⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4 stars 🙌🏻
I was so excited to get this advanced reader copy from Netgalley- releasing on May 28th 2024.

This book was like a puzzle that you have piece together.. how do each of the POV’s tie in together?
Who took Ali and why?? Why didn’t they take Ryan?!

Trying to put the puzzle together mentally is the funnest part!
I didn’t want to put this book down and I’m so excited to get a copy for my shelves!

Synopsis:

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.

I enjoy the way Alex Finlay tells a story, and this one was no exception. There is masterful characterization here, such that no matter the circumstances or backstory, the characters seem relatable and fully believable. I had no idea where this one was going for the longest time (there's a BIG reveal about the parallel storylines that blew my mind when it dropped), but once I began to put the pieces together and revelations began to fall into place, I was even more engaged and curious to see how things would wrap up.

This was a very entertaining read, full of secrets and lies and revenge and trauma. It is tragedy in every sense of the word, and it was presented and paced beautifully.

If Something Happens to Me was a WILD ride. Right from the prologue I knew this was going to be a good one.

It’s been 5 years since Alison Taylor goes missing right before her boyfriend Ryan’s eyes. At this point in time Ryan has changed his name, and is living a new life after being accused of hurting Alison. Then there’s Poppy, who has just been discharged from the military, and she’s adjusting to her new life on the police force. First day on the job, Alison’s car from the night of the abduction is found in the local waters, but Alison is nowhere to be found. What proceeds to happen is a whirlwind of events.

There are so many characters in this story, but they all connect to each other in outrageous ways. This is one of those stories that leave you with a cliff hanger at the end of each chapter. There were so many parts to this story, but they intertwined seamlessly and really left me feeling shocked. The ending did wrap up pretty quickly in a way that I hoped would have needed up differently, but overall this was an excellent book. I’m looking forward to everyone enjoying it once it comes out on May 28th!

If Something Happens to Me was a solid four stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Thank you Net Galley, St Martins Press and Alex Finlay for the ARC. These are my honest opinions.

Mobsters and hiding out and small town cops. What’s not to like?! I really enjoyed reading this book. I did not see some of the twists coming and that’s exactly what I like in a book! If I have a few places where my jaw, literally, falls open, I’m hooked! And that happened at least two times while reading this book.

I liked the wrap up of each character at the end (except, I was rooting for one who left me disappointed- and that’s all I’ll say about that)

If you like thrillers, you’ll like this one!

Wow! This is the first Alex Finlay book that I have read and can confidently say that it won’t be the last for me. I loved this book! I was invested in Ryan and Ali’s story from the start, and knew nothing would be as it seemed and it would be a wild ride. The characters were so well written, and I loved how their stories all connected together. There were so many “aha!”moments and shocking twists and turns. This is one of those books that will leave you saying “ok just one more quick chapter” and before you know it it’s 1 am and you just can’t put it down. Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books for the ARC.

Thank you to Netgalley and Alex Finlay for this e-ARC.

This was a fast paced mystery/thriller. We find out about halfway through the book what happened to the missing Alison Lane. I do wish they waited a bit longer to divulge that information but it didn't really take away from my enjoyment of the story. There was still a lot of suspense and questions that needed to be answered.

Overall, a very good read. I'd recommend it to others.

I loved reading how Ali & Ryan’s story unfolded! The hints of romance are a beautiful addition, but the electrifying fast-paced thrill and mystery is what keeps you on the edge of your seat and turning the page from beginning to end.

If Something Happens To Me is fast-paced and has super quick chapters, which I LOVE! Chapters that take only a few minutes to read make a book more interesting to me. Throw in that there were three POVs, it made the book hard to put down because you wanted to know what happened to the next person!

This is my top thriller of 2024 & I will be recommending it to everyone!
Thank you NetGalley, Minotaur Books, and Alex Finlay for this ARC of If Something Happens To Me.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for my ARC of If Something Happens to Me!

This book was not at all what I was expecting! Alex Finlay delivers a fast paced, edge of your seat thriller with this book!

Personally I had a hard time connecting to a lot of the characters since there were so many in such a short novel, however the twists and pacing kept me intrigued! Solid 3.5 stars!!

BOOK REPORT
Received a complimentary copy of If Something Happens to Me by Alex Finlay from St. Martin's Press|Minotaur Books/NetGalley, for which I am appreciative, in exchange for a fair and honest review. Scroll past the BOOK REPORT section for a cut-and-paste of the DESCRIPTION of it from them if you want to read my thoughts on the book in the context of that summary.

This was a fun read, and I would absolutely love it if it were the first in a Poppy McGee series.

That said, don’t go in expecting anything too outside of the ordinary vis a vis crime thrillers. It was eminently predictable in some respects (no spoilers here!), but that’s OK, because it was well done.

And some parts of it were even believable.

Could definitely see it as a streaming series. Also in the definitely category–read more by this author.

DESCRIPTION
From “one of the genre’s most exciting voices” (E! News) comes one of the year’s most-anticipated thrillers.

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.

In classic Alex Finlay form, If Something Happens to Me is told by several distinct, compelling characters whose paths intersect, detonating into a story of twist after pulse-pounding twist. The novel cements Finlay as one of the leading thriller writers today.

This was such a good thriller. It was fast paced, had short chapters, and pulled you in immediately. I did not want to put this book down, it was so addicting. The story is told in multiple POVs and it takes a little bit to see how they all connect but when it was revealed, my mind was blown. I had no clue this was going to have so many twists. You really never know what is going to happen next and when everything comes together 🤯 I found it easy to follow, even among the multiple POVs, it really kept me engaged and on the edge of my seat. This was a really fun, enthralling, action packed thriller that will have you second guessing everything. If you're looking for a thriller to leave your jaw on the ground and twists coming from every which way, I highly recommend this one!

Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6059225791

Alex Finlay has become a favorite thriller writer and auto-read for me. When the opportunity came to review If Something Happens To Me, I could hardly wait to start the book. Finlay writes well and tells compelling tales, and this novel is no exception.

However, a caveat. This story seems to be written for the big screen, not for a read-a-holic like me to relax with on the couch with a cup of coffee. The novel tells multiple stories, in as many points of view, for the first fifty percent of the book. The book description tells us who the central protagonist might be, but we need to read the first half of the story to discover how the other numerous characters, settings, and points of view are connected. Once established, the overarching plot becomes clearer, but the chapters among the other characters continue. In the end, all the plot threads come together to form a satisfactory conclusion.

Although Finlay is an excellent writer and storyteller, the construction of this book can be challenging to follow. For this reason, this reviewer rated the book four stars instead of five. However, Alex Finlay continues to be an author to watch on this reviewer's favorites list, and I look forward to reading his next book.

Many thanks to NetGalley and St Martin's Press for providing an advance copy of this book to read and review. This review will post to Bayside Book Reviews at https://baysidebookreviews.com and its Instagram page on release day. Follow us! *NetGalley Top Reviewer*

This was a suspenseful, yet easy and fun read! The ending tied everything together with a big red bow which I appreciated. Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the advanced copy! One of the most enjoyable reads of the year so far. Publication date May 28, 2024.

Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

"If Anything Happens to Me" by Alex Finlay is a pulse-pounding thriller that plunges you into a whirlwind of suspense and intrigue. The narrative revolves around three primary narrators whose lives intertwine in unexpected ways, leading to a thrilling and gripping tale. The book follows 3 different perspectives as well as 2 different timelines that kept this book engaging and thrilling throughout as different threads of the story were weaved together. This book is filled with suspense and revenge, a perfect combination for a thriller.

Ryan Richardson, haunted by accusations surrounding his girlfriend's disappearance, finds himself drawn back into the mystery while on a trip to Italy. His quest for truth intersects with the efforts of Poppy McGee, a young deputy sheriff in his hometown, who stumbles upon a submerged vehicle in Suncatcher Lake, setting off a chain of events that unravel long-hidden secrets. Meanwhile, Shane O'Leary, leader of Philadelphia's mob families, adds another layer of complexity to the narrative as his son Anthony navigates challenges in a new academy, unaware of the danger lurking in the shadows.

The story is propelled by short, action-packed chapters that maintain a breakneck pace, keeping readers on the edge of their seats. Despite the over-the-top plot, Finlay successfully brings together multiple storylines, creating a seamless tapestry of mystery and suspense. Poppy was definitely my favorite character as her determination to untangle the web of deceit added a layer of freshness to the narrative; I also liked the idea of a woman deputy chief working in a small town, which I wish was an aspect that was explored a bit more. I also really enjoyed the mob boss perspective; Ryan’s perspective was the only one that didn’t grip me as much and the one that I didn’t find as engaging or unique.

While seasoned thriller readers may decipher the connections early on, the relentless twists and turns ensure that the journey remains unpredictable and exhilarating. I did find the twist to be a bit predictable once I figured out one key detail pretty early in the book, but I still wanted to know what was going to happen next. The ending wrapped everything up nicely, leaving me completely satisfied after finishing.

Overall, "If Anything Happens to Me" is a compulsively readable thriller that excels in delivering suspense, action, and unexpected twists. Finlay's return to form will leave eagerly waiting for more from Finlay.

I recently read If Something Happens to Me by Alex Finlay. This is the story of several people and how their lives are connected. Everything revolves around a terrible night five years ago. Ryan and Ali are on a date, when they go to park in a remote area they are attacked. Ryan is ripped from the car and hit over the head. When he is lucid, he finds that not only is Ali missing but so is the car. Ryan becomes encircled in a cloud of suspicion. Now, in the present day, people have moved on. Ryan has changed his name and is in law school at Georgetown. While on a group trip in Italy, he sees the man who attacked him and Ali. Around the same time, Ali's car is finally found at the bottom of a lake in their hometown. Ali isn't in the car but instead are the bodies of two unidentified men.

This wide and varied story comes together smoothly and easily. It features short chapters, encouraging reading "just one more section." This makes for a quick read. The book features several major twists, leading to a satisfying end. An entertaining novel, Finlay's best so far.

Many thanks to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the advanced copy and fun ride.

Yes! So happy I gave Alex Finlay’s If Something Happens to Me a read! It was exactly the fast-moving thriller that I needed to get me out of my reading slump.
This novel, which follows many three different point of views, (MANY different characters - at times hard to keep up, but I got it) is fast-moving as we
If Something Happens to Me is about the aftermath of teenagers Ryan and Ali’s attack at the local park. Ali is nowhere to be found. Was Ryan the killer?
Super engaging and awesome. I also LOVED the character, Poppy (the new police detective).. What a strong female character.
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for sending me an ARC of If Something Happens to Me in exchange for an honest review.

What a tangled web of events we all weave in our lives and this books was no different. I was immediately intrigued by the opening. A girl gets kidnapped and years later she may possibly be alive while so many other things have happened. I liked the short chapters, character building, and overall speed and pace of this book. This is the second book I've read by Alex Finlay and I really enjoyed it.

Thanks to NetGalley and St Martin's Press for an ARC of this novel!

This was one of the better thrillers I’ve read in some time. It had a couple of big twists that I didn’t see coming and ended on a good note. Bonus points for the short chapters!

I really enjoyed If Something Happens to Me! It's full of suspense, mystery and characters that keep you interested. I did find the different points of view a little confusing, but it does eventually all make sense. Definitely recommend for a book you won't want to put down!

Thank you to net galley for the arc in exchange of an honest review.

3.5 rounded up.
This was a fun read, and would make for an entertaining TV show or film! The first half was a bit slow - perhaps because I predicted Alison’s “true” identity and was waiting for that reveal - and really picked up towards the end. All the different settings added a lot of interest for me as well!
Poppy’s romance storyline seemed a little forced, almost to check a box? But she was an endearing character.
I appreciated the epilogue. It was satisfying to get a glimpse of the characters’ current lives and futures: imperfect yet hopeful.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review. I am a fan of Alex Finlay’s writing and was excited to read the newest early and it doesn’t disappoint. A girl abducted and never found, the boyfriend left for dead. But Ryan Richardson is very much alive, and while the case has been closed with Allison’s presumptive murderer (sheriff says she’s dead, she’s dead, right?) having been identified, Ryan has tried to make a new life for himself with a new last name. He’s not in Kansas any more, but it seems some people still aren’t convinced he didn’t do it. Is it vindication or a death sentence when he is located by the person he thought he saw on the night of the abduction?

Also, the book gives us a great early scenario of two people casually tossing a dead body off of a boat. Is this related? I wondered if my download was corrupted, but I kept reading and reading and it was 2 AM and thank god I was on vacation so I could get some sleep and get back to it on the beach the next morning!

This is a page turner. It is a rollercoaster. It is not the crime novel of the decade, but it is a really engrossing read. It has a couple of technical flaws that the author could have taken more time with, but literary license gives the book more dimension.