Lucy Score is usually a hit or a miss for me, and this one missed the target.

I’ll be brief so I don’t give away any spoilers, but there was just too much fluff in the novel. Too many descriptions about people and things that just didn’t matter to the whole of the story. It tried too hard to be funny, while adding a gross factor. I found myself grimacing more than laughing.

I also don’t like when things are unbelievable in books or characters say things that are out of the blue in that particular situation. I’m a realist, even if I read fiction. There needs to be some semblance of possibility that this could happen, and this one just isn’t there.

The novel could also be a bit shorter. 500+ pages was just too big.

Overall, it just didn’t work for me.

*An ARC was received in exchange for an honest review.

Lucy Score's books are always a hilarious, wild ride!! Are they very realistic? Not usually, but that doesn't make them any less enjoyable.

This is the perfect for when you're in-between heavier books. The banter, the sexual tension, the fake dating, the touch her and die vibes? All of it was done so well. This one did have a slow start, but the second half was perfect! I am officially a Score whore and I am not going to stop until I've read every single one of Lucy Score's books. And i can't wait to read more about Riley Thorn's adventures.

I don't know how Score does it... she is such a talented storyteller. I was excited about these new characters and situations. The book kept my interest after the first few chapters. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Lucy Score's other books weren't the right fit for me, but this one?! I loved it!

This is the first in a new series and I can't wait for more - this is so fun, mysterious, romantic and fun!

4.5 Stars - Update

Spoiler-Free Review:

Bravery takes various forms—from standing up to a bully to examining oneself in the mirror and breaking old patterns. For author Lucy Score, bravery involves crafting a book unlike anything she's written before. In "Riley Thorn and the Dead Guy Next Door," Score reveals her courage, having nurtured an idea for years until the perfect moment to unleash it arrived.

The story revolves around Riley Thorn, a woman longing for a normal life, unlike her extraordinary family with psychic abilities. Riley, burdened with visions, the ability to communicate with the dead, and hear others' thoughts, just wants to be ordinary. Set against the backdrop of a challenging divorce, a hostile workplace, and a peculiar living arrangement in a mansion, Riley's life takes an unexpected turn when she encounters a hot, mysterious stranger outside her attic apartment.

Nick Santiago, a private investigator and former cop, crosses paths with Riley in a search for someone else. Despite their contrasting personalities—he's a rule-breaker, she's a rule-follower—Nick finds himself drawn to Riley's sass, intelligence, and undeniable beauty.

The narrative takes off from the start, promising a captivating journey that captures readers' minds and hearts. The story is a compulsive read, and the dynamic between the main characters keeps readers hooked. Score skillfully introduces numerous additional characters, seamlessly weaving them into the narrative without overwhelming the reader. The ensemble of characters feels like a perfectly assembled puzzle, creating a world readers will want to revisit.

As the story unfolds, Lucy Score proves her mastery by creating a group of characters that linger in the reader's mind. The promise of more shenanigans from this group ensures that readers will eagerly anticipate future installments.

Romance, comedy and mystery all in one book. Lucy Score always delivers and is normally on my auto buy/read list.
Seeing that this book was being re-released in preparation for the next book in the series I jumped at the chance to read and review it.
The spice level is perfect. The characters have hilarious banter and serious chemistry.
I found myself giggling out loud at the interactions between Riley and her family and roommates.
All this to say just go out and read this!
I received a eARC of this book, all opinions are my own.

The first 30% of this book was a little slow, but it definitely picked up. I loved the dynamic duo pairing of Riley Thorn and Nick Santiago. This was one hilarious ride! Perfect funny in-between book for the heavier ones. I can’t wait to see more of Riley Thorn.

Thank you NetGalley and Bloom Books for the arc of this book.

The Dead Guy Next Door is the first book in the Riley Thorn series. Lucy Score is one of my favorite authors and this book did not disappoint. I throughly enjoyed all the characters and plot. It had me laughing out loud and sitting on the edge of my seat with suspense. I can’t wait to read the fourth book, which releases later this year on July 16th. Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This book had everything I love in a good romance novel - humor, mystery, and a sizzling chemistry between the main characters. The story follows Riley, a recently divorced and broke woman who is living with a group of elderly roommates. She's trying to ignore her hallucinations, which her tarot card-dealing mother insists are clairvoyant visions. But when one of her neighbors is murdered and a hot private investigator shows up on her doorstep, Riley's life takes a dangerous turn. Enter Nick Santiago, the rebel PI who doesn't play well with others - unless they're women. He's drawn to Riley and volunteers to help her find out who killed her neighbor. But he's not doing it to be a hero, he just loves solving mysteries. The chemistry between Nick and Riley is electric and their banter had me laughing out loud. As they try to solve the murder, they have to deal with a by-the-book detective who has a grudge against Nick and a stranger who claims to be sent to help Riley hone her psychic gifts.
I loved how the author seamlessly blended romance and mystery in this book. The characters were well-developed and their relationships felt genuine. I also appreciated the strong female characters in this book, especially Riley who was determined to make a new life for herself despite her difficult circumstances. Overall, this was a fantastic read that had me hooked from the first page. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good romantic mystery.

Such a fun book! Lots of humor and adventure. Loved the twists and turns. Lower spice contemporary romantic comedy.
I can't wait to read more from this series!

<strong>A great read </strong>

This book surprised me. I thought it would be good (because I am already familiar with Lucy's work) but it was very creative and quite a page turner.

Several times I thought I knew how things would work out, and that I was coming to the end, only to look down and see I wasn't even at the halfway point of the story!! These characters kept me happily flipping pages.

I very much enjoyed the interaction with all of Riley's neighbors. Gabe was cool, and Nick and Riley had great chemistry. Cute, and fun banter between this couple.

I recommend this read, and can't wait to start the next one! I thank Netgalley and the author for this complimentary ARC and I happily leave my review.

Wow, I don't even have the words to describe how awesome this book is! This book is probably one of the most original books I've ever read and I can't wait to read the next book in the series!

Riley is hilarious and watching her be guided on her spiritual journey while also dealing with her dead neighbor next door was hilarious! This book had a huge twist on psychics and its what kept the book fresh and hilarious! This book felt more mystery with romance sprinkled in, but I loved watching Nick and Riley's relationship bounce back and forth as neither listened to the other. They were the perfect characters to plan an entire mystery around.

Thank you NetGalley and Bloom for the advanced copy. I can’t remember the last book that made me laugh this much.

The first third of this book was slow moving. It improved after that. It is a hilarious romcom mystery. It is worth pushing through. There is some steam to it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Bloom Books for providing this book, with my honest review below.

I have really enjoyed Lucy Score’s Knockemout series and I was surprised (and disappointed in myself) to see that she had other books published, with The Dead Guy Next Door representing one of her older books being re-released. While I now mourn the time I’ll lose in the future rediscovery of all her previous books, it’s because The Dead Guy Next Door was such a delight that I can’t sleep on any Lucy Score book from now on!

With the same joy that I take away from all her main characters in her Knockemout series, this book gave me such happiness as I got caught up in the off the walls adventure of Riley, a clairvoyant in denial, and Nick, a PI playboy. I loved the supporting characters, mainly the elderly who make up Riley’s roommates, as well as the hijinks Riley gets caught up in.

There’s a lot of action here, but when I think of the readers I run into who confess to ADHD and the need for a book that will keep their attention with action and suspense, I think of this book as a perfect solution.

Highly recommended for those who like to laugh and laugh get engaged in a joyous adventure mystery (granted, at the cost of a dead body).

Riley Thorn and the Dead Guy Next Door is a hilarious and entertaining romp through the life of the endearing and quirky Riley Thorn. Divorced, broke, and cohabiting with a group of elderly roommates, Riley's life takes a wild turn when she's mixed up in a murder investigation. Lucy Score’s writing is witty and filled with delightful humor, and the chemistry between Riley and Nick Santiago is electric. The addition of psychic visions and a mysterious stranger adds a layer of intrigue and suspense. This book is a fun and light hearted blend of romance, mystery, and the paranormal. Riley Thorn's charm and humor will leave you eagerly anticipating her next adventure!

I didn’t know I needed a Lucy Score paranormal rom com in my life until I read this! I loved every second of this book! Riley is a great main character and I can’t wait to read about her next shenanigans with Nick and her elderly neighbours.

I've read enough Lucy Score books that I enjoyed that I keep going back for more, but her older stuff definitely needs a revamp before it's rereleased on paper. I get capitalizing on her popularity, but this felt dated.