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Oh my goodness, are you ready for more antics from Finlay and her live-in nanny and sidekick, Vero? I will warn you, many books in a series are standalone. But in this case, you have to read Finlay Donovan Is Killing It for this story to really work for you.

Believe me, if you can sit back and relax Finlay will take you on a memorable ride. One that starts out in the first book with mistaken identity and branches out in this book to assumptions, deadends, surprises, and a hint of romance.

Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead will have you dizzy from the plot twists and the ending will nearly knock you dead with the cliffhanger. I’m not sure how Cosimano was able to pull her characters, Finlay and Vero, from the web they found themselves caught in, but she did. And it worked.


Vero’s wild ideas will keep you shaking your head and chuckling. And I kept shaking my head and thinking, Where does Elle Cosimano come up with these ideas?! It won’t take long before you too will be caught up in this mystery that this crazy duo has uncovered.

My Concerns
The first of the story contained sexual innuendos and racy scenes that didn’t feel typical for the characters nor did they add to the story.

Final Thoughts
Without a doubt, this is filled with mystery, imagination, humor, romance, and a big dose of silliness. If you’re in the mood for a light read, meaning fun not uncomplicated, pick up Finlay Donovan is Killing It, and then quickly pick up Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Um Dead.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review an Advanced Reader Copy and post my thoughts.

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Give me more Finlay and Vero-please! This book jumps right into another wild storyline…someone has posted a job to kill Finlay’s ex husband, Steven. Now Finlay and her live-in nanny, Vero need to figure out who wants Steven dead, and why? As they set out to uncover the identify of this hit man, they encounter a lot of bumps along the way.

I loved picking up where I left off from the first book and devoured this one in a matter of hours. This is such a fun series and I can’t wait for the next book.

Thank you Netgalley and Minotaur for this advance reading copy.

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Finlay Donovan is back.
Has she learned from her mistakes in book one?
Not really. And I was there for every moment of her bad decision making.

What I love about this series is that Finlay has a good heart and tries to do the right thing (in this book, protecting her ex-husband Steve from a possible death threat), makes some spectacularly bad choices, and still manages to stay alive, and out of jail. Is the whole scenario realistic? Probably not, but I look to this series as an escape, where the average housewife and her trusty nanny, Vero, fight against mob-like characters and win.

Another thing I love is that Finlay isn't this perfectly put together heroine.
She is a disaster at time management, especially when it comes to writing her new book.
Her cleanliness standards seem just slightly above that of a college student.
Her eating habits are far from healthy, as she's often found stress eating a bag of cookies with Vero.
Yet, she has two and a half men (Steven is the half, lol) chasing after her.

Someone, despite being two steps from a dumpster fire, she makes it all work. And I'm grateful this book probably isn't the last we see of this hot mess. Stay tuned!

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This series is just too much fun. It’s like Scooby Doo meets Real Housewives.
I mean that in the greatest way possible— without totally aging myself! I love Finlay, Vero and this whole cast of characters. I blasted through both of the books in this series in a week. The first one “Killing it,” was a really fun audiobook. I listened to it while I worked and then while I worked out. I laughed out loud and then acted like an addict unable to stop until I got to the end. The follow up “Knocks ‘Em Dead” is equally fun and totally addictive. I actually read the second one and I loved it just as much.
What a fun series! Can’t wait for then next adventures… There has to be a next, right?

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I absolutely loved this sequel! Finlay & Vero are a hilarious pair and the all of the characters in this series are amazing. The love triangle continues as Fin tries to prevent someone from taking out a hit on her ex-husband. Finlay's family plays a bigger role in this book, and we learn a little bit more about Vero. The plot moved quickly and there were some exciting twists. This one ends on a bit of a cliffhanger, so now I'm eagerly anticipating a book 3!

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Absolutely loved the first book and loved the second book even more. It was so nice to see Finlay and the gang back at it with their crazy adventures. The laughter was louder this time , and the story got even better.

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I loved Finlay Donovan is Killing It so much that I had been anxiously awaiting the sequel for months! I’m so glad I got to read this one ahead of its release in February.

This one picks up right where the first one left off. Finlay is trying to figure out who put a hit on her ex husband while struggling to write her next book and juggling 2 toddlers. Thankfully she has Vero to help! I love the dynamic between Vero and Finlay and love seeing how their friendship has blossomed. The first installment is still definitely my favorite, but this one holds strong. It was just as funny and ridiculous as the first one, and it just left me wanting to read MORE!

Lastly, I want to add that… I am obsessed with Nick, I love Nick, I am Team Nick - I NEED MORE NICK!

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This was such a highly anticipated sequel for me and it did not disappoint! No sequel can quite beat the masterpiece that was the first Finlay Donovan novel, but this was a satisfying follow up. It was fast paced and full of the rollercoaster up and downs we all enjoyed in the first one. If you liked the original, pick this one up!

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Elle Cosimano did it again. I was laughing out loud at the situations Finlay got herself into. This was fast paced, hilarious, and overall just a fun read. And now I’m sitting here waiting for another book to keep the story going. The first book really drew me in and I’m glad to say that the sequel is just as good. I love in this book that we got to get deeper into knowing the characters we met in the first book, particularly the mysterious Vero. I still have a lot of questions about her history and I’m already looking forward to the 3rd book. The relationship between Finlay and Vero is so great. It's wonderful to see two women supporting each other and having each other's back. Finlay is more confident and sure of herself in this book that she already knew what she was doing. It was just as action-packed and hilarious as the first. I like that Finlay isn’t focused on finding a man it makes her more relatable as a character because there’s just so much going on and any sane person would focus more on all that than falling for some guy. It was excellent in squeezing in details from the previous book that instantly refreshes your memory on what had happened. All the situations Finlay ends up in are completely unrealistic but that's what I love about this series. It's so ridiculous that I can't help but laughing along with Finlay's missteps and I had to keep reading to find out what would happen next. All the characters’ plotlines were strung together really well and they had good overlap. Finlay is a larger than life character that I adored and all the side characters are fantastic as well. There's mystery, drama and romance thrown in here. This book was full of twists and turns and a few of them were SO surprising. I’m usually pretty good at spotting twists but this book has some genuine surprises which was great.

This book was just as fun as the first! A quick read, with some twists and turns to keep you engaged. It is a well laid out mystery, full of suspense and plenty of humor thrown in. Cosimano is an excellent writer. Her novels are easy to read, engaging and flow very well. If you are looking for a fun mystery series that will keep you laughing, definitely pick these books up. This series is quickly becoming one of my favorites! I highly recommend it! I have my fingers crossed for more books in this series! Big thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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This series is laugh-out-loud hilarious! Finlay just cannot seem to stay out of trouble. In this sequel she is trying to look out for her ex-husband since she found a hit out on him, with the help of Vero – her nanny, and Detective Nick – the hot cop. If you want a mystery that will have your heart pounding but also make you laugh hysterically, then definitely pick up this series! Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press – Minotaur Books for the egalley in exchange for my honest review.

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I've had Finlay Donovan Is Killing It on my shelf since early 2021 and kept putting off reading it. When I got approved for Finlay Donovan Knocks 'Em Dead, I decided I would read them back to back to fully be immersed in the Finlay Donovan experience.

Finlay Donovan Knocks 'Em Dead might be even better than the first book. By the second one, we know the characters, we know what Finlay has someone managed to get herself involved with (the Russian mob) and we know someone has put a hit out on her husband. I definitely found myself laughing out loud while reading, and certainly didn't see the ending coming. I wasn't sure if this one would wrap up the story, but am really thrilled to say it appears that there will hopefully be a third in the series!

If you haven't read either of these books yet, I highly recommend doing so. It's a fun series that will keep you guessing.

4.5/5 stars

Thank you to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

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Once again Finlay Donovan is on a deadline for her next book and her agent is breathing down her neck for the pitch, her daughter’s goldfish has met an untimely demise, she’s struggling to keep things running smoothly with the help of her live-in nanny and friend Vero, and her douchebag ex-husband Steven is being extra douchey and apparently someone wants him dead now… and the Russian mob may or may not be involved in the shady online forum where complaining soccer moms can put out a hit.
There’s also the hot cop Nick and the bartender/law student Julian keeping Finlay’s romantic prospects complicated and not enough time to contemplate the secrets Vero seems to be hiding.
To meet her book deadline and keep Steven alive, Finlay has to write from experience and stay one step ahead of the police to find out who’s trying to kill her ex before they finish the job.

Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead is a juicy sequel with even higher stakes to the laugh out loud funny Finlay Donovan Is Killing It and I’m once again impatiently waiting for the next installment.

Thanks to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review. Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead is scheduled for release on February 1, 2022.

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Wow! Finlay Donovan does it again! This book was so fun. Finlay once again finds herself dealing with her ex-husband, a Russian crime syndicate, a dead body, and two hot men who want to be her love interest. Oh and she has to finish that book she's been promising to her agent. I can't wait for the next installment in this series because this book left a lot of unanswered questions.

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The second in the series is everything you'd expect from Finlay. A fun light mystery with tons of humor, unrealistic scenes that will have you laughing out loud so often your dog will give you the side eye. Bonus that it takes place right before Christmas so it is the perfect "holiday" read for those who like murder too 🤣

Finlay and her sidekick Vero take on a mysterious online identity that wants to off Finlay 's ex. As much as she dislikes Steven, he is still her children's father so her and Vero get into many shenanigans while trying to protect him.

Read this obviously if you've loved the first but also if you are a fan of Dial A for Aunties as it has a similar vibe ❤

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Finlay Donovan is back and as awesome as ever! This book is the perfect combination of light, mysterious, and funny. I would really love to see a third book where Finlay settles into her happily ever after.

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In book two, Finlay Donovan is back for another murderous adventure. Finlay is a hot mess, a divorced mom to two young children, a mystery writer with a small cash advance on her next novel for a 20,000 word commitment to her publisher that she’s finding difficult to honor and has an ex-husband Steven that someone has put out a contract on his head. Along with her nanny/housekeeper/sidekick Vero, Finlay is determined to find out who is trying to kill Steven and stop it from happening. A young stud law student/bartender Julian, a hot cop Nick that is desperately wanting a relationship with Finlay and the Russian mob all add to the crazy circumstances Finlay finds herself in as she tries to unravel the murderous plot to kill her ex-husband. Will recommend to everyone wanting a good, light hearted murder mystery. Looking forward to book three and Finlay’s next adventure.

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Finlay Donovan book #2 was a complete hit! It was everything I wanted in a book. The perfect mixture of comedy and drama in one.

Finlay discovers that someone in an online forum wants her ex, Steven, dead. Even though Finlay doesn't like her husband's character, he is still the father of her children and she must make sure he is safe at all costs. Finlay and her sidekick, Vero, run in to multiple problems trying to find the hired hitman that will make you laugh out loud.

Meanwhile, Detective Nick is still trying to pursue Finlay as she is sorta dating a young law student. With a police detective on her side and an awesome nanny/built in best friend, can Finlay save her ex-husbands life before it's too late? Who is the killer? Can she figure out her love life and be a great mom at the same time?

I loved this book. Finlay has stuck out as one of my favorite characters of all time since reading the first Finlay Donovan book. She is hilarious and quirky and just trying to survive this life like the rest of us. I love that she finds herself in less than ideal situations and somehow pushes through while continuing to live her normal day to day hilarious life. A fun, easy, read that I will recommend to anyone!

Also, the book ended with another cliffhanger.... so I'm really hoping there is a book #3.

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Delightful romantic suspense novel to follow up with the equally delightful first book in the series. A quick read perfect for a vacation read, continuing the development of characters ad relationships, and leaving enough unresolved for a next installment! For fans of Janet Evanovich and similar authors.

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Awesome book! I just love these characters and can't wait for the next in the series! It has a little bit of everything... whodunit, romance, comedy....you can't go wrong!

Thanks to netgalley, the author and publisher for the chance to read an ARC.

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• Thank you to St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books and NetGalley for providing this Advance Reading Copy. Expected publication date is February 1, 2022.

This second book in the Finlay Donovan series has cemented Finlay and her sidekick, Vero, firmly in my heart. I honestly don’t think that I can get enough of their murderous hijinks. Finlay finds out from a woman’s online forum that someone wants her ex-husband, Steven, dead and is willing to pay top dollar for the “hit”. Finlay has her hands full taking care of her two small children, writing her second novel, all while trying to find out who wants Stephen out of commission. Meanwhile, the hot and sexy Detective Nick Anthony is desperately trying to get back into Finlay‘s life. Hilarity abounds and I can’t wait for the third installment.

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