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3.66 AVERAGE
3.66 AVERAGE
๐๐ข๐ญ๐ฅ๐: ๐๐ ๐๐จ๐ฆ๐๐ญ๐ก๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐๐ฉ๐ฉ๐๐ง๐ฌ ๐๐จ ๐๐
๐๐ฎ๐ญ๐ก๐จ๐ซ: ๐๐ฅ๐๐ฑ ๐
๐ข๐ง๐ฅ๐๐ฒ
๐๐ฐ๐ณ๐ฎ๐ข๐ต: ๐ง
โญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธ /5
After several romances in a row, I was due for a good thriller! I havenโt read any other Alex Finlay novels, so I was excited to dive it.
Right from the first couple minutes of the audio starting, I was drawn right in. This was an intense thriller, with crime family vibes, that spanned multiple perspectives and continents, but still managed to come together beautifully.
I will definitely be reading more from Alex Finlay in the future.
Thank you @macmillan.audio for the gifted ALC in exchange for my honest review.
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
If Something Happens to Me by Alex Finlay
Release Date: 5/28/24
Format: ebook/audiobook hybrid
Rating: Definitely recommend!
Before I even talk about this book can I just say I googled Alex Finlay to see if they were male or female out of curiosity (male) and found out he is a well known DC lawyer who has argued 40+ cases in front of the US Supreme Court? How do you find the time to write books my dude? Not sure why but that is just wild to me!!
Anyway, I thought this book was great! I love when a book throws me a Philly setting. I also love a thriller that leaves you guessing. I especially love a book with short chapters and strong family themes. If Something Happens To Me definitely has all of that and more! There is a lot of backstory and rich history that is built up and revealed in a way that lended itself to great character development.
I did listen to this book more than I eyeball read it and I will say the sheer amount of characters was a bit confusing in audio format to me. There is a lot to keep track of in this book. Because of this, I do think Iโd recommend reading it in digital or print format vs. audio!
Another fab book by Alex Finlay, and honestly maybe my favorite by him yet!
Release Date: 5/28/24
Format: ebook/audiobook hybrid
Rating: Definitely recommend!
Before I even talk about this book can I just say I googled Alex Finlay to see if they were male or female out of curiosity (male) and found out he is a well known DC lawyer who has argued 40+ cases in front of the US Supreme Court? How do you find the time to write books my dude? Not sure why but that is just wild to me!!
Anyway, I thought this book was great! I love when a book throws me a Philly setting. I also love a thriller that leaves you guessing. I especially love a book with short chapters and strong family themes. If Something Happens To Me definitely has all of that and more! There is a lot of backstory and rich history that is built up and revealed in a way that lended itself to great character development.
I did listen to this book more than I eyeball read it and I will say the sheer amount of characters was a bit confusing in audio format to me. There is a lot to keep track of in this book. Because of this, I do think Iโd recommend reading it in digital or print format vs. audio!
Another fab book by Alex Finlay, and honestly maybe my favorite by him yet!
This one just didn't click for me. I've wanted to read something by Alex Finlay for awhile and was so excited to get an ARC audiobook copy from NetGalley. The book reads incredibly fast which is a perk, but I found it predictable and fairly forgettable. If you are looking for a quick read that you can digest and move on from, this one is great for that!
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Another freaking great listen for me! The plot of the story is told so well that you're immersed into it right from the start. The multiple POV seems like it wouldn't all go together as the settings of the story are in Kansas, Pennsylvania, Italy and France, but as you go along with the plot it all starts to come together and make total sense. I liked the mystery of it, like what actually happened to Ali? Why do they think Ryan murdered her? Alex Finlay really knows how to do a twist and I plan to read/listen to more of his books.
Thank you to Minotaur Books, SMP Influencer Program and NetGalley for the ARC.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio Influencer Program for the ALC.
Thank you to Minotaur Books, SMP Influencer Program and NetGalley for the ARC.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio Influencer Program for the ALC.
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I really enjoyed this fast-paced thriller with multiple POVs, and lots of twists and mysteries. It took me a bit to get everyone clear in my head because there are quite a few POV characters which can be confusing on audio. I liked that they had a full cast though, and used multiple narrators.
Trying to work out how everyone related to each other, and what had happened to Amy was fun, and the book's a quick read so any frustrations I had were quickly solved.
This was my first Alex Finlay book but I doubt it'll be my last.
Thanks to Macmillan Audio for the ALC
Trying to work out how everyone related to each other, and what had happened to Amy was fun, and the book's a quick read so any frustrations I had were quickly solved.
This was my first Alex Finlay book but I doubt it'll be my last.
Thanks to Macmillan Audio for the ALC
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Really really enjoyed this one! Iโve read two other Finlay books and this was my favorite by far. I didnโt see the twists coming, unlike The Night Shift, and it held my attention from the first page.
The three different POVs, with one seemingly not connected was a great touch!
The three different POVs, with one seemingly not connected was a great touch!
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Title: If Something Happens to Me
Author: Alex Finlay
Genre: Thriller
Rating: 3.00
Pub Date: May 28, 2024
I received complimentary eARC and ALC from Minotaur Books, a division of St. Martin's Press, and Macmillan Audio via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. #Gifted
T H R E E โข W O R D S
Twisty โข Complex โข Cinematic
๐ S Y N O P S I S
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 Aliโs 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, heโs never charged, though that doesnโt 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 Aliโs handwriting: If something happens to meโฆ
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 sheriffโs deputy in Kansas working her first case, and a mobster in Philadelphia whoโs experienced tragedy of his own.
๐ญ T H O U G H T S
I cannot recall exactly what prompted me to request Alex Finlay's upcoming release, If Something Happens to Me on NetGalley. Yet, here I am having read my first from this author and not exactly sure how I am feeling.
Told through several distinct voices and spanning continents, I was kept on my toes through short chapters with cliffhanger endings. The pacing was what I'd expect from a popcorn thriller. However, there is a lot going on, and I definitely needed to keep up with the digital copy in order to keep track of people, places and time periods. The cryptic note was a buzz word for me, however, it played a minimal part of the plot. This was disappointing because I felt misled.
The audiobook is very well done. With a multi-cast narration, each voice is distinct enough to differentiate between the various characters. I did have a bit of an issue keeping track of time and place, which I rectified by tandem reading with the ebook.
It is safe to say that thrillers have not been working for me recently and the same can be said for If Something Happens to Me. At times, I was confused and drawn out of the story. I think it was more of a me issue; it was quite possibly a mistake to pick up a thriller when trying to get out of a slump. While it didn't work for me, I could easily see this one being turned into a movie and think it will be a hit with thriller readers this summer.
๐ R E A D โข I F โข Y O U โข L I K E
โข fast paced thrillers
โข short chapters
โข plots spanning multiple continents
โ ๏ธ CW: death, child death, murder, suicide, torture, gun violence, violence, self-harm, bullying, terminal illness, kidnapping, drug use, overdose, cursing
Author: Alex Finlay
Genre: Thriller
Rating: 3.00
Pub Date: May 28, 2024
I received complimentary eARC and ALC from Minotaur Books, a division of St. Martin's Press, and Macmillan Audio via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. #Gifted
T H R E E โข W O R D S
Twisty โข Complex โข Cinematic
๐ S Y N O P S I S
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 Aliโs 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, heโs never charged, though that doesnโt 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 Aliโs handwriting: If something happens to meโฆ
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 sheriffโs deputy in Kansas working her first case, and a mobster in Philadelphia whoโs experienced tragedy of his own.
๐ญ T H O U G H T S
I cannot recall exactly what prompted me to request Alex Finlay's upcoming release, If Something Happens to Me on NetGalley. Yet, here I am having read my first from this author and not exactly sure how I am feeling.
Told through several distinct voices and spanning continents, I was kept on my toes through short chapters with cliffhanger endings. The pacing was what I'd expect from a popcorn thriller. However, there is a lot going on, and I definitely needed to keep up with the digital copy in order to keep track of people, places and time periods. The cryptic note was a buzz word for me, however, it played a minimal part of the plot. This was disappointing because I felt misled.
The audiobook is very well done. With a multi-cast narration, each voice is distinct enough to differentiate between the various characters. I did have a bit of an issue keeping track of time and place, which I rectified by tandem reading with the ebook.
It is safe to say that thrillers have not been working for me recently and the same can be said for If Something Happens to Me. At times, I was confused and drawn out of the story. I think it was more of a me issue; it was quite possibly a mistake to pick up a thriller when trying to get out of a slump. While it didn't work for me, I could easily see this one being turned into a movie and think it will be a hit with thriller readers this summer.
๐ R E A D โข I F โข Y O U โข L I K E
โข fast paced thrillers
โข short chapters
โข plots spanning multiple continents
โ ๏ธ CW: death, child death, murder, suicide, torture, gun violence, violence, self-harm, bullying, terminal illness, kidnapping, drug use, overdose, cursing
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Gun violence, Torture, Violence, Kidnapping, Murder
Moderate: Bullying, Drug abuse, Drug use, Self harm, Suicide
Minor: Cursing, Terminal illness
overdose
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Another killer Alex Finlay novel!
This multi-cast narration was intense and fast-paced, and definitely kept me on my toes. I really didn't anticipate any of the twists that were coming and found myself needing to know what was going to happen next!
The different narrators all did a wonderful job in personifying their characters, and the jumps around in the story were written in a way that really added to the story.
This multi-cast narration was intense and fast-paced, and definitely kept me on my toes. I really didn't anticipate any of the twists that were coming and found myself needing to know what was going to happen next!
The different narrators all did a wonderful job in personifying their characters, and the jumps around in the story were written in a way that really added to the story.