Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead
By Elle Cosimano
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
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Summary:
Someone wants Finlay Donovan’s ex-husband, Steven, dead. And Finlay has made it her mission to find out who it is. I mean, Steven has been so adamant about joint custody and how can Finlay feel safe sending her two kids to stay with him until this person is caught? But adding one more thing to Finlay’s plate seems impossible. Sylvia is once again on Finlay’s back about a new book which, surprise surprise, isn’t done. And Finlay is trying to figure out her love triangle with Julian and Nick! Thank goodness Finlay has Vero to help. But it seems Vero has gotten herself into some trouble. It’s up to Finlay and Vero to make sure Steven isn’t the next victim of a contract killer. Will they be able to keep him safe?
•••
My thoughts:
Y’all Finlay is a mess! But I love her and want to be her when I grow up. I loved this one and Finlay Donovan is Killing It so much. There books are the perfect balance of mystery and comedy. If I ever need a hot woman, I know who to call. Elle Cosimano is a genius for coming up with these books. I can’t wait to see what she has in store for Finlay fans in the future!
•••
Read if you:
- Loved the Netflix original “Dead to Me”
- Want to know if Finlay found herself a man
- Have ever stolen a luxury car off the lot
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Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for letting me read an ARC copy of this in exchange for an honest review. Unfortunately Finlay fans will have to wait until early 2022 for this one! Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead is out sometime in February 2022!

Finlay Donovan is quite the character. She’s smart, witty, and a little clueless at times.

Things go horribly awry when she finally has to tackle the message she found from the first book. (I’d mention the message but it could be a spoiler if you haven’t read Finlay Donovan’s Killing It.)

As Finlay and Vero try to make ends meet, stay safe, sane, and happy, enter life.

I can’t wait to read the next book! I love how down to earth Finlay is and how she just rolls with the punches.

Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur for this arc, which I received in exchange for an honest review.

This was book 2 of the Finlay Donovan Series and it did not disappoint! This time Finlay finds out there is a hit out on her ex and the more she investigates it the worse trouble she and Vero get into. Like book 1, it is a perfect blend of drama and comedy. We revisit old friends from book 1 and meet some new ones. It ended in a little cliffhanger so maybe we will see book 3? This one deserves a spot n your TBR. It will publish February 1, 2022.

I absolutely loved the first book and I’m so excited I was approved for a copy of the sequel. Hilariously written, Zelle Cosimano’s writing is highly addictive. I need more!

Absolutely love Finn and her crew! It was wonderful to pick up where the last book left off, but I don't always like stories that must be read in order. It's a hindrance for readers when book one is checked out. Anyway, I laughed just like I did with the first title. The characters are just as relatable and I enjoyed seeing Finlay get out of her comfort zone. I can't wait for the next title!

I received an advanced reading copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I loved the first Finlay book, and this one was just as amusing. However, I feel the convenience of this book and the way it all tied together was far greater than in the first.

I absolutely love this series! Seriously, I will continue to be a fan of Elle Cosimano. Hopefully, this series will continue on for a long time. I’m a huge fan of Finlay Donovan and the second book is just proof of the genius that Elle Cosimano has!

Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead by Elle Cosimano

Run, don’t walk….
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Somehow even MORE exciting than it’s predecessor. Yes, I still laughed a lot and had an amazing time diving into this book. I was so intrigued about where the story was going. With every turn of the page, something new pulled me in even further. I made a prediction super early on about what I thought would happen and BOY was I wrong. Definitely didn’t see the ending coming at all - which makes the story that much better.

Elle Cosimano has a way of bringing humor to assassin for hire. Not sure how she does it but I’m getting serious Santa Clarita Diet vibes. There’s gotta be a third book in the series and WHEN it does happen, I hope I’m lucky enough to be honored to read it pre-pub, just like I did this one.

So thankful to have the opportunity to read this MONTHS before it’s released. It’s a must read, but while you wait… pick up “Finlay Donovan Is Killing It” first!!! Cheers!

My favorite author/hit-woman is back along with her sidekick Vero. This time she’s racing to find out who’s put a hit out on her ex. Add in hot lawyer and hot cop and won’t be able to put it down! Just like the first in the series, this was a lot of fun with the right amount of mystery & romance. Can’t wait for more!

*ARC provided by NetGalley for an honest review.

This was a fabulous follow-up to one of my favorites of the year, Finlay Donovan is Killing It. In this novel, we follow the latest hijinks of Finlay and her partner in crime and nanny, Vero. We get to see a lot of their relationship and see it develop, and see if Vero has any secrets of her own.

This book was another one I could not put down. Cosimano's writing is so captivating and I just had to keep reading to see what twists and turns she would take me on with Finlay. I also loved the romance in this book and how Finlay learned to prioritize herself and her kids.

Check this book out in February 2022!

My review for the first book in this series opened with “This was so fun” and I am so pleased to say it still applies. But this one also upped the ante when it comes to crazy twists and turns.

I will say there was a lot going on here, and a ton of characters weaving their way through the story. I was never confused and could keep track, but the second half was wall to wall action, drama, and red herrings. It was unputdownable, but also quite a lot to take in. Don’t pick this one up before bedtime or if you only have a few minutes. Sure, the chapters are quick and you *could* just fit one in, but you will not be able to stop at just one and will curse yourself for trying.

Our favorite accidental assassin-for-hire is back in this sequel to Finlay Donovan Is Killing It, and I absolutely loved it! Finlay Donovan Knocks 'Em Dead is just as fun. hilarious, and escapist as the first book. Finlay is trying to figure out who has put a mysterious hit on her husband, without tipping off hot-cop Nick to her shenanigans. All of our favorite characters are back, and we learn a little more about them in this book. The only critiques I have are that there were a lot of characters to keep track of, and towards the end I was like, "Who?" but Cosimano's writing explains everything pretty clearly if you just keep reading. Vero's characterization was kept very mysterious throughout the book, but I feel like it wasn't fully explained or resolved in a satisfactory way. Maybe that's for a later book? Critiques aside, this is a wonderful romp that will make you laugh out loud and gasp with all its twists and turns. Highly recommend this series!

Finlay is still reeling from the traumatic experience of getting in the middle of a mob fight and being hired as a hit man when she comes across an online post. This is not any regular online post but one she believes is putting a hit out on her ex-husband. Finlay is uncertain what she should do but she is definitely afraid for her ex and her kids.

Finlay decides she will pose as accepting to take the job of killing her ex-husband but her real intention is to find out who put the hit out. Finlay encounters many obstacles that keep getting in her way of figuring out who did it. While this is all going on she still has the job of being a mother, trying to write a book since she is an author as well as juggle romantic relationships with two different men. There seems to be nothing Finlay cannot handle but how she will handle this one is anyone’s guess.

I truly loved this book and finished a bulk of it in under 24 hours. I read this first book of the series and really enjoyed it but I think this one might be even better. The premise is completely unexpected and the twists and turns kept me guessing. The very end of the story was amazing and the story sets up perfectly for a third book which I can’t wait to read. I highly recommend you read this one as soon as you can.

Finlay Donovan and her accountant/nanny/sidekick/bestie Vero are at it again. Their zany antics and “ride or die” attitude make them the perfect crime fighting (or really more of a crime creating) duo. Once again, these two attract trouble like magnets. Their ability to deal with dead bodies and sinister characters, all while raising and keeping two little children safe, makes this series funny, fast-paced and enjoyable. You may even wonder if some PTA moms in your area are dealing with the same things, although I certainly hope not. This makes for great fiction, however, but I can honestly say a life like Finlay’s would be exhausting. Luckily for its readers, this book is anything but.

She’s at it again!

Finlay Donovan is a mystery novelist currently (well, almost always) in the throes of yet another writer’s block. The primary inspiration for her next book will come from her everyday life. Because Finlay’s life is in fact, just crazy enough to work as a piece of fiction! I believe the saying is, “you can’t make this stuff up!”

Finlay discovers that someone wants her ex, dead (other than her). So now it’s a race against time to find who’s putting this bounty on his head and bring it to a grinding halt, if for no other reason than to protect her children.

Finlay is such a fun and quirky character. You can’t help but love her. She’ll keep you amused and chuckling throughout!

If you’re looking for a light read that will have you rolling your eyes, (strictly from all the shenanigans) look no further. This book can definitely be read as a stand-alone. But as always, I highly recommend starting with book one Finlay Donovan Is Killing It. You’ll be glad you did!

A buddy read with Susanne

Posted to: https://books-are-a-girls-best-friend...

Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for an Arc to read and review.

I loved the second adventure of Finlay! This was such a delightful and fun read. I wish there were more novels like this one. It's fast paced, suspenseful and super silly. I'm actually super impressed that this sequel is as good as it is. I feel an epic series in the works!

Everyone's favorite soccer mom/accidental contract killer, Finlay Donovan, is back! More writer's block, more misadventures with Vero, and more drama with ex-husband Steven and handsome cop Nick. Can Finlay keep everything together, or will the police find out about her extracurricular activities.

The first Finlay Donovan novel was a true 5 star read for me - I absolutely loved the escapism! This one was still an enjoyable read, but I didn't feel the same magic of the first. As other reviewers have mentioned, there were just too many characters and too much going on, which made the narrative feel a little bloated. I also didn't like Vero's characterization - she goes from being a reliable sidekick/BFF for Finlay to someone who causes a lot of trouble and headaches!!

If you enjoy capers and don't mind when things go over the top, I think you'll still enjoy this book.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press for providing an ARC on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Review posted to Goodreads 9/11/21; to be posted to Instagram closer to pub date.

Pros: When I first read Finlay Donovan is Killing It, I was excited to find out there was going to be a follow up book because I had so much fun reading the first book. I love that Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead sets up a next book in the series—something to look forward to! My favorite thing about this series is that it’s a comedy of errors with a main character who the reader can cheer for even when she’s a bit of a mess and makes reckless decisions.

Cons: This isn’t a con, but I do suggest readers read this series in order rather than pick this up as a standalone.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books for the opportunity to read this book.

I’ve shared this review on Goodreads and StoryGraph.

3.5 Stars

Cosmiano delivers an amazing addition to the Finlay Donovan series with this one. When the first novel is so amazing (5 star read) some times I get nervous the 2nd one won’t live up. However I almost loved this one more than the 1st! The story was hilarious and kept me invested the whole time. I also really enjoyed the creativity of the twists. Highly recommend.

Thank you to the publisher for providing an e-galley for an honest review!!

I’m sad to report on this one. I loved loved LOVED the first book in this series. I devoured it. I couldn’t put it down. This book…still had the signature twists and turns from book one, but Vero didn’t land as solidly for me as she did book one. I am a fan of suspending logic in most circumstances, but this one took me beyond my realm of logic. It was a little disjointed and left me on a cliff-hanger that I didn’t really want to hang on. It may have been a situation of sky-high expectations, but I was left hoping for more.