REVIEW: Things We Never Got Over by Lucy Score

In Things We Never Got Over by Lucy Score, Naomi Witt never thought she’d wear the moniker of Runaway Bride, but here we are. After a bad couple of days and an even worse welcome to the small town of Knockemout, Virginia, she’s now seriously rethinking her life choices. And her loyalty to her (evil) twin sister Tina. There’s a reason they haven’t seen each other in a decade, which is painfully clear after everything Naomi brought with her to rescue her sister–including her car–is stolen by Tina. The consolation prize? A pre-teen niece she knew nothing about. But Naomi will do everything in her power to keep Way safe and to know she is loved. Their unlikely hero is the local hunk-slash-barber-slash-bad boy, Knox Morgan. A guy who steps into her life and her heart before Naomi even knows what’s happening.

‘I’m trying to be the cool yet responsible aunt in this place called Knockemout, where the men are unreasonably attractive and the coffee is excellent.’

Knox has an aversion to anything complicated. His childhood was full of enough trauma and drama to last him seven lifetimes. But somehow when Naomi comes into town after a hellish stretch of bad luck, he can’t sit back and watch her struggle. Not when Knox has the connections and the time to help her out. But it’s not an easy feat. Naomi is a fixer as much as she is a people pleaser. She soon has the whole town, including his family–and himself if he’s being honest–firmly in her corner. While the people of Knockemout are known for taking care of their own, they might have their hands full trying to sort out the Witt sisters’ issues and not butting in when Knox and Naomi’s relationship turns romantic.

“I can’t be who you want me to be. But I can’t let you go.”
She cupped a hand to my cheek and stared up at me with something that looked a hell of a lot like love.
“Unfortunately, Viking, those are your only two choices. Someone once told me in this very room that it doesn’t matter how shitty the options are. It’s still a choice.”

Things We Never Got Over was one of the wildest, most sentimental yet exciting novels I’ve read so far by Lucy Score. With her trademark quirky characters and killer comedic timing, this was one epic romance that was tough to put down.

“The one time I do something that’s purely selfish and just for me, it blows up in my face.”
“What did you do for you?” I asked.
“I had a one-night stand with a grumpy, tattooed barber.”

Trigger warning: View Spoiler »Domestic abuse, addiction, child neglect. « Hide Spoiler

As much as I adored this book, I do want to mention that it might not work for everyone. The heroes–particularly Knox–were *Alphas* through and through. To the point that he and some of the local guys reminded me of Kristen Ashley’s gruff, overprotective heroes who know how to get what they want and can sometimes be…a bit much. But for me it worked because Score showed hints about how kind and caring Knox was underneath his super grumbly exterior. Plus he owned his Alpha ways. And he let everyone know who he was up front.

There was also a whole lot of making the same mistakes over and over between Knox and Naomi. Something else that might grate on some readers’ nerves–although to me it made sense how much they pushed against changing their ways considering Naomi was in her mid-thirties and Knox was in his early forties. Their personal issues and how they dealt with things were already ingrained in them. Change wasn’t going to be easy. But, yes, change did happen. And it was glorious once Knox and Naomi finally (finally!) gave in.

The secondary cast was an utter hoot. I loved Knox’s family as well as all of the townspeople who gave him heck and who pulled Naomi into their fold. From the relationship Naomi forged with her niece Way, whom she had never met before, to Knox’s spunky grandmother and Naomi’s BFF Stef, they were some of the voices of reason when Knox and Naomi floundered. And they might have given the couple a swift kick in the pants as needed just like any caring friend or family member should do. (lol)

QOTD: Do you prefer total Alpha heroes with a good heart, or beta heroes?

Book Info:

Publication: Published January 13th 2022 | That’s What She Said Publishing |

Bearded, bad-boy barber Knox prefers to live his life the way he takes his coffee: Alone. Unless you count his basset hound, Waylon. Knox doesn’t tolerate drama, even when it comes in the form of a stranded runaway bride.

Naomi wasn’t just running away from her wedding. She was riding to the rescue of her estranged twin to Knockemout, Virginia, a rough-around-the-edges town where disputes are settled the old-fashioned way…with fists and beer. Usually in that order.

Too bad for Naomi her evil twin hasn’t changed at all. After helping herself to Naomi’s car and cash, Tina leaves her with something unexpected. The niece Naomi didn’t know she had. Now she’s stuck in town with no car, no job, no plan, and no home with an 11-year-old going on thirty to take care of.

There’s a reason Knox doesn’t do complications or high-maintenance women, especially not the romantic ones. But since Naomi’s life imploded right in front of him, the least he can do is help her out of her jam. And just as soon as she stops getting into new trouble he can leave her alone and get back to his peaceful, solitary life.

At least, that’s the plan until the trouble turns to real danger.