Bravo!

This was such a FUN read. From the very first sentence, i was hooked!

Finlay is your every day mom who got herself in a little pickle.

The characters are fun and relatable.
The story line is intriguing and you truly don’t know what’s going to happen.
Not sex.
Lots of curse words- but it didn’t ruin it for me. (No crude words though)
👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

Running to read the next one!

I loved this book so much. It turned out to be such a different story than what I was expecting within the first few pages. I am excited to continue to series and see the layers that unravel just like an onion

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a free digital version of this book. This was such a fun read, and now I want to read the other books in the series. This had the right mix of murder mystery, comedy, and light romance. I didn't want to put the book down as the mystery kept me interested, and the humor was sprinkled in just the right places. I recommend, and look forward to reading the other books in this series!

Note: Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and author Elle Cosimano for the advanced reader copy of this book. This review will also be posted on NetGalley. What follows is my unbiased review of the book.

I’ve been a fan of the zany-woman-in-over-her-head-with-a-murder genre since I read my first Stephanie Plum novel more than twenty years ago. I’ve found that they can be a lot of fun, even if I end up rolling my eyes in disbelief. Elle Cosimano has written young adult books up until this point and Finlay Donovan is Killing It is her first book aimed at an adult audience.

Finlay Donovan’s life is a disaster. Her ex-husband left her for Theresa, a blonde real estate agent, and is seeking custody of their two young children. Finlay is an author and although she has an agent, she hasn’t met with much success just yet. She thanks God every time her minivan actually starts and has to call Steve, the ex-husband, to get the electricity turned back on when it’s shut off.

On a morning when everything seems to be going wrong, Finlay meets with her agent at a local Panera Bread. She’s coming up with a deadline for an advance for a book she’s already received (and spent), and she hasn’t written anything yet. Over coffee, she rattles off an idea for a plot and is overheard by a woman sitting nearby, who mistakes Finlay for a contract killer and offers her $50,000 to take out her husband.

The book follows Finlay as she wavers about whether she wants to kill him or not. The money is so tempting, and she finds out he’s not such a nice guy. Still, the thought of murdering someone in cold blood doesn’t sit so well with her, until it happens. Did she accidentally cause his death? Or was there someone else involved?

Finlay Donovan is Killing It is a rather convoluted tale, but it’s a fun one. I could sympathize with Finlay, although I think any divorce court would have given her a much better deal. She’s getting a raw deal from her ex-husband and is overwhelmed with what life is throwing at her. Fifty thousand dollars could mean she gets to keep her kids. Steven fired their nanny, Vero, who shows up at Finlay’s house to collect her things and becomes involved in the murder for hire. Vero is the buddy Finlay needs to prod her along, as well as help her get her life together. When Vero uses the down payment to pay off all of Finlay’s bills, there’s no looking back.

There’s some romance as Finlay is set up by her sister, who is a police officer, with another police officer who just happens to be working on the case of a missing local couple. The wife is the woman who hired Finlay and she knows where the husband is. There’s a lot of tension here. At the same time, Finlay meets a bartender who is studying law and who has a sympathetic ear. Both men are hot and Finlay is single.

It took a while to figure out what happened as there were many red herrings along the way. I had many different suspects, and it didn’t help that the victim in question had ties to the Russian mob. The story was fun to follow, though, and it wasn’t so outrageous that I found it unbelievable. Finlay has a good heart, she’s just in a very rough spot at this point in time. From the beginning to the end of the book, there’s a transformation in her as she gains confidence in herself, which she lost when her husband left her.

This is the first book in a series where all of the books were offered to me as advanced reader copies. I can’t wait to read the rest of the series. As the first adult fiction book of Elle Cosimano, it’s quite good and a lot of fun.

Finlay Donovan is a stressed-out single mom and struggling novelist who accidentally gets mistaken for a contract killer. She ends up accepting a job to dispose of a problem husband to make ends meet but quickly realizes that real-life crime is much more difficult than in her novels.

This book is a delightful, humorous, and easy read that provides a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. I thoroughly enjoyed immersing myself in Finlay's world and temporarily forgetting about my own daily struggles. Although I typically don't read series, I am thrilled to have stumbled upon all five books in this collection. I am eagerly anticipating finishing the series!

Finlay is a relatable character, facing challenges such as debt, family problems, and financial struggles. The plot is well-crafted and engaging, making it difficult for me to set the book aside. In fact, I found myself canceling my plans for the day just so I could fully experience this captivating story.

I encourage those who, like me, are not typically fans of series to give these books a chance. I sincerely hope they find a place on your TBR list. If you enjoy reading about characters like Stephanie Plum from Janet Evanovich's novels, you will undoubtedly fall in love with this series. It is entertaining, without any unnecessary filler.

If you enjoy fast-paced, witty narrative that authentically captures the challenges and joys of motherhood this book is for you. It is infused with humor and heartfelt moments that will leave a lasting impression on you...

Thank you, St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books for the digital ARC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This was randomly recommended to me a long while ago and it quickly rose to a favorite series. If you’ve not jumped into the Finlay world yet I can’t recommend it enough. It’s absolutely hilarious and light. With a bit of murder on the side ;).

I read this and followed along with the audiobook from Everand.
I loved this story! I'm so glad I read this, and I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.
Sharp and funny.

Finlay Donovan is Killing It
Finn is a divorced Mom of two and a struggling writer. It doesn’t help that her cheating ex-husband is asking for full custody of their children. Finn is mistaken for a contract killer and is offered $50,000 by a woman in Panera to kill her husband. Finn can’t resist looking into the man she is supposed to kill.
Finn gets into some hilarious situations. I liked Finn more as the story progressed.
I look forward to reading more Finn Donovan mysteries.

I think I found my new favorite series! Finaly makes me laugh, cry and shake my head at her antics, along with her babysitter and partner in crime Vero. What these two can fall ass-backwards into is hilarious. A struggling writer and single mom of two very active small children, needs a break. She’s poor, she’s nowhere on her new manuscript, she’s fighting with her ex and his fiancée and she’s about to explode. When seemingly money lands into her lap, but for all the wrong reasons. This is where the hijinks begin. Just read it and laugh.

First off, I love this story, series, and the characters! This series starts off with a random woman mistakenly assuming the main character, Finlay, is a hit woman! The woman then hires Finlay to kill her abusive husband. The book follows Finlay as she tries to correct this misunderstanding. We mainly follow Finlay, her two kids, and Vero, her nanny-turned-close friend. We see Finlay meet two men, Bartender Julian, and Detective Nick, and the romantic decisions she must make. The characters are relatable and lovable! The book is easy to read and follow but keeps your attention. I will say, as the first book in a series, it took me a couple of chapters to get into it and meet the main characters. I first listened to this in audiobook format and really loved the narrator, the slight voice changes for characters, and the pacing. I also like the cover art.

Loved this book. A misunderstanding turns a mystery writer into a potential hitman. Only the plot goes terribly wrong leaving her dealing with dead bodies and the mob.

There is a good balance of comedy and drama. I liked the relationship between Finlay and Vero and how they figure out how to get themselves out of this complicated mess while taking care of two energetic preschoolers!

I drove the long way home so I could finish the book. The narrator of the audiobook is fantastic and really kept me engaged. I'm glad there will be a sequel.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the advance reader copy. I am required by law to disclose this.

I was hesitant to request this book, but I’d heard such good things about it, I decided to take the plunge. Then I sat on this for a while, but I was between books and decided to try it. O.M.G. This series is so much fun! Finley and Vero are such a good partnership. They hold each other up and keep each other going. Add in a sleazy ex-husband, his latest conquest…er, uh, fiancée, and a few other great characters, and I was captivated by the first page until the last. Right after I finished this, I immediately jumped into the next one. No, it’s not perfect, no, it isn’t true to life, and yes, it’s so much darn fun! Highly recommend. I was provided a complimentary copy which I voluntarily reviewed.

Thank you to the author and publisher for the 48 hour access to read this series!

I absolutely devoured *Finlay Donovan Is Killing It*! From the very first page, I was hooked by Finlay’s hilarious and chaotic life. Elle Cosimano masterfully blends humor, mystery, and a touch of the absurd into this wildly entertaining story.

Finlay is such a relatable character—she’s juggling single motherhood, a stalled writing career, and an exasperating ex-husband. When she’s accidentally mistaken for a hitwoman during a casual lunch meeting, the chaos that ensues is both laugh-out-loud funny and heart-poundingly suspenseful. The plot twists kept me guessing until the very end, and the banter between Finlay and her sidekick Vero was pure gold.

Cosimano’s writing is sharp and witty, and her ability to balance humor with genuine emotional moments made this book a standout for me. I loved every minute of Finlay’s ridiculous journey, and I couldn’t put it down. If you’re looking for a fun, fast-paced mystery with a strong and hilariously imperfect female lead, this is it! I’m already diving into the next book in the series because I can’t get enough of Finlay’s shenanigans. Highly recommend!

Have you ever been banned from Panera? No? Me neither, but somehow Finlay did, and you'll have to read the book to find out why.

I have been wanting to read this book for a while now, and I'm so glad that I did. I laughed out loud so many times. Even though I don't have children of my own, I could feel the stress of Finlay as she dealt with life as a single mother. I have to admit, though, that Vero was my favorite character. I'm so glad that the author brought her in as the sidekick. Although the events were a little "out there" for the mystery to take place, if you know this going in, it seems to make them okay.

This would definitely qualify as one of the funniest mysteries that I have ever read. I mean, who gets banned from Panera, and accidentally becomes a "hit woman?"

I gave this four out of five stars. It was a fast-paced read that doesn't leave you hanging, but it makes you glad to know that there are more books in the series. I can only imagine what Finlay and Vero will get up to in the next book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for my free copy of this book. This is my honest opinion.

Best COZY mystery i've read so far.

So much intrigue I ADORE IT.

And on to the second book of the series.

This was on my TBR for so long i don't know why i didn't started it earlier.

I’m going to be honest in that I was really unsure of what to expect from this book previously and recently got this free copy from the publisher via NetGalley. Boy, have I been sleeping on this series! I actually really liked the main character as well as the cozy mystery vibe with a humorous twist. I’m excited for the next one!

If I had to describe my perfect 10 of a book, this would be it. I loved everything about this book: the main characters, the side characters, the mystery, the romance, the humor, the plot. My deepest regret is that I wish I had discovered this series sooner. Finlay and Vero are my favorite female MCs of all time—so real, so relatable, and just down-right hilarious. I have never laughed out loud so much while reading a book. At no point did I know what was going to happen next, and I absolutely loved that. This book was just perfection!

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Minotaur Books, and Elle Cosimano for ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Ridiculous, but fun! I really didn't know if I would vibe with this kind of book (kind reminds me of a funny cozy mystery?) but I totally did, on to book 2!
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review!

I loved this story so much! Finlay Donovan is just a mom trying to navigate life after separating from her husband, who has a new woman in his life. Then, she accidentally kills a man. Or does she? It doesn’t matter- she covers it up and buries the body. Will she get away with it while so many other things are happening?

I couldn’t put this book down when I read it, and the banter among characters is phenomenal.

This is another book/series I’ve had my eye on and just my luck, NetGalley offered the whole series as Read Now last week so I grabbed it!

I was instantly pulled into the story as Finlay is pulled into a murder for hire job from a misunderstanding. And it was one wild ride. The author does a great job of showing Finlay’s desperation and motives.

Finlay and Vero are excellent characters. Vero is awesome. Her take charge, take no prisoners vibe was my favorite. I loved how she took care of things for Finlay. And Finlay is just trying to be a good mom, good author, and keep her kids.

There are excellent twists and turns and romance mixed in with a bartender and a cop. Oh and don’t forget the scary mob. I can’t wait for the next book.

The audio narrator was excellent. Angela Dawe did a fantastic job with the voices from the old to young and male and her accents were convincing. Each was done well. Dawe portrayed each character so well.

I received the ebook from Read Now from NetGalley. Huge thank you to Minotaur books for offering that. I also listened to the audio from Libby while driving around town. All views are my own.