Title: VERONICA RUIZ BREAKS THE BANK
Author: Elle Cosimano
Narrator: Stacey Gonzalez
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Pages: 2 hours, 27 minutes
Source: Audible
BUDDY READ – FINLAY DONOVAN #3.5
Anyone can spot a window of opportunity, but not everyone can manage to fall straight through one.
Veronica Ruiz is on the run for the first time in her life—though certainly not the last. After being falsely accused of stealing money from her college sorority, she packs up and heads to her cousin Ramón’s apartment, planning to change her name and rebuild start over away from backstabbing girls and university drama (and far, far away from her arrest warrant in Maryland).
At the local bank on the first morning of her new life, it occurs to Vero that she’d be a better bank teller than most of the current employees: she may not have much money, but what little she does have, she knows how to manage. Unfortunately, the only available position is a cleaning job and so, desperate for a fresh start, she takes the bank manager’s offer.
But nothing in Vero’s world has ever been simple, so of course shortly after she begins work, she overhears a conversation between her new boss and a security guard: someone who works there has been stealing. Seeing a window of opportunity, Vero sets out to find the identity of the thief, present the evidence, and then push for the perfect job. All of which would be easier if her irresistibly infuriating childhood crush Javi wasn’t living in the same damn town.
Official Summary
17 January 2024
Zelda’s Review:
The Finlay Donovan series has been an experience from the very first book. Alicia suggested I give this series a try and each book so far has been a ‘buddy read’ for us. Sadly when Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice will be available we will be miles apart. (Alicia in America and me in South Africa) – however, we are determined to continue the tradition and will find a way to do a long-distance buddy read as soon as we both have a copy of the book. Keep an eye out for that review later this year.
“Veronica Ruize Breaks the Bank” is a delightful addition to the Finlay Donovan series, offering readers a closer look into the life of the charismatic Vero. The story starts with Vero fleeing from false accusations, setting the stage for a hilarious and heartwarming adventure.
Elle Cosimano’s writing is both witty and engaging, capturing Vero’s voice with authenticity and humour. As Vero navigates her newfound anonymity, readers are treated to a unique blend of suspense and comedy. The author skillfully weaves together elements of mystery and self-discovery, creating a storyline that keeps the audience hooked from the first page.
The protagonist’s decision to take a cleaning job at the local bank introduces a clever twist to the storyline. Vero’s determination to rise above her circumstances and prove her worth adds layers to her character, making her a relatable and endearing lead. The dynamics between Vero and her childhood crush, Javi, further enhance the story, adding a touch of romance to the overall plot. Are we going to see these two getting back together in future stories? The theme of reinvention and second chances is expertly explored throughout the book. As Vero seeks to uncover the identity of the bank thief, you are taken on a journey of self-discovery and resilience. The plot unfolds with unexpected twists and turns, keeping you guessing until the very end.
This book not only adds insight into Vero’s past but also serves as a standalone tale with the Finlay Donovan series. Elle Cosimano’s ability to balance humour, suspense and character development shines through, making this book a must-read for fans of the series and newcomers alike. With its clever plot, well-drawn characters and witty storyline, Elle Cosimano’s latest instalment is a delightful escapade that will leave you eagerly anticipating the next chapter in the Finlay Donovan series. (I cannot wait!)
Alicia’s Review:
Veronica has just left the sorority house and is on the run and decides to hid with her cousin. She quickly decides she needs a job. And while waiting in a bank to get interviewed she overhears that someone working there is stealing money but her potential future employer doesn’t know who. She figures, ‘solve this case, get the job. Easy, right? Well is seems she will have to work as the janitor in the meantime. Veronica works hard to solve the case and fix what is left of her future.
I enjoyed this book and seeing what it’s like in Vero’s head. I also liked seeing how Vero and Finlay met for the first time. This book honestly has me hyped to get my hands on the next book in the Finlay Donovan series and I am curious to see if we will get more of Vero’s point of view in future books.
Overall this book was not what I thought it would be but I still had fun and I listened to this audiobook in one sitting. I would give it a solid four stars and would recommend this to anyone who is a fan of the Finlay Donovan series.
Books in the Finlay Donovan Series:
Finlay Donovan is Killing It
Finlay Donovan is killing it…except, she’s really not. 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. She soon 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.
Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead
Finlay Donovan is―once again―struggling to finish her next novel and keep her head above water as a single mother of two. On the bright side, she has her live-in nanny and confidant Vero to rely on, and the only dead body she’s dealt with lately is that of her daughter’s pet goldfish.
On the not-so-bright side, someone out there wants her ex-husband, Steven, out of the picture. Permanently. Whatever else Steven may be, he’s a good father, but saving him will send her down a rabbit hole of hit-women disguised as soccer moms, and a little bit more involvement with the Russian mob than she’d like.
Meanwhile, Vero’s keeping secrets and Detective Nick Anthony seems determined to get back into her life. He may be a hot cop, but Finlay’s first priority is preventing her family from sleeping with the fishes… and if that means bending a few laws then so be it.
With her next book’s deadline looming and an ex-husband to keep alive, Finlay is quickly coming to the end of her rope. She can only hope there isn’t a noose at the end of it…
FINLAY DONOVAN JUMPS THE GUN
Author and single mom Finlay Donovan has been in messes before―after all, she’s a pro at removing bloodstains for various unexpected reasons―but none quite like this. When Finlay and her nanny/partner-in-crime Vero accidentally destroyed a luxury car that they had “borrowed” in the process of saving the life of Finlay’s ex-husband, the Russian mob did her a favor and bought the car for her. And now Finlay owes them.
Mob boss Feliks is still running the show from behind bars, and he has a task for Finlay: find and identify a contract killer before the cops do. The problem is, the killer might be an officer themself.
Luckily, hot cop Nick has just been tasked with starting up a citizen’s police academy, and combined pressure from Finlay’s looming book deadline and Feliks is enough to convince Finlay and Vero to get involved. Through firearm training and forensic classes (and some hands-on research with a tempting detective), Finlay and Vero use their time in police academy to sleuth out the real contract killer to free themselves from the mob’s clutches―all the while dodging spies, confronting Vero’s past, and juggling the daily trials of parenthood.
About the Author
Author bio from the author’s site
Elle Cosimano is a USA Today bestselling author, an International Thriller Award winner, a Bram Stoker Award finalist, and an Edgar® Award nominee. Her acclaimed young adult novels include Nearly Gone, Holding Smoke, The Suffering Tree, and Seasons of the Storm. Elle’s debut novel for adults, Finlay Donovan Is Killing It, kicked off a witty, fast-paced contemporary mystery series, which was a PEOPLE Magazine Pick and was named one of New York Public Library’s Best Books of 2021. In addition to writing novels for teens and adults, her essays have appeared in The Huffington Post and Time. Cosimano lives with her husband and two sons in Virginia.
In four days’ time, Alicia will be leaving for America and I will not see her for a year – at least. I am going to missing our constant reading chats. Thank you for sharing my passion for books and I look forward to badly timed online book chats while you are off exploring. Also thank you for convincing me to try the Finlay Donovan books – I love them and I look forward to reading the next book with you soon.
Have you been following this series? Share your throughs on Veronica Ruiz Breaks the Bank by leaving a comment below. Until next time….. Happy Reading!
