I want first to thank St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books, and Netgalley for the ARC of Finlay Donovan Rolls The Dice by Elle Cosimano in return for an honest review. I was excited to see Elle Cosimano on Netgalley and even more pumped to see she had a new book coming out. I have read every book in the FInlay Donovan Series, and I have enjoyed each so much. When I say the excitement for this book was real, I mean it was REAL for me. I am eager to see where Book Five and Beyond will take us.

Finlay Donovan Rolls The Dice is book four in a series, which makes it challenging to write about without giving away any spoilers from the previous books, but I will do my best. I highly recommend starting from book one in this series, though, because each book builds upon itself, and trust me when I say that the other books are worth the read. So, onto book four in the series. The story picks up right where book three left off, with Finlay and Vero returning home from the police academy. After the events during that week-long stent, they decided they needed to take the kids and have a girls’ weekend away. Keep in mind, though, that this is Finlay and Vero we are talking about, so the weekend away will not be rest and relaxation; instead, it will be hunting for Vero’s crush, Javi, and looking for a stolen car that is linked to Finlay in the worst possible of ways.

The road trip from the start does not go as smoothly as one would hope when Finlay’s mother decides that the girls need someone to watch the kids while they go off and hit the spas and casinos. I mean, come on, they are going to Atlantic City after all. Finlay and Vero obviously can not disclose the real reason for the trip to Finlay’s mom, so they agree to let her come along. The truly frustrating thing, though, is that Finlay is not able to take the kids across the State lines without her ex-husband’s permission, which he refuses to give. He does, however, suggest that he makes that trip with them, and unfortunately for Finlay, she has to agree. This is just a recipe for disaster because how are they going to go sleuthing with her ex around? Oh, I forgot to mention that Vero and Steven are mortal enemies.

After some hiccups along the way, they finally make it to Atlantic City, where they take up residence in two rooms at a cheap casino hotel. The challenges for Finlay and Vero begin now because they need to figure out how to get time alone to track down Marco and plead with him for Javi’s return. Is Javi even still alive? Vero is beside herself, not knowing where or how he is, which leads the reader to discover some of Vero’s backstory and her relationship with Javi throughout the years. I really felt for her once I got to learn more about her and the things that she had been through.

Finlay and Vero are finally able to track down Marco and let’s just say things do not go smoothly. He refuses to negotiate with them. What are a couple of girls to do? Well, of course, they decide to break into Marco’s suite to get clues as to Javi’s whereabouts and the Aston Martin. What they discover, however, is something that makes them look beyond guilty. I found the steps they took to try and hide the crime scene to be completely hilarious. One thing is for certain these two chicks have some cojones.

Things only intensify for Finlay and Vero when they get back to their room and discover that a few cops from their hometown, including Nick and Georgia, show up in search of a missing man named Ike (from the previous book). So much for that girl’s weekend that they were counting on to do some sleuthing and a rescue mission. Now, it is also about trying to keep their cool and escaping the group without being noticed, which has become even harder since there always seems to be a cop assigned to watching and protecting them (this will make more sense if you have read the previous books). All in all, I really enjoyed this book, and I am eager to see what happens in the next book because, man, Elle Cosimano really ended it with a cliffhanger.

If you are looking for a fun, cozy mystery-type series with an awesome group of characters and two kick-butt female leads, then please give this book series a go. If you enjoy books like The Stephanie Plum Series by Janet Evanovich, then I really think you will love The Finlay Donovan Series. They are laugh-out-loud funny, fast-paced, and full of mishaps and adventure. Again, I want to give a shout-out to St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books, and Netgalley for the ARC of Finlay Donovan Rolls The Dice by Elle Cosimano in return for an honest review.

Trigger Warnings:
- Murder
- Kidnapping
- Gambling

Oh, Finlay…

Of course you’ve got to suspend belief a little with this series. If you’re wondering if F & V have calmed down or kept themselves out of trouble, I think you know the answer is no.

I actually liked this one more than books two and three. Book one is still the best, but I enjoyed this!

so thank you net galley for the arc. so i havent readany other finlay donovan books before but this one was so much fun. there mystery and comedy mixed together. problaby should have read the others inthe series first but still really good over all.

Finlay and Vero are on the road ! Immediately after the events of book 3, these two hooligans hit the road to save the day ONE more time … and this time they go with an entourage … to Atlantic City 🎲🌊🍸!

Shenanigan level = High.
Improbable situations = High.
Coparenting abilities = Medium. Finn’s working on it - ok?!?!
Honesty with others = still sub par but I guess when you’re hiding bodies it’s to be expected.

✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨

Truly I love Finn … but her parenting leaves something to be desired. GUYS SHE BRINGS HER KIDS TO A.C. on a rescue mission. I mean she ended up having babysitters but still 😳.

I imagine in 20 years readers will talk about them like the Thelma and Louise of the book world- with fondness and a bit of “WtF were they thinking” head shaking.

Book 5, I’m ready for ya !

Book 4 in the Finlay series continues the ridiculous adventures of Finlay and Vero. This time the adventure takes them to Atlantic City, New Jersey. Their main goal is to get back something that was taken from them, but along the way there are unsolved murders, untrustworthy characters, and unlikely plot twists. Add in their road trip buddies of Finlay’s mom, ex-husband, and two young children to add some hijinks and tension, and some love interests to add some spice, and you have a quick, engaging read.

Elle Cosimano's "Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice" is a rollercoaster of laughter, thrills, and unexpected twists that will keep readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish. Following the wildly successful "Finlay Donovan is Killing It," Cosimano returns with another uproarious installment featuring the endearing yet hapless protagonist, Finlay Donovan.

The story picks up right where the first book left off, with Finlay still juggling her chaotic life as a single mother and an accidental contract killer. However, this time around, Finlay finds herself embroiled in an even more complex web of deceit and danger when she unwittingly becomes involved in a high-stakes underground poker game. As the stakes rise, so does the tension, and readers will find themselves eagerly turning the pages to see how Finlay manages to extricate herself from yet another perilous situation.

What sets "Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice" apart is Cosimano's razor-sharp wit and knack for crafting unforgettable characters. Finlay is a refreshingly flawed and relatable protagonist, whose comedic misadventures never fail to entertain. From her hilarious inner monologues to her endearing interactions with her two young children, Finlay leaps off the page as a character readers can't help but root for.

Beyond its humor and memorable characters, "Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice" also delivers plenty of heart-pounding suspense and unexpected twists. As Finlay navigates the treacherous world of underground gambling and criminal syndicates, readers will find themselves on the edge of their seats, eagerly awaiting the next twist in the tale.

Overall, "Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice" is a wildly entertaining read that combines laugh-out-loud humor with heart-pounding suspense. Elle Cosimano has once again proven herself to be a master storyteller, and fans of the first book will not be disappointed. Whether you're a fan of thrillers, comedies, or just great storytelling, "Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice" is a must-read that will leave you eagerly awaiting the next installment in the series.

Thank you so much to NetGalley for the digital ARC!

I really enjoy these characters and the unique story, but I do feel like the story is dragging on too much. I will still be purchasing this for our library and know many patrons will enjoy it, but I think I’m getting a bit burnt out on the stories. It just isn’t hitting the same way. Still a super fun series! I did enjoy this one more than the last book.

Another fun installment to the Finlay Donovan universe! This book followed Finlay & gang for an Atlantic City trip. The fun city really complemented the crazy and funny detective story, and juxtaposed the darkness underneath.

Admittedly after 4 books, I think this series is starting to lose some of the magic. Some of the dialogue has moved from charming to cheesy, and some of the convenient plot points are hard to continue to suspend my disbelief for. I’m likely just outgrowing it as a reader, though.

Thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur books for this arc!

Finlay and Vero are back with another wild and hilarious adventure in this fourth installment of the Finlay Donovan series! This time around, the two women are headed to Atlantic City to find Vero's kidnapped crush, Javi, a stolen car, and a loan shark all under the guise of a much needed girls’ trip. However, leave it to Finlay's ex husband, Steven, and her mother to throw a wrench in their plans as they insist on tagging along. Of course things become even more complicated when Finlay's boyfriend, Nick, and his crew of cops show up to her hotel. It will take more than luck in this glitzy seaside resort city to accomplish what the female duo set out to do - without being arrested, of course!

Similar to the previous three books, I enjoyed the plot and setting in this book, the interactions between the characters, and all the chaos that ensues. The humor was spot on per usual without being super cringy and it had me laughing out loud!

The one aspect that appears even more evident in this book is Finlay’s character growth since the start of the series. She has undergone some big life changes (which one can certainly expect when tangled up with contract killers and mob business) so it was refreshing to see her harnessing her inner strength and confidence to stand up for herself and protect the ones she loves.

Overall, this book kept me very engaged and had me laughing and cheering for Finlay and Vero the whole time! I look forward to reading about the crazy situations these two women find themselves in next!

I definitely recommend this book and series overall for fans of cozy mysteries, female friendships, and a side of romance.

Thank you Minotaur Books and Macmillan Audio for the review copies. All thoughts are my own.

The fourth book in the Finlay Donovan series brought the same action, mystery, drama, and humor I’ve come to love from this series. I always feel like I’m sleuthing right alongside Finlay and Vero when listening to these stories. Even though it was fast paced, there were still times I wanted the story to move along a bit, and I wished I had re-read Jumps the Gun before jumping into this book. I also wanted more of Nick and Finlay – what can I say, I’m a romance reader at heart. Fingers crossed that we get more of this rambunctious crew with a book 5!

"Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice" is the fifth installment in the Finlay Donovan series. It follows Finlay and Vero on a road trip to Atlantic City with a few unexpected guests like Finlay's ex-husband, her kids, and her mother. As usual in the Finlay Donovan series, the main storyline continues to expand and become increasingly entangled. However, this time around, I thought the plot was even more incredulous than it already is. Nevertheless, I liked to see how Finlay and Vero's friendship has evolved and Finlay's husband's character development.

I don't know what to say about this one that hasn't already been said! I’m fully aware this series gets more ridiculous as it goes on but I still generally enjoy each installment. I didn't love the cop vibes of the previous book but I was less annoyed by the characters and their insane behavior in that book compared to this one. The premise of this one was more fun though.

Vero and Finlay (along with her ex-husband, mother, and children...) head to Atlantic City to try to find Javi and a ton of nonsense ensues. There were some very absurd moments in this one but it was fun to have Finlay and Vero trying to balance all of their secret missions while keeping her family occupied and clueless to what they were really doing down there. And once it seems like they have way too much on their plate, members of their local police department head down to chase a lead... yes, including her boyfriend Nick. I've definitely checked out on the romance at this point for various reasons but that's not what I'm here for anyways. I like a cozy, fun mystery and this series fits the bill still.

I keep wondering how it's possible that Cosimano can keep going with the same storylines when there are too many bad guy names to even keep track of. I genuinely didn't even try to remember them all as I was reading; it may have affected my enjoyment because sometimes I got confused but it was an overall easy read. 

Based on the ending (no spoilers), I'm hopeful the upcoming books will finally be centered around a different mystery. Cosimano has spent four books generally chasing the same crime family and interconnected murderers and bad guys so eventually (like now) it wore thin a little. I’d love for this series to shift to where Finlay is less in the middle of things (meaning she's not getting caught up in murders herself) to her being more of a true amateur sleuth.

Overall this was still quirky, fun, and a bit much a lot of the time. Catch me still seated for book five!

The Finlay Donovan series is an adventurous comedy of errors, and I can’t stop reading it. Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice is the fourth installment. Finlay and Vero’s story continues with their over-the-top antics and absurd situations. This time, they find themselves in Atlantic City trying to save a friend when chaos ensues. I look forward to what comes next for Finlay and Vero.

I am obsessed with the Finlay Donovan series and this book was just as amazing as the other books. I love all of the characters for different reasons and each character brings so much to the story. I literally couldn’t put this book down and I can’t wait for the next installment. Elle Casamino is one of my favorite authors and she did such a great job with this book. I also loved the theme for this book, it would make an amazing vacation read.

I will update with my review once the SMP boycott has ended.

In the meantime...
#SPEAKUPSMP has three demands:

Address and denounce the Islamophobia/racism from their employee.

Offer tangible steps for how they're going to mitigate the harm this employee caused.

Address how, moving forward, they will support and protect their Palestinian, Muslim, and Arab readers, influencers, and authors in addition to their BIPOC readers, influencers, and authors.

Loved this one. Her books suck me right in and I love her writing style. I loved her other books in this series a little more but this one follows with it nicely. I hope there’s another one she comes out with. Thank you NetGalley for this advanced copy of this book.

4.5 ⭐️ This was such a great continuation of the Finlay Donovan series! The shenanigans they get into are so funny and it takes you for a wild ride throughout the book. And, as always, I need way more Nick in these books!

These books are my go to recommendation for a palette cleanser because they just have a little of everything! LOVED mom being along for the ride and seeing the full ramifications of Veto’s decisions. The two women constantly being faced with HUGE dilemmas while giving us the space to laugh out loud? BALANCE. (3.5 rounded up)

Finlay and Vero are back again and off to Atlantic City for a kidnapping rescue mission under the guise of going on a fun trip. They sell the trip a little too well and end up with the whole gang in tow including Finlay’s ex-husband, her children, her mother, and her cop boyfriend. Is it any surprise when they happen upon yet another dead body and have to figure out a new plan from there?

What I loved:
-light hearted read
-getting to see characters from previous books
-over the top escapades

I have really enjoyed the previous Finlay Donovan books but I think the series is getting to feel a bit overdone for me. However, if you are looking for a light read with lots of fun and absolutely unbelievable adventures that builds on the previous books, this is the book for you!

3.5 stars rounded up to 4 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced reading copy!

Finlay Donovan and Vero heading to Atlantic City for a girls weekend…what could go wrong?


Finlay and Vero are such amazing characters. I love them and all of the situations they find themselves in.

What starts out as trip to negotiate a deal with Marco, a dangerous loan shark, to get back Vero’s childhood crush, Javier, turns into a girls weekend in Atlantic City and a comedic journey for Finlay, Vero, the kids, Finlay's mother and her ex husband.

I love these characters and the chaos that they get pulled in to. I will forever be a huge fan of Elle Cosimano and Finlay Donovan .

I received this book in exchange for my honest opinion.