SPOILER ALERT! If you haven't read this book yet, this is your only warning to not forge ahead.
Author: Lucy Stone
Series: Knockemout Series book #1
Category: Contemporary Romance
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
I feel the need to preface this whole book review with something: sometimes a book just works. A whole lot of odd things came together into a jumble of words and with a magic wand, Ms. Score produced a book that was enjoyable to read and left a smile on my face.
The Things We Never Got Over brings our two main characters, Naomi and Knox, together right away. Naomi is mistaken for her twin Tina and Knox is NOT a fan. We trouble pretty quickly further and further into the mess that Tina has made for her twin and readers don't have to wait for the drama.
Straight out of Kristen Ashley's first draft edits of "Sweet Dreams" comes Naomi, a woman running away from her wedding and straight into a small town. Though everything about this book is a cliché, Naomi is pretty likable and I loved how she takes charge of situations and gets things done without too much of a meltdown. And as a checklist addict myself, I appreciate a character that is organized and maybe a little bit high-strung when it comes to planning.
Knox is the grumpy golden-hearted man of my dreams, trying to stay in his own lane but completely unable to not help someone. More often than not, I was laughing at how to put out he was about everything, but time and time again he proved to be a nosy do-gooder of the town. The relationship between him and his brother was touch and go but once the plot started to progress, Knox proved blood is thicker than the divide between them.
The couple was mostly together throughout the book as a "fake" couple, which turned into something WAY more as these things tend to do. Together, Naomi and Knox made a really balanced couple, where Naomi pulled Knox out of his loner shell and reminded him what family actually meant day to day. Knox, for his strength, chilled Naomi out in a way and was a rock she could lean on when things spiraled out of control.
All that said, the side characters made this book.
Nothing is more entertaining than a meddling family that has its own brand of crazy, a town full of people actively amused at bickering between main characters, and a stereotypical gay best friend named "Stef" who had the best quote of the whole book.
"These are my car wine glasses. I always carry a pair"
Although the book was pretty long, the pacing was good and I think the author added just enough drama to the storyline. I love a book with a kidnapping or two so extra points for Ms. Score. There was a decent amount of spicy scenes, nothing too wild but enough to fan your face a couple of times and keep things interesting.
As much fun as this book was to read,
I would be remiss if I didn't mention the ridiculous names that slipped past the editor somehow and made their way to print.
The top five most absurd name choices in Things We Never Got Over, other than the book's title are:
"Waylay" the 11-year-old niece vs. "Waylon" Knox's dog
Lucian the high-ballin' semi-scary CEO aka "Lucy"
Twins named "Naomi" and "Tina"
Brothers named "Knox" and "Nash"
A town called "Knockemout" i.e.. "Knock 'em Out"
Overall, the book was over the top in just the right places and the characters were fun. Naomi was a goody two shoes, Knox was a grumpy gills alpha male, and I feel pretty accomplished reading for 5 hours instead of doing house chores.
Can’t wait to read the next one, Knox's brother Nash is up next!
Tropes and Themes: Small Town, Grumpy x Sunshine, Single Mom, Single Parent, Fake Dating, Forced Proximity, Romcom, Mystery, Suspense.
Blurb
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.