Knockemout Series, Book 1
From the publisher:
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.
Book 1: Things We Never Got Over
Book 2: Things We Hide from the Light
Book 3: Things We Left Behind
https://amzn.to/47nikJ7
Being me, I started reading this series with book 3 (the last book?) and I liked it so much that I immediately sought out the first two books. This is the first book of the Knockemout series – Knockemout is a small town in Virginia, close to Washington D.C. This is not your stereotypical sweet, everyone loves and looks out for one another small town. This small town has some very rough edges, lending an interesting layer to this series.
Knox owns the nicest bar and barber shop in town, plus his name is on the municipal building that houses the sheriff’s department and library. His brother, Nash, is the sheriff, and they butt heads on the regular. When Naomi arrives in town, she hits the first coffee shop she sees, and is not completely surprised to see a picture of her twin on the wall with a do not serve notice on it. She orders her coffee and the barista asks her to leave, until she produces her drivers license that shows she is Naomi, not Tina. Never have twins been so biblical! Tina is evil, self destructive, and is always trying to keep one step ahead of the law. Naomi is the good daughter, striving to do the right thing at all times to make up for her horrible sister. But when Tina calls and says she’s in trouble, Naomi can’t help but come riding in for the rescue. But things don’t work out exactly the way she planned.
While Naomi is getting yelled at by Knox, her car, phone, and most of her belongings are stolen. Her sister is the thief, and to Naomi’s shock, Tina leaves behind a young daughter that no one in their family knew about. Of course Naomi steps up, but doesn’t alert her parents to their first grandchild since they are out of the country on their dream vacation.
Knox can’t help but feel bad for Naomi and arranges a place for her to stay and a job, at least temporarily. Knox and Naomi keep on fighting until they both give in to the explosive chemistry between them. Meanwhile, Naomi is falling in love with both her niece and Knox, maddening though they both are.
There are ups and downs galore here and a bit of suspense as well, making this a real page-turner. I loved these characters, and I’m happy to say it didn’t ruin things at all that I read the last book first; these books can easily stand alone. I highly recommend this series.
1/2024 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch
THINGS WE NEVER GOT OVER by Lucy Score. Bloom Books (January 12, 2022). ISBN: 978-1945631832. 570p.
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