Must-Read Quirky Romance Novel: An Addictive Review of Lucy Score's Messy Yet Poignant Things We Never Got Over - Featuring a Grumpy Loner, Runaway Bride, and Irresistible Emotional Depth
The romance novel Things We Never Got Over by Lucy Score: Get Ready to Fall Head Over Heels for Lucy Score's Delightfully Messy Romance Things We Never Got Over Author Lucy Score has been taking the romance world by storm with her quirky, relatable, and utterly swoon-worthy love stories - and her newest release, Things We Never Got Over, might just be her most irresistible novel yet. This disarmingly charming tale of two strangers thrown together by wild circumstances checks all the boxes for a fun, flirty, and addictive reading escape. At the center of the story are Knox and Naomi, two people who seemingly couldn't be more different. Knox is the ultimate brooding loner - a tough-as-nails barber and bar brawler who prefers to live life complication-free with just his beloved basset hound Waylon by his side. Naomi, on the other hand, is a former all-star athlete turned runaway bride who suddenly finds herself stranded in the quirky small town of Knockemout after an encounter with her mischievous con-artist twin sister. When Naomi gets unexpectedly saddled with her pre-teen niece that she never knew existed, she has to put her crumbling life back together fast. Enter Knox, who despite his prickly exterior and disdain for drama, begrudgingly decides to help Naomi get back on her feet after witnessing her twin's betrayal firsthand. What follows is a whirlwind love story that beautifully deconstructs the "grumpy loner and the sunshiny cinnamon roll" trope into something refreshingly messy, complicated, and achingly real. At first glance, Knox seems to fit the alpha hero archetype to a tee - he's brusque, cynical about romance, prone to violent outbursts, and very clearly avoids any kind of intimacy or vulnerability. Naomi, meanwhile, presents as the prototypical quirky rom-com heroine who just wants to find her fairytale ending. Score quickly subverts those assumptions in the most delightful ways, allowing both characters to occupy far more nuanced, three-dimensional spaces. Yes, Knox is rough around the edges and keeps an emotional distance from everyone he meets. But Score makes it abundantly clear that these knee-jerk behaviors stem from a place of deep insecurity and heartache rather than some macho male power fantasy. We slowly peel back the layers of Knox's past traumas and inner demons, revealing a good-hearted guy who uses his prickly lone wolf persona as an armor to protect himself. There's such tenderness simmering beneath that gruff exterior that makes his connection with Naomi feel bracingly authentic. And speaking of Naomi, Score imbues her with such a wonderfully messy interiority that highlights the very relatable struggles of a woman just trying to get her life together amid a whirlwind of chaos and curveballs. She's allowed to be selfish, stubborn, hopelessly romantic yet cynical all at once without ever feeling like a shallow stereotype. Naomi makes blatant mistakes and reckless choices that frustrate both the reader and Knox - but we can't help but empathize with this woman who has had her dreams unceremoniously shattered. It's frankly a marvel how Score is able to craft such lived-in, complex characterizations with what initially seems like a fluffy romantic comedy premise. Just when you think you have Naomi or Knox pegged as stock rom-com figures, they reveal compelling layers of depth and texture that defy expectations. Their dynamic feels stunningly realized because they read as actual humans working through their issues, hangups, and baggage as they develop feelings for one another. And can we take a moment to gush over that central romantic storyline? Score strikes the perfect balance of swoon-worthy, slow burn tension and deliciously hot, steamy payoff. The enemies-to-lovers, grumpy-to-sunshine dynamic between Knox and Naomi is an absolute master class. Their banter is downright electric from their very first volatile interactions, leaping off the page with sparks of charged wit and delightful romantic friction. Score makes us work for every ounce of romantic catharsis too, torturing us with tantalizing near-miss encounters and interrupted alone time that will leave you fanning yourself. Yet for as electric as their sexual chemistry feels, Knox and Naomi's romantic bond is built on far more substantial foundations of mutual respect, hard-won understanding, and relatable emotional turmoil. Score doesn't just use hollow obstacles to artificially prolong their eventual coupling. Instead, these characters are unpacking years of trauma, heartache, clashing personalities and preconceptions about life and love. Every step of their relationship, from volatile beginnings to quietly tender moments to that gloriously unrestrained passion feels utterly earned and cathartic. This lived-in quality Score has cultivated for her central couple extends outwards into the richly-realized world of Knockemout and its many memorable side characters. The tiny Virginia town is rendered with such vibrant, three-dimensional detail that it feels startlingly alive - from the gruff locals who settle disputes via barroom brawls to the colorful found family of oddballs surrounding Naomi. The entire supporting ensemble pops off the pages with humor and charisma, frequently stealing scenes in hilarious ways. Naomi's niece Skylar in particular is a wonderful addition as both a charming comic foil and emotional anchor for her aunt. Their burgeoning relatinship is so beautifully touching, especially as Naomi is forced to learn how to be a parent on the fly amidst her own upheaval. Score delivers some genuinely poignant life lessons about the challenges of child-rearing and the joys of found family in organic, impactful ways. Meanwhile, Knox's relationship with his beloved basset hound Waylon provides the perfect low-key humor and heart throughout the story's most emotionally heavy moments. If you're an animal lover who melts over human/pet bonding scenes, be prepared to swoon over every single Waylon appearance. He's an exceptionally good boy. For all its hilariously zany high jinks, sizzling sexual tension, and laugh-out-loud humor, Things We Never Got Over also manages to strike rich veins of unexpected poignancy and emotional truth. Score has a deft hand in weaving profound meditations on life's messiness and the harsh realities of adulthood into her otherwise breezy, escapist narratives. We get raw, vulnerable glimpses into how the characters process grief, shattered dreams, parental abandonment issues and the existential crises that come from realizing your life didn't turn out how you expected. For being such a compulsively readable romantic romp, Things We Never Got Over packs a surprisingly cathartic emotional punch. At its core, this novel is a riotous celebration of life's beautiful, messy imperfections and the simple joys that can be found in human connection - both romantic and platonic. For every raunchy hook-up tryst between Knox and Naomi, Score delivers heartwarming group hangouts and quieter, intimate exchanges that reinforce the value of friendship, community, and self-love. This book will have you laughing hard, fanning yourself from the heat, shedding a few tears, and walking away with your heart feeling full. Things We Never Got Over is that rare novel that feels utterly revolutionary despite being a classic opposites-attract romantic comedy at its core. With searing emotional authenticity, off-the-charts sexual tension, and whole lot of delightfully irreverent humor, Lucy Score has created an unforgettable world and love story that refuses to be easily shaken. Knox, Naomi, and their chaotic romance will stick with you long after that utterly blissful cliffhanger of an ending. If you're already a Lucy Score fan, you're going to devour this addition to her library with unadulterated glee. For those just discovering her work for the first time, Things We Never Got Over is the perfect intoxicating introduction to this author's intensely unique and swoon-worthy brand of contemporary romance. A genre titan has truly arrived.
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