Member Reviews
A big thank you to @netgalley @macmillianaudio & @minotaurbooks for the ARC & ALC of the latest Finlay book!
As book series go on, I’ve often found that the storyline dwindles a bit & that was NOT the case with Finlay Donovan Rolls The Dice! Finlay #4 was just as fun, witty and hilarious as the first book!
The addition of more present side characters and more cameo’s from Steven & the kids was an added bonus - and brought me back into the world of Finlay & Vero pretty quickly.
The adventures and situations that Finlay and Vero get themselves into, has consistently been action-packed and kept me on my toes, and this latest installment was no different! I enjoy never knowing how things may sway or the turns that might come out of left field - also while being able to laugh at the witty banter that fully engrosses this book series.
The ability to flip between the ebook ARC and the audio ALC was so much fun - especially with the accents of some side characters (if you know you know) & it some how made the banter even better? Love it!
Elle Cosimano, can you do no wrong?! It sure seems like it! Thank you so much for your brilliant & fun series - I always get so excited to read the latest Finlay book & I love having Finlay and Vero make their annual appearance in my life when the latest book comes out!
After reading about 25% of this book, I got more and more lost with all the characters, and I did a little research and found that this book is the fourth in a series! I do like the way it's written, and I love the characters, but to really appreciate this story, I need to go back and read about the previous Finlay Donovan adventures. Finlay is a so fun!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC.
Huge thank you to @netgalley & @minotaur_books for the eARC!
3.5/5⭐️ (rounded up to 4 on GR)
I have been anxiously waiting to be back in the world of Finlay & Vero!! This dynamic duo is my favorite & I couldn’t wait to be back with my girls. Book #4 in this series picks up right where we left off in book 3. This book had all the things I love about the Finlay Donovan series: hilarious banter between Vero & Finlay, some real life mom moments, & a little bit of romance too💗. The Vegas setting in this one was a fun change that gave our MCs a lot of unexpected & new situations. Finlay finds herself in the most crazy & dramatic situations and you just have to roll with it🤣.
I did feel like the timeline in this book was a little rushed & convoluted which confused me at times. It was hard to follow whether it was nighttime or daytime & if things were happening on the same day. I also felt like this one was lacking a little bit in the Finlay/Vero interactions which is what I really love. This book sees Finlay out on her own a lot more than the past 3. Overall though, there were still many moments that had me giggling to myself! This book is probably my least favorite in the series so far but I loved it because I love Finlay & Vero. And after that cliffhanger I can’t wait to see what happens in book 5👀.
This ARC was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Elle Cosimano's Finlay Donovan books are some of my favorites, and book four continues the madness and capers with lots of laughs and a bit of mystery along the way. Book four picks up right where book three ended. As a result, you really need to read the whole series from book one to understand all the characters and backstories. Finlay and Vero are the ultimate in friendship goals! And as a romance lover, I adored the scenes between Finlay and Nick. I highly recommend this series if you love a comedic mystery with a dash of romance and loveable side characters. I can't wait for book five!
Thank you to St. Martin's Press and Macmillan Audio for the advanced copies of this book, receipt of which did not impact my review.
I have really enjoyed this series! The first book absolutely stole my heart, and I don’t think any of the other books quite compare. However, I think this one might be my second favorite of the series. I didn’t have trouble following the plot and all the characters were well envisioned.
Finlay and Vero together continue to be quite hilarious. I enjoyed connecting to Finlay’s mom a bit more in this book as well. I think this is a super fun series that is a perfect combination of comedy and mystery.
For Readers Who Like:
- Corrupt cops
- Kevin Bacon
- Strong FMC
Thank you @netgalley and @minotaur_books for an advance copy in exchange for my honest review!
I have absolutely enjoyed this series, but this installment is just a bit to over the top. It's level of silliness did not rival the other books rather it dilutes the series. I struggled to enjoy the story, and staying engaged. I'm willing to commit to the series, as now I need to understand the neighbor and the continue love saga with Nick.
I'd strongly recommend this series be read in order as each has a cliffhanger that comes to play in the next installment.
Thank you Minotaur Books
"Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice" is a total blast from start to finish! I mean, come on, a girls' weekend in Atlantic City that turns into a full-blown caper involving loan sharks, missing cars, and a murder mystery? Elle Cosimano has really outdone herself with this one.
First off, let's talk about Finlay and Vero. These two are the ultimate dynamic duo. They're like Thelma and Louise, but with a whole lot more sass and a knack for getting themselves into trouble. From the get-go, you can tell they're in for one heck of an adventure.
But it's not just the action that makes this book a page-turner. Cosimano's writing style is so engaging, it's like you're right there in the seedy casino hotel with Finlay and Vero, sweating bullets as they try to outsmart the bad guys. And the humor? Oh man, it's sprinkled throughout the entire story like confetti. I found myself laughing out loud more times than I can count.
And let's not forget about the supporting cast. Finlay's ex-husband, her meddling mother, and that smoldering hot cop Nick? They all add layers of complexity to the story, keeping you guessing until the very end.
Overall, "Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice" is pure entertainment. It's the kind of book you can't put down, the kind that leaves you wishing for more. Cosimano has definitely crafted a winner here, and I can't wait to see what she comes up with next!
Finley Donovan rolls the dice and does it again!
I loved it. She wrapped everything up and ties it all in a bow.
My favorite part is the way she teaches her ex husband a lesson about how to be a parent and that he really needs to step it up and take part in his kids lives. I honestly think he had no clue before and I think he learned a valuable lesson, one that a lot of men don't understand until they ARE left alone with the kids for several days on end with the kids. That it's damn hard work and Moms go through a LOT of shit.
Just like what Finley does when she gets everything sorted out and fixed by the end of the book. Loved it and the ending. I hope that she and Nick get their happy ever after.
If ever a duo epitomized the saying 'Out of the frying pan and into the fire', it’s Finlay and Vero! My favorite magnets for trouble are back and as usual they’re attracting ALL of it!
This fourth book in the series hits the ground running immediately after the crazy events of the Citizens’ Police Academy in the previous book. Under the guise of needing a girls’ weekend in Atlantic City to recover, Finlay and Vero, in classic fashion, intend to fix a debt to a menacing loan shark, recover a stolen Aston Martin and save Vero’s abducted friend, Javi, all while trying to avoid Felix, the Russian mob boss that’s on the loose!
There seems to be no mess that Finlay and Vero can’t find themselves in, but one they didn’t anticipate? Ending up with Finlay’s ex-husband Steven and their two kids, Delia and Zach, as well as her mom along for the ride, because … OF COURSE! When sexy Detective Nick Anthony unexpectedly shows up in Atlantic City with an FBI agent and several of his FCPD associates, including Finlay’s sister Georgia, to protect Finlay … typical craziness ensues!
Expecting a story with Finlay and Vero to be anything BUT over the top, is missing the point of this series, in my opinion! In the same spirit as Lucy and Ethel in I Love Lucy, the humor rests in the ridiculous, absurd scenarios they find themselves in. If you’re looking for believability, this is definitely not your series! Chuck your brain aside and just roll with it! Having said that, I can understand those who feel a bit fatigued by the silliness. I love it, but not everyone will.
If you enjoy a fast-paced, fun mystery with constant twists and turns and a host of hilariously charming characters, this is a book and series I highly recommend. After the first book, this may be my next favorite! As always, I can’t wait to see what misadventures lie ahead for Finlay and Vero. The last sentence of this book has me SO curious!
★★★★ ½
FInlay Donovan is a perfect read when you're looking for a fun, silly time. It may require some suspension of disbelief for the shenanigans the readers may find themselves in but overall don't overthink it and you'll enjoy.
The smoke has barely settled since Finlay Donovan Jumps finished, and picks up right where that book ended. Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice by Ellie Cosimano is the fourth instalment in the Finlay Donovan series. We follow Finlay and Vero as they take on Atlantic City for what was supposed to be a girl’s trip. Not only is the trip crashed by Finlay’s ex, her children and her mother, but her hot new boyfriend cop boyfriend Nick and a handful of his colleagues join her under the guise of finding the elusive mobster, Feliks Zhirov. In true Finlay style, her vacation degenerates into a kidnapping rescue mission and double homicide investigation, when the men she was searching for turned up dead in a hot tub in their hotel room. This book has everything from gambling, strippers and even a wedding officiated by Elvis.
As in all Finlay Donovan books, I really enjoy the quick pace and action packed story telling and easy to follow storylines. The characters are also very lovable and multidimensional, and I particularly enjoyed getting to know Vero and her love interest, Javi better in this book. However, the story often feels cliché, with situations resolving themselves too easily. I also do not like how Finlay and Vero get away with things at the expense of everyone else’s obliviousness. I feel as though it is lacking balance in that regard. I often find myself recommending this series to people who are looking for a quick vacation read or who want to get back into reading in general.
The whole gang is back together, and on vacation this time! I really love these characters and all their schemes, so it was really fun to spend more time with them. This is a very fast-paced book, with constant action and twists. There is a lot of humor, costumes, bad accents, and all-around chaos.
This series is starting to feel a bit episodic and formulaic. I wanted more growth and development in the characters that would impact them in the next books, and it felt slightly lacking in that regard.
Overall, this was a very entertaining and fast-paced read! I’d you haven’t read this series, I highly recommend you pick up the first book and get started!
Thank you to @netgalley, @minotaur_books, and the brilliant author, @ellecosimano, for the opportunity to read this #advancedreadercopy in exchange for my #honestbookreview! The final installment for the Finlay Donovan series is out March 5 so run now to preorder! 🧡
Note: this is the fourth book in the series and for maximum enjoyment, I recommend reading the prior three Finlay Donovan books and also the super fun novella, Veronica Ruiz Breaks the Bank before you read this one.
This was Finlay, Vero, and co’s wildest ride yet and I loved every minute! Cosimano does a great job of setting a scene so well you can perfectly visualize it in your mind while simultaneously keeping you on the edge of your seat with the fast paced antics of this crew. I’m so sad that the series is over but I can honestly say this is one of my favorite series I’ve read to date. I highly recommend this series for fans of suspense, friendship, and funny shenanigans!
TW: m*b behavior, d*gnapping, loss of a loved one, g*mbling
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - 5/5
I was a fan of the first Finlay Donovan book, so continued reading the series and requested book 4. Unfortunately, I don’t think cozy mystery is for (although I’m sure Finlay Donovan is the best of it and is enjoyable for some people)
Just feels repetitive and Finlay should get her life together lol
Recommend for people who like this genre, or just want a chuckle
From page one this book made me smile. So witty. The laughs just keep coming. The things that happen make you shake your head. It plays like a movie reel. There are nods to earlier books but if you have not read them it does not spoil the enjoyment. The end hints of a possible next book. Please!!!!!
I've been fortunate enough to get ARCs for most of this series. So I might have actually pumped my fist in the air and cheered when I was approved for this one. Yet again, Finlay and Vero are on another wild adventure. This time they've found themselves headed to Atlantic City with Finlay's ex-husband, mom and two kids. Their mission is to rescue Vero's longtime crush from Marco. However, the situation gets more complicated when during their quest they find the bodies of two people intimately involved with the mob.
I would say I liked this book; however, it was not my favorite. I feel like this plot line has come to it's end and has started to become a bit too over the top and unbelievable.
I ALREADY NEED MORE. I can’t get enough of Finlay and Vero’s misadventures.
The cliffhanger was *chef’s kiss.” This might be my new or second favorite after the first in the series. The story was incredibly fast paced and I loved that it felt heavy on Vero’s story, especially after Vero Breaks The Bank. This is currently my new favorite series and you’d think considering this is book FOUR (and a half) the storyline would get old and tired, but it’s far from it. It seems like Finlay and Vero are always finding themselves in far-fetched situations while still being relatable and likable main characters.
Huge thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for review.
These Finlay Donovan books are always fun! This offering was just as wacky and madcap as the previous three were.
Finlay and Vero, plus a gigantic entourage, head to Atlantic City to solve some crime and clear their names. There's not a ton to say for set up that doesn't give away previous books' story lines, but I was glad to see that several past open cases were tied together at the end of this book.
This book was so entertaining! Finlay and Vero bounce from one misadventure to another and it keeps the book moving at a great pace. I love all the personal details, like Finlay's relationship with her hot cop and Vero's past struggles. The cases are amusing, but filled with over-the-top coincidences and are quite unbelievable. That's pretty much what you are signing up for with a cozy mystery though. My biggest issue with these books is how many small details that are pulled through from book to book. I've read these as they come out and it's really hard to remember callbacks from the first couple of books. That said, I always do end up enjoying these and I will continue reading the series.
Thank you to Minotaur Books and Netgalley for the advanced e-book in exchange for my honest review!
4.5/5
Elle does it again. I got hooked on the Finlay series a bit ago when I was randomly searching out books. Growing up, I had always loved the Stephanie Plum series. This series though, hits me in the soul. Finlay is so relatable as a mom and as a character who has her flaws and she knows it. She's always finding herself in these crazy scenarios and I eat that up every single time.
I was so excited when I saw that this book was coming out. The stories always leave me wanting more at the end and wanting to know what happens. Seeing Finlay and Vero in Vegas was an absolute trip. Nick is still sweet as always and the perfect man. Steven always proves to me that while he has grown as a character since book one, he still sucks as a person lol. The action was amazing, it was so nice to see characters from the previous books continue through this one.
I had so many expectations for this book going in and honestly, they were all met. I cannot wait for the next book in this series.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC, this was an absolute wonderful ride.
The Finlay series is officially my comfort series.
Of course you have to suspend your disbelief in this newest adaptation but that rings true to the rest of the series as well. Finlay Donovan Rolls The Dice was probably my favorite of the series since the first book.
Finlay and Vero drive to Atlantic City to save Javi but surprise! Finlay’s mom, children and ex husband are coming along for the ride, as well as some other guests who make everything much more complicated.
This book had humor, twists, great relationships and of course lots of dead bodies. Also there was a 10/10 dachshund Kevin Bacon who I fell in love with. The only thing that knocks this down to 4 stars for me was that the timeline has confusing. I wasn’t sure how long each day was (like Finlay and Vero did a lot in a day, I would be dead). But overall this was a fun, easy read that I devoured. I look forward to the rest of the series!