At this point, Alex Finley is pretty much a must buy for me. This book had me from the beginning and kept me interested through the end. There were times where I couldn’t figure out what was coming next, and they were times that I was pretty sure that I knew it was coming next, but it was still written in such a compelling way.

Thanks, Macmillan Audio, for the audiobook. #macaudio2024 (Available now)

Italy: Ryan is on a trip with law school friends but is still haunted by his girlfriend, Ali’s, abduction five years earlier, which left him unconscious and her car missing.

Pennsylvania: A mobster and his accountant deal with business in typical mobster fashion.

Kansas: On her first day as the new Deputy Sheriff in her hometown, Poppy McGee (best character name ever) takes tip calls when Ali’s car is pulled from the lake, and a note is found in her purse.

Perfect length (7+ hours), solid pacing, short chapters, and fun mini-cliffhangers: this was an enjoyable summer thriller. I hadn’t read this popular author before, and now I know to seek out his backlist.

The female narrator was great (which is a relief since I have HAPPILY NEVER AFTER lined up to read soon, and she narrates that one, too). However, the two male narrators did NOT work for me. I can’t put my finger on it, but something about their delivery was lacking.

This was my first Alex Finlay book and wow, what a ride! Multiple POVs, the plot twists, the morally grey characters that I came to love and enjoy! This book had it all! I'm still deciding on whether I wanted the same ending, but until then I plan to pick up another Alex Finlay thriller and enjoy the next ride!

This was a fun ride. I wasn’t particularly invested in any of the characters, but there were enough pieces of the puzzle that I kept reading to see how it would all come together. It was an interesting, fresh take on a thriller. I just wish the characters had more depth so that I cared more about the stakes.

Five years ago, Ryan Richardson and his girlfriend, Alison, are assaulted; at least, Ryan was assaulted. He sees a man abducting Alison before he passed out. Naturally, he is an immediate suspect and despite never being charged, his life afterwards is in shambles. Eventually, he changes his name and disappears himself. Now he is in Italy with some fellow law students when he is approached by the same man that abducted Alison - a man who police didn't believe existed. But he is very real, and he is in hiding. The man eludes to the fact that Alison might be alive.

Meanwhile in Leavenworth, Kansas, Poppy is new deputy at the police station. It's only her first day when some true crime bloggers find Alison's car in the lake. However Alison is not in the car; but two dead men in suits are, along with a note in Alison's handwriting. On the front of the note, it says: "If something happens to me."

Then we meet mob boss Shane O'Leary. Shane and his wife experience a horrible tragedy, and both are seeking retribution...

This is my third Finlay title and I really enjoyed the others but this one fell a bit flat for me. The story seemed so disjointed flipping back and forth and by the time I figured out how everything was linked, I didn't really care anymore. It's not a bad story; just not really for me. Normally I read a book in 1-3 days; this took 2 weeks because I kept dragging my feet. It won't deter me from looking for other Finlay titles though!

"If Anything Happens to Me" by Alex Finlay is a pretty solid thriller with plenty of suspense and twists. The plot is engaging and kept me hooked with its unpredictable turns and the compelling mystery at its center. Finlay's ability to craft a suspenseful atmosphere is commendable, and the pacing is generally brisk, ensuring that the story moves along without dragging.

This is a 3-star read for me because there are multiple points of view and timelines that felt like a bit too much to try and follow. There are so many storylines intertwined that the character development felt lacking, making it hard to fully connect with the characters or center myself in the story. I will say that once I hit the last 30% of the book, I finally (kind of) understood the author's decision to include all of these. Also, while surprising, certain twists seemed a bit too convenient or improbable, which took away from the story's realism.

Some of my problems with this may have been related to listening to the audio version. The narrators were absolutely fantastic, but I think this storyline lends itself better to a physical read.

Despite the few issues I had with the story, "If Anything Happens to Me" is still an enjoyable read, particularly for fans of the thriller genre. It provides enough intrigue and excitement to keep readers engaged from start to finish.

Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, and Alex Finlay for the ALC of this book in exchange for my honest review!

There are many storylines happening here, but I was captivated throughout. I loved the layers, and discovering that Ali was the daughter of someone working for the O'Learys was a great twist.

This fast paced thriller makes for such a quick read where you can easily finish it in one sitting! It’s action packed and full of twists, some you will see coming, some surprising!

It’s a layered plot with multiple storylines, viewpoints and timelines. While it can be confusing at first, it was entertaining to guess how everything would get woven together and I thought the characterization was great.

While I felt there was a bit of over explaining at times, I enjoyed how dark and captivating the story was and it’s sure to keep you on the edge of your seat!

3.25 Stars

Although the storyline is interesting, it failed to fully captivate me.

***Thank you to NetGalley, Alex Finlay, and Macmillan Audio for graciously sending me the audiobook to review. As always, all thoughts are my own.***

Alex Finley has done it again.
This whodunit and where is she was a superb mystery. I dare you to try to figure this one out on your own. I loved how the characters blended. They each played a role in this book. Ryan is a just a good boyfriend, who got caught up in the disappearance of his high school girlfriend. He tries to move on after she disappears, but he never forgets her. He will never forget the face of the man who attacked him, but had no idea he would once again see him. What will he do now?

I always enjoy Alex Finlay's novels and this one did not disappoint. A story about two teens, young and in love and planning for their future. And then one night everything changes and Ryan's world is torn apart when his girlfriend Ali is taken from his car with no witnesses. All Ryan can remember is being struck in the head and Ali's scream. He wakes up with no recolection of anything else other than the man who hit him missing fingers. With no leads, the case is pinned on a serial murderer and Ryan is never charged. Years later, Ali's car is found in a lake of water and Ryan returns how to find out what really happened that night. This story was really good, but I think the truth of what happened that night could have been better. It was kind of out there and I just feel readers will find that part of the story lacking. Everything leading up to it was great! The narrator did a fabulous job!!

"If Something Happens to Me" begins with a suspenseful opening that immediately draws you in. Throughout the audiobook, the narrative keeps you guessing, adding layers as the story progresses. While there's a slowdown in the middle, the story ultimately wraps up nicely.

The story has multiple characters with multiple points of view, divided into three sections with short chapters. There is a lot going on which can be challenging to follow.
However, the audiobook's use of multiple narrators helps to distinguish between characters, enhancing the listening experience.
I particularly enjoyed the audiobook's full cast, which brought the story to life with vivid performances. The audio quality is clear, and the execution is seamless. Personally, I found alternating between the physical copy and audiobook beneficial, as it provided clarity when navigating the intertwining plotlines.

Overall, "If Something Happens to Me" is a quick and entertaining read or listen, whichever media format you choose. 4 stars

Five years ago Ryan Richardson experienced the worst day of his life when his high school girlfriend, Ali, was taken out of the car. Ryan is the only suspect in Ali's disappearance but he's never charged. Now Ryan is in law school and has changed his name. Ryan thinks the past is behind him until he receives a cryptic note about Ali's disappearance while he's on a trip abroad to Italy. 

Ali's car is found submerged in a lake with two dead men inside. Poppy McGee is the newly appointed deputy sheriff in her hometown and is in charge of going through the tip line for Ali's disappearance. 

The story is told from multiple POVs. I especially liked listening to Poppy's point of view. The audiobook narrators did a fantastic job of keeping my attention. I enjoyed listening to the audiobook, it was a fast paced thriller to listen to.

The characters were likable, especially Poppy. I also liked how the characters' stories came together. I enjoyed the first part of the book but then it started to go off the rails. The story bounces around a lot but my main issue is how outrageous the plot is. There were too many elements that added up to one wild ride. You really have to suspend belief to enjoy this book.

Sadly, this one wasn’t great for me. The first part had me hooked and engaged, but the more it went, the less invested and interested I became. It was a bit much, a bit over the top, honestly. I just really didn’t like the direction that the story went. I struggled with the amount of characters, particularly while listening to the audiobook. My previous experience with this author has been hit or miss, I loved The Night Shift but didn’t like What Have We Done. And, unfortunately, this was more in the vein of the second one with how ridiculous it felt. Maybe I’m just not great at suspending belief, or maybe he just didn’t sell it to me well enough. I don’t think this is something I’ll be recommending. I’m still willing to give the author another shot though so, maybe next year.

I always really enjoy Alex Finlay's books. They're quick reads with great pacing, and this one held up with that trend. I was proud of myself for connecting everything before the big reveal. Some elements were a little unrealistic, but that's what I expect when reading these types of suspense novels. The plot was well thought out and it was definitely a fun read.

"If Something Happens to Me" by Alex Finlay is a gripping audiobook that will keep you on the edge of your seat. The story follows Ryan, a man haunted by the disappearance of his girlfriend years ago. When a new clue surfaces, Ryan embarks on a global chase for the truth, encountering a cast of unforgettable characters along the way. The audiobook benefits from a multi-narrator format, with distinct voices bringing each character to life. This is especially effective for Ryan, whose internal struggle is a central part of the story.

However, the audiobook's pacing can be uneven at times - particularly between chapters (and I was listening at 1.5x speed). The first half builds suspense expertly, but the middle section drags slightly. Additionally, with multiple characters and storylines to juggle, it can be easy to lose track of who's who if you're not fully engaged while listening. Overall, "If Something Happens to Me" is a suspenseful listen with strong performances, but it may not be ideal for those who prefer fast-paced narratives.

This is my very first Alex Finley book and I can not wait to read/listen to more! This book had me guessing to the very end! The narrator was excellent I listened to the audiobook which I highly recommend.
This is the story of Ryan whose high school girlfriend is taken from his car one night and he is blamed for her disappearance. The book starts 5 years later as the mystery begins to unfold as to what truly happened that night.
This book does not disappoint!

True to classic @alexfinlayauthor form, If Something Happens To Me, is told from multiple POVs to form a story that is full of surprising twists. It’s what makes Alex one of my must read authors.

This audiobook is well produced and has a cast of narrators to cover the multiple POVs. The story itself is told from dual timelines, the first beginning on the night of a carjacking that leaves a teenager missing (and presumably dead). The second timeline, picks up 5 years later to how that event impacted main character, Ryan.

I recommend reading this book if you love Alex’s other novels, as well as a thriller that occurs on a summer trip. This novel is already out and ready to be added to your summer TBR.

Thank you @macmillan.audio for allowing me to listen to this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

(This same review was shared on the Barnes & Noble website)

Alex Finlay’s "If Something Happens to Me" is a gripping thriller that captivates from the start. The story follows Ryan Richardson, who is haunted by his girlfriend Ali’s disappearance five years ago. Just as he tries to move on, Ali’s car is found in a lake with two bodies and a cryptic note. Ryan's quest for answers takes him across Europe, intertwining with a young sheriff's deputy in Kansas and a grieving mobster in Philadelphia.

Finlay masterfully weaves multiple perspectives and locations, creating a fast-paced narrative filled with unexpected twists. The well-drawn characters and vivid settings add depth and urgency to the suspense. This novel is a compelling read that solidifies Finlay’s place as a top thriller writer. Highly recommended for fans of the genre.

Really liked this book! It was a quick listen and super fun to listen to. Narrator was great. Love the multiple POV's. Can't wait to read more by Finlay!