Community Reviews
OMG! My love for Elle Cosimano and the Finlay Donovan series continues! I didn't realize that there was this little short story floating out there until a few weeks ago and I loved this! We get so many teasers of Vero's history during the other four books so I'm very glad we got a story all about her! Part of me wishes it was more than just a short story and we got even more of Vero's history but this was such a nice little read for the fans of this series. It was nice to see who Vero was before meeting Finlay because it helps really shape who she is for the series as a whole. I loved the little ties into the other books so we see how things link into the current storyline and Vero is just as gripping as a character when she is our main focus. This was a super quick one but a great pallet cleanser and addition those who have read the rest of the series.
Veronica Ruiz Breaks the Bank is like a bank robbery—chaotic, unexpected, and a little thrilling. Except in this case, the only thing being stolen is your attention. Vero, Finlay Donovan's partner-in-crime, finally gets her time to shine in this snappy short story, and spoiler alert: she's as delightfully messy in her backstory as she is in the main series.
The story kicks off with Vero on the run—because of course she is. It’s hard not to root for someone who can pivot from sorority drama to life on the lam without breaking a nail (or a sweat). Her plan to start over seems simple enough until she starts cleaning at a local bank and stumbles into some shady business. And by shady business, I mean corporate theft and unresolved childhood crushes, which might as well be Vero’s brand at this point.
What makes this short story pop is Vero herself. She’s scrappy, sharp-tongued, and just chaotic enough to make you wonder if she’s really got a handle on things or is just very good at winging it. The backstory of how she met Finlay is pure gold for fans of the series—like discovering a prequel you didn’t know you needed.
But while the story is packed with humor and hijinks, it does feel a little rushed. The mystery of who’s stealing from the bank is wrapped up so quickly you might get whiplash. And Javi, the aforementioned childhood crush, doesn’t get quite enough screen time to make me fully buy into their chemistry.
Still, this is Vero we’re talking about—she doesn’t do boring, and neither does this story. It’s a perfect snack-sized read for Finlay Donovan fans who want more of their favorite sidekick’s chaotic energy and aren’t mad about some messy drama to go with it.
Four stars: one for Vero’s sass, one for the hilarious predicaments, one for the backstory we all craved, and one for the mental image of Vero cleaning a bank while plotting her next big move. Don’t overthink it—just enjoy the ride.
The story kicks off with Vero on the run—because of course she is. It’s hard not to root for someone who can pivot from sorority drama to life on the lam without breaking a nail (or a sweat). Her plan to start over seems simple enough until she starts cleaning at a local bank and stumbles into some shady business. And by shady business, I mean corporate theft and unresolved childhood crushes, which might as well be Vero’s brand at this point.
What makes this short story pop is Vero herself. She’s scrappy, sharp-tongued, and just chaotic enough to make you wonder if she’s really got a handle on things or is just very good at winging it. The backstory of how she met Finlay is pure gold for fans of the series—like discovering a prequel you didn’t know you needed.
But while the story is packed with humor and hijinks, it does feel a little rushed. The mystery of who’s stealing from the bank is wrapped up so quickly you might get whiplash. And Javi, the aforementioned childhood crush, doesn’t get quite enough screen time to make me fully buy into their chemistry.
Still, this is Vero we’re talking about—she doesn’t do boring, and neither does this story. It’s a perfect snack-sized read for Finlay Donovan fans who want more of their favorite sidekick’s chaotic energy and aren’t mad about some messy drama to go with it.
Four stars: one for Vero’s sass, one for the hilarious predicaments, one for the backstory we all craved, and one for the mental image of Vero cleaning a bank while plotting her next big move. Don’t overthink it—just enjoy the ride.
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