Reviews with content warning for Blood - Things We Never Got Over

4.25⭐️2🌶️ (not many scenes but they are pretty descriptive)
Overall, I liked this book a lot. It gives you the nostalgia of Gilmore girls-esque small-town kooky characters, plus a grumpy MMC and sunshiney FMC. You’ll become nostalgic for a place you’ve never been. This book is a combination of small-town romance, soapy drama, and thriller. It does read like a fanfic though, especially in the beginning. You’ll fall in love with nearly every character, no matter how small their part. This book really shines in the “quiet” moments if you will, in between the drama and the big twists. I was about 200 pages into this book when I said out loud to myself, why did I wait so long to read this? I borrowed it from KU months ago! You get so many lines similar to “get in the damn truck Naomi.” Knox would literally break every law (and some bones) to protect his girls. Naomi is a breath of fresh air and optimism. Waylay has dealt with more trauma than any 11yo should and she’s still just a funny, sassy kid. I love them all.

HOWEVER, all of this bliss was pretty much ruined but the dreaded

third act breakup trope. Sue me but I don’t want to spend 20% of the book in misery after falling in love with this place and these people. Knox and isn’t your typical commitment-phobe though. He saved Naomi and waylay, found them a place to live, gave her a job, bought her a phone, took them back to school shopping, started a sexual relationship with her, treated her like a wife. Then when she started to show her feelings (duh who wouldn’t fall in love with that??), he ran scared. Even if you don’t have relationship trauma similar to this, it will still hurt you bc why are men the way that they are?

Another small complaint: why did the author name the kid waylay and the dog Waylon?? That’s so confusing for no reason.

I liked the book but because part of it was ruined I doubt I’d read it again. I’ll continue the series and re-evaluate.

Content Warnings

thebookaddict's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging inspiring mysterious sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

🇳🇱: toen ik aan dit boek begon, had ik er eigenlijk niet zoveel zin in, omdat hij zo dik is. Toen ik eenmaal begonnen was had ik hier totaal geen last van. Het begin verliep in mijn mening wat langdradig en het duurde even voordat ik erin zat, maar toen ik erin zat was het goed. Knox is echt een kan van mijn hart en bevat alles wat ik in een grumpy man zoek. Ook Naomi was geweldig, zij was de typisch sunshine die elke grumpy VS sunshine trope nodig heeft. Hun romance paste ook echt goed bij het verhaal. Het was een slowburn romance, maar dat vond ik juist heel goed bij dit boek passen. Het boek zit buiten spice en romance ook boordevol actie en avontuur, dit zorgde ervoor dat mijn aandacht steeds opnieuw getrokken werd. Al met al een top boek en echt een aanrader (al had hij van mij iets korter gemogen en dan vooral het begin).

🇬🇧: When I started this book, I wasn't really looking forward to it because it's so thick. Once I started, I didn't have any problems with this at all. The beginning was a bit long-winded in my opinion and it took a while to get into it, but once I got into it it was good. Knox is truly my heart and has everything I look for in a grumpy man. Naomi was also great, she was the quintessential sunshine that every grumpy VS sunshine trope needs. Their romance really fit the story well too. It was a slow-burn romance, but I thought that suited this book very well. In addition to spice and romance, the book is also packed with action and adventure, which attracted my attention again and again. All in all, a great book and highly recommended (although I would have liked it to be a little shorter, especially the beginning).

Content Warnings

katelynndzindzio's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional hopeful sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

Naomi is the good twin. She had her life figured out, 5 year plan, fiance, and wicked twin sister. Tina is the polar opposite of Naomi. Naomi runs away from her wedding to save Tina. Only to have Tina's daughter Waylay thrown at her.

Knox the towns most eligible bachelor swoops in and saves the day but not until after he's made and ass of himself mistaking Naomi for her evil twin who has tormented the town. Knockemout- small town. Everyone knows everything. Gossip travels fast.

Knox and Naomi end up intertwined in each others lives. Maybe it's for the best for the both of them. Neither have had success in opening up truly to those they love. Maybe they can for each other.

Content Warnings