I had a huge problem with this book. Why was Vero not featured more prominently in this book!?!? I loved her character and I wanted to see her written in much, much more.

But seriously, this is such a fun book. A mystery where the MC, Finlay, gets thrown into the deep end of a potentially lethal, if not certainly illegal, situation and has to try and find her way through it. I loved the witty humor from her sidekick, Veronica (Vero). I loved that Finlay always tried to do the right thing and just constantly fell into what was actually the best outcome for her.

It appears this is Book 1 in a new series from this author and I can’t be more excited for Book 2!

Started out reading this one and switched to the audiobook as I was struggling with the horrendous men you meet right off the bat. The main ladies had some fun shenanigans they had to keep getting out of. Some great humour and a whole lot of how the heck can this happen.

Finlay Donovan Is Killing It is a hilarious, modern-day Cozy Mystery, that will leave you simultaneously at the edge-of-your-seat and clutching your sides with laughter. As a start to a series, this story succeeded in making me fall in love with these characters. I cannot wait for more!

Finlay Donovan is a struggling novelist. She is also currently single-moming two small children, as her jerk ex-husband left her for the hot, blonde, real estate agent he had been having an affair with. Making matters worse, on the morning of a very important meeting with her agent, to discuss her barely existent new novel, Finlay discovers her ex-hubby has also fired their nanny. Without giving her any advanced notice!

Not a great start to the day. As single-moms are known to do, however, Finlay figures it out, all whilst barely holding herself together on the inside. She makes her meeting with her agent, at a Panera, of all places, and they have a great, albeit slightly stressful discussion about Finlay's career.

Unbeknownst to Finlay, another patron was listening in on the conversation. Not understanding they were discussing the plot of Finlay's floundering novel, this woman now mistakenly believes Finlay to be a successful contract killer.

She then proceeds to try to hire Finlay to kill her husband. He's a scoundrel, she says; he won't be missed and she is willing to pay a hefty sum. While Finlay is intrigued, she obviously sees the problems with this plan. However, somehow, as turns out to be common in Finlay's life, she ends up in over her head. Before she knows it, she is embroiled in the dark underbelly of her community, where murder abounds.

This novel is fun from the first chapter. You are immediately thrown into the chaos of Finlay's life and into her hilarious inner musings. Not long after the Panera incident, Finlay is able to rekindle her relationship with their fabulous nanny, Vero and the two become, quite literally, partners in crime.

The relationship between Finlay and Vero gave me life. They played off each others personalities so well. I loved how they worked together and became like family. There were great side characters, red herrings, action and drama. It is just pure fun to read; light, funny and full of over-the-top hijinks.

Thank you so much to the publisher, Minotaur Books, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I really appreciate it! I cannot wait to see what Finlay and Vero get up to next!

Finlay Donovan is the epitome of a hot mess. She is barely keeping things afloat, raising her two kids and attempting to write another novel. Her husband recently left her for a younger wife and she is still dependent on him to pay her bills. When a conversation about her upcoming novel is misinterpreted as Finlay being a hired killer and a dead man ends up in her garage. Her life begins to take her on a ride that will keep you entertained throughout. ⁣
⁣
This book definitely lived up to all of its hype! It was hilarious, light, and just overall enjoyable to read. I did feel like some of the details were unrealistic, but other than that a fantastic book! I have heard that it may be a series and I would be very excited to read the next one! 4💫’s. ⁣
⁣

Finlay Donovan is KIlling It by Elle Cosimano is a fun, “who dun it” with all the great characters needed. Finlay is a newly divorced mom of two, whose husband is taking her to the cleaners. She is behind in all her bills. As a writer, she has never gained much notoriety and well everything is just so hard. From the opening chapters, Finlay is a sympathetic main character that everyone feels for, mostly she is able to keep it under wraps . After all her ex-husband and his “new” fiance are just waiting for her to mess up.

Finlay has a meeting with her publisher at a Panera and although the discussion is above board and all about her newest book, the person sitting near her hears something else. The next thing Finlay knows is she is being hired to kill a stranger's evil husband. From here, the book pulls Finlay is so many directions, between her kids, Vero, her sister the cop, the nosey neighbor and various other characters, where can it not go wrong….

The book is a fun read. It goes quickly and you really do want to find out all the details and how to solve her problems. Finlay’s character is intelligent and focused on being safe and raising her kids. Never mind, she is trying to find a killer. Finlay Donovan is KIlling It by Elle Cosimano is a good read. I am looking forward to the next book.

Finlay is newly divorced, a tired mother, and a struggling author. After the day where everything that can go wrong the icing on the cake is she is mistaken as an assassin and is presented an offer that she just might not be able to refuse, or can she?

What unfolds is a hilarious series of unfortunate events. It was a book that made me laugh, and laugh some more. What a fun spin on a genre I usually run so far from. I'm hoping this isn't the end of Finlay.

I freaking loved this book! I can’t remember when I enjoyed a character more than Finlay Donovan. The relationship between Finlay and Vero is a perfect mix of Lucy and Ethel meets Thelma and Louise. This highly suspenseful story is peppered with laughs, adding the perfect dash of humor to a character driven twisty tale. I loved getting to know Finlay and coming along for the ride! Thank you NetGalley and St, Martin’s press for my ARC. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book is delightful! Not only does the author capture what it’s like to be a working mother who feels like they’re never there enough for their kids but she adds laugh out loud situations along the way. I look forward to the next book!

Finlay Donovan just can't seem to get her life together. Ever since she caught her husband cheating and their subsequent divorce, she can't pay bills, keep her house clean, etc. Her publisher is on her case about getting her book done, but she just can't find the energy. While having lunch with her agent a woman overhears Finlay about her novel and mistakes her for an assassin for hire. She slips a note in Finlay's purse, offering a huge amount of money to take care of her dangerous husband.

Of course, Finlay is not going to take the money she so desperately needs, right? Maybe she can just investigate the husband a little bit.....until he ends up dead, not by her doing. The wife refuses to believe that Finlay hasn't done the job and gives her the money and leaves her with the dead body, It's from there that the hilarious romp begins when Finlay and her nanny must dispose of the body and then get more offers.

A very enjoyable and entertaining book. Well plotted, real and quirky cast of characters from a single mom to the Russian mob. Nicely paced.

This book was an unexpected read for me. I knew I’ll like it, but I didn’t think Finlay Donovan would actually kill at being a bad ass!! I’m so happy this is a mystery series.

Finlay Donovan is a struggling novelist and a single mother of two kids. At an attempt at redeeming herself to her publicist, she sits down at Panera to narrate a new story that she’s been working on. But how could everything go smooth? A woman behind her table mistakes Finlay for a contract killer and slips a cheque that would help out her a lot! But Finlay isn’t a contract killer.. and she wants the money.

Just read this book! The dialogues and Finlay’s actions are hilarious and this sure is a fresh take on woman led mystery that also qualifies for cozy fiction. If you can’t say from my review, I thoroughly enjoyed reading through!

This is my honest voluntary opinion for the earc provided by Minotaur books and Netgalley.

I'm so disappointed I didn't love this book more. The premise was so promising - a hilarious, misunderstood conversation at a Panera, a hot mess of a mom just trying her best. But those funny bits that you read on the back of the book happen in the first two chapters... and then it's just not that funny afterwards. I think that this story would play out so much better on TV, a la Desperate Housewives, but I'm not sure if the funny bits really came across on paper.

There was also just a lot going on in the story, that didn't flow together too well. There were characters that we didn't get enough information on, like Stephen and if we were supposed to feel sympathy for him or not, Julian and how he was a fun love interest that disappeared for half the book, or the nosy old neighbor who we didn't get to have a conversation with until the very end of the book. I would have loved more banter, outrageous moments, more giant gleaming mistakes.

While I really did love the idea of the book and the fresh, modern attempt at a cozy/not-so-cozy mystery/thriller, there is no one more disappointed than me that it just didn't live up to the hype. I am intrigued by the possibility of a second book, and Cosimano definitely has the potential to make up for the lack of funny in this one!

Thank you to Netgalley and Minotaur Books for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.

More Like 3 and ½ Stars!

I liked this one!

A huge thank you to Minotaur Books, NetGalley and Elle Cosimano for my advanced copy.

I failed to read this one by pub day so I chose to go the audiobook route.

The audio was fantastic. It was fun to listen to and probably bumped up the star rating.

Finlay was an amazing main character. She was hilarious, kick ass and very relatable. I also loved Vero.

I loved the idea of this book. The plot and the cover drew me in.

Why It Wasn't a Five Star-

A lot of people have loved this book. I didn't love it as much as I was anticipating. There were times when I wasn't invested in the story. There were times when I thought this was too over the top.
It wasn't a bad book.

Overall- Ok. I'd give this author another try. If there is a sequel I might read it.

This was my kind of book! Finlay is a writer of romance novels who has major writers block.. She is, also, broke, getting a divorce and has 2 small kids. When she meets her agent in Panera to go over her new book, a woman next to her overhears her conversation and thinks she's a contract killer. One thing after another happens, but the author dishes it all with a great sense of humor. The book races along. I can't wait to read the next book in this series!

A thoroughly enjoyable romp, Finlay Donovan is Killing It is the newest release from Elle Cosimano, author of thrillers for teens and adults. This title is aimed toward an adult audience, but older teens might enjoy it as well. Dismayed by her current circumstances, Finlay Donovan is a single mom whose life is on the brink of collapse. Her middling literary career is stalled out, she is in danger of breaching the contract on her next book and is already deeply in debt despite her small advance. To add to her troubles, her ex-husband and his enviable fiancé are threatening to sue for custody of their two young children. It is no surprise then, that her desperation leads her to contemplate an outrageous offer of a job as a contract killer. A woman overhears Finlay’s description of her latest work-in-progress and jumps to the conclusion that Finlay might provide the solution to her dangerous marriage. Even though she explains that the woman is mistaken, Finlay’s insatiable curiosity leads her to stake out the proposed target. Through a series of unlikely events, this decision drops Finlay right into a murder mystery that rivals her wildest literary imaginings. All the tropes are here: the inept “fish-out-of-water” heroine whose bravery and luck alternatingly places her in danger and saves her; the side-kick Nanny who comes to her aid, but also becomes overly enthusiastic; the cop and the bartender who vie for her affections; and the one-dimensional stereotypical bad guys that menace but underestimate her. To Cosimano’s credit, these well-worn roles are refreshingly depicted, and wholly engaging despite their familiarity. Fans of Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum or Lisa Lutz’ Izzy Spellman would be delighted to discover this book, as well as devotees of the old “I Love Lucy” escapades. Finlay Donovan is Killing It is a truly enjoyable read, with a main character who is relatable and fun to watch in a “train-wreck” sort of way. It would not be surprising if this title were swooped up to be developed into a movie or series that would be a huge success if given the right treatment and casting.
Thanks to the author, Minotaur Books and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.

Finlay Donovan Is Killing It is a darkly humorous and ridiculous murder mystery about a recently divorced struggling mom who gets offered to become an assassin while meeting her publisher at Panera. Just a delightful read.

I buddy read this with a friend and we both truly enjoyed the experience and I'm so excited that this is a series! I loved the mix of comedy, chick lit, mystery/suspense, and a touch of romance. I'm not gonna lie, Finlay got on my nerves just a little bit and there were a couple of characters that I wanted to smack around a little bit. But Vero and the kids and the whodunnit of it all kept me hanging on and looking forward to the next installment.

Every read that book that you don't know what you're in for, and then when you start, you're so glad you're here? Yeah, that's this book. Finlay Donovan is Killing It is hilarious and warm and generous with its love and it's so so good. I asked for it on Netgalley based on the COVER and holy hell, I'm so glad I did because otherwise I might have truly passed by on a great book.



Our main character accidentally becomes a woman-for-hire. That's all I'm telling you because that's all you need to know. READ THIS BOOK. If you like a little awkward comedy, a little romance, and saying "oh good lord", then yes, this is the book for you.



You won't regret it!



4/5 Stars

Finlay Donovan is writer of mystery romance novels who is mistaken for an assassin. Since she needs the money she might as well look into the job offer given to her via a hand written note left under her plate at Panera. When someone kills her mark in her garage Finlay needs to find out what is going on.
This is a hilarious story of life imitating art. It was a great twist in the mystery novel that is enjoyable and difficult to put down. I highly recommend to all readers.

3.4 stars, rounded down to 3.

This book is EVERYWHERE. I kept seeing in on lists of books to read this spring and I was so excited when I noticed it as an option for request on NetGalley.

Finlay Donovan is Killing It is the first book by Elle Cosimano that I have read. She has a fun, quirky writing style that reminds me of Janet Evanovich. In fact much of the story and the specific mix of haphazard anti-heroine protagonist pitted against veteran hardened criminals makes for a light but engaging read.

Finlay Donovan is a struggling writer, a newly single mom and everything is crashing down around her. Her ex is cutting her off financially and putting on pressure to take custody of her kids. He's fired her nanny so she does not have time to write. She is behind on her editor's deadline, and her bills. So the electricity gets shut off. If she can't get something written, she will have to repay her Editor's advance. Over lunch with her Editor at Panera, as Finaly attempts to explain herself, a woman at the next table overhears and misunderstands...thinking Finaly is a contract killer. She slips her a note with the name of a man and $50,000 written on it.

$50,000 could go a long way to solving her problems. But of course, she's not a contract killer. But maybe she should just see who this guy is?

A series of madcap, unlikely events keep Finlay embroiled in mess after mess. Add in a hot cop, her charming nanny and cartoonishly villainous bad-guys and you have a fun beach read.