I liked book two WAY more even though it’s basically a continuation of book one. I found the characters a little less annoying and the plot a bit more believable. While some parts were still a but too unrealistic for my liking, the humor and well-developed characters totally made up for it. Don’t read this book without reading the first of the series!

Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead had me laughing from the very first page.
I am a slow reader, my mind often wandering off, requiring me to refocus my own brain on what I’m reading. Elle Cosimano’s writing is NOT that way. She sucks me in every single time I sit down to read her books with the very first sentence I read. Every. Single. Time. Her writing is clever and unexpected and witty, and I love it.
A great snippet to show how clever Cosimano’s narration is: “She looked to the ceiling, or maybe to god, as she shook open a dish towel and wiped off her hands.”
One of the cleverest things about the Finlay Donovan books is how skillfully Cosimano interweaves the plot of the book itself into the books Finlay is writing in the novel.
This second book in the series is suspenseful, clever, hilarious, adorable, and keeps you guessing until the very end. I canNOT wait to see where Findlay’s story goes from here

Finlay Donovan does it again! The second book is just as good, and just as funny as the first. Finlay Donovan has more adventures and misadventures as her story continues. More murders and mysteries for her to solve and she has to pick which man to love too. You do need to read the first book first, as I feel this continues her story, but this book was fun to read and is the perfect blend of murder, romance, and humor. Thanks to NetGalley for the chance to read an early copy of this book

Finlay Donovan does indeed knock em dead. A unique and spirited character you can’t help falling in the love. This is a sequel and it lives up to the hype of the original. A fun read.

Thank you NetGalley for this arc

All I can say is that I cannot get enough of Finlay Donovan. She is such a universal character how can everyone not absolutely love and devour each and every book?!? She is relatable even if you aren't a hitwoman/novelist/mother. I adore her and all of the hijinks that she manages to get herself into over and over again. Plus, she's got a hot lawyer and a hot cop chasing after her (In a good way)! The book is funny and entertaining I can't wait for the next one.

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 soccer moms disguised as hit-women, and a little bit more involvement with the Russian mob than she'd like. Finlay's first priority is preventing her family from sleeping with the fishes...

With her next book's deadline looming and an ex-husband to keep alive, Finlay is quickly coming to the end of her rope. She can only hope there isn't a noose at the end of it...

Finlay and Vero are back in the second installment of this thrilling comedy adventure that finds these two women in the midst of another accidental mission, this time involving Finlay's ex-husband Steven. I enjoyed jumping right back into the world of over the top crime solving and love triangles, but I've got to ask: how does Finlay seriously not get into trouble with all the shenanigans that occur between both of these novels! I laughed out loud just as much this time around and I can't wait to see where book three will go after yet another exciting cliffhanger! The tv show adaption that's in the works needs to come sooner, I'm so ready to see who they cast as Finlay and Vero!

While this story was funny and great, there's just something about the first story that I liked a tad bit better, but as a follow-up book I think this one holds strong! Thank you to Minotaur and Netgalley for a physical and digital advanced copy of Finlay Donovan Knocks 'Em Dead!

I was so hype about this second book in the Finlay Donovan series, but I was really let down. The story was just too slow moving, without all the fun quirkiness that I loved about the first book. It felt way more serious than we had seen previously.

I did enjoy seeing more of the interactions between Finlay and her ex husband, even though I thought he was a shit. I also did enjoy the complexity of all the interactions and the connections between characters, but it just did not grab me like the first book did.

Finlay and Vero are at it again! This time they are trying to prevent a hit on Steven, Finlay's ex husband and father of her children. When Finlay stumbles upon a women's online forum, she finds that there may be women other than herself who have been scorned by Steven, one who would actually like to see him dead!

If you've read the previous book in this series, then you know that when Finlay and Vero get together, things never go according to plan. There were some points in the story where I was literally laughing out loud. This book is so fun and entertaining. I wanted to savor it because I didn't want it to end, but I couldn't stop reading because I wanted to know what happens.

Still a part of the story are both love interests, Julian (cute law student bartender) and Nick (hot cop). While I never understood the relationship between Julian and Finlay, I found myself to be on Team Nick throughout the story. At one point, I actually found myself kinda hoping Finlay and Steven would reconcile.

The ending will leave you wondering just a bit, which leads me to believe that there will be another book in the series to follow this one. If so, I will be requesting that ARC for sure! Thanks so much to the publishers and Netgalley for an ARC of this book. I will be recommending it to all of my bookish friends!

I am at a loss for words thinking about the reading experience I just had while reading this incredible sequel! Finlay Donovan Kocks 'Em Dead does not miss a beat from where the first one left off and we dive deeper into Finlay's world and what she has gotten herself into. I could not put this book down! Elle Cosimano's writing is so engaging, thrilling, and keeps you wanting more. This book is by far one of the best I've read this year and I can't wait to see where it goes from here.

I won't give so much away because this won't be released until January, but I'll just say my general thoughts.

Finlay is one strong person to do whatever it takes to keep Steven alive because some people wouldn't care if someone wanted their husband dead. But what made me so mad was the way Steven kept treating her regardless just because she had moved on. He wanted her to still be single and never date. Also, she was furious that she was between seeing a young law student who's a bartender and a hot detective. Even though he cheated on her and divorced her.

Vero had some drama of herself but a small percentage, but I think it was nice to read and include it. Because Steven kept getting mad at Finlay over Vero's involvement, but as Finlay kept saying, she's family. As a reader, we saw how much they viewed each other as family and solidified their friendship.

I just hope that Finlay gains the confidence that she deserves. She's a great writer, even if she wrote her novels about the hit jobs she was involved in. She's a badass mom, friend, and ex-wife that just tries to do her best and do what needs to be done.

I'm excited to get my hands on the physical copy when it releases. Also, please let Finlay end up with Nick at the end of the series cause they're just so great together.

Finlay Donovan Knocks "Em Dead is a fun, fast-paced sequel. The twists and turns keep the story moving forward at a fast pace. The story picks up shortly after the first book ended. Finlay is still a bit of a mess trying to juggle her writing and being a single mother. Of course, now she has a few shady connections. When Finlay finds out that there might be a hit on her ex-husband, she understandably doesn't want her young children spending time with him. In true Finlay fashion, she is determined to keep her kids safe by finding out who placed the hit and having them call it off. Some of the best parts of the story are the pretty crazy situations Finlay happens into and out of.

I would recommend reading the first book in the series to get to know all the players in the mystery. There are a lot of them and most carry over from the first book. I liked building on previous characters and character relationships because it gave the story some extra depth.

Thank you, St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for the arc. This is my honest reveiw.

Thank you to the publisher, author and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. I have read the first book in this series "Finlay Donovan is Killing It" and enjoyed it immensely, so I was super excited to get the ARC of book #2! It begins a little while after the first book ends and this time romantic suspense author and single mother Finlay discovers by accident that there's a kill hit put on her ex-husband. In order to protect her two young children, she and her lovable nanny/best friend Vero find themselves engaging online with the anonymous person who wants her ex dead. He is a player and not very likeable, so the list of potential suspects is very long.
In the meantime Finlay is working on the deadline for her next book, while also juggling the demands of motherhood and new relationships with two potential love interests. Also her past accidental dealings with a Russian mob from the first book are catching up with her again. Highly recommend you read the first book in the series to keep the flow of the story. This second book leaves off with a cliffhanger, which means there will be more to the series. I can't wait! Finlay and Vero's madcap adventures are so entertaining. In fact, all of the characters are engaging and the plot is fast-paced and a rollercoaster ride of good fun.

It has been a few months since Finlay was mistaken as a hit woman at her local Panera, but lately, Finlay and her sidekick Vero are up to their usual hijinks.

In this highly anticipated sequel to Finlay Donovan is Killing It, Finlay and Vero are trying to figure out who who is attempting to kill her ex-husband all while Finlay is struggling to get her next book over to her publisher.

The twists and turns kept coming in this hilarious book. The over-the-top plot line and characters made this a quick and fun read that kept me guessing until the end.

Mark your calendars! Finlay returns February 1, 2022!

I struggled with the first book, mostly because I didn't know what genre to put that one in. Was it humor? Mystery? Thriller?

This second installment in the Finlay Donovan series was a much better hit for me. I am rating it 4.5 stars. I loved how the characters seemed more developed this time around along with the plot. This book had me trying to sneak times to read. Lunchtime with the kiddos? Sneak a few pages. Everyone asleep... There I was with the light of my Kindle.

The only thing that was frustrating to me was Vero. She is a character that is growing on me but at the same time frustrating. I was hoping the author would do more with her story especially because we are given these quick glimpses of unease. Who is Vero really?

Overall, excellent read that kept me up at night.

Thank you Netgalley for an advanced reader's copy in exchange for my honest review.

Finlay Donovan Knocks 'Em Dead by Elle Cosimano
I loved returning to Finlay's world and this is just such a fun series. Finlay is a bit of a disaster and once again finds herself in some precarious situations! But, she is highly relatable and I loved seeing how she digs herself out of some of the holes she's gotten into. Vero is the best side kick / best friend, ride or die and I laughed out loud several times at her quick zingers. This is a fast paced plot and read in two quick sittings. While this storyline is a bit over the top, you just go with it and enjoyed this one SO much. I cannot wait until the third!

I was concerned I wouldn't like the follow up as much as I enjoyed the first book, Finlay Donovan Is Killing It, however it was equally enjoyable. This book picks up right where the first one ends, so if you haven't read it recently and can be a little confusing as to what's going on. This is an intelligent cozy mystery with a main character who gets herself into pretty ridiculous situations that stretch credibility but it's all in good fun. My only quibble with the second book is that the plot sometimes becomes so convoluted that the two main characters often discuss between each what's going on and it feels like it's more for the benefit of the confused reader.

Finlay Donovan seems to attract trouble. In the follow-up to Finlay Donovan is Killing It, someone wants her ex-husband dead. Unwilling to accept the possibility of her children growing up without a father, Finlay is determined to ensure he isn't killed, but that means throwing herself into a world of hit-women and the Russian mob... again.

Can Finlay keep her ex-husband alive, figure out her love life, AND finish her next novel? There's only one way to found out... read this book!

I will keep reading about Finlay and Vero as long as Elle Cosimano keeps writing about them!

I read the first Finlay Donovan back in January and it was such a fun read; and I was very excited that I got an early release of Book #2!
Finlay Donovan has an offer on her first novel but now it struggling with writer’s block. She is a suspense novelist, a single mom and has Vero the nanny for help who is sort of an accomplice.
Note: In my review of Book #1, I commented that these characters reminded me of the Stephanie Plum, ‘Bounty Hunter’ series and her group of crazies. Story totally had me laughing out loud.

This story continues with most of the same characters ~ yep including Nick, the hot police office and in this story we also have Julian the young yummy law student.

Although I didn’t laugh out as much, it was a fun read and I certainly am looking forward to Book 3.
Anxious to see what Finn, Vero and friends are doing next.

Want to thank NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press ~ Minotaur Books for this eGalley. This file has been made available to me before publication in an early form for an honest professional review.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for February 1, 2022

Finlay Donovan Knocks 'Em Dead by Elle Cosimano is her follow-up novel to the wildly hilarious Finlay Donovan is Killing It..

"Finlay is again struggling to finish her next novel and to keep her head above water as a single mom of two. She does have her live-in nanny and confidant, Vero, to rely on. She discovers in an online women's forum that someone wants her ex-husband dead. As much as she dislikes him, she doesn't want her children to be without their father. Vero is keeping secrets and Detective Nick is trying to get back into her life.
Finlay just wants to finish her book and find the killer without anyone getting killed."

I love the character of Finlay. We can all relate to those moments where life is overwhelming - the car won't work, the checking account is low, and life is just stressful. But Finlay pushes through all of her problems (with Vero's help) and finds a way to make things work. And EC puts her in some crazy situations. There are so many hilarious moments here - especially with Carl.

I like that Cosimano gives us more depth with these characters. It's great to find out more about Vero and Julian.

Another great story from Cosimano. Finlay Donovan has become one of my favorite fictional characters.

I was more than happy to dive back into the adventures of Finlay and Vero after loving "Finlay Donovan Is Killing It." The continuation of their mishaps gets off to a wild start in "Finlay Donovan Knocks 'Em Dead." To be honest, reading them back to back would have been preferable as I had forgotten some of the characters and storylines from the first book I read a few months ago.

Nevertheless, I quickly found myself along for the ride and invested in Finlay's quest to uncover who ordered the hit on her ex-husband Steven. While doing her best to keep him safe as well as her children, Finlay once again finds herself unwittingly wrapped up in crime boss Felix Zhirov's world despite him being behind bars. As if that isn't enough to deal with, her live-in nanny and confidant Vero is keeping secrets, Detective Nick Anthony is intent on being in her life and her casual fling with law student Julian is more casual than she'd really like.

I loved the fast-paced story and the unlikely heroine I found myself relating to. Despite the mistakes she makes and holes she keeps digging herself into, Finlay is a loyal friend, talented writer, strong mother and problem-solver with incredible instincts. We need more main characters like Finlay depicted in books - while we may not have buried a body, I think we have all faced similar struggles and relied on the "Vero" in our life to help us through it.