Such a great multiple view point story. Keeps you on your toes with the mobster aspect of the story. When Ryan is found not guilty of killing his high school girlfriend, he changes his name and goes to school to be a lawyer. When her car shows up in the lake in his home town the case is reopened and what they find is shocking. Story pulls you in and keeps you on your toes.

This is exactly what it means when you want to read a thriller! I absolutely was enthralled throughout the entire book, and the many many characters all worked out brilliantly in the end. Even though this really moved and the action was so much fun to read, there was also the emotional counterparts that went along with it. The storyline continued to be interesting the more and more you read. This was all-around enjoyable and bingeable read.

I think because there were so many characters blended into this great story, there wasn't much chance to truly develop all of them. Not that I expected background stories in every single one (because then it'd be a bore and 1000 pages), there were some background characters that even though they played their part, I needed more, in a good way. Because the author succeeded in sprinkling them in enough into the story that I wanted more of them. For example, Gina, the desperate and tormented mother, a little novelette on her would be fantastic. Or just about her and Shane O'Leary alone would be so great to read.

I really enjoyed this book and couldn't put it down. This was my second read from Finlay and so glad I got to read this!

Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the eARC of this thriller. All opinions are my own.

Though this was a fast read, it was missing something to really make me love it. I was absolutely invested the beginning, but things fell short in the middle. Overall, the pacing was extremely slow. There were some surprising moments but not enough to make up for that pace. Overall if you like a thriller, you will find this one somewhat entertaining.

This was an entertaining mystery, but I don't think I enjoyed it as much as The Night Shift or Every Last Fear. I liked the cryptic note and the way the chapters ended with little cliffhangers, but the mobster parts of the story were too much for me. I really don't need to read detailed descriptions of people being tortured and having fingers cut off. So, I'm probably not the right audience for this one. The tragedy in the mobster's past mentioned in the description was also extremely upsetting.

Five years ago, a girl named Alison was reported missing and presumed dead. A serial killer who had been operating in the area was charged with her murder after Alison's blood was found at his campsite at the time of his arrest. Alison's boyfriend, Ryan, was there the night she was taken and has been a person of interest even though he was never charged. Things get stirred up when a dive team finds Alison's vehicle in the lake but with two men's bodies inside and her purse still in the car. Ryan is on vacation in Europe when he sees the man that he remembers pulling Alison out of the car that night. Things start to unravel quickly while the local police and the FBI try to figure out who the men are in the car and what they could have done with Alison.

WOW!!!!!! This book drew me from the first moment! It was so good!!! I loved everything about it! There is so much mystery and thrill that you will want to finish it in one sitting. Absolutely fabulous! I cannot get over how amazing the story was.

I loved Alex Finley's Night Shift, but the most recent of his books, If Something Happens to Me, is a bust. Before reading, I predicted the plot would keep me guessing and be an intense paper-turning thriller, but the plot was slow and hard to follow. There was no build-up or anything to keep the suspense going. The chapters were difficult to read with the different perspectives, and not having them titled threw me off. I was disappointed, but I still love Alex Finley as an author.

This was my first book by Alex Finlay and he killed it!!

I love the different story lines and POVS and how in the end they all tied together. This thriller kept me on my toes and wanting more. I read it in a matter of three days. I just couldn't get enough of it.

you think this is just a typical serial killer story but in the end it was about a terrible mob guy who didn't mess around when it came around d to his family.

all in all highly recommend this book.

Summary:

Five years ago, Ryan’s girlfriend, Ali, was kidnapped from his car their senior year. She was never seen again. Ryan was never charged, and there was never any proof of his involvement.

He has since changed his name and just began law school. On a study abroad trip to Tuscany, Ryan is contacted by his father that Ali’s car was found in a lake with two dead men and a letter from Ali stating……”If something happens to me…..”

Not long after this, Ryan sees the man from that dreadful night.


My Thoughts:

Alex Finlay has solidified himself as one of the top thriller authors. Every book has amazing characterization, great description of the surroundings and locations, and the endings are always a surprise.

Personally I loved the descriptions of this one since we were recently in England and Italy.

Thank you to Netgalley for the advanced reader’s copy of this book. It was a 5/5 for me! Highly recommended to everyone to add to your summer reading list.

Thank you @minotaur_books for the ARC!

🔹 𝙈𝙮 𝙏𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 🔹
This book kept my attention and I couldn’t put it down! It had short chapters and the action kept unfolding, so I had to keep reading! I love a mystery with a cold case and that is what is this story is centered around: the disappearance of a teen Allison one night from her car where her boyfriend Ryan was left behind.

The disappearance happens 5 years before the present day, when a car is uncovered in a body of water with two dead men inside. Who’s car? Allison’s of course, but she’s no where to be found! And there’s a coded note left behind… and the current sheriffs office with deputy Poppy is trying to figure out who can help uncode this message and possibly solve what happened to Allison.

There were some unknown characters in this book that didn’t make sense why they were even in this story until later on. It was fun to see those plot twists revealed and a light bulb go off when you realize how everything in the story is connected.

If you are looking for a fast paced thriller, pick this one up! I look forward to reading more from this author!

🎧 𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙗𝙤𝙤𝙠 𝙞𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚:
🔸 Fast Paced, Action Packed Thrillers
🔸 Multiple POVs
🔸 Unsolved Missing Persons Case
🔸 Interwoven Timelines

Absolutely phenomenal book. I was not expecting all the twist interns. I love when I cannot figure out the plot phenomenal.

This one started off so good. Then it seemed to kind of drag in the middle. It felt kinda YA in a sense. That kinda threw me for some reason. I didn't expect the twist which added a lot to the story for sure. As much as there was going on I was never truly sucked into the story. I found the end to be a bit everywhere and hard to keep up with. I listened to this one and was able to go back and re-listen to parts and that definitely helped. The narrators did a great job. It just wasn't my favorite. I know others who have and would love it though. So definitely give it a shot!

BOOK REVIEW: If Something Happens to Me by Alex Finlay
2024 Publication Date: May 28

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐

Best Crime Fiction Books
T.I.M.E. Best Books By Genre | Thriller
T.I.M.E. Most Anticipated Books Of 2024

Pages: 322
Genre: Thriller
Sub-Genre: Crime Fiction
T.I.M.E. Jalapeno Rating:️ N/A
Time Period: Contemporary
Location: Leavenworth, Kansas (US)
Publisher: St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books

--------------------

All my book reviews can be seen at This Is My Everybody | Simple Living | Denise Wilbanks at thisismyeverybody.com/blog/what-book-should-i-read

♡ Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. I voluntarily chose to review it and the opinions contained within are my own.

I enjoyed this book. I liked the dual storyline and how everything came together. Poppy was my favorite.

Characters 5 /5
Plot 5 /5
Pacing 4/5
Enjoyment 5/5
Unable to put down 4/5
18 /20

Ryan Richardson is forced to relive a terrible night where he was left for dead after his girlfriend, Ali, was taken and never to have been seen again. Labelled a murder, Ryan has tried moving on. But the past never stays hidden. Ryan gets a call from his father, Ali’s car was found. The past sudden catches up to him and starts spinning out of control.
Good read with lots of twists and turns. Recommended for all.

* I received an advanced reader’s copy of this book from NetGalley and St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books in exchange for my honest review

Pub date: May 28, 2024
Huge shoutout to @macmillan.audio and @netgalley for this twisty read

Ryan’s girlfriend Ali is taken one night while they are at a lovers lane. Ryan was the main suspect and had to change his last name to get away from the notoriety. When Ali’s car is found with bodies in it, five years later, the mystery really starts. Is she alive? Is the mafia involved? Who’s this rando contacting Ryan? There are a lot of moving parts and characters with intertwining stories. When they all came together, it made me say “duh, I should’ve realized that” 😂 Overall, this was a quick and fun thriller

If Something Happens to Me by Alex Finlay
#mystery
#netgalley published 5/28
⭐⭐⭐⭐💫

Ryan did not kill his girlfriend of 4 years but yet her had to change his name bc of all of the harassing he received after she disappeared. In law school when the book starts, he finds that he is being followed by someone.

Told in 3 POV this is an exciting book. One is from Ryan's view as he is on a trip to Italy with his law school class. One from Poppy, a brand new cop in Leavenworth, Kansas. And the last one from Chaz, the hired killer of O'Leary the mobster whose kid was bullied. Each of these views are a little more broad than just the one person. It's really the story that is happening in each of the cities these MCs are in.

Can Poppy figure out what really did happen to Ali that fateful day. And why did her car end up in the lake with 2 dead men? This whole case hits her on her first day on patrol.

I took away a 1/2 ⭐ in the rating bc at one point I got confused as to when it was and who was being talked about. The confusion continued for a couple of chapters.
But I do have to say, I still love AF!

#stmartinspress
#bookstagram #bookrecommendation #bookreview

Alex Finlay has done it again! His latest novel is suspenseful, twisty, and entertaining.

The description of this story sounded right up my alley, and it did not let me down. I enjoyed the story being told from multiple POVs. It gave the story more depth and kept it moving with a fast-paced feel. Despite the different perspectives, it was easy to follow.

The short chapters kept me wanting to read on, and I was eager to see how things would play out. I finished this in almost one sitting!

The author did a seamless job of combining all the characters and their backstories. I loved that each character's story had a wrap-up. I hate when authors leave storylines unfinished.

Read this if you’re looking for a bingeable, action-packed thriller.

Published by ‎ Minotaur Books on May 28, 2024

If Something Happens to Me weaves together stories of crime and bullying. One crime involves Alison Lane. She is preparing to make out (or more) with Ryan Richardson, her high school boyfriend, when a man clobbers Ryan. Because Alison disappears, the police suspect that Ryan killed her. Ryan can only remember that the man who attacked him was missing his pinky fingers, a detail the police regard as fanciful.

The police can’t pin a crime on Ryan, but most members of his Kansas community assume that Ryan is a killer. They engage in the cherished American pastime of harassing him with self-righteous venom, even after evidence miraculously appears that links Alison’s disappearance to a serial killer.

When Ryan goes to college, he changes his last name. Then he changes colleges. His past catches up with him when, as a law student at Georgetown, he visits Italy on a trip taken annually by top law students.

The other crime story grows out of the bullying of a boy at a private school attended by the children of wealthy parents. Anthony doesn’t respond well to the bullying. Neither does his father, Shane O’Leary, once Shane learns about it. Shane is the head of a Philadelphia crime family. He doesn’t appreciate the school’s attempt to cover up the harassment of his son. O’Leary’s accountant, Michael Harper, is also integral to the story for reasons that can’t be revealed without spoiling one of the plot’s many twists.

The novel’s protagonist is Poppy McGee, who took a job as a deputy sheriff in Kansas after her abrupt discharge from the military for punching an officer. She’s back in her hometown with her brother Dash and a father who is battling cancer. Her first big case involves a car that is pulled from the lake. Alison Lane was apparently abducted from the car, but the two bodies in the car are both male. Both died from gunshot wounds. But where is Alison?

Poppy soon learns that someone in the Sheriff’s Department is misleading her. She also suspects that Dash and her father know more about Alison’s disappearance than they’re telling her. The Sheriff has told her not to cooperate with FBI Agent Jane Fincher, but it isn’t clear why she’s been given that command.

The story threads eventually come together, although it takes some time to understand the relative time frames that make a unified story possible. The well-constructed plot achieves a satisfying degree of complexity without becoming convoluted. Poppy and the reader must decide which characters are worthy of trust. The answers to that question and to some of the novel’s mysteries may be surprising.

The story develops at a good pace. This isn’t an action novel, but Alex Finlay builds suspense by placing characters in danger. Self-sacrifice and redemption give the reader reasons to feel good about a couple of bad characters. The good characters are likable and the plot is more credible than is typical of modern thrillers. All of that adds up to an enjoyable read.

RECOMMENDED

I give this book 4.5 starts out of 5, rounded up.

Ryan and his girlfriend at the time, Ali, were in a car on a date, when they had pulled over onto the side of the road after arriving to their destination. When suddenly, Ryan is hit in the head, and pulled out of the car, and the vehicle takes off with Ali still inside of it. Due to Ryan being the last person to see Ali, he is a prime suspect, but is not charged. Ryan was often harrassed after this, and moved and changed his name to avoid this harrassment and to try and forget about what happened.

However, the past comes back to the forefront as Ali's car is discovered submerged in a lake, with two unknown males and a handwritten note ("If Something Happens to Me") from Ali inside of it.

The beginning of this book didn't waste any time and went right into it, which I appreciate. There was not a lot of world building, just a quick chapter to introduce what had happened. No extra fluff, which was nice. This book also alternated between THREE point of views, but it is very easy to keep up with the story line of each point of view. Usually, when there are multiple point of views, it can be easy to confuse them, especially in the beginning when there is a bunch of new information or a lot happening at once to introduce the story, but this author did it so well that there was no confusion for me on this front.

The only thing that I was originally concerned about was that the third point of view was hard to understand how it tied into the original story, since the first two point of views are listed in the synopsis and very clear. The third point of view came out of no where and at first I did not understand how it correlated until maybe about halfway through the book, when it is explained. Once this happened, I felt that it was a very good plot twist and everything clicked.

Although it's not one of my top thriller books, this book constantly had things going on and it was never boring. I read it all in one night and thoroughly enjoyed it.. I loved the concept of having a note left behind detailing what it did in this story. Although, it wasn't a HUGE part of the story (I wish it was a bigger plot point (it actually led to a really great part of the story and did not disappoint at all, don't get me wrong)), I was hoping that the letter would have more in it, like her whole life story. Because what if she did die and she wasn't actually able to tell anyone her story? But the book code was genius and it made me happy that Ryan was instantly able to know exactly what Ali used for the code.

Also.... Ali's dad is my hero :(

This is the first book that I've read by this author so I didn't know what to expect at all, but I really liked the writing style and the story that they wrote in this book.

I enjoyed this book but having 4 different locations and told in multiple POV’s it was at times a bit hard to follow. Overall though I found the story interesting and it was wrapped up well. Thanks to NetGalley for the privilege to read and review this book.