I have seen so many five star reviews of this book, but it just wasn’t for me. I like my thrillers grittier and this was more like a dark comedy. Finlay was not relatable to me at all but I did feel sorry for her, although I’m still not sure why she would let her ex-husband treat her as he did and still be nice to him. Also, most of the plot points were super unrealistic and while I know you have to suspend some disbelief with fiction, I tended to just roll my eyes every chapter. The book did end up growing on me towards the end and I loved the “twist,” which is obviously a lead-in to the second book. I don’t generally read series and thought this was a standalone so I doubt I will continue on when it is released.

This book was so much fun. Fast paced and unpredictable, just like the title character. I loved this writing style for a weekend easy-read, a great mixture of affable and sincere. The story grips you and keeps hold through the middle, and when you don't think it's possible, pulls you even further in towards the end. I've seen other reviewers mention that they would not make the same choices as Finlay, but that is what makes this book work. While they are not choices I think I would make, I can also see where a normal writer with a curiosity streak could get pulled into this mess. There are no huge leaps of faith, only laughter and head shaking at the brilliant, craziness of it all.

Finlay is relatable for anyone who has had to run through their day dressing themselves and the tiny people invading their home. She is funny, vindictive, lovable, and I would NOT want her life.

This book was a joy to read. The main character reminded me of Stephanie Plum in that regular gal finding herself in crazy situations surrounded by a terrific cast of supporting characters kind of way. There was even a hot cop! I will recommend this book to many of my patrons who enjoyed My Lovely Wife by Downing.

I had a really fun time with this one! As a thriller reader, my policy is usually ‘the darker the better’ but every now and then it’s nice to read a lighter, more fun mystery like this one. That’s not to say it doesn’t have its dark parts though!

I really liked the character of Finlay, a mystery writer who is overheard discussing the plot of her new book, and is mistaken for a hitman. She is hired to murder the woman’s husband in exchange for a large chunk of cash, so Finlay thinks why not give it a try! However, this all happens within the first 80 or so pages of the book and the rest of the story focuses on Finlay’s involvement in the murder case and watching the people close to her become suspects. She links up with a literal partner in crime, her kids’ babysitter Vero, who ended up being my favorite character in the book.

I’m not much of a series reader but I’m looking forward to continuing with Finlay.

Finlay Donovan Is Killing It begins with one of those mornings, Finlay is in a frenzied rush trying to make an appointment while her nanny is late and her kids are not cooperating, to say the least. She is in extremis, behind on her book deadlines, broke with unpaid bills piling up, and her ex-husband threatening to file for custody of the kids. She finally makes it to her appointment where she discusses her upcoming mystery with her agent. Their conversation is overheard and she finds a note with a phone number and an offer of $50,000. The woman who listened to their conversation thinks she is a contract killer.

Well, it is tempting…

Finlay decides to check it out, not that she seriously intends to kill someone, but events conspire against her. And by conspire, she meets a man who appeals to her six ways to Sunday while she is in disguise and, it seems, the key suspect in the disappearance of that man on the slip of paper.

Finlay Donovan Is Killing It is a fun thriller with a dash of romance, though I would argue that the more important relationship is Finlay’s friendship with Vero, her nanny. Vero becomes her “partner in crime,” so to speak. The story hangs together despite its unlikely premise. Even though Finlay and Vero are doing things most people would not do, they are appealing characters a reader can’t help but root for. I like them, I look forward to more stories with them and if this does not become a series, someone is missing out on a great opportunity.

I received an e-galley of Finlay Donovan Is Killing It from the publishers through NetGalley

Finlay Donovan Is Killing It at St. Martin’s Press | Macmillan
Elle Cosimano author site

What would you do if you were a frazzled mom of two young children, low on cash? Your philandering ex-husband is now married to the real estate agent. He is stingy on the money. You are afraid he is trying to take your children. You are very late on your book deadline. You meet to discuss your murder mystery with your agent at Panera's. How are you to know that the woman sitting next to you, eating her delicious warm Panera bread (I haven't had it in ages!), is mistaking your storyline for your own life? How was she to know you were not a hit woman? So again, what would you do?

Finlay is a wonderful character. She finds herself in some weird situations and somehow survives. With the help of her babysitter, she will take down and take on quite a few characters. You will root for her. You will enjoy yourself immensely. This is a fun read with a fast pace.

Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for a copy of this book.

Finlay Donovan is Killing It by Elle Cosimano is the 1st book in the Finlay Donovan series, and it was great. I loved this book! Finlay is an author who is propositioned by a lady to kill her husband, when she is overheard plotting her next book with her manager. This book made me laugh out loud, and the writing is so clever. I strongly recommend this book, you will not be disappointed. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Oh, Finlay, Finlay, Finlay. This book is such a comedy of errors, and not going to lie, I didn't love it at the start, but I absolutely loved where this story went. I have no clue if I read a book or streamed the first season of a hit Netflix show — total Dead to Me vibes!

Finlay Donovan is in a bit of a crisis. The crime thriller author is going through a divorce (he left her for the realtor) and is absolutely broke (totally indebted to the ex-husband). Her two kids, as messy and wild as they can be, are her life and her situation is threatening her custody rights. Until she is presented with a solution — one that quite possibly will get her killed or imprisoned, but would it be worth it?

I usually stay away with books labeled funny or mad-caper type because I rarely seem to find them humorous; but I decided to give this one a chance. Boy am I glad I did. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The writing is witty and well paced, the characters are believable, and the story is ridiculous - but seems to work somehow! I saw a lot of the twists coming but that didn't hurt my enjoyment at all. Through the whole book, I was either laughing or mentally saying 'no, Finlay, don't do it!' with the clap to the forehead emoji.

The best part? The last page makes it obvious there will be a sequel. Sign me up!!

Finally Donovan is Killing it was extremely funny, smart, and entertaining!

From the intro of this book until the very end, it was so much fun. The characters are engaging, and the plot was really creative.
Can’t wait to include this title in one of our book club subscription boxes!

Nothing is going right for Finlay Donovan. Her literary agent is on her back about finishing her novel--it's already past deadline--her ex-husband fired the nanny without a word to her, not to mention he is threatening to seek custody of their two young children, and she has a stack of bills she cannot pay.

While out for lunch with her literary agent, Finlay is mistaken for a contract killer when she is overheard by another customer sitting at a nearby table. The woman slips Finlay a note with a request that Finlay take care of the woman's no good husband for a price that would solve a lot of Finlay's problems. Only, Finlay is not a killer. She only writes about them.

Elle Cosimano's Finlay Donovan Is Killing It had me laughing right from the start. She is relatable and funny and I couldn't help but feel for her every step of the way. Even as she made questionable decision after questionable decision and things just seemed to snowball from there. Yes, this novel is out there and unbelievable, but it was still such fun to read. It reminded me the fun I had reading the early Stephanie Plum books by Janet Evanovich. Just as Stephanie was out of her league as a bounty hunter, so is Finlay as a hired killer. Of course, the difference being Finlay never set out to be any sort of killer.

Seeing how Finlay would get out of each mess she found herself in was part of the fun, and I could not read this book fast enough. The characters are well-developed and interesting, from the nanny, Vero, who is not only smart but sassy as well, the bartender, Julian, and the police officer Nick, to Finlay's sister and kids. I was not a fan of the ex or the new wife, but then, I imagine I wasn't supposed to be.

Adventure, mystery and comedy, with a hint of possible romance, make up Finlay Donovan is Killing It. I am so glad I took a chance on it.

This book was not at all what I expected. With so many mystery and suspense novels feeling like the same story over and over this book is so refreshing! Elle Cosimano did such a great job with her characters. I wanted to know more and had a hard time putting this book down.

The ending isn't necessarily a cliff hanger, but I would love if there were more books to make this a series. This would make such a great read for a vacation or flight.

3.5 stars for Finlay Donovan Is Killing It.

This was a fun (yet over-the-top) mystery which follows newly divorced Finlay, a struggling mystery novelist and mom of two.

When Finlay is overheard discussing her newest novel with her publisher, she’s inadvertently mistaken as a contract killer. The “client” won’t take no for an answer and Finlay soon gets herself (and her children’s nanny, Vero) mixed up in a crazy mystery of their own.

I enjoyed this book for the most part. Finlay is a funny, likeable character and I enjoyed the friendship and banter between her and Vero. The plot was a bit scattered with tons of side characters, yet I liked how everything fell into place at the end (I especially loved the cliffhanger in the epilogue). You do need to suspend belief while reading this because the plot is so improbable, but that’s what made this book so entertaining. I’ll definitely be picking up the next installment.

Thank you to Netgalley and Minotaur Books for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Wow, I LOVED this book! Finlay Donovan Is Killing It was the perfect blend of humor and smarts, with a unique plot and an incredibly lovable main character.

Before reading this I was envisioning it as some combination of a cozy mystery and perhaps an overly sentimental version of a Stephanie Plum type of novel. Was I ever pleasantly surprised. The story certainly has some elements of a cozy mystery (light tone, some moral limit to included criminal activity, colorful cast of locals/suspects).

And there’s a bit of that signature Janet Evanovich style as well (more subtle humor and less absurdity than a Stephanie Plum novel, and seemingly paradoxically, both less gauche and having a higher body count). I’m not sure I’d say they’re truly similar at all, but I’d wager they’ll attract largely the same audience.

I expected some pretty good humor, a likable protagonist, and a reasonably sanitized crime. I got all of those, and the story exceeded my expectations with its sense of humor and wonderful characters. What I didn’t expect was how complex, smart, and well-executed plot wise this book was.

Cosimanp—whose work I’ve not had the pleasure of reading before—wrote an exceptional story. The plot was sharp, intriguing, and ought to allow for multiple follow-up books as the series grows.

She also wrote a wonderful heroine in Finlay, who comes off as aspirational in the most relatable way despite the fact that her life is a mess. We feel for Finlay, but we don’t pity her. We cringe at some of her hilariously questionable choices, but we don’t condemn her for them. Finlay’s life is in shambles, yet never comes off as pathetic. We sympathize with her, root like hell for her to succeed, but we never end up feeling sorry for her in that unappealing way that many protagonists in women’s fiction inspire.

Finlay is relatable, lovable, worthy of our empathy. But she’s also just a little nuts, which is really what makes both her character and the story.

Absolutely cannot wait for the next book in the series.

3.75
I'm kind of in love with this book but not.
Loved the writing style- fast, easy, relatable crazy chaos. Excellent description of motherhood- absolutely yes that's what it is like as a single mom of small children. Yes Dad always does everything better. Yes single moms think about all kinds of exotic jobs to pay bills - even murder for hire.
The deaths were so crazy - a little too corny for me.
Very enjoyable. That ending - little predictable but gasp out loud.

*Thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press and Minotaur Books for the free copy for my honest review.*

Finlay Donovan is a mess - recently divorced from a sleazeball husband and struggling to get herself together. Even though he is her ex, Steven seems to be running Finlay's life - firing her babysitter and basically doing everything he can to get custody of their 2 kids - and Finlay is just trying to keep it together and keep from having to pay back the latest advance on her book that is past due. When Finlay meets with her agent in a crowded Panera and discusses the murder in the book she is supposed to be writing, a neighboring diner mistakes her for a contract killer and hires Finlay to off her husband.

I felt like I could totally relate to Finlay except for the ex-husband and the kids. Knowing that someone is a sleazebag and having to kiss their behind anyway in order to keep them happy happens with everyone, but Steven seems to take pleasure in pushing Finlay around and holding money over her head. I loved it when Vero, the baby sitter stepped in and made a place for herself in Finlay's house and life. I really liked their chemistry and how supportive Vero is of Finlay and pushes her into doing things that maybe she wouldn't have done on her own.

I don't want to give too much away, but I loved this book and think that everyone should read it. It is funny and witty and such a unique storyline to me! Finlay gets herself into so many situations that I thought - well, that's it for her - and then things turn and she comes out just fine. I can't wait to read the next one!!

Thank you to Netgalley, St. Martin's Press, and the author for an ARC in exchange for an honest review of the book.

This book had everything I expected to want: the light-yet-serious storyline, the protagonist as a struggling writer, a humorous start (I laughed out loud on the first couple of pages when the protagonist, Finlay, duct tapes her daughters hair back onto her head after a mishap with scissors). Yet, it just didn't work out for me.

It's very likely a case of it's-not-you-it's-me. I realize I'm in the minority so I'm happy to claim fault here with my inability to connect. But that's what happened. I couldn't warm up to Finlay. I was irritated at how her children seemed to be afterthoughts--or, better, props--so often. She seemed to do nothing but sweat and have bad hair. I don't know. She just seemed like she was trying too hard for some characterization that never gelled for me. But ultimately the trickiest part for me was that the narrative, instead of being a dark comedy, was too dark for a cozy, but way too light for a serious mystery. I couldn't get my head around what the story was supposed to be and, therefore, it wasn't genre defying as much as puzzling.

I would give this author another shot, though. Like I said--it was probably just me and my fickle and demanding expectations. Maybe a future sequel will fare much better with me.

Finlay Donovan is a trashy novelist and financially struggling mother of two. Recently divorced from her cheater-of-an-ex-husband, Finlay is left to raise her children on her own, and the bills are beginning to pile up… What’s worse, her sleazy ex-husband and his new fling (Finlay’s real estate agent, no less) would like nothing more than to capitalize on her financial troubles as a means to win full-custody of her kids.

So when she’s accidentally mistaken as a killer for hire when her conversation with her publicist about the plot of her latest novel is overhear and misunderstood, Finlay finds herself at a crossroads. Do the hit, take the money, pay her bills and live happily ever after – or don’t, and watcher her slimy ex-husband and his new lover use their fancy lawyer to steal her children.

Too bad things are never as simple as they seem, and her intended target is definitely no simple man, but someone very well connected in the criminal underworld…

Filled with mystery, intrigue, and down-to-earth humour, I had so much genuine fun with this book! Finlay Donovan is absolutely fabulous, and her story is too!

Cosimano does an absolutely flawless job blending the seriousness of the murder mystery/Russian mafia plot line of this novel with the more lighthearted, everyday stressors of Finlay Donovan’s life as a single mom of two and struggling novelist hoping for her big break. The perfect balance of the two polar-opposite aspects melded together into one created a story that was equal parts hilarious as it was thrilling! The book felt both super relatable and absolutely impossible all at the same time, which I think really captures why I found Finlay Donovan’s story to be such a success.

Final Donovan herself is quite the character – the type of woman to get arrested for putting Play Doh in the exhaust pipe of her ex-husband’s mistress’s car and banned from Panera for throwing scolding soup on a customer. It was such fun to read about all of her ill-thought-out exploits and how she handled the inevitable repercussions. I loved when she teamed up with her nanny, Vero. They made such a great – hilarious – team, one I couldn’t help routing for.

While some of the reveals weren’t the most surprising, it was hard to care too much because I was just having so much fun reading this book. Overall, Finlay Donovan is Killing It was a fast-paced, enjoyable romp, and I can’t wait for the sequel!

Thank you to the publisher, Minotaur Books/St. Martin’s Press, and NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC of this book. All thoughts are my own.

Thank you @minotaur_books for sending me a copy of Finlay Donovan Is Killing It by Elle Cosimano. All opinions are my own.

Finlay Donovan is struggling. She is a romantic thriller writer with writer’s block and her ex-husband rubs it in her face that writing isn’t paying the bills. Threatening to fight for custody of the kids if she doesn’t get her life together, Finlay needs a great book idea. When discussing a plot of a possible book with an agent, someone overhears and hires her to be their hitman. You don’t want to miss what happens next!

This was a funny and oddly relatable story. Finlay is overwhelmed being a mom and just wants to give her children the best while also not losing herself completely. I’m glad Finlay fights so hard to keep writing despite her husband’s harsh words throughout this book. He is such a dick. Lots of funny scenes as well as thrilling ones, some very close calls had my heart rate up!

Definitely a fun and completely different read, one I highly recommend. Content warnings for adulterous behaviour, violence, and sexual abuse off page.