This was a new series’s to me so I grabbed all of the books. I’ve only read the first couple but I’m loving it and will be continuing with the series and looking forward to the next ones.

I’m late to the Finlay Donovan fan club, but I’m absolutely now a full member! Life couldn’t get any worse for our heroine, her husband has left her for their realtor, the pile of overdue bills might soon need their own zip code, everything seems to be breaking around her house, and, also, her latest mystery book is going nowhere and her agent is after her for a completed manuscript. And yet it does. A misunderstood overheard conversation, leads a woman to hire Finlay to deal with her husband, which takes a very bad turn in her attempt to not kill the husband. I absolutely enjoyed Finlay’s rollercoaster as she tried to solve her problems, keep her kids, and hopefully not get any deeper. Warm, engaging dialogue that makes you root for Finlay to find a way out.

A killer mystery about a single working mom who does it all and hides the bodies!

To say Finlay Donovan is "down on her luck" is an understatement. She's newly divorced from a certified douchebag, mother of two kids under 5, broke, struggling to write her next mystery-romance novel and retain custody of her kids, and now she's accidentally been hired as a hitwoman.

As everything in her life spirals out of control and she gets drawn deeper into the dangerous world of the Russian mob, Finlay joins forces with her resourceful nanny, Vero, to take out the bad guys and avoid jail. With not one, but TWO incredibly hot love interests and a new "killer" idea for her book - Finlay may actually come out of this okay.... but there are plenty of loose threads for Cosimano to pull for Book 2.

This book grabs you from the start and doesn't slow down. Fans of Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series - it's time to switch allegiances to characters that are just as fun to root for but more unpredictable and actually change and grow. I listened to the audiobook and the narrator hit it out of the park! I'm buckled in for the whole series!

The female protagonist and her sidekick will amuse you in this morally grey mystery. You will actually be on the side of the murderers on this one.

This was funny, dark, and delightful, if not bordering on slightly outlandish at times. Finley was a ln entertaining lead character, and although I enjoyed her, I questioned her sense at times. Overall I enjoyed this despite having to suspend my disbelief at some of the plot points. A read that kept my engaged and entertained, but I'm not sure I feel compelled to continue on in the series.

Elle Cosimano’s Finlay Donovan Is Killing It is a wildly entertaining blend of comedy, crime, and chaos. Finlay, a struggling novelist and single mom, stumbles into a contract killer mix-up, leading to a whirlwind of misadventures, accidental crimes, and laugh-out-loud moments. The novel’s sharp humor, engaging mystery, and relatable depiction of motherhood make it a refreshing take on the thriller genre. Finlay’s partnership with Vero, her sharp-witted nanny-turned-accomplice, adds an extra layer of charm and unpredictability.

While the plot requires some suspension of disbelief, the book’s witty writing and fast-paced storytelling keep it engaging. Some twists feel over-the-top, but they contribute to the novel’s fun, almost screwball-comedy energy. The balance of suspense, humor, and heart makes it a compelling read, perfect for fans of lighthearted mysteries with strong, flawed, and lovable heroines. Four stars!

Finlay Donovan is a mess. Her husband left her and is engaged to a real estate agent. Finlay is a writer of thrillers with writer's block who can't pay her bills or handle her children. I mean who puts duct tape on their kids head. At this point I wouldn't have put her in charge of a goldfish. While having lunch with her agent in a Panera discussing the plot of her new book in Panera she is overheard and is mistaken for a killer for hire and given her first assignment.

I thought the book was amusing. The characters weren't very well developed and the whole thing was a bit madcap but the plot came together and kept me guessing to end. The ending isn't exactly a cliffhanger but does leave an opening for the next book.

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with a digital copy.

I had seen the Finlay Donovan books come out over the years and for some reason I can't fathom, I never managed to pick one up until now. I don't typically love hot mess characters, but Finlay was one mostly by trying to do too much without the right resources and ax ex-husband butting in to sabotage her. Finlay was someone I could root for! Mash that up with an "I can't believe how that happened" storyline, and I was hooked. This was a fun escape from reality for me, and I can't wait to get on with reading the rest of Elle's books!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books for this gifted copy to discover and get up to speed on this wonderful series!

Really enjoyed this new series and the characters. Some of the situations are unbelievable, but that’s what makes these books so fun. It’s an easy to read book. The characters spark your interest and keep you wanting more.

I am absolutely obsessed with this series, and I’m flying through them. The characters, the plots…it’s all so fun and refreshing.

Finlay is spunky, relatable and fighting tooth and nail to stay afloat for her kids in the midst of an ugly divorce. Her ex and his new fiancée are making life difficult for her, but she is refusing to give up. After a small misunderstanding, she finds herself as a newly minted hitman…which leads us down the path of a hilarious and twisted story.

If you like thrillers with a little bit of self depreciating comedy mixed in, I highly recommend this read!

So this is one of those books. It’s been on my TBR list for so so so long. But, with the second one coming out, I knew I needed to read this first one. And now I’m SO MAD that I waited so long to read this. It’s kind of amazing. Move over Morelli and Ranger, I’m now trying to find out if I’m Team Nick or Team Julian. Hot cop, or hot bartender soon to be lawyer? If you enjoy the Stephanie Plum series, you’re going to love Finlay and Vero.

I initially thought this was a romance. However it turned into more of a whodunnit with a splash of romance and a dash of chick lit. I loved the subtle suspense mixed with the quick wit that kept me laughing. It was a quick read, I finished it in a day, and now I’m sad it’s over.

SideNote: I would like Finlay to be my new friend, and if she were, I would introduce her to yoga dress pants. Yes they’re a thing.

This was a great read. Perfect combination of funny, suspense with a bit of romance. And the cliffhanger? yes, I will definitely read the next one.

Honestly, who HASN'T thought of killing their significant other at some point in time? The insane setup of an author being overheard at a working lunch at a Panera and being mistaken for a contract killer doesn't seem that crazy at all. This book pulls you right in,

3/18/2025-This was a re-read which obviously means that I like this book. It is delightfully ridiculous and I mean that in the best way. The hijinks of Finlay and Vero and their dynamic is entertaining. I appreciate where the plot goes and even though the premise is bizarre (suburban mom hired to kill someone) it seems plausible in this particular world. It gives cozy mystery energy and as a lover of cozy mysteries, this is totally the book for me.

I don't think everyone will enjoy this, but if you want a fun time and need to just be entertained by a story then I recommend this.

I may age myself but Finlay Donovan is the answer to every girl in the aughts who read Aly Carter. I was extremely grateful to recieve the full series and couldn't finish them all fast enough.

I thought I would like this book a bit more than I did, but by the end of it I was way more into it than I was at the beginning.
Finlay was infuriating and kept making the wrong decision everytime! Good thing this is fiction and not real life because she would have been caught in the first 20 pages of the book :D

However, I ended up having fun so I will keep reading this series! Three stars!

Love this series. I think this first in the series really sets us up for what’s to come. Really cozy read

This book was an absolute blast! Finlay Donovan, a struggling writer and single mom, accidentally gets mistaken for a contract killer—and before she knows it, she’s tangled in a real-life murder mystery. With sharp humor, fast-paced twists, and a dynamic duo in Finlay and her nanny-turned-partner-in-crime, Vero, this book kept me hooked from start to finish.

The audiobook made it even better, bringing out the humor and suspense perfectly. Elle Cosimano delivers a fun, clever, and wildly entertaining ride. I couldn’t get enough and couldn’t wait to dive into the sequel!

I read this when it first came out and had issues with it. The main character Finlay Donovan was grating and emotionally immature. I still feel that way but this time around I guess I was more in the mood for it and was also prepared for Finlay's shenanigans. It was a much better read the second time around and I look forward with only slight trepidation to the rest of the series.

I could not fall in love with this book. The premise was basically horrifying, and not at all believable, so that spoiled it for me. And I couldn’t feel a lot of sympathy for someone who created so many of her own problems. I enjoy dark humor, but an ordinary housewife and mother carrying out some of these maneuvers was not realistic or funny. The characters would probably have been fun in a different setting, so I may try another in the series. I am sure many will enjoy this book, but it just fell short for me.

Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.