I picked up Things We Never Got Over expecting a light romance. What I got was so much more.
This book by Lucy Score hits you in the chest in ways you don’t see coming. In this review, I’ll walk you through the plot, the characters, the themes, and what real readers think about it.
I’ve read my fair share of romance novels, and this one genuinely stood out. If you’re wondering whether this book is worth your time, I’ll give you a straight, honest answer. No fluff, just facts.
Quick Book Overview
Things We Never Got Over is a 2022 small-town romance novel by Lucy Score, set in the fictional town of Knockemout, Virginia.
It follows Naomi, a woman who shows up to stop her twin sister’s wedding and ends up stuck in town with a grumpy bar owner named Knox.
The book blends humor, heat, and real emotional weight. It took off on BookTok and Goodreads fast, landing on bestseller lists and pulling in readers who don’t usually gravitate toward romance novels.
The writing is sharp, the pacing is strong, and the story has more depth than the cover lets on.
Plot Summary (Spoiler-Free)
Naomi Witt drives to Knockemout to stop her twin sister Tina from making a huge mistake. But Tina skips town, leaves behind a mess, and Naomi is left holding the pieces.
Stuck without a plan and short on cash, she leans on Knox Morgan, who is gruff, guarded, and not exactly thrilled about the situation.
The story follows their push-and-pull dynamic as secrets come to light, trust gets tested, and both characters slowly lower their walls.
There’s a missing sister, a scrappy kid, and a town full of people with opinions. It moves fast and keeps you hooked from the first chapter.
Main Characters & Character Development
Strong characters are the backbone of this story. Each one feels genuinely real.
Naomi
Naomi is kind, a little naïve at the start, but genuinely good-hearted. She puts others first, sometimes at her own expense.
Over the course of the book, she finds her backbone. She stops running from hard things and starts standing up for herself and the people she cares about.
Watching her grow is one of the most satisfying parts of the whole read.
Knox
Knox is rough around the edges and not shy about it. He’s the kind of man who shows up through actions, not words.
His protective instincts run deep, and the slow reveal of why he is the way he is makes you root for him hard.
He’s guarded for a real reason, and the story gives that reason proper space to breathe.
Supporting Characters
The town of Knockemout is practically a character on its own.
From nosy neighbors to loyal friends, the side characters add color and warmth throughout. They’re not just filler.
They push the story along and make the world feel lived-in, real, and sometimes laugh-out-loud funny.
Major Themes in Things We Never Got Over
This book goes deeper than a typical romance. Here’s what it’s really about.
1. Second Chances & Healing
Both Naomi and Knox carry old wounds. The book doesn’t treat healing as something that happens overnight.
It shows the slow, sometimes painful process of letting someone back in, whether that’s another person or a part of yourself you shut down long ago.
2. Love After Trauma
This isn’t just a love story. It’s about two people who’ve been hurt figuring out how to let their guard down without losing themselves.
That tension makes every soft moment between them feel completely earned rather than handed out for free.
3. Small-Town Community Dynamics
Knockemout is tight-knit. People know your business, show up uninvited, and still manage to be exactly what you need.
The community dynamic adds humor and real heart to every chapter without ever feeling forced or too cozy.
4. Trust and Emotional Vulnerability
Trust is not handed out freely in this book. It’s built scene by scene, slowly and honestly. That makes the moments when characters finally open up hit much harder than you’d expect from a romance novel.
It feels earned every single time.
5. Family Responsibility & Personal Growth
Naomi feels a pull toward fixing things for people she loves, even when it costs her. The book looks closely at what it means to help someone versus enabling them, and that line is drawn with real care and honesty throughout the story.
Writing Style & Romance Elements
Lucy Score writes with punch and wit. Her dialogue feels natural, and her humor lands even in heavy moments.
The romance is slow-burn, so when things finally click between Naomi and Knox, it feels real. You feel the tension building with every chapter.
The pacing never drags, and the emotional beats hit right when they should. This is the kind of book that starts on a quiet afternoon and ends way past midnight.
Ratings & Reader Reception
Real reader feedback from two of the biggest book platforms online.
Goodreads Rating: Rated 4.17/5 from over 500,000 ratings. Readers love the chemistry, humor, and emotional depth. Many say Knox set an impossible bar for fictional men.
Amazon Rating: Rated 4.7/5 with thousands of reviews. Readers praise the witty writing and emotional arc. Most say the ending makes everything worth it.
Who Should Read This Book?
If you like slow-burn romance, emotionally layered characters, and a story that makes you laugh and then punches you right in the feelings, this book is for you.
It works well for readers who’ve felt let down by surface-level romance novels in the past. It also hits differently if you’ve ever stayed too long for someone who didn’t deserve it.
Fans of small-town settings, sharp banter, and big emotional payoffs will feel completely at home here.
About the Author
Lucy Score is an indie romance author known for writing stories that feel real, funny, and emotionally honest.
She built her following through self-publishing, word of mouth, and BookTok long before the algorithm caught up with her.
Things We Never Got Over was her mainstream breakout, but her readers were already hooked well before that.
She writes with humor and a genuine understanding of how relationships actually work, messy parts included.
Her Knockemout series continued with Things We Hide from the Light and Things We Left Behind.
She shows that you don’t need a big publisher behind you when the story speaks for itself. Her fanbase just keeps growing.
Conclusion
I’ll be straight with you. I didn’t expect Things We Never Got Over to hit me the way it did. I started it on a slow Sunday afternoon and finished it well past midnight.
Knox and Naomi felt real to me, and that’s rare. If you’ve been sitting on the fence about this one, just start it.
You’ll know by chapter three if it’s for you, and I’d be willing to bet it is. Drop a comment below and let me know what you thought of Knox.
And if you’ve already read it, tell me if you cried a little. Because I definitely did.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Things We Never Got Over part of a series?
Yes, it’s the first book in the Knockemout series. You can read it alone, but the characters carry forward and you’ll want to keep going.
Is this book appropriate for all ages?
No. It has mature language and adult content. Best for readers 18 and older.
How long does it take to read Things We Never Got Over?
Around 600 pages, but most readers finish in two to four days. The pacing keeps pulling you forward.
Do Things We Never Got Over have a happy ending?
Yes. The road is bumpy, but the payoff is fully worth it.
Why did this book become so popular on BookTok?
Knox’s grumpy-but-caring personality and Naomi’s growth made it hugely shareable. The humor and slow-burn tension did the rest.
