Hilarious! I'm looking for more from Elle Cosimano. I do wish I'd read the first one first, but this is definitely OK on its own.

Another quick page-turner in the Finlay Donovan series- and based on the ending, I think we’re getting a third book! I enjoyed this one just as much as the first. It’s full of hijinks as Finlay and Vero attempt to protect Finlay’s ex-husband after an anonymous user posts a $100k reward in an online forum for Steven’s murder. You’ll breeze through this book, it’s perfect when you need a light read with some humor and mystery.

3.5 ☆ rounded up

"Never go back to the scene of the crime. It's simple common sense if you want to get away with murder. Right up there with don't wrap a corpse in your shower curtain, don't buy four gallons of bleach and a shovel with your credit card and don't keep a chest freezer in your garage."

For Finlay Donovan, an author of romantic suspense novels, these truisms are child's play. After the harrowing events one month earlier in Finlay Donovan Is Killing It, Finlay is keen on lying low and having her life return to some level of normalcy. Single mother of a 5-year old and a toddler, Finlay is fending off her cheating ex-husband Steven's attempt to win more custody time with their children.

It's now Thanksgiving. Her agent's pleasure with Finlay's first novel about a female assassin just makes her more eager about pressuring Finlay to complete the sequel. If only Finlay didn't have a case of writer's block.

Maybe real life will once again provide inspiration as Finlay now has first-hand experience with being a hired killer. After all, Steven's philandering has created many disgruntled women, and one of them appears to be motivated enough to offer $100,000 to eliminate Steven.

Then there's Feliks Zhirov, the Russian mobster, with tangential connections to Steven. Zhirov may be in jail pending trial, but he's still capable of manipulating situations. And Finlay's creativity captured his attention when it would have been better not to appear anywhere on his radar.

"I'm not the luckiest person in the world, and I know better than to assume the dead didn't come back to haunt you."

Finlay Donovan Knocks 'Em Dead can be read as a standalone as the author alludes to events in the earlier book. But as this installment includes most of the key characters from the first novel, it would be better to read the two books in their chronological order.

If you have read the first novel, then you'll likely be struck by the change in tone. I didn't find this as funny as the first. The first 40 percent seemed slow to build up any suspense. But in the last 40 percent, the plot felt like a very fast-moving shell game and I was swept up by the sleights of hand. This is a positive observation because I didn't anticipate any of the major plot developments. At times though Finlay's decisions reminded me of an "I Love Lucy" caper because I could see that Finlay was digging herself into a deeper hole. So while I was hoping that Finlay would prevail, I was also chiding her for some of her decisions. This author wrote an unusual combination of occasionally over-the-top comical moments coupled with messy endings that characterize real life. It's a strong enough lure for me to want to read future installments.

Thank you to the author, Minotaur Books (an imprint of St. Martin's Publishing Group), and Netgalley for providing me with a digital ARC. My review reflects my candid assessment and feelings. Quotations in this review are from an uncorrected proof (ISBN 9781250242198) and may differ from the final version. Publication date is February 1, 2022

Thank you St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for allowing to read and review this ARC.

I'm always hesitant to read sequels to books I adore because rarely do they live up to the hype. But, holy cow! I was immediately sucked back into Finlay's world and binged this book. Finlay's story is relatable, humorous, and sticky. I was actually sad when I finished, knowing I would have to wait for the rest of the story.

Finlay is the heroine we all need. A mom who is just doing her best.

*Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*

I'm giving this 3.5 stars because it's just as enjoyable as the first Finlay Donovan, but some of the plot is a little hard to follow. It was fun revisiting Finlay and Vero's antics, and the nature of this series is that you have to suspend reality. However, I felt like there was too much going on at times. Quite a few of the characters from the first book are involved in this book's plot, and it took me a while to remember who was who. Overall, it's a fun read, but make sure you've read the first book or you'll be totally lost.

Finlay Donovan Knocks 'Em Dead is the second book in the Finlay Donovan series, and picks up where the first book left off, with a hit being put out on Finlay's ex husband Steven. Finlay and her friend/live-in babysitter/partner-in-crime Vero are quickly drawn back in to questionable acts as they try to uncover who has it out for Steven and the mystery person that's volunteered to do the job. Throw in Vero keeping secrets of her own and Finlay trying to decide between a hot young lawyer in absentia or a hunky cop that keeps showing up on her doorstep, plus an editor looking for a first draft of a new book and Finlay has her hands full. Full of hijinks, sometimes to the point where it's hard to believe someone could actually bury themselves that deep in disaster, Cosimano's series is reminiscent of Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series where a woman who's a hot mess has hot men fighting over her albeit with a more cohesive plot but less funny characters. A copy of this book was provided in exchange for an honest review.

I gobbled up the first Finlay Donovan book in a matter of hours and was ecstatic when I received an advanced copy of the second in the series that I immediately dropped what I was currently reading and started this right away. As predicted, I devoured this one just as quickly, too eager beaver to keep going to savor the story and now I'm left to wait impatiently for the third installment. Hopefully, there's a third installment! Alas, I wait.

I loved the pace and voice of the story, as Finlay takes us on another whirlwind whodunit ride, desperately seeking out who put a hit on her ex-husband (there are many and understandable so!). Finlay is a fun, relatable character and I think that's the big reason why I love reading about her misadventures. Her journey is full of quirk, cringe and bravado. She is someone who you can't help but cheer for, as she clumsily navigates her own investigations. If I had to choose one pain point, it would be her partner and sidekick, Vero. I didn't care for her much in the first story, and she became a very unlikeable character in the second story, taking advantage of Finlay's generosity. I didn't think there was enough meat behind Vero's character to make me sympathize with her issues, I just found her excuses exhausting and her abrasive behavior annoying. I feel like the problem that was revealed was quickly glazed over, easily forgiven, almost encouraged, when I was fuming on the sidelines, screaming at Finlay for being nonchalant about the whole thing!

However, all in all, a really enjoyable story with strong female roles, an exciting plot and a fun excuse to don my detective cap and play along with Finlay's amaetur investigation.

Thank you NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Elle Cosimano for providing a digital ARC (and a hard copy!) in exchange for my honest review.

Finlay Donovan rides the struggle bus: part II. She has no idea what her next book will be about (never mind that she's already received the advance), and she's doing the best she can as a single mother of two. To pile on, someone wants her ex-husband, Steven, dead. Finding out who wants him gone forces Finlay to reconnect with some less-than-stellar characters. Amidst it all, she can't help but feel that her live-in nanny and partner-in-crime, Vero, is keeping secrets. Can Finlay save Steven before it's too late?

Finlay Donovan is Killing It was one of my favorite books of 2021, and I feel so honored I was able to read the sequel early. If you enjoyed the humor and general hijinx Finlay and Vero got up to in book one, I think you'll be very pleased with book two.

I rarely laugh out loud while reading but Elle Cosimano has a way of bringing the humor right off the page. Additionally, every single time Finlay got herself into something that made me wonder "how in the hell is she going to get out of this one?" Cosimano had some sort of epic (usually hilarious) resolution.

I love how well the characters have been developed throughout this series. I am not a single mom, and generally have almost nothing in common with Finlay, and yet she is so easy to relate to (even if I wanna give her a good smack upside the head sometimes). I'm keeping my fingers and toes crossed we get to see her again in book three!

Finlay Donovan Knocks 'Em Dead will be on a bookshelf near you February 1, 2022!

(P.S. I am #TeamNick sorry not sorry)

**Review will be published February 1st, 2022 on my blog/Instagram**

3.5 stars

WILD RIDE.

Wow did I eat this up in a day. Even when I get frustrated with the story I can't help but be charmed by the writing. It's easy to consume and has a rollercoaster of events to keep things moving.

Finlay and Vero are at it again. Trying to solve the mystery of the hit put out on Steven. I couldn't believe some of the things they were getting up to and some of the decisions being made. While I can't fathom making some of them and have to suspend reality a bit (since it gets ridiculous at times) I still like how high stakes it feels. There's many well timed moments and parts that I just couldn't put the book down.

I don't love Vero. Maybe it's because I don't fully trust her? I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop about her background and thank heavens all will be revealed [hopefully] in the next book because I NEED ANSWERS. Yes there's more to come. A fact I didn't know prior and want to state now.

I am alllllllll team Nick. ALL IN. This love triangle has also kept me intrigued and I like the push and pull from both sides. I want all the romance with him. I appreciate the many layers to this story and how deeper things keep going. It's a bit twisted, with a good dash of humor and intense moments.

Overall audience notes:
- Mystery + Romance
- Language: some strong
- Romance: heated make-outs & light innuendo
- Trigger/Content Warnings: attempted murder, gun violence, murder, kidnapping, loss of a loved one, extortion

Thank you to NetGalley and St.Martin's Press for this ARC. I read this immediately after finishing Finlay Donovan is Killing it, and I highly recommend you do the same if possible!

The story picks up right after the first book ends and is a high-stakes speed read the entire time. I can't describe my love for these books any better than by saying I read them both in a week, and I don't know what I'm going to do now that it's over (for now...).

Please read this if you have the chance. You won't regret it!

Elle Cosimano has done it again! Finlay Donovan is such a joy to follow along her journey. By the end of this book, you feel that she and Vero are your good friends. I love the wit, plotline, and character development in this book. I will be recommending it to my friends when it arrives on bookshelves.

Elle Cosimano has done it again! The 2nd book in the Finlay Donovan series delivered all of my expectations. Just like the first book in the series, I could not put this down and finished so quickly!

My favorite thing about this book was Finlay's character development. I don't want to give away too much, but I'll say that Finlay is an icon and I'll leave it at that. I'm also pleased that there was more Vero content and watching Finlay and Vero's dynamic come alive on the page the second time around was even better!

I also love how the plot picks right back where it left off in the first book. For this reason, this second book could not be read as a standalone. (Just putting that out there in case someone hasn't read the first book.) The suspense in this book was much more palpable and intense, and I loved every second of it.

I'm glad I didn't have to wait until February to read this one, but now I have to wait until God knows how long for a (hopefully) 3rd book in this series. 😂

Many thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press and Elle Cosimano for this e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for letting me read this second in a series, Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead. I enjoyed this one every bit as the first. Yes, the storyline is totally ridiculous, poor Finlay has been mistaken for a hit man while she’s really just trying to live her life and care for her kids as a single mother, but Finlay is somehow still completely relatable. This is funny and suspenseful.

Just as good as the first book! The story picks up with Finlay trying to determine who is looking for a hitman (or woman) to kill her ex-husband. As with the first book, Finlay Donovan Knocks 'Em Dead has mishaps, comedic moments, and romantic tension between her lawyer and cop love interests. Finlay is relatable as a single mom trying to make ends meet while navigating a complicated divorce; but lightheartedly addresses these topics with her as an unlikely murderer. Hope Cosimano keeps this series alive!

oh Finlay ! what have you gotten yourself into this time? This is the second book in the Finlay Donovan Series and it picks up right where the first on leaves off... <spoiler>someone wants her ex husband dead, she she is determined to stop whoever is behind it.</spoiler>

it had been a month since Finlay was mistaken for a hit woman and offered to kill someone for a very large amount of money. She is still dealing with the after math of that, while juggling her home life, her love life and her career.

I love the relationship between Finlay and her nanny/roommate/PIC. They are two peas in a pod and have the best chemistry. The vibe of this book is unbeatable- humor, mystery, fear, thrill, and relatability!! Finlay is one of the most relatable characters I've read about- she is a hot mess mom, trying to do the best for her kids while barely holding her head above water. We have all been there !! I can't wait to see where Finlay's adventures take us next.

Finlay Donovan is hands down one of my favorite female main characters I have read in 2021. She is a hot mess but in the best way. Once I finished book 1 I jumped write into book 2 to continue my journey with her.

How I describe the premise to these books is simple: if I was magically tied up in the Russian mob as a hit woman and if I didn’t keep up the facade I could be next. Finlay, a single mom of two and up and coming author with zero crime history find herself in this situation.

She finds herself getting involved when she is speaking about one of her thrillers while at Panera when she is overheard and someone thinks she is actually a hit woman. Once she is contracted to kill someone’s husband, shit hits the fan. Before book one is over it is brought to her attention that there is a hit on someone very close to her and she knows she can’t allow it to happen.

Book 2 picks up right where 1 leaves off and is mainly focused on figuring out everyone involved with the hit/bounty and stopping it from happening.

Finlay and her partner in crime, Vero, have great sense of humors and I really love everything about them! I really enjoyed these books and will continue to recommend them to readers!

I don’t (typically) READ romantic suspense. But this is different: romantic COMEDY suspense. What fun! This quick, engaging read brightened up some dreary early winter days. The characters Finlay and Vero are clever, gutsy, and certainly different from your usual crime solvers. So many twists and turns, but most issues were wrapped up nicely in the end. But then there was that last development, to keep us hanging in wait for Book 3!

This series is engrossing & entertaining with main characters that I want to see in 843 more books…… like, TODAY. I appreciate the untraditional storyline even through a few “really?!” moments. All in all, a tale worth settling down with!
Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for the opportunity to review this.

Ok, it’s official. I’m obsessed with this series. I blew through this one in a little over 24 hrs; I seriously couldn’t put it down.


In true Finlay Donovan fashion, I was cracking up by page 2. I love how much of a relatable hot mess she is, but also so much of a bad ass. I felt like this story had a lot more action & ridiculous situations, which is why it was so freakin good. I will forever want Vero as my sidekick. And Nick, talk about knight in shining armor! I loved the introduction of a lot of new, wild characters, but also the return of a few infamous ones. (I don’t want to give too much away.) I loved this one just as much as the first & will definitely be talking about this one for a while. 5 ⭐️s

A HUGE thank you to Netgalley, St. Martin’s Press, and Elle Cosimano for this e-arc. Check out Finlay Donovan Knocks Em Dead on its pub date 2/1/22!

I loved the first Finlay Donovan book and because it ended in a cliffhanger I knew there would be more! Finley is back with Vero by her side, trying to manage life, get Finley's new book written, and keeping the kids alive - oh, and also trying to figure out who is trying to kill her Ex!

Vero is still mysterious, Nick is still hot, and the Russian mob is back too. This was a fun one and I am glad I got to read it. As always, I think the first book was better, but I think this series will continue to entertain readers for quite awhile!