the setup…
Five years ago, Ryan Richardson and his girlfriend Alison Lane were high school seniors getting ready for college. One night, they were at a secluded spot known by everyone as Lovers Lane, taking the next step in their relationship when suddenly Ryan was pulled from the car and knocked out. He got a brief look at the man before lights out but when he was rescued, Alison and her car had vanished. Now her car has been discovered at the bottom of the lake with two dead men inside and a cryptic note found preserved in her purse. Where is Alison and what does that note mean?

the heart of the story…
Suspicions surrounded Ryan even after a notorious serial killer was implicated so he not only left town but changed his last name. He’s in Italy with his law school classmates when he hears the news about the car. Stunningly, he spots the man who attacked him five years ago. Meanwhile, newly hired Deputy Sheriff Poppy McGee has returned to Kansas after discharge from the Army and is assigned the lead to the newly resurrected case. She smells something hinky right from the start. The story is delivered from three points of view: Ryan, Poppy and a shady character named Shane O’Leary. You know they’re linked in some way but how?

the narration…
I’m so glad three narrators were used to tell the story, not just for character distinctions but because these three had a different, essential connections. The storytelling was so good!

the bottom line…
I had my aha moment about halfway into the story but was still missing essential pieces. I couldn’t stop listening and wanted to skip ahead pretty bad. This was nothing like I’d anticipated and it kept me in the dark as to who I could trust and who I couldn’t, who are the real bad guys and who were the true heroes. A few red herrings but the key to this story is assembling the puzzle pieces correctly. This was a heck of a thrilling ride.

Thank you to the publisher, Netgalley and the author for an advanced copy of this book.

Honestly this book was so convoluted. It was hard to follow the plot lines at times, and since it was so random at times it made me not care to follow. I did enjoy that this was a quick read, as I was done fast, but other than that this book doesn’t really live up to the other ones by this author.

If Something Happens To Me by Alex Finlay

This thriller is centered around one traumatic night. It's the aftermath of when our MC was forcefully pulled out of a car, his girlfriends screaming, then he's knocked out. Of course, he's the only witness and suspect, but without enough evidence and a good lawyer, he's never charged. So, he leaves the country....and then her car is found.

I had been in the mood for a thriller, so I was so happy to have received this one. The progression of the story was fast-paced and had multiple pov. It had some good twists, one I didn't see coming. What I didn't like was all the filler. I feel like some things were just over explained.

I enjoyed some of the characters. There's always that level-headed one where you can take a step back and think for a second. That was the sheriff for me.

I listened to this one on audiobook, which I think made me like the book a little more than I would have because of the multicast narration. If I was reading a physical copy, I think I would've been frustrated by all the povs. They did do a great job bringing out the character perspectives.

So, if you're looking for a quick thriller, definitely pick this one up, but I recommend the audiobook.

If Something Happens to Me is a riveting and captivating novel that unfolds in a timely matter. It begins with sweethearts with Ryan and Ali. Ryan’s last memory of Ali is her screams as he’s being pulled from her car before being hit by a blunt object. No one believes him of course, but without her or the car he is never convicted. The truth lies deeper as Ali’s car is pulled out of a lake with two men in suits, but no Ali. Enjoy the ride as the mysterious story unravels!

Thank you NetGalley and MacMillan audio for this ARC audiobook!

4.5⭐ ARC from Macmillan audio, these are my own thoughts and opinions. Thank you for the ARC!

This was a really twisty and fun read! This is my first Alex Finlay book, and it did not disappoint. I did predict a small part of the ending, otherwise it would have been a 5 star read. Other than that, I don't have any complaints or notes! The full cast narration was PHENOMENAL and really made it an immersive experience. I appreciate a book with time hops that are done correctly, and this one delivered on that as well. Add this to your TBR!

Very suspenseful and entertaining. I enjoyed this new one by Finlay! Some great characters,, young and old. Some fun cliches and some new twists on old plot devices.

This was my first book from this author, having heard numerous praises over time. Unfortunately, the book left me feeling underwhelmed. While I typically enjoy narratives with multiple POVs and timelines, they didn't seem to work in this novel. The characters did not come across as relatable, redeemable, or even likable. The plot was quite predictable. I had anticipated a more dramatic development or an unexpected twist. The story did reinforce two things for me: firstly, that people suck, and secondly, that I, too, would go to great lengths to avenge my child if they were harmed.

I've come to the conclusion that this author's style may not suit my taste.

Five years ago, Ryan Richardson and his high school girlfriend Ali were parked at the local “lover’s lane”. He’s attacked and when he comes to, Ali and the car are gone. The only things he remembers about the attack was Ali’s screams and that the attacker was missing both his pinky fingers. Ryan was accused of the murder of Ali, since she never found her.
Years later Ryan changed his last name hoping to reinvent himself. He is now in law school and has decided to take a trip with his schoolmates to Italy. Ryan just happens to catches sight of something that shocks him to the core. It’s the man from the night Ali went missing. Ryan must risk his own life to track this man down and finally find out what happened to Ali.

Poppy, a young war vet who returns home to Leavenworth, Kansas, to work as the deputy sheriff. Her first call is to an abandoned car found in a lake. There are two men that have an evidence of an execution style murder. Poppy must find out who these men are, and why they were murdered. The car is Ali’s, the exact one that went missing that terrible night. Ali’s body is not in the car, but her purse is. They find a note in Ali’s handwriting that says, if something happens to me with a cryptic message.

I really enjoyed this book. It was a completely fast paced, easy read with lots of twists and turns, that kept me guessing. It is told in multi character POV. The narrator fits all of the puzzle pieces together for us, with ease. This was a 4 star read for me.

If Something Happens To Me
By: Alex Finlay

This was a good book, I gave this a 4.5 stars review.
I got this on NetGalley, but it released yesterday 5/28.

One night Ryan and Ali are out together, the car door opens, Ryan is hit in the head and ripped out of the car and he hears the screams of his girlfriend, Ali and when he wakes up she’s gone and is never found.

He moves away to go to school and changes his name, but it doesn’t matter, things start to catch up with him.

Poppy is a detective, she’s working on Ali’s case when they find Ali’s car in a lake, but no trace of her body only a note and 2 other dead bodies. Poppy looks for Ryan to find some answers.

So much happens in this story, but it’s so good!

I really enjoyed listening to this audiobook. The characters and plot were interesting, it was fast-paced, and I thought it all tied together well at the end. I like stories that are multi-faceted and this one definitely was. It’s best to go in blind, there are some surprising connections and twists. If you enjoy mystery, suspense, adventure, and a little bit of romance mixed in, then I recommend this one. Especially the audio! The narration by Helen Laser, John Pirhalla, and Paul Dateh was entertaining, and I found it easy to follow along with all of the POVs. Thank you so much Macmillan Audio for this ALC through NetGalley!

This was my favorite Alex Finlay book so far! It was a bit over the top but not so wild to make it unbelievable. It had an interesting story and there is a time jump at one point where two stories are told parallel but you don't realize one was in the past. It made the twist more interesting.
Overall it's a typical thriller book. It's a page turner and a fun read, nothing too memorable though.

Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced copy of the book.

The book "If Something Happens to Me: A Novel" by Alex Finlay was engaging enough to finish in one sitting. However, it was neither groundbreaking nor particularly attention-grabbing. The story was narrated by multiple characters, each contributing to a larger picture. While none of the characters were especially compelling, they all played their part in advancing the plot. The book is a satisfying read, as all loose ends are neatly tied up by the conclusion.

The voice actors did a commendable job with their character portrayals, bringing the story to life. The use of different narrators helped distinguish characters as the story evolved.

I really enjoy this. It was my first time reading from this author, but the story kept me want to keep reading. I sometimes don’t always like a bunch of POVs but I felt like for this it was used in a way to keep suspense and the story moving along. There were a few times in the audiobook I got a little confused on who was speaking, but overall I really enjoy it. I will be definitely be picking up another book by this Author.

4.5 ⭐️ Happy Publication Day!! 🎉 “If Something Happens to Me” is about Ryan and Allison, a couple who one night are attacked while parked at a lover’s lane. Ryan is hit on the head, and Ali is ripped from the car. People suspect Ryan may have done something to Ali, but without any proof, the case goes cold.

Five years later, Ryan is in law school at Georgetown, and is taking a summer trip to Italy. His life turns upside once again when he gets from his dad; Ali’s car has been found submerged in a lake in his hometown. Even worse, the bodies of two men are found inside, along with a waterlogged letter with the words “If something happens to me” written on the front. From there, we embark on a journey to answer so many questions: who are the men in the car? What does this cryptic note mean? If Ryan didn’t harm Ali who did?

The chapter are super short. So I was able to binge this book very quickly. We are following four different perspectives throughout this story. Some of the characters are hard to distinguish from one another; so it got a little confusing at times, especially towards the end. It was so hard to put this book down. I kept listening because I needed to know what happened.

Overall, this was a very fun popcorn thriller with lots of twists and turns! 4.5 stars!

Thank you to Alex Finlay, NetGalley, Minotaur Books and Macmillan Audio for the complementary advanced listener copy in exchange for an honest review!

IF SOMETHING HAPPENS TO ME by @alexfinlayauthor is the definition of an unputdownable, edge-of-your-seat thriller. This has all the excitement and suspense perfect for making into a movie. It is told from a few different POVs, and the audio has a narrator for each one to help differentiate between them. They were all fantastic!

There’s a disappearance of a teen girl, a mafia, and police detective stories all intertwined. I loved how all the pieces fit together. I feel like I can’t say much more without giving something away. Just go grab a copy and enjoy!

Happy Pub Day to this great read! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you @minotaur_books for an eARC AND thank you @macmillan.audio for this early listening copy! I’m so thrilled I was able to read this one! @alexfinlayauthor has definitely done it again! This one is sure to be liked by many!

Happy Pub Day to If Something Happens to Me by Alex Finlay

For five years, Ryan Richardson has been haunted by the night his girlfriend Ali was taken and he was brutally attacked, leaving him under a cloud of suspicion. Now living under a new name and attending law school, his past resurfaces when Ali's car is discovered in a lake with two dead men and a cryptic note in her handwriting. As Ryan races across Europe to uncover the truth, a young sheriff's deputy in Kansas and a mobster in Philadelphia might hold the clues to the truth.

If Something Happens to Me by Alex Finlay grabbed my attention from the start. Finlay masterfully alternates between multiple points of view. At first, it wasn’t easy to see how the characters' stories connected, but the clever storytelling kept me intrigued. As the plot unfolded, Finlay expertly revealed the connections between the characters, leading to a series of twists that really surprised me at the end. If you love exciting and suspenseful books, you should read this one!

The audiobook version is narrated by Helen Laser, John Pirhalla, and Paul Dateh, and they did a fantastic job bringing the story to life. The multiple narrators helped distinguish the different perspectives. Thank you @NetGalley and @MacmillanAudio for the gifted audio copy.

Thank you so much to the publisher #partner for the #gifted ARC and ALC!

I have now read three Alex Finlay books and I have to say this one is my favorite. The book is divided into three interrelated stories: Ryan who has changed his identity due to a macabre past involving his dead gf, Poppy who is the new cop investigating a cold case that has been resurrected, and the O’Leary crime family who is set to avenge everyone who influenced their son’s suicide.

As is the signature storytelling with all Finlay thrillers, the settings are international and action-packed from start to end. The plot is convoluted with a million things happening all at once and not a single lull in the story. Yet the author as always, expertly weaves in everything together to a neat finish. I paired the book with audio which I highly recommend thanks to the stellar host of narrators who did a great job creating tension in the story. My personal favorite was the narration of the O’Leary chapters! Thriller lovers, do not miss this book!

I was drawn into this story from the very beginning and I love how the different lives and storylines all come together. I enjoyed how Finlay plays around with the timelines and how the chapters are not dated, you assume they’re in linear order, and when you find out they’re not 🤯 The first big twist at the end of part one had my jaw on the ground. The plot was enjoyable for me as I was able to suspend my disbelief as we traveled all over the world and explored multiple well-known thriller tropes. Finlay’s characters are complex and multidimensional, and I was still learning more about them right until the last pages.

I thought this book worked really well on audio. I enjoyed the different audio narrators, thought that the different voices helped bring the characters to life and held my interest throughout. Great production quality, annunciation, and pacing by the narrators.

Con: I felt that there were simply too many characters in the book to easily keep track of. Example, in just one storyline, Ryan is studying abroad and has a group of five or six friends, all of whom are mentioned by name. I took the time to try to remember who was who, but their names did not end up being super relevant to the story. I also struggled a bit with keeping track of each name of who was in O’Leary’s circle. It was just a lot of different characters overall and I feel that limiting the number of characters could have helped the story flow a little better. Especially on audio, I feel there were too many characters introduced!

For the past five years, Ryan Richardson has relived that terrible night. The car door ripping open. The crushing blow to the head. The hands yanking him from the vehicle. His girlfriend Ali’s piercing scream as she is taken.

With no trace of Ali or the car, a cloud of suspicion hangs over Ryan. But with no proof and a good lawyer, he’s never charged, though that doesn’t matter to the podcasters and internet trolls. Now, Ryan has changed his last name, and entered law school. He’s put his past behind him.

Until, on a summer trip abroad to Italy with his law-school classmates, Ryan gets a call from his father: Ali’s car has finally been found, submerged in a lake in his hometown. Inside are two dead men and a cryptic note with five words written on the envelope in Ali’s handwriting: If something happens to me…

Another win for Finlay and might be my current favorite. With having an ecopy and audio I binged through this one so fast. I’m a huge fan of the short chapters that kept me wanting to know more. I thought for sure I had it all figured out, but that twist threw me. Loved the note and the rush to figure out what it meant. Don’t want to give anything away, because it’s a must read. Fast paced and fun to read - 100% recommend!

This book started off strong for about the first 50 pages:l. Then it just lost my interest. I was throughly confused on what was actually happening at some points during this book.
The characters weren’t memorable.