Things We Left Behind (Knockemout Series, 3)

I loved Lucian and Sloane’s grump-sunshine, enemies to lovers, second chance, benefits only, “we have a secret feud that we won’t talk about” romance. The book has a perfect blend of hilarity, sweet moments, difficult real life issues, danger, and steam. There was a lot of facing ugly truths and past pain with plenty of snort worthy laughs thrown in. This love story is not a twenty something’s flowers, mood lighting, tweeting birds and traditional romantic gestures insta-love story. This is the gritty, messy kind of love with dark painful places in between the light joyful ones. Sloane is the head librarian in small town Knockemout. At the beginning of the story, her dad just died of cancer and she realizes she put the needs of her career ahead of having a husband and children. She is determined to do that now. Lucian grew up next door to Sloane but had a very different childhood. Hers was loving and nurturing and his was full of violence. Sloane and Lucian had a long ago past though only they know what it was or what happened. They only interact when mutual friends force them together at social events. To get to their HEA will require the perfect storm of events, examination of long suppressed feelings, embracing their fears, healing, and of course trying to bring down a mob boss. Lucian and Sloane are portrayed as real, relatable people who have flaws and loads of baggage, but are really just trying to do their best as messy fallible humans. I have a soft spot for the people who are a bit uncomfortable in their skin because they don’t feel like they fit in or are worthy, like Lucian. So I love when they finally see their truth and they get swoon worthy HEAs because they really deserve them. This is not an enemies to lovers story that tips into meanness or abuse. The MCs are clearly just emotionally wounded ones. At the beginning of the book, they have been “on a never-ending roller coaster of insults, sexual awareness, bitterness, and flirtation.” The character growth and development journey was done beautifully for both of them. The story was well written and included witty dialogue, three dimensional characters who grow, and an engaging storyline and will give you all the feels - laughing, crying, swooning, cringing, teeth gritting, and cheering with sweet moments, steamy scenes, laughs, supportive friends, messy families, painful pasts, danger, and all the heart squeezing love. This was a great book to end this phenomenal series.

Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️ Tropes: - Childhood Friends - Forced Proximity - Enemies to Lovers - Opposite Attract - Second Chance - Bad Boy/ Good Girl Loved loved loved Lucian and Sloane’s story! Childhood friends, major life/ personality differences with a 20+ year hatred/ dislike for one another after one unforgivable act that tore them apart all those years ago. With so much despise comes with a lot of sexual tension. Lucian aka Lucifer is a character you can’t help but fall head over heels for. He’s so sophisticated always well dressed, always well put together, definitely likes the finer things in life. He made something of himself when he came from a broke home. He doesn’t pretend to like anyone and always has an idgaf attitude. Do not cross him because he won’t hesitate to destroy you with the lift of his pinky finger. He’s so protective of everyone he loves and will do anything legal or mostly illegal to protect them. Love how he absolutely loves Sloane but tries so hard not to. Sloane is the girl everyone wishes to be, she’s beautiful, smart, and fearless. Unlike Lucian she comes from a happy healthy and loving family. Which has shaped her into a go getter, always stand up for what’s right, happy sunshine women. Her love for books, family, friends and her community is so inspiring so much so in a way it sucks you in. Let’s not forget she it’s feisty and will always stick up for what’s right. More importantly can we talk about the plots! These plots thicken this story which takes you for a full on ride and also ties up the series. When I say my mouth was on the floor it was basically on the floor. Lucian’s character development is amazing. He goes from this hard, I hate everything and everyone to a softy for Sloane all while still maintaining that I hate everyone attitude. All his wants and things he promises to never have do a complete 180. He’s so protective of Sloane which just makes you heart eye him so much. Sloane on the other hand is so persistent, but also secretive trying to take matters into her own hands. She’s so outspoken it’s truly amazing. Their chemistry is to die for! All in all this was a great end to the series and a great story for Sloane and Lucian. 100% recommend.

I’ve read all three books and this one was my fav. All three are very similar (the guy breaks up with the girl and then realizes his mistake after a tragedy) but I felt like she improved the scenario with each book. At first I was annoyed that this book incorporated the mob boss story line again but then the author pleasantly surprised me at the end with a really good twist. I really like how we lost the annoying small town busy bodies in this book. The female character was strong and didn’t act overly lovesick which had me cheering. When her guy broke up with her she didn’t turn into a devastated victim who accepted their men back with open arms. Instead she got mad and made him earn his way back like any strong woman should do. My only complaint with this book is that I feel the friends don’t have boundaries. If three women that I’ve only been friends with for a couple months showed up uninvited on the night of my fathers funeral when all I wanted to do was be alone to deal with my grief, they would no longer be my friends. I found Sloan to be so much more likable than Naomi and I wish Naomi had less of a presence in the third book. I hadn’t planned on reading more of this series after reading the first book but I’m glad I stuck to it because the third book was really good (minus the annoying friend thing) and I highly recommend it.

I usually sit down and write a review the minute I finish a book so I don't forget all of the amazing details swimming in my head. This time, it took me days to wrap my brain around the fact that Lucy Score's Things We Left Behind (TWLB)—book 3 and the last book in her Knockemout series—was over. A farewell I wasn't ready for from a book and characters I craved more and more time with meant coming to terms with feelings and thoughts and words I didn’t want to end. And I struggled with writing a review that was worthy of the words and feelings and thoughts on all of those incredible pages. Bottom line, it’s too soon to say farewell. Too soon to walk away from everyone and everything. Too soon to leave Knockemout. Because Knockemout is a real place that lives in your soul instead of on a map. A place that pulls you in (just ask Naomi, Lina, and Stef), holds you close (just ask everyone else), and surrounds you with the most memorable experiences of a lifetime (just ask Lucian & Sloane). Lucy Score brings characters to life in Knockemout, embedding them in your heart, making them just as real as your quirky relative down the street. Or your intimidating neighbor who really just needs to be reassured that they are capable of love and being loved just as they are. Broken and Beautiful doesn’t even begin to scratch the surface of the characters Score created in Lucian Freaking* Rollins and Sloane Walton. Beginning from book 1 (Things We Never Got Over), they’ve been spotlight grabbers in my imagination. When I found out they were getting their own book, I was ecstatic. The build-up to it was epic. And now it’s here. And I’ve read it. And it’s so freaking wonderful I don’t even have words to describe it. I have tears. And smiles. And smiles through tears. And memories of moments when I laughed so hard and so suddenly I scared the dog. And probably my family. And maybe a few people in a couple of waiting rooms. I didn’t merely read Things We Left Behind. Nope, I devoured it. I immersed myself in it. I lost track of time, forgot to eat, drank far too much tea because I lost count of how many cups I’d made. I may have slacked off on work. Lost sleep. Excused myself from a family event. I wasn’t putting this book down. For anything. Why? Ummm… well… There are so many reasons. I’ll try and condense them to a few: Score creates the perfect level of suspense and intrigue to heighten the overall emotions of the story. She includes several of my favorite tropes, including friends to enemies to lovers, second chance romance, and touch-her-&-become-unalive* vibes. The humor is off the charts, but so is the heart, and they are so perfectly blended and seamlessly integrated, I was ugly crying one moment and snort-laughing the next. The story is stunning in its depth. Quite simply, it is intensely hilarious and gutterally emotional. And the steam. Holy cow! I knew Suit Daddy was gonna be off the chain steamy, but woah! Sloane, my friend, you are one seriously fortunate lady! I could use words like chemistry, connection, etc, but they're not even remotely adequate to describe the intricate levels of storytelling and relationships woven into TWLB. If you haven’t figured it out by now, I absolutely floved TWLB. And everything about it. It will be a perpetual re-read. I will experience it again through the audiobook. I will recommend it to every reader friend I know. And even non-reader friends, because everyone needs to experience this book, this series, and this author. Thank you, Lucy Score. For being the goddess of good vibes. The light in so many lives. The source of tears and laughter, heartbreak and joyful reunions. The creator of the ultimate HEAs. * word edited for bot pacification

What a way to end the series! I gobbled up the first 400 pages without even feeling like time was passing; the sexual tension and intensity of the story had me completely gripped, and I was caught up in the romance. Going in, I wasn't confident that I was going to love Sloane and Lucian's story because of the tropes at play, but I quickly realized that wasn't going to be an issue. Despite their MESSY history and decades of feuding, their love story pulled me in without hesitation. They have some insane chemistry, and the spicy scenes were SMOKIN' hot. I loved the constant bite of sexual tension laced throughout the first half, and the hate sex was off the charts sexy. But more than that, those spicy scenes revealed so much about this couple; they're connected in a way that they'd probably both deny, and it was easy to see the deeper undertones of their relationship early on. It's a story that resonated with me in a way that I wasn't expecting, and I ended up really loving it. The story follows Sloane, a woman whose father recently passed away. His death has reminded Sloane that she is approaching forty without fulfilling her dreams of a family, and there aren't any prospects on the horizon. Though there are plenty of nice guys in town, the only one who makes her blood heat is Lucian, the bane of Sloane's existence. Now that their friends are coupled up, they've been spending more time together - and it's a constant reminder of the things that tore them apart. Sloane and Lucian have been guarding the secrets of their past for the last two decades, and now that's finally catching up with them. They can't stand to be in the same room together, but they can't seem to stay away from each other either, no matter how much they'd like to. Unfortunately, the death of Sloane's father has brought a few things to light... and Sloane will never be able to look at Lucian the same way again. I've really enjoyed this series, and this makes a fitting conclusion. The romance itself is easy to read as a standalone, but the suspenseful elements tie the series together. Personally, I have very little emotional investment in the suspense, so I felt like the first 400ish pages were significantly stronger than the last 200. Like, really strong. I absolutely LOVED the angst and intensity of Sloane and Lucian's story, and it was incredibly engaging for me. Digging into the details of their past was just as interesting as watching them fight their feelings in the present, and Score deftly weaves together those elements. We get a few flashbacks to piece together their history without it bogging down the present day story, and that insight makes the romance that much richer. Even when Sloane and Lucian were denying their feelings for each other, it was easy to see that there was more than met the eye. The spice was not only hot as sin, but also incredibly intimate and laced with meaning. Though Lucian is stubborn as can be (and the breakup was a little rougher than I'd like), I could easily see where he was coming from. It's an emotional, often heavy, story that pulled me in right away and didn't let go the whole way through. I loved it!

Things We Left Behind took everything I loved about the Knockemout series to a whole new level. This book was everything I hoped for and more—full of emotion, complex characters, and that perfect balance of tension, heartache, and joy that made the series unforgettable. The way the author wrapped up this trilogy was absolutely brilliant. We finally get to dive deeper into the lives of Knox and Naomi as they continue their journey, but this book also shifts focus to other beloved characters from the series, giving us more of their stories and making it feel like a beautiful reunion. Each character’s personal growth and relationships were handled so thoughtfully, making this final installment truly satisfying. The emotions in this book are real and raw. I found myself tearing up in parts, laughing in others, and cheering for these characters to overcome their challenges. It was a rollercoaster of emotions, but in the best possible way. The chemistry between the characters continues to be one of the strongest points of the series, and by this book, you’re completely invested in their journeys. I also really appreciated the Collector's Edition bonus content! It was such a treat to have additional insights, behind-the-scenes moments, and extra chapters that made me love the story even more. It was a perfect way to end this series and leave readers feeling satisfied and connected to the world the author created. If you've loved the previous books in the Knockemout series, you absolutely cannot miss this one. It’s a beautiful, heartwarming conclusion to an emotional, well-crafted series that has captured my heart. I’ll be thinking about these characters for a long time to come!" Pros: Emotionally satisfying and well-rounded conclusion Focus on character growth and relationships Engaging chemistry between characters Bonus content in the Collector’s Edition adds great value Perfect blend of heartache, humor, and romance Cons: If you haven’t read the first two books, it may be harder to fully appreciate the character arcs (but I’d highly recommend reading them all!)

This has small town vibes, friendships, romance, mystery, family dynamics, all the things that make a great story. Full of emotion, complex characters, and that perfect balance of tension, heartache, and humor. Entertaining read that delivers. I will definitely miss these characters. Sloane and Lucien will always have a piece of my heart.

How do you feel when you are about to read book 3 of a wildly successful trilogy? I don’t know about you but I usually take that step with great trepidation. Will the author just “phone it in”? Or will they pour their heart and soul into that final book? There really wasn’t any doubt in my mind that Lucy Score would fall into the latter group of authors. For any reader who has been a part of her BRAs group for any length of time, it’s been clear from the very start that this series was a whole other level of personal to her. And that shines through every page of Things We Left Behind, starting from her dedication page (a dedication that hits home for me and probably many others) right through to the Bonus Epilogue. I’m not going to go through the plot points and characters since many other reviewers do that so well. I’m just here to share my love for this series (in fact, for all of her books) and to thank Lucy Score for bringing such incredible heart and souls to her writing. We’ve all been waiting a long time for the story of Sloane and Suit Daddy, Lucian. And this book not only delivers that story perfectly but also lets us revisit Naomi and Knox plus Nash and Lina (not to mention Waylay and Stef). It was a joyful, tearful, suspenseful and fulfilling ride and I loved every minute of it! And it was HOT so crank up the air conditioning! If you’ve already been a reader of Lucy Score you aren’t reading reviews to decide if you should buy this book (ha! You preordered it, didn’t you?!). So for anyone who is new to the world of Lucy Score I say, Yes! Read this book! But I suggest you start with book one for the full effect and enjoyment of this series. You’ll have such a wonderful time in the town of Knockemout and leaving it will be bittersweet. Again, thank you, Lucy Score.

I adored this book and missed Knockemout as soon as I finished reading! Once again Lucy Score wrote a beautiful story full of romance, comedy, steam, mystery, and emotionally charged moments that are bound to bring tears to your eyes. Sloane and Lucian were great together, and he became my favorite Knockemout hero. I loved the way the whole mystery was wrapped up and that we not only got to see previous characters again (namely Nolan, Stef and Jeremiah), but also got to know new ones such as Emry and Petula. Definitely one of the best books I've read this year, I highly recommend it!

La série Knockemout a été une surprise inattendue pour moi. L’histoire n’est pas toujours réaliste mais on se laisse prendre au jeu. Après Knox et Naomi, Nash et Lina, c’est au tour de Lucian et Sloane d’être au centre de l’attention. J’attendais particulièrement ce roman pour enfin savoir ce qui se cachait derrière l’antagonisme entre les deux personnages dont on avait eu un aperçu dans les deux premiers romans de la série. Je n’ai pas été déçue.

Wow. The conclusion to the Knockmeout series DID NOT disappoint. Lucian and Sloane were everything I hoped they would be. The enemies to lovers trope was so well done here with absolute animosity and snarkiness at every corner. It really felt like these two hated each other and the reasons for it were believable. When the tension finally snapped and the spice kicked in, I think my kindle nearly caught on fire. These two were combustible and they just couldn’t stay away from each other once they started. Lucian had such deep pain from his childhood that caused him to keep people at arm’s length but when he finally decides to be all in with Sloane (and it is kind of funny that he is 100% in it and Sloane doesn’t get a choice 🤣), he is ALL in. It’s sweet and funny and just so Lucian. Sloane was fierce, and at first determined not to let Lucian be anything more than a one time thing but it was very clear she thought so much more of him than that. I loved her humor, smarts, and protectiveness. She is probably my favourite of all the Knockmeout ladies.

The book is delivered in very good condition.

My newest obsession, Lucian Rollins, is wow. I don't know why I was surprised by how good this was since I absolutely loved the two previous books but Lucian the emotionally damaged bad boy with a protection complex is one of the best men I've read. This really is the best modern true enemies to lovers I've ever read. They both hurt each other deeply in their teenage years and can't forgive the betrayal but also can't seem to stay away from each other. The spice was so hot that I had to pause at work to listen later. My colleagues were definitely wondering what was so extremely funny that it had me trying to stifle my laughter and failing spectacularly. The banter between these two in their cat and mouse game was delectable. The stakes were high, there was mystery and intrigue, a twist that I definitely didn't see coming, and so much sweet, sweet tension.