Just as fun as the first book. I enjoy the mix of mystery and humor and all the chapters are really growing on me.

Another funny and addictive plot.

Finlay and Vero once again find themselves in trouble along with Finlay’s ex this time. Finlay still finds herself in a love triangle with a hot cop and a young law student. Vero has been keeping a big secret and Finlay is starting to wonder who she really is. Another cliffhanger ending making this series very bingeable.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing a promotional ebook copy.

Thank you Net Galley and publishers for letting me read an arc of this book in return for an honest review.

What's a great second book to this series. I thought the first one was crazy enough but this one is even more. The twists and turns were absurd and hilarious. I'm glad we got to see more of the same characters that I loved in the first one. And now I'm thinking I'm leaning more towards Nick than Julian, but I still like them both. I have no idea what more they could possibly get into. I mean they're involved with the mob now so more hilarious adventures to come with that. It's been a great series so far and I can't wait to read the rest.

Fact is stranger than fiction in the second installment in the Finlay Donovan series. The romantic suspense author, Finlay Donovan and her nanny, Vera get into outlandish situations outwitting the Russian mob, uncovering a hit attempt on her ex-husband, disposing of bodies they did not kill, and potty training. She's also juggling romantic interests from a hunky law student and a hot detective. All while trying to write a draft of her next novel.

It's a good time and a fun read. I really can't wait to read the next book and find out more about Vero's backstory. I also am rooting for Nick to win over Finlay; they are a great match.

I really enjoyed Angela Dawes' narration. Her voices for Finlay, Vero, Sylvia, and Delia are marvelous. The male characters tend to have similar raspy, whispery voices but for the most part, most scenes only have one male so it is easy to keep track of who is talking.

Thank you St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the advance reader copy.
#FinlayDonovan #NetGalley

This whole series was a dnf for me. The first book I liked the premise and it intrigued me enough to move on to the next story. Unfortunately after that it seemed that there was a lot more language and innuendos than the first book. And I wasn't enjoying the story enough to move on and continue.

I read this following the first Finlay Donovan book while on vacation and this was an excellent beach read.

It was fun, suspenseful, and well written.

I would recommend this to others.

Title: Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead
By: Elle Cosimano
Pub. Day: Feb. 1, 2022

Genre:
Fiction, Mystery, Suspense, Humor, Book Club, Audiobook

Trigger Warnings:
Murder, Violence, Domestic Abuse, Infidelity, Alcohol, Drugging

WOW! Now I understand all the Fanfare that surrounds this Finlay Donovan series!

Summary/Review:
Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead brings back the beautiful mess of chaos and charm that is Finlay. She’s a recently divorced mom of two, a struggling writer who turns everyday chaos into a laugh-out-loud production of uncanny disaster. In this installment of the series, there’s a hit out on her ex husband, a mix up with the Russian Mob, not to mention the secrets her nanny is hiding. Finlay’s adventures revolve around mayhem which somehow return full circle with a purposeful ending.

Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead is truly unforgettable! The theme of this series balances the heaviness of heartbreak with the wittiness and laugh-out-loud memorable moments of the distinctive Finlay and how she manages to walk right into messes. The character depth is masterfully written and includes a wild and unpredictable ending with feelings of utter disaster, complete forgiveness, and strong resilience.

For anyone who’s ever faced setbacks, family drama, or creative writer's block, The Finlay Donovan Series offers a hilariously healing and deeply emotional journey. Highly Recommended!!! I can’t wait to continue reading this series!

Thank you to Elle Cosimano, St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books, and NetGalley for the opportunity of an Advanced Readers Copy. I am voluntarily leaving my personal review.

#FinlayDonovanKnocksEmDead
#St.MartinsPress
#MinotaurBooks
#ElleCosimano
#advancedreadercopies
#NetGalley

This is the second book in the Finlay Donovan series! Finlay and Vero get caught up in a murder-for-hire scheme in the first book (unintentionally, of course), and in the second, Finlay finds out that someone is out to murder her ex-husband and father of her two children. She’s determined to solve the mystery of who wants her husband dead all while trying to figure out the plot of her next book and the hot cop that’s helping her with the case.

The narrator, Angela Dawe, does a great job with the voices of all of the characters. I often forget that it’s just one person narrating!

Thank you so much to Minotaur Books for the free copies of the Finlay Donovan series!

I thought there was no WAY this book could be as good as the first, but I genuinely loved it just as much! Pick this one up!! There are sooo many twists and turns, you really have to pay attention or you'll miss some clues. We're getting a little more background on Vero too, but she's still a bit of a mystery. And I don't know why but Ramon is just fascinating, I'd love to get more of his story!

This series is so fun! Great characters, great pacing, and lots of good humor and sarcasm. I definitely plan to read the whole series!

This was a very entertaining read. I enjoyed the storyline and the twists of the plot, let’s see where Finlay goes next.

Loved this even more than the first book. The humor and dynamic between characters made me excited to pick up this book as often as possible.

3.5 stars (rounded up) - Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of 'Finlay Donovan Knocks 'Em Dead', the second book in Elle Cosimano’s series. I believe NetGalley re-released the earlier books to build anticipation for the upcoming final installments (#5 and #6), which was a great idea!

I’ll admit, I was a little hesitant to dive into this one—it's been over five years since I read the first book. But I was pleasantly surprised by how seamlessly the story picked up right where it left off. The author does a great job reintroducing the characters and providing a super quick, effective recap. The timeline picks up just days after the events of book one, which made it easy to fall back into Finlay's world.

I loved the first book—it was the perfect blend of humor, spice, mystery, and suspense. That’s a tough combo to pull off while still earning a 5-star rating, but Cosimano nailed it. I went into book two hoping for the same magic. While this installment still had strong elements—some laughs, intrigue, and a bit of romance—it didn’t quite hit me the same way. Maybe my expectations were just a little too high.

That said, I still adore these characters. And if you go in accepting that the plot is a bit far-fetched (in the best way), it’s an enjoyable, lighthearted ride. I just need to remind myself to lean into the fictional fun of it all. Overall, still entertaining with laugh-out-loud moments, and I’m definitely sticking around to see how Finlay’s wild life continues to unfold.

Okay so I liked this book (and this series so far in general) but would I say it was revolutionary? No. I think I expected more from this series and that it would be the fun, murder mystery series of my dreams but it...just isn't.

Don't take that as a comment that I didn't like this book because I did. I just wouldn't say that I LOVED it. This was still an enjoyable read and if you are looking for a lighthearted, fun, and humorous murder mystery story that is commonly published in mass market paperback, maybe give this book a chance.

I think there's some predictability in Finlay's story down the line but then again I could be wrong. Either way, this would be a good read for those that want to read a mysterious story but one without high stakes and isn't too dark or graphic.

This book was such a fun read!!! Truly every book in the series is a joy and makes me laugh out loud! If you grew up loving Nancy Drew and Babysitter’s Club, these books are for you!

Thank you to #Netgalley for letting me re-read Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead, the second in the Finlay Donovan series by Elle Cosimano. All opinions are my own.

In the past I have buddy read this book with @chicklitbookclub; swipe for a photo of the author Zoom chat from March 18, 2022!

Again, Cosimano sucks the reader in with the first lines. She is so clever and funny! In this book we have Finlay’s ex-husband in trouble. Friendships and relationships strengthen, and because of that I liked this book even more than the first! During the zoom author chat, Cosimano talked about these genre- bender books and her thought is that at their heart they are mysteries, with comedy, thriller and romance elements.

My first read of this book was on audio, and narrator Angela Dawe pulls out all the stops to make these books some of the most enjoyable to hear. Major thumbs up on her Hot Cop Nick Anthony voice, and everyone else while we’re at it.

5/5 stars
9 hours 20 minutes at 1x on audio
Closed door
Location: Virginia

Thank you to the author/publisher and Netgalley for a copy of this whole series! I think everyone should read these because they're so fun. Finlay is one that I have loved getting to know and the series was so much fun to dive into.

Title: Finlay Donovan Knocks 'Em Dead by Elle Cosimano
Genre: Mystery Thriller
Pub Date: January 10, 2023

Unexpected Twists
Witty and Humorous
Police Academy "Camp"

Synopsis: Someone wants Finlay's ex-husband, Steven, dead. To keep him safe, Finlay must infiltrate the police academy and identify a contract killer before the cops do.

Mini Review: This series is SO CUTE! I literally can't get enough of Finlay, Vero and their shenanigans!

Thank you so much St. Martin's Press, NetGalley and author for the digital review copy.

Absolutely LOVED the second installment in the Finaly Donovan series. Elle Cosimano knows how to write the most hilarious, heartwarming, and terrifying scenes in a book and I am 100% here for it. Poor Finlay is always in the wrong place at the right time, yet she handles it all with the grace of a mama who is tired, fierce, and loyal. Vero adds some character (literally and figuratively) to the storyline and her secrecy is one of the better parts of this book because really, who the heck IS Vero!? Finally, add in a little sprinkle & dabble of romance with hot cop Nick and you've got me HOOKED. Also kinda sorta started feelin' something for Steven throughout the story... but still kinda hate him so. On to the next one. Thank you for the amazing ARC!

I loved this sequel! Elle Cosimano perfectly blends humor, suspense, and heart, making Finlay Donovan a delightfully relatable and entertaining heroine. The plot is twisty and surprising, with just the right amount of chaos and charm. A smart, fast-paced read that kept me hooked from start to finish. I can’t wait for more in this series!