This is the third and final Knockemount novel. As excited as I was for this book I was not prepared for it's fabulousness. Sloane and Lucian are everything, from childhood love to enemies to lovers. Their epic love story is definitely one of my top 10 reads of 2023.. Lucy Score knocked this one or oh the park. I walked away from line good prevails over evil, good things happen to good people, although sometimes you have to be patient, and above all love wins.

Oh my goodness, I love Lucy Score! I love Knockemout and every single character in this series. I cried like a baby in the epilogue, such a happy ending. Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read this ARC. I truly am sad that Knockemout is done but I know Lucy will come up with something else. I can’t wait!

Lucy Score does a fantastic job wrapping up the Knockemout series with Things We Left Behind. Sloane and Lucian were ready for their own story. Digging into their past explains so much about why Lucian is the way he is. I will always recommend this series to readers who want spice with their romance. I will miss these characters. I look forward to what Lucy Score comes up with next.

Lucy Score created something so beautiful with the Knockemout series, and this conclusion was perfect.

So much so that I when I finished this, I read it again. It couldn’t be over!

If you’ve read the first two in the series, you know Lucian and Sloane are at each other’s throats more often than not, with the addition of Lucian being clearly protective over Sloane.

Now we see their history, why their relationship is so explosive. Sloane and Lucian were childhood friends until they were torn apart, never to reconcile. Is the ongoing investigation about the criminals who tried to kill their friend Nash going to bring them together? Will Sloane’s beloved father’s death urge them to bury the hatchet?

No spoilers, but I can tell you I closed this book utterly loving Lucian and Sloane, both together and as individuals. Lucy did an amazing job developing who they are from TWNGO, and it set up perfectly for their story.

Sloane is strong, loving, and who she is for her community is simply incredible to me. I love her fiery attitude and deep kindness for everyone in her orbit, as well as her ability to demand what she deserves.

Lucian is so much deeper than the corporate mercenary he makes himself out to be. In one of the first scenes, he orders Sloane’s favorite burrito for her after her father’s funeral because she hadn’t eaten. He may be grumpy, but he’s a secret softie— especially for Sloane.

This book had heart seeping from its pages, some of my favorite characters of all time, and of course, an amazing romance. I love this entire series so much that I’m having trouble picking a favorite. It may change with my mood, but this one is my favorite today!

If you want the perfect romance that is STEAMY let me tell you, run and get this book. And every other one in the series and honestly? Everything this author has written.

You’ll be glad you did!

This. Was. Phenomenal. I absolutely adore Sloane and Lucian the most as a couple. Their love was pure and passionate and so deeply rooted. They worked through some REALLY tough stuff and I am so sad that this series is over! 😭

In the final installment of the Knockemout series, Sloane and Lucian’s past connections and current dislike of one another is explained. Their connections run deep, as they grew up next door to one another and shared teenage secrets. In the present, Sloane doesn’t understand why her mother and late father are so grateful to Lucian. He hasn’t forgiven her for a breach of trust many years ago, and she’s angry about the way he has treated her since. However, their shared past is about to catch up with both of them.

This series has been so much fun! This book was a great end to the characters’ stories. I thoroughly enjoyed the enemies to lovers trope and the banter in this book was top notch. I’d definitely recommend reading the first two books before reading this one, as you’ll get more insight into the characters and there’s a continuing storyline. This series truly has it all- spicy hot (open door) romance, a mystery and crime element, and the best small town setting. I’m sad to say goodbye to these characters, but loved the final chapters of their stories!

Thank you to Lucy Score, Bloom books, and Netgalley for the arc in exchange for my honest review.

Things We Left Behind is the final book in Lucy Score’s Knockemout trilogy: this one returns to the small town to focus both on the second-chance AND enemies-to-lovers romance of Lucian, a successful businessman, and Sloane, the town’s librarian.

Lucien and Sloane had a strong friendship and almost-love story when they were teenagers until a falling out ended their relationship. Now, they’re brought together only by their mutual friends, Knox and Waylon and Nash and Lina (the couples from the first two books of the series), sniping at each other during every encounter.

Of course, their chemistry is there from the beginning, and their mutual past is revealed through flashbacks that are interspersed through the novel, while they’re desperately trying—in their present—to uncover the source of peril that has plagued the community from book one.

Several subplots enrich the book: Sloane is mourning the death of her father, who was also a mentor for Lucian; Lucian is running his business, employing several characters from previous novels; Sloane is working to help an innocent woman win her freedom from prison; and more. I didn’t mind these little offshoots from the main plot, as they all serve to flesh out who these characters have become. There were two plot developments that I didn’t care for, but they’re in spoiler territory, so message me if you’re interested!

Overall, I found this to be a satisfying, steamy romance and a solid conclusion to the plot that had been developing throughout the trilogy: fans of Knockemout will, I think, be pleased.

I've read quite a few books/series by this author, and while I've always enjoyed her writing style, I feel like this series is at a whole new level. I have been anxiously awaiting Lucian and Sloane's story since first meeting them in the first book, and I am so pleased to say that the wait was worth it. The backstory for these two is heartbreaking, and I was rooting so hard for their HEA. I can genuinely say that this book--heck, this whole series--has all the feels. I joke often with my family about how I'm dead inside, but this one had me both tearing up and laughing out loud. I love to read, but I rarely feel so much emotion. If you haven't read this series yet, you are missing out. I recommend that you start with the first book; you'll be hooked right away and will devour all three books.

"You are always my business. You always have been, and you always will be. The only difference is, now you know it."

Well, this book did not disappoint!! Hands down, it's the best one of the series and I loved the first two. I have been anticipating Lucian and Sloanes story since book 1 and I am so happy to report that it really delivered for me! Lucy Score just does it for me, I love her writing style, her humor and no one does found family like her, which is one of my favorite things ever and this book was no exception. The banter and the chemistry were WHITE HOT! And the epilogue and the extended epilogue was like a present wrapped up in a bow for those of us that have followed this series from the beginning.

"Loving you has been a touchstone for more than half my life. But being loved by you? That's a fucking miracle. You, Pixie, are my miracle."

Lucien-I love this man so much, definitely my favorite Knockemout man. Getting answers into his background and his feud with Sloane was so heart wrenching. I felt for him and his struggle to manage his trauma that shaped him and grow as a person. He seems so icy but he really just wants to care for and protect everyone he loves. He is also really funny; I love how his employees/friends force their friendship on him and he acts like he hates it but secretly doesn't. But his back and forth with Sloane is so funny, they are seriously in a league of their own when it comes to volleying insults back and forth and bickering. And can we just talk about how SEXY this man is?! Soooo HOT!

"He was tall dark and evil. I was short, fair and awesome." 😂I love her.

Sloane-She was just my kind of FMC. She gives as good, and she takes and does not give Lucien an inch. She is stubborn and sassy, and her wit is unmatched. They are perfectly matched, and I loved how they both evolve and grow together.... stubbornly and reluctantly but together nevertheless! She is strong and confident, and she is a fighter, but she has her vulnerable side and they both finally let each other in it's so beautiful. 😭

"Christ. Baby, I need you to relax. You don't have all of it yet." 👀
"Shut up and take my cock like a good girl." 🤭

The chemistry It was hot guys, really, really hot.

"You're mine and I'm yours. For better or worse."

The found family-My favorite part of this series! Everyone is there, although I wanted more Waylay bc my girl is just the best, but we got more of Stef and Jeremiah which made my heart so happy bc I love them so much. And we got some new characters but most importantly we got all the CLOSURE with everyone's story that really wrapped up this series so perfectly. I'm actually kind of sad bc this is it for these characters and I am going to miss them and this sweet little town so much!

Thank you to Bloom Books, Lucy Score and NetGalley for the gifted arc

Book 3 in Lucy Score’s Knockemout series has been my most anticipated release for the second half of 2023 since the moment I finished book 2 in February. The way Lucy Score built up the tension between Lucian and Sloane in both of the first two books really set the stage for an epic enemies to lovers arc and she really delivered it in Things We Left Behind!

The backstory of what really caused Sloane and Lucian to live as enemies for so long was heartbreaking. It all made sense as it unraveled but my heart definitely ached for both Lucian and Sloane and all of the years they lost.

That bonus epilogue was truly the perfect cherry on top of the Knockemout series. I loved learning where all our faves ended up, and it was a beautiful happily ever after that they all earned throughout the course of the series. I sobbed my way through it and will forever remember this unforgettable cast of characters.

4.5 Stars The much anticipated final book in the Knockemout series, Things We Left Behind, lives up to the hype! TWLB follows two of the most mysterious characters in this series, Lucian Rollins and Sloane Walton, who we know have a contentious relationship but no one knows why. It's a steamy enemies-to-lovers romance!

Not only do we finally find out why Sloane and Lucian hate each other, but we get to see plenty more of the eccentric citizens of Knockemout, Virginia, including the main characters from the past two novels in the series. I'm definitely not one to complain about reading more of the Morgan brothers. The novel also has a few suspenseful elements to it and it wraps up the ongoing conflict surrounding crime boss Anthony Hugo. This one isn't a perfect 5 stars for me because the bickering and general conflict between Sloane and Lucian at the start of the book went on a little too long for me. It was a great way to wrap up the series and I LOVED the epilogue.

If I could have given this book a 10/5 I would have. I cannot express how much I loved the story between Lucian and Sloane. I absolutely devoured the other two books in this series and was thrilled beyond belief to get to read an advanced copy of this one. Lucy Score is a master of the slow burn romance book with lots of steamy parts thrown into the mix. Through the other two books the story between Lucian and Sloane always intrigued me and boy oh boy did this book deliver of them. I laughed and cried more times than I can remember reading this book and loved every page I read!

Best in the series!

Sloane and Lucian are enemies. But they didn't start out that way.

Wow! I've been waiting for Sloane and Lucian's story and it didn't disappoint! Sloane is a spitfire and I adore her. She's loud and hilarious. She also turns into a mamma bear when one of her people are in trouble. Lucian is the opposite, yet exactly the same. He is grumpy and quiet. But also possessive and fierce is someone he cares for needs him. They are literally perfect for each other but they have a history that makes them hate each other.

The way Score lays out their past in little snippets works here. I was so curious what lead them to be the way they are, but I was also so invested in them getting together in the present. But the past chapters really crack Lucian open and exposes him for the reader. The love story between these two characters is just perfect. I wanted nothing more than to see them together but also loved hearing them bicker.

The scenes with the whole friend group were perfect as well. Seeing all of them together was hilarious and heart warming. Honestly, the humor of this book was on point. I laughed through so much of this!

My only thing is I wish it was shorter. It is very long and I did enjoy it but it might have been a bit too long for me.

All in all, this is an amazing small town, enemies to lovers story that is filled with humor and heart.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC. My reviews are always honest.

This is the third book in the Knockemout series. It follows the the story of Sloane and Lucian. It was an entertaining enemies to lovers story for those that enjoy the trope!

For me, this book was long awaited! I’ve been dying to learn more about Lucian and Sloane’s backstory and why they hated each other so much. Lucian had a heartbreaking childhood and events from that time led the two of them to break their friendship. After that, they couldn’t be in the same room without bickering. They’re pulled back together because of their friends, as well as the death of Sloane’s father, and watching them reconnect was amazing. I will say that the relationship did move very fast in the end but I guess that happens when you’re making up for lost time.

I’m sad to see this series come to an end! I loved these characters and their town. It all wrapped up very nicely! If you’re a fan of this series, run and get this book tomorrow because you will not be disappointed!! If you haven’t read this series, I’d highly recommend it!

Lucien and Sloane have known each other since they were kids but as adults they try to keep their distance. They grew up next door to one another but their childhoods could not have been more different. They were friends at one point and even though they claim to despise one another, the sexual tension between them cannot be ignored. In this third installment of the Knockemout series, we finally get to the root of it all.

Loved!! This book was everything I needed it to be and more! I loved Lucien and Sloane’s story and them as characters - especially Sloane! She’s amazing. I can’t even count the number of times I laughed out loud during this book and I may have even shed a couple tears. And the spice in this one, omg.

I loved returning to Knockemout once again and getting the conclusion we all needed. I love how present all of the characters from this series are in the each book and I will seriously miss them all so much! This series is definitely my favorite romance series and I can’t recommend it enough!

Thank you Bloom Books for copies of the eARC and physical copy!

A couple things:
1) you definitely need to read this series in order;
2) this is now my second favorite book in the series behind the first book;
3) I’m so sad it’s over. 😭

If you've read books 1 and 2 in this series than you know something is going on with Lucian and Sloan, but their truth knocked me sideways! This book broke me, made me laugh, made me cry and in all of those pages it put me back together again. Lucy Score has this ability to write these huge books and at the same time have you devouring them because you NEED her words. We will always want more of her words in these amazing worlds like Knockemout, but this book gives you all the closure you need with these characters and to be honest I can't wait to read this series over and over again!

The final book of the Knockemout series did not disappoint. It continued on with the same mystery/action that was featured in the first 2 books with some new twists and the conclusion. It also had a great enemies to lovers romance between Sloan and Lucian. This book was long, but as always with Lucy Score’s book it read quick and held my interest easily. I am sad this series is over for sure! Thanks to NetGalley and Bloom Books for the ARC.

I have to start off by saying this book is a part of a trilogy. While I'm sure you could read it by itself, you would be missing out on the full potential of this book. With that out of the way, Things We Left Behind is Amazing. It is everything I hoped it would be after having read the first two books. There has been this amazing build up between Lucius, aka Lucifer, and Sloane. The biggest question on everyone mind coming into this book is What happened between these two. The way that the author delivers this information is perfect. The Spice level is HOTT! and don't even get me started on the Dinner Party chapter. I laughed so hard I was crying. I had to try three times to read that chapter, because I couldn't see threw my tears.
This book has everything. It's sad, a soul bearing. It's hilarious, and competitive. It's realizing that the one you think you hate, is actually the person you love most. I absolutely recommend this book.

Out tomorrow (Sept. 5)! (Thank you SO MUCH to the publisher for providing me with an early copy!)

Rating: 5/5 stars

Sloane and Lucian have a long history filled with secrets, but when they finally give in to the tension that has simmered between them for years, it just might be the start of something very different.

This is the third book in the Knockemout trilogy, and if you read my reviews of the prior two books you’ll know that while I enjoyed both, what I *really wanted* was always Sloane and Lucian’s story. He’s been an intriguing character to me from the very beginning—a shadowy businessman who may just have a heart of gold—and the enemies to lovers vibes and banter have been top tier throughout. Needless to say, my expectations for this book were SKY HIGH.

I’m here to tell you that THINGS WE LEFT BEHIND lived up to every expectation. Everything about it was absolute perfection—the tropes, the relationships between the characters, the found family friend group that is the townsfolk of Knockemout, the absolutely iconic friends-to-enemies-to-lovers story of Sloane and Lucian. This book was the PERFECT way to wrap up this series and I cannot wait for everyone to have the chance to read it.

Recommended to anyone, but especially if you like: enemies to lovers; small towns; romance with a hint of suspense

CW: Domestic violence/physical abuse; gun violence; stalking/harassment; discussions of incarceration

Oh Lucian, the bad boy to end all the Knockemout bad boys. Lucy Score yet again gives me 24/7 intrusive book thoughts, even when I’m already neglecting my whole life to read. I’ve been waiting for Lucian + Sloane since their “hatred” was burning in book one. Not surprisingly, their explosive chemistry also IGNITES their spicy scenes. Lucy Score masters the spine tingling suspense + romance sub genre, and the Knockemout series will be one of my forever favorites. Lest you apply some helpless romance stereotypes to this, Lucy’s female MCs are the women aspire to be - headstrong, fearless, emotionally mature, and unrelenting in what they desire.
#smalltownromance #badboyromance #lucyscore #enemiestolovers #secondchanceromance