Finlay Donovan is Killing It has been one of the books that I have recommended the most in the last six months since I read it. It had mystery, it had hijinks, and I feel for how unrealistic it felt was incredibly relatable for life with little kids. It was the little shot of whimsy and joy that everyone could get behind.

In FINLAY DONOVAN KNOCKS 'EM DEAD I feel like we get a bit less of "mom-life" hijinks and a little more of Finlay's life as an ex-wife and single woman. The plot centers around Finlay discovering someone put up a request for a hit-person to take out her ex-husband on a mommy-but-really-run-by-the-Russian-mob forum (as one does). And is using her "detective" skills to figure out who hates him enough to want him dead (unsurprisingly, a good amount of people) and uncovering more mob drama along the way. I wish we got a little more from Detective Nick but overall we get to dive a bit more into Finlay's circle and the characters introduced in the first book. The entire second half I never wanted to put down (but will say that the ending felt a bit short to the outlandish theories I had dreamt up in the reading that I hoped would manifest).

I will say I don't think I enjoyed this one as much as the first BUT I think that was mainly because I listened to FDIKI as an audiobook and thoroughly believe this writing voice just SHINES as an oral story because of how infused the humor is. The ending also felt like a big red sign flashing "THIRD BOOK" so I am so excited to continue with Finlay and Vera and Nick and all their shenanigans.

Although I didn't think that this book was as excellent as the first, it did entertain me, keep me engaged, and kept me laughing and wondering.

I find it interesting that the themes seem similar to that of author Janet Evanovich and her Stephanie Plum series. So if you are a lover of that series, you will most likely love this one also.

The primary and tertiary female characters are always getting into trouble somehow. Finlay is finding herself in a three-way romantic situation (but that may change soon), and Vero has done something that I wouldn't forgive all that readily. On the other hand, the idea of someone wanting Finlay's husband dead was an interesting one and kept me guessing.

Unfortunately, we do end on a tiny bit of a cliff-hanger. Not enough of a one to rally tick me off, but just enough to know that there will be more books and that Finlay is no longer her own person.

*ARC is provided by the publisher, Minotaur/Macmillan Books, the author, and NetGalley. Thank you very much.

Having retired from her life as an accidental hitman, Finlay Donovan is trying to finish writing her novel while being a single mom to her two kids. There’s just one problem - someone has put out a hit on her ex-husband, Stephen, which threatens his life as well as the safety of her children. Finlay has no choice but to step.

This is an absolute must read for those who loved the first book! Sometimes you need to just put aside being realistic and have a good laugh. This book is equally as ridiculous as the first and just as fun! I laughed out loud and completely enjoyed the ride!

Finlay freaking Donovan, what kind of shenanigans did you get yourself into this time?? I absolutely LOVEEEEEEE this character because she keeps me on my toes the entire book.

This series is such a page turner. I could not wait to see how things would play out with each chapter. It’s so addicting. And there were so many moments where I was just like ahhh!! I hope she remembers this or that…always a little anxiety when reading about Finlay’s life- but in a good way. 😂

So much happens in this sequel. This one has the same writing style as the first so if you enjoyed the first one you will definitely love this one. I loved the same quirky humor of Finlay and her partner in crime, Vero. You get to see more of Veros character here which was nice. Everyone had a little character growth that I really enjoyed. Nick and Juilens personality shows more in this one- I love a good love triangle.

There were a couple twists but nothing major to me. I was just along for the ride and enjoying every second of it.

All in all I loveddddd it so much. The book ends on a cliffhanger but not as extreme as the cliffhanger in book 1. I definitely cannot wait to see how the next book plays out!! Highly recommend if you like funny murder mysteries!

Finlay Donovan is at it again in this sequel to Finlay Donovan is Killing it. With many of the same beloved characters from the first novel, this book continues on where the first left off. The mystery continues and Finlay is up to her mystery-crime-solving-writing shenanigans again!

I loved this fun book. Ms. Cosimano has such a great sense of humor and I found myself laughing out loud time and time again. Of course this book isn't "realistic" and you shouldn't read it that way! Read this book if you loved her first book, if you have a sense of humor, and if you appreciate a good mystery.

I highly recommend this book, but read the first in the series first as it continues on from the first book.

Special thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Finlay does it again!

This was hands down one of my most anticipated sequels, and I literally squealed when I saw NetGalley approved me for the title! (Thank you NetGalley!)

There were a lot of things I liked about this book, but most importantly - I truly felt it was right on par with the first in the series, which is surprisingly hard to come by.
I think there were less laugh out loud moments, but there were more suspenseful moments to balance out the two (there is a character involved that I really do not think I trust....and I'm hoping we get more of that in book 3!)

I'm think I may get my wish for book 3, based on Finlay Donovan Knocks 'Em Dead giving us more characters, more drama, more storyline and...even more love!
I've never read a comedic, romantic thriller like this before and I am looking forward to more and more from Elle Cosimano.

I only got approved for this NetGalley a few days ago, but I just couldn't resist. The first Finlay Donovan installment was a blast and a half, and this follow-up proved to be no different. The entire thing was a total joy ride from start to finish—equal parts messy, funny, sassy and mysterious. While the plot (and Finlay's series of narrow escapes) does require a bit of a suspension of disbelief, I think most readers would be more than happy to oblige. The ending is perfectly set up for a third book full of misadventures, and I truly cannot wait.

Dare I say that I liked this even better than the first? This one was just so fun! I don’t know what I liked more… the mystery, the humor, the love triangle or the friendship between Finlay & Vero. Everyone needs to have bestie on that level. Everything about this series so far is AMAZING. Bring on book #3!

Action, suspense, mystery, danger, and a woman struggling to hold together her life (kids, ex, lack of steady income, and fledgling love life) sounded like my cup of tea. So I borrowed the first book in the series to prep. I was nervous about the follow up having finished book 1. Fortunately, the second book is better than the first. The protagonist is stronger, still a hot mess, but more driven. There is less about small children and their inevitable messes (still there, but less dominant), and more about the motivations of supporting characters. The reader is rewarded with greater character development.

This one took me a little while to write because I honestly didn't want to say anything negative about it. The first one was one of my favorite reads this year and then this one...really just fell flat for me.

I think this book would have just been fine for me if the first one hadn't been amazing. But the bar was set so high, and this book was just so forced. The plot seemed underdeveloped, the characters didn't have enough time to be focused on, it was just a run around of this and that, and the loveable-ness of the first one just seemed to be thrown out the window.

I think the part that made me the most angry was how everyone wanted to control Finlay's love life. Especially Vero. It went from being a female empowerment story to being a "the woman has to end up with a man" story. It set me back a couple decades and really made me angry with a lot of the characters.

It was pretty messy, but like Finlay's life, but in the first book, I loved how messy Finlay was. In this one, it seemed over the top. It painted her in a bad light.

I honestly wish the book never had a sequel, it's a book where I will still recommend the first but steer people away from this one.

While this didn’t have as much outward humor as the first book, the irony and wit were heavy. I can’t get enough of Vero and the side eye she is constantly giving to everyone she encounters.

What I did love about this book the most was just how much of a page turner it is, especially halfway through. There was never a section that felt laborious, and I found myself thinking about getting back to this book all day.

Or maybe it was just Nick I was thinking about……

All in all, this was a phenomenal sequel to a book I am constantly recommending to avid readers and reluctant readers alike.

I’m not ready to be done with Finlay! I’ll need a book three, thanks!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this eARC!

Finlay Donovan is coming back & this time someone has a hit out on her ex-husband. & just like in Finlay Donovan is Killing it, hilarity ensues!

If you read the first book in the series, you’ll know that you have to go in expecting these books to be over the top, because they are. But just like the first book, book 2 is such a fun read. Is it deep? No. Is it a super quick read perfect for when you need a laugh? Totally!

In the second Finlay Donovan installment, it’s been a month since she was mistaken for a hit women and she is once again behind on her writing deadline. She also just found out that someone has a hit out on her ex-husband. He might be the worst person but Finlay doesn’t want to see harm come to him, for her kids sake. Finlay sets out to uncover who might want her ex-husband dead and figure out a way to stop it from happening!

Just like in the first book most of the situations she gets herself into are completely unrealistic but that’s what makes this series fun. Involving some nice twists and the Russian mob, the plot was fairly solid. I loved that we got to know Vero more, and between the pair of them, they kept me laughing.

My only negative feedback and it’s not really negative, is that the first book was just such a surprise & Finlay really did just stumble into a murder & a mess. This time around I felt she caused a-lot of her own problems, which made me roll my eyes a bit.

Even though I didn’t rate it as high as book 1, Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead is fun book with a surprising twist at the end! If you need something fast paced read, I highly recommend getting a copy as soon as it comes out. And in the mean time pick up the first book in the series if you haven’t already.

Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead comes out February 1, 2022. Huge thank you to Minotaur Books for my copy in exchange for my honest review. If you liked this review please let me know either by commenting below or by visiting my Instagram @speakingof_books.

I just LOVE Finlay Donovan. She is (less of) a hot mess mom (which I am familiar with personally) and super entertaining. I love that in the midst of crazy she has a little love triangle. There could be an entire book just watching her juggle that!

There isn't much I can say without giving things away, so I won't. I would certainly love if Finlay had a long book series to follow the first two.

Thank you St. Martin's Press for this advanced copy!

4.5 Stars!
I’m really loving this series. The untidy romantic angles just about kill me, but I know they’re par for the course in these types of amateur sleuth mysteries.

Finlay and Vero are a fun team sandwiched between some serious bad guys, entertaining family members, and two lovely romantic possibilities.

Although the main mystery was solved in the last book, there were overarching characters tied to this book, as well as some new ones introduced. There were a couple of waning moments in this story or maybe they just exasperated me, but things picked up and then became almost too convoluted at one point. In the end, the author tied up some of the loose strings nicely, while leaving a few extraneous strands to be carried over to the next book. Although, this book felt like it left things more untied than the last. Only more to look forward to! Now, if Finlay could only figure out her love life. For my romantic sanity, at least.

I read the first Finlay Donovan installment, so I was excited to receive an ARC for the sequel, <i>Finlay Donovan Knocks 'Em Dead</i>. The first book was over-the-top, so I expected it for the second installment... but it was beyond that and ultimately grated on my nerves. Finlay and her nanny Vero have become inadvertent contract killers. Finlay is a murder mystery writer with two children and a sleaze-bag ex-husband, Stephen. Via a "mom" website (NextDoor.com-esque) that runs as a cover for organized crime, Finlay and Vero have become convinced that there is someone who wants Finlay's ex dead. And as much as they dislike Stephen, neither Finlay or Vero wants him killed. Finlay is also adamant that she wants her children as far from Stephen as possible until she and Vero can identify the person who wants him dead and convince him or her to call off the hit.

Vero's character makes constant sexual innuendo and sarcastic comments. By the seventh or eighth, I was really tired of them and her. Their escapes are so ridiculous and beyond belief that it starts to read like a comedy instead of a mystery. The romance sub-plots leave a lot to be desired. And maybe that's the point, but I found myself irritated more than once. I enjoyed the first book, so maybe I was in a different frame of mind - or maybe this one is really even more absurd than the first. Who knows? If there's a third book, I'll probably skip it. Not recommended.

Thank you to the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Elle Cosimano has done it again! Finlay Donovan is one my favorite modern day characters. The antics she gets herself in, along with her best friend/nanny, Vero, are seriously hysterical yet some what believable. In this go around, Finlay and Vero are out to stop the murder of Steven, her ex husband, before it is too late. As much as Finlay is trying to steer clear of the "hitwoman" life, situations seem to simply fall into her lap.

I appreciate how Finlay is written a bit older in age and has a backstory with baggage. Between her ex-husband, her need for money in order to support her two young children and her desire to just maybe have an actual social life, she has her hands full.

All in all, Finlay Donovan Knocks 'Em Dead is comic gold and a must read!

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books, and Elle Cosimano for the e-arc of Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead in exchange for an honest opinion.

Once again, Finlay is struggling to finish her book before her deadline and make ends meet as a single mom of 2. With Vero to help her, she is sure she can do what she needs to keep afloat. However, when a mysterious letter arrives letting her know that a hit has been put out on her ex-husband, Finlay struggles to keep everyone safe, figure out who wants him dead, and complete her book on time.

This second book in the Finlay Donovan series is funny and smart. You never know what antics Finlay and Vero are going to get up to or how they will get themselves out of it. The plot is outlandish and inconceivable, but it works so well in the world Cosimano has created.

I feel for Finlay on the relationship front, but I do hope the love triangle between her, Nick, and Julian is resolved soon. I think there is enough tension/chemistry with either love interest that both are not needed.

I loved getting more of Vero’s backstory and loved that we got to see her and Finlay’s relationship continue to grow. I’m quite interested to see where this series goes. This is definitely an auto-buy series for me. I can’t wait for the next one.

Full review will be posted on Goodreads and my instagram (www.instagram.com/madhattersfolly_reads) the week of publication.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

Finlay and Vero are back! If you've read this first one, you definitely need to pick this one up to see the continuation of their story. I loved the first book because it was fresh, unique, and had me laughing out loud. This second book definitely made me laugh, but it felt too much like the first book. There was certainly a lot of action, but the story didn't move forward as much as I would have liked. There were many unanswered questions at the end, leaving me to believe there will be a third book. And I am HERE. FOR. IT. I just hope there will be something new/exciting to add to the story line.

3.5 stars

Finlay Donovan is my hero. She is an amazing character and I want more, more, more!
I received this as an ARC from NetGalley. I quickly read Finlay Donovan Is Killing It, book 1, and adored it and the characters of Finlay and Vero.
Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead was even better!
I tried to read this slow so it would last, but it was super hard to put down.
The chemistry of the characters, the fun and upbeat mystery makes it the perfect read!
Pub Date: February 1, 2022.

I loved Finlay Donovan is Killing It and was thrilled to get an ARC of the second in the series.
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Elle Cosimano had created such memorable characters and I just couldn’t wait to get back to their stories and find out what trouble they’d get into this time.
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This follow-up focuses on Finlay’s ex-husband and the ad she sees online to put a hit out on him. This one was a bit less slap-stick than the last one but I really loved diving into the story here.
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I highly recommend continuing on with Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead and will continue to reach for the rest of the series as long as they’re being written.
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Thanks to @netgalley and @stmartinspress for this eARC.