I adored the first Finlay book and was excited for this one. Book 2 picks up where the first one leaves off, with Finlay discovering someone wants to kill her ex-husband.

Finlay tries to uncover the identity of the person who appears to have put a hit out on her children's father, and dutifully, Vero is there to help. There are the crazy situations that Finn and Vero get themselves into, but this time around the action is a bit flat. There isn't as much funny banter and at times there seems like way too many characters playing a part that it is hard to keep track of Finlay's theory on who the culprit is. Her love interests are also a bit stilted and there is an underlying tension between Finlay and Vero that seems like it should have had more attention.

I definitely liked the first book better, and this one was entertaining, just not as much as the first. The ending sets up for a likely 3rd installment and I'm a big enough fan that I will certainly read it as well. 3.5/5

This second book in the series continues the wild and crazy adventures of Finlay Donovan who cannot stay away from trouble. Someone is trying to kill her ex, he thinks it’s her, but she’s just trying to protect her kids. A complicated plot unfolds that proves to be a fun read.

Ahh Finlay and Vero are back!!⁣
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This was such a fun, hilarious, sarcastic, unputdownable wild ride!⁣
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Finlay thought she was getting her life back after accidentally taking on the Russian mob, writing a best seller and sending her ex’s fiancé to jail…. Until she finds a forum where someone is out to kill her ex husband.⁣
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Even though Finley is over the scum bag that is Steve, it’s still her Children’s father and she doesn’t want him dead… or does she? 🤔⁣
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Don’t forget we also have hotty detective Anthony and a new younger hottie Julian! ⁣
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This is a whole other adventure of detective work, fast cars, dead bodies, and trying to write another best seller before her agent loses it. ⁣
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I absolutely adored this book and I’m sort of hoping maybe there’s a book 3!?⁣
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 💫 ⁣
Thank you @minotaurbooks for the gifted copy! This is out today! #bookstagram #books #finleydonovanknocksemdead

Well, that was a whole lot of fun! Finlay Donovan is back, and up to her usual antics of trying to juggle motherhood, a writing career, ex-husband, two new love interests and the occasional dead body. Vero is back too, and don’t we all wish we had a ride-or-die bestie like her…someone who would not only babysit the kids, but quite literally bury a dead body for you?

If you haven’t read the first book Finlay Donovan is Killing It I recommend you start there. You’ll want to get a feel for the characters and how this drama all started before diving into book two.

While you definitely have to suspend reality while you’re in Elle Cosimano’s world, she’ll take you on a ride you won’t soon forget. Dare I say Cosimano is the new Janet Evanovich and Finlay Donovan is our generation’s Stephanie Plum?

In this book Finlay is trying (not very successfully) to finish her next novel and keep their household finances in the black. She discovers that someone has put a hit out on her ex-husband, and while he may not be her favorite person she doesn’t want her children’s father to end up sleeping with the fishes. Her ex thinks it’s all in her head and refuses to take the threat seriously, even after a series of ‘accidents’ keep befalling him. So it’s up to Finlay to work out who wants him dead, before it’s too late.

If you’re in need of some completely bananas escapist entertainment, you can’t go past this one.

LIKES:
📝 relatable, funny, fast, exciting writing
🧭 super plot driven!
👱🏻‍♀️ Finlay (single pov) is messy & fun!
🔪 murder, threats, & ex-husbands - OH MY!
🕵️‍♀️ + an investigation (official & unofficial)
🇷🇺 + russian mob vibes
👭 strong female friendship (Finlay & Vero)
❤️‍🔥 a more intense love triangle than book 1!
😂 alllll the LOL-inducing chaotic antics
📖 + some meta bookish vibes
🧗‍♀️ + a cliffhanger ending (w/ enough resolution to keep you satisfied for now)
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DISCLAIMERS:
⚠️ DM me for TW!
🔗 didn’t connect to this mystery as much as book 1
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VERDICT: Finlay & Vero are back for more chaos as they race to prevent a murder - an exciting yet relatable & funny cozy mystery w/ enough Russian mob involvement & love triangle romance to keep things interesting! Already ready for book 3!

Finlay Donovan is Killing It was one of my top 3 reads for 2021 so when I found out there was going to be a second installment in early 2022, sign me up! Even better to be lucky enough to receive an advanced reader copy, which I was grateful to read and have the opportunity to review.

🌟 Thank you to @ellecosimano and @minotaur_books for the advance readers copy and to @netgalley for the audio as well.

💄 Finlay is back with her trusty sidekick Vero, and repeat readers will be glad to see the familiar cast of characters, as well as a few new introductions. And Cosimano set it up nicely for a sequel…or dare I say…maybe a Vero spinoff? Time will tell but I think that would be fun to see!
This picks up pretty much where the first installment left off, so if for some reason you haven’t read Finlay Donovan is Killing it, I urge you to read that first, because while this might work as a standalone, like any good sequel, this one rewards the return reader with lots of familiar references.

🎧 When I saw NetGalley was offering the audio, I requested it as well just so I could see how it was—I didn’t experience the audio for the first book and I was really pleased with it so I did a combination of reading and listening this time around. You can’t go wrong either way with this one.

♥️ Thank you again to the author, publisher and netgalley for the entertaining read.

Everyone’s favorite mystery-novel-writer-accidentally-turned-hired-assassin is back at it! In this sequel to Finlay Donovan Is Killing It, Finlay and Vero continue right where the last book left off, tracking an ad for a hitman on Finlay’s ex-husband/baby daddy. It’s got the same action-packed, head-shaking and chuckle-inducing charm as the first one, and the spicy love triangle continues—definitely something for everyone. It’s really clear that the two books go together. The writing and narration styles are identical, and I love when the author maintains consistency between books in a series.

I think the ending could have been smoother and given slightly more resolution. I was a little disappointed with who was ultimately responsible for the ad and who is insinuated to be the hired hitman. However, it certainly leaves room to transition right into the third installment.

Thank you to the publishers at St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books, and Netgalley for this e-ARC of Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead.

The second installment in the Finlay Donovan series takes up where we last left off. Steven, Finlay’s ex-husband, has a hit out for his life, and someone means to end him. Finlay and Vero will do everything they can to stop Steven’s would be killer, even if it means doing the unthinkable. And once again, Finlay is supposed to be constructing her new novel for her editor, but has too many things on her plate. Will she and Vero be able to clean up the mess they created?

While I enjoyed the humor and mystery thrown into Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead, it did feel a bit redundant to her first novel, with the same basic storyline. There were new characters and new hijinks, but overall it felt very similar, which was a bit disappointing. I did like the new, more devious twists thrown in however, as it made the book so much darker than its’ predecessor (don’t want to spoil it!) which made it feel like it was all turning in a new direction. I’m excited to see what she does in her 3rd novel, as I feel it’ll be her most murder-y yet!

Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead is now available wherever books are sold!

I'm not quite sure why I read this book. I had remembered reading the first one in the series and must have thought I liked it more than I did. I did both the audio and ebook versions and can say that I had a hard time paying attention to this. The characters just got into one silly mess after another. The author is obviously channeling Janet Evanovich unsuccessfully. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher though for the opportunity to read this book.

I was wary of a second in the series, because the first book is just SO good that how could the sequel be as good... I was completely blown away. I LOVED this book. In fact, I almost prefer this one???? I read it in one day. I seriously couldn't put it down. It was a shirk all other responsibilities, ignore the dog type of read. Finlay and Vero are still hilarious, whip smart and engaging. The secondary characters all added to the storyline in a substantive way and I genuinely cared about all of them, which is NOT easy to do. I'm SO excited for more people to read this one and I'm SO excited to see what happens to Finlay and Vero next!

What another AMAZING book by Elle Cosimano! I loved this book so much from the first page to the last I was hooked I literally could not stop reading. I highly recommend this series to all readers they are both page turners and so entertaining.

Finlay is struggling to finish her second novel and being a single mom of 2 life sure does get crazy. Finlay learns that someone put a hit on her ex husband Steven. Finlay and Steven didn't really end things on good terms however he’s the father of her children and she doesn’t want anything bad to happen to him. Once again the best duo (Finlay and Vero) are back at it and they definitely have their work cut out for them this time! Of course nothing goes as planned with those 2 and they find themselves mixed up with the Russian mob!! How will they get out of all this craziness this time and will Finlay be able to save Steven?!

Seriously this is definitely on my top faves of 2022!❤️ Do not wait to read this one I promise you will love every twist and turn! Enjoy the ride! 😉

"Finlay Donovan Knocks 'Em Dead" was a fun mystery/thriller. I enjoyed it just as much as the first book in the series. I hope there are more to come!

So SO good! I loved the first Finlay and this one didn't disappoint! I'm always hesitant that after loving the first book in a series, I won't like the others, but this one was awesome!

I wanted to read this one because I didn’t love the first book in this series, and I really enjoyed the sequel! I really grew to Enjoy Finlay and Vero throughout this story - but it still read as a bit chaotic and not at all realistic - which is totally fine - but makes me lose touch with this world building. Overall, it was fun, and I would recommend it to anyone who has read the first!

Finlay and Vero are back and better than ever, but this time they are trying to save the life of Finlay's ex, Steven, after someone puts a hit out on him. I love the interactions between Finlay and Vero because they usually make me laugh (especially when Vero makes a comment about Steven). There was no shortage of hijinks and hiccups in this one, and I kept wondering how Finlay would pull herself out of the jams she was in. And Nick is back (which is a win in my book 🤣). This one has a great cast of characters, lots of action, and a good storyline. I didn't know if the sequel could live up to the first Finlay Donovan, but I must say that I enjoyed it just as much (maybe even a bit more!)

Finlay Donovan Knocks 'Em Dead releases tomorrow (February 1st!), so pick up a copy if you haven't already!

Thank you to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for my e-ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

I loved this book SO MUCH. I am always hesitant after loving the first in a series, and this one was somehow EVEN BETTER. The writing was amazing and the story really flowed. I laughed through this entire book!! All the stars!

Upon first reading Finlay Donovan is Killing It, I was immediately fascinated by the chaotic yet enterprising cast of characters and was eager to get to the next stage of Finlay's journey. At long last, I have finally gotten back to the crazy world of organized crime, accidental contract killings, romantic entanglement, and mystery!

The second novel picks up basically where the epilogue of the first book left off. Finlay is trying to figure out who wanted to murder her ex-husband...you know, besides everyone who's ever met him. She's once again on deadline for her next book, has no idea where the story should go, and running out of reasons to let Steven be alone with her kids. She's finally starting to relax that no one's answered the hit on her husband...and then there is a reply. Soon things escalate with the excellent blend of humor, ballsiness, and even some suspense of the romantic variety!

I won't get into the plot to avoid spoilers, but I had a blast riding along with Finlay as she works to figure out who is willing to pay $100,000 to get rid of her ex. All of the characters from the first book return--Vero is still sassy and a little mysterious, Delia and Zach are still a little sticky, Nick is all handsome and chivalrous, Julian is cute and helpful, and Steven is still the worst. Definitely give this one a read so you can join me in anxiously awaiting the next installment in Finlay's chaotic life.

Book two was just as much fun as book one! I love these characters and chaos of events and the start of this was pure fun.
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Steven may be a horrible ex, but it doesn’t mean Finlay wants him dead….even though someone else does. She needs to figure out who wants her ex dead, write a novel, take care of her kids and perhaps have a love life. This is a blast of a series and I could totally see it as a tv series!
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Thank you @minotaurbooks for an advanced copy

The second I finished reading Findlay Donovan is Killing It I added Elle Cosimano to my list of authors to watch. I’ve been looking forward to the second book and I read it in one sitting (thanks to Covid and all of those parents who send their kids to school sick!). At least I’m getting a lot of reading done.

The second book picks up very soon after the first. Fin is still living with and becoming closer to Vero while getting her like in order and trying to get her next book.. Her ex-husband is still a jerk. Her sister is still trying to set her up. Her lawyer friend is still too young and her cop friend is still coming on too strong. Finlay and Vero are still masquerading as hired killers.

When someone puts a hit out on her ex, she wants to stop it. Hey, not everyone would. And a lot of old friends and loved ones are involved in all kinds of increasingly chaotic ways.

The best part of Finlay Donovan is the sarcastic voice and the sense of absurdity that runs through every increasingly complicated turn. It’s just fun to read. Fin stumbles through it all, perceived by each person in a completely different way. Of course, there is some closure but enough left open to continue the story. Cannot wait.

I loved, loved, LOVED this sequel to “Finlay Donovan Is Killing It”!!

Finlay is back and into trouble again! This time she’s got to figure out who has put out a hit on her ex-husband and stop them before it’s too late. And in typical Finlay Donovan fashion, nothing goes smoothly.

This was cute, funny, and so smart! It’s a fast paced, full of action comedic mystery story. Perfect for an afternoon or two of reading. I neglected to do anything responsible and focused on this book instead, and I finished in less than 24 hours!

I loved how Finlay continues to grow as a character. She’s still funny and so relatable. I mean who hasn’t accidentally gotten hired as a hit-woman for hire? The story picks up right up where “Finlay Donovan is Killing It” ends, but this can be easily understood as a standalone.

She’s gained confidence and is enjoying herself with not one but two men, all while trying to solve the mystery of who wants her ex-husband dead. She constantly runs into trouble, and the story keeps you laughing. There are some twists (holy cow those last few pages) and turns along the way that will keep you on your toes! You really won’t see the end coming!

This is absolutely one of my favorite books I’ve read this year, and I highly recommend it to everyone. It’s perfect for getting out of your own head for a bit and enjoying a comedy/murder book.

I’m so thankful to Elle Cosimano, Mintaour Books, and Netgalley for this amazing opportunity to read and review this ARC in exchange for my honest review!