Four and a half Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭒

Finlay Donovan Knocks 'Em Dead by Elle Cosimano is the second book in her very popular Finlay Donovan series but can be read as a stand-alone. I was anxiously awaiting this installment as I enjoyed her first book in this series very much, and this second book did not disappoint!

Finlay Donovan is a struggling novelist and single mother of two small children. When she finds out someone is trying to kill her ex-husband, Steve, she immediately works to find out who is trying to kill him. Although he is a thorn in her side almost all the time, she doesn’t want the father of her children dead. Working with her live-in friend/nanny/housekeeper, Vero they race the clock to find out who wants Steve dead.

This cozy mystery is hilarious. I loved this book as much as the first book in the series and was delighted to be back with Finlay, Vero, and all the other characters. I enjoyed the mystery as it kept me guessing until the very end. The book is fast-paced as Finlay and Vero work together to figure out who is trying to kill Steven.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a fun cozy mystery. I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

How could you not love Finlay Donovan? She's kind of a mess, and yet, she's out there solving crimes and writing about crimes and sometimes kind of committing crimes. This book is as funny as the first, with another fun mystery to boot. Grateful to Netgalley for the ARC so I could read the first and second back to back for even more fun.

As sequels go, this one is pretty good. It felt much the same as the first, an interesting story with hijinks. However, like the first, I felt this one wrapped up a little too simply. I want characters to face consequences and I think the plot could benefit from reasonable endings, not fantastic ones. If you enjoyed the first, you'll enjoy the second much the same.

Finlay Donovan is addictive. Fast-paced, and witty, I honestly can’t get enough. Waiting for access to book 3 is going to be painful.

Finlay Finlay Finlay. No matter how much you try, you always end up right at the scene of the crime with a few dead bodies to add some drama. After the HUGE cliffhanger at the end of Finlay Donovan is Killing It, I was beyond excited for the sequel. I am so grateful to Netgalley, Elle Cosimano, and Minotaur Books for an eARC in exchange for an honest review. This book is unlike anything I've ever read (excluding the first Finlay book of course). Throughout the book, Finlay finds herself in many "sticky" situations to explain herself out of, all while juggling book deadlines, two kids, and ACTUAL contract killers. She can't trust even those closest to her but also forges some unlikely alliances.

What I loved:
- Finlay! She is amazing, relatable, funny, and an absolute hot mess. Vero and the whole crew of side characters also add so much to the story, and I'm excited to learn more about Vero in the next book.
- The writing style: Cosimano crafts such a seamless narrative, I wasn't even bothered by the fact that the book is in first person. (If you know me, you know I don't like the first person.) In fact, I loved listening to Finlay's inner monologue as the world around her got even more chaotic.
- The plot twists! Every time I thought things were already crazy enough, the storyline shifted again. Also, I was a huge Julian fan at the end of the first book, but now I have to admit that Nick is edging him out.

What I didn't love: That I have to wait super long for the next book to come out!!

Overall, this series is a must-read for anyone and everyone! Finlay Donovan Knocks 'Em Dead comes out February 1, 2022, go preorder! And while you're waiting read the first Finlay book!!!

I will post a mini-review on 12/27/2021 on my Instagram @bookswithsiddhi as well as the full review on my StoryGraph. I will upload my full review on my Instagram @bookswithsiddhi the first week of January (so that it is closer to pub date).

finlay donovan is BACK! i was super excited to get my hands on this one, thanks to netgalley and st martin’s press. i honestly didn’t know what to expect with the sequel because i loved the first one so much but elle delivered!

finlay and of course vero, get themselves into another huge mess but are we surprised?? so many times i would think how the heck are they getting of this?? i just love both of them together. this book has so much going on which i enjoyed, the characters are so likeable and there is still that mystery of what will happen. are some things a little unrealistic? yes…but i love the characters and story too much to care!

this one doesn’t come out until february 1st so you have time to read the first one, finlay donovan is killing it, before then! and I really hope elle puts out a third one!

What a great book! An easy read that kept me engaged throughout. Finlay is a sassy author, mom, detective by accident who smartly gets herself in and out of dangerous situations. With the help of her babysitter/stylist/friend/partner in crime, she looks to solve the mystery of who wants her ex-husband dead while at the same time trying to finish her next novel.
The book keeps at a nice pace and contains mystery, romance, humor and drama all in one punch.
Finlay Donovan is the kind of woman I'd want to be BFFs with as she'd always be a good time!

This one is so much fun! If you read and loved the first one, you're going to feel the same about this one. Same Finlay, different hijinks. I love the writing style and how Finlay doesn't have it together. She's a real sort of character you can see yourself in. But also, you must completely suspend reality as the plot is just so ridiculous that it could never happen in real life. But that is entirely the charm of it. Looking forward to the next one for sure!

Thank you to Net Galley and Minotaur Books for allowing me to read an ARC of this entertaining, over-the-top caper. I have yet to read the first book in the series, so there was some back story to catch up on, but I managed to follow the plot.
Finlay Donovan, the first-person protagonist, is a single mom of two small children and a romantic suspense novelist with writer's block. But she has more pressing problems than a deadline: it appears someone from an online women's forum has put out a hit on her ex-husband, Steven. Although Steven is a shameless philanderer, he's a good father, so Finlay wishes him no harm. Nevertheless, she's hesitant to let her children visit him until the threat against his life can be eliminated. Steven thinks she's making it up as a ploy to keep his kids away from him.
Vero, Finlay's live-in friend/nanny/accountant, is her partner in crime, and it's debatable which one of them comes up with the most outrageous schemes, most of which create more problems than they solve.
An added complication is a love triangle. Finlay's been seeing Julian, a sexy law student quite a few years her junior, but their relationship is mainly physical. And then there's Nick, a handsome cop who has caught her eye, but Finlay keeps him at arm's length since many of her antics cross the legal line.
The Russian mob also plays a part; apparently, many of those characters appeared in the first book.
The action is nonstop, often hilarious, and there are a few surprises along the way. Not all the loose ends get tied up, but that must mean there will be a sequel.

Finlay & Vero are ride or die bestie goals! Mysterious, funny and widely entertaining.
Loved the hints and cliffhanger for book three which is high in my radar.

Another good read in the Finlay Donovan series. Although I like #finlaydonovanknocksemdead I found it a little more disjointed than the first book, Finlay Donovan is Killing It, but would still recommend this as a good read but that is why I only gave it 4 stars. It did advance the ongoing plot quite a bit while leaving enough unsaid to make me anticipate the next contribution to the series. Thank you to #netgalley and the publisher for this arc to read and review ahead of publication.

So Finlay Donovan is back! Lots of highjinks and fun, just like the first one…. This one picks up right after it, as Finlay tries to figure out who has put a hit out on her ex-husband. It’s not quite as funny as the first obe, but I really enjoyed the continuing story arc of all Finlay’s relationships, specifically with Julian & Nick. I’m eagerly awaiting the next chapter in this story!

I adored the first one and highly recommend it. I thought the sequel was fine! The plot didn’t work as well for me this time but it was still fun to revisit these characters. I like how the ending set everything up nicely for a sequel!

Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead is another fantastic read by the one and only Elle Cosimano and I felt like I hit the absolute jackpot by receiving this one as an ARC.

Brief Synopsis: Finlay is again working under pressure to complete her next novel when she stumbles on a womens forum that mentions her ex husband Steven. Upon further investigation, someone wants Steven dead and even though their relationship may be rocky she is determined to make sure that doesn’t happen. Along the way Vero and Finlay get themselves wrapped up in bigger issues than the death of Steven and they find themselves getting into the wrong place at the wrong time. Will Finlay and Vero make it out alive once again or will the Russian Mobsters and all their close “friends” get to them first?

Overall Thoughts: This book was just as delightful as the first and I loved every part of it. Ms. Cosimano does an amazing job at intertwining comedy with a murder mystery and this is something that would be so challenging to do. The characters are loveable and I enjoyd each of the side plots in this story. Like the first book, there is more than one plot line happening at the same time and she does a great job at seamlessly tying it all together at the end. I’m thrilled that there is room for another sequel as I love Finlay and want to continue to read about her crazy antics.

Rating: I rate this one 5 sunglasses. I loved it and I cannot wait for this one to hit the shelves so I can talk to my friends about it. This book is pure gold and everyone should put this series on their list!

Thank you to Elle Cosimano, NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this advanced copy. I absolutely adored it and cannot wait to read more from Elle Cosimano!

📚Finlay Donovan is once again struggling to finish her next novel AND keep her head above water as a single mother or two. Someone, however, wants her ex-husband Steven out of the picture. Permanently. Saving him will send her down the rabbit hole of soccer mom turned hit woman and a little more involvement in the Russian mob than she’d like. Will Finlay save her ex AND finish her book?

❤️Finlay is a hot freaking mess and I love every minute it. This sequel (go read Finlay Donovan is Killin It ASAP) is the perfect next chapter for our gal! These books are funny, witty and overall just a good time! Plus throw in a hot cop and a steam young lawyer…. I’m in! @ellecosimano please tell me there are more books because I’m not done reading them yet!!

🍾 Vacation Wine in Plastic Cup
I read this book in 4 hours in the hot tub on vacation sooooooo I didn’t have time/energy to refill for the pic! Plus plastic only poolside 😎💃🏼🤷🏼‍♀️

Finlay Donovan does it again! I absolutely loved this second book in the series. I found it to be more fast paced and just as exciting as the first. While the first one had more laugh out loud moments, I still found this one completely hysterical and on the edge of my seat trying to figure out the whodunit.

4.5 stars!

Similar to the first book, I really enjoyed this one too! I love the humor and the cozy mystery story! I also really enjoy Finlay and Vero’s friendship — every woman needs her “person”. Overall, I give this book a 4/5. The twist at the end felt a little out of nowhere and not really coherent to the entire plot. Still a very enjoyable read!

Oh my goodness, are you ready for more antics from Finlay and her live-in nanny and sidekick, Vero? I will warn you, many books in a series are standalone. But in this case, you have to read Finlay Donovan Is Killing It for this story to really work for you.

Believe me, if you can sit back and relax Finlay will take you on a memorable ride. One that starts out in the first book with mistaken identity and branches out in this book to assumptions, deadends, surprises, and a hint of romance.

Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead will have you dizzy from the plot twists and the ending will nearly knock you dead with the cliffhanger. I’m not sure how Cosimano was able to pull her characters, Finlay and Vero, from the web they found themselves caught in, but she did. And it worked.


Vero’s wild ideas will keep you shaking your head and chuckling. And I kept shaking my head and thinking, Where does Elle Cosimano come up with these ideas?! It won’t take long before you too will be caught up in this mystery that this crazy duo has uncovered.

My Concerns
The first of the story contained sexual innuendos and racy scenes that didn’t feel typical for the characters nor did they add to the story.

Final Thoughts
Without a doubt, this is filled with mystery, imagination, humor, romance, and a big dose of silliness. If you’re in the mood for a light read, meaning fun not uncomplicated, pick up Finlay Donovan is Killing It, and then quickly pick up Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Um Dead.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review an Advanced Reader Copy and post my thoughts.

Give me more Finlay and Vero-please! This book jumps right into another wild storyline…someone has posted a job to kill Finlay’s ex husband, Steven. Now Finlay and her live-in nanny, Vero need to figure out who wants Steven dead, and why? As they set out to uncover the identify of this hit man, they encounter a lot of bumps along the way.

I loved picking up where I left off from the first book and devoured this one in a matter of hours. This is such a fun series and I can’t wait for the next book.

Thank you Netgalley and Minotaur for this advance reading copy.

Finlay Donovan is back.
Has she learned from her mistakes in book one?
Not really. And I was there for every moment of her bad decision making.

What I love about this series is that Finlay has a good heart and tries to do the right thing (in this book, protecting her ex-husband Steve from a possible death threat), makes some spectacularly bad choices, and still manages to stay alive, and out of jail. Is the whole scenario realistic? Probably not, but I look to this series as an escape, where the average housewife and her trusty nanny, Vero, fight against mob-like characters and win.

Another thing I love is that Finlay isn't this perfectly put together heroine.
She is a disaster at time management, especially when it comes to writing her new book.
Her cleanliness standards seem just slightly above that of a college student.
Her eating habits are far from healthy, as she's often found stress eating a bag of cookies with Vero.
Yet, she has two and a half men (Steven is the half, lol) chasing after her.

Someone, despite being two steps from a dumpster fire, she makes it all work. And I'm grateful this book probably isn't the last we see of this hot mess. Stay tuned!