Elle Cosimano once again demonstrates her knack for crafting engaging, character-driven stories with Veronica Ruiz Breaks the Bank, a fresh and lively standalone that blends humor, suspense, and heartfelt moments. Fans of her Finlay Donovan series will feel right at home with this new protagonist and her whirlwind of challenges and unexpected escapades.

Veronica Ruiz, a hardworking and relatable heroine, finds herself caught in a financial nightmare when a mix-up at her bank puts her livelihood—and her future—on the line. Determined to clear her name and uncover the truth, Veronica dives headfirst into a tangled web of secrets, lies, and shady dealings. As the stakes escalate, she discovers not only her own resilience but also the importance of trusting others and letting them in.

Cosimano’s trademark wit and sharp dialogue shine throughout the novel. Veronica’s voice is refreshingly authentic, and her journey is equal parts hilarious and heartwarming. The book is packed with laugh-out-loud moments, edge-of-your-seat suspense, and poignant reflections on perseverance and self-worth.

The pacing is brisk, with twists and turns that keep readers guessing without losing the emotional depth that makes Veronica’s story so compelling. The supporting cast is colorful and memorable, adding layers of charm and complexity to the narrative.

Rating: 4.5/5

Veronica Ruiz Breaks the Bank is a delightful blend of humor and intrigue, offering an entertaining and uplifting story that will resonate with readers. Elle Cosimano proves once again that she’s a master at crafting stories that are as engaging as they are emotionally satisfying. This is a must-read for fans of lighthearted mysteries and strong, relatable protagonists.

I know this one has not gotten rave reviews but I loved it! I wanted a glimpse into Vero's past, I wanted to know how FInley and Vero met, and I love Cosimano's sense of humor. I cannot get enough of the Finley Donovan series! Keep them coming!

Very fun read! Quick and enjoyable--glad I got to read it!

Thank you NetGalley and Elle Cosimano!

This is a short story that tells what happened to Vero and how she met Finlay. This is a cute addition to this series.

I loved getting to learn about Vero’s backstory. For such a short book there was so much in here and it kind of reminds me of Veronica Mars.

Now I just wish we could get a full book about what happened with her sorority.

Veronica Ruiz Breaks the Bank is a delightful and exciting addition to Elle Cosimano's Finlay Donovan series, offering readers a deeper look into the backstory of the beloved character, Vero. As the series' wise-cracking, no-nonsense nanny and partner-in-crime, Vero has long been a fan favorite, and this book delivers the insight fans have been eagerly waiting for, all while keeping the high-energy humor, fast-paced suspense, and emotional depth Cosimano is known for.

The novel follows Veronica Ruiz, who’s on the run for the first time in her life after being falsely accused of stealing money from her college sorority. Fleeing to her cousin Ramón’s apartment, she decides to start fresh, far from the drama that nearly ruined her life. On her first morning in town, she takes a job at a local bank, only to overhear a conversation that sparks her curiosity: someone at the bank has been stealing. Seeing an opportunity, Vero resolves to find out who the thief is, but things get complicated when her childhood crush, Javi, shows up in town as well.

Vero’s sharp mind and no-holds-barred approach to problem-solving lead to a fun and fast-paced plot that keeps readers on their toes. The tension between her growing attraction to Javi and her determination to keep a low profile creates an engaging dynamic, while her unexpected detective work at the bank adds an element of intrigue and suspense.

Cosimano’s signature humor and witty writing are on full display here, making Vero’s journey both hilarious and heartfelt. Vero’s relationship with Finlay is also explored more deeply, giving fans a behind-the-scenes look at how these two strong, complex women came together. The blend of mystery, romance, and humor creates an addictive read that can be enjoyed both by those familiar with the Finlay Donovan series and newcomers alike.

Veronica Ruiz Breaks the Bank is a fantastic companion to the Finlay Donovan books, providing fresh perspective on a fan-favorite character while offering a suspenseful, humorous story in its own right. Cosimano has once again crafted a page-turning, entertaining novel filled with wit, warmth, and just the right amount of chaos. If you’re a fan of the Finlay Donovan series, this book is a must-read—you’ll fall even more in love with Vero and the unpredictable world she navigates.

Fans of the Finlay Donovan series will love getting a glimpse into Vero's past. This short story is a quick entertaining read. It provides some insight into Vero's past and what lead to Finlay and Vero's meeting. I really enjoyed it!

Veronica Ruiz Breaks the Bank—a hilarious short story diving into Finlay Donovan's partner-in-crime Vero's past.

Was excited to jump into this as Vero is my absolute fave side kick! This short story doesn’t have quite the same charm as the main series because I realized Vero and Finlay’s banters MADE the series. Still enjoyed the back story and I’m looking forward to the new Finlay Donovan book coming out this year!

Thank you St. Martin's Press for a copy!

The way this one was sent to me seemed misprinted the words were missing spaces and the formatting was off. Couldn't finish.

About time! For Finlay Donovan fans we get some insight and backstory on her accidental partner, Vero! Short and fun, and not to be missed.

This short story gives Finlay Donovan fans just what they want - background on Vero. At the same time it leaves you wanting more. It was quick & easy to read, full of character information, and satisfying to read. If you are a fan of Finlay Donovan, you want to read this!

Veronica Ruiz Breaks the Bank is a short story from the Finlay Donovan series. I'm not personally familiar with the series itself, but as it's a prequel story I decided to give it a shot. I'm quite glad I did! It's a fun look into the lives of characters from the aforementioned series and they're so interesting on their own I actually intend to go read the rest soon. It mostly follows Veronica, shortened to Vero, and a few of the people she grew up with. It shows a lot of promise for the characters themselves, they're a lot of fun and are packed with personality even it being a short story. As expected it's a quick little adventure, and if this taste is any indication the rest of the series is a lot of fun! I look forward to continuing it. I give "Veronica Ruiz Breaks the Bank" 4 out of 5 stars!

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.