This is the fourth book in the Riley Thorn series and they just keep getting better and better. While this is a standalone book, reading the previous books will help with the backstory of the characters. If you have read previous Lucy Score books, you know you are in for a treat with the characters and her ability to write a great story.

Riley Thorn’s ex-husband, who is a loathsome man, wants to hire her and her boyfriend Nick Santiago to find out who is trying to kill him. Of course, with the past history between them, Nick really doesn’t want to help him. I loved all the descriptions of Griffin’s spray tan, his height, and his enormous ego.

Riley is living once again with her octogenarian roommates due to a roof collapse at their house next door and they all help Riley and Nick with the investigation. Due to Griffin’s ego, there are many people he has slighted and trampled on to get ahead and there is no shortage of suspects. I felt the killer was a surprise and I loved the ending of the book.

I think readers will be delighted by the characters in the book as well as the banter between Nick and Riley. I love Nick’s competitive friendship with Kellen Weber, his previous partner while a policeman, and Kellen absolutely needs a relationship with Jasmine, Riley’s best friend.

All the Riley Thorn stories are easy to read and a fun time. I love how her books start in the future and then take us back a few days to describe what leads up to that point. I hope there are more books in this series because they are so much fun and laugh out loud funny.

Thank you NetGalley and Bloom Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

First and foremost, thank you to NetGalley, Sourcebooks Bloom Books, and Lucy Score for this e-ARC to read in exchange for my honest review.

Riley and Nick are back in the fourth installment of the Riley Thorn series, and this time, the stakes are higher than ever as they must protect Riley's ex-husband from a murderous plot! "The Body in the Backyard" delivers all the charm and humor that fans of the series have come to love.

Once again, Riley's elderly neighbors bring their hilarious antics to the forefront, making every scene with them a delightful treat. Their quirky behaviors and endearing personalities provide a perfect backdrop to the mystery and suspense that unfold throughout the book.

Lucy Score has a knack for creating a sense of chaos that feels both real and utterly amusing. Riley and Nick's lives resemble a three-ring circus, and their ability to navigate this constant whirlwind is nothing short of hilarious. The dynamic between the two leads remains strong, filled with witty banter and undeniable chemistry.

One of the highlights of this installment is the tension and angst between Weber and Jasmine. Their interactions are charged with emotion, and the anticipation of their potential romance adds an extra layer of excitement to the story. Fans will undoubtedly be on the edge of their seats, eager for the moment these two finally get together.

Overall, "The Body in the Backyard" is a fantastic addition to the Riley Thorn series. Lucy Score delivers another captivating mystery filled with humor, heart, and unforgettable characters. If you've enjoyed the previous books, you'll find all the same quirkiness and charm in this one. It's a must-read for fans and newcomers alike!

Riley Thorn and Nick Santiago star in a romantic comedy mystery. What an entertaining couple who are investigating for Riley's ex-husband who thinks people are trying to kill him. This is the first in the series for me so I had some catching up to do, but I did pick up quickly. I think it would have been best to have read the three in the series before this one.
The dialogue and banter is a lot of fun in this book. It's cute, it's sweet. It's not nitty gritty like a thriller.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Another funny romp with Riley, Nick and the elderly sidekicks, although, who am I calling sidekicks when they help set the case in motion? The case being someone is trying to kill Riley's ex husband. He comes calling needing help. I suspect when he was acting like a cheating entitled jerk, he never expected to need her to save his sleazy news caster hide. Honestly, Riley may be a better person than me because as someone with a cheating ex, I would have told him to get out and find someone else to help. However, doing that would not have made for much of a story and would have robbed us of the laughs along the way as Riley and company interrogate the suspects (or perhaps Griffith's victim of his entitled ways.) Either way the suspect pool was large.
With a little bit of physic help and even more geriatric help, Riley and Nick solve the case and learn a little about themselves. I suspect this series is just getting started and we have more stories to tell. Who knows maybe some of the other characters will get their own closed door sexy times. Personally, I've read books 3 and 4 and have had no problems following the story but I plan to go back and read books 1 and 2.
Thanks to NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Bloom Books for the opportunity to read this ARC.

Riley Thorn and Nick Santiago are flexing their PI muscles for none other than Riley’s arrogant ex-husband. Through a series of comical but potentially dangerous situations, several possible suspects are interrogated.

Witty and well written, this fourth book in the Riley Thorn series is a must read. While reading the first three is recommended, this book did make perfect sense as a stand alone.

Thank you to Lucy Score, Bloom Books, and NetGalley for this ARC.

This is book 4 in the Riley Thorn Series and as usual, Lucy Score does not disappoint!

Griffin Gentry is killed and there are plenty of people who wanted him dead.
In comes Riley, her boyfriend, and a group of geriatric people are on the case, which makes for plenty of laughs and a fun read.

I highly recommend this book of you need a good laugh, a stress reliever, an escape!

Thank you Netgalley for the e-book ARC!

Action and comedy abound in book #4 of the series for the romantic mystery- solving team of Nick Santiago and Riley Thorne (and her spirit guides! 😉). With Beth/Seasame located and the company coffers depleted, they’re taking on the protection of Griffin Gentry, Riley’s cheating, vapid, over-tanned, newscaster ex-husband. Hilarious hijinks ensue as Nick, Riley and their partners work through their list of suspects alongside their pack of zany, elderly roommates.

I love Nick and Riley’s relationship and I love the Riley Thorne series. The Body in the backyard is a great addition. Crossing my fingers for #5 and for Jasmine and Weber to get together! ✨🤞

This book is technically a stand alone, but reading book #1 in the series will set you up with the background you need.

Thank you to Bloom and Net Galley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

More laugh out loud hijinx, romance and mystery served up by Lucy Score. Riley and Nick have good chemistry. This series is fun and entertaining

I just adore Lucy’s books! I loved this one the most out of the other three in the series. I adored Riley and Nick’s story. They balance each other out beautifully. The humor in this book was perfection. Loved

The Lucy Score books are so fun to read! I love this series and flew through all of them so fast! These are perfect for summer. Really enjoyed them!

Lucy Score has done it again with another action-packed, laugh out loud romcom mystery. I absolutely love Riley and all the books in the series. Read these in order for the best experience. Thanks so much for allowing me to read in advance!

Lucy Score does it once again!

We are back with my favorite duo, Riley Thorn and Nick Santiago! This time they’re working a case for Riley’s ex husband who is convinced somebody is trying to kill him.

One of my favorite things about this series is that you get to stick with all the same quirky side characters from the very beginning! The gang of geriatric crazies are definitely getting crazier as each book goes on!

I love the dual POV between Riley and Nick. The two as a couple are honestly perfect. Their banter back and forth, the way they protect and look out for each other and only strive to do things in their best interests is my favorite.

This fourth installment just like all the others will leave you laughing and kicking your feet all the way through!

I highly recommend to those who love a rom-com vibe with light spice!

Thank you NetGalley and Bloom Books for the arc!

Another fast-paced, hilarious adventure for Riley, Nick and their wacky cast of sidekicks - reading the previous books in the series is recommended, not only for all of the background but because they’re just as much of a wild ride as this one. It feels like the author has a lot of fun returning to these characters and developing them against the backdrop of snort-inducing situations, snappy dialogue, psychic insight and mild-to-middling peril. Definitely recommended.

📖 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐨𝐝𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐲𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐋𝐮𝐜𝐲 𝐒𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐞

"𝘐'𝘮 𝘴𝘰𝘳𝘳𝘺 𝘸𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘨𝘦𝘵 𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘶𝘱 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘳𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘯𝘰 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘬𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘴 𝘮𝘺 𝘤𝘳𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘺 𝘦𝘹-𝘩𝘶𝘴𝘣𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘣𝘪𝘳𝘵𝘩𝘥𝘢𝘺."

In true Riley Thorn fashion, 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐨𝐝𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐲𝐚𝐫𝐝 starts off just as wild and chaotic as always!

Riley, Nick, Burt and their band of geriatric sidekicks once again try to solve a murder. They must all work together to keep Riley’s ex-husband Griffin from being murdered. Unfortunately, the suspect list is MILES long!

I love these characters so much. Every time I pick up a new Riley Thorn book I know I am going to literally be put into a coma from laughing so hard. Over the course of 4 books, Riley and Nick’s relationship has grown stronger and stronger. I seriously love them together so much. They both thrive in chaos and are perfect for each other. This is a closed door romance.

“𝘠𝘰𝘶'𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘮𝘦. 𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘐 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘐 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘢 𝘣𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘸𝘢𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘥𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴, 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘮𝘱𝘢𝘨𝘯𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘧𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘢𝘺𝘣𝘦 𝘢 𝘧𝘶𝘤𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘷𝘪𝘰𝘭𝘪𝘯. 𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘶𝘴. 𝘔𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘺. 𝘊𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥. 𝘚𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘭𝘺 𝘪𝘯𝘫𝘶𝘳𝘦𝘥.“

If you like romcoms that will have you cackling, go read this series right now! 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐨𝐝𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐲𝐚𝐫𝐝, comes out July 16!

𝘛𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘴:
🔮 𝘗𝘴𝘺𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘤 𝘋𝘦𝘵𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦
😂 𝘏𝘪𝘭𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘰𝘶𝘴 𝘚𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘊𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴
🫶🏼 𝘋𝘶𝘢𝘭 𝘗𝘖𝘝
🔍 𝘔𝘶𝘳𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘔𝘺𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘺
💗 𝘊𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘋𝘰𝘰𝘳 𝘙𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦

The Riley Thorn series is SO MUCH FUN!
This is the fourth installment of this romantic mystery series and it was filled with all the mystery and antics I could have asked for!
The cast of characters are delightful. Riley and Nick have great chemistry and are learning to work together well. The elderly neighbors wreak all sorts of havoc as the PI firm (grudgingly) accepts a new case and begins working to solve it. The interactions with Riley’s family and Nicks family are perfect. And the humor I laughed out loud so many times while reading this book-sometimes from a hilarious or sarcastic quip-sometimes from the unbelievable mayhem.
I do recommend reading this series in order to enhance the understanding of the connections between these characters.
Thank you to BloomBooks for the opportunity to read an early copy via NetGalley, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you to Netgalley/Lucy Score for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Rating: 4/5 Stars

This series is so so fun!! I’m having a great time reading it, and I hope it never ends. I found myself super hooked and interested from start to finish. So fun and easy to binge!!

This series has been on my TBR for some time now. When I was approved for an ARC of book 4 in the series, I considered whether it was a possible to read as a standalone. Let me tell you, I am so glad I didn't! First off, I'm such a rule follower, it would have made me crazy to not read them in order! But without the first book, you can't really appreciate this crazy quirky cast of characters. The octogenarian roommates are the perfect comedy relief. Riley and Nick's families are both, let's say eccentric. And following Nick's transition from permanent bachelor to loving first time boyfriend is an absolute swoonfest!

The fourth book in the series finds Riley and Nick working a case for Riley's pathetic ex-husband, Griffin. Who would want to kill Griffin? Well, pretty much everyone with a pulse.

Please never stop writing this series Lucy Score! I don't know that I've ever loved a series so much! It has everything you could want in a story; kick-ass psychic heroine, dimples-for-days sexy boyfriend, romance, humor, murder mystery, shootouts, elderly roommates that know no boundaries. I could go on and on!
Thank you @netgalley and @read_bloom for the ARC.

I really like main characters Riley and Nick, and I enjoyed the first couple of books in this series a lot. However, the silliness has become over the top. Aside from Riley and Nick, nearly every character in this book felt like a caricature. Multiple characters were completely unbelievable and beyond annoying. I was annoyed with Griffin and Mrs. Penny for 300+ pages.

As far as the plot, I would have loved to see more of Riley using her powers. For the “most powerful psychic in her family” she hasn’t used her skills much lately. Also, the mystery in this story was unsatisfying, but I won’t spoil the whodunnit aspect for anyone who hasn’t read it yet.

I’m assigning this book two stars because it is readable, a complete story, and not socially problematic. I just didn’t enjoy it.

I think the thing I love most about the Riley Thorn books is that I can feel how much fun Lucy Score has writing them. This series is her allowing herself to go as off-the-wall as she can come up with because there’s no boundaries to the chaos Riley, Nick, and the whole crew can find themselves in.

It is a series that needs to be read in order as, for example, this book picks up right where book 3 left off. Nick’s PI firm is hired to find the person trying to off Riley’s narcissistic ex-husband, who is even more of a sewer person this time around. There’s no shortage of suspects. It was entertaining to see Nick have to battle with needing the money that will come from solving the case and adding himself to the top of the suspect list.

All of the zaniness found throughout the series is still present four books later and doesn’t show any signs of venturing into the land of ‘normalcy’. That’s a good thing for those of us who love an escapist romance read that is silly and fun.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bloom Books for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 stars

This is my fourth book in the Riley Thorn series and maybe the last one I will read. Then again I may change my mind when we get to book five, we'll see.

Not as pleasurable as the first one, this one still contained the humor from the previous books which, for the most part, works. However, the geriatrics are ridiculous, not in a good way, and Griffin Gentry was more insufferable than Mrs. Penny, never thought that was possible. Mrs. Penny and Griffin are not plausible characters, and that detracts from the story. Overall, this was still a lighthearted mystery comedy and was quick to get through.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.