Member Reviews
This was an entertaining read, but lacked the suspenseful, thriller read I was expecting. There were some twists but the book was very predictable so they lacked any punch. I did read through it really quickly, but wanted to be invested more in the characters and the outcome. The narrator did I fine job with the audio of this novel.
I loved all the twists and turns in If Something Happens to Me. There were definitely surprises throughout the book, which kept my attention. There were definitely several characters who personified the “good people who do bad things.” I really enjoyed these characters, so when karma paid a visit, I was devastated. I wasn’t the biggest fan of the ending - one main relationship was brushed over, with no explanation on why things ended the way it did.
The three narrators for the audio version did an excellent of keeping my attention throughout listening. The tone and pacing were appropriate and helped keep my attention while listening.
Mr first Alex Finlay book was a smash success; I couldn’t stop listening. This plot was so intricate, the characters were so complex and flushed out, and none of the turns were expected (for me at least).
The audio production was great - this story had every opportunity to be too hard to follow while listening. But the cast of characters and the constant reminders of which city we were in was immensely helpful in keeping all the details and storylines straight.
I will say, I was not a huge fan of how the friends/high schoolers were written. They were supposed to be older but acted very childish, this wasn’t a huge factor to the negative but it did briefly take me out of the story. Just as the nickname for one of the characters (Pinky Man) also really started to grate on me after a while. This seemed a little childish to me as well, and almost funny, which didn’t match the tone of the rest of the book. But these are small things I got over quickly.
My jaw *dropped* at the end of part one. And I absolutely loved who flawlessly pieces slowly (and sometimes abruptly) fell into place. It was brilliant. I REALLY enjoyed the ending, it tumbled downhill quickly and tied most everything together, but I did feel myself asking a few more questions and being left wanting a bit more of the “after” of some of the characters.
I loved If Something Happens to Me by Alex Finlay. I was fortunate enough to receive both the written & audio ARCs of this book & I alternated between the two. I love the dual timeline, multiple POV, & fast pace of this title. This one kept me on my toes & I loved the narration. You definitely want to check this one out!
Thank you NetGalley & Macmillan Audio for an ARC copy of this title.
A twisty dual timeline, multiple POV thriller that had a LOT going on but was fast paced and incredibly entertaining. I think this latest is one of my favorite by the author and was also great on audio narrated by Helen Laser. Recommended if you want an easy to read book for the summertime! Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and audio copy in exchange for my honest review!!
IF SOMETHING HAPPENS TO ME is a fast paced crime thriller. I really enjoyed this story. There's a lot going on, so it will keep you on your toes the entire time. If you decide to listen to the audiobook make sure to pay close attention because there are a lot of characters to keep track of in this book. Otherwise, I found this to be a great story and I can highly recommend adding it to your reading list!
Many thanks to Macmillian Audio and NetGalley for my gifted ALC.
This review will be shared to my Instagram account (@coffee.break.book.reviews) closer to pub date.
I will start by saying thank you Netgalley for this advanced release. Also want to say the audio for this book was great - the voices fit the characters perfectly and kept me engaged in the storyline. Unfortunately though, the storyline itself was a miss for me. It included multi POV, and SO MANY characters. I enjoyed trying to tie them all together and see how their stories connected, but when it did tie together, there was no wow factor. It was exhausting trying to keep up with all of them, and the ending really just fell flat.
Loved this captivating thriller!
Ali and Ryan were head over heels for one another. Two high school sweethearts parked alone one night when tragedy strikes. Ali and her car both gone. All Ryan remembers from that night is a flash image of a man missing both pinky fingers. Years later when Ali's car is recovered, Deputy Poppy McGee is assigned to the case. As evidence unfolds, the answer to this mystery may lie much closer to home than Poppy expects!
Thanks to netgalley and MacMillan audio for the ARC audiobook!
Narration was 5 stars! Enjoyed that there were multiple narrators as it helps for ease of following the story.
I loved the characters, especially Poppy! The unfolding of this storyline kept me fully engaged throughout!
Alex Finlay always does a great job at hooking a reader immediately with his storylines. If something happens to me had me wanting to keep reading to find out how everything would tie together in the end. I really enjoyed the multiple perspectives, but I will say, I was a bit confused with who everyone was until the end. There were the main characters that were easiest to pick out. I was also excited to see Finlay include another female lead in the police force. As a woman, I truly appreciate the hardworking fictional characters in his books that always find a way to win in the end. I still haven't found an Alex Finlay book that will ever replace the night shift, but I will say that this one is very bingeable and will be great to read over the summer at the beach or the pool!
1.5 stars, rounded up. I know I'm in the minority here, but I just couldn't get into If Something Happens to Me. I'm an avid audiobook listener and I had the hardest time staying focused with this one. I will say that I enjoyed the short chapters and there were a lot of cliff hangers. I can see how some people had a great time. Unfortunately, Alex Finlay's writing style doesn't mesh with my taste.
Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this ARC.
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 shakes his life upside down and takes him down a path to find out the truth and
This book was a 4.5 (rounding up to a 5) star for me. A fast past thriller that will make you want to binge and leave you doing a double take.
The multiple POV allowed for character building quickly. I thought the twists were phenomenal. I honestly felt my brain do a flip, trying to comprehend what he threw at the reader.
Thank you Net Galley for this ARC. This book arrives on shelves May 28,2024.
I loved this book.
This is a book that will make you fall in love with reading. The storytelling was masterful. I’m on a book-high. I can’t stop smiling because I loved this book so much.
I started it this morning and finished it hours later. It was phenomenal. The twists, turns and layers were wonderfully executed.
The narrators did an incredible job with all the characters (there were many but zero confusion about whose perspective I was listening to).
I didn't dislike this, but I didn't love it. I found it a bit confusing with all the name changes and the mob plot wasn't my favorite. Had I known this going in, I probably would have passed on this book.
I received an advance audio copy. All thoughts are my own.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.
In the world of contemporary thrillers, Alex Finlay’s “If Something Happens to Me” emerges as a formidable force, gripping listeners with a narrative that is as intricate as it is relentless. The audiobook format adds a layer of intensity to the experience, with the narrators bringing to life the complex characters and the palpable suspense that Finlay is renowned for.
The story unfolds through the eyes of Ryan Richardson, a man haunted by the disappearance of his girlfriend, Ali, five years prior. The mystery deepens when Ali’s car is discovered with a cryptic note and two deceased men, catapulting Ryan on a transcontinental quest for truth that spans from the rolling hills of Tuscany to the glittering streets of Paris.
Finlay’s mastery in weaving multiple perspectives is evident, as the narrative threads between Ryan’s harrowing journey and a young sheriff’s deputy in Kansas working her first case. The addition of a Philadelphia mobster with his own tragic past enriches the tapestry of the story, creating a multidimensional exploration of family, devotion, and revenge.
The audiobook’s production is stellar, with each character’s voice distinct and full of depth, enhancing the already vivid storytelling. The pacing is unyielding, ensuring that listeners are on the edge of their seats, eager to unravel the next twist. The experience is akin to a high-stakes chase, where each revelation is a piece of a puzzle that demands to be solved.
“If Something Happens to Me” is a testament to the genre, showcasing Finlay’s ability to craft a tale that is both smart and unpredictable. It’s a story that resonates with the fear of loss and the lengths one will go to uncover the truth. For those who seek a thriller that not only entertains but also challenges, this audiobook is a resounding triumph.
Interesting story. Was nice to see it all come together at the end. Didn’t leave me wondering.
I would recommend it.
I really enjoyed listening to this book!! I loved the full cast of narrators.
From the beginning I was hooked and had to know what happened. I thought having multiple POVs for this book was perfect and really helped explain what happened in the past. I thought Alex did a great job of making me feel connected to all the characters. The way he intertwined and connected all of the characters lives was perfect. I did find myself getting confused and lost in the end of the story. There were a few storylines that has me feeling lost and that is the reason this not a five star read for me.
I would definitely recommend this book, especially if you love a story with a gripping plot and multiple twists!
This may have been the fastest I've finished an audiobook ever. It took me less than 24 hours to read/listen.
It is told from multiple point of views, well that isn't exactly right. A better explanation is there multiple stories taking place with distinct voices and locations. There is a lot going on in the book, the first few chapters were kind of confusing but it doesn't take long at all for the pieces to start falling together. There were lots of unpredictable twist. I will admit, you do have to suspend your belief for some of it because there is no way most of this could happen so smoothly in real life.
Obviously, I loved this book! It is my 4th Alex Finlay book I've read and this one is my favorite. He has a distinct style of writing that I can't remember reading before from another author. Highly recommend. Thank you Netgalley & the publisher for this ARC. These are my honest opinions.
Thank you @minotaur_books @macmillan.audio #partner for the free copy of this ebook and audiobook!
Alex Finlay always delivers such a solid edge of your seat thriller and this one is no exception! In this story we follow Ryan who has experienced a very traumatic event that left him with a severe blow to the head and a spotty memory with his girlfriend Ali disappearing into thin air. Because her body and car were never found Ryan was never charged however suspicion always follows him since he was the last to see her. When he’s traveling abroad he gets a life changing phone call. Her car has been found…with two dead me a mysterious letter written by Ali: If something happens to me….
In a fast paced thriller crossing different parts of the world, each character paths collide resulting in an explosive ending! I absolutely love this action packed, tense entertaining story. I was easily able to connect with each character and love how Alex writes from each POV. I love that we got to tour the world in this book and I was so surprised at how it all fit together like a puzzle in the end. The ending wasn’t completely believable however, that’s what I loved about it! Alex Finlay will continue to easily be an autobuy for me and as always I look forward to his next book!
Alex Finley does it again! This was a great story that was original and had a great twist about halfway through. I really liked the narrator of this audiobook - I felt engaged and couldn’t stop listening. Overall I’d recommend to any other Alex Finley fans!
2.5 Stars
I...uh. Have no idea wtf really went on in this story. There was a ton of characters, too many in my opinion for a thriller. The story takes place in 4 different cities and from 4 different POV's and it made it hard to keep up with.
I felt like it lacked some detail and was a little far fetched, the ending was a bit rushed.
I may have very well liked this more and kept up better if I read it on kindle and not listed to the audiobook while multitasking - but that's no excuse for the issues that I had. I feel like anything you read on kindle you should be able to listen to on audio - unless it's a narrator issue and that wasn't a problem here.
I'm a little disappointed considering I've seen such high ratings in my feed. Oh well, on to the next one.
Many Thanks to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio and Alex Finlay for the complementary audio advanced copy in exchange for my honest review 💐💖