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!

A man’s traumatic past comes back to life in a twisted and terrifying turn of events.

Ryan Richardson is tormented by the most harrowing night of his life—his girlfriend, Ali, vanishing with a scream as a car door is violently wrenched open, followed by a blow to his head that renders him unconscious. For five years, suspicion of his involvement has lingered in true-crime circles. Now living under a new name and far from small-town Kansas, Ryan is stunned when Ali’s car is found submerged in a local lake, containing two dead men and a cryptic note from Ali:

“If something happens to me…”

Ryan is shocked when he comes face-to-face with the man he saw that fateful night, an encounter that sends him spiraling down unexpected paths to uncover the truth. From the picturesque landscapes of Tuscany, to a rural village in the UK, to the bustling streets of to Paris, Ryan embarks on a desperate search for answers. Meanwhile, back in Kansas, a tenacious sheriff’s deputy is piecing together clues of her own.

Finlay masterfully unravels the story through multiple perspectives, revealing how a mobster’s thirst for vengeance triggers a cascade of tragic events, leaving a wake of destruction and despair. Each twist and turn heightens the suspense and keeps the reader riveted throughout. This layered cat-and-mouse thriller delves into themes of loss, trauma, and redemption, and is sure to captivate new and avid readers of Finlay’s work.

I CRUSHED this audiobook. One of the most riveting page turners I've ever read. I will definitely go back and check out older books by Finlay and will patiently wait for the next book he writes.

With multiple POVs and timelines, it took me a second to get into this one, but once I did, I flew through it!! I loved how everything and all of the characters fit back together as the story progressed. Plus, this one has a bit of romance, too!

I recently listened to the audiobook of IF SOMETHING HAPPENS TO ME by Alex Finlay, and it was a fantastic experience! The multicast narration really brought the story to life, making it easy to follow the multiple points of view. The fast-paced plot, well-developed characters, and intricately woven timelines kept me hooked from start to finish. The story moves from Kansas to Italy and includes a gripping mix of kidnapping and organized crime. Overall, it was an enjoyable thrill!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This was an original mystery that is a perfect summer teen read. You get to learn a lot through the various perspectives of the characters. I didn't realize that it was two timelines at the beginning until mid way through. This added to the suspense of the story. While some parts of it were slightly predictable there were still plenty of surprises. There were also moments that seems unbelievable but in the most fun way. I liked the connects that were made, how characters where dynamic and that I was surprised by the ending.

Thank you so much to @macmillan.audio and @netgalley for the ALC!

🔹 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!

🎧 𝙉𝙖𝙧𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 🎧
This group of narrators did a great job bringing to life the various characters of this book! Helen’s narration of Poppy was great; she was a tough young lady sorting through her first case on the job. She made the story flow very well. The two male narrators brought Ryan, and the other male characters to life well. Ryan’s story had depth and vulnerability, as he was still dealing with what happened 5 years ago.

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

I think this book echos sentiments of how I felt about the last couple of his novels, that there was just something a little off for me. The premise was really promising to me, and I had high hopes but overall I think the way the pov was split just did not land.
With that said the book was fine, just not my favorite he has written by any means