Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the ARC (Advance Reader Copy) of If Something Happens to me by Alex Finlay. This was a great story. I didn't think I was going to like it much when I first started reading it, but then wow!! There is an awful lot going on and many storylines. I thought I would get confused, but I did not. It was a fun read and interesting how all the storylines fell into place and the connections between all the characters. Well worth the read. I highly recommend it. Put it on your TBR list. A 5 star rating from me.

This was an exciting ride! Fast-paced and bingeable! So hard to put down!! From the very first page I was hooked and I'm glad I went in blind. I highly recommend you go into this blind, too! You may have to suspend disbelief a little, but I promise you'll still have an enjoyable ride. Twists and turns were jaw dropping and gasp worthy. If you're looking for a gripping, action-packed, and engaging read, give this story a try!

Thanks yo NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for giving me an advanced readers copy in exchange for my honest review.

I was up until way too late at night finishing this book because I just couldn’t stop! Finlay did an amazing job of giving the background of each character, but not too much at once, and then bringing everything together in a way that drops your jaw. Just when I thought the reveals were over, there were more. I’ve already committed my life to reading every book written by this author, and this was exactly what I’ve come to expect and love

Immersing myself in this book was like stepping into the script of a thrilling HBO series. The meticulously crafted chapters drove the narrative at a relentless pace, keeping you on the edge of your seat. If you're a fan of books that instantly captivate and leave you yearning for more, this is a must-read. The desire for a sequel that this book left me with is a testament to its gripping nature.

Despite my slight disappointment in the end, I still recommend this book. My disappointment was based on the fact that I was able to predict the end, and Poppy, a deputy sheriff, failed to notice a mistake with significant repercussions, adding an intriguing layer to the story.

My favorite character in the book was Chaz. For some reason, he reminded me of Mike Ehrmantraut from Breaking Bad (perhaps because of his connection to his grandkid, his ability to separate business and passion, and his business-like approach).

I read this book on my Kindle, and it was structured in three parts. In the first part, you have three stories developing, and you, as the reader, are left trying to figure out the connection. We are introduced to Alison and Ryan. There is an abduction that takes place, and Ryan does not remember anything; Alison is missing. Fast forward five years later, and Ryan is now an L1 student. He is visiting Italy on a student trip and is trying to move forward from the horrible night while also continuously being tormented. On this trip, we also met some of his friends and Nora, who is his current partner or at least someone he is getting close to on an emotional level. The second story is about Poppy, a deputy officer who joins the Kansa police department (the exact location where the abduction took place). The third story is about Shane O'Leary, a mobster who loses his child to suicide, and between his and his wife's grief, he is seeking revenge. By the second part, you have a huge woah moment! that allows you to understand how everything is tied, but the magic of the writing always keeps you engaged. The third part focuses on solving and putting all the puzzle pieces together.

The only reason I can't give five stars to this book is Poppy's failure to notice that the person who was informing was the person that Ken had told her not to talk to. This mistake caused the death of Michael, and while someone probably needed to go, it just seemed way too big a mistake, and at no point is there a recognition of this in the book. The end could have been flushed better.

For instance, I would have liked to:

- Have a chapter on how Sophia took the news of losing her father; after all, they have been hiding all their life together.
- I would have liked to know more about Poppy's father, who was released from the hospital, and his reaction to everything he missed while he was ill.
- How Shane discovered his brother died
- In the end, there is mention of a Poppy having a relationship that I had to read about four times because it seemed forced. Up to that point, it was never mentioned, and I did not see that coming. Explore a little bit of Poppy's life outside work.

This book is excellent, and I don't regret reading it! I wonder how many people figured out the end or if it was just me. I would give this book four stars.

Thank you to the publisher for providing me a free eARC for review! This one is out May 28.

Rating: 3/5 stars

Ryan’s girlfriend Ali was kidnapped before his eyes five years ago—but when the vehicle she was abducted in is finally found alongside a coded message, buried secrets might finally come to light.

Let’s start with the good: this one is pretty fast-paced, with a lot of action and drama, and a straightforward writing style that makes you want to keep reading more. I liked most of the characters (including the ones I was probably least supposed to, honestly) and was generally entertained throughout.

That said, while I am positive there is an audience for this book, I don’t think I’m really part of it. I guessed the twists early and, more importantly, didn’t like them—the plot felt predictable and a bit silly, and I didn’t like the way things wrapped up for anyone. For most of the book, I was probably rooting for the villains, which I don’t think was the intention.

Overall, this was a fast read and if it sounds good to you, I’d still recommend it! But sadly not a favorite of my year (or even month) so far.

CW: Torture/murder/death; suicide; bullying; mentions of child abuse/domestic violence

I loved this book! My first 5 ⭐️ of the year! “If Something Happens to Me” had all the things I enjoy in a novel: scenery/setting, unique characters and MANY plot twists. “If Something Happens to Me,” was a very unexpected mystery that added a sprinkle of wit and a touch of romance. Plus it gave a slight Ozark (Netflix) nod with ‘the accountant’ character. I can’t say enough about this title/work. Thank you St.Martin’s Publishing and Net Galley for this ARC. I enjoyed reading and reviewing.

3.5⭐️

Big thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books & Macmillan Audio for the ARC & ALC copies of this new thriller, out 5/28!!!

This was actually my first book of Finlay's, though I do have a couple of his others on my TBR list!
I really enjoyed how this one started with a suspenseful opening and really kept us guessing on what was going on. I thought that it did get a little slower towards the middle, and I started to piece together what was going on, but the story still worked out well.

I definitely think a different ending would have suited this better, but it definitely did not take away from my enjoyment of the book overall.

My downside with this one is that there were quite a few characters, and at times I felt myself a little confused on who was where and doing what. However, I will say that MacMillan Audio did a great job distinguishing between the characters, and that really helped alot!

I will definitely pick up another of Finlay's books, as I thought this was an enjoyable thriller.

In a market flooded with “thrillers”, Alex Finlay’s latest is the cream that has risen to the top. This book was absolutely unputdownable (yep, its a word). Short chapters, compelling characters and a couple of really smart twists definitely made this book one of my favourite thrillers of 2024.

If you have enjoyed this author’s previous works, this one won’t only be for you, it may just be your new favourite of his. The writing is just as propulsive as his earlier books, and brings along a ominous vibe. Each of our main characters have multiple layers to their pasts, which are fleshed out as the story is told from different points of view. When they eventually come together, it’s just *chef’s kiss* - the perfect reveal.

With this book, Alex Finlay has become an auto-buy author for me. I’ll read anything he puts out.

Thank you to Netgalley, St. Martin’s Press and Minotaur Books for this eARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

My thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur Books/St. Martins Publishing for the ARC of 'If Something Happens To Me" in exchange for an honest review.
As a thriller fan, there's nothing I love more than a multi-faceted story that unfolds using seemingly multiple disparate places and people. The kind of book that grips you immediately as you wonder out loud, "wait a sec......what do this these people and this place have anything to do with the other characters and locations?"
The fun, of course, comes from the author drawing you deeper into the mysteries and surprising you with the skill of gradually putting all the puzzle pieces together......not to mention knocking your socks off with some huge twists.
Alex Finlay does a truly masterful job of that here. In Leavenworth, Kansas, a feisty new deputy Sheriff tries to make sense of a once cold case turned hot - the disappearance of a young girl and her boyfriend's suspicious claim that they were pulled out of their car by an unseen abductor with some missing fingers. Ryan, the disbelieved and reviled boyfriend, is now a law student vacationing in Italy when he's contacted by.......possibly the abductor himself.
Somehow, all of these threads lead back to Philadelphia, home of the much feared O'Leary family, an organized crime dynasty infamous for their murderous retribution against whoever they think wronged them. And this scary bunch is feeling seriously wronged.
This book more than delivered everything I hope for when I start a new thriller........a book that makes you put everything you're doing on hold so you can zip through the pages to see what happens, figure how everything fits together, and then makes you raise your eyebrows in surprise as the twists and reveals start to pile up
"If Something Happens To Me" checked all those boxes for me, which explains the 5 stars I'm giving it. Move this one up to the top of any TBR thriller list.

I quite enjoyed this book a lot! It had a lot of elements I love to see in thrillers and the characters were very easy to follow along with the story.

In this, we follow Ryan, Boy Scout, basketball hero, senior in his small town Kansas on a date with the love of his life. Until he’s hit on the head and when he awakes his girlfriend AND her car is missing and of course he’s the main suspect.
Fast forward 5 yrs, Poppy, the newest addition to the sheriffs department, is assigned the missing case when civilians dredging the lake come across the missing car but NOT the missing girl.
Alex Finlay is officially an autobuy author for me! This is the 4th novel In a row that I’ve enjoyed. The way his stories seem so grandiose but end up tightly woven and intricately plotted, is like a work of art.

🚗Mini Review🚗
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Summary: 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…

Then, halfway around the world, the unthinkable happens: Ryan sees the man who has haunted his dreams since that night.

As Ryan races from the rolling hills of Tuscany, to a rural village in the UK, to the glittering streets of Paris in search of the truth, he has no idea that his salvation may lie with a young sheriff’s deputy in Kansas working her first case, and a mobster in Philadelphia who’s experienced tragedy of his own.
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Rating- ⭐️⭐️
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My thoughts: this one was quite disappointing thank you @macmillanusa and @netgalley for the advanced copy but this was not for me. There were way too many characters and contradicting plot lines. It felt like two different books shoved into one. I almost DNFed but I normally love this author, this was just not it for me.. I couldn’t get into the characters on this one at all. I just really didn’t like this one at all 😂 the twist was fun and that’s what earned it the stars but this was a totally meh and weird read.
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QOTD- do you enjoy audio books? I had this one as audio and it was a full cast which was super fun to listen to! Unfortunately that was about all the fun I had 😂
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#ifsomethinghappenstome #alexfinlay #bookreview #bookstagram #booksofig #booksofinstagram #bookworm #booklover #bookobsessed #bookaddict #bookaesthetic #readersgonnaread #readmorebooks
🚗Mini Review🚗

I really enjoyed this one! I loved the twist of why and the mafia ties behind it all. Finlay did a great job keeping me on my toes for the entirety and the connections between all the characters was very well written.

Alex Finlay always knows how to draw me in! Fast-paced, exciting, If Something Happens to Me is the book of the summer!

Right out of the gate this action-packed thriller starts strong and never has a dull moment! You have to suspend belief a bit, but just do it because you’ll fun with the international cat-and-mouse game, a small town sheriff on the cusp of solving a 5-year-old mystery, and revenge-filled mob bosses. Finlay does a great job of weaving multiple point-of-view’s, timelines, and settings together at an intense pace that will keep you flying through this one in no time, and hoping it becomes a movie!⁠
Four stars instead of five only because I completely predicted the ending, however it’s such a fun read that I definitely recommend it for your summer reading list!

Another winner from Alex Finlay - with twists and turns I never saw coming, this book takes multiple timelines and blends them together seamlessly and kept me turning the pages from start to finish.

IF SOMETHING HAPPENS TO ME - Alex Finlay

4.5⭐

PLOT
5yrs ago Ryan Richardson's girlfriend was taken from their car after he was hot on head and the suspicion lies on Ryan but no proof and a good lawyer he was not charged. Now he is enrolled in law school and put his past behind . while on a summer trip he gets a call telling Ali's car has been found with a cryptic note If something happens to me and Ryan sees the man who has haunted his dreams since that night.
Now Ryan races all over Europe in search of truth along with a young deputy Sheriff from Kansas working her 1st case.

MY THOUGHTS -
Alex Finlay's thrillers are always binge worthy and this was just that with multiple pics and timelines I ended up finishing it very quickly.
It's more mystery and at one point you will figure out what happened but still it didn't deter me from reading and the action in the end was totally worth it.

If Something Happens to Me is my second book read by Alex Finlay and my second chance to enjoy this author. Often, when I am on the fence about a popular author, I give them two books to wow me before I put them on the Do Not Read list. This is one of those instances where it worked in my favor. I enjoyed the book If Something Happens to Me, reading it in one go. The characters were interesting, and I enjoyed the multiple POV style. I did guess many plot points before they were revealed, but it didn't detract from my overall enjoyment. I give this book 4/5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to review If Something Happens to Me. All opinions are my own.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Alex Finlay for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for If Something Happens to Me coming out May 28, 2024. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I love Alex Finlay’s books, so I was really excited to receive this book. I enjoyed the different locations. One setting is close by, so that was cool to see some local places. The Italy setting was also fun. I loved the short chapters and it felt like the story was moving along quickly. I really wanted to love this book. Unfortunately, I wasn’t feeling really connected to the characters. I thought it would be more of a thriller with twists and turns. I liked it, but I wasn’t really surprised by the storyline. I didn’t care for the ending. I’ll definitely read other books by this author though.

Ryan has relived that awful night from his teen years many times including the blow to his head and Ali’s scream as she is taken. All fingers pointed to Ryan at the time, but with no evidence he walked free. He’s tried to keep that night in his past, even changing his name and carrying on with his life including being a law student.

A summer trip abroad with his law school friends brings the past to light when his father calls saying Ali’s car was recovered from the lake in his hometown. The remains of two people were inside, but neither of them is Ali. A note sealed in a baggie has survived the years underwater with the words “If something happens to me…”.

As if by chance when Ryan is in Europe, he spots the man he believes is responsible for the events of that evening including Ali’s disappearance. Ryan races to try to track down the truth of that night.

This novel by Alex Findlay did not disappoint. The story being told by many characters whose lives cross paths, only adds to the overall quality.

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press and Minotaur Books for allowing me to read an ARC of this book. #NetGalley #IfSomethingHappenstoMe