Vero is falsely accused of stealing her sorority’s money. She decides to change her name and have a fresh start. She finds a job cleaning a local bank where she overhears someone is stealing from the bank. It is her mission to figure out the theft and demand a better job.

If you loved the other books, you will love this one as well. Details of Vero’s backstory including more details about Vero and Javi’s relationship. I also loved the accounting references. It makes my CPA heart happy. 😊

Thank you to Elle Cosimano, Minotaur Books, and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

What a great addition to the Finlay Donovan series! I’m so glad to get a closer look at one of my favorite sidekicks, Veronica Ruiz. For a short story, this is packed full of so much goodness. This entertained me with a mystery that was well rounded and fully fleshed as well as a storyline that had me grinning from ear to ear. I cannot wait to find out what lies in store for her as the series continues. Hoping to get lots more Vero!

Thank you St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the ARC!

As someone who is sucked into this series, I could not resist this short story! Vero is probably my favorite character, and this origin story was the perfect palette cleanser between some tougher reads. I am excited to continue the series!

Thank you again for the ARC!

3.75/5⭐️


Loved reading a little bit more about Veronica and her life, and reading about how she met Finlay. Didn’t have the usual flare that the series has, maybe because her parter in crime was MIA, but if you love the series and want to learn a little bit more about your fav Latina, then give it a shot!


Thank you to Elle Cosimano, Minotaur Books, and NetGalley for the copy, in exchange for an honest review!

Fun to get additional story and background on Vero. She’s been a fun sidekick in the Finlay Donovan books and her backstory has been alluded to so this filled in the obvious gaps. I’m not always a fan of novellas but this one worked because of all the additional context from the series.

A cute little short story giving us Vero’s history. I really liked seeing her character fleshed out, and finally starting to piece together what happened in Maryland and who Javier is to her. Can’t wait to see how this starts to incorporate into the next full novel.

Im a big fan of the Finlay Donovan series so getting to know vero a little bit was a fun ride! This was a quick read and a fun mystery!

Another great installment from Elle Cosimano!
I'll always be back for more!

Getting to know Vero a little deeper was fun, I would love to see more novellas in this world.

This short story gives us a glimpse in Vero’s past and what brought her into Finlay Donovan’s life. It’s interesting to see Vero in this context and get a chance to see inside her head. This is short but I think an important part of the story. If you’re a fan of the Finlay Donovan series like I am, you’ll appreciate this.

Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for providing me with this ebook in exchange for honest review.

Available now.

Y'all, I just finished reading Vera’s backstory in the Finlay Donovan series, and let me tell you — it was pure perfection. I’ve always known Vera is my spirit animal, but learning more about her made me love her even more. This girl can get herself into the worst situations, just like her best friend Finlay, and it’s honestly part of what makes her so awesome.

One of the things I’ve always wondered is how Vera and Finlay became such great friends. Well, this book gives us all the juicy details, and it was exactly what I wanted. The way their bond formed, the ups and downs, and just everything leading up to their friendship was so fun to read. I mean, now I can’t imagine one without the other — they’re just meant to be besties!

As usual, Elle Cosimano nails it with her ability to create a fast-paced, easy, and totally entertaining read. I couldn’t put it down! There’s something about her writing that just keeps you turning the pages, and you never want it to end. If you’re a fan of the series, this book is a must-read. And if you haven’t picked up Finlay Donovan yet, you’re seriously missing out. Trust me, Vera will steal your heart!

I received this e-book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to NetGalley and the author/publisher for the copy!

While it was interesting getting to know a little bit more of a background on Vero, I feel like there was an opportunity to have a little bit more with it. I did listen and read the book, and I was sad to hear that the narrator wasn't Angela Dawe, who has been the narrator for the rest of the series. The girl that did this one wasn't bad, it just wasn't Angela Dawe and didn't sound like the Vero that we've heard throughout the rest of the series.

This fun novella gives a bit of backstory for Vero from the Finlay Donovan series.

Vero is on the run from false accusations of theft from her sorority sisters. She decides to crash with her cousin and takes a job as a bank in an effort to solve a crime.

Definitely not a necessary book to the series, but fun all the same.

This is a simple novella telling the backstory of Vero, a main character in the Finlay Donovan series. This novella invokes a mystery at a bank and the zany ways Vero goes about solving it. I enjoyed the time she spent with her family the most in this story. A quick read.

I received a copy of this text through NetGalley for review.

I have been a long-time fan of Finlay Donovan, but reading about how the start of her and Vero's friendship was a breathe of fresh air. Also, getting to read about Vero's background was an entirely new experience.

The light heartedness was there, as well as the attitude we have all come to expect from Vero.

In the delightful short story Veronica Ruiz Breaks the Bank, Elle Cosimano takes readers on a whirlwind journey filled with humor, intrigue, and a touch of romance. This engaging addition to the Finlay Donovan series offers a deeper look into the past of fan-favorite character Veronica Ruiz, who finds herself in a precarious situation that sets the stage for an adventure of self-discovery and redemption.

Cosimano’s writing is vibrant and engaging, pulling readers into Vero's world with ease. The dialogue is snappy and filled with charm, keeping the pace brisk and the readers invested. The story also offers fresh insights into the dynamic between Vero and Finlay, making it a must-read for fans who have been eager to understand their relationship from the beginning.

Veronica Ruiz Breaks the Bank is a captivating short story that combines humor, mystery, and a dash of romance. It's a tale of resilience and finding one’s footing in the face of adversity, resonating with anyone who has ever felt out of place. Cosimano has crafted a delightful narrative that will leave readers both laughing and rooting for Vero as she breaks new ground in her life and love. Highly recommended!
In the delightful short story Veronica Ruiz Breaks the Bank, Elle Cosimano takes readers on a whirlwind journey filled with humor, intrigue, and a touch of romance. This engaging addition to the Finlay Donovan series offers a deeper look into the past of fan-favorite character Veronica Ruiz, who finds herself in a precarious situation that sets the stage for an adventure of self-discovery and redemption.

Cosimano’s writing is vibrant and engaging, pulling readers into Vero's world with ease. The dialogue is snappy and filled with charm, keeping the pace brisk and the readers invested. The story also offers fresh insights into the dynamic between Vero and Finlay, making it a must-read for fans who have been eager to understand their relationship from the beginning.

Veronica Ruiz Breaks the Bank is a captivating short story that combines humor, mystery, and a dash of romance. It's a tale of resilience and finding one’s footing in the face of adversity, resonating with anyone who has ever felt out of place. Cosimano has crafted a delightful narrative that will leave readers both laughing and rooting for Vero as she breaks new ground in her life and love. Highly recommended!

Getting to know a little of Vero's background and how she and Finlay met was enjoyable. The origin of her wit, ingenuity, snooping skills, empathy, and humor was highlighted with this backstory, as were hints of her future adventures in sleuthing. Some light was shed on her love/hate relationship with Javie and her cousin Ramon, which left the reader anxiously waiting for more.

In this short story, we learn more about Veronica (Vero) and her history.

We know Finlay has an idea of what happened previously with Vero but this story opens up to tell us what happened before Vero became Finlay’s nanny.

It’s always fun to her more about the rest of the characters. Vero is a big part of Finlay’s everyday life and we knew there was more than what she told us.

Thank You NetGalley for an advance copy. This is a short story that falls between books 3 and 4 in a strong series about single mom Finlay Donovan, who fumbles her way through mishaps and crime scenes, while always remaining relatable and funny. She is definitely related to Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum. Vero is one of the best characters in the series, so this short story was good because it gave more backstory about Vero, Finlay’s nanny and best friend. It didn’t reveal a lot, but it was an entertaining story and clearly fit into the series.

Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this. This was a fun novella to explain how Vero and Finlay met and kicked off their friendship. It was fun to let Vero have a story!

This was a fun novella that explained some of Vero’s background and how she came to meet Finlay. This was a good companion to the Finlay Donovan series! I received a free copy of this book from netgalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review.