Thanks @stmartinspress and @netgalley for the e-copy. This book is out now.

Yes, I took this photo on a washing machine. #iykyk

Finlay and Vero are still getting themselves mixed up in shenanigans, but this time someone is trying to kill Finlay’s ex husband. She wants to know who and why, and in trying to figure it out managed to get herself arrested, a dead body, a stolen Aston Martin, and into a bunch of other messes.

To be honest, I didn’t love this book as much as I loved the first one. I knew it was going to be far fetched and unrealistic, which was part of the humor of the first book. But I had a hard time focusing and caring about who wanted her ex dead. I think Vero is sketchy, her relationship with Julian is kind of weird, and I found myself rolling my eyes instead of laughing.

I’m definitely still going to read the next one, and I’m hoping this is just a case of the second book not being as good as the first. Still check it out if you’re a Finlay fan - I’m curious what you think!

This sequel is one I’ve been looking forward to reading since I heard the news there’d be a follow up to Finlay Donovan is Killing it!

It has all the suspense and hilarity that the first one has. The only thing I could hope for is more of Finlay and Vero! Perhaps a TV series? This would be brilliant on screen.

Finlay and Vero take us on another wild ride! I just love this series. It’s got mystery, romance, comedy—what’s not to love? Plus, Finlay is an author and a mom—relatable! Suspenseful, twisty and fun—I could not out it down. After reading, Finlay Donovan is Killing it, this second book was one of my most anticipated reads of the year.

Can we all agree this needs to be on TV? It’s got a little bit of a Dead To Me vibe.

Happy Pub Day to Finlay Knocks 'Em Dead...⁣
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If you enjoyed the first one, you will love this one.⁣
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Summary⁣
Finlay Donovan is—once again—struggling to finish her next novel and keep her head above water as a single mother of two. On the bright side, she has her live-in nanny and confidant Vero to rely on, and the only dead body she's dealt with lately is that of her daughter's pet goldfish.⁣
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On the not-so-bright side, someone out there wants her ex-husband, Steven, out of the picture. Permanently. Whatever else Steven may be, he's a good father, but saving him will send her down a rabbit hole of hit-women disguised as soccer moms, and a little bit more involvement with the Russian mob than she'd like.⁣
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Where the first one was funny with a side of suspense, the second one is suspenseful with a side of hilarious ridiculousness. Like the first, you still have to suspend reality because if you think too much about a piece of the plot you'll ruin the fun so just go with it!⁣
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Are you able to suspend reality for certain books? I normally can't but had no problem with these two books.⁣

Thank you @netgalley for this copy in exchange for my honest review!

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: Mystery
Author: Elle Cosimano

Happy Pub Day Finlay Donovan and Elle Cosimano!

Finlay and Vero are back and I couldn’t be happier! If you haven’t read Finlay Donovan is Killing It, stop what you are doing and go read it! This mystery will keep you on your toes when a single mom is mistaken for a hit woman. You definitely need to read the first book before you pick up the second.

Finlay thought her days as a hit woman were over, but when someone puts a hit out on Steven, her and Vero are back in the game trying to figure it out and keep him safe.

This book was no less chaotic than the first one, and I mean that in the best way possible. Elle kept me on my toes the whole time and I swear, my blood pressure was rising as I was working my way through this.

The way this one ended, there will definitely be a third book, and I’m so excited to see where that one takes Finlay and her love triangle.

Thank you so much to @ellecosimano , @minotaur_books , and @netgalley for a gifted ARC copy!

Picking up right where the last one left off, Finlay Donovan is still dealing with her ex-husband, Steven, who has somehow become even more unlikeable, and she’s still involved with her plot pitch turned unwanted job as a hit man when someone puts out a hit on Steven.
Full of returning and new characters, Finlay tries to figure out who put the hit out in the first place, as well as whoever it is who is trying to accept the job to take him out.
Nick and Julian are back, and it was really fun to see who her editor suggests the heroine of her book chooses in the end! I also loved her Mom and sisters meddling in that department.
It was also nice to see more from Vero outside of being Finlay’s “accountant”.
All in all, this was laugh out loud funny and fast paced. Without spoiling anything, I’m hoping for a third book!

Thank you to Elle Cosimano and St. Martins Press for an advanced digital copy via NetGalley in exchange for review.

{Thank you to Minotaur Books and Netgalley for the opportunity to read an early copy!}⁣
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Finlay is back and she's on a deadline! Her publicist wants her next book finished while it seems that someone also wants her ex-husband finished. With her trusty nanny/bestie by her side, Finlay is determined to find out who wants Steven dead and who might be the one to do it. ⁣
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I cannot get enough of Finlay & Vero! They might be one of my very favorite literary duos. Move over Frodo & Sam. These women take "ride or die" to a whole new level. ⁣
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I would dare to say that I loved this sequel even more than the first. Cosimano brought back all of the humor and intrigue that made me fall for book 1 but upped the stakes. She possibly even made me switch sides when it came to Finlay's love life. Maybe. Undecided.⁣
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This one ended with me laughing and jaw dropping at twists. Thrilled there will be a third book. This series is just too fun! ⁣
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If you're already on this friends/hit-woman/mafia ride, you won't be disappointed. If not, get on this train!

I adored the first Finlay book and was excited for this one. Book 2 picks up where the first one leaves off, with Finlay discovering someone wants to kill her ex-husband.

Finlay tries to uncover the identity of the person who appears to have put a hit out on her children's father, and dutifully, Vero is there to help. There are the crazy situations that Finn and Vero get themselves into, but this time around the action is a bit flat. There isn't as much funny banter and at times there seems like way too many characters playing a part that it is hard to keep track of Finlay's theory on who the culprit is. Her love interests are also a bit stilted and there is an underlying tension between Finlay and Vero that seems like it should have had more attention.

I definitely liked the first book better, and this one was entertaining, just not as much as the first. The ending sets up for a likely 3rd installment and I'm a big enough fan that I will certainly read it as well. 3.5/5

This second book in the series continues the wild and crazy adventures of Finlay Donovan who cannot stay away from trouble. Someone is trying to kill her ex, he thinks it’s her, but she’s just trying to protect her kids. A complicated plot unfolds that proves to be a fun read.

Ahh Finlay and Vero are back!!⁣
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This was such a fun, hilarious, sarcastic, unputdownable wild ride!⁣
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Finlay thought she was getting her life back after accidentally taking on the Russian mob, writing a best seller and sending her ex’s fiancé to jail…. Until she finds a forum where someone is out to kill her ex husband.⁣
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Even though Finley is over the scum bag that is Steve, it’s still her Children’s father and she doesn’t want him dead… or does she? 🤔⁣
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Don’t forget we also have hotty detective Anthony and a new younger hottie Julian! ⁣
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This is a whole other adventure of detective work, fast cars, dead bodies, and trying to write another best seller before her agent loses it. ⁣
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I absolutely adored this book and I’m sort of hoping maybe there’s a book 3!?⁣
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 💫 ⁣
Thank you @minotaurbooks for the gifted copy! This is out today! #bookstagram #books #finleydonovanknocksemdead

Well, that was a whole lot of fun! Finlay Donovan is back, and up to her usual antics of trying to juggle motherhood, a writing career, ex-husband, two new love interests and the occasional dead body. Vero is back too, and don’t we all wish we had a ride-or-die bestie like her…someone who would not only babysit the kids, but quite literally bury a dead body for you?

If you haven’t read the first book Finlay Donovan is Killing It I recommend you start there. You’ll want to get a feel for the characters and how this drama all started before diving into book two.

While you definitely have to suspend reality while you’re in Elle Cosimano’s world, she’ll take you on a ride you won’t soon forget. Dare I say Cosimano is the new Janet Evanovich and Finlay Donovan is our generation’s Stephanie Plum?

In this book Finlay is trying (not very successfully) to finish her next novel and keep their household finances in the black. She discovers that someone has put a hit out on her ex-husband, and while he may not be her favorite person she doesn’t want her children’s father to end up sleeping with the fishes. Her ex thinks it’s all in her head and refuses to take the threat seriously, even after a series of ‘accidents’ keep befalling him. So it’s up to Finlay to work out who wants him dead, before it’s too late.

If you’re in need of some completely bananas escapist entertainment, you can’t go past this one.

LIKES:
📝 relatable, funny, fast, exciting writing
🧭 super plot driven!
👱🏻‍♀️ Finlay (single pov) is messy & fun!
🔪 murder, threats, & ex-husbands - OH MY!
🕵️‍♀️ + an investigation (official & unofficial)
🇷🇺 + russian mob vibes
👭 strong female friendship (Finlay & Vero)
❤️‍🔥 a more intense love triangle than book 1!
😂 alllll the LOL-inducing chaotic antics
📖 + some meta bookish vibes
🧗‍♀️ + a cliffhanger ending (w/ enough resolution to keep you satisfied for now)
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DISCLAIMERS:
⚠️ DM me for TW!
🔗 didn’t connect to this mystery as much as book 1
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VERDICT: Finlay & Vero are back for more chaos as they race to prevent a murder - an exciting yet relatable & funny cozy mystery w/ enough Russian mob involvement & love triangle romance to keep things interesting! Already ready for book 3!

Finlay Donovan is Killing It was one of my top 3 reads for 2021 so when I found out there was going to be a second installment in early 2022, sign me up! Even better to be lucky enough to receive an advanced reader copy, which I was grateful to read and have the opportunity to review.

🌟 Thank you to @ellecosimano and @minotaur_books for the advance readers copy and to @netgalley for the audio as well.

💄 Finlay is back with her trusty sidekick Vero, and repeat readers will be glad to see the familiar cast of characters, as well as a few new introductions. And Cosimano set it up nicely for a sequel…or dare I say…maybe a Vero spinoff? Time will tell but I think that would be fun to see!
This picks up pretty much where the first installment left off, so if for some reason you haven’t read Finlay Donovan is Killing it, I urge you to read that first, because while this might work as a standalone, like any good sequel, this one rewards the return reader with lots of familiar references.

🎧 When I saw NetGalley was offering the audio, I requested it as well just so I could see how it was—I didn’t experience the audio for the first book and I was really pleased with it so I did a combination of reading and listening this time around. You can’t go wrong either way with this one.

♥️ Thank you again to the author, publisher and netgalley for the entertaining read.

Everyone’s favorite mystery-novel-writer-accidentally-turned-hired-assassin is back at it! In this sequel to Finlay Donovan Is Killing It, Finlay and Vero continue right where the last book left off, tracking an ad for a hitman on Finlay’s ex-husband/baby daddy. It’s got the same action-packed, head-shaking and chuckle-inducing charm as the first one, and the spicy love triangle continues—definitely something for everyone. It’s really clear that the two books go together. The writing and narration styles are identical, and I love when the author maintains consistency between books in a series.

I think the ending could have been smoother and given slightly more resolution. I was a little disappointed with who was ultimately responsible for the ad and who is insinuated to be the hired hitman. However, it certainly leaves room to transition right into the third installment.

Thank you to the publishers at St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books, and Netgalley for this e-ARC of Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead.

The second installment in the Finlay Donovan series takes up where we last left off. Steven, Finlay’s ex-husband, has a hit out for his life, and someone means to end him. Finlay and Vero will do everything they can to stop Steven’s would be killer, even if it means doing the unthinkable. And once again, Finlay is supposed to be constructing her new novel for her editor, but has too many things on her plate. Will she and Vero be able to clean up the mess they created?

While I enjoyed the humor and mystery thrown into Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead, it did feel a bit redundant to her first novel, with the same basic storyline. There were new characters and new hijinks, but overall it felt very similar, which was a bit disappointing. I did like the new, more devious twists thrown in however, as it made the book so much darker than its’ predecessor (don’t want to spoil it!) which made it feel like it was all turning in a new direction. I’m excited to see what she does in her 3rd novel, as I feel it’ll be her most murder-y yet!

Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead is now available wherever books are sold!

I'm not quite sure why I read this book. I had remembered reading the first one in the series and must have thought I liked it more than I did. I did both the audio and ebook versions and can say that I had a hard time paying attention to this. The characters just got into one silly mess after another. The author is obviously channeling Janet Evanovich unsuccessfully. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher though for the opportunity to read this book.

I was wary of a second in the series, because the first book is just SO good that how could the sequel be as good... I was completely blown away. I LOVED this book. In fact, I almost prefer this one???? I read it in one day. I seriously couldn't put it down. It was a shirk all other responsibilities, ignore the dog type of read. Finlay and Vero are still hilarious, whip smart and engaging. The secondary characters all added to the storyline in a substantive way and I genuinely cared about all of them, which is NOT easy to do. I'm SO excited for more people to read this one and I'm SO excited to see what happens to Finlay and Vero next!

What another AMAZING book by Elle Cosimano! I loved this book so much from the first page to the last I was hooked I literally could not stop reading. I highly recommend this series to all readers they are both page turners and so entertaining.

Finlay is struggling to finish her second novel and being a single mom of 2 life sure does get crazy. Finlay learns that someone put a hit on her ex husband Steven. Finlay and Steven didn't really end things on good terms however he’s the father of her children and she doesn’t want anything bad to happen to him. Once again the best duo (Finlay and Vero) are back at it and they definitely have their work cut out for them this time! Of course nothing goes as planned with those 2 and they find themselves mixed up with the Russian mob!! How will they get out of all this craziness this time and will Finlay be able to save Steven?!

Seriously this is definitely on my top faves of 2022!❤️ Do not wait to read this one I promise you will love every twist and turn! Enjoy the ride! 😉

"Finlay Donovan Knocks 'Em Dead" was a fun mystery/thriller. I enjoyed it just as much as the first book in the series. I hope there are more to come!

So SO good! I loved the first Finlay and this one didn't disappoint! I'm always hesitant that after loving the first book in a series, I won't like the others, but this one was awesome!