If I'm being completely honest, I accidentally requested this. As the 4th book in the series, I have had this on my TBR for months thinking I would have time to read the first 3 books. Finally, I decided to go out on a limb and read this one anyway, and I was pleasantly surprised. Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice throws Finlay and Vero into a chaotic adventure in Atlantic City. What starts as a weekend getaway quickly escalates into a mess of kidnappings, a dead loan shark, and tangled motives. The humor and fast-paced action were highlights for me, and the dynamic between Finlay and Vero remains engaging. However, the multiple storylines and non-stop chaos occasionally felt a bit much. That said, the twists kept me invested, and the characters continue to shine.

What a fun fourth book in a series! I love reading about what Finlay Donovan and crew are up to, and this one was no different. Putting all the main characters, in a car for a road trip to Atlantic City for the weekend was such a fun concept. I found it to be truly laugh out loud funny at times. Did I have to suspend some belief, yes of course, but that just added to the hilarity. This book kept me truly on the edge of my seat and I could not wait to figure out how Finlay and Vero would get themselves out of countless situations (not sharing a lot of details because I don't want to go in to the spoilers for this book). I highly recommend this series, as I have found each book to be incredibly enjoyable. The elements of mystery and twists are so fun, and Vero's sharp wit and Finlay's grit and determination kept me coming back. I have also enjoyed all four of these books on audio and I think that is probably my preferred method, because the narrator has done such a fantastic job of bringing each of the characters to life. I could not recommend the audio version more, it was the best! I look forward to reading more books in the series in the future.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher St. Martin's Press- Minotaur Books for an advanced readers copy of this book. All opinions within this review are my own.

Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice by Elle Cosimano is another engaging installment in the Finlay Donovan series, blending suspense with sharp humor. The plot is fast-paced and filled with clever twists, and Finlay’s character remains as relatable and witty as ever.

While I enjoyed the novel’s thrilling moments and Cosimano’s sharp writing, I’m starting to feel a bit fatigued by the sheer chaos that seems to follow Finlay everywhere. The frenetic pace and multiple storylines, though entertaining, can be overwhelming at times.

Overall, the book is a fun read and continues to deliver the humor and suspense fans have come to expect. However, I’m hoping for a bit more stability in future installments to balance out the excitement.

This book was a fine continuation of Finlay and Vera's story, but we didn't get much info on the Steven cliffhanger from the previous book. This whole book felt like a side quest. I will be continuing this quirky series because I need to know what happens next!

4 stars!

Elle Cosimano just keeps churning out winners! I love the "Finlay Donovan" series. It's twisty, turny, funny, thrilling, mysterious, and engaging. Finlay is a quirky, interesting character, and this time, she's hitting the road! I have a blast reading about her (mis)adventures. Suspend your disbelief and you will likely enjoy this book. You really need to read the rest of the books in this series to fully appreciate its greatness and stay caught up on all of the fringe/side characters. I might get tired of these books at some point, but I'm not just yet, so I am looking forward to the next entry in the series that always sees Finlay and her nanny off on some audacious romp. Angela Dawe is back again as audiobook narrator, and she really makes these audiobooks as successful as they are. She is FANTASTIC!! Check this one out!

Thank you to NetGalley, Elle Cosimano, and Macmillan Audio for the complimentary ALC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.

Very cute and light hearted story. Enjoyed listening to the audio version very much. Such great characters and can you can actually believe that they are real life people.

Elle does it again! This book was fun, light, and jam packed with things happening. Would deff recommend to everyone to read this entire series. Can't wait for her other works!

It pains me to write this review.

I LOVED Finlay Donovan is Killing It. I enjoyed it so much that I was dying to read the upcoming books in the series, even though I don’t usually read books in a series.

I made my way through Finlay Donoval Knocks ‘Em Dead feeling like some of the original magic was gone. My rating went from 4 stars to 3.5 stars rounded up. Not wanting to quit, I read Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun, and my rating fell to 3.5 stars rounded down. I am not a quitter…I listened to Veronica Ruiz Breaks the Bank and felt that the novella didn’t work without Finlay. Finally, I attempted to read Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice and just couldn’t connect with these characters anymore.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the ARC, but I have decided to part ways with this literary duo. This is my brutally honest review.

2/5 stars

This was another fun one in the Finlay Donovan series! It picks up right where it left off, answering some questions but leaving us with even more. We get quite a bit more of Vera in this book, which was a delightful twist. It was a quick read, and I am still ready for more of Finlay and Vera's unfortunate adventures. 📖✨

The plot's packed with twists – from loan sharks and kidnappings to stolen cars and unexpected tagalongs. While it's got the makings of a fun, fast-paced crime caper, it seems like the author might've gone a bit overboard cramming in every possible complication. The setup's solid: Finlay and Vero's "girls' weekend" cover for some shady business. But then it snowballs into this over-the-top tangle of subplot spaghetti.
You've got family drama, ex-drama, a dead loan shark, cops showing up, and romantic tension all piled on top of the main rescue mission. It's like the story's playing plot bingo and trying to hit every square. While that could make for some entertaining chaos, it also risks feeling too scattered or unbelievable.

I LOVED the first book in this series.

After books 2 and 3, I almost gave up on it, but book 4 came back with a vengeance!

There's action and hijinks and chaos and so much fun! You won't want to miss this one!

This series will never not be fun! How Cosimano is brainstorming these wild and outlandish yet reasonable predicaments Finlay and Vero find themselves in have me grinning from ear to ear.

I flipped back and forth between my kindle and audiobook and must say I love the narration. If you’re willing and able, I recommend going the audiobook route! It’s an easy listen and the time just flies.

I loved the pacing of this story. It kept me on my toes with the action, mystery, and humor. At this point, this series is an auto-read for me because I’m so invested in Finlay and Vero’s drama. I’m super stoked for this next installment!

If you’re looking for a fun and wild series, this is for you. I’d definitely consider these books palate cleansers.

Big thank you to Netgalley, Minotaur books, and Macmillan audio for the advanced copies.

Content warnings: murder, gun violence, kidnapping

This is the fourth installment of the Finlay series (you don’t want to read these out of order!) and it definitely delivered the same funny antics and sketchy situations as the first three! I LOVE this series so much.

Trying to write a review for this book without spoilers ended up being way tougher than I thought it was going to be, so I’m going to keep things short. This book picks up right where book three ends and Finlay and Vero are headed to Atlantic City for “girls trip” to find Javi and the Aston Martin. To make matters worse (how is that even possible?) the whole family, mom, Steven and two children invite themselves to tag along…oh AND the police end up crashing.

I absolutely love Finlay and Vero’s friendship. Their amateur sleuthing and ability to get themselves out of the stickiest situations never gets old to me!

As expected what we get with this book is a messy, over the top, nail biting, FUNNY montage of events that kept me smiling, laughing and turning pages. I would expect nothing else from this series at this point. I am so excited about the way this book ended, I cannot wait to see where things are going with Mrs. Haggerty!!

I did listen to the audiobook version and it was on point! Angela Dawe is one of those narrators that is so good I forget that she is one single person doing the voices for every single character, child, adult, male, female — she does such a great job embodying each one!

A big thank you to Netgalley, MacMillan Audio and Elle Cosimano for the gifted ALC of this book! It was a pleasure!

Read if you like:
Cozy mysteries
Road trip
Female friendship
Laughing

This installment in the Finlay series was soo good! Getting to see the crew away from home in a different setting was nice. I like to consume this story by audio. The narration is fantastic! I am not so patiently waiting for the next!

Elle Cosimano's "Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice" is a rollercoaster of laughter, thrills, and unexpected twists that will keep readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish. Following the wildly successful "Finlay Donovan is Killing It," Cosimano returns with another uproarious installment featuring the endearing yet hapless protagonist, Finlay Donovan.

The story picks up right where the first book left off, with Finlay still juggling her chaotic life as a single mother and an accidental contract killer. However, this time around, Finlay finds herself embroiled in an even more complex web of deceit and danger when she unwittingly becomes involved in a high-stakes underground poker game. As the stakes rise, so does the tension, and readers will find themselves eagerly turning the pages to see how Finlay manages to extricate herself from yet another perilous situation.

What sets "Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice" apart is Cosimano's razor-sharp wit and knack for crafting unforgettable characters. Finlay is a refreshingly flawed and relatable protagonist, whose comedic misadventures never fail to entertain. From her hilarious inner monologues to her endearing interactions with her two young children, Finlay leaps off the page as a character readers can't help but root for.

Beyond its humor and memorable characters, "Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice" also delivers plenty of heart-pounding suspense and unexpected twists. As Finlay navigates the treacherous world of underground gambling and criminal syndicates, readers will find themselves on the edge of their seats, eagerly awaiting the next twist in the tale.

Overall, "Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice" is a wildly entertaining read that combines laugh-out-loud humor with heart-pounding suspense. Elle Cosimano has once again proven herself to be a master storyteller, and fans of the first book will not be disappointed. Whether you're a fan of thrillers, comedies, or just great storytelling, "Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice" is a must-read that will leave you eagerly awaiting the next installment in the series.

Thank you so much to NetGalley for the digital ARC!

So this is the third book in the series, so you will need to read the first three to grasped the concept, relations and overarcing story of the series, so do not start here, start with the first book Finlay Donovan is Killing it

Elle Cosimano is back for the fourth book in her Finlay Donovan series and Atlantic City is calling:

Finlay and Vero need a cover story and a girls weekend is in Atlantic City is an easy sell to everyone. So easy in fact that some how, Finlay’s mom, the Kids and Steven end up joining them on their “Girl’s Trip”. The real plan is to see if they negotiate out of the money Vero owes to a loan shark, find her childhood crush Javi, find the stolen Ashton Martin and oh stay alive in the process. Easy Right?

I was not sure where Cosimano was going to take this fourth book after the thrid one as I personally was not the biggest fan of that book. I am glad that Cosimano decided to have the whole gang (children included) take a trip to Atlantic City. The change of setting was what needed to bring this book and series back up. I liked that everyone there was out of their comfort zone and needed to think outside of the box in order to not only stay alive but hide what they are doing from the family and the detectives that show up

This book is much more like the first two books and I am happy that I continued on in this series after the third one. There were a lot more laugh out loud moments in this one and a bit far fetched at time but hey I read in order to escape. There were some times too when I felt a bit whiplashed from plot point to subplot to plot point to new evidence that is was hard to keep it straight at times but it did not take me out of enjoying this book.

Kevin Bacon, loved it, and the jokes that occurred because of the name, cheesy but I was here for it.

I’m really Glad that Finlay doesn’t fall for Steven's shit and puts him in his place a few times. It was also humbling seeing Steven try to care for the kids by himself and even makes a few comments about Finlay leaving it all to him and her just looking at him and basically saying you did that to me all the time. I love that Finlay has found some inner strength and her needs to come first from time to time. And Nick, well how can you not love Nick, I just wonder with all the lies how it can last.

Where does Cosimano take it here from here and i love that this story has wrapped up a bit? I mean a lot of loose ends are tied up in this book. I would read more about Finlay and Vero to see where Cosimano takes the story, but this book totally redeemed itself from the third book.

Enjoy!!!

Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice
by Elle Cosimano
Narrated by Angela Dawe
4 stars
Finlay and Vero are back once again in another crazy mixed up and fun time. In Finlay Donovan Rolls The Dice, we find them stuck in Atlantic City
with Finlay’s mom, her kids, her ex-husband, her sister, and her new flirty cop friend Nick. Finlay always seems to find herself getting into and out of trouble. If you’ve enjoyed any of the previous books in the series or want to pick it up I think you’ll like the wild ride.
I really liked this audiobook and had listened to the previous books in the series as well. Angela Dawe is
a narrator and can keep you invested in multiple characters with the multiple
voices and accents she portrays. I’m not sure if there will be another Finlay Donovan book but you can be sure if there is that I’ll be reading it.
This series is a perfect book for when you can’t get over your last read or just need a fun breath of fresh air. It’s humorous and heartwarming, with a mystery that’s solved by the final page.

Thank you to @netgalley @minotaurbooks and @MacmillanAudio for the advanced listen.

Hi Again!

I am very excited to talk about the newest Finlay Donovan book today! I have been a huge fan of the Finlay Donovan books for a long time (basically since the beginning) and I have loved every story in this world. (I still have a review up for each of the previous books and the novella). I am already considering a re-read of the series and I most definitely am excited for book five! Before I go too far off track talking about my love for this series let’s talk about the newest book!

SPOILERS AHEAD

Finlay and Vero have gotten themselves into another pickle (this time it’s mostly the pickle that Vero got them in, but they will get out together). The solution to this pickle is a fake girl’s trip that will rescue Vero’s love, Javi and maybe they can also try to clear Vero’s name in the process. However, when they announce their trip Finlay’s ex-husband and mom, and her children all tag along. This definitely adds a wrench to their plans. But they all decide to go together and they can figure out how to get time away from the group under the guise of needing girl time to relax. The girls begin to work their plan however, another wrench is thrown in when Finlay’s cop boyfriend and her sister and future sister-in-law show up to work a case (maybe possibly part of the same stuff Finlay is working on). Now this trip is definitely off the rails but Finlay and Vero still need to get Javi back and fix things with some very powerful people.

I absolutely loved this book (like all the others). It was absolute chaos at times and there were close calls where I felt sure the pair were going to be found out but Finlay and Vero were able to prevail. I definitely think I am going to do a re-read of the entire series (and the novella) before book five. This fourth book has definitely been one of my favorites so far in the series (and I have to say I would love a happy ending for Finlay and her current boyfriend as well as Vero and Javi, but I would also love many more books)! When I do start my re-read, I will definitely be posting reviews again for each book. In the meantime, if you have not yet definitely check out this series! It is so much fun!

Goodreads Rating: 5 Stars

The latest installment in the Finlay Donovan mystery series delivers the humor, witty banter, and crime-filled capers we've come to expect from the series.

I will be withholding my review of this book in solidarity with the St. Martin's Press boycott. See https://r4acollective.org for details.