This mystery series is full of hilarity and absurd hijinks and I am definitely here for it. I’m so glad I’m ending the year with discovering this series because I needed this positive end to my reading year. Finlay is avoiding working on her second book and obsessively checking the forums to see if anyone has taken a bite from the post requesting someone take out her ex-husband. While some things would be easier in her life she doesn’t want the father of her children to be murdered. Unfortunately this leads her further down the crazy path where the mob thinks she’s a high level assassin. She is also trying to figure out her feelings for her two love interests and I like the way she’s having the heroine in her book focus on herself instead of the men. This one I gave 4.5 stars rounded up because I truly enjoyed this one.

Finlay Donovan gets roped into another crazy scheme... Only this time, she's trying to PREVENT a murder. Her ex-husband's! Someone is out to get him, and has put up a post on the dark web asking for a hitman-type person to help. Finn and Vero start looking for the contract killer "EasyClean," so they can stop Steven's murder.

The was the book blurb sounds, it almost sounds like Finn thinks Steven is all sunshine and rainbows now, but it literally opens with her talking about how he's gotten MORE aggressive over the custody of the kids instead of less, especially since he broke it off with his fiancé. So no worries there.

I do have to say that the desire to stop her ex from getting offed makes sense to me. No matter how much I might have a problem with someone, I definitely don't ever wish anyone dead. Physically and/or emotionally cut off, sure. Literally murdered? Not so much.

This series is delightfully messy, and written so well. The comedy factor is right on the nose with a bunch of dark humor, and you're 100% NOT going to guess who put EasyClean up to the task.

This series is a lot of fun. I'm glad I finally jumped in.

I received an Advanced Reader Copy via NetGalley in return for sharing my thoughts on this book. Thanks to the author and publisher for this opportunity!

Book #2 in this entertaining series. We pick up right where the first book ended, someone has put a contract out on Finlay's ex-husband, Steven. Most people would agree that it couldn't happen to a nicer person, but Finlay wants her kids to have a dad, preferably their own, so she and Vero spend the majority of the book tracking down the person who put the contract out......and I have to say, it's a huge surprise when you find out who it was....and trying to stop would be assains from killing Steven, especially if the kids are with him.

This series has been one of the most, original, entertaining to the point of comical, set of stories. But it also has an outstanding cast of characters who give readers lots of "oh no" and "aahh" moments. The story moves quickly from one mishap to the next. It will keep you guessing what's going to happen next and why she won't let someone kill Steven. Read, enjoy, share. That's one of the best things about books like the Finlay Donovan series, you get to pass the enjoyment on to your reading circle.

I really enjoyed the crazy antics of Finlay in this book. You really can’t help but root for her and there are some hilarious moments in this book.

Finlay and Vero are back (so are some of the hotties from book 1) and back into trouble :-D

I thought book 2 started a little slower, we figure Vero is hiding something but it takes a bit for Finlay to get it out of her. Meanwhile, the ladies are trying to figure out who put out a 'hit' on Steven. (when it gets to that answer..... a little bit of lol'ing from me)

This is super suspenseful, there are some thrilling moments, there's some new characters as well as some old faves. There's the same level twists we have come to expect from this author and series.

Thanks again to Elle Cosimano & the publisher for the Read Now copies of the whole series to get started before release of the newest early next year!

This second novel featuring Finlay has a totally different plot focus than the first. Rather than being hired to assassinate someone, she is trying to keep her ex-husband from being assassinated. She and her sidekick Vero have the same kinds of adventures, getting into dangerous situations trying to do good. Finlay juggles her relationships with two fellows, similar to another popular humorous series. There is some humor included.

The plot takes a while to get going but then there is consistent action. Finlay had previously grazed a confrontation with the mob and this time she gets in a little deeper. Now she not only has to figure out how to write her next novel and raise her kids, she also has to prevent the mob boss from running her life. We readers are left hanging at the end of this novel so we will she how Finlay fares in the next one.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

After reading the first book, I had to read the next adventure that Finlay gets herself involved in. I enjoy that this story is starting to branch out more into the supporting characters. It shows the amazing abilities of mothers, putting emotions aside to support another, and the spark of a romance.

Synopsis:
Finlay Donovan is―once again―struggling to finish her next novel and keep her head above water as a single mother of two. On the bright side, she has her live-in nanny and confidant Vero to rely on, and the only dead body she's dealt with lately is that of her daughter's pet goldfish.

On the not-so-bright side, someone out there wants her ex-husband, Steven, out of the picture. Permanently. Whatever else Steven may be, he's a good father, but saving him will send her down a rabbit hole of hit-women disguised as soccer moms, and a little bit more involvement with the Russian mob than she'd like.

Thoughts:
It’s hard to beat the first book. But this book comes in a close second! It was just as wild as the first book.

Loved that this book picked up right where the other one left off. Took me a little longer to finish this one, perhaps should have waitied a few days before jumping right in. However, still enjoyed it.

3.5* These are just fun mysteries. The last book ended on a huge cliffhanger; seeing how that plays out is satisfying. We get to know Vero better in this one and there is a fun twist where I can see the story continuing in a fun manner.


Thank you to Netgalley for a copy!

Book two in this series and I cannot wait to read more. Finlay is still in the deep of things with Vero by her side. The things she gets herself into made me laugh and cringe... a lot of cringing.

Elle Cosimano wrote a book that I could not put down. The words just flowed perfectly. I read it in just a couple days. Once I started reading, I lost track of everything around me. I just needed to know what fix Finlay would get herself into next and how she would get out of it.

This is a must-read series, I cannot wait for book 3!

With a bounty on her ex-husband, Finlay and Vero need to navigate their way through online chat rooms and find out who of the many people in his life want Steven dead. Oh and don't forget our friends from the first book, the Russian mob. And speaking of books, Finlay is still under deadline and has to come up with a storyline that seems dangerously close to her real life.

Like Book 1 (Finlay Donovan is Killing It), I'm having fun with this series. Part murdery, part funny, all parts are fun to read and keep you guessing. I read this immediately after finishing book 1 and it was a seamless transition from one to the other. I'm enjoying these highly improbable but so entertaining books.

Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for providing me with an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I received a free e-arc of this book through Netgalley in honor of the newest book in the series coming out in 2025. I really like Finlay and Vero a lot as the protagonists we need right now. A book full of adventure and turns and a little bit of heat between 2 love interests.

I recently read the first book in this series and really liked it! I love the characters, the humor, the plot, all of it! I am excited to see where this series goes as I get more into it. The sequel here did not disappoint so I am really hoping it’s the same as I move forward in this series. Overall, great addition.

I would recommend this book to anyone. I was loving it
Thank you to NetGalley for letting me read it

In the past, I'd never read the Finlay Donovan novels by Elle Cosimano. I missed reading the first, and then the second one caught my eye, but I felt I should read the first before reading it and just didn't. Over and over, the newest one would catch my eye but I would not read it. Recently, the fifth one did the same thing, but I was offered the opportunity to read and review all the preceding ones in one chunk.  That was all the incentive I needed. I was all in once I "got to know" the characters.  These novels are full of funny, laughable moments and memorable characters set in a cozy mystery setting. These reminded me of my younger years and reading Nancy Drew, and more recently, reading Janet Evanovich. Can you read any one of them as a stand-alone? Sure, but why?  I highly recommend you read them in order as a set and plan to pick up the future ones as they come out. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with the ARC ebook I read and reviewed. All opinions are my own.

Oh my gosh I love this series and Finlay’s shenanigans! Can’t wait to see what happens in the next book.

I really enjoyed this one. It was hard to put down. It kept me wanting more. The characters are amazing! And I love the title and the story line. Such an amazing book! I AM LOVING THESE BOOKS!

Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead was just as hilarious as the first book in the series. Finlay Donovan has become one of my new favorite characters. I love the dynamic between her and Vero and the high jinks they get into.

This book picks up right after the events of Finlay Donovan Is Killing It, and finds the titular character trying to find out who has put a hit out on her ex-husband. Plus her friend Vero is keeping secrets from her, and she’s still trying to decide between the cute young lawyer and the hot cop. All this plus her book deadline is fast approaching.

The Finlay Donovan series is definitely one of the best series I’ve read this year. I love seeing Finlay get into and out of trouble in the funniest ways possible. The characters are so relatable and feel like hanging out with old friends. I highly recommend this book and series for anyone wanting something to lift your spirit and give you some laugh out loud moments.

Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead, Book #2 of the series, did not disappoint. Finlay Donovan becomes aware that someone wants her ex-husband dead. She and Vero, her live-in nanny and literal partner in crime, are frantically trying to discover who initiated the hit, keep Steven and their family safe, all while trying to write her next book. On the heels of her first successful novel, Finlay’s agent and publisher are anxious to get their hands on her next masterpiece. Finlay and Vero become entangled in more treacherous criminal activities involving Russian mob bosses, dead bodies, lots of money, and expensive cars. Finlay’s romantic life is flourishing. Her love triangle, with soon-to-be lawyer young Julian and very masculine detective Nick, is making it harder for her to decide which direction to turn. The story is fast paced, it will keep your attention while you laugh out loud and on your toes with all the twists and turns. Elle Cosimano introduces a few new characters, that are just as intriguing and hysterical as the cast from “Finlay Donovan is Killing It.” Angela Dawe did another outstanding job in giving each character a unique voice and adding that punch of excitement during climactic parts of the story. So glad to know that the Finlay Donovan series is under contract for at least 2 more books and has just been picked up by 20th Television Studies to be adapted for a TV series that will be produced by Marlene King (Pretty Little Liars). Elle Cosimano’s recipe for dark comedic mystery is definitely working and I cannot wait for Book #3.