Finlay Donovan Is Killing It: A Novel (The Finlay Donovan Series, 1)

Wish a bit funnier but kept me in suspense. Loved Vero’s character

What a cute book! I was immediately drawn into it and really enjoyed watching this story unfold. The main characters were relatable and easy to connect with. While yes, there were some inconsistencies and certain parts felt a bit immature, I was able to overlook those things because the story and characters really kept my attention and I truly was completely captivated. And, let’s be real, don’t we all have moments of immaturity, especially when under extreme stress? I can’t fault any of it if I stop and think about it. I know stress brings out the worst in me at times. We all have our moments and shortcomings. The inconsistencies were just things I picked up on as someone in 2 co-parenting situations (with my daughter and my step-kids). Example: Things the kids would have picked up on and shared well before it became a shock or surprise to the other party (like Vero moving in. No way would the kids not have shared that during their visits with dad), etc. But truly, those things aside, this book was fresh and fun, with humor mixed in at just the right moments, and at times creeping suspicions and fear for these beloved characters. I was so intrigued to have the mysteries solved, and when that ending came- WHAT?! My jaw is still on the floor! This book was exactly what I needed to pull me out of a bit of a slump. I give this a solid 4 star, 8/10 and look forward to reading the rest of the books in the series. 🫶

FINLAY DONOVAN IS KILLING IT captured my attention with its wild and outrageous antics, but it didn’t leave me hooked. When I learned about this book via social media, I was instantly intrigued. An author who’s overheard and mistaken for a hit woman? Yes, please! However, as I read, I was consistently let down by plot twists until the final page.

For the full review, check out my blog: https://alyrusciano.wordpress.com/2023/01/22/finlay-donovan-is-killing-it-review

“It’s a widely known fact that most moms are ready to kill someone by eight thirty AM on any given morning”.
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Finlay Donovan’s life is a hot mess. She’s a struggling author, recently divorced mom of 2. Her ex-husband, Steven, and his new fiancé are threatening a custody battle and he’s fired the nanny so Finlay is losing her mind. While discussing her current project with her agent at lunch, the wife of a man who has ties to the mob overhears their discussion. She assumes that Findlay’s day job is contract killings… After that, there is a whole series of fortunate and unfortunate events that unfold.

This book… I. Loved. It. I can relate to Finlay on the mom level in so many ways. The first sentence had me hooked (see quote above). I have never identified with the opening of a book more in my life. It had elements of a thriller while also being so hilarious at times. I loved that it kept me guessing and was unpredictable until the very end.

I think what I loved the most was that the setting is Northern VA where I was born and raised. It was so cool to be reading and know exactly where the characters are. It mentions both universities I attended - JMU and GMU as well as my current home town!

This is a non-stop “WTH” book that is a light-hearted reading. Finlay is a mom of two small kids with an ex-husband named Steve who is a world-class
“@$$ whole” who had an affair with their relator, Theresa, and was hitting on Vera, the kids’ babysitter. Vera quit and was furious that he tried to get her to sleep with him so when she found Finn with Harris in the garage… Being a broke college student, she shrewdly negotiated a deal that involves living at Finn’s, owning 40% of the reward $$$ and 5% of any referral fee Finn gives for her. What does Vera have to do? Be a co-conspirator or as I like to call it, Finn’s ally from hell.

In the beginning, I found Finn hard to take. Everything she does is over the top and everything she thinks of doing, is just “are you fu*king serious?” I often questioned where her brian was when she decided on things. I found her to be the least sympathetic. Things did not pick up for me until Vera come on board at about 25% of the book. Suddenly, it was a partnership that was at first reluctant but slowly, the relationship just kinda makes sense. IMHO, Vera saved the book for me.

Will I be reading the follow-up book, Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead? No. This was enough even though there is a cliffhanger. While you may read, WTH, there’s a cliffhanger? Yes but this story does tie up neatly. There’s just the next “picked” victim and yeah, I can already figure out who chose that “@$$ whole.”

Wasn’t my favorite read. It’s too over-the-top ridiculous, for me.