I enjoy this book & series. It reminds me of the Stephanie Plum books, except with a physic & not a bounty hunter… it’s funny, the characters are great, & I can’t wait til the next one.

4.25 stars

Of all the books in the Riley Thorn series so far, this was probably my least favorite, because Riley's ex-husband, mannequin newscaster Griffin Gentry was featured most prominently in this one as the intended target, and nothing raises my blood pressure like a vapid narcissist. After a car chase and being shot at, Griffin runs to Riley and Nick's crumbling Tudor for help, shockingly enough, and even though Nick would like nothing more than to punch the diminutive dirt bag in the face, he reluctantly takes the case due to cash flow issues. With Griffin's entitled behavior and laundry list of wronged victims in his wake, the pair have more than enough suspects to keep them busy, if they can keep their elderly neighbors out of trouble long enough. By book four, some of these antics are starting to feel repetitive, and Griffin's "but everyone loves me!" wide eyed routine got old really quickly. A fun surprise for me was finding out that Griffin's weather girl fiancée Bella was a little more calculating than her bubble head facade let's on, because honestly, good for her. With visions of sparkles dancing in her head, Riley is looking forward to her and Nick's next adventure, and even if this one wasn't a favorite in the series, I am too.

3.5Stars - An improvement on the previous book in the series.
The 4th instalment continues almost immediately from where the 3rd book (Blast from the Past) finished and we see Riley and Nick taking on a new case. This time acting as a bodyguard for Riley's ex husband Griffin after it seems someone wants him dead. With the usual group of geriatric neighbours, family and friends around them assisting in this case, the team find themselves over and over in very sticky situations.

I definitely preferred this instalment over the 3rd for several reasons:
1. Riley has her powers back and she uses them a lot. This was really missed in the 3rd book due to her temporarily losing her powers.
2. I felt the plot of this book was more solid, had a purpose, journey and ending. The 3rd book was all over the place.
3. The banter in this book was also elevated and the characters really found their own in this one. There were definitely some laugh out loud moments here!

One thing to note is that the characters are very comic book/cartoonlike. If you expect to find layers here, there are not! Griffin in particular is something taken out of a bad soap opera or TV show, but I think that is the point of these books. They are tongue in cheek and NOT to be taken seriously.

Same criticisms as I felt with previous books, they are a bit on the too long side for what they are. The author could do with keeping it more concise and flowy and there are some scenes which were unnecessary.

Seems like there is a 5th instalment and if its more in keeping with this last book I'm here for it!

Thanks to SOURCEBOOKS Bloom Books who provided a copy via NetGalley for Review. All opinions are my own.

Another wild and zany book in the Riley Thorne series. This one had me giggling as usual. The usual cast of characters are back. And there are scenes with a few new faces that are very funny.

I don’t think we got enough of Riley working on/utilizing her psychic powers in this book. So hopefully there is a bit more in the next. And I got a little annoyed with Nick being all caveman and saying that Riley was “his” and trying to say she couldn’t do things (not that she listened anyways). It will be nice to see some evolution from him on that front. But those are my only two qualms.

This book is entertaining and fun. And I look forward to more.

Thanks Bloom books for the copy of this book.

What a cute, fun continuation of the Riley Thorn series. I love the mystery aspect which sets the book apart from most romance counterparts. This book was light, hilarious, and the perfect read to relax after a long day. I'll continue to follow the series in its entirety.

This series is just so stinking fun! Mrs Penny is an icon and I read these books to experience her (kidding… or am I??)

Between the utterly delightful wacky set of characters and the exhilarating plot with twists and turns and chaotic energy, I truly believe this goes down as one of my favorite series. The timeline of all the books spans over like 4 months I think and that just adds to the hecticness because these characters do and experience more in a singular day than I do in an entire month.

I love Lucy’s books and this is no exception. I couldn’t recommend this entire series enough. Definitely read them in order!!! I am hoping and wishing and dreaming we get to visit Riley, Nick, and their entire old roomies/neighbors again soon. A Jasmine and Keller spin-off?!? Id die. Okay 10/10 would recommend.

Thank you netgalley and bloom for the arc!!

Thanks the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

So I have to be honest and say I went into this not realising it was the 4th book in a series but I still decided to jump on in and see if I could get through the book without having to go back and read the first three. Luckily after reading a quick synopsis of the first three I had no issues in reading this one.

I didn't expect to find this book as funny as I did and I was pleasantly surprised by it. There's a little bit of everything thrown in and I enjoyed following along in the crazy journey these characters took.

I will now be going and properly reading the first three books and I look forward to seeing what comes next.

Another good book in this series. This book is funny while solving a mystery. Riley is hired to find our who is trying to kill her ex husband. All the characters from the previous books are also in this one.

Like the others before it, The Body in the Backyard and Riley Thorne were hilariously excellent.

The addition of Riley’s ex was brilliant because he is the perfect character that you love to hate.

I love the amount of action and silliness that is in every Riley Thorne book and this is a series I love to keep on the reread shelf.

So thankful to get a chance to read this as an ARC thanks to Lucy Score and NetGalley!

In true Riley Thorn fashion, The Body in the Backyard was a light, hilarious read.

I love that you get humor, crime solving and romance all wrapped up in these novels with a gaggle of hilarious characters. This is the 4th book in the series and honestly the series in itself is a BREEZE to get through if you haven't made the jump yet.

Can't wait to see what Lucy (and Riley and Nick?) does next!

Riley is just trying to keep it all together as they work through the long list of suspects. She is starting to find confidence in her psychic abilities and I enjoyed seeing her be more at peace with her true self.

I feel like this was as much Nicks story as it was Riley’s as he came to terms with his feelings and what he wants for the future. I really enjoyed his perspective and how he showed a more vulnerable side to Riley and became more confident about his feelings.

Griffin Gentry was almost frustratingly clueless and annoying; which was an interesting dynamic to deal with. You want Riley, Nick & crew to save the day but several times I was left wondering if maybe the should let the bad guys win.

As with each book in the Riley Thorne series the cast of secondary characters shine in their own way. I think we’d all love to be Mrs Penny when we grow up!

Lucy Score's "The Body in the Backyard" is a delightful blend of romance and mystery that keeps readers hooked from start to finish. Set in a charming small town, the novel unfolds with a quirky premise as the protagonists find themselves entangled in a murder investigation that turns their lives upside down.

Score excels in creating vibrant characters with witty banter and undeniable chemistry. The romance between the leads develops amidst the chaos of solving a crime, adding depth and excitement to the storyline. The small-town setting enhances the cozy mystery vibe, making it a perfect read for fans of both genres.

What sets "The Body in the Backyard" apart is Score's ability to balance humor with suspense, crafting a narrative that is both light-hearted and suspenseful. The twists and turns of the plot keep readers guessing until the very end, while the blossoming romance adds a heartwarming layer to the story.

Overall, "The Body in the Backyard" is a charming and engaging read that blends romance and mystery seamlessly. Lucy Score's knack for creating relatable characters and compelling narratives makes this novel a standout in the romantic mystery genre, offering readers a thoroughly enjoyable escape into a world of humor, intrigue, and romance.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this ARC publication for an honest review.

This is book 4 of the Riley Thorn series. This time Riley, Nick, and their senior citizen crew get hired to protect, Griffin, the horrible ex-husband who someone is trying to kill...and so many have just cause to want him dead! Griffin's character is definitely over the top with his self-centered, unaware, misogynist, loathsome demeanor. Honestly, there is no redeeming feature of this man or his fiancée who is more cartoon character than human-like.

There is some mystery, suspense, psychic happenings, a little romance and tons of silliness...almost too many hijinks moments, but it was still a fun read. My favorite parts involve Nick being all sweet and romantic...hopefully a wedding will be in the next installment!

3.5 stars

I thoroughly enjoyed the final book in the Riley Thorn series.
As with the first 3, this book has it all. Romance, mystery, comedy, and even a little bit of the paranormal. This installment wraps it up nicely but DOES leave a little room for spin-offs, or even more Riley and Nick. And just like the first 3, I love that the cast of characters spans all age ranges. The FMC and MMC are both a little older, but still working to get their lives together, and as a mid-life reader, this appeals to my firm belief that you can start over at any age!
The comedy is the highlight in this book, and in this series as a whole. It lends a lightness to the darker nature of the crimes at the base of each mystery. It's a little silly, and a little slapstick. I can't help but giggle!

As far as Lucy Score books go, it was up there with the rest of them. The plot held my attention, the characters were interesting and in a very strange way that I cannot explain (I guess it’s a vibes thing, maybe??), her writing in this series reminds me reading Laurel K. Hamilton’s Anita Blake series as Y2K began

I don’t laugh as much reading a romcom as I do when I read this series! It’s so much fun and romance goodness rolled into one. The whole crew is back and ready so solve another mystery. Definitely a must read!

I always love Lucy Score, she's an auto-read author for me. This was a little different tone but was fun and lighthearted to get through.

Hilarious Fun Romcom! Loved it!

Thank you NetGallary for an early review copy of The Body in the Backyard!

Lucy Score blew me away!

Fun times! This was a fun read with lots of moving parts!

I absolutely LOVED the hilarious banter! Hilariously funny with adventure and mystery, there is nothing better!

No spoilers with my review! This is a great read!

Overall I give this book 5 golden stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Lucy Score delivers another delightful adventure with psychic detective Riley Thorn. When her self-absorbed ex-husband, Griffin, shows up seeking help, Riley and her private investigator boyfriend, Nick Santiago, reluctantly take on the case. Chaos ensues as Riley's elderly roommates interfere with the investigation, and a murder adds urgency. Riley must rely on her psychic abilities to solve the mystery amidst the hilarity and danger Griffin brings. This book is a perfect mix of humor, romance, and suspense. The engaging characters and surprising twists kept me hooked. It's a lighthearted, feel-good read that’s both funny and thrilling. I can't wait for the next installment in this charming series.

It is a funny and electrifying mystery with laughter and mayhem! I loved every moment of The Body in the Backyard by Lucy Score. When will this be made into a television series? Netflix would have a blockbuster on its hands.