Story Summary
Things We Never Got Over by Lucy Score is a slow-burn, small-town romance full of chaos, heart, and second chances. It's the first book in the Knockemout series, mixing humor, heartbreak, and found family with an irresistibly grumpy/sunshine pairing.
When Naomi Witt runs away from her wedding, she ends up in the small town of Knockemout, Virginia, to help her estranged twin sister, Tina. What she doesn't expect is to get stuck caring for Tina's daughter — or to butt heads with Knox Morgan, a bearded, grumpy barber who wants nothing to do with her drama.
But as Naomi rebuilds her life from scratch, Knox finds himself drawn to her chaos — and against his better judgment, starts falling for the woman who's turned his quiet life upside down.
It's a story about love, family, and starting over — messy, funny, emotional, and full of heart.
Main Characters
Naomi Witt
- Age: 36
- Hair Color: Blonde
- Eye Color: Blue
- Identity: Former bride / newcomer to Knockemout
Kind-hearted and determined, Naomi's the kind of woman who fixes everyone's problems except her own.
Knox Morgan
- Age: 38
- Hair Color: Brown
- Eye Color: Blue-gray
- Identity: Ex-Marine / barber
Grumpy, rugged, and loyal to a fault — Knox values peace and order, but Naomi tests both in every way.
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Every Spicy Chapter – Breakdown & Highlights
Lucy Score builds the tension slowly — letting Naomi and Knox's chemistry simmer until it finally bursts. The spice is emotional, physical, and realistic — full of character-driven intimacy rather than pure fantasy.
Chapter 25 – The First Kiss
After weeks of banter and tension, Knox finally kisses Naomi during a quiet night at his place. She's been venting about her sister's betrayal, and he tells her to stop apologizing for caring. The kiss happens mid-argument — firm, frustrated, and full of pent-up energy.
"He kissed her like he was trying to erase every sorry she'd ever said."
Chapter 30 – The Bedroom Scene
Naomi and Knox are finally done holding back. He shows up at her place late at night, acting like he just wants to check on her after their fight. But one look leads to a kiss, and before they know it, things are getting heated. They end up in bed, both giving in to everything they've been trying to resist for so long.
"She didn't remember who moved first, only that suddenly there was no space left between them."
Chapter 36 – The Reunion
After a bit of a rough patch, Knox and Naomi finally get back together, and it's super intense. He apologizes by hugging her tightly and not letting go. The moment is wild and frantic, filled with that kind of urgency that hits you when you realize what you almost lost.
"He kissed her like it hurt not to."
Chapter 41 – The Morning After
They wake up together for the first time, all mixed up in the sheets, joking around and teasing each other. This time is more relaxed, with friendly chats, teasing, and quick kisses between laughs. Naomi tells him she feels safe, and Knox opens up about how he's not really familiar with that feeling either.
"It wasn't just heat anymore. It was home."
Goodreads Reader Reactions
Readers adore Things We Never Got Over for its humor, depth, and genuine warmth. On Goodreads, it averages 4.4 stars, with fans calling it "grumpy x sunshine perfection" and "a slow burn that's absolutely worth the wait."
Positive Reactions:
"It's small-town romance done right — funny, emotional, and ridiculously addictive."
"Naomi is everything: strong, messy, and real."
"Knox acts like he doesn't care, but he loves harder than anyone."
Critical Reactions:
"A bit long, but the character development made every page worth it."
"The miscommunication frustrated me — but the payoff was perfect."
Overall, readers describe it as a comfort read with spice and heart — the kind of book that makes you laugh, cry, and text your friends about the grumpy man who falls first.
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Related Books – The Knockemout Series
Lucy Score's Knockemout series expands the world of small-town Virginia with interconnected stories full of humor, chaos, and heart. Each book features a new couple while revisiting familiar faces from Things We Never Got Over.
1️⃣ Things We Never Got Over
Naomi and Knox's story — the beginning of the Knockemout universe. Love born from chaos, built on stubbornness and heart.
Tone: Funny, heartfelt, and deeply romantic.
2️⃣ Things We Hide From The Light
Follows Nash Morgan (Knox's brother) and Lina, the fiery, mysterious woman who challenges his every boundary. It's a story of recovery, vulnerability, and finding light after trauma.
Tone: Emotional, redemptive, and steamy.
3️⃣ Things We Left Behind
Centers on Lucian Rollins and Sloane Walton, longtime enemies whose past is as complicated as their chemistry. It's angsty, intense, and arguably the spiciest of the trilogy.
Tone: Enemies-to-lovers, slow burn, full of longing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is Things We Never Got Over about?
It's about Naomi, a runaway bride who lands in a small town to help her twin sister — and ends up building a new life and falling for Knox, a grumpy local with a heart of gold.
Q: Is Things We Never Got Over a series?
Yes, it's the first book in Lucy Score's Knockemout series, followed by Things We Hide From the Light and Things We Left Behind.
Q: What book comes after Things We Never Got Over?
Things We Hide From the Light is the direct sequel, featuring Knox's brother, Nash.
Q: How old is Naomi in Things We Never Got Over?
Naomi is 36 years old.
Q: What genre is Things We Never Got Over?
It's a small-town romantic comedy with emotional depth and high spice — part women's fiction, part contemporary romance.
Q: How many chapters are in Things We Never Got Over?
There are 52 chapters, plus an epilogue.
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