Tag: knockemout

Book Review: Things We Left Behind (Knockemout #3) by Lucy Score

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 650 pages
Author: Lucy Score
Publisher: That’s What She Said Publishing
Release Date: September 5th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

There was only one woman who could set me free. But I would rather set myself on fire than ask Sloane Walton for anything.

Lucian Rollins is a lean, mean vengeance-seeking mogul. On a quest to erase his father’s mark on the family name, he spends every waking minute pulling strings and building an indestructible empire. The more money and power he amasses, the safer he is from threats.

Except when it comes to the feisty small-town librarian that keeps him up at night…

Sloane Walton is a spitfire determined to carry on her father’s quest for justice. She’ll do that just as soon as she figures out exactly what the man she hates did to—or for—her family. Bonded by an old, dark secret from the past and the dislike they now share for each other, Sloane trusts Lucian about as far as she can throw his designer-suited body.

When bickering accidentally turns to foreplay, these two find themselves not quite regretting their steamy one-night stand. Once those flames are fanned, it seems impossible to put them out again. But with Sloane ready to start a family and Lucian refusing to even consider the idea of marriage and kids, these enemies-to-lovers are stuck at an impasse.

Broken men break women. It’s what Lucian believes, what he’s witnessed, and he’s not going to take that chance with Sloane. He’d rather live a life of solitude than put her in danger. But he learns the hard way that leaving her means leaving her unprotected from other threats.

It’s the second time he’s ruthlessly cut her out of his life. There’s no way she’s going to give him a third chance. He’s just going to have to make one for himself.

WORTH THE WAIT.

I know we have been all waiting for this story and for me, IT ABSOLUTELY WAS EVERYTHING I COULD HOPE FOR. Oh my gosh I was in love with Lucian and Sloane from the beginning and I loved how this wrapped up everything.

They have the perfect contemporary enemies to lovers banter. You actually felt the hatred, but also the passion and intensity in the emotions both of them are trying to hide. I loved watching them battle it out and also let go. And some of those second half scenes?? Where everything was finally being laid out?? I AM A PUDDLE NOW. I love endearing moments. I also love possessive moments. This had both. ALL THE MOMENTS.

I love this small town and all of the characters. I loved getting to see everyone from previous books again. I was laughing, swooning and on the edge of my seat throughout the story. 650 pages blew by before I could even blink because this is an addictive read.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance + Suspense
  • Language: strong
  • Romance: 4+ open
  • Violence: moderate-high
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: domestic abuse, gun violence, murder, attempted murder

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Book Review: Things We Never Got Over (Knockemout #1) by Lucy Score

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Rating: ★★★★☆
Audience: Contemorary Romance
Length: 572 pages
Author: Lucy Score
Publisher: That’s What She Said Publishing
Release Date: January 13th, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

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.

THIS HAD A HOLD ON ME.

I kept going back and forth on my star rating because I do have some thoughts about this.

4.5 stars for the absolutely grasp this had on me for two days. I didn’t want to do anything else but pick this up and read. The writing style was fantastic and I was very much into this grump and sunshine duo from the first chapter. Not to mention, I laughed many times at the banter and snark between Knox and Naomi. I was very much here for all of the broodiness and protectiveness & bad boyness that Knox brought to the table. And that Naomi learned a lot about herself and to allow others to help her too.

4 stars because I tried so hard to understand and get behind the third act breakup and I just couldn’t reach it. It definitely added drama, but I think the suspense element could have still been there without the break up too. And I did notice it start to feel a bit long winded as well.

OTHERWISE THOUGH. I will without a doubt be picking the new book up. I loved this whole town. The close friendships and rekindling of familial bonds squeezed my heart. I also adored Waylay. She was the best little addition to the book and I want nothing more than to give her the biggest hug.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: very strong (too much in my opinion)
  • Romance: Multiple open; high explicit
  • Violence: moderate
  • Overall audience notes: gun violence, physical altercations, loss of loved ones, substance abuse, parental abandonment, child abuse and neglect, kidnapping, domestic abuse recounted

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Book Review: Things We Hide from the Light (Knockemout #2) by Lucy Score

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 600 pages
Author: Lucy Score
Publisher: That’s What She Said Publishing
Release Date: February 1st, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Nash Morgan was always known as the good Morgan brother, with a smile and a wink for everyone. But now, this chief of police is recovering from being shot and his Southern charm has been overshadowed by panic attacks and nightmares. He feels like a broody shell of the man he once was. Nash isn’t about to let anyone in his life know he’s struggling. But his new next-door neighbor, smart and sexy Lina, sees his shadows. As a rule, she’s not a fan of physical contact unless she initiates it, but for some reason Nash’s touch is different. He feels it too. The physical connection between them is incendiary, grounding him and making her wonder if exploring it is worth the risk.

Too bad Lina’s got secrets of her own, and if Nash finds out the real reason she’s in town, he’ll never forgive her. Besides, she doesn’t do relationships. Ever. A hot, short-term fling with a local cop? Absolutely. Sign her up. A relationship with a man who expects her to plant roots? No freaking way. Once she gets what she’s after, she has no intention of sticking around. But Knockemout has a way of getting under people’s skin. And once Nash decides to make Lina his, he’s not about to be dissuaded…even if it means facing the danger that nearly killed him.

THIS SERIES.

I am enjoying it so much!! Book one is still my favorite, but this was a great read that I continually loved spending time with.

Nash has my heart. I looooved watching his growth as he worked through his demons and allowed himself the space to love and be loved by his family, friends and especially Lina. Same goes for her too. I thought she exhibited great character changes too. Innuendo was out of my comfort zone and I wish there was less of that (overall, but especially in the beginning). The slow burn was there at least for the general spice.

The romantic suspense elements are a bit give/go for me. I can’t quite put my finger on what doesn’t fit for me, but there’s just something. I DO love a possessive, jealous Nash moment though. Gimme all of those. There’s so many good scenes in here that I got caught up in.

And the EPILOGUE? Talk about turning me into absolute MUSH. I adored it. And now I am chomping at the bit to get my hands on the next book.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: very strong
  • Romance: 4+ open; high explicit + high innuendo throughout
  • Violence: moderate
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: gun violence, panic attacks, murder, mentions of childhood heart problems, near death experiences, loss of memory

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