Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead by Elle Cosimano
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫/5
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Finlay is back again with her ride or die, Vero.
First of all, THANK YOU, for Minotaur books and Netgalley for this e-arc in exchange for an honest review!
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In the second book of this series, someone wants Finlay’s ex-husband, Steven, killed. But Finlay is determined to save him.
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This book had me laughing out loud and blushing at the awkwardness that only Finlay can manage.
I did forget a lot of details from the first book, but the first few chapters helped to summarize!
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I did feel like the first half of the book was a little slow, but the second half made up for this! Once I hit the half way mark, this book was impossible to put down!
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I HIGHLY recommend this series. It’s a perfect combination of mystery and humor!
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This book releases on 2/1/22! So trust me, and pre-order now!
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Finlay Donovan Knocks ’Em Dead is the hilarious sequel to Finlay Donovan is Killing It. Finlay is one of my favorite characters, because she is both relatable and incapable of staying out of the worst trouble she can find. At the end of book one, Finlay learns that someone took out a hit on her ex-husband on a sketchy website. She is thrown into a panic trying to figure out how to keep her kids safe and determine who could be behind it. As Finlay digs deeper, it becomes clear that her ex is in serious danger. Luckily, she has the help of her steadfast partner Vero. Together they race to uncover the identity of the killer before they can complete their gruesome task.

In this sequel, Finlay has attracted attention from more dangerous and shadowy figures. The plot was fast-paced and slightly unbelievable (in a good way!) as in the previous book. Even as Vero and Finlay’s antics made me laugh, the stakes remained sky-high and always created an undercurrent of tension. The dialogue and witty banter is excellent. While Finlay’s adventures take her into danger, she still manages to have outrageously funny and relatable moments.

My favorite part of this series by far is the relationship between Finlay and Vero. Watching these two strong and creative women relentlessly have each other's backs is such a vital part of these books. While Finlay and Vero are equally capable of getting into trouble, they will always be there for each other no matter how bad it gets. I loved how Finlay and Vero worked together to uncover the mystery and keep the family safe in this amusing installment. This is the perfect book for fans of the show Good Girls! The ending left me very hopeful for book three, because I absolutely need to know what happens next!! I hope we see more from Nick in the next book.

Finlay Donovan Knocks ’Em Dead releases February 1, 2022. Thank you so much to Elle Cosimano, St. Martin’s Press, and Netgalley for a free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

For publisher: I will publish it on Instagram, Goodreads, Amazon, Storygraph, and Barnes & Noble etc

This is the second book in the Finlay Donovan series and I liked it better than the first! I recommend reading the first book in the series before reading this one. A lot of the story carries over from the first.

If you are looking for a serious book with murder and mystery, this is not it! This is a book that features Finlay Donovan, a writer by day and hired hitwoman by night. In this book Finlay makes bigger messes that she needs to clean up than in the first book. I will admit, a lot of the things that happen in this book are coincidental, but that makes it all the more fun to read.

Not only does this book feature Finlay, but it has her sidekick Vero, who we learn about more. There are also Julian and Nick, who I am struggling to decide which team I am on for her to end up with!

This series reminds me of the early days of Stephanie Plum books, which I loved. There are the two love interests and the silly antics. I will continue to pick up books in the Finlay Donovan series and only hope that Elle Cosimano can write them quickly so I can read them!

If you enjoyed Finlay Donovan is Killing it, then you will enjoy this one too! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an open and honest review. All opinions are 100% mine.

Finlay and Vero are back at it again in Elle Cosimano’s sequel Finlay Knocks ‘Em Dead picking up right where the last book ended. This time, Finlay has a new wig as she and Vero find themselves in dangerous, yet comical situations as they are racing to track down who ordered a hit on Finlay’s ex-husband. The pacing is excellent, the comedy is on point, and this book is self-aware in the best way. Overall this is a book I gladly recommend to anyone looking for a fun read.

FInlay Donovan is back again!
This book was just as good as the first. Finlay and Vero get themselves wrapped up in another mess, and have to dig their way out.
After finishing the first book, and being left on a cliffhanger, I could not wait to dive into book two.
I enjoyed reading about the antics of Finlay and Vero, and all the side characters. I love the author's writing style, this book kept me turning the pages to find out what would happen next. I also enjoyed that the love triangle between Finlay, Julian, and Nick continued on into the second book.
This book ends on another cliffhanger, and you bet I will be anxiously awaiting reading the third book.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for allowing me to read this book before it was published in exchange for an honest review,

Last year’s Finlay Donovan Is Killing It was such an absurd, escapist read that I included it in my best books of 2021–it was so much fun! I was excited to read the second in this series about a divorced author who gets mistaken for a hit-woman. In this follow-up, Finlay learns that her ex-husband may be the target of a hit, and she has to stop it.

This one doesn’t disappoint, though it’s not quite as hilarious as the first–the author actually addresses the difficulty of writing comedy during the pandemic in her author’s note. Finlay and her sidekick, Vero, remain charming and bumbling, and the romances and even the crimes don’t feel too serious (a feat, considering some of the gruesome crimes in these books). I continue to think of this series as a fresh alternative to the Stephanie Plum series (my previous escapist go-to) and I hope there are more books to come.

I got to read an advanced copy of this, and honestly I was really nervous because Finlay Donovan is Killing It was one of my favorite books of 2021.

I’m so happy to say that this sequel did not disappoint. 🥳

I thought Elle did an excellent job in recapping the first story so you’re not lost.
I missed Finlay, Nick, and Vero. I think Vero is my favorite, sassy sidekick. She needs her own book. I love her.

Finlay is overheard discussing her new crime book, and a disgruntled wife believes she’s a hit woman for hire. Finlay gets involved in a MESS while she struggles to balance kids, work, and murder?!

Guys, I LOVE these books. I actually pre-ordered Finlay Donovan Knocks Em Dead because I want to support Elle. And I hope a third book is coming. Can I have it now? 🙏🏼

I highly recommend reading (and buying) BOTH of these gems.

Definitely a favorite for 2022

Xoxo hil

The second installment in the Finlay Donovan series is just as madcap as the first. Finlay has discovered that someone wants her ex-husband, Steven, dead. This leads to a series of adventures with Findlay’s friend, Vero, as they try to determine who is trying to hire a contract killer to kill Steven. Each situation is outlandish and hilarious.
You will find yourself rooting for Finlay at every turn. She has a good heart, and is a faithful friend. Finlay Donovan is the perfect heroine!
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

#NetGalley #ElleCosimano #FinlayDonovanKnocksEmDead

Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead by Elle Cosimano

This upcoming sequel begins mere hours after the first book, with Finlay discovering an anonymous ad looking for a hit man to take care of her ex-husband Stephen. Hot mess antics, capers and sticky situations arise!

If you enjoyed Finlay Donovan is Killing It, you will enjoy this too! (Definitely read in order!). While the plot wasn’t all that twisty, Finlay certainly ends up in some outrageous situations that had me flipping pages and cringing. I didn’t find it as unputdownable or tension filled as the first book, but it’s a really quick and action-packed read. I thought the friendship between Finlay and Vero was a high point of the book, and I’m hoping we get to learn more of Vero’s story in book 3! I also appreciated that the humour was more subdued, which makes sense given the author’s note at the end about the difficulty of writing comedic mystery during the pandemic.

Overall, a really fun series, especially if you enjoy mystery/thriller but want something with levity & humour. I’ll definitely read a book 3 if that’s in the works. Pure escapist read. Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press and Netgalley for a free e-arc. All opinions are my own. It is available Feb 1, 2022!

"From Edgar-Award nominee Elle Cosimano, comes Finlay Donovan Knocks 'Em Dead - the hilarious and heart-pounding follow-up to Finlay Donovan is Killing It.

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.

Meanwhile, Vero's keeping secrets, and Detective Nick Anthony seems determined to get back into her life. He may be a hot cop, but Finlay's first priority is preventing her family from sleeping with the fishes... and if that means bending a few laws then so be it.

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..."

For everyone who read Finlay Donovan is Killing It and instantly wanted more.

I fell in love with the charm and humor of Finlay Donovan Is Killing It, and this follow up continued the antics and quick paced drama that filled book one, leaving me hoping this series doesn’t see an end anytime soon.

Cosimano takes a divorcee, mistaken for an assassin, and twists in the Russian mafia, a love triangle, dead bodies, and murder attempts in a story that will keep you reading (and laughing) wondering just how Finlay and Vero will wiggle their way out of these obscene situations. While everything that happens helps drive the story to become a nonstop read, there’s definitely moments that verge on unbelievable, but that’s truly part of why I love this story; plus the fact it happens all around the area where I live (Northern Virginia).

I didn’t really see the tie up at the end coming and almost wanted to dislike how Cosimano choose to end it, but then I thought about it and it makes sense for the characters and gives us the chance to look forward to more crazy shenanigans in the next book.

It was a fun and a light distraction. Finlay with the help of her unapologetic sidekick Vero is on a wild adventure of trying to solve a crime, save her babies’ daddy, write a novel, and sort out her love life.

Finlay finds through an online forum that somebody is trying to hire a hitman/woman to kill her ex-husband. She is desperately trying to stop it from happening and in the process breaks a few laws, finds herself in disguise, caught in a web of lies, and once again charmed by Nick the hot detective. And for those that like to sniff out the steam in a book, don’t bother sniffing, this one is pretty PG and only reeks of dismembered body parts.

❗️You do need to read the first book to understand this once since it starts where the first story left off.

In conclusion,
If you are ok with suspending reality for a bit and just going with the flow, fully surrendering to a crazy plot line, give this series a go! If you loved the last one good chances are you will love this one.

Finlay Donovan's hot mess express is back at the station or the chat room in this comical mystery. "Knocks 'Em Dead" picks up right after the completion on "Killing It" with a hired hit on someone's life. This was an exciting and funny story of who did it and who's next. It never slows down in Finlay's life.

Liked the first Finlay Donovan (Killing It), loved the second (Finlay Donovan Knocks 'Em Dead) and can't wait for a third. I feel like the characters really found their footing and confidence in this book. Laughed out loud a couple times. I really recommend reading the first Finlay Donovan first before falling into Knocks 'Em Dead.

**Like Die Hard, I could argue this is a holiday or Christmas read**

Finlay and Vero are back and they are picking up right where they left off!

When Finlay discovers there’s a hit out for her ex-husband, her and Vero work to find out who has it out for him and apparently the list is long. But with the hit accepted and attempts at Steven’s life being made, the women know they must protect Steven if they want to keep Finlay’s kids safe. Discovering who put out the hit and who accepted it puts Finlay right back in the line of fire. Navigating a looming book deadline, more money problems, a love triangle, a dead body, and the mob proves to be challenging for Finlay and Vero and results in all sorts of shenanigans and let’s be honest, we wouldn’t have it any other way.

Like the first book, this novel is funny and entertaining. It’s also wildly far fetched and over the top but ignoring those details, this is a super cute read. Finlay’s ridiculous disguises always made me chuckle and I felt like I could envision her in her get ups sauntering around town, breaking into prisons, and collaborating with mob bosses.

There was a lot of alluding to Vero’s problems and background and I wish that had been excluded or wrapped up a little better. I love Vero and want to get to know her better but it felt a little half done with loose ends. Though maybe there’s another book planned?

This would be tough to read as a stand-alone as it picks up right where the first novel finished so I would definitely recommend reading the first. There are lots of reminders about what happened so if it’s been a while, that shouldn’t be a problem.

If you loved Finlay Donovan is Killing It, I definitely recommend this one!

Thank you to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for a copy of this novel.

To be posted to my blog on 2/1/2022.

Wow. What a follow up. It is so rare to see a second novel act as such a natural continuation of the first & this one absolutely delivered. It was an absolute delight to read from start to finish - there was romance, mystery, suspense, heart, and a whole lot of creativity. I loved the first, I loved the second, and I know I’ll love the third. Superbly done.

FINLAY DONOVAN KNOCKS 'EM DEAD by Elle Cosimano

Thank you to St Martin's Press and NetGalley for the e-arc!

SUMMARY:
Finlay is still struggling- for custody of her children, for financial stability, to write her newest book, to choose between her lawyer fwb and her cop bf, and with the mess she made with the Russian mob. (I want to leave it there, because I think that's a pretty solid summary... but I'll keep going). Someone has put a hit out on Steven, Finlay's ex husband, and Finlay and Vero, Finlay's accountant/babysitter/roommate/best friend, are going to stop it.

MY THOUGHTS:
Finlay's books are written with this comical thriller vibes that I've never read before. Elle Cosimano puts such a light feel to murder and bodies through Finlay's POV and humor.

I liked this one slightly more than the first in this series, and I think it's because I knew what to expect going in and it hasn't come out yet, so not as much time to hype it up (yet!)

I loved Vero & Finlay's adventures, but still am in shock at how they get away with it all and aren't paranoid all the time!?

I can't wait for the next book in the series, hanging on the edge of that cliff!

I love Elle Cosimano’s writing style. Her descriptions are so fresh and unique that it immediately draws me in regardless of the actual content of the story. I was excited to see what mishaps Finlay would get into this time, after she accidentally found herself hired for murder in her previous book.

I read a lot of thrillers and mysteries, so I like to think that I’m pretty good at following that kind of plot and picking up clues and threads throughout a narrative. In this book I was straight up confused though. There was so much going on and so many intertwining characters and storylines that I got frustrated trying to keep track of everything. As great as the writing was, the plot was so convoluted that it took away from a lot of my enjoyment of the story.

That being said, the juxtaposition of Finlay and her nanny caring for her kids and doing mundane activities while also being badass criminals is hilarious, unique, and well done.

Review to be posted closer to release date, and links added then.

Finlay is back!

Something unexpected happened! I liked the second book more than I liked the first one.
I think I was more in the mood for this kind of book. Funny, quick, and with a love triangle that I was 100% invested in. (I’m team Nick 100% btw)

This series reminds me so much of the show Dead To Me. It’s very unreal but fun and a very nice read to escape from reality a little bit.

4.5 stars

Oh, and I read the first book a long time ago so I wasn't sure I’d remember some details. Luckily, you don't have to remember every little thing from the first book. There’s a quick refresh in the first chapters.

I feel like the entire world read and fell in love with Finlay Donovan last year, and for good reason! I was so excited for this sequel and can't say thank you enough to @minotaur_books & @netgalley for the chance to read it early.

This one had all the same things I loved from the first novel. It was funny, had the mystery elements, some heartwarming moments, and the characters I absolutely loved.

Vero was one of my favorite parts of the first novel (because who doesn't need a Vero in their life?!), so I loved getting to see more of a glimpse into her life and who she was. You also get to see the friendship between Finlay and Vero develop. Annnd of course they get find themselves into some *interesting* situations.

I will say my only complaint was that at one point while reading I thought to myself this just keeps getting wilder and wilder - this would not really happen. I found some of the events and things that were happening to them to be so outlandish that it was hard to not roll my eyes.

I also loved that the sequel picks up right where the first one ends! This is definitely a series that you'll want to read in order.

Overall, I really enjoyed this! It made me laugh, was impossible to put down (even if a little out there), and had some twists that I didn't see coming! Ready for book #3!!!

This one is out on February 1st! So you still have time to preorder it if you haven't already! 💖

Finlay is back, and so are the hijinks that come with being an accidental assassin for hire.

After the events of Finlay Donovan is Killing It, Finlay is back to her regular crises - book deadlines and dead fish. But when she finds a hit out on her ex-husband, Steven, she’s determined to save him for her kids. She falls into a series of events including more Russian mob characters, dead bodies and hot detectives, and it’s even better than the first book!

If you’re looking for mystery + comedy, look no further. We’ve got hilarious problems, awful decision making and a redeeming cast of characters. I enjoyed the first book but I really enjoyed this one. The issues were ~slightly~ more realistic in a way that worked for me. I also started to appreciate Finn and Vero’s friendship a lot more. If you read Finlay Donovan is Killing It, you need to read this one next!