Member Reviews
I’ll never get tired of these stories. Finlay and her crew have grown to be some of my favorite characters of all time. The new story is no exception- it was wild and crazy and good! Highly entertaining! Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. If people haven’t read Elle’s Finlay books before I hope they choose to!
Elle Cosimano NEVER fails to get my attention with her Finlay Donovan series! This one starts immediately after the events of the 3rd book “Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun”. In this we see that everything for Javi didn’t go as planned. Now Finlay and Vero go on a round trip I to Atlantic City to rescue him and reterive not only him but another item that was stolen back. I feel like this really wraps up the problems that we saw Finlay and Vero get in from the very beginning of the series. I do see where Elle left us for the next one now that certain plot points have been wrapped up.
Can I say I love the whole Nick and Finlay dynamic. I love seeing them together and it never fails to make. Me smile.
Everytime I pick up a book in the Finlay Donovan series I know I’m going to laugh and have a great time. I burn through these books so fast that I find myself wanting to start the series all the way over from the beginning again!
3.75 stars
Suspend disbelief and prepare to take a gamble (or 20) with your ol' pal, Finlay!
Finlay has more lives than 10 cats, and she does the most to remind readers of that in another action-packed, wacky installment of her series. This time, Finlay, Vero, and the entire rest of the family (and more!) head off on a road trip and spend all of their time finding trouble, being found by trouble, and in borderline miraculous ways, somehow avoiding any serious/long-term ramifications.
At this point in the series, I am craving more character development. I really enjoyed getting to know Finlay and Vero and getting to see their relationship evolve, and I do feel like those enjoyable elements have gone a bit by the wayside. I'm hoping that as the wild antics continue, readers will also get a dash of that previous substance.
This is an entertaining read, and fans of the series will get what they're hoping for and expecting overall. I am already looking forward to whatever absolutely ridiculous scenario Finlay finds next, and the end of this book gives readers a really strong sense of exactly what that will be!
This series just keeps getting better and better. Thank you Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book. I was very excited to read it but a little disheartened the release date was far away. I wanted the next as soon as I finished the third one. (I'm not impatient for books, am I?) So, I was very lucky to get it to read and review early. As I expected this book was amazing. It almost seems like the author doesn't plan out the book at all in advance and just writes as she goes which normally would be a critique but with this author its incredible. I never have any idea what the author is about to do next with the twists and turns. What is even more baffling coming from each ending is I can never leave the books in peace. It's never what I expect, and I immediately want the next book. I love the cast in these books, I love the drama, the pure chaos, and the kind of stress we get for Finlay and Vero hoping they make it out of everything.
Finlay Donovan is back and picking up right where the last book ended! Finlay's troubles are far from over and when Javi is kidnapped she packs up and heads to Atlantic City. It's a road trip with Finlay, Vero, Finlay's mother, Steven and the kids, what could possibly go wrong?
Nice the hot cop shows up with Finlay's sister not long after they check into a hotel in Atlantic City, where Finlay and Vero have already encountered two dead bodies. Finlay is playing a dangerous game of enemies closing in on her, trying to hide the dead bodies and making sure that Nick doesn't find out about her involvement with the Russian mob. Time is running out and Finlay needs to find the killer while also rescuing Javi.
I loved this book so much! Elle Cosimano can write as many Finlay Donovan books as she wants and I'll read every single one. I love the antics that Finlay's family gets into while she's trying to fight mobsters and solve crimes, the side plots and adventures in these books always make me laugh. There was just enough romance to keep things with Nick and Finlay interesting but the romance isn't a focal point of the book. I will say I'm waiting for Nick to learn the truth at some point in the series but that hasn't happened yet. I also liked that Steven was more involved in this book and seems to be growing as a character. I don't want to give things away but there were some deaths in this book so I'm very curious to see where the next book in the series takes things as it did end on a cliff hanger. This was a 5 star read for me and I finished the entire book in a day!
Thank you to St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Great book with a quick paced plot. The characters were great as always! This is the first of the Finlay Donovan series that I read rather than listened to and I missed the narration. Overall would recommend to a friend. I couldn't wait for it to come out and it didn't disappoint!
I just LOVE Finlay Donovan books! The fourth book in this series is every bit as fun as the first three.
While the plot lines seem to get even more far-fetched as the series continues, I still can't help but smile at the antics!
This installment picks up moments after the third book ends - with Finlay and Vero headed to Atlantic City to clean up yet another mess.
You'll smile and cheer for the duo throughout this book, too!
This book was fun to read. I just had a hard time with suspension of disbelief throughout a lot of it. The main characters seem to be unbelievably lucky and having it happen again and again makes me feel like I can't really get into the book. It was fun to read regardless.
4.50 stars
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TW: Infidelity, Murder
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I always love the Finlay Donovan series, this is the fourth instalment of the series and I would highly suggest you read all of them before picking this one up! The series doesn't read as a standalone and references back to all of the first installments with plot and characters. How do Finlay and Vero end up in Atlantic City with Finlay's ex, their kids, and her mother? All it takes is a ransom note and a do-as-they-go plan to rescue Javi.
This was by far the funniest Finlay situation to be in, and to top it all off, her sister, the hot cop (also love interest), and some of the unit's finest arrive when it seems there is a Russian mob threat that can be taken down. The antics in this one were high and it was interesting seeing how Finlay and Vero managed to get away with their shenanigans this time around. Part of me wishes we had a bit of a recap at the beginning of the book since it does bring back characters from some of the earlier books, and I had a hard time remembering how they played a part in the books!
I enjoyed the fact that a lot of the plot points seemed to have been wrapped up at the end of this book, all of their hard work paid off and they seemed to have gotten away with it (mostly). The book does set us up with an interesting plot including Mrs. Haggerty (who we didn't get to see much in this), it really gets me excited to see what's next for Finlay and Vero.
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I would like to thank NetGalley, St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books, and the author for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Publication date: March 5th 2024
In the fourth installment of the FINLAY DONOVAN series, Finlay and Vero end up driving to Atlantic City to find Javi and a stolen Aston Martin. However, it's not just the two women who make their way to the coast. Steven, their children, Finlay's mother, and the police department tag along, too.
FINLAY DONOVAN ROLLS THE DICE is a fun, hilarious read! I was honestly over the moon when I found out that I got accepted to read this eARC because I am such a huge fan of this series. Reading about Finlay and Vero's shenanigans made my whole weekend. They are so dynamic, flawed, and funny, and I can't wait to see what else Elle Cosimano has in store for this series. It was also refreshing to see another side of Vero in this one.
I enjoyed this novel a lot more than the third book because it felt reminiscent of the first and second books. This made me howl of laughter and kept me intrigued with the thrilling moments. Some of the incidents that took place in the story seemed ridiculous, but I loved how they helped the plots that began at the start of the series come to a close. The epilogue was also such a treat...and a shock.
Personally, I still prefer the first and second books over this one. However, I did love the moments between Finlay and Nick, even though there weren't that many. I do hope that they have more interactions in the next book because your girl was upset. Team Nick, always and forever.
Each new book in the Finlay Donovan series fills me with excitement and anticipation. I can hardly wait to crack the binding (or open my ebook in this case) when my toes start to curl (there is always a lot of toe curling in these novels – both mine and Finlay’s).
Vero needs to find Javi before he is offed. She’s got that dagger clenched between her teeth and she will strike down anyone who gets her path. Of course, Javi, who is only a friend, wears many hats: the ‘childhood friend’, a lover who jilted her, Vero’s go-to guy whenever she needs something (he ‘owes’ her, doesn’t he?), and tattooed admirer (Vero has one, too).
So, after Javi gets kidnapped (in the previous book) during the carjacking of Finlay’s Aston Martin (hundreds thousand dollar reward car), earned while pretending to follow Russian Mafioso’s orders, Finlay and Vero are fast on the trail to Atlantic City where Vero will save her man and straighten herself out with an Atlantic City loan shark. The two heroines will do so under the guise of a Girls Getaway.
Of course, nothing is as simple as it sounds. We need to add a few more handicaps for good measure. Finlay’s mom shows up, insisting on joining the “girls”, Finlay’s ex demands to join the party or he will file a kidnapping charge if she tries to take the kids out of the state without him, a team of cops show up on the same floor of their hotel – including her sister and her lover, and Finlay’s sexy cop lover with dirty cop ex-partner. What can I say (?): Heaven for the reader, Hell for the heroines.
During this cat and mouse road trip, Vero and Finlay consistently succeed in (barely) losing their tales (good cop and bad cop) as they search for Marco, the loan shark who owns Vero’s debt. Vero and Finlay find the decomposing bodies of Marco and one of his henchmen, murdered in the bath of his hotel suite (naked of course, save for his toupee). Enter Cam the teen comp tech genius, and join in the chorus of “Hail, Hail, the gang’s all here…”
The discerning reader will be treated to sex, marriage, murder, wild parties, gambling, and more galore - perhaps even a happy ending for this series (OH GOSH, I HOPE NOT).
I hope whoever reads this enjoys the series as much as I do!
Many many many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books – who heard my prayers and granted my wish to receive an ARC of this novel in exchange for my honest review. You have it here with all my love and appreciation (for the author and the book, of course, too)!
Elle Cosimano is at it again! I love that we have had the chance to become so familiar with these characters over the series. No spoilers, but seeing a different side of Vero was really refreshing. Watching Finlay become more commanding and enterprising and seeing how that bleeds over into her everyday life is so satisfying. I'm already ready for the next one!
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This is book four in the Finlay Donovan series. This whole series has been a wild ride and this book was no exception. Finlay and Vero seem to always be in some sort of trouble and everything escalates. I had a blast reading this book, it picks up right where the third book left off and it was non stop shenanigans from there. Finlay and Vero go to Atlantic City to ‘rest’ and pretty much the whole family tags along. I’m excited to see where the series goes from here.
I've got to give a big shout-out to Netgalley and Elle Cosimano for hooking me up with this ARC. Seriously, I couldn't stop squealing when I got the approval. I've been a fan of Finlay and Vero's adventures, and with each new book, Elle just keeps upping the ante.
So, let's talk about this little escapade the girls go on in Atlantic City – it's a wild rollercoaster of action and thrills. Finlay's back in action, taking on the bad guys, and doing whatever it takes to protect her family and the guy she's head over heels for.
If you're a fan of this series, you're in for a treat. This book serves up all the excitement and keeps you glued to the pages. Elle Cosimano knows how to spin a tale that's impossible to put down. I'm telling you, fellow fans, don't miss out on this one!
Finlay Donovan keeps getting herself in more and more pickles with more and more dead bodies! This installment was a fun romp and presented a satisfying conclusion to some big story arcs while still preserving the hope that we might get to see more of Finlay!
FINLAY DONOVAN ROLLS THE DICE is the fourth book in the series by Elle Cosimano. While it can be read as a standalone, I highly recommend starting with the first book in order to get the most enjoyment. I’ve been smitten by this series from the very first and this newest release delivers Ms. Cosimano’s trademark zany humor and more! The protagonist, Finlay Donovan, and her sidekick (friend/nanny/accountant), Vero, are once again in over their heads...way over their heads. This time the action takes not only Finlay and Vero to Atlantic City, but tagging along are Finlay’s ex-husband, their two young children, and Finlay’s mother. To complicate a crowded situation even more as Finlay and Vero try to hide the bodies of two loan sharks while tracking down Vero’s kidnapped love interest, Finlay’s law enforcement boyfriend, and her cop sister, and her sister’s FBI love interest descend upon their hotel. The author’s twist and turns kept me glued to the story in this lightning-fast-paced read. With frequent laugh-out-loud scenes, there’s not one dull moment in the story. The witty banter between the characters only amps up the entertainment as they try to solve a well-plotted mystery while trying to keep themselves alive and out of prison. I highly recommend Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice to anyone who enjoys madcap humor and a great mystery.
LOVE Finlay and Vero’s adventures. This book was beautifully written with lots of twists and turns. I loved the details of the casino and traveling through Atlantic City. I enjoy how Finlay is writing a story similar to her life adventures for her own book too - it’s a fun connection! I wasn’t sure where the story would end because a lot of the loose ends were tied up at the end…knowing there are 2 more books in the series to be released. I like how the author has now involved the nosy neighbor.
I have a whole group of friends and family members I’ve convinced to read the series and every single one of them has loved the books!
I adore this series and book four did not disappoint. All the classic thriller, wrong place wrong time, hilarious one liners, insane plot, and lovable (and not so lovable) characters you know and absolutely adore in this book but we take our adventure on the road to Atlantic City!
I could not put this book down and seriously contemplated calling out of work to finish it but instead chose to stay up hours after I should have gone to bed so I could finish this story and find out how on earth Finlay and Vero get out of this one! And after everything is said and done once again the ending has me in hysterics and desperate to find out what happens in book 5…..which is very disappointing bc who knows how long I will have to wait in order to find out as book 4 doesn’t release until March 2024 and I was fortunate enough to receive an advanced review copy. Sigh. At last I will be drumming my fingers in desperate anticipation for the answers!
This book is an absolute must read. The whole series is funny, witty and entertaining. 10/10, five stars, and what every book club should make the book of the month. Preorder now and you won’t regret it.
I received this book as an advanced review copy and provide my honest opinions voluntarily.
Shout out to St Martins Press and Netgalley for giving me an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
I absolutely love this series and this was no exception! Lots of shenanigans and moments to make you laugh!
I so enjoy all the Finlay Donovan books and this next addition is just as fun and exciting as the ones before. If you enjoyed any of Elle Cosimano's books, you will like this one too.