Finlay Donovan fans requested and received a story all about Vero! In the short story Veronica Ruiz Breaks the Bank, considered book 3.5 in Elle Cosimano’s comedy/mystery series, the readers finally learn about the events that lead up to the fated meeting between Finlay and Vero. The story reveals a bit of the sidekick’s more vulnerable side as she takes center stage in this tale.

While I enjoyed the story overall, I felt it lacked a lot of the fun of the other novels. Perhaps I identify more with Finlay’s character since we’re both moms? Though no one has ever mistaken me for a contract killer and I have never buried a corpse! I’d recommend this story for fans of the series who want some backstory in a quick read (just 119 pages).

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the copy of the book in preparation for the upcoming release of the latest in the series Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave, available in March 2025. All opinions are my own.

2.5 stars. This is a novella/short story about the back story of Vero--the sidekick in the Finlay Donovan books. It's fine--not an exciting story. These books are very hir or miss for me.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this ARC. I was so excited for this short story and to get a little more Vero. I just love everything about the Finlay Donovan series and was excited for some bonus content. However, I was disappointed and found that while it was still such a fun read, it didn't have the fun bicker or back and forth between characters and the mystery piece seemed to fall flat. I did enjoy seeing more of the relationship between Vero and Javi. I also loved knowing Vero's perspective on meeting Finlay and the kids for the first time.

This novella from the Finley Donovan series is for the fans, and only the fans, of this series. I find the novella format to always leave me wanting more and felt that similar experience with this novella. Worth a read but also not essential to understanding the main series IMO

Vero gets to flesh out her own story in this novella. Interesting tidbits are learned. It was an informative read.

I absolutely loved learning about Veronica or “Vero”. This story from her perspective gave a lot of insight and was very interesting. This short story is so cute and enjoyed it.

It was ok, but was a run of the mill who-dunnit. Replace Vero with another character not of the Finlay series and you'd still have the story. It didn't stand out to me like the other Finlay books.

Note for the publisher. This galley was so hard to read that I am unable to provide a review. There are so many words put together with no spaces - consistently. I apologize for not being able to leave a review. I just couldn't read the book.

A little Veronica Ruiz/Ramirez side quest, why not? Missing a bit of the buddy comedy of the other books but this novella gives us a healthy dose of Vero’s backstory and helps to solidify her place in the Finlay Donovan pantheon.

I was glad to see that Vero aka Veronica got her own book in the Finlay Donovan series. While I did find this book enjoyable, this is my least favorite in the series. A lot of the story was just retelling parts of Vero's story with a few additions. It is still a quick enjoyable read.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A fun novella featuring Vero's very own adventure! I loved getting a glimpse into Vero's past and her story.

I will never not read novellas because of how much they usually add to a series! This one did not disappoint.

I love the Finlay Donovan series and was so excited to read this novella about Vera! I did enjoy it but it just didn't feel the same. I'm not sure if it's because it wasn't narrated by the same narrator as the others and it didn't "sound" like Vera. It was fun learning more about Vera and her backstory. It did leave a desire to know more find out what happened with her sorority. Hopefully that will be a story for another time! I am looking forward to catching up with this series with book #5! Thank you NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Minotaur Books for the opportunity to listen and review this advanced copy.

I enjoyed getting a glimpse into Vero’s backstory! Now I’m even more curious to find out what went down at her sorority!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an ARC!

This was a fun origin story for one of my favorite characters in the series! It was fast paced and action packed and funny! I loved it. And I loved how perfectly it connected to book 2&3!

Veronica Ruiz was officially on the run from being falsely accused of stealing money from her sorority. No way tonight back, she packs up and flees to her cousins. After a quick name change, she knows she has to build up a new life, which starts with a job. On her first day as a janitor at the local bank, she realizes she can do a much better job than the current bank tellers. After overhearing her boss and head of security discuss that someone has been stealing money, Vero knew it was her chance to prove herself and snag the job she’s made out for. Of course, it’s always easier said than done.

Like the other Finlay books, this was a fun quirky read. It was nice to get a bit more back story on Veronica (Vero). She has played such a part in the Finlay series and great to really dig into his back story. I believe I finished this one in under an hour and was nice to have a quick easy evening read.

great book and I loved the action and the romance . I loved seeing the friends and family. I loved that they were able to figure things out. Overall a great book .

I was glad to have been able to get this as a read now! I love novella's and I'm glad this showed us more of Vero and her background. I'm not sure how I feel about Vero trying to figure out the whole bank money mystery. I would have liked to know more about her past relationship and what actually happened on campus. It was fine and helped us link when she left college to how she met Finlay!

Vero has been a constant presence in the Finlay Donovan books, and now she gets her own (short) story. This was a fun, quick read, and I enjoyed hearing the "origin story" of her first meeting Finlay. Would recommend this for Finlay Donovan fans!

This was another great book by Elle Cosimano. I have truly enjoyed reading this book with new and old characters. I kept turning the pages! I love a book that progresses that fast! Thank you for the opportunity to read this book.