HAPPY PUB DAY!!!

Thank you Netgalley and St. Martins Press for this eARC in return for an honest review.
5 ⭐️
Finlay is at it again with her sidekick Vero as they try to stop a hit from taking place. Of course, they get into all kinds of perdictiments! There were plenty of laugh out loud moments!! The twist at the end is wild!! I did not see that coming. If you want a good and funny mystery pick up these books. You won't regret it.

Dare I say i enjoyed this one even more than the first Finlay Donovan book? And that's saying something because I really enjoyed the first one. I think my favourite thing about this book was that it's equal parts funny, easy to read, but keeps your attention throughout. There was truly never a dull moment. I flew through this one. Looking forward to Finlay #3!!

Argh! Ok, so I really enjoyed Finlay’s first book, and I was excited to see where Book 2 would go. I will be the first to say that I don’t truly understand why the shenanigans level of Book 1 were fine with me, but the shenanigans level of this book were OFF THE CHARTS and I could not hang. To be clear: my favorite genres are science fiction, fantasy, and romance, all genres requiring varying but often EPIC levels of suspension of disbelief. This book might have required the absolute most though. So many characters! So many assumptions about what those characters would DEFINITELY do (they did not), so many wild goose chases, connections between secondary characters, this book is that pic of the guy in the room covered in paranoia conspiracy maps connected with pushpins and yarn. Just epic levels of WTF. I feel bad not giving this a glowing review because I know: pandemic! Books are hard! Truly. I was entertained at times, I laughed, I squealed. I also rolled my eyes and whispered “what the fuck” in exasperation. Perhaps the funniest line of the book was, “The more I thought about it, the more it started to make sense.” Reader, it did not.

I don’t know. If you love shenanigans, you will probably keep loving this series. I am a person whose skin crawls at the mere thought of Weekend at Bernies, so you know, ymmv.

Just when Finlay thought she was out, she is sucked back into crime in Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead.

Former hitwoman (a long story described in the previous novel in the series, Finlay Donovan is Killing It), Finlay, and her accomplice/nanny, Vero, are trying to stop an assassin. An anonymous person has posted a request on a shady website offering $100,000 to kill Finlay’s ex-husband, Steven. When someone agrees, Finlay also offers her services in an attempt to discover who the requester and assassin really are. Death, arson, and hilarity ensue!

It is hard not to compare this book to the Stephanie Plum series. While not quite as zany (no Lula), the hijinks are equally funny, and the pace is even faster. There are two hunky love interests too. Overall, Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead did knock it outta the park! 5 stars and a favorite that I couldn’t put down!

Thanks to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review.

Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead by Elle Cosimano

•After reading this first book last year, I was so pumped when I saw this on @netgalley and even more excited when I found out that this one picks up right where the first one left off.

•Unfortunately, that was pretty much all that excited me about this book 😴
It didn’t have the LOL moments that the first one did and honestly just felt pretty far fetched. I realize that it’s supposed to be a little “out-there” but there’s one scene that is just NOT believable to me. DM me if you wanna talk about it!!

•Not to mention the conflict between Vero and Finlay that pretty much gets overlooked the entire time- until the last few chapters and even then it’s not even really talked about!! There were also so many characters in this one- it was hard to keep track. It took me so long to finish because I just didn’t feel like even picking it up. 😅

•Okay, rant over. It was a fine book and if you liked the first one, I would still recommend reading this but just know it doesn’t really have the same “feels” that the first one had. This one comes out Feb 1st!

Thank you to @minotaur_books @stmartinspress and @netgalley for the gifted e-arc!

Finlay and Vero are back again in this fun follow-up to one of my favorites from last year. Not too much has changed in Finlay’s life. She’s struggling to keep up with her writing deadlines, juggling shared-custody, and continuing to try to figure out her dating life. Oh, and she’s pretty sure that someone has organized a hit on her ex-husband.

Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘em Dead is definitely a continuation in the series. I wouldn’t pick this one up without reading Finlay Donovan is Killing It first. The self-contained story here might make sense, but it’s going to fall flat if you don’t already understand the relationship dynamics between the characters.

I typically only read standalones. It’s no secret that I don’t enjoy series. But if Cosimano gives us 5 or 15 or 25 Finlay books, I WILL read every last one of them. I had SO MUCH fun with this one, and stayed late at work to finish it because I didn’t want to take the time to walk to my car before I put it back on. There are a lot of ways that Cosimano improves on the first book here: the characters (even Finlay’s ex) have more depth, the love triangle is juicier, and the relationship between Finlay and Vero is friendship goals. The humor in this one didn’t hit quite as much for me as it did in the first book, but I was willing to make the sacrifice for all the character development we got instead.

I listened to this fully on audio, and highly recommend you do the same. I can’t recommend Angela Dawe’s narration enough. She makes it feel like you’re watching a movie, her voices are distinct and spot on, and she’s able to portray Finlay in a way that allows her to be messy while still being smart.

And honestly, I think that’s my favorite thing about this whole series. Finlay is a disaster. She was in the first book, and she honestly still is here. She’s a little impulsive, a little distracted, and has way too much on her plate (honestly it would take Cosimano only minor details to give us some excellent ADHD rep here), but Cosimano never falls victim to the trap of making her ditzy, shortsighted, or unintelligent.

Much like the first book, this reads like a miniseries. Think a campier Dead to Me, or a smartened-up Good Girls.

If you haven’t picked up this series yet, please do. If you already read the first Finlay book, this one is probably already on your TBR for good reason.

Thanks to Minotaur Books and MacMillan Audio for advance copies of this book and audiobook to review. All opinions are my own.

Finlay Donovan is back! Once again, she’s behind schedule with her new book, the holidays are approaching, and she thinks someone is trying to kill her ex-husband. He may be a conniving jerk, but that doesn’t mean she wants him dead and especially not in a way that will traumatize their children. So she and her intrepid nanny/friend, Vero, set out to determine who’s trying to kill him.

But they inadvertently get caught up in the machinations of Russian organized crime. And while Finlay is questioning the devotion of her young lover, the hot detective is making clear his interest in her.

Unlike many sequels, it is helpful to have read the first book and perhaps reread it if it’s been a year since you read it. It took me a while to remember some plot points and a few totally escaped me. But Finlay is still a fun, madcap character while Vero shows more depth than I remember her having in the first book. Her ex-husband is more sympathetic than he was in the debut, and the Ranger-Joe Morelli-inspired love triangle isn’t as tired as it’s gotten in the Stephanie Plum series. This is an engaging, fast-paced mystery. #FinlayDonovan #NetGalley

OH. MY. GAWD! This was such a fun romp! I enjoyed Finlay's and Vero's adventures in the original, BUT this sequel somehow managed to KNOCK ME DEAD with how much fun I had on their wild ride. Really, truly, this read came along at the time when I needed it most this winter and brought me so much joy!

Go read it now. Seriously. YOU NEED THIS!!!

Thank you Netgalley and St Martin's Press for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review!

Truth be told I was very hesitant about this book because I LOVED the first book so much and sequals scare me- they're just never as good. But Elle did not disappoint the readers with this one. Finlay Donovan Knocks 'Em Dead was equally as hilarious and page turning as the first- I may even think I liked this one more, but don't make me pick!

I enjoyed the consistent plot line of this book versus the two different hit-woman plots from the first book. I feel like the reader gets to pick up exactly where we left off at the last book, making it one fluent series that we definitely need more of. And of course the constant question of, who the heck is involved?! The mystery behind this one is so suspensful!

The Finlay Donovan series is my ideal recommendaiton for people who want a mystery, but don't like to be scared. Plus a few good laughs and a minor romance plot inbetween makes it an ideal read!

The Finlay Donovan roller coaster ride!

The opening lines of Knock ‘Em Dead had me; full bottled and instantaneously—Had Me!
Down the rabbit hole I dived, loving every heart stopping, often hilarious, moment. From the phrase, “Christopher was dead,” I was taken, not by aliens, but by the absurdity of it all. I am so captivated by this messy, very relatable, absolutely likeable, Finlay Donovan.
Talk about fiction imitating life, imitating fiction. I swear Finlay Donovan rom com mysteries are like a set of Russian dolls. Always as one problem is unpacked, another kernel of the situation is revealed, only to leave you with the nagging doubt that something is missing from the equation, and is going to completely roll Finlay is up if she’s not careful. She’s so close to a train wreck! It’s just plain uncanny that there’s not more damage, although what there is, is more than adequate. I’m not sure that friend and minder Vero is a help or a hindrance.
Who is Finlay Donovan you ask?
Well then, (not in any order) she’s a writer, single mom, ex wife of a hopeless womaniser, investigator, cougar (Wow!), unwitting criminal, adorable date, ditzy dame who falls from one situation into another, staunch friend, sister (of an FBI agent), daughter of loving parents, and that’s just for starters.
So Finlay continues to have problems with ex husband Steve. Not only that, it seems someone’s put out a contract on him and now Finlay and Vero find themselves trying to protect him, keep the kids safe and find out who’s behind the Mom Chat website, the place that fed up women go to get rid permanently of the men who’ve done them wrong.
A bombing, a near miss shooting, the emergence of the Crime Boss, Feliks Zhirov, into Finlay’s life, not to mention the hot lawyer Julian, and the hunky FBI agent Nicholas add to the color and excitement.
Oh, and all the while Finlay’s agent is wanting novel updates. Which seem to ride pretty closely to Finlay’s lived experiences.
Zany, unpredictable and thoroughly enjoyable, somewhat exhausting, read. Forget five stars this is more like a twenty five stars happenstance!

A St. Martin's Press ARC via NetGalley
Please note: Quotes taken from an advanced reading copy maybe subject to change
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)

I loved the first Finlay Donovan book and really loved this one! I just wanted to crawl inside the book and be friends with Finlay and Vero.
If you’ve read the first Finlay Donovan book, then you must read this one!

Finlay and Vero have some crazy twists thrown at them. Finlay is plotting her next big novel and needs some exciting motivation to keep herself going. Maybe Julian the hot bartender or Nick the hot detective? She also has another problem on her hands —someone is trying to take out her ex-husband Steven. Once again this is such a brilliant, fun book!

This is a MUST READ for all Finlay Donovan fans!! Can’t wait to see what Elle Cosimano has in store for Finlay in book #3!

Thank you St. Martin’s Press for this advanced digital copy in exchange for my honest review.

I have posted my review on my Instagram handle: @thrillersandcoffer

Is the pandemic bringing you down?
Want some laughs? READ THIS!!

Elle Cosimano's FINLAY DONOVAN KNOCKS 'EM DEAD #2 is highly recommended! A laugh-out-loud comedy featuring protagonist Finlay Donovan, mom and novelist of romance/mystery turned hit-mom and partner in crime with her babysitter, Vero.

In this installment, someone wants Steven (Finlay's ex-husband) dead. Even though Finlay wished this sometimes (because he is a scum bag), he is the father of her children, and appears someone has a hit out on him; she has to make sure the children are not in his care.

Surprise, Surprise. SURPRISE! Many twists and turns and another jaw-dropper at the end, providing hope there will be a #3 and many more.

I am all "IN" for the long haul!

Keep them coming—what a wild cast of characters for murder and mayhem. A huge fan of Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series, I would not miss a book. So hopefully, Elle Cosimano can pull out many more to come. I am already a FAN.

Like the Stephanie Plum series narrated by Lorelei King, it is always a pre-order. The same here because Angela Dawe is a perfect voice for the Donovan cast. As long as these two are narrating, an auto pre-order and assured highly entertaining experience.

FINLAY DONOVAN KNOCKS 'EM DEAD is the perfect book to read to make you laugh out loud. I went in a bit blind, having not read the first book in the series. You can easily read this without reading the first one, but I wanted to make sure I had not missed anything. So about halfway through #2, I purchased #1 "Finlay Donovan Is Killing It" and am glad I did. Finished it quickly and went back to #2.

FUN, FUN, FUN! I believe I like #2 better than #1, even though both are five stars. I LOVE these characters and got to hand it to the author; she receives an award for pulling this comedy out in the middle of a pandemic. At the end of the book, I enjoyed her notes about how difficult it was to get this inspiration during such a lousy year. Some readers may not think about everything the authors go through when they sit in front of the computer to crank out these masterpieces. They are human and have crap to deal with too. So thank you, Elle Cosimano—BRAVO!

CHARACTER COMPARISON: I wanted to take a minute and provide my take on Finlay Donovan's characters compared to the Stephanie Plum series. I would love to hear your take. Both have a love triangle, mobsters, murder, family, humor, and rollicking adventures with hilarious scenes and characters.

I love Sylvia's character and constantly talking about the "hot cop" and the mom talking about Nick's biscuits (butt). Who knows, Finlay might need to plan a murder for hire to get Sylvia off her case. Both Plum and Donovan's moms of course want them to settle down with the hot cops and both moms like cooking and meddling. I also love Delia so much and her one-liners are priceless. Finlay's mom might be a closer match to Plum's Grandma Mazur's personality than Plum's mom.

Finlay Donovan | Stephanie Plum
Finlay | Stephanie
Vero | Lula
Georgia | Valeria
Nick | Joe Morelli
Julian | Ranger
Steven | Vinnie
Sylvia | Connie
Delia | Grandma Mazur
Parents | Parents
Theresa Hall (realtor) | Joyce Barnhardt (nemesis) or Grandma Bella
Zack | Bob (golden retriever) Sorry, Zack (no human for comparison here).

I like Lulu's (former hooker) love of food (chicken and donuts) and tight clothes and sass, whereby Vero is more dry, serious, and mysterious. I enjoy Finlay's crime/romance writing and the banters with her agent. I adore Grandma Mazur and the funeral homes, but Finlay has lots of action, and am pairing Grandma Mazur with Delia (love her sass and spunk). Both have steamy hot cops and side guys with fun sex, so I think they both are well rounded even though Stephanie is single and Finlay is a mom.

You can view my #AuthorElevatorSeries Interview with Janet Evanovich and the Plum anniversary edition here where we go behind the scenes. I am hoping I can snag an #AuthorElevatorSeries Interview with Elle, for the next installment! I would love to know the inspiration behind this highly entertaining series. If you are a fan of Janet's Stephanie Plum series, you are going to love this one.

I have the audio ARC of The Recovery Agent Janet's new Gabriella Rose series (Plum spin-off) coming (3/22/22) and am excited. I can see spin-offs and many more Finlay Donovan books to come.

THANK YOU. A very special thank you for this introduction into the Donovan world to #MinotaurBooks #StMartinsPress #NetGalley and #MacmillanAudio for a beautiful hardcover copy, an ARC e-book, and audiobook. I love all of them, and especially the audiobook narrated by Angela Dawe for an award-winning performance!

BLOG REVIEW POSTED:
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Top Books of 2022
Pub Date: Feb 1, 2022

It was such a treat to have Finlay and Vero back for some more of their antics and questionable decision making! The writing style is fast-paced, witty, and there is no shortage of banter between Finlay and Vero. Just like with the first book, I couldn’t put it down.

After reading both, Finlay Donovan #1 is my fav of the two, but Elle Cosimano did an amazing job of pulling me back into these characters’ lives and I’m even more excited for the third book!! This story left off at a great part for the next book to pick up from.

Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead is a highly entertaining mystery full of action, twists, and romance.

I read Finlay Donovan is Killing It last year and absolutely loved it. I knew needed to get my hands on the sequel as soon as I heard it was available. Let me tell you, there is no sophomore slump here. The sequel was just as much fun, just as ridiculous, just as hilarious. It picks up right where we left off and Finlay and Vero are back with their antics to find out who took a hit out on Finlay’s ex-husband. This is the perfect book to balance out the stress that 2022 has started out to be. A book where you need to suspend reality and live in Finlay’s messy and entertaining world of murders, organized crime rings, a love triangle, 2 hilarious kids and a looming deadline for her next book. If anything can go wrong, it will go wrong but it will go wrong in a way that has you laughing the whole time. I need book 3 and I need book 3 now!

A very lovely sequel, Elle Cosimano’s Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead
I was very excited but also a little worried to get access to this eARC to review - the first book was so fresh and over the top fun, that I was a little worried about a sequel being just lukewarm… but it wasn’t it was fresh and fun with it’s own outrageous storyline and I found myself laughing out loud with my kindle in hand yet again !
Finlay Donovan notices an ad for her ex-husband Steve’s murder and wants to stop this (or maybe take the money herself on bad days) and make sure her two kids are not in danger while they are with their dad … turns out ex-husbands don’t appreciate surveillance…
Her banter with her best friend/ live-in nanny Vero is excellent yet again and her new start at a dating life and potentially a relationship seems relatable while being absolutely fun for the reader who may have some of the same insecurities Finlay is facing.
What I admire most is that Elle Cosimano manages to write a book, a sequel no less, that is laugh out loud funny, dark humor, with an over the top storyline and still manages to have relatable characters that can make you think about some of your own insecurities and vulnerabilities if you want to, if not you can just laugh things away and it is still a fabulously entertaining read !
I am already looking forward to book three in the series !

4.5 stars! This was another fun book featuring all your favourite characters from the previous book in this series. I really enjoyed it but I still think book one was better (& will be hard to beat)! I switched from ebook & audiobook and gravitated more towards the audio for this one. The narration was really well done. I recommend checking this one out!

Thank you to the publisher and @netgalley for providing a free advanced copy of this ebook and audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

Finlay Donovan Knocks em Dead made me laugh so many times. This is the second book in the series and I actually liked this one much more than the first. I was interested in the mystery and I continue to love seeing Finley and Vero’s friendship (which is where most of my laughs came from). Anytime when sarcasm and sass are a first language, I know this book is for me! I’ll definitely be watching for the next Finlay book!!

I loooooove Finlay Donovan and it was a blast to be back with her and the gang in Finlay Donovan Knocks 'Em Dead. I've been yelling from the rooftops for everyone I know to read Finlay Donovan is Killing It. I may have caused some irl book club friends to yell at me when I mentioned it *again* at our last meeting. If they would just read it then I wouldn't have to mention it anymore. So I'll continue being that annoying book pusher until it is marked as read! So if you can't tell, I love this series and will read every Finlay book Elle Cosimano writes until forever.

I love sleep and am super strict about my lights-out at 10:30 pm bedtime…but Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead by Elle Cosimano had me breaking all of my rules and reading late into the night so I could finish. This is book 2 about Finlay Donovan (Side-Note: have you read Finlay Donovan Is Killing It? If not, stop here and go read it. You will not be disappointed). I am stunned I didn’t wake up my husband snort-laughing at Finlay and the situations she and Vero find themselves in. I think I was laughing and also reading with a hand over my eyes, peeking out between my fingers! How were they going to get themselves out of THAT situation? I just loved this! Mystery-comedy at its best. Publishes today so be sure to get your copy. Thank you @netgalley for the ARC.

#ellecosimano #finlaydonovanknocksemdead #netgalley #mysterycomedy #ireadpastmybedtime #bookstagram #booksofinstagram #newbooks

Nobody can make me laugh like Finlay and Vero. This series just keeps getting better and better. Not only are Finlay and Vero an enviable team, but the supporting cast of characters just keeps book two this series not only fresh, but just as funny as the first.

Thank you so much for the opportunity to review!

LInk to 2/1/2022 Instagram post:
https://www.instagram.com/p/CZcMZ4Nr1V6/