You know how sometimes, a book gets so much hype that you’re almost afraid to read it? I’ve had a few of those moments, where I’m scared I’ll hate the hot book of the day.

Friends, I’m happy to report that this is NOT one of those times! I just read a book I’ve been hearing about for months and it was DELIGHTFUL!

Finlay Donovan Is Killing It by Elle Cosimano is such a fun romp! It’s like a cross between a rom-com and a cozy mystery in the very best way.

Finlay Donovan is killing it . . . except, she’s really not. She’s a stressed-out single-mom of two and struggling novelist, Finlay’s life is in chaos: the new book she promised her literary agent isn’t written, her ex-husband fired the nanny without telling her, and this morning she had to send her four-year-old to school with hair duct-taped to her head after an incident with scissors.

When Finlay is overheard discussing the plot of her new suspense novel with her agent over lunch, she’s mistaken for a contract killer, and inadvertently accepts an offer to dispose of a problem husband in order to make ends meet . . . Soon, Finlay discovers that crime in real life is a lot more difficult than its fictional counterpart, as she becomes tangled in a real-life murder investigation.

Fast-paced, deliciously witty, and wholeheartedly authentic in depicting the frustrations and triumphs of motherhood in all its messiness, hilarity, and heartfelt moment, Finlay Donovan Is Killing It is the first in a brilliant new series from YA Edgar Award nominee Elle Cosimano.

I mean… it could happen to anyone, right? You’re discussing your next book, someone takes it the wrong way, and suddenly you’re offered thousands to assassinate someone. Just an average Tuesday, I guess.

At any rate, basically Finlay’s no-good, very bad day suddenly plunges off a cliff and we go from there.

Here are a few things I loved about this book:

• Finlay doesn’t have it all together. In fact, some days, she doesn’t have ANYTHING together. But what mom hasn’t felt like that at least on occasion? It feels real, like this is the kind of gal you’d love to meet for coffee. Once we’ve both found our car keys.
• The book has a great mystery, but mostly, it’s just FUN! It sort of reminds me of the crazy antics of Stephanie Plum. (Fewer exploding cars, though.)
• It’s not all fluff and frivolity. It tackles some weighty subjects (minor spoilers here, FYI)… such as divorce, infidelity, sexual consent (or lack thereof)… and the whole murder thing, of course. (I know, I just said the book was fun. It still is, I promise.) But these issues are handled in a way that really makes you root for Finlay and her crew.
• Speaking of the crew… this has a great cast of supporting characters. Vero is so much more than a nanny. And the guys that capture Finlay’s attention have some great qualities that make me hope we see them in the next book.

Oh, and there’s that… at the end of this book, Finlay receives some jaw-dropping information that sets up the next book oh so nicely!

I highly recommend this book and I can’t wait for Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead, which is out in a few short days!

If you’ve read this one, what did you think? If you haven’t, you can sail through book one just in time to start book two on release day! You can find them through the links below. Happy reading!

Finlay Donovan Is Killing It:                  Amazon     Bookshop.Org

Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead:      Amazon     Bookshop.Org

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