After a very intense citizen’s police academy experience, thriller writer Finlay Donovan and her nanny/accountant/assistant/devil on her shoulder Vero are ready for a girls’ weekend in Atlantic City. Finlay’s mother agrees and decides to join them. And when Finlay’s ex-husband finds out that she plans to take their children to New Jersey, he refuses to let them go, unless he can come along. Finlay has no choice but to agree. You might think that the girls’ weekend is really important to her.

But if you know her, then you might not be surprised to find out that she’s actually going to Atlantic City to chase down the loan shark who stole the Aston Martin that was gifted to her by a Russian mobster, find Vero’s childhood boyfriend who was kidnapped with the stolen car, and try to stop the dirty ex-cop who’s been trying to blackmail her. Basically, the perfect family weekend.

Oh, and when the Russian mobster that has Finlay on his radar is rumored to being flying to New Jersey himself, the police come too and park themselves right across the hotel hall from Finlay and her kids. Of course, one of those cops is Finlay’s sister. And another is her new boyfriend.

So all Finlay has to do during her girls’ weekend is to rescue Vero’s boyfriend, find an expensive car that’s registered in her name and may be sporting a bullet hole or two, figure out how to pay off Vero’s loan shark, find a missing thumb drive, and keep all of that secret from her ex-husband and her current boyfriend. Oh, and she and Vero have those two dead bodies they found that they need to keep on ice. And her agent has been trying to get ahold of her. Hollywood is wanting to make a movie of her latest bestselling novel. And while they’re in town, they may as well hit the casino, the spa, a strip club, and maybe a wedding chapel, just for the full Atlantic City experience.

Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice is another crazy roller coaster of a story, where a mom and writer finds herself in a situation that she couldn’t have crafted herself, no matter how talented a writer she is. With her ride-or-die Vero beside her, it seems like Finlay can think her way out of any sticky situation. and with her friends and family, she is able to find a new life after her divorce that makes her happy and fulfilled.

I have loved Finlay Donovan since Elle Cosimano first introduced her, and I am here for anything she brings. The books flow one to the next, and Finlay and Vero’s adventures offering up so much fun and adventure for readers. This is book 4 in the series, with a novella about Vero’s adventures to boot, and as soon as I finished this book, I just wanted to go back to the first and read them all again, all in a row. These characters are women I’d love to have as good friends, the stories are creative and thrilling, and the writing sparkles from the page. If you haven’t yet spent time with Finlay, you are missing out.

I listened to Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice on audio, narrated by Angela Dawe. She has been with Finlay since the beginning, and it shows. She owns the voice of Finlay like a pro, and she tells her story with confidence, compassion, and the audacity this character so richly deserves. It would be the perfect audiobook to listen to on your own girls’ road trip, loan sharks and dead bodies not required.

A copy of the audiobook for Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice was provided by Macmillan Audio through NetGalley, with many thanks.

Happy pub day to Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice by @ellecosimano! I’m not a series person, but this one has absolutely sucked me in and I look forward to my time with the characters every year.

It’s hard to talk about this one without giving away spoilers from other books, but I think I can safely say that Finlay and Vero need to go to Atlantic City to deal with Vero’s debt to a loan shark and save Vero’s childhood crush Javi, among other things. But when they lie and say they’re going for a girl’s weekend away—with the kids—Finlay’s ex-husband, Steven, and her mother insist on coming along which—not surprisingly—just makes everything more complicated.

I think with this series you’re in one of two camps. You love it or you don’t. If you love it, you’ll love this book as much as the other installments. It contains all the ridiculous situations you’re used to with Finlay and Vero, characters you’ve grown to love along the way , and, at its core, the kind of unbreakable female friendship that we should all be lucky enough to have—maybe without the bodies. Yes, there are more in this installment. And there’s romance in the air for more than one of the characters. I laughed through the entire book, and, as always, can’t wait for the next installment.

As someone who doesn’t remember details from books well a few months after I read them, let alone years later, I do wish there was a “previously with Finlay and Vero” bullet point section at the beginning. The author does a great job weaving past details into the narrative so I was never lost, but I would love something more overt. For example, I need to talk to someone about the cliff hanger ending because I’m not sure I remember enough to know if I’m supposed to know what going on.

The audio for this one is great. People have said that Angela Dawe’s narration has become synonymous with Finlay, and I couldn’t agree more. She does a great job with the crime humor genre and differentiating the characters.

“Finley Donovan Rolls the Dice" by Elle Cosimano is a gripping tale of suspense, humor, and unexpected twists. As Finlay and her partner-in-crime, Vero, embark on a supposed girls' weekend in Atlantic City, they find themselves caught up in a dangerous game of negotiation, rescue, and mystery. Cosimano expertly weaves together multiple plotlines, keeping readers on the edge of their seats with each new revelation.

With its fast-paced narrative, witty dialogue, and colorful characters, "Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice" is a captivating read from beginning to end. Cosimano's skillful storytelling and attention to detail create a vivid and immersive world that readers won't want to leave. Whether navigating the complexities of family dynamics or facing off against a decomposing loan shark, Finlay's journey is both thrilling and entertaining.

"Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice" is a must-read for fans of suspenseful mysteries with a touch of humor. Cosimano's unique voice and compelling storytelling make this book a standout in the genre and one of my all time favorite series.

I am not saying the books are the same, but this series reminds me how I felt when I first read the Stephanie Plum series. I was new to audiobooks and they were just so easy to listen to and so entertaining. Already on book 4, this series feels like a comfort read/listen for me.

I’m not sure how Finlay and Vero have such bad luck, but this time they head to Atlantic City to track down Vero’s boyfriend Javi. Finlay’s Mom, ex-husband and two children tag along for the trip. They work to stay a step ahead of Finlay’s cop boyfriend and the bad guys.

Filled with humor as the pair wrestle with dead bodies, a dog named Kevin Bacon and try to stay alive and out of jail. I waffled between chuckling and shaking my head.

In addition to the antics I really like Finlay and Vero. I root for their poor decision making to turn out OK. And Nick, Finlay’s cop boyfriend, a little bit of a dream but I have to wonder how good of a cop he is to miss what is right in front of him.

Is this the most plausible storyline? Probably not to most people. But does the entertainment factor outweigh the lack of plausibility? Definitely. It’s a fun caper that I enjoyed from start to finish.

Angela Dawe is a great choice of narrator. She brings a fresh energy to the narration and takes the story up a notch for me. While I like the story, I think being surrounded by the book makes me like it even more.

If you’d just like to take a break from life and escape, this book is a great choice to make that happen.

I'm a huge fan of the Finlay Donovan series and I was so excited to get the opportunity to listen to an ARC! Angela Dawe slays it again!

This books earns a solid four-star rating for its captivating blend of mystery, humor, and relatable characters. Like the previous books in the series, Elle Cosimano's clever storytelling and sharp wit make this novel a delightful and engaging read. The narrative is fast-paced, with unexpected twists that keep readers on the edge of their seats. The humor injected into the plot adds a unique and enjoyable dimension to the story. Finlay Donovan's character is well-developed, and her struggles as a single mother trying to navigate the challenges of both motherhood and a writing career are portrayed with authenticity. The novel successfully balances the comedic elements with a compelling mystery, creating a narrative that is both entertaining and thought-provoking. The supporting characters add depth to the story, and the unexpected situations they find themselves in contribute to the overall charm of the book. Some readers may find certain plot twists or character choices less to their liking, but overall, "Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice" is a highly enjoyable and well-crafted novel that earns its strong four-star rating. Elle Cosimano's ability to seamlessly weave together humor and mystery makes this book a standout in its genre.

Thank you to NetGalley and MacMillan Audio!

I absolutely *love* Finlay Donovan. I love Vero. I love Javi. I love Nick. I love Delia and Zach. These books are hilarious ( I truly don't ever describe a book as hilarious, but I find myself laughing out loud each time I read a new Finlay book), well written, page-turning delights.

We pick up with Finlay and Vero after their stint at the citizen's police academy as they try to find Javi, Vero's love interest, after he was kidnapped because of old debts that Vero owes to a loan shark in Atlantic City. They, along with Finlay's ex-husband Steven, their kids, and Finlay's mom, embark on a quest to Atlantic City under the guise of needing some time away. Of course it wouldn't be a Finlay novel without some hot (Nick) and crooked (Charlie) cops as well as a good dose of organized crime, so you know those characters are making appearances as well. Finlay and Vero find themselves in crazier and more precarious situations (I'm taking a break from bath bombs for a few years after reading this book) including some epic scenes at a place called "Chubbies" and a search for Delia and Zach on the floor of an Atlantic City casino.

I truly hope that 2024 brings news that Finlay Donovan is being made into a movie or series. Five stars. I loved this book and as always, the narration by Angela Dawe, is perfection. I get so sad whenever these books end -- please, Elle, keep writing these delightful books!

Five stars! (Did I say that already??)

Highly improbable, highly impossible, and highly entertaining! Elle Cosimano’s latest installment of her Finlay Donovan series, Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice, is high octane fun. This fourth book picks up exactly where book three ended, so be advised that you should read the books in order to avoid missing key plot points and delicious character details.

Finlay and Vero’s “road trip” to Atlantic City is cramped with unexpected companions—Finlay’s adorable kids, her obnoxious ex-husband, and her well-meaning mother. This naturally adds several layers of complexity to their mission. With every step forward, they seem to have two steps back between their traveling companions and the many nefarious characters who have infiltrated Finlay’s previously quiet life. The full development of Finlay brings a lot to this storyline; she is a compelling, fun narrator and heroine. Finlay is a romantic suspense novelist who can’t stay out of trouble or away from danger. The silver lining is that her real life exploits make good material for her novels.

I thoroughly enjoyed the girlfriend banter between Finlay and Vero as well as the sizzling chemistry between Nick and Finlay. The plot is high-voltage and action packed. All of which is made even better by the excellent narration in the audiobook version. The perfect story ending includes an interesting tidbit that could easily segue into a new and interesting story line. Between the characters and the plot, Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice is a fast, fun read.

Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice
by Elle Cosimano
narrated by Angela Dawe
Favorite quote: "There's no way you're taking him out with FarberWare, Fin! You need Le Creuset for that."
Continue to keep a firm hold on that Disbelief, y'all. This installment of Fun with Finlay and Vero was one big ball of Weekend At Bernie's crazy fois deux.
I had a blast with this one, and laughed out loud enough to make up for the less than stellar review I was forced to give the last book.
One thing we lose sight of as readers of this, Book #4, is that the entire series, thus far, has taken place in less than a month or so chronologically. If I were to start over, I would likely read the entire series end to end (?) and I might have been gentler with my last review. I was looking for something "new" in the last book. This time, I listened to book #3 then went immediately into book #4 and had a great time! I wanted something new, when in fact, I was to get the same story continued. From that perspective, I was hooked.
I feel like for you to enjoy these novels, beginning with book one is imperative. Not only will the majority make zero sense, you will miss so many "in-jokes" that enjoyment will be impacted and annoyance will be adversely jacked up.
The Pros:
No new love interests are introduced and Nick continues to be Mr. Hottie McHotpants.
Finlay's Mom is second only to my own mother in entertainment value.
Stephen (yes, THAT Stephen - the one we all want dead by this point) became...dare I say?...tolerable. He even had his moments, so don't skip his parts like we all felt tempted to do in the past.
The Javi/Vero plotline continued to sizzle, although we got a lot less of this than we deserved due to the fact that Javi was absent during the majority of the story.
I am an official member of the Angela Dawe fan club. If you have been reading the Finlay Donovan series, but have lost the joy, I HIGHLY recommend listening to the audiobooks! Angela Dawe is such a gifted reader, she embodies Finlay. It was a masterstroke of Ms. Cosimano to cast Ms. Dawe as narrator, as she makes the series. Another narrator could not have done a tenth the justice she has done. I found myself marvelling that I was listening to the books (as I do all books) at a mere 70% speed, as I can't imagine how difficult this text was to read aloud any faster! Brava, Ms. Dawe!
Kevin Bacon is a star in the making. Another in-joke, as Kevin Bacon is a star, but Kevin Bacon is a dog.
The Cons:
I only tuned out just a tad during the entire medium, ball gag bit, but tuned back in when Javi was found.
Got draggy near the end, and there was a bit too much rehashing of events that felt lot like words carbs to fill out the corners.
I find myself unexpectedly happy to report that there is definitely an opening for the fifth book, one involving the (now Mysterious) Mrs. Haggerty.
I find myself even more unexpectedly looking forward to that next book!
A big THANKS!! to NetGalley for this digital review copy in exchange for my (always honest!) review!

I'm such a fan of the Finlay Donovan series and Finlay Donovan Rolls the dice is no different. This was another fun and silly adventure for Vero and Finlay as they roadtrip to Atlantic City (with Finlay's mother, ex-husband and children along for the ride) in search of Javi and a stolen car. This series isn't exactly a cozy mystery - there are high stakes and many people end up dead, but Elle Cosimano still manages to keep things light and funny. Seriously, this one was so funny and I loved Finlay's banter with the other characters.

This fourth installment in the series really felt like a throwback to the first and second books, with the focus more on Finlay and Vero trying to clean up the mess they find themselves in and less on Finlay's romantic entanglements. There are A LOT of characters involved in this story now and I'm glad the author throws reminders in from time to time because otherwise it would be very hard to keep track of who is who.

I've read the other books in this series physically, but was lucky enough to get approved for an ALC. I think I will be reading the rest of the books in this series via audiobook because the narrator did such a great job. She voices all of the characters in a unique way and I loved her style. Her voice for Vero was a particular favorite.

Thank you to Macmillan audio and NetGalley. I can't wait for the next book!

The fun continues with book four of the series picking up immediately where book three finished. In previous books I felt that you did not need to read them in order to enjoy the story and understand the dynamics, however, I really feel that reading book three (at least) would be of great value before reading book four. All the books are quick and fun reads without the dynamics feeling silly or to unbelievable. Finlay and Vero and her friends, family and exes head to Atlantic City where they encounter dead bodies, gangsters, crooked cops and the FBI in another action filled humorous weekend. I love how wild and crazy things get and how the author resolves all the entanglements.

Angela Dawe is the narrator of all four books which I like. Her consistency of voice and intonation make for an enjoyable read and I like that her characters sound the same in all the books.

Simply fun books to read and I look forward to book five!

Thank you to MacMillan Audio and NetGalley for an early copy in exchange for an honest review.

Returning to the world of Finlay Donovan is always a delightful journey. The characters feel like old friends, and in this installment, it was refreshing to see Finlay's mom take center stage for a while. Among the series, this might just be my second favorite behind the original book, with its perfect balance of outlandish moments that had me chuckling and mystery. Vero of course is the best, and her banter with Cam was a fun addition to the story.

The epilogue made me soooooo excited for the next book.

Thank you Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC of this book!

If you have enjoyed the other Finlay Donovan books, definitely pick this one up. After the last book left me feeling a bit meh I wasn’t sure how I would like this latest installment but it was more reminiscent of the first two books to me.

It was filled with lots of over the top moments and was a fun read! It was very plot heavy and wrapped up a lot of loose ends from the previous books.

You really do need to read the previous 3 for this book to make any sense. I did appreciate that the author put in more reminders of who characters were and how they were connected. I find it hard to remember with a year between books but this one felt easy to follow along.

Thank you netgalley for the arc in exchange for my honest review.

I liked it better than the last, but less than the first. I fear that the magic of Findlay Donovan might be fading.

This time we see Finn and Vero trying to find and save Javi before it’s too late, all the while struggling to keel their secrets secret. They set off to Atlantic City to find Javi- but with Findlay’s mother and ex-husband in tow. On,y to get surprised by a contingent of law enforcement- including Findlay’s new, sexy cop boyfriend.

While still as entertaining and enjoyable (who doesn’t love Vero), this time it just felt….forced.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

Book #4 opens like a TV show in the middle of a madcap adventure, then cuts to one week earlier. The entire novel is a bit madcap - which is great news for fans of Finlay and her sidekick Vero. Not much time has passed since the previous book - thankfully since that one left many unanswered questions. This one centers around a road trip to Atlantic City to settle some debts. The ex tags along and has a rude awakening about childcare - responsibilities he had fobbed off for years. Findlay's mother and editor also make cameos. Not recommended as a stand-alone: read the others first or at least #3. In all, a delightfully funny and suspenseful mystery for series readers.
My thanks to #NetGalley for the advance copy of the audiobook. A great listen!

I just love this series!! In this latest book, Finlay and Vero head to Vegas with Finlay's family in tow on another hilarious adventure. Angela Dawe's voice really brings the characters to life. I almost spit out my coffee laughing in just the prologue!

Happy publication day! Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to listen to this early!

Your favorite dynamic duo are back in another silly installment, this time roadtrip edition. This time they headed to Atlantic City, NJ which made me nostalgic for the vacation I took last summer, but with the added obstacles of Steven, the kids, and Finlay’s mom in tow. Obviously you have to suspend your beliefs as it’s a whacky ride, but it’s in true cozy mystery fashion! You’re in for all the laughs following Finlay and Vero in this one, can’t wait for the next!

Copied from Goodreads: "Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice" is the fourth book in Ellie Cosimano's Finlay Donovan series. Full disclosure, I have not read the first three books, but I did not have trouble following the characters or the plot. Heading to Atlantic City, Finlay Donovan and her unwieldy entourage (nanny, ex-husband, mother, children) attempt to save an abducted friend and stay safe from the city's organized crime syndicate. The eccentric characters were unique and well-drawn. I might have invested more in the characters if I had read the previous novels, but it was not necessary to enjoy the novel. The combination of mystery, romcom, and fast-talking dialogue made me think of a Sophie Kinsella book written by Janet Evanovich, an enjoyable "beach read" combination.

"Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice" is being released in the U.S. on March 5, 2024. Thanks to Macmillan Audio, Minotaur Books, and NetGalley for this audio ARC given in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Finlay and the crew are back for the fourth book in this series and just like the others I loved it. This was such a fun read full of adventure, mystery, quirkiness, funny moments and classic Finlay and Vero shenanigans.

Finlay, Vero and the rest of the family (yes, Finlay's mom, ex-husband and their 2 kids and some special guests) are all on a roadtrip to Atlantic City on yet another fun and crazy adventure that picks up just where the last book left off. Stolen cars, kidnappers, casinos, costumes, arguments with the ex-husband, and spicy scenes with the new boyfriend are all part of this really fun story.

Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice is just as funny and outrageous as the rest of the series, and its always a good time to see what Finlay and Vero are up to.

The narration for this series has been so well done (this is literally the series that got me into audiobooks!) that I had to listen to this one as well and it was so much fun! I wish there were more in the series because I would read all of them!

Thank you NetGalley and MacMillan for the ALC in exchange for my honest review.

Finlay Donovan Rolls The Dice by Elle Cosimano is the fourth main book in the Finlay Donovan series, and by far it’s my favourite! Using a quote from my review of Finlay Donovan Jumps The Gun: I’m really not sure where Cosimano's going to go from here because how can she write the next one better than this one? (Please tell me there will be a next one!!!)

There is nothing more fun to read than the Finlay Donovan series and the hijinks that the dynamic duo that is Finlay and Vero get up to; I was so excited to dive back in once again!

What I loved:
-Atlantic City was a refreshing setting change
-this is by far the funniest of the series! I actually laughed out loud, not just once but multiple times! One time, I actually had to stop the audiobook and set my Kindle down to catch my breath since I was laughing so hard!
-I like that the romance shifted with this book (I love Vero/Javi and Finlay/Nick; Steven just really needs to take a hint!)
-I liked having that little bit extra added character history that Veronica Ruiz Breaks The Bank added, specifically in relation to the plot of this story
-since we know Finlay and Vero's friendship so well at this point in the series, I loved how their relationship was shown rather than told
-the audiobook narrator Angela Dawe - don't even get me started! There's a reason she's one of my favourite audiobook narrators. The voices she uses to embody the different characters is next level! She simply makes Vero for me!

What I didn't:
-that I have now finished all the released books in the series!

What else did I love:
-how this book ended!

Cosimano continues to knock it out of the park with this series!

Thank you NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books and Macmillan Audio for the complimentary copies to read and review.

Love this series so much! Always making me laugh and twists and turns, grateful for an advanced copy!