Oh Finlay! Oh Vero! These two are always cracking me up with their schemes. Will we ever find out what the husband is up to?!! I have Ben’s a dedicated reader and must know! I loved the relationship development and I can’t wait to see how that plays out when they are back home. We have had two books now mostly set away from the house/neighborhood so
I’m curious how things will go once they are back! Also love Vero having an official love interest now! She can’t move out though!!

Finlay Donovan is the only one of the contemporary “female amateur sleuth” book series’ I know I can reliably pick up, read, and enjoy every single page of without fail. This newest installment is no exception. I don’t actually think I’ve enjoyed an installment this much, or even laughed so hard, since the first book in the series.

Ever since the end of the third book we knew Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice was going to be a wild ride. Finlay, Vero, and the kids in Atlantic City? What could go wrong, right? (Of course everything’s going to go wrong. That’s exactly what happens in these books. That’s why we have Finlay Donovan books!) Well, of course Finlay’s ex-husband insists she can’t go without him because she can’t take the kids across state lines without his permission. Oh! And then there’s her mom, who for some reason has decided she needs to take a vacation too!

This won’t be awkward at all. Not even once Nick and his FBI friends show up in Atlantic City as well. In the same motel, too. That hallway sure is crowded.

The Finlay Donovan books have always been a great vehicle for Elle Cosimano to explore marriage dynamics, motherhood, single parenting, female friendships, the struggles of being a working mother, and all the other buttons and bows that come with being a post-divorce adult woman with children. When your marriage is over and all you have is your kids and your work life can become pretty stagnant if you let it. Finlay’s adventures remind readers–if in a rather extreme manner–that there’s a lot of life to live out there. There’s a lot to do, see, and laugh at. That’s one of the things I love about these books the most.

If we get to have an awesome and fun time while reading about it, then that’s spectacular too.

I was provided a copy of this title by NetGalley and the author. All thoughts, opinions, views, and ideas expressed herein are mine and mine alone. Thank you.

File Under: 5 Star Review/Amateur Sleuths/Book Series/Comedy/Crime Fiction/Mystery

Another fantastic book in the Finlay Donovan series! This book made me laugh out loud multiple times and it made me love Finlay and. Rep even more. Full of fun, mystery, suspense, friendship, romance and adventure it’s another winner! I already want more Finlay!

There’s a solid chance I’ve been reading the wrong books because it’s been SO LONG since I’ve laughed like this!!!

There seems to be no end to the shenanigans Finlay and Vero manage to get up to…and this time they’re bringing Finlay’s ex-husband, her current boyfriend, her mother, her sister, and a few others along for the ride!

This is one of those series where I just sit down, strap in, and enjoy the ride. I was even sharing some of the gimmicks and awkward scenarios with my husband and he couldn’t stop laughing either!

If there was a series I would ever re-read, it’s likely to be this one. Because there’s no way I’d remember everything Finlay and Vero managed to get up to, so it would be like reading it for the first time all over again!

If you STILL haven’t started this series, do yourself a favor and pick it up. I highly recommend reading it in order though or you’re going to massively confused!

I have never been more obsessed with a duo like I am with Finlay & Vero. They consistently have me cackling out loud over their antics and I can never anticipate what the heck is going to happen next.

Another one knocked out of the park! Can’t wait for more adventures!!

Thank you to netgalley & st Martin’s press for the chance to read this early in exchange for an honest review.

Out March 5th!!!

This series is just a blast and gets better and better. This is definitely a book where hi-jinks ensue. Finlay and Vero, her nanny/partner in crime are ready for a girls weekend. That girls weekend turns into a trip with Finlay’s mom, her kids, her ex husband and a few dad bodies. Not to mention the law in the form of her love interest and sister. There’s a lot going on here as Finlay is trying to balance it all, while trying to be a mom.
I mean make this one a television series already!

Huge thank you to @macmillan.audio and @netgalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
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3.5/5
The Finlay Donovan series is one that I keep coming back to. It’s a mix of romance, thriller and humor. It’s easy to get sucked into the story and keep coming back for more.

In this book, Finlay and Vero are on a mission to save Vero’s childhood crush. One funny aspect of this was that the kids, Finlay’s ex-husband, her sister, boyfriend, mom and more somehow come along for the ride. Vero and Finlay are stuck between solving the mystery and keeping it a secret from everyone else.

The stories are ridiculous and over-the-top but still had me laughing throughout. This was probably my least favorite of the series but that might be because I’m not as invested in the characters as I have been before. I’d love to see what Cosimano writes next.

Thank you to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the copy!

The book releases March 5, 2024.

“‘My husband’s murder, I could have forgiven. He was a pain in my ass anyway,’ she admitted. ‘But no one—and I mean no one—threatens Kevin Bacon and lives to tell about it.’” FYI Kevin Bacon is the dog, so I support this quote. 👏🏻

I am so happy to be back on another crazy adventure with Finlay and her crew! This is book 4 in the Finlay Donovan series and what a ride, both literally and figuratively, this was!

Finlay’s kids, ex-husband, and mom are along for this wacky road trip along with Finlay and Vero, and they add so much to the story. I mean, who wants their ex-hubbs nagging and whining when you have crimes to solve and dead bodies to deal with?!

“No good ever came out of laying everything on the table and rolling the dice. You gotta play smart.” Don’t you just love when you figure out how the book got its name?!

Thank you to Netgalley, Minotaur Books, and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The fourth installment of the FINLAY DONOVAN series. I am going to try and say my feelings without spoiling the first three books. This book continues where book 3 ended. I did not enjoy the third book as much as the first two and I did enjoy this one a little bit more! The idea of a road trip with your young children, nanny/partner in crime, mother and ex-husband(can’t forget that your sister who is a cop and the man you are seeing who is also a cop show up as well) is hilarious . While nothing in this series is believable, it is entertaining.

3.5-4 stars.

This took me back to the original dynamics between Finlay and Vero and Steven. The humor and banter were fantastic.

In this fourth installment of the Finlay Donovan series we pick up right where we left off and Finlay and Vero (with an entourage of family) are making their way to Atlantic City. Classic antics ensue and we are left with a story that dives back into their characters, history, and is just plain fun!

I really liked that we resolved a lot of storylines here while also setting up another book. After feeling like book 3 got a little bit away from the original vibes (and the novella not quite hitting the mark for me) I love that we came back to everything that made me absolutely love Finlay and the gang from the very first pages of book 1.

4.5 rounded up, thank you Minotaur for the early copy!

3.5 stars

This is the 4th in the very popular Finlay Donovan series. This is a mad-cap, fun romp continuing the plot from the first three books, involving a mystery, the mob, hitmen, the loveable Finlay and her friend, Vero, and a funny supporting cast including Finlay’s police detective boyfriend, Nick, her ex-husband, her mother, and her kids. You have to suspend disbelief and just go with the fun and predicaments that Finlay gets into. Finlay and Vero’s quirky, funny relationship continues to be the heart of the story for me.

My only quibble is that I don’t like how Finlay repeatedly lies to Nick as she tries to solve the mystery and stay out of trouble at the same time. For me, that takes away from their growing relationship.

Overall, this was a fun, quick read but I am glad that it seems (from the ending) that there’ll be a new plot line for the next book to shake things up a bit.

Thanks to St. Martin’s Press and Netgalley for this complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.

3.5 - “We can’t go in there, Vero! Do you know what happens to women who go into creepy basements? Murder! Murder happens to women who go into creepy basements!”

It felt good to be back with Finlay and Vero, who have such great chemistry as friends. Their banter and loyalty to each other has consistently been one of my favorite parts of the series. In their attempt to rescue Javi, they end up with a car full on unwanted travelers and have to figure out how to get everything done. Finlay continues to be really smart and resourceful, and Vero is the perfect comedic relief as always. I was really hoping to see a bit more progression in Finlay's relationship with Nick. They have such great chemistry and I feel like we never quite get enough of them,

This series continues to be really funny, although it seems like that further into the series we go, the more unrealistic it becomes. And by that, I mean I can certainly suspend my disbelief and enjoy a story for what it is, but there are some moments that feel a bit over-the-top, especially with Steven tagging along. He’s aggravating and I wish he would be used differently. It feels like the further we get into this series, the more unbelievable the storylines become.

It’s still a fun book, and I know that people who’ve enjoyed the series thus far will have a great time with this one. It wasn’t my favorite of the series, but I still had a good time reading it.

Finlay and Vero are off to Atlantic City to rescue Vero’s first love and of course, nothing goes as planned! There is no shortage of shenanigans that Finlay and Vero get themselves into, including going to a strip club, dressing up as 70s porn stars, and hiding dead bodies. And that’s not all, Finlay has to keep what she’s doing from her ex-husband and her cop boyfriend.

I liked this one almost as much as the first book. It was so much fun and off the rails crazy, that I found myself shaking my head and saying WTF a couple times. The main storyline that has been continuing throughout the series is finally tied up, and in trademark fashion, it was surprising and bonkers at the same time! And the ending.. I can’t wait for where book five takes us.

The fourth book in the Finlay Donovan series starts up exactly where the third left off, so this is definitely not a book you could read as a stand-alone. Finlay and Vero load up the entire family and head to Atlantic City to find a missing man, pay off their debts, and avoid the Russian mafia. Many antics ensue and dead bodies are found along the way, per usual in these books.

I found myself liking this one more than I did #2 and #3! It wrapped up so well I was kind of relieved the series could be over, but I did some research and there will be seven in the series. 🙃 I would still recommend this one as a fun and quick read with some laugh out loud moments and ridiculous plot lines. Comes out this Tuesday, 3/5!

Thank you to @netgalley and @minotaur_books for the digital copy of this in exchange for my honest review.

Summary: Finlay and Vero find themselves on an unexpected girls' weekend, with Finlay's ex-husband, kids, and mother in tow, to save Javi, negotiate with a loan shark, and find a stolen car in Atlantic City. When they arrive in Atlantic City, Finlay and Vero discover that this is going to be much harder than anticipated since Marco demands to know where his missing nephew, Ike is along with asking for full payment for Javi's life. Since Finlay and Vero cannot confess to what happened to Ike, they have to come up with a new plan. Along the way, they discover that Marco is dead and that they have an excellent motive for killing him. While they pursue Marco's killer, Nick and a few other police officers unexpectedly show up in town, making their search all the more difficult.

I loved being back in the world of Finlay and Vero. You know a book is good when you just sit there and laugh your head off for the entire book. It amazes me the situations Finlay and Vero always seem to find themselves in, but at the same time the ability to work through them without consequences. Finlay's mother stole the show for me in this book with her funny quips and hilarious questions to those around her. If you need a book guaranteed to make you laugh from start to finish, check out this series.

Thank you to Netgalley and Minotaur Books for the advanced copy!

I'm a big fan of the Finlay series. Honestly this one was so silly and ridiculous that I kept losing the plot of what was supposed to be happening in the larger arc but it didn't matter because every single scene was fun. I love Finlay and Vero and the shenanigans they get into and how they continue to get out of them that its worth suspending your belief for the scenarios they get into.

Are you ready for the craziest ROAD TRIP! I can always count on Finlay and Vero to give us a crazy time.

Atlantic City is the destination but when Finlay’s ex-husband Steven, kids and her mother want to tag along things turn interesting!

How are they supposed to accomplish their mission? Always witty dialogue and craziness with these two.

This series is just the ticket to entertain you and keep you laughing while they navigate their predicaments they get themselves into.

Thanks so much to Minotaur for the arc!

I can NOT get enough of Finlay Donovan! The first books was one of my first NetGalley reads and I was totally hooked. It also gave me such hope about how many amazing authors there are to discover.

This story was great! Finlay and Vero are off to Atlantic City! (Being that I vacation next door I loved this aspect!) What starts off as a trip for them ends up with the whole messy crew! Now they have to juggle their typical detective antics while having Finlays ex, mother, kids, new cop boyfriend and sister around! This adds such a layer of fun to the story- as always.

I am constantly entertained! I gasp, I laugh, I hold my breath! I adore Finlay and Vero’s relationship! It makes me want to hire a babysitter! We get some more pieces to Vero’s story here too- which I loved!

Don’t sleep on the 4th installment of Finlay Donovan! So curious to know if there will be more?!

If you haven’t read this series move it to your TBR list!! This is such an utter delight. The perfect read for the beach, for vacation or if you need to laugh!!

This time Finlay and Vero find themselves in Atlantic City with the kids, Finlay’s mom and ex husband, Steven along for the ride. Now they just have to find a way to negotiate with a loan shark and free Javi who has been kidnapped and find the Aston Martin. Sounds easy until they come across a couple of dead bodies and her new beau, Nick shows up with 3 other cops to work on the same case. This is quite the juggling act as Vero and Finlay find themselves in way over their heads as they try to dig themselves out from another crazy predicament!!

This series continues to entertain as FInlay and Vero find themselves in another over the top adventure. I love the characters, the banter and the humor that these books have.


4.5 ⭐️

Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

#NetGalley #ElleCosimano #FinlayDonovanRollstheDice

Quirky, clever, and exceptionally entertaining!

Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice is a vibrant, action-packed tale that takes us back into the lives of mystery writer Finlay Donovan and her nanny-turned-trusty sidekick Vero Ruiz as their plan to head to Atlantic City to negotiate with a ruthless loan shark, find a stolen car, and save the missing Javi goes a little sideways when Finlay’s mother, two kids, and ex-husband decide to tag along, bodies start piling up and need to be put on ice, and a whole slew of police officers and FBI agents show up uninvited.

The prose is dramatic and amusing. The characters are reckless, impulsive, and charming. And the plot is the perfect mix of witty banter, familial drama, humour, suspense, friendship, secrets, parenthood, deception, mayhem, dangerous situations, steamy moments, and sexy times.

For the past three years, the three previous novels in this series have topped my must-read list, and even though I didn’t think it was possible to love an Elle Cosimano book more than I already did, she proved me wrong. Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice is escapism at its best and is hands down my new favourite novel in this outrageously zany series I can’t seem to get enough of.