Just as good as book one and two, it was a nice ending!I still feel like book one was my favorite. This one was probably my least favorite. 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 was hot as hell. 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. 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!

Heat Factor: Enemies to Lovers hanky panky just hits different doesn’t it?

Character Chemistry: Their chemistry was easy to clock in the first book and honestly I feel like we’ve all been waiting for this matchup ever since.

Plot: Lucian and Sloane were best friends, neighbors, and sweethearts until one night ruined everything. Now they’re sworn enemies—except that Sloane is kind of in trouble and Lucian can’t help himself, and next thing you know…

Overall: This is a pretty classic contemporary with a friend squad, a trio of ridiculously hot men, and life and death intrigue—and it slaps.

This is the third (and last) in Lucy Score’s Knockemout series, and since it was clear from the first book that Sloane and Lucian were going to be enemies to lovers it should be a surprise to no one that I’ve been sort of patiently waiting for this one.

Lucian deals in information. He makes and takes down power makers in DC, and is (of course) ridiculously wealthy. Everyone from his past kind of assumes he’s involved in some dirty dealings, and it becomes pretty clear he’s a “grey area” guy.

Sloane is Knockemout’s town librarian, and as often happens with town librarians, she’s also part of the glue that holds the town together. The book opens with Sloane and her family dealing with the loss of her father. She’s living in the house she grew up in, which just so happens to be next door to Lucian’s childhood home. Lucian wasn’t just Sloane’s best friend, he was also very close with her parents—and ultimately, Sloane’s parents saved Lucian from a terrible future.

Soon, Sloane is digging into one of her father’s old cases and looking into freeing an innocent woman from prison. Lucian is trying to dig into the mystery that’s been unfolding throughout the series. To my utter delight, Lucian and Sloane HATE each other. They fight like cats and dogs. So many insults. It’s fantastic.

And then suddenly, Lucian and Sloane are no longer cats and dogs and are suddenly rabbits. Lucian can’t stop, and Sloane doesn’t want to. It’s SO GOOD.

Of course, half the allure of a Lucy Score series is that there’s a squad, and tight-knit community, and heavy intrigue, and this series follows that trend. Is it a bit “cookie cutter”? Maybe. But it’s really tender and well-developed, all the characters have time to shine. The relationships established in previous books continue to develop. I like that the author doesn’t shy away from real life—some characters end up with fertility issues, some have significant trauma and require therapy, beloved people are lost. Honestly, I understand that this might not be a series for those who struggle with triggers, but it felt more real to me, and I liked that.

One complaint I have is that in all the relationship development that happens in this series, one relationship is so juicy and so ever-present it deserves a book of its own and doesn’t get one. And I’m trying not to think that it’s because it’s between two men, but considering the “squad” consists of three women and one gay man, and the gatherings include those four regularly, but we only get books for the women…I just kind of wonder. One of these days it would be nice to see a major author include a book for the “funny gay best friend”.

I would have liked to see more of the mystery, and I would have traded a little of the sex, but I have a feeling a lot of readers would fight me on that.

On the whole, if you like men who act like meatheads but think like leaders, love hard, and fight bad guys, you’ll like this series. If you like a warm community, a fierce “squad”, and women who stand up for themselves, you’ll like this series. And if you like feeling like everything is wrapping up in a neat bow only to discover the author is going yank you right into a high speed chase and a gunfight…you’ll like this series.

I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. We disclose this in accordance with 16 CFR §255.

This review is also available at The Smut Report.

"I remember every second of us."

I have been waiting for Lucian and Sloane's book since I encountered them in Things We Never Got Over. I think Things We Left Behind was heartfelt, emotional, and funny. Though it was a little long for the content. I definitely think the story could have been summed up more quickly, we didn't need a 600 page book.

Lucian and Sloane are both incredibly closed off, they are bitter towards each other, and perpetually single. I have been intrigued by their past since book one and truth behind it was a sad but at the same time frustrating. They were petty towards each other for 25 years over something so stupid that could have easily been talked through, and I hate it. Miscommunication at its absolute worst. 25 years??? Dear lord, why.

I did really enjoy the flashbacks to when they were younger, and learning about why Lucian was essentially made of stone. He had a hard life and it really makes you feel so many emotions. Suite Daddy and his pixie were indeed the best couple in the series, and I would have rated it higher if the story didn't drag so much.

Overall, this was a decent series and I enjoyed this book as well as the others!

Overview:
- childhood friends to enemies to lovers
- morally grey mmc
- messy drama
- 'touch her and you die' vibes
- good banter
- miscommunication
- found family
- small town romance w/ mystery element added in

I was soooo excited to start this one and was so thankful that NG gifted me an arc in exchange for an honest review. My opinion, least favorite of the series…

Sloane and her neighbor Lucian hate each other. And I mean HATE each other, and have for decades. However they can’t stay away from each other either. (that's it. That's the plot)

I loved Sloane in the first two books and was sooo ready for her story but even before it began I was so confused on how Lucian who so CLEARLY hates this woman is actually in love with her… to me, this book had characters with 0 personality, hated each other (not in a fun cutesy way) and the *spice* wasn’t even that great. It was just not the best note to end the series on, I found myself wanting to skip/fast forward parts (no romance needs to be 500+ pages people) and was overall very bored throughout. It did make me laugh and I did like the end so for that I give it…

Was very excited to finish this series. I am a Librarian so I've absolutely had a vested interest in Sloane's happiness throughout this book. Lucian was my least favorite "book boyfriend" of the trilogy and I disliked how quickly he went from rude and brooding to absolutely head over heels obsessed boyfriend; although, I will say that I enjoyed the flashbacks to young Lucian and Sloane. The suspense part of the series was interesting and a fun element to break it up from a traditional rom-com.

Wow. I’m blown away. This is Lucy’s best. I’ll come back to write a more thorough review. LUCIFER FOREVER 💜

I loved this book. Even though it’s the third book in a series and I didn’t read the first two, everything still made sense. The chemistry between the main characters was amazing. I especially loved the flirtatious texts.

Thank you to Bloom Books and Netgalley for my gifted copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I am so sad to see the Knockemout Series come to a close. But I will say, out of the three books this will remain my favorite. I really enjoyed the back story between Lucien and Sloane and witnessing their growth was a joy. Coming in at over 500 pages, it certainly did not feel long. Lucy Score has a way of building characters and communities that stick with you and have you caring for them as if they were your own.

This is a fabulous series. Filled with romance, hardships, trauma, and grief yet you will find yourself laughing through the tears. I guess all good things must come to an end and knowing when that end is, is so important. Leave them wanting more, they say, and Score did just that!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

I needed this book. I waited for this book. I wanted this book. I LOVED this book.

Lucian and Sloan’s story is my favorite by far out of the entire Knockemout series, and that’s saying A LOT!
Definitely one of my top books I’ve read all year!!

Lucian grows up in the house next door to Sloan. Her family is everything his isn’t. As years pass, they become enemies to lovers. He believes he is broken though and can never give Sloan the life she wants. Their chemistry was off the charts. Lucian Rollins is officially my new book boyfriend.

The character development was so great. This book is heartbreaking, heartwarming, and just perfection! I can’t even describe how much I love this book. The spice was 👩‍🍳💋 I couldn’t put it down and stayed up wayyyy too late reading it. Worth it though! I can’t wait to reread this book!
This was hands down my favorite Lucy Score book to date!! She will forever be an auto buy for me ❤️


📘: Things We Left Behind by Lucy Score
🗓️: September 5, 2023

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

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

*Reviewed on NetGalley and Goodreads.

"Lucian Rollins, a relentless and powerful mogul, harbors a seething vengeance, one he's hell-bent on achieving while keeping Sloane Walton, a tenacious small-town librarian, at arm's length. Their mutual disdain fuels fiery encounters, leading to a passionate one-night stand. Yet, with Sloane's desire for a family and Lucian's aversion to commitment, they face a profound impasse. But when threats loom, Lucian learns that leaving Sloane leaves her vulnerable. Will he make amends, or is this game of push and pull a lost cause? A gripping romance exploring past secrets, unlikely love, and the unrelenting fear of breaking one another."

Thank you to the publisher for a gifted copy of this book.

This may be my favorite out of the series! The enemies to lovers trope always adds a wonderful level of banter that's just right up my alley. I couldn't put it down and the bonus epilogues added the perfect ending to a perfect series.

WOW. Lucy Score delivered on all the anticipation built up in this series! The depth of Sloane and Lucian's history and relationship was so well done and absolutely heartbreaking. Saying anything feels like spoiling everything, so just know that "Things We Left Behind" is a winner.

Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for providing an eARC for review.

It makes me want to cry thinking that this series is over!! Ugh, but Sloane and Lucian were the absolute perfect conclusion to the story. So much hurt and pain, the best enemies to lovers. I never thought in my life I’d think stop hating each other and get naked already but I did.

There was only one woman who could set me free. But I would rather set myself on fire than ask Sloane Walton for anything.

💭 The third book in the Knockemout series and I was so excited to receive and early copy! This was such a fun read. I wanted so bad to finish by pub date (yesterday!) but also wanted to make it last longer.

I’ve been ready for Lucian and Sloane’s story since book 1. I was dying to know about their past and why they hated each other so much. Their banter was the best - great enemies to lovers romance.

Sloane might be my favorite character in this series. Tiny but mighty, the girl is sassy, independent, lovable, and absolutely hilarious. The perfect match to Lucian’s icy tough-guy shield. Can’t let that fool you, big guy has a big heart. Great chemistry between these two. Their fighting filled with tension and witty banter had me rolling. Loved their backstory and how they were always meant to be!

So sad it’s over, but loved it so much!

The last in the series does not disappoint! We have been teased with Sloan and Lucian's story for the past few years and it is finally here! The angst, the tension, the drama, the STEAM, the friendship, the romance, and everything else in between has made this book my favorite in the series BY FAR. I love a good enemies to loverss back to enemies and this was immediately a favorite, Highly HIGHLY recommend.

It's been over a month since I've read this book and my feelings about it have not changed - IT WAS SO AWESOME! I was waiting for Sloane and Lucian's story since book 1 and I am very happy to say that it lived up to the hype and anticipation for me. Stories with build up through multiple books and with a shared past between the characters have to be told just right to hit all the spots, and this one did for me.

Like the first two books in the series, <I>Things We Left Behind</i> was really really fun and I loved hanging out with them all again. The found family within this group is amazing. I know this series is over but I hope Lucy Score delivers more stories like it, I'd eat them right up!

<i>Thank you to NetGalley and Bloom Books for the ARC!</i>

What a perfect ending to this series. Lucian and Sloane were my favorites. I loved getting to see all the characters from the past books. The chemistry was off the charts. The banter was perfect. Truly a great ending.

LUCIAN MF ROLLINS

That’s it. Thats the whole review…

Just kidding.

Sloane is the baddie little librarian we all didn’t know we needed and she sure holds her own with the Knockemout crew.

Thank you to the author, publisher and @NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

5 stars—from book 1, I needed Lucian and Sloane. The banter. The looks. The open hatred with each other. I NEEDED THEM…. And Lucy, she gave us. She gave us all of Lucian and Sloane, past and present. I loved it all.

Lucian’s “I hate you but I love you but I need to keep you safe”

Sloane’s “I actually hate you but I miss the old you but wait I love you???”

Forever Lucian and Sloane, I love them.

Sloane and Lucian bring all the perfect aspects of my two favourite romance sub-genres (enemies to lovers, second chance) into a witty, spicy, action packed adventure where I was questioning the whole time how this ended up second chance in the first place with how cute these two were.