Finlay Donovan is struggling. Her latest book is overdue to her agent and she's out of ideas, her finances are a mess, and her cheating ex-husband is trying to get custody of their kids. When Finlay is mistaken for a contract killer after a woman overhears her talking to her agent, things get really crazy. Curious about the target of the hit, Finlay tracks him down, only to have him inadvertently die anyway. Now the police are involved, and maybe the mob, as well. This is a light, fun start to a new series. Fans of Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series will enjoy this one, too.

"Getting the job done" for one single mom takes on a whole new meaning in Finlay Donovan is Killing It."

Thank you for the chance to read and review Finlay Donovan is Killing It. This book was an amazing start to a new series. I loved Finlay and the way she is sucked into this caper and misidentification and proceeds to use to her benefit. The relationships between Finlay, Vero and her ex are realistic and lend to the character building. This is definitely a new favorite series for me.

3.75 - this was such a fun read! Wasn't expecting a cliffhanger but I'm excited to continue the series

I loved this book so much. It made me laugh and wonder how a person could get in so much trouble in their life. Finlay Donovan is accidentally mistaken as a hit woman and this is the story of what happens after that. I cannot wait for more books in this series!

This book was so much fun! I loved Finlay’s messy life and especially loved her relationship with Vero. For a murder mystery this book was surprisingly light, fast paced and entertaining. Looking forward to reading the next one.

Finlay Donovan is not killing it, in fact. She is a stressed out single Mom and struggling writer who is out of patience, out of money, and out of time to finish her latest book. While lunching with her agent, a nearby customer mistakes her for a hitwoman after hearing Finlay describe the plot of her book. What starts out as a simple google search of the woman's husband quickly spirals out of control and Finlay soon learns that committing crimes in real life is much more difficult than writing about them.

I don't know when I will learn my lesson...amateur detective books are just not for me. Was it cute and quirky? Sure. It was also incredibly annoying. I almost DNF but the addition of "the hot cop" kept me going (predictable, I know). So many pieces were downright unbelievable. For example, Vero...let me lay this out for you how it went in my head. Former nanny witnesses body disposal while burglarizing former employer. Instead of fleeing the scene of *both* crimes, she offers to help dispose of the body. Like "hey i quit my job bc your ex tried to blackmail me into sleeping with him but lets be zesty besties and bury this asshole i never met together. btw, i'm moving in. go team!" Umm...what? Still don't know the purpose of the bartender. And while I've met some truly stupid cops in my life, there is no way he was that naïve.

All of that said, I will probably still read the second one because curiosity kills the cat and I'm not out of lives yet.

Finlay is a stressed-out single mom of two and a struggling novelist. When Finlay is overheard discussing the plot of her new suspense novel with her agent over lunch, she’s mistaken for a contract killer, and inadvertently accepts an offer to dispose of a problem husband in order to make ends meet.

I had no idea where this was going to go. Would she go through with the plan? Would she eventually get caught? How could she possibly get away with murder when the cops were closing in on clues related to aspects of her life? Did a chance at romance even stand a chance?

I loved the thrill and anticipation at every turn. Definitely a change in what I normally read but a welcome one nonetheless. Thank you to Netgalley and Publisher for a gifted copy in exchange for an honest review!

Rating: 5⭐
Steam level: 1.5🌶️ Closed door

Amazing start to a series. I loved Finlay and how much she went through while just trying to stay afloat. Can't wait for more!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | Finlay Donovan Is Killing It—And So Is This Book!

Elle Cosimano’s Finlay Donovan Is Killing It is a delightful blend of humor, suspense, and heart that had me hooked from the first page. Finlay Donovan, a stressed-out single mom and struggling novelist, finds herself in a hilariously precarious situation when she’s mistaken for a contract killer. What ensues is a fast-paced, laugh-out-loud adventure that keeps readers on their toes.

The dynamic between Finlay and her live-in nanny, Vero, is the heart of this story. Their witty banter and unwavering friendship add depth and charm to the narrative. The plot is engaging, with unexpected twists and turns that keep the suspense high and the pages turning.

While the premise is delightfully absurd, the execution is spot-on, making it easy to suspend disbelief and enjoy the ride. The book also offers a heartfelt look at the challenges and triumphs of motherhood, adding a layer of authenticity to the humor.

If you’re a fan of mysteries with a humorous twist and strong character development, this book is a must-read. Finlay Donovan is a heroine you won’t soon forget, and her adventures are just beginning.

Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press, for the ARC!

Elle Cosimano achieved bestseller status following a career change, buoyed by the support of friends and family. Already a respected YA author, she took a bold step, writing her first adult novel. The opening line, "It's a widely known fact that most moms are ready to kill someone by 8:30 AM on any given morning. On the particular morning of Tuesday, October eighth, I was ready by 7:45," immediately drew me in. Cosimano introduces a lead character with a wry, spunky worldview that resonated deeply with my "mom side." Without revealing too many spoilers, I can say that the entire cast of characters shines. While the plot is undeniably implausible, Cosimano masterfully pulls it off through her meticulous attention to detail in the setting. Finlay's world—a newly divorced, custody-battling romance writer with a struggling career—is so thoroughly researched that the reader willingly suspends disbelief. Just as it seems Finlay's life is unraveling, a bizarre misunderstanding presents an opportunity for financial gain: eliminating a truly awful husband. The narrative is tightly written and fast-paced, seamlessly interweaving action with the blossoming friendship between Finlay and her loyal accomplice, Vero. Cosimano has spoken about the challenges of publishing genre-blending books. In fact, the first book in this series was submitted to 22 publishers and rejected by 19. Cosimano's writing philosophy is simple: "If I'm having fun, you're having fun; if I'm not having fun writing the books, you're not having fun reading them." Clearly, the right publisher—and her readers—recognized the infectious fun Cosimano was having with Finlay. This book marks the beginning of an award-winning series, and I eagerly anticipate the sequel.

Full disclosure: I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and Minotaur Books in exchange for an unbiased review. Thank you for this opportunity.

I was thrilled when the Finlay Donovan series was all "read now" on NetGalley! Before this, I had only read a single short story by Elle Cosimano, but I loved the writing and knew I could easily fall in love with this author's writing. And that's what happened. This book was so well written and was truly the perfect start to this series. I love Finlay, and I'm ready to jump right on into the rest of this series! Ten outta ten.

What does a single mom do to make ends meet? get a job, write a book or become a contact killer? This story kicks off a series about Finlay and her misadventures. I enjoy that the author does not create the perfect mother--Finlay is seen with all her warts and it is pretty funny.

I have struck out with amateur detective stories before, but this was delightfully wacky. A romantic suspense author getting mistaken for a hitwoman, and her nanny getting caught up in the whole thing as well—it initially sounds like a disaster in the making. But it becomes so much more than that, because while Finlay and Vero do not always make the smartest decisions, they are far from bumbling heroines (even if they may feel like it sometimes). While some suspension of disbelief is required for some situations, it isn’t a bad thing; rather, it serves to highlight their ingenuity and resourcefulness, as well as how far they will go for each other. The mystery is very intriguing and well-done, but I don’t think that could exist as well without the prevalent theme of female friendships. And both make this book a standout in the genre. This definitely should not be missed, and I will absolutely be reading the rest of the series.

I'm late to the Finlay Donovan party, but I can say that I'm solidly in for the ride. Elle Cosimano is light and breezy in her writing, and Finlay, Vero, and the gang are all utterly delightful, so it's a joy to spend time with them. The hijinks that ensue after divorced mom and sometimes-author Finlay accidentally finds herself hired as a hitwoman - while trying to juggle two small children, a book submission that's already way overdue, and a contentious relationship with her ex-husband and his new fiancee - are absolutely absurd but in the best way. I can't wait to dive into the next one.

A story about an author being overheard talking about a book she’s writing and being mistaken for a contract killer was something I couldn’t pass up. It was entertaining and funny with some mystery thrown in, which made it a perfect light read that wasn’t all fluff. I ended up feeling immersed in a world of women involved in crime, both on purpose and accidentally.
It’s a fun read and I’d recommend it.

I’d been wanting to pick up Elle Cosimano’s Finlay Donavan series for a while, so when the first book, FINLAY DONAVAN IS KILLING IT, was offered via NetGalley to get readers hooked before the release of the fifth installment, I snatched it right up.

Cosimano had me snorting and chuckling all the way through the book - her portrayal of a recently single mom who’s struggling to keep her head above water is spot on and hilarious.

Fiction writer Finlay finds herself in an awkward position when a fellow customer at Panera gets the wrong impression about her - she thinks Finlay is a contract killer, and offers her an irresistibly large sum of cash to “take care” of her husband. Who, it turns out, is not a good person. Everything unravels from there.

FINLAY DONAVAN IS KILLING IT is a fun romp that doesn’t take itself too seriously. The book is cute, funny and a perfect escape. I will definitely continue the series when I’m in the mood for something lighthearted - that also involves murder, mob executions and burying bodies.

Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin’s Press/Minotaur for the digital review copy of FINLAY DONAVAN IS KILLING IT in exchange for my honest review.

The premise of this book was wild, but it was a great read. I liked that we got to "see" the struggle Finlay was going through. I also found it wildly entertaining that a person thought she was an assassin while describing the plot of her book. The face pace and twists really added to the enjoyment of my reading.

Finlay Donovan is Killing It by Elle Cosimano--This comedic crime mystery was a fun read. Struggling author (and general hot mess) Finlay is overheard in a Panera discussing plot ideas with her agent. The eavesdropper thinks Finlay is a contract killer and gives her a note offering $50,000 to kill her husband which she accidentally accepts. Lots of hijinks ensue for Finlay, her nanny Vero, her ex-husband, actual criminals, a sexy cop, and a hot bartender. This was a fun romp of a book but don't read it expecting it to be realistic. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the digital copy.

The following review was published on Goodreads on 2.20.25:

I've been slow to hop on the Finlay Donovan bandwagon, but when NetGalley offered up copies of all the novels in the series recently, I couldn't resist! FINLAY DONOVAN IS KILLING IT really is a fun read. It's far-fetched and absurd, of course, but it's also entertaining and hilarious. I enjoyed it. I will 100% be continuing with the series.

Although I definitely question their decision-making skills, I like both Finlay and Vero. They make an appealing team. They're strong women who have each others' backs, even when they really shouldn't. Their antics made me laugh.

Between Finlay's problems with money, book deadlines, her divorce, and her new career as a hitwoman, there's plenty going on in FINLAY DONOVAN IS KILLING IT to keep the story moving along at an engaging pace. The murder mystery isn't super twisty, but the killer's identity did take me by surprise. I whipped through the book quickly because I always wanted to know what was going to happen next.

The bottom line: FINLAY DONOVAN IS KILLING IT is as delightful as everyone says it is. If you like murder mysteries that are light-hearted, humorous, diverting, and a little outrageous, this book is definitely for you.

If this book were a movie, it would be rated: R (in my opinion, at least) for language (2 F-bombs, plus milder invectives), violence, blood/gore, disturbing subject matter, and sexual innuendo.

Overheard in a Panera discussing her novel with her agent, Finlay Donovan’s mystery plot sounds to an eavesdropper like murder-for-hire. As it turns out, the woman has a problem husband who needs to be dealt with and a bit of cash on hand. A quick note kicks off a hilarious case of mistaken identity where an author becomes a hitwoman to pay her bills and fend off her ex-husband’s attempt at taking away custody of their children. With the help of her babysitter Vero, Finlay manages to fumble her way into a felony and a whole lot of cash, but will they get away with murder?

The premise hooked me from the first page. Genuine and heartfelt, I immediately identified with a mother who would do anything to protect her family (and as a writer, would do most things for a decent paycheck). The story unfolds seamlessly as each accident leads to either fortune or misfortune. However, I felt at points like there were a few too many coincidences. That’s not to take away from the hilarity of Finlay’s constant pivoting. She is a strong, likable, admirable main character with Vero as a perfect ride-or-die sidekick. Their chemistry as women bonded to the common cause of overcoming adversity while loving Finlay’s children is the kind of friendship on the page that women aspire to in real life—someone who would literally help you hide a body. Add a hint of romance with a couple hot guy options and a bit of danger with the Russian mob, and this one is a page-turner as the mystery unfolds of what really happened to Harris Mickler. Highly recommended for fans of gallows humor, light romance, friendship stories, and chick-lit.

Thank you to NetGalley, Elle Cosimano, and Minotaur Books for the ARC.