2.5. A really disappointing look at arguably the most interesting character in the series. I really wish so much of Vero's character didn't revolve around Javi, but since his introduction, it seems like everything she does has to come back to him, in a way that's grating. It really makes it difficult to enjoy the 'detective' part of the story, which is where Vero really shines - and actually reminds me of the character she was in the first book - but everything else is just very boring, and it also feels poorly edited. The timeline is completely nonsensical, with things being referenced as happening "yesterday" but a time jump had clearly been established? There's also a point where Ramon says he didn't know Vero had talked to Javi, but then he explicitly mentions something that happened between them just a few sentences later, that he couldn't have known unless he talked to Javi?? The lack of editing and the barebones plot makes me wonder if the writer even actually wanted to write this. It could've easily been expanded on to really give Vero a sense of identity and the development she's sorely lacked in the last two books, and it's really a shame that that's not what happened.

This novella is a quick, zippy read at 107 pages! This is Vero's story just before she meets Finlay Donovan. Really enjoyed this reminder of her meeting Finlay for the first time and seeing her solve her first mystery on her own. Vero is a feisty, fun character!

Vero is my favorite character so I’m so glad this short novel was written! It was an awesome story to add to the series. I loved this story and I actually wish it was longer. I’d love to see a Vero series.

I loved finally getting to see Vero’s backstory and how she met Finlay and became her babysitter! This was a quick, lighthearted novella, and still had the mystery aspect in it that we know and love from the Finlay Donovan series! I can’t recommend this one enough!

This was such a fun novella to finally learn more about Vero! She is my favorite character in the Finlay Donovan series. Not too much to say on this one since it is only a novella. Definitely would not skip tho!

From New York Times bestselling author Elle Cosimano, comes Veronica Ruiz Breaks the Bank—a hilarious short story diving into Finlay Donovan's partner-in-crime Vero's past."

Thank you for the chance to read and review Veronica Ruiz Breaks the Bank. I was so excited to see the novella for Vero from the Finlay Donovan Series. I have had so many questions and wonderings about her past, why she is so nervous about being found and what on earth happened! It was great to dive into this book and learn about Vero, her big heart, her family connections and wonderful love interest.

I recently discovered the Finlay Donovan series and sped through all the past books. This short story gives us a little background into one of my favortie characters from the book- nanny, accountant, undercover agent- Veronica, or as we know her Vero. This is a very quick read and a must for any Finlay Donovan fans.

This was a fun, short introduction (for me) to the Finlay Donovan series. I'm looking forward to reading the longer books. This book gives the backstory of Veronica Ruiz. She's smart, ambitious, and I think I like her! For such a short book, the mystery part was quite good too!

I loved this short story about Vero! Such a fun, quick little mystery and I loved seeing how Vero and Finlay met. This was such a fast-paced, fun read!

I love Vero's character in the Finlay Donovan series so I was excited to pick this one up! Unfortunately, it didn't really work for me. Vero as the side character has so much spunk that felt a little lost here. It also felt like some of the conversations with Javi in this short story were contradicted by the 4th Finlay Donovan book. I liked the insight into Vero's origin story, but needed a little bit more.

After her sorority scandal sends her home, Vero gets hired as a custodian at a bank. Following her interview, she overhears two managers talking about money disappearing. Vero is on the case!

The pacing was quick, the writing funny, and the twists were unexpected.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for my digital copy!

A Veronica prequel was just what this series needed and im here for it! It was the perfect length to see inside Vero’s head and it’s so cool to see what she was up to before she met Finlay and her desire to be in the criminal world was so fun to see. Vero has such good detective skills and her POV is fun and I loved reading this one! It was definitely the perfect refresh for the series that I needed!

It was nice to get a little more of a back story for Vero. Now we know a little bit more about what was going on with her when she left her schooling. I am very curious to see what happened to the money that she is suspected of stealing and if we will ever get that story. I wish that this one would have been longer and we would have seen more of the beginning of her and Finlay's relationship.

As a short story set in the Finlay Donovan universe, Veronica Ruiz Breaks the Bank (book 3.5 in the series) offers fans some much-appreciated backstory on Vero. While it’s nice to get a deeper look into her character, the story doesn’t quite have the same spark as the main Finlay Donovan books.

There’s a small mystery woven into the narrative, but the focus is more on filling in details about Vero’s past. It’s a solid addition for longtime fans, but not strong enough to pull in new readers or stand on its own.

Overall, an interesting companion piece—but not a must-read unless you’re already invested in the series.

I am 100% on the Javi and Vero train, and this was a fun, short delight. However, this didn’t feel totally cohesive with the rest of the series because Vero has never been this responsible before. A great little novella and I’m excited for book 4!

3.5 stars

ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Vero is my absolute favorite! Loved being able to get her backstory and get to know her! This short story allows the reader to better understand Vero and her situation with the Maryland police. You can’t read the rest of the series without this one. And if you haven’t started what are you waiting for it’s so much fun!

Really enjoyed this book. Loved the different perspective into another character and how they met. I would love to see additional boks from Veronica's point of view!

Vero quickly became one of my favorite characters in the Finlayverse, and so this short story focused entirely on her, and her life immediately preceding the events of "Finlay Donovan is Killing It" was a total blast to read. The provision of more insight into her relationships with her cousin Ramon, and with Javi, was also really delightful; I'm a sucker for delving into familial relationships, and for relationships like Vero's and Javi's. This was short, sweet, and full of the usual hilarity I've come to expect from Cosimano and the Finlayverse, and I can't wait to just keep trucking. Vero continues to be my queen, and I can't wait for more of her shenanigans.

This was a quick & fun short story! I'm a huge fan of the Finlay Donavan series and it was a treat to have this short story tide me over until I get to devour Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave. A prequel and a look into Vero's life before she meet Finlay, we first see Vero when she's on the run after being falsely accused of stealing money from her college sorority. It was fun to hear a book from Vero's POV, see her cousin Ramon, and a peek at the earlier tension with Javi.

I'm not typically a reader of short stories, so I may need to temper expectations, but I didn't enjoy this story as much as the other books in this series. With that being said, there were definitely some laugh out loud moments that made this worth it. I wouldn't say it's a must-read, but it was still a fun addition and interesting to see when Vero and Finlay met for the first time.

3.5/5 stars rounded up!

I had a fantastic time reading this book! Vero has been a part of the series since the beginning, and the way that she and Finlay get into this situations is always a blast to read, and seeing how they get out of them! And to get a story from Vero's perspective, well, I had to read it!

The whole situation that she's in, being the one accused of stealing the money, yeah, that sucks, especially with how close she was to graduating, and how much effort that she'd put into it. I really enjoyed her attempts to get a job that she's qualified for, and investigating who was the thief!

Watching her investigation, and the methods that she used, well, they were familiar, and got her into some pretty tricky situations! I did guess who it was, just because of the way the clues were laying out, but I had a great time reading it!

I did really enjoy how it ended, where she got what she wanted, but pretty quickly lost it, because people are awful, and she was trying to be kind to someone, who turned out to be Finlay, which just brought this whole story together!

Loved reading this story and I can't wait to read more by Elle Cosimano!