This book is so much fun and completely lives up to the hype. Finlay is the perfect character who is a mess but also a hilarious mom who ends up the main character in a crime story. So well written and unique!

With a clever premise and engaging characters, the pages of Finlay Donovan Is Killing It flew by! Finlay Donovan is a newly divorced single mother of two and a struggling writer of romantic mysteries way past deadline. A meeting with her agent in a crowded Panera leads the woman at a neighboring table to think Finlay is the answer to her prayers: the hit woman she has been looking for to take her husband out. Of course Finlay would never consider taking the job, right? If you enjoy mysteries with dark humor, zany characters who do stupid things but it works out okay in the end, a bit of romance, and a fast-paced story, you should check this series out! I've already started book 2...

Finlay is SO much fun, and l've had a great time with this series! I picked up this full series after having had it on my TBR for a really long time. I didn't really know what it was going to be like, but I found myself absolutely loving this fun take on a mystery. The series hooked me pretty much immediately, and got me really invested in how Finley and Vero were going to get through the story. No spoilers, but it's really fun, funny, and sarcastic, with dark comedy vibes throughout that made it really entertaining. I read it really quickly and jumped right into the second one because the story flows together really well & I recommend binging these!

Got this as a Read Now in anticipation for the fourth book. So glad I grabbed it because I didn’t know what I was missing. The hot mess of a life when your husband cheats on you and you have to raise your two kids and then some lady mistakes you for a contract killer….the craziness of a storyline but it was so much fun.

Finlay Donovan Is Killing It is Elle Cosimano‘s first book in her mystery/thriller series, Finlay Donovan.
31-year-old Finlay Donovan is a stressed-out single-mom of two and a struggling novelist, reeling from her husband’s affair with their real estate agent. Her life is in chaos as she juggles parenting two preschoolers while trying to find inspiration to meet her writing deadline. She has spent the advance on her current book and is behind on all of her bills and frequently needs her ex-husband to bail her out financially. While she seems like a hot mess, she has a lot on her plate and is emotionally devastated by her husband’s betrayal.

When Finlay meets her agent for lunch, they discuss the plot of her new suspense novel and are overheard by the woman sitting at the next table. She slips Finlay a note, and Finlay realizes that this woman has mistaken her for a contract killer. Finlay is tempted to accept the woman’s offer of $50,000 to dispose of her problem husband. Pretty quickly Finlay discovers that real-life crime is more complicated than the stories she writes.

Finlay Donovan Is Killing It is a fast-paced, clean and hilarious story about a young mother whose life is in the toilet. The descriptions of motherhood are spot-on, while Finlay’s adventures are pure escapist comedy. It’s a definite page-turner that will leave readers begging for a sequel. The Finlay Donovan series would make an excellent TV show.

I received an advance review copy (ARC) from NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily

Murder, Moms, and Mayhem

This was my first time diving into the world of Finlay Donovan, and let me just say—it is such a vibe! I was barely a few chapters in before I knew I needed more, so book two is already sitting on my Kindle, ready to go.

Elle Cosimano’s Finlay Donovan Is Killing It is a delightful blend of humor, suspense, and heart that had me hooked from the very first page. Finlay, a struggling novelist and single mom, stumbles into chaos when she’s mistaken for a contract killer, leading to a wild, laugh-out-loud adventure filled with unexpected twists and ridiculous (yet somehow relatable) moments.

One of the highlights of this book is Finlay’s dynamic with her live-in nanny, Vero. Their witty banter and ride-or-die energy bring so much charm to the story, making them an unforgettable duo. The plot is fast-paced, packed with suspense, and keeps you on your toes while still delivering plenty of humor and heart.

While the premise is wonderfully absurd, Cosimano’s execution makes it work effortlessly. The struggles of motherhood, career pressures, and personal growth all weave seamlessly into the mystery, adding an authentic and relatable layer to the humor.

If you love mysteries with a comedic twist, strong female friendships, and a main character you can’t help but root for, Finlay Donovan Is Killing It is a must-read. I’m officially hooked on this series, and I can’t wait to see what kind of trouble Finlay gets into next!

I read this for the vibes and they were immaculate. Not realistic but it was so fun I didn’t mind! Can’t wait to continue the series!

Finlay Donovan is struggling. Her latest book is overdue to her agent and she's out of ideas, her finances are a mess, and her cheating ex-husband is trying to get custody of their kids. When Finlay is mistaken for a contract killer after a woman overhears her talking to her agent, things get really crazy. Curious about the target of the hit, Finlay tracks him down, only to have him inadvertently die anyway. Now the police are involved, and maybe the mob, as well. This is a light, fun start to a new series. Fans of Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series will enjoy this one, too.

"Getting the job done" for one single mom takes on a whole new meaning in Finlay Donovan is Killing It."

Thank you for the chance to read and review Finlay Donovan is Killing It. This book was an amazing start to a new series. I loved Finlay and the way she is sucked into this caper and misidentification and proceeds to use to her benefit. The relationships between Finlay, Vero and her ex are realistic and lend to the character building. This is definitely a new favorite series for me.

3.75 - this was such a fun read! Wasn't expecting a cliffhanger but I'm excited to continue the series

I loved this book so much. It made me laugh and wonder how a person could get in so much trouble in their life. Finlay Donovan is accidentally mistaken as a hit woman and this is the story of what happens after that. I cannot wait for more books in this series!

This book was so much fun! I loved Finlay’s messy life and especially loved her relationship with Vero. For a murder mystery this book was surprisingly light, fast paced and entertaining. Looking forward to reading the next one.

Finlay Donovan is not killing it, in fact. She is a stressed out single Mom and struggling writer who is out of patience, out of money, and out of time to finish her latest book. While lunching with her agent, a nearby customer mistakes her for a hitwoman after hearing Finlay describe the plot of her book. What starts out as a simple google search of the woman's husband quickly spirals out of control and Finlay soon learns that committing crimes in real life is much more difficult than writing about them.

I don't know when I will learn my lesson...amateur detective books are just not for me. Was it cute and quirky? Sure. It was also incredibly annoying. I almost DNF but the addition of "the hot cop" kept me going (predictable, I know). So many pieces were downright unbelievable. For example, Vero...let me lay this out for you how it went in my head. Former nanny witnesses body disposal while burglarizing former employer. Instead of fleeing the scene of *both* crimes, she offers to help dispose of the body. Like "hey i quit my job bc your ex tried to blackmail me into sleeping with him but lets be zesty besties and bury this asshole i never met together. btw, i'm moving in. go team!" Umm...what? Still don't know the purpose of the bartender. And while I've met some truly stupid cops in my life, there is no way he was that naïve.

All of that said, I will probably still read the second one because curiosity kills the cat and I'm not out of lives yet.

Finlay is a stressed-out single mom of two and a struggling novelist. 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.

I had no idea where this was going to go. Would she go through with the plan? Would she eventually get caught? How could she possibly get away with murder when the cops were closing in on clues related to aspects of her life? Did a chance at romance even stand a chance?

I loved the thrill and anticipation at every turn. Definitely a change in what I normally read but a welcome one nonetheless. Thank you to Netgalley and Publisher for a gifted copy in exchange for an honest review!

Rating: 5⭐
Steam level: 1.5🌶️ Closed door

Amazing start to a series. I loved Finlay and how much she went through while just trying to stay afloat. Can't wait for more!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | Finlay Donovan Is Killing It—And So Is This Book!

Elle Cosimano’s Finlay Donovan Is Killing It is a delightful blend of humor, suspense, and heart that had me hooked from the first page. Finlay Donovan, a stressed-out single mom and struggling novelist, finds herself in a hilariously precarious situation when she’s mistaken for a contract killer. What ensues is a fast-paced, laugh-out-loud adventure that keeps readers on their toes.

The dynamic between Finlay and her live-in nanny, Vero, is the heart of this story. Their witty banter and unwavering friendship add depth and charm to the narrative. The plot is engaging, with unexpected twists and turns that keep the suspense high and the pages turning.

While the premise is delightfully absurd, the execution is spot-on, making it easy to suspend disbelief and enjoy the ride. The book also offers a heartfelt look at the challenges and triumphs of motherhood, adding a layer of authenticity to the humor.

If you’re a fan of mysteries with a humorous twist and strong character development, this book is a must-read. Finlay Donovan is a heroine you won’t soon forget, and her adventures are just beginning.

Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press, for the ARC!

Elle Cosimano achieved bestseller status following a career change, buoyed by the support of friends and family. Already a respected YA author, she took a bold step, writing her first adult novel. The opening line, "It's a widely known fact that most moms are ready to kill someone by 8:30 AM on any given morning. On the particular morning of Tuesday, October eighth, I was ready by 7:45," immediately drew me in. Cosimano introduces a lead character with a wry, spunky worldview that resonated deeply with my "mom side." Without revealing too many spoilers, I can say that the entire cast of characters shines. While the plot is undeniably implausible, Cosimano masterfully pulls it off through her meticulous attention to detail in the setting. Finlay's world—a newly divorced, custody-battling romance writer with a struggling career—is so thoroughly researched that the reader willingly suspends disbelief. Just as it seems Finlay's life is unraveling, a bizarre misunderstanding presents an opportunity for financial gain: eliminating a truly awful husband. The narrative is tightly written and fast-paced, seamlessly interweaving action with the blossoming friendship between Finlay and her loyal accomplice, Vero. Cosimano has spoken about the challenges of publishing genre-blending books. In fact, the first book in this series was submitted to 22 publishers and rejected by 19. Cosimano's writing philosophy is simple: "If I'm having fun, you're having fun; if I'm not having fun writing the books, you're not having fun reading them." Clearly, the right publisher—and her readers—recognized the infectious fun Cosimano was having with Finlay. This book marks the beginning of an award-winning series, and I eagerly anticipate the sequel.

Full disclosure: I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and Minotaur Books in exchange for an unbiased review. Thank you for this opportunity.

I was thrilled when the Finlay Donovan series was all "read now" on NetGalley! Before this, I had only read a single short story by Elle Cosimano, but I loved the writing and knew I could easily fall in love with this author's writing. And that's what happened. This book was so well written and was truly the perfect start to this series. I love Finlay, and I'm ready to jump right on into the rest of this series! Ten outta ten.

What does a single mom do to make ends meet? get a job, write a book or become a contact killer? This story kicks off a series about Finlay and her misadventures. I enjoy that the author does not create the perfect mother--Finlay is seen with all her warts and it is pretty funny.

I have struck out with amateur detective stories before, but this was delightfully wacky. A romantic suspense author getting mistaken for a hitwoman, and her nanny getting caught up in the whole thing as well—it initially sounds like a disaster in the making. But it becomes so much more than that, because while Finlay and Vero do not always make the smartest decisions, they are far from bumbling heroines (even if they may feel like it sometimes). While some suspension of disbelief is required for some situations, it isn’t a bad thing; rather, it serves to highlight their ingenuity and resourcefulness, as well as how far they will go for each other. The mystery is very intriguing and well-done, but I don’t think that could exist as well without the prevalent theme of female friendships. And both make this book a standout in the genre. This definitely should not be missed, and I will absolutely be reading the rest of the series.