TITLE: Things We Left Behind
AUTHOR: Lucy Score
SERIES: Knockemout
SERIES ORDER: 3 of 3
RELEASE DATE: 9/5/2023
GENRE: Small Town Romance
RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
CW/TW: mention of and flashbacks to scenes of DV, loss of family member/grief
BLURB:
There was only one woman who could set me free. But I would rather set myself on fire than ask Sloane Walton for anything.
Lucian Rollins is a lean, mean vengeance-seeking mogul. On a quest to erase his father’s mark on the family name, he spends every waking minute pulling strings and building an indestructible empire. The more money and power he amasses, the safer he is from threats.
Except when it comes to the feisty small-town librarian that keeps him up at night…
Sloane Walton is a spitfire determined to carry on her father’s quest for justice. She’ll do that just as soon as she figures out exactly what the man she hates did to—or for—her family. Bonded by an old, dark secret from the past and the dislike they now share for each other, Sloane trusts Lucian about as far as she can throw his designer-suited body.
When bickering accidentally turns to foreplay, these two find themselves not quite regretting their steamy one-night stand. Once those flames are fanned, it seems impossible to put them out again. But with Sloane ready to start a family and Lucian refusing to even consider the idea of marriage and kids, these enemies-to-lovers are stuck at an impasse.
Broken men break women. It’s what Lucian believes, what he’s witnessed, and he’s not going to take that chance with Sloane. He’d rather live a life of solitude than put her in danger. But he learns the hard way that leaving her means leaving her unprotected from other threats.
It’s the second time he’s ruthlessly cut her out of his life. There’s no way she’s going to give him a third chance. He’s just going to have to make one for himself.
“That was the magic of Lucian. I could hate him, and he could still make me smile.”
MY REVIEW:
Things We Left Behind is the wonderful yet all too short conclusion to the Knockemout saga. Throughout the three books, Lucy Score has managed to not only make me fall in love with the fictional town of Knockemout, but also its residents. Throughout the first two books in this series (Things We Never Got Over and Things We Hide From the Light), I was enamored by the glimpses Lucy gave us of Lucian Rollins and Sloane Watson. I knew this story was going to be great, but I didn’t know that it would rock my world!
I feel like if I recap any of this book it would be spoiling it for those of you who haven’t read it yet. I would like to point out the CW/TWs above. If you’re triggered by any of those things, please proceed with caution.
This book, this series, is going to stick with me for a while, and holy hell where can I get myself a Lucian Rollins? (Maybe with not all the baggage though lol.) This was the perfect small town, childhood friends-to-enemies-to-lovers romance mixed with Score’s signature snark, whit and a touch of mystery.
Haven’t read this series yet? What are you waiting for! I, for one, think everyone should read this series. It’s an experience/journey worth taking!
You can either buy this series on Kindle or paperback, or rent it through KU.