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!

This is a SUPER short - easy read. As a fan of the Finlay Donovan series - it was fun to get a look into Vero's world and learn more about this hilarious character. It does help to read the other novels as this fills in some of the gaps of this character from the first 3 books. I had a great time reading, and this truly is a read in one sitting story. Love this series and can't wait for more of Finlay and Vero!

I really enjoyed this short story that helps fill in a lot of questions I’ve had throughout this series around Vero. I also liked that it showed how she met Finlay! This was the perfect little read in between books.

This is just a cute little addition to the Finlay universe and even thought it wasn’t amazing, it was just a fun quick read.

This was a fun little novella that helps us get to know Vero a bit more, and what led up to her becoming Finlay's sitter.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books for the ebook!

I wanted to see Veronica be more feisty. But it was cool to see the story of their meeting play out.

Thank you to the author, publisher, & NetGalley for the access of this short story!

I love little intro to the clever Vero Ruiz and how she ends up partnering up with Finlay to become hilarious partners in crime and murder! This shows that Vero is just right for Finlay, with a clever mind that thinks outside the box to solve mysteries (in this case, someone stealing money from a bank) and alludes just a bit more to why she is on the run with a warrant out for her arrest in Maryland. I really enjoyed this and think it is a nice addition to the Finlay Donovan series!

I loved getting this look at Vero's past and more insight into her character. Great addition to the series!!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | Veronica Ruiz Breaks the Bank – Vero’s Past Gets a Hilarious Heist!

Elle Cosimano proves once again that a little misfortune can lead to big, brilliant adventures. In Veronica Ruiz Breaks the Bank, we get an irresistible glimpse into Vero’s past as she escapes a scandalous college mishap and embarks on a fresh start under a new name. But life isn’t ever that simple—especially when a cleaning job at a local bank turns into an unexpected investigation into a thieving scheme! 😄

From overheard secrets to a chance to outsmart the system, Vero’s determined to turn every setback into a win—even if it means bumping into her infuriating childhood crush Javi along the way. Cosimano’s signature wit and fast-paced storytelling make every twist feel as refreshing as it is unpredictable. This short story is a delightful addition for fans craving a closer look at Vero’s origins and the spark that ignited her partnership with Finlay.

While the plot occasionally relies on a few too-perfect coincidences (hey, who doesn’t love a bit of controlled chaos?), the charm and humor more than make up for it. If you’re looking for a fun, bite-sized adventure with plenty of laughs and clever twists, this one’s definitely worth the read.

Thank you, NetGalley and Minotaur Books, for the ARC!

I absolutely love this series. Finlay Donovan and her trusty sidekick Vero.

I jumped at the chance to read this short story to learn a little more about Vero. This story was just ok. It was funny and I did enjoy learning a little more about Vero and Javi. I loved the epilogue!

Disappointing! I know this was a short story but don't feel like it was even wrote by the same author. Loved the other books this not so much. It's so sad this could have been really good too.

Veronica Ruiz is falsely accused of stealing money from her sorority sisters. And they ostracize her. To escape the drama, she flees to her cousin's house. But it's not safe there either since her former boyfriend is also there. Maybe solving a crime at a bank could help her restart her new life. Vero faces multiple challenges at work, tho. Thankfully, she meets a single mom who could help Vero save herself.
I am liking the Finlay Donovan books and appeciate Vero's fierce protective personality. She's a bit more criminal in this book, which surprises me. But this trait also helps me understand her better. She's not afraid to bend a few rules for the sake of her good and the good of the people she likes.
It's fun to see how Vero and Finlay meet. This book is definitely a helpful addition to the series.