan seen the face? He was sure he recognized from the day, his girlfriend was taken… But in another country while studying abroad?

If I couldn’t identify a single word to label this novel, as it would be surprising. The little things and the plot goes so much deeper than they appear on the surface. And ways that I couldn’t see almost anyone predicting.

I also loved the dual point of view of Ryan: the boyfriend of the missing girl Allison and Poppy: one of the investigators. Normally, I typically favor reading from one specific characters point of view, but this was not the case here as both were pivotal to what occurred in the story.

Reading from Ryan and Poppy’s perspectives really makes the reader question how the heck is happening with Ryan and Europe could actually be related to his girlfriend at home. Everything seems so unrelated. And who are the two randos and Ali‘s car all these questions really keep the reader engaged.

I feel like I can’t really say much more about this book without really giving away something that would be very exciting to read about.

I’m already an Alex Finlay fan, and this book was no less amazing than his previous stories. I would definitely recommend this book to any mystery and thriller lovers especially those liking Riley Sager books Sally Hepworth, Simone St. James, Sarah Pekkanen, Gillian McAllister, Lisa Jewell, and the like.

As for my ratings :
Excitement level: 5
Ease of reading level: 5
Overall rating : 5

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press, Alex Finlay, and NetGalley for the eARC of If Something Happens to Me.

I went into this book not knowing what to expect, and I’m glad I went in sort of “blind.” It was a thrilling page turner from start to finish! Although the twist wasn’t necessarily shocking, it still provided a lot of entertainment. Overall, great read if you’re looking for something quick and binge-worthy!

If Something Happens to Me by Alex Finlay. Pub Date: May 28, 2024. Rating: 4 stars. In this fast paced thriller, the reader is taken on a journey that combines past and present. Ryan was with his girlfriend one night in high school when she suddenly vanished. He was questioned about her disappearance and accusations of potential murder were thrown around, but there was never enough evidence to convict him. Fast forward to present day when the car she was last seen with is found submerged in water. Now it is a race to determine what actually happened to his former girlfriend and is she still alive? I loved the pacing of this story and felt it was fast and attention seeking. I think the blending of the past and present really propelled this novel and I enjoyed it! Perfect for psychological thriller readers. Thanks to #netgalley and #minotaur for this e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

I really liked "The Night Shift" by Finlay and had really high hopes for this one. I chose to DNF around 15% of the way through the book as the storyline did not pull me in the way I hoped it would. I may attempt to read this one again in the future. Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for kindly providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book was incredibly addicting! So much so I finished it in one sitting because I couldn’t put it down. I loved the multiple points of view and it all coming together into a multi-layered fascinating story that had me suspicious of everyone. This was my first book by Alex Finlay and I can’t wait to read more!

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the gifted copy of this book.

Fast paced but at times confusing. Simple writing but enjoyed the interlacing of the characters and there were definitely surprises at the end.

Another fun and twisty thriller by Alex Finlay that was the perfect book to kickoff poolside reading this week. It was fast paced, with short chapters and multiple POVs, and the audio was great!

*many thanks to Minotaur Books, Macmillan audio, and Netgalley for the gifted copy for review

3.5 stars rounded up to 4.*

This is my first Alex Finlay book, though I've seen them and suspected they might be up my alley. When I saw this as an option on NetGalley I added it to my TBR.

This is an interesting story told in dual timelines of a girl who goes missing the night before she is meant to go away to college - snatched along with her car when she was parked on lovers' lane. Her boyfriend was left injured and with little memory of the event. The boy becomes a college student and eventually a Georgetown Law student who is studying abroad in Italy when he learns that his the car his girlfriend was taken is has been found submerged in a lake near his hometown. But her body is not inside.

It is also the story of a mob boss whose son is bullied by classmates to the point that he commits suicide. The boss takes revenge on the school and the students who were in the viral video of him being hazed by having them all taken out.

Both casts of characters converge in an interesting, if rather cinematic fashion.

I liked this one and I suspect it will become at least a Netflix movie if not a real one.

*with thanks to Netgalley for the digital ARC in exchange for this honest review.

Alex Finlay is one of my favorite mystery/thriller authors, and he didn't disappoint with If Something Happens to Me. I really enjoyed the twist, and certainly didn't guess it.
This story follows Ryan five years after the disappearance of his girlfriend Ali. He's trying to move on from the suspicion that he had something to do with her disappearance, and while in Italy, he sees a man from his past, which leads him to looking into the truth about what happened to Ali.
I will continue to read anything Alex Finlay writes. His stories are so fun to read, and I couldn't put this one down.

Such a fun quick twisty book, so far I’ve loved everything I’ve read from Alex Finley and this was another love!

Another winner! Alex Finlay continues to be an auto buy author for me. The first twist caught me off guard, I had to go back and see if I had missed something hinting at the possible outcome at the end of part one. It kept me on the edge of my seat and was hard to put down at the end of my lunch breaks.

I really enjoyed this book by Alex Finlay. This is my first book by this author and I am excited to read more!

I am not quite sure what Alex Finlay puts in their books, but they make me want to consume them at the quickest pace possible, and this one was no exception. While this book takes a teeny bit of suspension of belief, it still was a gripping read worth reading to see how the twists play out.
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this in exchange for my honest opinion.

This book immediately grabs you and drags you into the story. Wow. Absolutely loved the beginning of this book. A teenager goes to Lovers Lane with his girlfriend only to wake I alone in the dirt and his girlfriend and her car are gone. This is somewhat a cat and mouse pursuit but a few stories also thrown in along the way. I did feel like the beginning was better than the ending but still I enjoyed this.

If Something Happens to Me is a standalone twisty thriller by Alex Finlay. Released 28th May 2024 by Macmillan on their Minotaur imprint, it's 336 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. Paperback due out in April 2025 from the same publisher. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout.

This is an interesting multi-PoV thriller. The characterization is quite good; they're three dimensional with (mostly) believable motivations and priorities. The chapters are short and the narrative is often choppy, shifting focus and hopping to the next scene in what feels like an out of control freight train.

Oddly enough, there are places in the middle third of the book which seemed to drag, though the ending, resolution, and denouement were satisfying (and very convoluted). Readers should bring a *hefty* suspension of disbelief to the read, and there are at least a couple places which will likely elicit "are you kidding me??" responses.

All in all it's a good vacation read and will appeal to thriller procedural mystery fans.

Three and a half stars.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

Alex Finlay's latest is a fast-paced thriller that will take you to Europe and back. Combining a disappearance from years ago with a current mystery, Finlay takes the reader on an emotional twisted ride. So many plot twists and revelations this one is sure to have you on your seat. I could not put it down.

I was not familiar with the narrators; Helen Laser, John Pirhalla, and Paul Dateh. They did a fabulous job keeping the listeners attention. It made it easy to follow points of views and keep them straight.

Thank you to NetGalley, Minotaur Books and Macmillan Audio for an advanced reading and listening copies of this book.

In true Alex Finlay fashion, this was a hit for me! At no point in this book did I suspect what was about to happen next. I was gripped from the first page to the very last. I am impatiently awaiting Finlay's next read!

If Something Happens to Me is a gripping and emotionally charged thriller that masterfully intertwines suspense with poignant reflections on love and loss. The story follows its protagonist as she grapples with a series of harrowing events that unfold after a tragic accident, forcing her to confront her deepest fears and the fragility of life. The author’s sharp writing and well-paced plot keep readers on the edge of their seats, skillfully building tension while delving into the complexities of relationships and the choices we make.

The characters are richly developed, each bringing their own vulnerabilities and strengths to the narrative. The protagonist’s journey is particularly compelling, as she navigates the aftermath of trauma while seeking to understand the implications of her past decisions. The author’s ability to capture the emotional landscape of grief and resilience adds depth to the story, allowing readers to connect with the characters on a profound level. This emotional investment makes the thrilling twists and turns all the more impactful.

While the pacing occasionally lags in the middle, the overall narrative arc remains engaging and thought-provoking. The resolution offers a satisfying closure, addressing the themes of forgiveness and redemption that permeate the story. Overall, If Something Happens to Me is an evocative and gripping read that expertly balances suspense with emotional depth, making it a standout in the genre and leaving readers contemplating its themes long after the last page.

I’ve loved everything by this author so far and this is no exception. From the start I was hooked and just flew through it, wanting to stay up way too late to read. Will definitely recommend this one to others!

In true Finlay fashion, hang on to your seats. I love everything written by this author. The twist are unexpected and the turns keep you flipping the pages. Another great thrill ride!