Dare I say that I liked this even better than the first? This one was just so fun! I don’t know what I liked more… the mystery, the humor, the love triangle or the friendship between Finlay & Vero. Everyone needs to have bestie on that level. Everything about this series so far is AMAZING. Bring on book #3!

Action, suspense, mystery, danger, and a woman struggling to hold together her life (kids, ex, lack of steady income, and fledgling love life) sounded like my cup of tea. So I borrowed the first book in the series to prep. I was nervous about the follow up having finished book 1. Fortunately, the second book is better than the first. The protagonist is stronger, still a hot mess, but more driven. There is less about small children and their inevitable messes (still there, but less dominant), and more about the motivations of supporting characters. The reader is rewarded with greater character development.

This one took me a little while to write because I honestly didn't want to say anything negative about it. The first one was one of my favorite reads this year and then this one...really just fell flat for me.

I think this book would have just been fine for me if the first one hadn't been amazing. But the bar was set so high, and this book was just so forced. The plot seemed underdeveloped, the characters didn't have enough time to be focused on, it was just a run around of this and that, and the loveable-ness of the first one just seemed to be thrown out the window.

I think the part that made me the most angry was how everyone wanted to control Finlay's love life. Especially Vero. It went from being a female empowerment story to being a "the woman has to end up with a man" story. It set me back a couple decades and really made me angry with a lot of the characters.

It was pretty messy, but like Finlay's life, but in the first book, I loved how messy Finlay was. In this one, it seemed over the top. It painted her in a bad light.

I honestly wish the book never had a sequel, it's a book where I will still recommend the first but steer people away from this one.

While this didn’t have as much outward humor as the first book, the irony and wit were heavy. I can’t get enough of Vero and the side eye she is constantly giving to everyone she encounters.

What I did love about this book the most was just how much of a page turner it is, especially halfway through. There was never a section that felt laborious, and I found myself thinking about getting back to this book all day.

Or maybe it was just Nick I was thinking about……

All in all, this was a phenomenal sequel to a book I am constantly recommending to avid readers and reluctant readers alike.

I’m not ready to be done with Finlay! I’ll need a book three, thanks!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this eARC!

Finlay Donovan is coming back & this time someone has a hit out on her ex-husband. & just like in Finlay Donovan is Killing it, hilarity ensues!

If you read the first book in the series, you’ll know that you have to go in expecting these books to be over the top, because they are. But just like the first book, book 2 is such a fun read. Is it deep? No. Is it a super quick read perfect for when you need a laugh? Totally!

In the second Finlay Donovan installment, it’s been a month since she was mistaken for a hit women and she is once again behind on her writing deadline. She also just found out that someone has a hit out on her ex-husband. He might be the worst person but Finlay doesn’t want to see harm come to him, for her kids sake. Finlay sets out to uncover who might want her ex-husband dead and figure out a way to stop it from happening!

Just like in the first book most of the situations she gets herself into are completely unrealistic but that’s what makes this series fun. Involving some nice twists and the Russian mob, the plot was fairly solid. I loved that we got to know Vero more, and between the pair of them, they kept me laughing.

My only negative feedback and it’s not really negative, is that the first book was just such a surprise & Finlay really did just stumble into a murder & a mess. This time around I felt she caused a-lot of her own problems, which made me roll my eyes a bit.

Even though I didn’t rate it as high as book 1, Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead is fun book with a surprising twist at the end! If you need something fast paced read, I highly recommend getting a copy as soon as it comes out. And in the mean time pick up the first book in the series if you haven’t already.

Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead comes out February 1, 2022. Huge thank you to Minotaur Books for my copy in exchange for my honest review. If you liked this review please let me know either by commenting below or by visiting my Instagram @speakingof_books.

I just LOVE Finlay Donovan. She is (less of) a hot mess mom (which I am familiar with personally) and super entertaining. I love that in the midst of crazy she has a little love triangle. There could be an entire book just watching her juggle that!

There isn't much I can say without giving things away, so I won't. I would certainly love if Finlay had a long book series to follow the first two.

Thank you St. Martin's Press for this advanced copy!

4.5 Stars!
I’m really loving this series. The untidy romantic angles just about kill me, but I know they’re par for the course in these types of amateur sleuth mysteries.

Finlay and Vero are a fun team sandwiched between some serious bad guys, entertaining family members, and two lovely romantic possibilities.

Although the main mystery was solved in the last book, there were overarching characters tied to this book, as well as some new ones introduced. There were a couple of waning moments in this story or maybe they just exasperated me, but things picked up and then became almost too convoluted at one point. In the end, the author tied up some of the loose strings nicely, while leaving a few extraneous strands to be carried over to the next book. Although, this book felt like it left things more untied than the last. Only more to look forward to! Now, if Finlay could only figure out her love life. For my romantic sanity, at least.

I read the first Finlay Donovan installment, so I was excited to receive an ARC for the sequel, <i>Finlay Donovan Knocks 'Em Dead</i>. The first book was over-the-top, so I expected it for the second installment... but it was beyond that and ultimately grated on my nerves. Finlay and her nanny Vero have become inadvertent contract killers. Finlay is a murder mystery writer with two children and a sleaze-bag ex-husband, Stephen. Via a "mom" website (NextDoor.com-esque) that runs as a cover for organized crime, Finlay and Vero have become convinced that there is someone who wants Finlay's ex dead. And as much as they dislike Stephen, neither Finlay or Vero wants him killed. Finlay is also adamant that she wants her children as far from Stephen as possible until she and Vero can identify the person who wants him dead and convince him or her to call off the hit.

Vero's character makes constant sexual innuendo and sarcastic comments. By the seventh or eighth, I was really tired of them and her. Their escapes are so ridiculous and beyond belief that it starts to read like a comedy instead of a mystery. The romance sub-plots leave a lot to be desired. And maybe that's the point, but I found myself irritated more than once. I enjoyed the first book, so maybe I was in a different frame of mind - or maybe this one is really even more absurd than the first. Who knows? If there's a third book, I'll probably skip it. Not recommended.

Thank you to the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Elle Cosimano has done it again! Finlay Donovan is one my favorite modern day characters. The antics she gets herself in, along with her best friend/nanny, Vero, are seriously hysterical yet some what believable. In this go around, Finlay and Vero are out to stop the murder of Steven, her ex husband, before it is too late. As much as Finlay is trying to steer clear of the "hitwoman" life, situations seem to simply fall into her lap.

I appreciate how Finlay is written a bit older in age and has a backstory with baggage. Between her ex-husband, her need for money in order to support her two young children and her desire to just maybe have an actual social life, she has her hands full.

All in all, Finlay Donovan Knocks 'Em Dead is comic gold and a must read!

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books, and Elle Cosimano for the e-arc of Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead in exchange for an honest opinion.

Once again, Finlay is struggling to finish her book before her deadline and make ends meet as a single mom of 2. With Vero to help her, she is sure she can do what she needs to keep afloat. However, when a mysterious letter arrives letting her know that a hit has been put out on her ex-husband, Finlay struggles to keep everyone safe, figure out who wants him dead, and complete her book on time.

This second book in the Finlay Donovan series is funny and smart. You never know what antics Finlay and Vero are going to get up to or how they will get themselves out of it. The plot is outlandish and inconceivable, but it works so well in the world Cosimano has created.

I feel for Finlay on the relationship front, but I do hope the love triangle between her, Nick, and Julian is resolved soon. I think there is enough tension/chemistry with either love interest that both are not needed.

I loved getting more of Vero’s backstory and loved that we got to see her and Finlay’s relationship continue to grow. I’m quite interested to see where this series goes. This is definitely an auto-buy series for me. I can’t wait for the next one.

Full review will be posted on Goodreads and my instagram (www.instagram.com/madhattersfolly_reads) the week of publication.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

Finlay and Vero are back! If you've read this first one, you definitely need to pick this one up to see the continuation of their story. I loved the first book because it was fresh, unique, and had me laughing out loud. This second book definitely made me laugh, but it felt too much like the first book. There was certainly a lot of action, but the story didn't move forward as much as I would have liked. There were many unanswered questions at the end, leaving me to believe there will be a third book. And I am HERE. FOR. IT. I just hope there will be something new/exciting to add to the story line.

3.5 stars

Finlay Donovan is my hero. She is an amazing character and I want more, more, more!
I received this as an ARC from NetGalley. I quickly read Finlay Donovan Is Killing It, book 1, and adored it and the characters of Finlay and Vero.
Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead was even better!
I tried to read this slow so it would last, but it was super hard to put down.
The chemistry of the characters, the fun and upbeat mystery makes it the perfect read!
Pub Date: February 1, 2022.

I loved Finlay Donovan is Killing It and was thrilled to get an ARC of the second in the series.
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Elle Cosimano had created such memorable characters and I just couldn’t wait to get back to their stories and find out what trouble they’d get into this time.
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This follow-up focuses on Finlay’s ex-husband and the ad she sees online to put a hit out on him. This one was a bit less slap-stick than the last one but I really loved diving into the story here.
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I highly recommend continuing on with Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead and will continue to reach for the rest of the series as long as they’re being written.
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Thanks to @netgalley and @stmartinspress for this eARC.

Finlay Donovan Knocks Em Dead was a great sequel to Finlay Donovan is Killing It! Finlay finds herself in hot water again when her husband Steven is the next target. Alongside Vero, Finlay tries to solve who is trying to take out her husband before it is too late..

I had a little difficulty getting into the sequel because it started off kind of slow, but about halfway through I found myself trying to figure out who was FedUp and EasyClean. Throw in a good romance subplot and I really started to get into this book. I just wished I got some closure at the end of the book because she left it on another cliffhanger!! Even though I struggled to get through some parts of the book, I definitely will pick up her next one!

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for a gifted copy of Finlay Donovan Knocks 'Em Dead by Elle Cosimano.

I really enjoyed this one (and the first book too). There is so much I want to share but this is a spoiler free review. I can promise if you enjoyed Finlay Donovan is Killing It then you will also enjoy this one.

Finlay is back and still hilarious. How does one single mom get herself into so much trouble? She is still writing books and trying to make big life choices all while trying to keep herself out of trouble.

Finlay Donovan Knocks 'Em Dead takes place one month after the first book in the series, Finlay Donovan is Killing It. I absolutely loved both books and look forward to book three in the series.

Mystery & Thrillers
Release Date: February 1, 2022

Finlay Donovan is back at her shenanigans again. I love this character and all the escapades she has. Her sidekick Vero is right by her side again this go round. While I liked this second book in the series a lot, it felt a little forced and too neatly wrapped up. I would like to thank the publishers and net galley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Well, they did it again! All of the things we loved about Finlay and her supporting cast of characters the first time around is back again. They are authentic, messy, genuine, quick thinking, and most of all fun. I fell in love with Finlay and jumping back into her world was just as enjoyable in the sequel.

Finlay has just taken her first deep breath after the trouble she got herself into in book one when she notices that someone wants her ex-husband dead in a chat group for moms. Not ideal since she was under the impression that she had wrapped up her last *misunderstanding* and could go back to her normal life. At the same time, Vero (her live in nanny/accomplice/friend) is being a little sketchy, she's dating a guy in law school at least a decade her junior, and Nick, the hot cop, is still trying to take her out to dinner any chance he gets. There's a lot going on, as usual, in the life of Finlay Donovan and this book is all about how she balances it all while trying to keep Steven alive and her kids out of harms way.

This book was the perfect light read with just enough shenanigans to keep you laughing and on the edge of your seat. The author does a great job of weaving all of the details together throughout. This is an adventure I highly recommend!

Thank You to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for an ARC of this book. Pub date is Feb 1, 2022.

Elle Casimano does it again. Finlay is at it again.... writing a book about crime and finding herself in the midst of crimes at the same time. Finlay and Vero find out that someone has put out a hit on Finlay's ex-husband Steven. He is a good dad, so Finlay gets sucked in to save him. They encounter crazy adventures which involve handsome detective Nick and hot law student Julian while Finlay is dating both. As they try to figure out who put ordered the hit on Steven, they race against the clock to save lives which keeps the pace moving. The reveal of who ordered the hit is quite the shock. Some antics are a little far-fetched, but Casimano gives us a fun, quick read to allow us to escape. And begs the question-- what will Finlay get into next?

Another fun story! Love the character development, story line, and all of the hijinks! I hope this series goes on and on.

Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead
Elle Cosimano
Mystery
Nancy
4

After having gotten the credit for the accidental deaths of two truly bad men and after having been paid for those deaths by the mob wives who had hired her to kill them, Finlay Donovan vowed never again to visit the women’s forum online where women gathered not only to kvetch about their husbands but where someone has just posted an offer of a hundred thousand dollars for a hitman (woman?) to murder Finlay’s ex-husband Steven. Regardless of how much she loathes Steven, Finlay refuses to consider killing the father of their two children. In fact, terrified that some other Steven-hater isn’t taking the kids’ feelings into account and has no compunction about wiping him out, Finlay is determined to find the potential killer and stop him or her before they get to Steven. This in spite of having two kids to raise, a sexy (young) law student to sleep with, sample pages of her new book to write and submit, and an enthusiastic nanny with murderous impulses to control.

This second in the Finlay Donovan series is just as much fun to read as the first; I thoroughly enjoyed it!

My thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book.

Nancy

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