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A review by amyteurhour
Veronica Ruiz Breaks the Bank by Elle Cosimano
2.0
This was unfortunately a somewhat disappointing experience for me. I've enjoyed the Finlay Donovan series thus far, and had been looking forward to this short story to expand upon the mysterious past of Vero and what exactly happened at her sorority.
My first big issue was the explanation for why Vero couldn't/wouldn't tell Ramón the reason why she's back home. There were some other smallish plot holes that felt clumsily addressed. Another thing that totally threw me off was one point near the end, Cosimano uses the word "flirt" to describe an action Zach is doing. From the context, of course I know she meant it in the 'moving quickly/birdish' way, but it was still kind of jarring, especially when I feel like there are plenty of other words that could have conveyed a similar idea.
With all of that said, the story definitely picks up around Chapter 4, and we get to see the quick-on-her-feet detective Vero we've grown to love in the main series. I appreciated that Cosimano develops on how Vero had mystery-solving chops even before meeting Finlay.
Ultimately, this just kind of left me wondering what was the point (with my cynical answer being the publisher probably pushing for this to be separated from any of the main books because as Mona Lisa once said, "Money pweeease.")? I liked seeing Vero in action, doing her own thing, but feel like those parts could have just been a bonus at the end of one of the main books. The beginning felt like filler, not really giving us any more insight or details into what's already been hinted at/discussed in the main series. I would feel differently if this went back even a smidge further, into Vero's time in college and at her sorority, but I have a feeling that's being saved for a bigger reveal in the upcoming Book 4.
I started this listening to the audiobook, but switched 5% in. Stacy Gonzalez did a fine job, but after listening to three books where Vero is voiced by Angela Dawe, the different style choices just threw me off and I had to switch to reading the ebook. I know that this change was likely because of different contracts, but then in that case (again) what was the point??
This is solidly 2.5 stars for me, and I went back and forth on whether to round up or down.
My first big issue was the explanation for why Vero couldn't/wouldn't tell Ramón the reason why she's back home.
Spoiler
I understand that shame can make us act illogically at times, however the way the situation is (briefly) explained in this short story, I would have thought Ramón would have been someone she'd want to confide in because he's characterized as someone who Vero believed would always be on her side.With all of that said, the story definitely picks up around Chapter 4, and we get to see the quick-on-her-feet detective Vero we've grown to love in the main series. I appreciated that Cosimano develops on how Vero had mystery-solving chops even before meeting Finlay.
Ultimately, this just kind of left me wondering what was the point (with my cynical answer being the publisher probably pushing for this to be separated from any of the main books because as Mona Lisa once said, "Money pweeease.")? I liked seeing Vero in action, doing her own thing, but feel like those parts could have just been a bonus at the end of one of the main books. The beginning felt like filler, not really giving us any more insight or details into what's already been hinted at/discussed in the main series. I would feel differently if this went back even a smidge further, into Vero's time in college and at her sorority, but I have a feeling that's being saved for a bigger reveal in the upcoming Book 4.
I started this listening to the audiobook, but switched 5% in. Stacy Gonzalez did a fine job, but after listening to three books where Vero is voiced by Angela Dawe, the different style choices just threw me off and I had to switch to reading the ebook. I know that this change was likely because of different contracts, but then in that case (again) what was the point??
This is solidly 2.5 stars for me, and I went back and forth on whether to round up or down.