So brilliant and fast-paced and quite an original story! Finlay Donovan is a mother who's horrible ex decided to leave her and her children for their real-estate agent. She is also a wrier and is having a hard time coming up with a new story. And she's having a hard time paying her bills. When a strange job opportunity falls in her lap, Finlay has a new idea for a story. She just has to manage to stay out of jail and keep custody of her kids!


*Thanks to NeGalley for the e-book galley! Enjoyed this book immensely. So glad it's going to be a series!*

“It’s a widely known fact that most moms are ready to kill someone by eight thirty A.M. on any given morning....let me spell it out for you. I was ready to kill someone. I didn’t really care who.”

Thank you to Netgalley, Minotaur Books and Elle Cosimano for the [gifted] e-ARC of Finlay Donovan is Killing It! And thank you to @lovearctually for hosting this buddy read and author chat with Elle!

Finlay is a struggling single mom who is just trying to raise her two young children, write her next contracted novel and pay off all her outstanding bills. Her jerk of an ex-husband just fired their nanny and is threatening to sue for full-custody. Basically, Finlay is ready to kill someone… figuratively.

After misunderstanding a conversation Finlay has with her book editor at a Panera, a woman assuming Finlay is a contract killer and offers her $50k to get rid of her husband. Finlay needs the money, but she’s no killer. But then again, $50k would solve ALL of her problems. It can’t hurt to check out this guy and see whether or not he’s actually bad… right???

I absolutely loved this book. It’s darkly funny and smart. If you’ve ever had a day where things just can’t seem to get worse but then do, well then you’ll relate to Finlay. I couldn’t wait to see what misadventures would happen next to Finlay and Vero and whether or not she would actually kill for money.

The best part about this book… It’s the first of a series!! I cannot wait for book 2 to come out after that OMG of a cliffhanger!

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Pub day post will be posted on 2/2/21.

This book has good writing but once I got to the kidnapping part it just lost my interest. I was expecting a totally different novel and did not finish. Thanks for the copy.

Just what the doctor ordered. Gutsy out of control divorced mom/struggling romance suspense author with her financial back up the proverbial wall when a conversation between her and her agent is overheard and misunderstood by another woman. The next thing you you, she's been offered $50k to off the eavesdropper'shusband. Mantic and frantic, this book is just piles of gun.

What a hoot and fun read this was! Finlay Donovan, a divorced 31-year-old struggling writer and mother of two, has trouble coming at her from all sides as she tries to make ends meet. She is dealing with unpaid bills that are mounting exponentially, facing writer’s block in working on her soon-due draft of her latest mystery novel (for which she has already received — and spent her advance), and and attempting to thwart her ex-husband and his fiancee’s attempt to get permanent custody of her children. Suddenly, she receives an offer that could alleviate her worries: $50,000 to do a hit job on a complete stranger.

What ensues is a madcap adventure involving Finlay, her “nanny” accomplice, a “hot” bartender/law student, and a very handsome detective that had me engaged throughout. This novel has lovable and engaging characters, as well as a deftly-plotted, fast-moving storyline that is sprinkled with laugh-out-loud humor, significant twists and turns, and wildly clever banter. Although I did have to have to employ a serious willing suspension of disbelief for some of the antics that took place and I found some of the romantic scenes to be somewhat trite, I thoroughly enjoyed this read! The ending suggests that a series may be in the offing, and I will definitely be looking forward to the second set of adventures for Finlay.

Finlay Donovan is not killing it at single mom life. Her son is sticky, her daughter's self-cut hair is being held on with duct tape, her life is just a mess. So when a woman in a Panera overhears her conversation with her book editor and assumes Finlay is a contract killer, you can only imagine the chaos that will ensue.

If this book isn't already on your radar, it needs to be NOW. Okay now that you've done that, let me continue with my rambling raving review of this book. This is exactly the kind of mystery we all need in our life. It's ridiculous, it's hilarious, it's verging on campy. Plus it's a book about a book AND the writing process. Can you get any better?

After Finlay is mistaken for a contract killer, the chain of events just keep snowballing faster and faster. Every time a new crazy thing happened to her (or, honestly, she brought upon herself) I was just sitting there with my eyes wide and laughter bubbling out. As her life begins to mimic her writing (or the other way around? who really knows), you desperately want to root for her even as she does questionable things.

I really want to leave you with as little of the plot as possible, but I can't end this without mentioning Vero, Finlay's fabulous partner in crime. She's part nanny, part accountant, part badass sidekick. I wouldn't mind a Vero in my life. She's always down for whatever insane deed comes next and she's the most encouraging woman you'll ever meet.

I don't want to give anything else away but if you're looking for some mystery, some laughs, some romance, and a whole lot of fun, read this book ASAP.

Romantic suspense author Finlay Donovan is in the middle of a hard stretch. Her ex-husband wants custody of their two children, the bills are piling up, and her latest book is completely stalled.

When she is discussing her book with her agent in the local Panera's, a woman overhears the discussion and thinks that she's a contract killer. She offers her $50,000 to get rid of her husband. Finlay thinks it is crazy. But...$50,000!

She decides to check out the husband and sees him doctoring his date's drink. She manages to switch drinks on him and dumps him in the back of her minivan when he passes out. She decides to return him to his wife. Only before she can, someone closes the garage door on the running van and the man dies.

Now, she's really stuck! Luckily, her babysitter comes along and offers to help her bury the body for 40% of the take. They choose an empty lot on her husband's sod farm. Things spiral from there...

Between the police investigation, conflicts with her ex and his new fiancé, another woman wanting her killer dead, and her agent's pressure to get her book turned in, Finlay is quickly in over her head.

This story had a great bunch of characters. It was amusing if highly unrealistic. It was fun to follow along as Finlay got in and out of all kinds of trouble.

Going into this book, I didn't know much about it, which I think made it even better.

Finlay is a divorced mom of two who is trying to get her act together as an author. She winds up on an improbable adventure that is laugh out loud funny, jaw dropping and mind blowing. Some antics are over the top but as long as you suspend belief and go with it, it's a remarkable ride.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and can't wait to read more from Elle Cosimano.

Thank you St Martin's Press and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Finlay is a divorced mother of two young children desperately trying to keep her head above water as the bills pile up and her ex husband pushes for custody. She’s at a Panera with her agent discussing her stalled writing career when a woman seated by them mistakes Finlay’s thriller writing conversation for an assassin for hire conversation. The woman wants to hire Finaly to take care of her terrible husband. And that begins Finlay’s career as a “hit man.” She her babysitter Vero become embroiled in dead bodies, a missing woman, a hot young bartender, a sexy cop, and the Russian mob. And it’s all great fun! This book reminded me for Janet Evanovich’s early Stephanie Plum books. There’s humor, suspense and romance all mixed together to create a light hearted and charming read.

This story was so fun to read. It had me laugh and gasp throughout. Finlay and Vero were both fun characters to follow along. I loved the relationship they developed with one another. The storyline was enjoyable to follow along and I was turning the pages with anticipation of what would happen next.
I definitely recommend this book to other readers.

If you’ve never had to wrestle a two-year-old slathered in maple syrup into a diaper while your four-year-old decides to give herself a haircut in time for preschool, all while trying to track down the whereabouts of your missing nanny as you sop up coffee grounds from an overflowing pot because in your sleep-deprived fog you forgot to put in the filter, let me spell it out for you.

I was ready to kill someone. I didn’t really care who.”
― Elle Cosimano, Finlay Donovan Is Killing It

This book is everything. It's got humor. It's got suspense. It's got mystery. I don't know that I've read too many laugh out loud worthy thrillers before, but I loved this one!

I adored our ladies Finlay and Vero. What a dynamic duo! They both had so much wit and sarcasm. I would love to see this turned into a movie because I can think of so many actresses I'd like to see in their roles. I'm all about books with women who can get it done and don't need a man to save them. Bonus points for Finlay being an author. Who wouldn't want a book about books and murder?!

The plot is HIGHLY unbelievable, but I wasn't bothered at all. There is no way this could ever happen but I don't care. Let me enjoy the fantasy here. It was hilarious trying to imagine myself in some of these situations.

The plot was also super twisty. I kept thinking "and the plot thickens" every few chapters. There were so many people involved and intertwined with each other it made it impossible for me to guess some of the turns. In the end, I was very satisfied.

Let’s just start by saying I loved this book and Finlay. I haven't read a laugh out loud book in a while, so this was a nice change of pace!

Finlay is a struggling single mother. She’s broke, she’s having difficulty writing her next book and she has to deal with her ex-husband who is engaged to the woman he cheated on her with. Finlay finds herself in some hilarious predicaments after she is overheard discussing her next book with her agent. She’s wrongfully hired as a hit man to kill a woman’s husband, an accountant who does some sketchy business on the side. Finlay desperately needs the money so her and her kids’ nanny, Vero, share some laugh out adventures.

This is a light, quick read full of adventure and mystery. It was such a fun ride! I highly recommend.

A huge thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.




St. Martin's Press
Minotaur Books

I absolutely LOVED this book!!!! Finlay is a single mom to 2 kiddos. Finlay is broke and her ex is a total jerk who is now engaged to the woman he cheated on her with. Finlay writes books and is way behind deadline turning in her next book that she has already received her advance for. Bills are piling up, her electricity is turned off, and she keeps having to ask her jerk of an ex-husband for money. When she meets her agent at Panera to discuss her book, a woman sitting close to them assumes they are discussing murder for hire and not a book idea! Things get crazy funny after the Panera meeting. Finlay along with Vero her kids nanny, have some of the most laugh out loud funny things happen to them as they try to negotiate the situations they find themselves in. I love the relationship between Finlay and Vero as they are true friends that are there for each other. I simply cannot wait for what I hope are many more books in this series following Finlay and Vero and their adventures! I received an advanced readers copy and all opinions are my own.

Elle Cosimano is Killing It! I loved this book and Finlay the main character. Her point of view kept me laughing. She is a likeable mother of two whose husband has just moved out to live with his pregnant girlfriend, who by the way, is the real estate agent that sold them their new more expensive house that Finlay didn't really want. Can you see the crazy dip her life has taken? Finlay's life reads like a comedy of errors. I enjoyed this author's voice. I will happily buy her next book.

I received an Advanced Reader's Copy from St Martin's Press through NetGalley. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.
#FinlayDonovanIsKillingIt #NetGalley

The first third of this book, I hated the main character. The second third, once I got to the mystery, she seemed to calm down and become tolerable. By the end of the book, I would have considered reading future books because of the secondary character. But the epilogue made me want to definitely read another book. If you like Janet Evanovich, you might like this book, but it has A LOT of similarities.

<i>Finlay Donovan is Killing It</i> is a delightful read--utterly ridiculous and equally fun, this is an easy read. Finlay Donovan is an author struggling to get on track. After a long-term affair, her husband left and has been a bitter thorn in Finlay's side. Now, Finlay is trying to juggle her two children, keeping house, and working enough to pay the bills on her own. It hasn't been going well.

At a meeting with her agent, an eavesdropper hears Finlay talking about her murder mysteries and takes the conversation as fact. She tries to hire Finlay to kill her husband, and wants to pay Finlay $50,000 to do the job. Absolute insanity ensues--none of it believable--but the kind of story that makes you not really care (picture a crazy soap opera plot that continues to build).

Finlay is joined in her accidental killing spree by her nanny-cum-business-manager, Vero. Vero is a spunky, saucy addition whose unconditional support of Finlay is great to read about. Vero epitomizes the kind of friend every woman deserves to have: protective, encouraging, non-competitive/nonjudgmental, and who always has your back.

While I read this book, I kept envisioning what a great move it would make. It also invites a sequel, which I would be excited to read! My only complaint (and the reason this is a 4.5 star instead of a 5) is that it got a little long and circuitous at points.

Highly recommend for a plane or a beach, or if you need a distraction from stress or misery. Thank you to the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Finlay Donovan is Killing It is a refreshing, laugh out loud read that deserves 5 stars.

The author had me at the dedication to her friends "....because I would bury a body with either of you"

Finn I would also bury a body with you and have a pint with you as well.

The pages flew by as you watched and waited for Finn and Vero to get themselves out this huge mess of supposedly being hired killers.

This is a must read and you will be smiling and laughing out loud

The ending was perfect, hoping Finn will return and entertain us one more time.

FInlay Donovan is Killing It will be a big hit. Mark your calendars. Can't wait to buy it for my daughter.

Thanks to NetGalley, St Martin's Press, Minotaur Books for an refreshing enjoyable read.

I was so excited that @netgalley allowed me to have an advanced ebook copy of this book for an honest review. So, let’s get started!

First off, this was such a delightful read! Usually you don’t say that for a book involving mystery and murder, but this one is a little bit different.

Finlay is a divorced mom of two small children going through a messy custody battle. She’s also a struggling author trying to write her next book in order to pay her bills, not lose her house, and keep her kids. She meets her editor in a Panera Bread one day, but has to disguise herself, because she had previously been banned from this Panera for life. During this meeting, she comes in contact with Patricia who leaves her with a note. Unbeknownst to her at the time, Patricia has just hired her to kill her husband for $50,000! Not only is Finlay up a creek as now being a hired contract killer, she now has inspiration for her new novel!

Finlay becomes involved in the mob, helping a police investigation, becoming acquainted with a bartender soon to be lawyer, all while trying not to get arrested and finish her novel.

I laughed in so many spots, but there were a lot of serious moment as well. Since this was the first adult novel written by @ellecosimano, it was very well rounded and enjoyable. There seems to be a cliffhanger as well, so I’m hoping she continues on with the story!

Put this on your TBR for 2021! This will be released in February 2021!

Thank you to @netgalley, @minotaur_books, and @ellecosimano for my gifted copy of Finlay Donovan is Killing It! You can grab this fantastic mystery for yourself on February 2nd.

Synopsis: Edgar-Award nominee Elle Cosimano’s adult debut Finlay Donovan Is Killing It is the first in a witty, fast-paced mystery series, following struggling suspense novelist and single mom Finlay Donovan, whose fiction treads dangerously close to the truth as she becomes tangled in real-life murder investigations...

Y’all, I got SUCKED into this book. Finlay and Vero, the two main women, are such strong characters and are SO much fun to root for. These women are two women that you want to be best friends with after reading about them. I read this with @lovearctually and got to chat with @ellecosimano, and after hearing about how she planned out their characters and wanted the book to have strong women supporting women, I loved it even more. And the bad guys, y’all...they were also extremely well-developed, and fun to dislike.

You can tell how well Cosimano has researched police procedures, evidence gathering, and all of the aspects of a great mystery. No stone is left unturned, and there are lots of twists and turns throughout the book to keep you guessing. I don’t want to say too much to risk spoilers, but this was a hard one to put down once you got into the book.

Watch out for the epilogue in this one, y’all. It’ll shock you, and leave you yearning for Cosimano’s next book. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

This was a fun book to read. It was a light, easy, quick read and very entertaining. The reader had to suspend belief a little bit, but I do not believe this was intended to be a gritty, hard-hitting novel about the Russian mob or professional hitmen. It was a book about a heroine who was easy to identify with and root for, despite all of the questionable decisions she makes throughout the book. Finlay was a great protagonist and I really enjoyed reading about her, including all of the problems with her ex-husband, job, love life, and mistaken identity. I would love to see more adventures with Finlay and Vero.