Five stars, and no less to the second book of what now has become one of my favorite series.
This time around Finlay and Vero find themselves trying to figure out who wants Steven, Finlay's jerk of an ex, dead. They come across a posting online which looks like to be soliciting a hut on Steven. They're in a race against the clock, to find out who this person is and stopping them, all before the holidays. But soon Finlay and Vero are way in over their heads.
Can't wait for the next installment in this series. The perfect puck if you're looking for mystery, romance, and lots of laughs.

I was really hesitant about this sequel after seeing other early reviews, but I was pleasantly surprised by this next installment!

I probably laughed-out-loud even more while reading Finlay Donovan Knocks 'Em Dead and can't wait to see what happens to Finlay and Vero next!

After falling in love with Finlay Donovan in the first installment of this series, I could hardly wait to jump into her next adventure and this novel did not disappoint! If you're looking for a laugh-out-loud, yet intriguing, mystery/thriller than you should look no further. I can hardly wait for more!!

Single mom, Finlay Donovan, has a successful first novel and is struggling to meet deadlines on the second book in her mystery/romance series. Things are not going well, but fortunately, she has Vero, her super live-in nanny/bookkeeper and best friend to support her.

On the downside, she needs a lot of support because someone has a hit out on her ex-husband, Steven, and she’s afraid she’ll be blamed if the hit is successful. Besides, although he was a lousy husband, their children love him and he’s trying to be a good father.

Finlay finds it difficult to write a mystery when she’s living one. While out trying to save Steven, she’s doing all she can to keep her children out of the line of fire and away from him until the threat to his life goes away. Vero is all in whenever she’s needed, even if she has to move body parts in her cherished gold Charger.

I really enjoyed these characters. The story, while wild, was entertaining and funny. I’m looking forward to book 3. This series should be read in order since the plot to book one is mentioned frequently in this second book of series.

Thanks, NetGalley for a copy this book.

Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead
By Elle Cosimano

I LOVED the first book so most definitely this was my most anticipated read.
I am so happy to continue on with Finlay and her live-in confidant aka Side kick Vero. This follow-up picks up almost immediately from the first book, Finlay Donovan is Killing It.
This time around as Finlay is focusing on completing her next novel, a few distractions resurfaces. There is someone wants her ex Steven permanently out of the picture. In true Cosimano style, this one is fast paced, exciting, and twisty, which makes it a super fun read.

I had myself chuckling and grinning ear to ear while reading this, and I do welcome this distraction even for just a few hours. I really enjoyed this awesome escape read.

Very fun and quick read! Cannot wait for the third release in January 2023!
I really enjoy how easy to read Elle's writing is.

Connection to characters: I don't personally relate to any of the character's lives but I still enjoy reading through their eyes.

Setting: I think Elle is great at setting the scenes and I can picture her words quite vividly.

Storyline: I enjoyed the first book's story more but this one was still fun and left me wanting a third book!

3.5 stars

Finlay Donovan is back at it, trying to write her next novel. If only she could come up with some fresh ideas. And oh yeah, keep her ex-husband alive after finding out someone wants him dead.

Finlay and her live-in nanny, Vero, are again put to the test when trying to solve the mystery of Steven’s killer-for-hire. All the while, Finlay still isn’t sure if she wants to date the cop or the lawyer from book 1. What’s a girl to do when two attractive men continue vying for you?

This is another humorous mystery. A solid follow-up to the first book and a fun change of pace from my typical reading.

Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for a digital ARC

And finally Finlay Donovan is back!!

I absolutely adored the first book in this series and could not wait to read the second one. I had high hopes and the second book in the series definitely did not disappoint.

I loved getting back into the Finlay universe and Finlay is just such a fun (and messy) character. It’s a bit over-the-top, far fetched and cozy chaotic mystery - and I’m totally here for it! I can’t wait what comes next in this series!

This series is definitely a must-read!

inlay Donovan is back and she is trying to finish her next novel. Vero is helping her with the children and Finlay's ex, Steven, is still annoying her. And then Finlay discovers that somebody on an anonymous message board wants Steven dead. Having Steven out of the picture would make life easier for Finlay, she is concerned about the children's safety when they are with him. She needs to figure out who is "Fed Up" before it is too late.


The second book in the fun series is called Knocks 'Em Dead. Finlay Donovan Knocks 'Em Dead is a fun book and Finlay Donovan is a fun character. Finlay may be a bit of a mess, but she has Vero to help keep her keep it together. Until Vero gets a bit messy herself. Together, the two of them try to save Steven's life without him even knowing what is going on. - CLICK HERE FOR SPOILERS



Bottom Line - It didn't take long for Finlay Donovan to become a beloved character. I enjoyed catching up with her and Vero and I can't wait to catch up with them in the future.



Details:

Finlay Donovan Knocks 'Em Dead by Elle Cosimano
On Instagram
Pages: 368
Publisher: Minotaur Books
Publication Date: 2/1/2022
Buy it Here!
Thank you NetGalley for the book in exchange for an honest review.

I waited much too long to review this book (and actually haven’t even reviewed the first one at the time of writing!) but I loved this continuation of the Finlay Donovan series. I love how this author combines cozy mysteries with mommy drama.

Finlay is constantly making even bigger messes in an effort to clean up her previous one, and it’s so much fun to watch her trainwrecks happen. I love her friendship with Vero and her overall humor.

If you haven’t picked up this series yet, it is certainly a must-read.

great as always! finlay donovan is fun! i cant wait to read the next books in this series. this author is great.

I know this goes against what everyone is saying about this book but I can't go on. What I didn't know when I picked it up was that you really, really need to read book #1. It's not a case where the author used the same characters and they solve another mystery. There were so many references to things I assumed happened in the previous book and I think it turned out it was really just a continuation of the first book. I had no idea what was going on and there were so many characters I didn't know how they fit in. I also didn't really like Finlay or Vero. It didn't read to me like a madcap murder. It just felt silly and contrived and Finlay flies by the seat of her pants doing dangerous and stupid things. About half way through I realized that I didn't even know what she was trying to find out.

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me a digital copy.

Such a fun sequel! I loved getting back into the Finlay universe. My book club also enjoyed discussing this one and Finlays antics!

I started this one and I had a hard time getting into the book. It just wasn't grabbing me at the time, so I did not finish... I appreciate the consideration!

I'm sure it was hard for Cosimano to write the follow up to such a strong debut (Finlay Donovan is Killing it), but she comes darn close with her second book in the Finlay Donovan series.

This time around, Finlay and Vero are trying to figure out who wants Finlay's ex-husband Steven dead. Finlay is once again working on deadline to finish her next book, caught in a love triangle between the Nick and Julian, not to mention getting in deeper with the Russian mob.

Cosimano is not at all stingy with content, it's one thing after another...and of course most of it is over-the-top and far-fetched, but it's just so much fun to read. I'm already looking forward to what comes next in this series!

Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced reading copy.

I’ve accepted that the cozy chaotic mystery is not my jam…I tried, I really tried but I need to stick in my own lane in future.

I did enjoy the second installment, like the first it was outrageously unrealistic and you end up just going with it most of the time. There was so great witty dialogue and shenanigans of Finlay & Vero. I can say that most of the time the plot/events fell short and a bit convoluted but I think this is more my own hyper-rational mind. But overall this is a super quick read and you are engaged the whole time.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for access to this ARC!

Really liked the second installment of this series!! Again, it’s pretty unrealistic but just go with it and you’ll probably enjoy it. Can’t wait for the next!

Findlay Donovan Knocks ‘em dead by Elle Cosimano

I enjoyed reading this book. Great plot, good wit, and many schemes going on. It was delightful, right to the end. I recommend this book.

Thanks to Net Galley for sending me an advanced reader’s copy for my review.

This is the second book in the Finlay Donovan series, and it is just as fun and funny as the first!

We meet back with Finlay, Vero, and the kids days after the end of the first novel. Finlay is still trying to write her next book pitch, juggle her family obligations, and --oh yeah-- figure out who put out a hit on her ex-husband! She once again gets sucked into the world of contract killers, and the plots of her books are just as outrageous as the shenanigans of her life.

If you are into cozy mysteries, I think this series will fit the bill. I recommend for fans of Asenic and Adobo and Dial A for Aunties, and for those who love books about writing books!

Thank you so much for the opportunity to read this book! I enjoyed this one so much and thought it was really nicely written and loved it as much as I loved her first one. I could not put it down and I pretty much read it in in sitting! Cannot wait to read her next one!