Things We Left Behind

Knockemout is a town brimming with secrets, loyalty, and love that runs far deeper than anyone on the surface might imagine. Among its memorable cast of characters, Lucian Rollins and Sloane Walton stand out as people bound together by tension, history, and an undeniable chemistry. Things We Left Behind is the third installment in the beloved Knockemout series by Lucy Score, and it delivers a perfect balance of slow-burn romance, emotional depth, and suspense.

Lucian has always been cold, calculated, and closed off. He is a man who thrives in control, building his reputation and career on discipline and strategy rather than emotion. Beneath that exterior, however, lies a heart still scarred by the betrayals and hardships of the past. While he presents himself as untouchable, his history with Sloane proves otherwise. They share a long, complicated connection marked by resentment, unresolved emotions, and a spark neither of them can deny. When circumstances put them back into close contact, the tension between them feels as dangerous as it does thrilling.

Sloane Walton, by contrast, is a fiery, independent character with no intention of letting Lucian’s intimidating presence dictate her life. Smart, confident, and resilient, she refuses to step aside or allow him to bulldoze over her principles. Yet what complicates matters is the fact that she remembers the boy he once was—and that memory keeps her drawn to the man he has become. Sloane is equally determined to guard her heart, but just as equally unable to fully ignore what still ties them together.

Their relationship is built not on easy attraction but on years of guarded emotions, miscommunications, and wounds left untended. That push-and-pull dynamic creates the foundation of their romance. The deeper they allow themselves to explore their feelings, the more they uncover not just about each other but about themselves. Lucian begins to crack open the emotional walls he has built, while Sloane learns to reconcile her own vulnerabilities with the extraordinary risks of falling in love.

But Things We Left Behind isn’t only about romance—it’s also about suspense, secrets, and the shadows lurking around Knockemout. The series has always balanced love stories with twists of danger, and this installment heightens that tension with revelations that force characters to confront more than just their personal battles. Hidden truths come to light, unexpected threats emerge, and the fragile trust between Lucian and Sloane is tested in ways they never imagined. The combination of mystery and romance gives the novel a layered appeal, drawing in readers who crave depth alongside passion.

What makes Lucy Score’s work stand apart is her ability to marry humor with raw honesty. Amidst the intense chemistry and the darker undercurrents, Things We Left Behind offers moments of levity that shine through in dialogue, found family dynamics, and heartwarming connections. The world of Knockemout is made rich through its community, where relationships stretch far beyond the central romance and remind readers that love is not only romantic but also rooted in loyalty, friendship, and resilience.

As the final book in a sweeping trilogy, Things We Left Behind ties together arcs that have been building across the series while still centering its unique couple. It provides a satisfying conclusion to long-running threads but also stands strongly as its own emotionally charged romance. Readers who have followed the journey from the beginning will find all the payoffs they hoped for, while newcomers will discover an addictive, layered story that blends heartfelt romance with suspense-driven drama.

Ultimately, this novel is about confronting the past—about choosing to heal, to forgive, and to love despite the risk of loss or heartbreak. Lucian and Sloane represent the tension between fear and vulnerability, showing that love at its most rewarding often comes when people are at their most exposed. With a gripping romance, a rich setting, and powerful emotions, Things We Left Behind captures exactly why Lucy Score has become a favorite voice in contemporary romance.

KEYWORDS: Things We Left Behind, Lucy Score, Knockemout series, slow burn romance, romantic suspense