I’ve loved all the Knockemout books, and this one did not disappoint! I’m pretty sure she had me when Sloane was reading one of my favorite books…the one that made me love reading my junior year of high school…title Shanna by Kathleen Woodiwiss. This book was action packed, swoony, and so funny!

What I love about these books is the mystery twined into the fabric of the love story. (Just like Woodiwiss did with hers). Lucian was mean at times, but Sloane could hold her own. The flashbacks twenty-two years previous helped me forgive “Lucifer” for his actions in present day!

All in all, I’ve been waiting for this book, and loved reading it… in about 3 days because I couldn’t put it down!
Thanks, Lucy Score!! At the end of the book, you said you would miss these characters, and so will I!

Well done!

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC of this book. I have been dying to read Lucian and Sloane's story, and it did not disappoint. I cried, I belly laughed at some of the exchanges between all the characters. This book is an absolute masterpiece, and such a beautiful ending to the Knockemout series. I'm so sad there won't be more to the series. 5/5 stars for me, and I can't wait to discuss it with all my friends once they get their hands on this beauty.

I can’t tell you how much I’ve been looking forward to reading this conclusion to the Knockemout series!

Sloane and Lucian are all the things we love, enemies to lovers, grumpy x sunshine, and a touch of second chance romance.

I loved finally getting to see a different side of Lucian and get a deeper look into why he is the way he is.

Sloane is a badass who wears her heart on her sleeve and I love that about her! You know what you’re getting and she doesn’t leave you guessing.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Bloom
Books for this advanced copy!

Ok I'm not crying you're crying. Seriously. This series could not have ended better. Lucien flipping from aloof and broody to total sap was everything I've ever wanted in a book. Sloane has always been a heroine I was excited to read, and I loved how she stuck to her morals and beliefs and kept him in check!

Their chemistry exploded off the page; I laughed, I cried, I was genuinely shocked at the infamous dinner scene, I hated Lucien, then I fell in love with Lucien.

This series brought me so much joy over the past year and a half, and it will definitely be a series I reread again and again. The Easter eggs were abundant and beautiful and so much fun to find. Lucy, pat yourself on the back for a job well done!

Oh my freaking goodness... get ready for a whirlwind of snarky and flirty banter, suspenseful and spicy moments and ALL the feels with Sloane and Lucian!

Things We Left Behind is the third book in the Knockemout series by Lucy Score- and while yes, you could in theory enjoy this book on it's own, I personally think with how much these stories interconnect not only with characters but with a thread of a bigger storyline you really will get the best experience by reading them in order. Plus, Lucy is just a phenomenal story teller that blends emotion, sexy and humor is such fabulous ways that you should just read all her books anyway 😉

4.5 ⭐

I have loved each book in this series but I've been desperate for Lucian and Sloane since the very first book. Lucian with his very mysterious but effective capabilities and of course his sexy dark overlord vibes. Pairing that morsel with Sloane Walton, the small town librarian that is a hilarious blend of sweet and clumsy with a dash of boss lady who has nothing but utter disdain for Lucian "Lucifer" Rollins and I just could NOT wait to see how their past and preset would mix to find happily ever after.

This book does contain some threads that might be a little difficult for some readers including: death of a close parent, domestic/child abuse, as well as snippets of danger and injustice from corrupt people in power. All these moments are essential to the story as a whole, so if you are sensitive to this just proceed with care 💜

Now really... this book 😍 I did not want to put it down. Sloane and Lucian have this connection that neither one of them can shake. They were friends once upon a time but that friendship was severed and they spent the next 2 decades despising each other, trading jabs and insults but there is still that tension that simmered just below the surface. It's fairly obvious early on that their childhoods were not the same and the writing was on the wall for what the demons that Lucian faced- though the full scope of their past isn't introduced all at once but in little snippets of flashbacks throughout the story.

My emotions volleyed all over with the heartbreaking loss of a one of a kind type of father, followed by humor and confusion when these two would bicker and infuriate each other all while also looking out and subtlety taking care of one another. Experiencing Lucian struggling with human connection and feelings outside of wanting to "run his evil empire" as Sloane would say- was just an all consuming heart stutter. The way he would allow Sloane these little glimpses past his cold and robotic facade only to completely shut down and shove her away broke me at times. But so much of their interactions also also left me in hysterics- especially with Sloane's plethora of nicknames she saddled him with. And once they hit that moment in time where they thought they could remove each other out of their subconscious with one night... well that had a big ole "you sure about that" sound bite running on loop in my mind 😆

Good heavens- suit daddy did not disappoint in that department either. Lucian was exactly as I would have guessed- possessive, dirty, intense and while I probably shouldn't have been I was surprised at his need to control.

And just like the rest of the series, the twists and surprises just never stopped. I'm thankful that Lucy wrapped everything in this book and while I would have loved more Knockemout books the bonus epilogue gave me all the warm happy feels for this found family and I just simply couldn't imagine a better way to say goodbye.

What a great ending to an amazing series! I was hooked from the moment I started this one! I didn’t ever want to put it down! I loved Lucien and Sloan so much! If you love enemies to lovers, small town romances this is a must read! I found myself laughing and feeling all the feels throughout this book! Lucy score has definitely become one of my must read authors! The only part of this book that bummed me out was that it ended! I loved the little world of knockemout! I felt like I was right there in the story! The book played out like a movie in my mind! To understand some of the plot better I would say that this series should be read in order!

Received a arc for a honest review.

Things We Left Behind is the conclusion to Lucy Score's Knockemout series and boy does it deliver! When I first read Things We Never Got Over there were things I liked about these characters, but there were other issues I had with book that made me not fully invested in it. I wrote then that many of the characters (Knox, Nash and Lucian particularly) were in need of a good therapist. Well, it seems as though they have all done some work. Things We Left Behind takes everything Lucy Score does well and brings it to another level!

Lucian and Sloane's story is both an enemies to lovers and a second chance romance. Their affection and unresolved tension goes back 20 years and it was a wonderful ride to see them deal with their past and their connection to each other (not to mention their undeniable attraction). We know Lucian is a domestic abuse survivor but here we see how it shaped him and what actually happened. Score doesn't pull punches, so be aware of this content going in.

However, in the midst of some serious themes, the banter and dynamic between the couple and the entire Knockemout family still give us some super funny and heart warming moments (dogs and cat included). There is also still some unfinished business with the organized crime arc that runs through all three novels. In the past I felt this was the weakest part of the story and seemed to interrupt or be an add on to the relationships at the heart of the books. That is not the case here, as events move at a much more even pace and are woven into the story seamlessly.

In short, this conclusion is excellent! It made me want to revisit the first two books and do it all over again and it's one of the best romance novels I have read this year!

Omg this book is everything. My favorite one in this series so far and favorite couple. There’s so much depth and history with Lucien and Sloane, you feel the tension and emotions as if you were there! This is an incredible childhood friends to lovers and a well done then vs now story line. I can’t wait to reread this story over and over

Thank you to Net Galley and Lucy Score for providing this ARC in exchange for my review.

I have never been so blessed, or had so many friends jealous of me. I have been waiting for Lucien and Sloanes book, and it was well worth the wait.

The longing and tension was so fiery between these two, I just knew their backstory was going to be juicy. And lord was it.

The growth Lucien made in this series was incredible to witness, and Sloane was the librarian badass of my dreams.

A fantastic conclusion to the Knockemout series, now excuse me while I drown my sorrows at leaving this town in a bottle of wine.

Five Stars for Things We Left Behind. The third installment of the Knockemount Series by Lucy Score!

I couldn’t put this book down once it landed on my kindle. Lucian Rollins is one character that I couldn’t wait to get my hands on. And what an absolute heartbreaking masterpiece we got!! Once again Lucy Score tears our hearts out but slowly puts the pieces back together again. Chapter by chapter.

Lucian is intense. Sloane is feisty woman who is so film of heart. I loved their back and forth. The sexual tension just simmers on these pages. Mystery, romance and a friendship like no other.
I loved this book!

Highly recommended.

NetGalley read

Knockemout has come to such a beautiful close, I did not want to say goodbye to this series. Since the beginning of the series, I have been most excited to read more about Sloane and Lucy. Friends to enemies to lovers? Sign me up!

Lucy clearly loves Sloan and broke her teenage heart causing town lore to be spread on why these two cannot be in the same room. Both have a lot of childhood trauma to work through - Lucy and his toxic view of what love looks like and Sloan trying to live up to her dad's lawyer image. When paths cross and the anger turns into lust, we see them slowly work through their trauma and confront their shared past. Although a little disappointed by the shared past, by the time it was revealed I was invested enough in the relationship to not care.

I am a sucker for second-chance romance and Score delivered with this one. We get tension, character growth, the friendship. Everything was such a joy and it wouldn't be a Knockemout story without a justice storyline. I loved watching the mystery unfold, but I mostly loved seeing this crew be together, poke fun at one another, and root for each other. Also, SUIT DADDY?! Love it.

The fans of this book are split 50-50. Those who love the entire series, and those who have strictly been waiting for Lucian’s story. I’m from the latter group and while I wouldn’t say I am disappointed with this book, I definitely don’t think it was the story Lucian and Sloane deserved. I’ve read several reviews saying the same, mostly because the story was dragged on for 600 pages and it was trying to be both a romance story but also a thriller with several side stories going on - and that just didn’t work for me as a reader. Not every side character needs a name and a back story! At one point during reading, I started focusing on what could be cut to make the story move along faster.

What I loved was seeing Lucian and Sloane’s high school past most of all and how it led them to become the adults they were. For me, that was the highlight. Two words: cherry tree. The epilogue was fine and everything was neatly wrapped up and ended.

Overall this book packed a lot in 600 pages and I’m exhausted from reading it honestly haha. It was a solid 250 pages too long and I don’t think I will continue to read Lucy Score’s books from here on out. I just don’t click with her writing style, especially writing in the past tense. I’m pretty sure none of the conversations in this book would pass the Bechdel test. Mild spoiler: Sloane’s borderline obsessive behavior about finding a husband and starting a family felt excessively annoying because it was one of her most important focuses but also took away from the idea of being a powerful, single badass that she was in book one and two.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bloom Sourcebooks for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Things We Left Behind by Lucy Score
Rating: 5 stars
Steam: 3 chilis
Pub date: 9/5

This book is everything! The chemistry, the banter, the angst, the SPICE! It’s definitely my favorite of the series.

Lucian Rollins, aka Suit Daddy, is a vengeance-seeking mogul on a mission to erase his father's tarnished legacy. His dirty mouth and undeniable charisma had me swooning from the start. Watching his walls crumble and witnessing his transformation was pure perfection. But it's Sloane Walton who stole my heart. She is such a feisty, intelligent, hilarious character. She’s a great friend and supporter and proves over and over again that she would do anything for her friends. We all need a Sloane in our lives!

The chemistry between Lucian and Sloane was off the charts, and their witty banter had me laughing out loud. Their enemies-to-lovers journey was captivating and full of steamy surprises.

A huge reason why I love this series so much is the found family connection, and I loved seeing all of my favorites from the previous two books. And while there is an abundance of banter and humor, there are also a lot of emotional moments that brought tears to my eyes. The mystery woven into the storyline added an exciting element that kept me on the edge of my seat.

And let's not forget that epilogue—it was the perfect cherry on top of this remarkable story! Even though I’m sad to see this series come to an end, this is the perfect conclusion. Thank you so much to NetGalley, Edelweiss, Bloom Books, and Lucy Score for my early copy to read and review.

Read if you like:
*second chance
*friends to enemies to lovers
*small town
*touch her and die
*romantic suspense

Job 👏🏻 well 👏🏻 done 👏🏻

I feel like I have been waiting for this since I read Naomi & Knox’s book, and even more with Nash & Lina’s. Lucian always piqued my interest, and this did not disappoint.

Lucian is tall, dark, broody, dangerous, and HOT. But there’s so much under the hard exterior. Sloane was such a good FMC, and I related to her character so much. I really loved that this book dove into their childhood past, and it was so heart wrenching. This book is an emotional rollercoaster, as many of Lucy’s are. So get ready to laugh, cry, scowl, throw the book/kindle, but also grab a fan because those steamy scenes are 🔥 🥵 All the loose ends to the Knockemout series were wrapped up, and I’m sad and want to wallow by rereading all three in quick succession.

Thanks to NetGalley, and Sourcebooks Bloom Books for the

What a perfect ending to a perfect series! Lucy Score’s Knockemout books have it all — humor, spice, heart, suspense, and so much more. After reading the first two books in this series, I couldn’t wait to find out why there was so much animosity between lovely librarian Sloane Walton and powerful, cold Lucian Rollins. The history the author builds between these characters, using flashbacks from 22-23 years ago, creates a beautiful but heartbreaking story, one that explains wonderfully how the two characters ended up where they are in the present day.

In addition to the amazing love story built between Lucian and Sloane, this book also manages to nicely tie up all the loose ends we’d ever need tied about Knockemout. We learn about minor characters’ relationships, We see an epilogue of ten years later that is so satisfying. We also get all the details about the crime and danger that has faced this town, and that’s resolved in such a satisfying way.

This was the most perfect ending to this incredible series! I’m very sad that the Knockemout series is over, but Lucy Score definitely knocked it out of the park with this conclusion. The story between Sloane and Lucian was everything I wanted and hoped for. Lucy Score always delivers!

Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks Bloom Books for the arc of this book.

A worthy conclusion to the Knockemout series. Lucian and Sloane’s story was everything I wanted it to be—and boy was it an emotional roller coaster. Like all Lucy Score’s books, the end left me feeling all warm and fuzzy (and sad, because it’s over.)

On the day of her beloved father's funeral, Sloane Walton wants only to grieve and drown her sorrows in her morning mug of wine. She has no desire to encounter her childhood nemesis amidst the people who have come to support her family. Fate, of course, has other plans, and Lucian Rollins arrives to share his condolences. Attractive though he may be, Sloane is determined to look the other way, no matter how intensely her biological clock may be ticking. Fortunately for them both, just as time can heal the hurt that comes with a loved one's passing, so too can time mend the wounds of the past to invite in a brighter future.

This romantic novel includes all the important features of an enemies to lovers romance. Humorous supporting characters, just the right amount of heartache, and predictable yet enjoyable plot arcs help to guide the protagonists toward their happily ever after. The quality writing enhances the narrative, as well, making it easy for readers to fall into Sloane and Lucian's fairy tale. As the third in its series, this novel ties up several loose ends in the collection, though readers do not have to have read the previous installments to enjoy this one.

Told from alternating perspectives, readers get a first-hand look into the thoughts of both Sloane and Lucian. Because the reader knows more than the characters do in some cases, the dramatic tension increases as the novel unfolds. But the characters have their own secrets, as well, and readers will appreciate the moments when they are trusted enough to discover the characters' hidden pasts. Steamy romance scenes, occasional strong language, and adult themes of love and loss make this book best suited to mature audiences. This is a charming and enjoyable romantic journey for fans of love stories with a happy ending.

I love Lucy Score and her Knockemout crew. I’ve been waiting not-so-patiently for Sloane and Lucian’s book from the first time they interacted. While it doesn’t take the crown as my favorite of the series, finally getting the history of these two and their HEA was worth the wait.

I’m not usually a big fan of flashback scenes, but the ones that were included in this book to take is back to Sloane and Lucian’s teenage history were among my favorite parts. It provided a beautiful background to who they were when they were at their most genuine with each other. It made me root for them even harder to figure their crap out as adults to get that connection back. Their dynamic as adult enemies is really just tension building to its breaking point, and when it breaks it’s explosive. I wanted to shake both of them at times (more Lucian than Sloane if we’re keeping score) out of sheer frustration, but there’s no denying the heat between them.

I do have to note that the action/suspense/criminal element didn’t feel as exciting or as tense this time around, and bringing a legal case into the mix slowed things down even more. I understood how the legal case was meant to drive certain plot points and there were pieces I liked, mostly in connection to Sloane’s dad, but it felt like too many external factors going on.

I loved getting to more spend time with the whole Knockemout gang because their whole found family dynamic is one of my absolute favorites. I’m sad to say goodbye to them, but it was a satisfying and happy conclusion to this series.

I’ve been waiting for Lucian and Sloan’s story since the first Knockemout book and let me tell you, Lucy Score did not disappoint!

Friends to enemies to lovers, Lucian and Sloan’s backstory, banter and development were on point. I mean, who doesn’t love a damaged book boyfriend with a heart of gold, despite at times misguided decision-making, and a downright snarky queen?

This was a satisfying ending to the Knockemout series; all loose ends were wrapped up and the ending was not copy and pasted from TWNGO - looking @ you, TWHFTL.

Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks, Bloom Books for the ARC.