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.

I just finished and I want more Finlay! This book was a great escape read. It's funny, charming, a bit suspenseful, and at times chaotic and I loved it. Finlay is a unique character and you can't help but get sucked into her life. I was completely invested in the story and am so excited that this is going to be a series.

Oh my goodness this was so fun. I haven’t read a mystery book like this ever. Seeing how Finlay gets herself into a mess of a situation and how she handles it kept me on my toes and kept me wanting to read more to find out what would happen. She is such a realistic and relatable character you can’t help but love her and root for her. Usually I find mysteries predictable because of the typical “mystery formula” but it didn’t bother me as much with this book because I was still surprised by the twists and reveals that happened. At one point towards the climax of the book I actually said “what the heck” out loud because I was not expecting a certain thing to happen. I loved reading about how this book came to be an idea that turned into Finlay’s story. I can’t wait for book 2!

Tw: death, murder, drugs, date rape, blackmailing

I was so excited for this book, but unfortunately I didn't connect with it at all and I couldn't finish it. The main character was hard to connect to for me and I didn't feel hooked enough to continue reading. I definitely think this is more of a me problem than a problem with the book. I'm very sad that this wasn't for me.

Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) provided by the Author and Publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an fair and honest review.

What would you do? Your husband had an affair and has divorced you, leaving you with two young children, taken most of the assets and given you a terminal case of writer's block. A note from an angel, or a demon - depends on your point of view, could solve your current woes. What would you do?

Finlay Donovan is faced with a life changing decision and she needs more information. She decides to do what any self respecting author would do - research. Except her research involves a little more than hitting the internet. An appearance, in disguise, to observe her object in his natural environment is in order. What happens next? Not at all what Finley wanted and it ends with a dead body, and the classic question - Who done it?

I have really enjoyed "Finlay Donovan Is Killing It". The view of a newly divorced mother, just trying to live one day at a time was funny, sarcastic and in a lot of ways, very real. The situation Finlay gets herself in and how she gets out was a experience. I loved following her as she used her writers mind and decided to solve her own mystery, with a little help, of course.

🎧 A MUST LISTEN AUDIOBOOK REVIEW🎧 𝘞𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘍𝘪𝘯𝘭𝘢𝘺 𝘪𝘴 𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘥 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘤𝘶𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘭𝘰𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘯𝘦𝘸 𝘴𝘶𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘭𝘶𝘯𝘤𝘩, 𝘴𝘩𝘦’𝘴 𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦𝘯 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘵 𝘬𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘳, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘥𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘭𝘺 𝘢𝘤𝘤𝘦𝘱𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘯 𝘰𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘰 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘢 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘣𝘭𝘦𝘮 𝘩𝘶𝘴𝘣𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘰𝘳𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘮𝘦𝘦𝘵 . . . 𝘚𝘰𝘰𝘯, 𝘍𝘪𝘯𝘭𝘢𝘺 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘤𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘤𝘳𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘢 𝘭𝘰𝘵 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘥𝘪𝘧𝘧𝘪𝘤𝘶𝘭𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯 𝘪𝘵𝘴 𝘧𝘪𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵, 𝘢𝘴 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘭𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘢 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭-𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘮𝘶𝘳𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘪𝘯𝘷𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘨𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯.⁣

I can probably count on one hand how many times in the last 4 years I’ve said a book is a pure delight but I’m for sure saying it now with Finlay Donovan is Killing It! I can’t remember the last time I was this entertained by a story. From start to finish I loved Finley and rooted for her success- in more ways than one.

This story has a little bit of everything- humor, mystery, murder, and romance with fantastic supporting characters- I absolutely loved Vero, Finlay’s babysitter. The writing is fresh, fast paced and clever- I’ve read some reviews that compare this to the tv show Dead to Me and that’s accurate. The ending was excellent and the narration by Angela Dawes perfection!

Finlay is in trouble. Her agent is awaiting the book she hasn’t written, her ex-husband and his new girlfriend are trying to take custody of her kids. The bills are piling up. But a random lady at Panera overhears Finlay and mistakes her to be a contract killer. Cue 💰💰 How will Finlay exit this evil world she is a part of now?

For me, it was a little over the top in certain parts. I also didn’t like how Finlay treated Nick. But overall it was an entertaining read, reminded me of the show Dead to Me. I did enjoy Vero and how she stepped up to help in more ways than one. I just heard this is a series and that ending was perfect for a sequel. What will Finlay do next?

Finlay Donovan Is Killing It, a fun-laugh-out-loud-cringe-OMG now what is happening book to read! Lots of plot twists, fast paced, couldn’t put this book down. Want to know why? Read it and find out.

** I received an electronic ARC from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and unbiased review of this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for a copy of this e-book in exchange for my honest review.

Finlay Donovan Is Killing It by Elle Cosimano is an incredibly fun, chaotic, and suspenseful thriller. It has everything you could want in a comedic mystery. The storyline and characters feel authentic and relatable to the common man, or more accurately, the common mom.

Finlay Donovan is a struggling writer who is learning how to navigate her newly single status, parent her two kids, and overcome her woeful financial situation. Her problems just keep piling up. Not only does she have a looming book deadline, but her ex-husband's pursuit of custody, as well as his perfect new mistress turned fiancé, threaten to unravel the last of Finlay's sanity.

Yet everything changes over lunch at Panera. While meeting with her book agent and discussing the plot of her next novel, Finlay finds herself recruited as a hit-woman by a desperate wife who feels she has nowhere else to turn.

Finlay's new novel becomes the epitome of art imitating life, as she finds herself in the center of a mystery that she must solve to make all her problems disappear.

This story was awesome! While Finlay's character stressed me out a bit with her over-the-top "solutions" to problems, she was also incredibly funny and relatable. She definitely takes "armchair expert" to a new level, as the material for her novel turns into necessary real life application. From the very beginning Cosimano kept me guessing about what on earth would happen next in this series of unfortunate events. I couldn't put this book down. Overall, Cosimano crafts a dynamic story filled with suspense and a whole lotta heart.

If you find yourself unsure of what book to pick up next and would like a little bit of everything (mystery, romance, humor) this one is perfect!

Soon to be divorce mom and writer, Finlay Donovan, is about to lose it. Not only is her husband divorcing her for his mistress, but she’s on the verge of losing her children, has been mistaken for a hitman, writer’s block has set in, and she’s just killed a man, or at least she thinks she has. As her life spins out of control, her only saving grace might actually writing her new murder mystery novel.

This book is so fun y’all! I was completely sucked in, couldn’t put it down, and I am so hyped that it’s just the first in a series. This is first and foremost a murder mystery. But it’s a murder mystery will all the most ridiculousness of all the most outlandish murder mystery sceneries that you can imagine.

This book is completely over the top and if you’re looking for some comedy mixed in with your murder than this for you. It gave my Psych vibes because of the comedy and I am so here for it!

If you need a chuckle in your life, as I’m sure we all do; do yourself a favor and read this book!


Finlay Donovan is Killing It is out now. Huge thank you to St. Martin’s Press and Minotaur Books for my advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion. If you liked this review please let me know either by commenting below or by visiting my instagram @speakingof_books.

Thanks to Minotaur for the free book. This book was hilarious and so fun. Finlay ends up in so many scenarios that she’s not meaning to, and they see to just happen to her instead of her being in control. I enjoyed the tension in the book. The entire time I was wondering if Finlay and Vero were going to be caught or if they’d figure out how to literally get away with (almost) murder. It was also a surprisingly believable story. I am hoping there will be more of Finlay’s story after that ending.

This was a hilarious, fast-paced book. I enjoyed Finlay from the beginning and loved the storyline. Finlay is discussing her upcoming novel with her publisher or agent, I don't remember, and someone overhears what she is talking about. They mistake her for being a hitman and the result is hilarious. Crazy humor, murder mystery, and authentic single mother life all rolled into one.

I was excited to see that on Goodreads it lists it as #1 so I will definitely be looking out for #2!!!