In a twist in the third book, the setting primarily takes place in a police academy with Vero and Finlay enrolled in it. Once again, Finlay has to find out who the killer is, but it may be harder than it seems as the killer may be a police officer too. Another strong novel and it ends with a cliffhanger with Vero and Finlay having to travel multiple states.

Finlay is BACK! And even better than before (book 2, I’m looking at you!). I thoroughly enjoy the chaos and struggles that Finlay finds/puts herself in. And as always, I recommend this series to anyone who likes a murder mystery, comedic relief, and some girl strength!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this copy in exchange for my honest review.

My least favorite of the three, but I do love the chaos of these stories. This one felt like a filler book since there wasn’t as much craziness as the first two (no murders) and I didn’t feel as hooked. It seemed like Finlay and Vero always just happened to be at the right place at the right time to overhear conversations about things they don’t have a reason to know. I was also confused by the ending and everything that went down (just basically everything that happened on the roof top). Definitely a quick, easy read and hoping the next one is more like the first book (and maybe the last in the series since this one felt a little dragged out).

This is by far the best series I’ve ever read!! I own every book in US and UK versions!!
Thank you to the publisher for the opportunity to read this advanced copy. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Although I didn’t love this quite as much as the first two, the police academy setting was a fun change of pace. And Hot Cop Nick gets a million stars because the tension between those two was 🔥

As always, Finlay and Vero’s shenanigans are just so entertaining, and the chaos always leaves me laughing and feeling better about my actual life as a mom of young kids.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martins Press for the ARC!

Synopsis: 'Author and single mom Finlay Donovan has been in messes before―after all, she's a pro at removing bloodstains for various unexpected reasons―but none quite like this. When Finlay and her nanny/partner-in-crime Vero accidentally destroyed a luxury car that they had "borrowed" in the process of saving the life of Finlay's ex-husband, the Russian mob did her a favor and bought the car for her. And now Finlay owes them.

Mob boss Feliks is still running the show from behind bars, and he has a task for Finlay: find and identify a contract killer before the cops do. The problem is, the killer might be an officer themself.

Luckily, hot cop Nick has just been tasked with starting up a citizen's police academy, and combined pressure from Finlay's looming book deadline and Feliks is enough to convince Finlay and Vero to get involved. Through firearm training and forensic classes (and some hands-on research with a tempting detective), Finlay and Vero use their time in police academy to sleuth out the real contract killer to free themselves from the mob's clutches―all the while dodging spies, confronting Vero's past, and juggling the daily trials of parenthood.'

Rating: 4/5 stars

Review: Although I did not enjoy this one as much as the other books in the series I did find it to be a good time. I also did not guess the plot twist which is always a win. Still very excited about the next books to come!

Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun by Elle Cosimano
Rating (5/5) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Love love this series!! This is the third book in this series and it’s so good! Such a fun read, it has suspense and romance and lots of laughs along the way! Can’t wait to start book 4 - Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice

I don't know how Elle Cosimano keeps doing it! Each book in this series is funny and reminds me a bit of Janet Evanovich.

Not quite as propulsive as the previous two books in the series, but Finlay Donovan is always fun to spend a few hours with and I'll definitely keep going in the series.

Finlay Donovan and her partner, Vero Ruiz, could easily be called “clean up women.” Are they contract killers who have become exceptionally skilled at disposing of evidence after crimes? Finlay vehemently denies this, but over the past few weeks, there have been numerous dead bodies. Considering Finlay’s responsibilities as a mother of two young children and her growing recognition as an author, the last thing she wants is to encounter another dead body.

Despite her constant encounters with crime, Finlay has managed to evade unwanted attention from the notorious Mob boss, Feliks, who is currently incarcerated. She believes she can finally move on with her life. However, it seems that even behind bars, Feliks is pulling strings, threatening Finlay’s safety.

A welcome distraction for Finlay is her partnership with her former nanny, who has now become her full-time partner. They have been enrolled in a one-week Citizens Police Academy, where they will be instructed by the injured detective, Nick Anthony. Finlay anticipates a fun and engaging week, as the tension between her and Nick is palpable and beginning to ignite. Surrounded by a group of cops, she believes she can finally feel safe. However, Finlay soon realizes that danger is not far away.

While Finlay and Vero will undoubtedly be occupied with their newfound responsibilities, learning police techniques will not be a significant part of their week. Finlay Donovan books are a delightful read, and as I devoured the six-book series, I couldn’t help but notice the relatively short time span between murders, bodies, and threats. Finlay is navigating a perilous roller coaster, constantly trying to stay alive. I thoroughly enjoyed all the books in the series and eagerly anticipate the release of book seven.

Many thanks to Minotaur and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

Finlay and Vero never disappoint. In this installment they both join a cadets training that is available to the community taking place at police headquarters for a week. You would think that they would be safe but…. Trouble always finds them. And the shenanigans insue.

Thank you to netgalley for an arc.

Well, it's been a fun ride, but I think this is my stop.

I really enjoyed the first Finlay Donovan novel. It was witty, snarky, high action, fast paced, and wildly entertaining. I loved the characters and the humor and while the plot itself was ridiculous and unbelievable, that just added to the book's charm. The second book felt a bit more forced and not as fun, but I still really enjoyed it. This book, though, had lost the charm that the previous two books had, and I just didn't find myself enjoying it. In fact, at times, it felt a bit like a chore to read. I didn't hate it, of course, but here are my issues with the third installment of this series:
1. Finlay's character development has entirely stagnated. She isn't growing at all, and in fact she just seems kind of whiney and airheaded throughout the majority of this book.
2. Vero's character has entirely regressed from kickass sidekick to literal sass factory. She exists sheerly to give "witty" one liners, and honestly her motives and actions were wildly inconsistent with the arc she'd been given in the first few books. I didn't feel like she was lovable anymore.
3. The love triangle (square?) is tired and a bit stale. See also: my point about Finlay being whiney and airheaded in this book.
4. The plot was at times, hard to follow. Between a revolving cast of cops that were wildly stereotypical and underdeveloped, to dialogue that went so quickly the plot struggled to follow, to underdescribed scenes that were too fast to imagine or picture while you're reading (seriously, I had no idea where anyone WAS or what things looked like when some key events were taking place), it was not as much fun to follow and seemed like it got really out of control. Despite this, it felt like nothing really happened in this book.... I don't know where the story will go from here, and frankly, I don't really care - that's not a great place to be at the cliffhanger ending of a series.

And yes, this review is decidedly critical. Please don't get me wrong, though - this book isn't bad! It just didn't work for me. I think that the charm and novelty that drew me I to the first book had worn off at this point, and for the reasons listed above, I wasn't super into this one and will not likely read the next installment(s). But the first book isn't generally my style book anyways - so if the snarky humor-murder-romance thing is right up your alley, this book delivers on all counts. It'd be a great choice for some readers - those readers just aren't me.

Thank you to @netgalley and @stmartinspress for a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

A Wild Ride with Finlay Donovan

Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun is another chaotic and entertaining installment in Elle Cosimano's series. Finlay and Vero are back, navigating a dangerous world of mobsters, mistaken identities, and unexpected alliances.

The fast-paced plot keeps readers on the edge of their seats, with plenty of twists and turns. The authors' witty banter and sharp humor add levity to the high-stakes situations, making for a truly enjoyable read.

While the characters are endearing and their chemistry is undeniable, the constant chaos can sometimes feel overwhelming. The breakneck pace can make it difficult to fully connect with the story and its characters.

Despite its flaws, Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun is a fun and addictive read for fans of the series. It's a perfect blend of action, humor, and suspense, making it a must-read for anyone who enjoys a good mystery with a side of absurdity.

4 stars

#books #bookishlife #booklover #readingisfun #iowabookstagrammers #iowabookstagram #netgalley #stmartinspress #finlaydonovanjumpsthegun #ellecosimano

The series has jumped the shark. If you like light comedy/mystery, this series is for you. I felt that it went on too long.

Such a great addition to the series. I'm interested to see where Finlay's story goes. I'm really invested in this series and am glad to see where it goes.

It’s always fun reuniting with Finlay and Vero! There’s nothing crazy about this book, you basically know what you’re going to get when you reunite with these two, but it’s always a good time and they make me laugh.

I have loved this series so much! Finlay and Vero are the perfect duo with humor and witty banter. I cannot wait to continue reading this series.

Finlay and Vero are at it again, this time a new conundrum awaits. While the story still had some fun and quirky moments, the pacing didn’t feel as quick as with the first two stories. By the time I got to book 3, things seemed to get rather repetitive and slightly stale. Taking a break before reaching for the next in this series.

I've tried to get into the Finlay Donovan series a few times, but I just cannot seem to enjoy the character or how out-of-touch the scenarios are. Maybe it just isn't a book series for me.

This series is one of my absolute favorites! Finlay Donavan is absolutely hilarious and someone I could easily see myself being friends with. Also, we could ALL use a friend like Vero! The banter, the chaos, and always the heartwarming lessons are top notch in this series and this book did not disappoint. I’m curious if there will be another book in the series. If there is, I’m definitely reading it!