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From New York Times bestseller Elle Cosimano comes Finlay Donovan Crosses the Line—the highly anticipated next installment in the beloved Finlay Donovan series.
Life hasn’t been easy for Finlay Donovan lately, but it just got a whole lot harder. Her nanny and partner-in-crime, Vero, has been extradited from Virginia to Maryland, where she’s facing criminal charges for a theft she swears she didn’t commit. A prisoner to an ankle bracelet as she awaits her trial, Vero is forced to live with her overbearing mother and nosy aunt. Threatening messages keep arriving on her mother’s door, demanding Vero “turn over the money . . . or else.” And if she doesn’t figure out who really stole her former sorority’s treasury funds, her next home might be a prison cell.
But proving her innocence might be an impossible feat. Vero was the treasurer of her sorority when the money went missing—one of the only people who had access to the cash. And her alibi is a date who ghosted her. With her court date quickly approaching, and her mysterious stalker on her tail, Vero needs to clear her name fast.
Finlay decides a trip to Maryland is in order. After all, Vero stood by her through her darkest moments, and Finlay will be damned if she lets her best friend and children’s nanny be convicted for something she didn’t do. She sets off on a mission to sus out the real thief and bring Vero home.
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Ebook
Acclaim
USA Today Bestseller
Earphones Award Winner
Praise
“Fans will delight in this return to Finlay’s madcap world… the hijinks, humor, and heart have never been better. The friendship between Finlay and Vero remains a highlight of the series, and this story beautifully demonstrates the love they have for each other. A satisfying, entertaining entry in a well-loved and enduring series.”
—Booklist
“Great pacing, humor, storytelling, and characterization for fans of the series or those who enjoy the books of Janet Evanovich and Jesse Q. Sutanto.” —Library Journal
“Cosimano keeps the tone freewheeling and funny . . . this is a raucous good time.” —Publishers Weekly
“Romance novelist Finlay Donovan, who’s never met a line she wouldn’t cross, crosses several new ones in her attempt to prove her nanny/best friend’s innocence of theft . . . What provisions of the law are left for the heroine to breach in the next outrageous installment? Readers can only guess.” —Kirkus Reviews
” . . . a gripping yet cosy mystery as well as romantic moments and laugh-out-loud shenanigans . . . so excited to see what new mischief this iconic duo gets up to in book seven!” —The Nerd Daily
Discussion Guide
Whether you’re meeting in person, on Zoom, or via your somewhat- shady online women’s forum, or in the police academy dorms—dust off those wigs, scarves, and sunglasses, grab a Panera pastry and a glass of wine, and enjoy your discussion of Finlay and Vero’s latest hijinks.
We love to see your Finlay Donovan-inspired photos! Please tag us on social media and use #FinlayDonovanJumpsTheGun and #HitMomBookClub.
- Stacey’s social media page becomes a hub for Finlay’s gossiping neighbors. Do you think public figures (including authors) deserve privacy? Do you feel Stacey’s posts violated Finlay’s?
- Nick’s offer to watch the children so Finlay could go to Maryland to help Vero marks a big step forward in Finlay and Nick’s relationship. How do you feel about the direction of their relationship and the secret Zach accidentally revealed?
- How did you feel about Bennett at the beginning of the story versus the end? Why do you think he came to Finlay’s aid when she was confronted by Officer Oates?
- In what ways do Norma and Gloria’s relationship and antics mirror those of Finlay and Vero? When you picture Vero and Finlay five, ten, and twenty years in the future, what do you imagine?
- Vero’s family has different feelings about law enforcement than Finlay does. Why do you think that is? In what ways have your own cultural and life experiences shaped your attitudes toward law enforcement and legal system?
- Do you feel Vero responded appropriately to each of her sorority sisters’ apologies at the end of the book? Was she right to forgive them? How would you have responded if you had been in Vero’s shoes?
- In the book, Vero says, “Why is it always up to the victim to be the bigger person?” Do you feel this is an accurate statement? Can you think of a time in your own life when you were hurt and you were expected to be the bigger person?
- Javi’s relationship with his mother is strained. Did your attitude toward Regina shift from the beginning to the end of the story? What, if anything, changed your feelings about her?
- Jealousy is one theme explored in the book. Which characters were forced to confront their jealousy? How did you feel about the ways those characters dealt with their feelings?
- The shower curtain became a metaphor through the story. What do you think it represents? Have you ever jumped to a conclusion only to discover you were wrong? Can you think of a few instances in the book when Finlay or Vero let their imaginations get the best of them?
- Found family is a theme in this installment of the series more so than the rest. What examples of found families can you identify in this story? Do you have a found family in your own life?
- At the end of the story, Finlay confronts Stacey about her social media posts. Do you think Finlay made the right decision to speak up? Do you agree with the way she handled the situation? How do you think her choice might impact her in the next installment of the series?
