Thank you Martin's Press -- Minotaur Books for allowing me to read and review Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice, a novel, by Elle Cosimano on NetGalley for my honest opinion.

Published: 03/05/24
Stars: 3

Rolls the Dice is my least favorite. I'm relieved that I have just the newest installment to read (published 3/3/25). I committed to Digs Her Own Grave when NetGalley dropped all the Finlay Donovan books at once. Otherwise I probably would have ended the series.

This book required more imagination and patience than I wish to give for this type of book. The situations were so extreme they bordered on satirical. Is this a mystery -- thriller or a trashy comedic cozy? I found the ex-husband and the kids at the retreat just frustrating words on a page.

Picking up directly after Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun, we catch Finlay and Vero coming home after the disastrous citizens academy. Though, technically, Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice by Elle Cosimano literally starts with them on the side of the road as Steven preps himself to brave multiple lanes of highway traffic on foot. This was the perfect blend of fun and mystery and romance. We get more dead bodies that of course Finlay and Vero have nothing to do with, more hiding and sneaking, and returning favorite side characters (plus dog!) The pacing was quick. The mystery made sense and felt so satisfying to resolve. It almost makes me wonder why they don't take on Vero's sorority situation... This book is the best of the series to date and despite the hijinks, we definitely get character growth around the board. If you've stuck with the series so far, you are going to LOVE this one.

More fun and hilarious shenanigans within these pages for sure. Finlay sure does manage to get herself in the most crazy situations. Enjoy this story!

3.5/5

I love Finlay and her antics! I love her friendship with Vero! Everyone needs a bestie to get her in and out of trouble!

This 4th installment of the Finlay Donovan series was action-packed! Finlay found herself trolling the casinos of Atlantic City, all the while trying to disentangle herself from the clutches of Feliks Zhirov.

She's also steadily growing closer to a certain cop, and to be honest, I'm not really a fan of him or their relationship. I get he's trying to be protective, but I found him a bit overbearing. And I think Finlay should be with someone who she can completely be herself with.

But Vero and Javi? Yes, please! I need more of them!

Overall, this wasn't my favorite of the series, but Javi made it worth it!

Yet another comical adventure with Finlay and Vero. Honestly, it could've used a bit more "hot cop" but this is a solid series!

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books for the ebook!

I had such a blast reading this book! Watching the wild antics that Finlay and Vero get into, and out of, and watching how they do so, has always been fun, and in this book, the stakes are raised, given that Javi got kidnapped, and they don't have the payment.

Of course what also makes this series a lot of fun, is that it's not just the current situation and mystery that they have to deal with, there's also their personal lives. In which case is having to go on a road trip with her ex-husband and her mom, and her kids, and juggling them while also dealing with finding Javi and figuring out who killed Marco.

Reading as her and Vero juggled their secrets while also being in unfamiliar ground in Atlantic City, was just a lot of fun, plus their brand of chaos that somehow always ends up getting out of these situations (sometimes after being the reason why they're getting into them) is always a lot of fun. There was a lot of moving pieces in this one and I really enjoyed watching as things played out!

This book wraps up a lot of the existing plot threads, like Feliks, the car, and dealing with the fact of who the contract killer was, and what it meant for everyone. I loved how Finlay played her hand, and used all these different parts against one another to come out on top!

Loved reading this book, and I'm pumped for the next book, with that ending, I have to know what's going to happen next!

Finished Reading

Pre-Read notes

This series has been a lot of fun to read, despite some moments of extreme silliness! Book 3.5 has been my favorite, as I loved a new audiobook narrator and getting to spend so much time with my favorite character, Vero. I hope this one is just as good as the last!

Final Review

"...There are not supposed to be any more dead guys! No more dead guys! It's only been ten days since the last one. Why does this keep happening?" (1:23:41)

Review summary and recommendations

This one was only okay for me. There is an enormous amount of dialogue in these books and in it, the characters often backtrack, embellish, or contradict themselves or other information in the book. I'm surprise I didn't notice it before this. Maybe this book is particularly noticeable for it?

I like that this book again centers Vero quite a bit more. I love her thing with Javi, who is such a foil to her. I enjoy challenging relationships on the page.

Again, this book maximizes the fun factor. The pace is hectic, which is signature. All the characters have little side-quests that transpire at the same time as the primary conflict (which is stretched a bit thin, this late in the series). In this book, the side-quests are romances, which adds extra fun.

I recommend this whole series to fans of the place where women's fiction and romance meet, crime capers, fast-paced reads, and family drama.

Reading Notes

Four things I loved:

1. Steven is one of the *most* unlikable characters ever! I give Finlay serious respect for dealing with him so patiently! When unlikely characters are well-written or good foils for other characters, they can bring so much to a narrative. In this case, I think Casimano's treatment of Steven is both, and I just love to hate him.

2. I actually love when Cosimano forces Finlay and Vero to do something disgusting, almost like consequences of their absurdly good (or bad?) luck!

3. I think this one has the strongest plot of all the books in the series. It gets downright unpredictable, and not in an absurd way!

4. The fishbowl margerita should be considered a character in this series!

Three things I didn't love:

This section isn't only for criticisms. It's merely for items that I felt something for other than "love" or some interpretation thereof.

1. This one focuses more on Finlay's and Vero's romantic prospects. For some readers, this is what they've been waiting for!

2. After reading all these books (one left!) I feel confident in saying Casimano's dialogue rarely follows a logical line. Sometimes the conversations don't make any sense at all, with all the internal contradiction. For example, the conversation between Javi and Vero in chapter 27 folds back on itself like four different times. It's logical whiplash, is what it is. Who cares about clever snark if nothing anyone says makes sense?

3. I'm with other readers who've noted that the list of character names gets a bit unmanageable by this point in the story.

Rating: 👫🏾👫🏼👩🏿‍🤝‍👨🏻 /5 perfect couples
Recommend? yes
Finished: Feb 19 '25
Format: digital arc, NetGalley; accessible (audiobook) copy, Libby
Read this book if you like:
💋 women's fiction and/or romance
✖️ trouble, evil exes
👩‍👧‍👧 family drama
🩸 accidental murder

Thank you to the author Elle Cosimano, publishers St. Martin's Press, and NetGalley for an advance digital copy of FINLAY DONOVAN ROLLS THE DICE. I found an accessible (audiobook) copy on Libby. All views are mine.
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Book 4 of 5

This was my 4th foray into Finlay Donovans world and I loved it just as much as the first one. Well written, characters are great and the plot was fun.

Absolutely loved it! Bring on all the Finlay Donovan books! I love Finlay and Veronica's relationship, it's so funny.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | Finlay Donovan’s Atlantic City Adventure: A Rollercoaster of Laughs and Suspense!

Elle Cosimano’s Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice is a delightful blend of humor, mystery, and heart, proving once again that Finlay Donovan is the queen of chaos and charm. This fourth installment in the series takes Finlay and her partner-in-crime, Vero, on a high-stakes adventure to Atlantic City, where they navigate a labyrinth of loan sharks, kidnappers, and family drama—all while trying to keep their heads above water.

The dynamic between Finlay and Vero continues to be the heart of the series. Their witty banter and unwavering loyalty make them a duo you can’t help but root for. The plot is fast-paced and filled with twists that keep you on the edge of your seat, though at times, the sheer level of chaos felt a bit overwhelming. But then again, would it be a Finlay Donovan book without a little (or a lot) of chaos?

If you’re a fan of mysteries laced with humor, strong female friendships, and just the right amount of danger, this book is a must-read. Cosimano has once again crafted a thrilling, laugh-filled adventure that leaves you eagerly anticipating the next installment.

Thank you, NetGalley and Minotaur Books, for the ARC!

Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice by Elle Cosimano is the third installment in the Finlay Donovan series, and it continues to deliver the perfect blend of humor, suspense, and witty banter. In this book, Finlay, an author who inadvertently gets involved in the world of crime-solving, finds herself caught up in even more wild, unpredictable situations.

Cosimano's writing is sharp and engaging, with a fast-paced plot that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. Finlay’s character is as charming and relatable as ever, balancing her chaotic personal life with her role as an amateur detective. The humor and light-heartedness that marked previous books in the series remain, making it a fun and enjoyable read.

The mystery element is clever, with enough twists and turns to keep fans hooked. Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice is another fun, action-packed entry that will satisfy longtime fans of the series while drawing in new readers. If you're looking for a mystery that combines laugh-out-loud moments with intrigue, this book is a must-read!

Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice finds Finlay and Vero heading to Atlantic City for a girl’s weekend, unfortunately accompanied by Steven, Finlay’s mom, and the kids. They’re desperate to find a way to pay back the loan shark Vero borrowed money from, and to save Javi and avoid Zhirov’s goons and the FCPD while they do it.

Thank you to Elle Cosimano, NetGalley, and St. Martin’s Press for a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book was so fun! Running around Atlantic City with Finlay and Vero while they tried to solve each new mystery with increasing desperation was so intriguing! With every new twist in the story, I was dying to know how Finlay and Vero would manage to stay out of trouble and off of the police’s radar! I loved Vero finally getting her romance subplot in this book, too!

That final twist at the end?? I can’t wait to dive into the next book to find out who the dead person is, and how they ended up buried in Mrs. Haggerty’s backyard!

Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice by Elle Cosimano--Book 4 in the series finds Finlay and Vero in Atlantic City looking for Vero's former boyfriend Javi and a missing Aston Martin. They need money too and the Russian mob is still after them. Finlay's mom, ex, and children have tagged along unaware of the situation and the hot cop ends up in Atlantic City too. Plenty of hijinks ensue but I didn't enjoy this installment quite as much. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the digital copy.

I was issued these books for my unbiased review.

I really enjoyed these books. I was issued the entire series of Finlay Donovan stories. They are all stand alone, but I think that for the greatest enjoyment they should be read in order. The duo of Finlay and Vero are so much fun. They keep getting into crazy situations--and find their way out of them. Great read, funny and innovative. All the characters are well placed and just a pleasure.

Read them you will have a great ride!

This was my favorite book of the series thus far. We finally get a Vero and Javi moment along with more of Finlay and her hot detective, Nick. Add in her ex husband and mother, and you get one hilarious chaos trip to Vegas. The mystery was challenging and kept my brain engaged wondering how is the author going to get Finlay out of this mess this time. What a fun read.

This review is entirely voluntary, and all opinions expressed reflect my personal views.

Best one yet! Finlay is getting her feet under her! She is the luckiest, craziest heroine yet!

I was concerned after the 3rd book. I thought the series had become the same thing over and over. Not after this one.

Can't wait for the next one!

3.75⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martins Press / Minotaur Books and Elle Cosimano for the digital readers copy in exchange for an honest review!

This series just hits. This is my favorite book so far out of the series. The romance has been kicked up a notch and I am absolutely here for it.

These books are a whirlwind. You are just doing everything you can to keep up with the characters while they are trying to figure out the mystery that is unfolding. You are sitting there creating your own theories of your own to solve it.

But the comedy is just it. In my opinion so well done. Finlay and Vero have the perfect friendship and will always be there for each other and get each other out of sticky situations.

The setting in this book was fun because I live not far from Atlantic City. I felt I could just picture it all when they visited all these places in the area.

The writing in the series is just well done as well. I am never dragging myself to read it. I think the audiobooks are so well done and narrated perfectly.

I can't wait to read the next book and see how Finlay digs her own grave even further. Please just tell Nick the truth.

This series gets better and better!! The disasters that ensue are wild and comedic to say the least. Kevin Bacon is an iconic character! This one is my favorite so far! I can’t wait to read the next one!

I think these books get crazier and crazier. The setting of Atlantic City was fun and I know the area well, but I do wonder how Finlay continues to get herself and Vero in these situations. This book is just as bonkers as the others with outlandish plots, but again it's a fun and well paced read.

Okay, I think this might be my favorite Finlay. The banter, the hijinks, the romance, THE LAST SENTENCE SURPRISE. This was Finlay Donovan’s world at its most chaotic and I loved every second of it. I just enjoy this group of characters so much and I felt like we got so many great moments with them in this book. I really loved seeing Finlay and her mom connect and also Finlay standing her ground with Steven. There is A LOT happening in this book and I did feel like I had to reread some parts to make sure I had every plot point straight, but truthfully that was fine by me because it was just such a fun book. I cannot wait to read book five and see what happens next, especially with that ending!
CW: murder, death

Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the digital readers copy!