Thank you to St Martin's Press and Minotaur books for the reader copy of this novel!

Poor Finlay didn't even get to truly sleep between her whirlwind adventure at the week-long police academy training which went horribly awry before she is off to sort out how to cover up her next blunder. This time- she and Vero are hitting the road and going to Atlantic City to "have a girls weekend." But as we know, Finlay and Vero do not have time to ever relax. They are actually taking this trip to try to negotiate with a load shark that Vero is indebted too and who may have kidnapped Vero's childhood crush. While that isn't complicated enough, Finlay and Vero are joined by not only Finlay's mother... but her children and he ex-husband. Narrowly navigating this complex dynamic, Finlay and Vero laugh their way through unexpected arrivals and miss steps. But wait, you can't forget that the mob boss, Feliks, is still on their tail and seeking answers from Finlay's recent deceit.

My absolute favorite part of this book is seeing Finlay's true self worth and independence shine through. Cosimano has done a really great job of seeing this slow progression over the books as Finlay has grown.

There are so many different facets to this story there is no shortage of entertainment from Vero's dry humor to Finlay's incredibly bad luck in stumbling upon dead bodies. If you have enjoyed any of these books so far, you are sure to enjoy this one as well. These books are un-put-down-able and a quick read. I've finished all of these books within just a few days.

This series is just amazing. Every book is another 5 star read for me! Finlay Donovan is just so entertaining in every story. I cannot believe I waited so long to start reading this series

Another laugh out loud adventure with Finlay and Vero. I love that we get to also spend time with Vero's mom and sister too. It's sometimes hard to keep a reader engaged when you get to the 4th book of a series, but not Elle Cosimano. The antics just get more ridiculous and hilarious. I can't wait to see the TV series if Sylvia has her way. I guess we'll have to wait for book 5.

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review.

Another great addition to the Finlay Donovan series! In "Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice," Finlay, Vero, and their whole crew head to Atlantic City for a little relaxation, but it proves to be anything but that. As a fan of the series, this was a wonderful next installment, right down to the cliffhanger ending! It may be a little tough for new readers of the franchise to catch up on all of the background drama, but even without that context, it's still a great standalone book. Can't wait to read the next one!

This is the fourth book in the Finlay Donovan series written by Elle Cosimano. A girls’ trip to Atlantic City becomes an extended family outing. It comes with all the craziness that surrounds Findlay and Vero. Steven inserts himself to this trip and just makes everyone miserable but he does provide child rearing duties. I actually believe he gains an appreciation for what Findlay provided to their home life while they were married. But maybe, I am projecting my hopes.

This story is jammed with so much that if I say more, I’ll probably be releasing a spoiler.

I like this book but not as much as the first. I did roll my eyes often as I kept turning the pages.

Thank-you Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to binge read the series to date. These are my own opinions and I am not required to leave a positive review. I rate this a 3.5.

Finlay is back! The series was beginning to lose its magic for me, but this one brought it back.

Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice picks up immediately after the events at the citizen police academy. It was great. This book was delightful. I didn’t like FD Jumps the Gun, but really felt like this one returned to the humor, antics, and relationships that I loved in Finlay Donovan is Killing It.

This book was fast paced, funny, full of tension, and had a great plot. I’m back into the series and ready to read the next one!

As always, this was a such a fun read! It was weird and truly hilarious. It has everything you could think of stolen cars, the Mafia, Atlantic City, kidnapping, and of course dead bodies.. I absolutely adore Finlay and Vero and all of their shenanigans. They really get up to a lot in this time around. So much fun! I can't wait to see what they do next!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.

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.