Reviews with content warning for Fire/Fire injury - Things We Left Behind

I was so excited for Sloane and Lucian's story, with so much tension and back story between then shown in the previous two books, I was so interested to know their past and where their book would go.
I whole-heartedly believe their story, their romance and their past trauma and trust issues. They both hurt each other and they emotionally have their journey together throughout the book - it's not rushed, it's not forced, it's very layered and detailed and it all makes sense to me.
Their love story? It went neighbours-childhood friends-bestfriends-enemies-archenemies-nemesis-enemies-neighbours-friends-lovers and it was delicious!
The only thing that was a let down for me was the main plot thread of Anthony Hugo. I thought it would be more threatening, more tension, more compelling,

but you meet him and then two chapters later it's all wrapped.

I would have enjoyed seeing that thread through for another 100 pages or so, so it felt fleshed out and a solid send off, but that might be just my opinion.
Overall, really enjoyed this whole series. It's very rereadable and I'll find physical copies down the line. I love the Knockemout trilogy. Well done, Lucy Score.

Content Warnings

moonlitreading_'s review against another edition

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dark emotional funny medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

this didn't need to be 600+ pages long

Content Warnings

inkiereads's review against another edition

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emotional mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Yes, yes, yes! I'm so happy that we finally got Sloane and Lucian's story! I've been excited to read it since we first met both in book 1, and it was even better than I hoped for. The tension between them is so good that I kept wanting to push them to get together and squealed when (and how) it finally happened. The suspense plot is big enough to keep you on your toes but not so big that it distracts from the romance, so good! It was a heartbreaking story at times, dealing with heavy topics, but it still made my heart so happy. It never felt like I was reading a 600-page book to me, I always fly through any Lucy Score book and this was no different. The story, the town, the people will suck you in and you won't be able to let go until you're done. And maybe even after finishing the book you won't quite let them go! It was great seeing the others there again, and the epilogues were just perfect!

I voluntarily read an advanced review copy of this book

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savvyrosereads's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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

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