4.25 stars - I finally picked up *Finlay Donovan Is Killing It* upon receiving the newest in the series for review, and I can’t believe I waited this long! The book is a perfect mix of light, funny moments and more serious, logistical storytelling. Finlay, a struggling writer who somehow gets caught up in a murder-for-hire scheme, is both relatable and totally entertaining. The tone is witty and quippy, which makes the more serious parts of the plot feel lighter without losing their impact.

That said, I do wish we had gotten more background on Finlay, especially when it comes to everything pre-dating her marriage. We get a lot of information about her interactions with her ex-husband’s new fiancée, but I wanted more details on how she ended up in this situation (and the relationship with here ex) in the first place. It would’ve been nice to dive deeper into her backstory, and I’m hoping future books will give us more of that.

Overall, it’s a fun, fast-paced read that had me hooked from start to finish. I’m definitely looking forward to the next book(s) in the series!

I loved everything about this book! I don’t know why I’ve been sleeping on the Finlay Donovan series for so long, but after book 1 I’m dying to dive into book 2! Especially after that cliffhanger at the end!

This story is such an interesting and fun storyline. The mix of seriousness at times and pure comedy gold at others held my attention for the entirety of the book. And I thought the romance subplot was a perfect addition to the story!

I cannot wait to dive into book 2 and discover where Finlay’s story is going to go next!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

🌟 4 stars! Big thanks to St. Martin's Press & Minotaur Books for the complimentary copy of Finlay Donovan Is Killing It via NetGalley! 💖

Okay, okay, now I totally get what all the hype is about! 😆 Finlay Donovan Is Killing It is like the wildest rollercoaster ride of chaos, mystery, and absolute LOL moments. 😂 Finlay is a hot mess (in the best way possible)—she’s broke, a struggling author, and a single mom to two rowdy kiddos. But things go from bad to crazier when she’s mistaken for a hitwoman during a lunch with her literary agent. I mean, who wouldn’t want to read that?! 🤷‍♀️ It's non-stop madness, with Finlay making questionable decisions and landing in even wilder situations. 🤪

✨ Tropes galore! ✨
✧ Struggling single mom 💖
✧ Unlikely heroine 🦸‍♀️
✧ Murder mystery gone way wrong 🕵️‍♀️
✧ Misunderstandings causing pure chaos 🤦‍♀️
✧ Hilariously flawed MC 😂
✧ Criminal mischief 🔪
✧ Partners in crime 💖
✧ Sassy sidekick (Hey, Vero! 😎)
✧ Romantic tension 💕
✧ Over-the-top drama 🎭

Now, the funny factor—some folks didn’t find it funny, but I was legit HOWLING with laughter! 🤣 I mean, yeah, it’s totally absurd, but in the best way! Finlay’s life is one disaster after another, and I couldn’t stop laughing at her crazy antics (even though I’d never do what she does 😅). The relationship between Finlay and her nanny Vero? PURE GOLD. They’re like this ridiculous but totally perfect duo, and I need more of them in my life—like, yesterday!🙌

Okayyy, but the whole “every man loves Finlay” thing did make me roll my eyes a little. 🙄 Like seriously, can we get one book where the heroine doesn’t have every hot guy chasing her? It’s a bit overdone at this point, and I was kinda over it by the end. 😬

But overall? This book is a total blast! 🎉 Quirky, fast-paced, and so entertaining. I was hooked from the very first page, and now I’m COUNTING down the days for book two! And that ending?? 🔥 I need more, please!

Bring on Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead! Let’s goooo! 😍

Wildly entertaining! I went into this book blind- not knowing much about it other than it was a popular series and the cover is cute. I am so glad I decided to read it! Not only is it a mystery to solve, but it's about a single mom who is struggling to make ends meet on her own while trying to write a thriller. I laughed throughout this story- I love Finlay's sidekick, Vero, she is always doing something that cracks me up!

I could not put this one down and now I am jumping right into book 2. Thank you NetGalley, Elle Cosimano and Minotaur Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!!

Love this series! So funny and the perfect cozy mystery with a bit of romance. Love all the side characters and I always laugh at these books!

This was such a fun read! It was a solid palette cleanser between darker books, but fun and witty enough to keep me engaged. Looking forward to #2!!

I read a lot of books, especially mysteries. Seldom do I find an author whose work makes me want to devour every title of hers. Elle Cosimano is one such author. Thanks for publishing her and for making her available on NetGalley where I met her through your 24 hour promotion. Innventive, unpredictable plot, well-developed, quirky and likeable characters! I want more!!!

Mistaken impressions make for drama & skullduggery😯

I thought the main idea was really well developed, with Finlay, the divorced mother of two tots, falling into the role of a reluctant suburban assassin quite by accident. Her adventures in the world of paid hits on erring husbands and Mafia figures was entertaining, especially the way, through dumb luck, she and her intrepid sidekick Vero skate through dangerous situations.

That an innocent coffee shop meeting with her book agent could set her on this wacky way was an inventive stroke. And the ending takes nothing away from this standalone story but promises a new dilemma for Finlay to dig into.

Thanks to the author, Minotaur Books and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.

(Review shared on Goodreads, Bookbub, Waterstones, kobo, B&N and Google Play)

A very fun cozy thriller/mystery novel with threads of the Stephanie Plum series (positive). Finlay and Vero are a great pair who seem to find themselves in wrong place/wrong time often. They will keep us on our toes for books to come!!

Absolutely loved the first book in the Finlay Donovan series. I thought it had everything- a little murder, a little mystery, a smattering of love. What more could a girl ask for? Finlay is a perfect protagonist. She's a down on her luck divorced single mom who is just trying to make ends meet when all the sudden she gets involved in mysterious dealings that could potentially get her in trouble with the law. I really enjoyed the mystery element as well as getting to know Finlay and Vero- her nanny/accomplice. It was truly laugh out loud funny and kept me on the edge of my seat. It was a joy and can't wait to read more of the series.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced readers copy of this book. All opinions within this review are my own.

Finlay Donovon is an author who gets caught up in a mess when someone overhears a conversation with her editor which makes it sound like she’s a hired assassin. Finlay is propositioned to work as a hitman for real. What follows is a funny, quirky adventure for Finlay. This book was fun to read and a great start to a series. I’m excited to start the next book soon. This is a quick read and great for anyone looking for a cozy mystery.

Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press / Minotaur Books for allowing me to read a copy of this book. The opinion in this review is my own.

Good start to the series. Finlay and Vero remind me of Lucy and Ethel with all the trouble they get themselves into!

This book reminded me a lot of the Janet Evanovich Stephanie Plum series but without the sex and humor. I cringed so many times at Finlay’s poor decision making and I really did wonder how she was going to get out of these terrible situations she kept finding herself in. Vero is the standout character for sure. I may read the next book just to see what happens because this one ended on a pretty intriguing cliffhanger.

I wanted so badly to give this book a 4.5 stars! I loved it. I really am a picker of books by the covers and I am not drawn to people on the covers. Boy...was I wrong about this book. I completed this book in less than 24 hours. I love Finlay and Vero. Due to the bomb-drop on the final page, I can hardly wait to dig into book two!!! Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for offering this group of books for us to read and provide our feedback!!

This was a fun read but I gave it 3 stars b/c it's total BS that she needs the money to raise her kids. She gets child support, there is also state aid and she owns a house and car. She's doing fine.

I loved this book! I get a Stephanie Plum vibe which is one of my all time faves as well. The chaos in Finlay's laugh makes me laugh because it's written so realistically. Bad decision and humor. Love. Love. Love.

Finlay Donovan IS Killing it! This series is an instant read for me now. The over the top chaos of her life and support system kept me laughing. Finlay is romance author trying to hold it together as her home life is in crumbling. Finlay and Vero kept me entertained with their dynamic. I enjoyed and recommended to my entire book club for a fun light read.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books

I went into Finlay Donovan is Killing It with no expectations and ended up enjoying every single second of it! Elle Cosimano crafts such a fun, fast-paced ride that I had a hard time putting the book down and was immediately eager to dive into the next installment.

What really stole the show for me were Finlay and Vero. I absolutely love their dynamic—it’s the heart of the story, full of humor, loyalty, and mischief. Cosimano captures their relationship so perfectly that it elevates the entire book.

And the romance! I love a good mystery romance, and while this is different from my favorite, Veronica Speedwell, in tone, it has its own charm. With not one but two love interests, the romantic tension adds another layer of excitement to the mystery. I couldn’t wait to see how it would all play out.

Overall, this is an absolute must-read for anyone looking for a light, clever mystery with plenty of laughs, twists, and heart.

Thank you to Elle Cosimano, Minotaur Books, and NetGalley for sending me the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book is a fresh take on the cozy mystery and I'm here for every minute of it. A writer (and mom) going through a divorce meets her agent for a bite to eat and to beg for more time and is mistakenly overheard while complaining at a Panera Bread. All of sudden she's in a whirlwind of things that are beyond her scope. There is romance, comedy, and heartwarming joy. Can she rise to the craziness and come out the other side? Of course, she can, but you will want to be along for it.

Now this. THIS WAS GOOD. Like I couldn’t put it down at all good. Like I stayed up past my bedtime to finish it because honestly the mess these women found themselves in PHEW. I love me a good murder mystery and this was some top shelf writing. I absolutely understand the hype for this one. Y’all were right. The hype was absolutely true for this one. This book is amazing! It’s hilarious, it’s kind of hot, and it’s just a slew of accidentally being caught in the wrong place and the wrong time. Finlay is such a cool person and Vero? Damn I loved her way too much.