Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun

Wow, what a fun ride this was! After reading both the other Finlay Donovan stories I was over the moon to get approved for this ARC (Thank you so much NetGalley, St. Martin's Press and Minotaur Books!)

Minor Spoiler Ahead 🤍
I love this series so much, this book felt much closer to the first book in regards to the the pacing, though a bit over-the-top in adventure & craziness, I was totally here for it!

I loved how this book (3rd) took place in mainly 2-3 locations, it was so much easier to follow (vs . book #2 I remember being left, wanting more descriptors about the setting and surroundings!)

This is yet again left off with a cliffhanger but yay to that if that means there’s another book coming and I get to keep on this crazy adventure with Finlay and Vero, count me in!

Read if you loved:
📺 good girls

I loved the first two Finlay Donovan books, but I find myself wondering if the series would have been better off as a duology. This third installment felt over ambitious—continuing storylines from the first two while adding in new twists and turns. Unfortunately, it never quite came together for me.

Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun
by Elle Cosimano (Finlay Donovan #3)

The Finlay Donovan series is about the only one where I will put up with this much nonstop craziness. Everyone's safety is in peril in these stories, whether they are a good guy or a bad guy. Trust no one, almost everyone is telling lies. I'm starting to think of Finlay and Vero as accidental (mostly) serial killers.

Finlay has gotten on wrong side of an imprisoned Russian mob boss. But really, is there a right side of a Russian mob boss? The guy has a task for her to do but the task is proving impossible to accomplish, especially in the short timeline that Finlay is given. That has to be the only reason that Finlay would let her rotten ex husband take the kids for a week. Seriously, these little kids get tossed around like frisbees.

Off to live-in camp for Finlay and Vero. It's firearm training and forensic classes for citizens and the way life has been going for Finlay and Vero, they need this knowledge. Not only that, they have some detecting to do and what better place to get in trouble while spying, sleuthing, and breaking and entering than a citizen's police academy camp. There is nonstop action with some smooching and canoodling along the way. I feel like there is a whole lot of Lucy and Ethel in Finlay and Vero and they wear me out!

Thank you to St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books, and NetGalley for this ARC.

I love this mystery series and was so excited to see Book 3 in the Finlay Donovan series. As in her other books, the characters are smart and crafty, lovable and the perfect compliment to support our hero Finlay. I find the story intriguing and fast paced. The villains are as likeable as the original core characters and the plot continues without disappointment. The author does a great job with keeping the novel interesting and constantly dimensionalizing the new as well as the original characte ...more

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*Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced e-copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review*

Finlay Donovan is back! And this time she's off to civilian police training...what could go wrong?

From start to finish this was Finaly Donovan at her best! Witty, off the wall, and just entertaining as hell. I couldn't stop laughing at the ridiculous situations that Finlay finds herself in. Come on, the woman just wants to be a mom and, maybe, get down and dirty with the hot detective. Is that too much for a woman to ask?!?!?

Definitely do not skip out on this hilarious addition to the Finlay Donovan series.

I am absolutely enamored with this book series. Thank you Minotaur Books/St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read and review this book as a NetGalley digital copy.

Elle Cosimano has such a way with humor and relatability in this book series. This third installment continued the trend of laugh-out-loud drama and shenanigans of Finlay and Vero, but this time, the ladies are attending a police academy and chasing hunches from previous novels to continue to unravel the workings of the Russian mobsters.

I enjoyed every bit of this book and the way it flowed seamlessly from Book #2 (Finlay Donovan Knocks 'Em Dead). The character development was on point, the plot escalated well, and the ending left me with just enough for questions and answers that I'm already looking forward to the next novel in the series.

My only caveat would be that I do not recommend anyone tries reading this book as a standalone novel. It will be so much better understood and enjoyed as part of the series. The connections from the first two books are so strong and prevalent throughout, the plot will make more sense and be more impactful if the series is read in order.

Thank you once again to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press!

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.

Gosh I love this series so so much. Finlay never fails to end up in out of this world adventures. Or trouble? I love the mystery and action - so wildly entertaining! Literally can never guess where this story will go. This time - our favorite duo is attending a citizen’s police academy training for book research… and maybe hiding out from the Russian mob, maybe trying to hunt down a contract killer, who may or may not be a dirty cop. Usual mom stuff.

Just like the last book, I adore Finlay and Vero’s relationship. Oh boy is it put to the test as we learn more about Vero’s past. Their loyalty to each other is amazing! AND we get more with hot cop Nick. Vero may or may not have a bit of her own romance going on.

Is it too early to beg for an ARC of book 4??!

Elle Cosimano does it again. How can you write the same characters and keep everything so interesting? Usually plots get a bit repetitive in sequels but this book is just as fun as the other two. I love the characters. I like the silliness. I like the sister bond and the friendship bonds. I am not a fan of the parts that have the kids in the book tbh but other than those small parts I loved this. I am annoyed I have to wait for the 4th book! I need to know what happens!

**Review will be published on my site & socials January 26th, 2023**

NEW FAVORITE OF THE SERIES.

I really liked this one y’all!! I think with the second I was expeb nbnbvmvvvzmjv,, cting a different kind of story, but with this one, I changed my mindset and enjoyed it all the more. This is very much like a cozy mystery but with pizazz. There’s a bit more drama, a bit more high stakes, and even a bit more romance. All things I am here for in the Finlay Donovan world.

This was another fun installment that had me bursting with laughter and definitely swooning. YES THE ROMANCE I’VE BEEN AFTER FINALLY MOVES SOMEWHERE. The slow burn has been real but I have known where my loyalties lie from day one and I am currently a happy camper.

I still don’t know if I like Vero? I don’t have any solid reasons why y’all. It remains to be seen if she’s a great friend and sidekick or someone I gotta watch out for.

There’s a bit of predictability with the plot, yet it’s an enjoyable comfort in the wildness that is the plot in general. I like the writing style and the quirky characters and many others things about this series. I look forward to seeing where Finlay ends up next!

Overall audience notes:

Contemporary Mystery
Language: a little
Romance: one fade to black
Violence: med-high
Trigger/Content Warnings: murder, attempted murder, gun violence

Another incredible read by Elle Cosimano!! I am totally in love with Finlay, Vero and all the rest. Elle tells such a wonderful story (and story within a story, for that matter). I can't stop reading about all the antics surrounding these characters. In fact, Finlay and Vero remind me of myself and my BFF (no accidental "murders" for us, though). I cannot wait to read more of their adventures.

LOVE LOVE LOVE! I never want this series to end. I have never seen one bad review for these books - they are just the right amount of mystery,humor, fun - nothing to heavy (strange since there is constantly a murder going on LOL) but somehow author makes it seem like a fun sitcom. I love Finlay and Vero and I am SO hopeful for a 4th book - or maybe even a prequel - but I definitely am not ready for the end!!

Our favorite accidental hitwoman is back! In book three of this series, Finlay and her BFF Vero are back to their familiar shenanigans and mom life. The story begins where book two ended, after the Russian mob did Finlay a favor, she now owes them. We follow Finlay and Vero as they try to identify an anonymous hit man known as ‘EasyClean’ and as they reluctantly enroll in a ‘citizens police academy’ hosted by the hot-cop Nick.

Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun is full of more outgarous hijinks and mishaps. Just like the prior books in the series, the reader must suspend their beliefs in the situations that our protagonist finds herself in and instead use their imaginations. At the heart of the story is a mystery but there are also several subplots going on.

Even though I enjoyed reading this one, the first book in the series is still my favorite. But of course no sequel is ever as good as the original but those who enjoyed the prior two books in the Finlay Donovan series will also enjoy the newest addition.

And yes, without giving anything away, there is a high possibility that there will be a book four in the series. I also feel like book four will be a good stopping point in the series and Finlay’s story will have run it's course. After all too much of a good thing can turn into something not so good.

Finlay Donovan Jumps The Gun will be available on January 31, 2023. Many thanks to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the gifted copy in exchange for an honest review!

Cosimano does it again! I so enjoy the Finlay Donovan series. It manages to be funny, serious, and suspenseful all at once. As an avid reader, it can be hard to surprise me, but I truly did not know who the culprit was until the end. Great writing!

This is my absolute favorite of Finlay and Vero’s adventures. My main critiques with the second book, specifically, is how many times can you accidentally murder someone, etc, without it eventually catching up with you?

This book takes a break from hit woman gone wrong in the best way possible. I love the mystery/detective aspect of this book. I love the police camp, it is a great way to get all of the characters that we care about in the same place and force action into existence. I also love the new characters we are introduced to and the deeper levels we get into the characters we already know. I will say, I NEVER would have guessed who EasyClean was and I thought I knew and didn’t want to be right- luckily I wasn’t.

I was really worried after the second book that Finlay Donovan wasn’t going to be one of my favorites anymore but this book won me back and then some. I cannot wait to learn more…about literally everything. I need more.

Whether you consider them the terrible or terrific twosome, Finlay Donovan and her cohort/nanny/accountant, Vero, are back to once again stir up trouble, and maybe catch a bad guy. If they are lucky.

This book centers on identifying EasyClean, their nemesis who happens to be a hitman. Other than doing so may save their lives, they are being blackmailed by another bad guy. Just another day for this romance author. However, no matter how hard she tries to distance herself from trouble, it just keeps finding her.

I'll never agree with some of Finlay and Vero's decision making, but it makes for entertaining reading. This installment also brings Finlay and Detective Nick Anthony closer together. Will one of them finally make a move? They will if Vero has anything to say about it.

Other questions that come to mind:
Will achieve their goal of identifying EasyClean?
Will Felix Zhirov reveal their identities?
Will Vero solve her money problems?
Will Finlay ever finish her book?

While Finlay and Vero are pretty good at getting answers to at least one of the questions above, their careless actions seem to lead them to a slew of more issues. Which means . . . this isn't the last we'll be seeing from this duo. As always, buckle up!

While I liked book one the most, the second and current book have a bit more fluff. They seem to be a bridge between the first book and the finale. But they are still enjoyable because of the whirry writing and characters.

First up: a great book, written well and so engaging -- but I didn't finish it. After reading more than half the book, I realized I was uncomfortable with just how deep a hole Finlay has dug for herself this time.

Book 2 in the series was amazing because the author Cosimano managed to pull everything together beautifully and satisfyingly. But this time, I couldn't see that happening and (illogical, I know) I didn't want to hang around to see how she would do it this time.

But the sparking dialog, and heart-warming friends and family, were still great. I hope to get back to a place in my life when I can stand the tension of seeing how the bad themes get resolved to end satisfyingly.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books for the chance to read this in advance. Pub date is Jan 31, 2023.

One of the best opening chapters of a book I have ever read!!! Elle Cosimano hits it out of the park again with the 3rd instalment of Finaly Donavan. Highly recommend if you are looking for a fun, chaotic in the best way, cosy mystery. This book will have you laughing out loud, hot with angry and swooning.
Thanks NetGalley for the advanced copy

Going in, I had extremely high hopes for Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun by Elle Cosimano because my love for Finlay and Vero has been unwavering - and wow, did it deliver!!

I don’t want to give too much away but my god, the antics that Finlay and Vero find themselves in are both hilarious and unbelievable. And honestly, I think that’s what makes me love them even more.

Just so we’re clear, I’m very much still on Team Nick and love him so much. I need Finlay to just go ahead and eat her dessert because that man is incredible for her. Their moments together throughout the book fueled me.

I could genuinely read these books for the rest of my life and be wholly satisfied. Luckily, another book is being written and I can’t wait to have it in my hands!

If you haven’t read this series - what are you waiting for?!

I get SO EXCITED every time I see Elle Cosimano post a teaser on Instagram about the latest book in the Finlay Donovan series. Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun is another great edition to this series. It's the perfect sort of book when you want a character to root for who is badass and yet relatable. As a mom, I love seeing another mom who's active with her children star in a book like this!

This time around, Finlay is in deep trouble with the Russian mob. She must find a contract killer--the problem? That killer might actually be a cop. Finlay and Vera get in trouble all over again as they try to solve the case!