Things We Never Got Over by Lucy Score
"I didn't know what went behind closed doors. But I did know that sometimes a bad seed was just a bad seed. No matter what field it was planted in, no matter how it was tended, some just came up rotten."
Naomi wasn't just running away from her wedding. She was riding to the rescue of her estranged twin to Knockemout, Viginia, 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 our 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.
Book Tropes:
- Grumpy x Sunshine
- Small Town Romance
- Found Family
- Single Guardian
- Enemies to Lovers
- Slow Burn
- Runaway Bride
- Forced Proximity
My Personal Views: Alright, let's dive into "Things We Never Got Over." This book genuinely had all the ingredients for a top-tier small-town romance, truly—almost everything. The one glaring miss? A GOOD male main character who felt like he belonged in the story.
Naomi's arrival in Knockemout sets the stage perfectly. Fleeing her own disastrous wedding, she shows up to help her "evil twin" sister, Tina, only to find herself saddled with a niece and completely stranded—car gone, cash gone, thanks to her sister's latest disappearing act. Enter Knox, well-known around the town as the "typical bad boy loner". Now, calling a 43-year-old man a "bad boy" already makes my eyes roll, but I digress.
Knox, initially wanting nothing to do with Naomi, somehow finds himself constantly coming to her rescue in this quirky small town. So, we have a "growly" loner and a people-pleaser. Sparks should fly, right?
Here's where the wheels came off for me: Knox. There was just so much fundamentally wrong with him. He's 43, yet he behaves like a 15-year-old throughout the entire book. Seriously, dude, when are you going to grow up? Having a beard and muscles definitely does not give you a brain clearly.
And his constant, thinly veiled snide remarks about "toxic masculinity"? They did not go unnoticed. I understand the "small-town, hardheaded, bearded, growly man" archetype, but come on, it's 2025. And then there's "Shark Week." I literally laughed out loud, but not in a good way. Apparently, in Knox's bar, where mostly women work, they all sync up their periods, and he refers to that time as "Shark Week," telling himself to stay far away. This character absolutely did not feel like he was written by a woman. He felt like a man-child, plain and simple. My dislike for him runs deep.
Then, to top it all off, there's his behavior after their breakup during that house party. He's been an ass throughout the book, but when he finally breaks up with Naomi, he devolves into a whiny little bitch. Again, you're a 43-year-old man! Get it together, damn!
As for the writing and dialogue, they often felt incredibly cringey, especially during the more intense scenes. The conversations and the way the main characters acted just didn't ring true for adults. It felt more like teenagers talking, though honestly, even most teenagers probably wouldn't talk that way.
The only saving grace, the thing that made this book bearable, was the plotline. It was genuinely interesting, and the whole small-town romance vibe, where everyone knows everyone and the side characters are deeply intertwined with the main story, was fantastic. Waylay, in particular, was a standout. I absolutely adored her bond with both Naomi and Knox.
If it weren't for the almost unbearable male main character and some truly cringeworthy writing, this book could have been an incredibly cozy and cute small-town romance. Such a missed opportunity!
Ratings: ⭐⭐⭐.5/ 5
Until the next read,
Aditi
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