Things We Left Behind Series Order: The 3 Addictive Books

Alright, let’s get this done. You’re trying to navigate the absolute whirlwind of the Knockemout series and figure out the correct things we left behind series order. Every corner of the internet is giving you a different, half-baked answer. It’s enough to make you want to throw your Kindle across the room.

I’ve been there, scrolling through endless threads trying to figure out the right way to read all the Lucy Score books in order while dodging spoilers like grenades. It’s a mess. Forget all that. I’m here to give you the definitive, no-nonsense guide. This is everything you need—the order, the tropes, the spice, the trigger warnings—all in one place, so you can stop searching and start reading.

The Official Things We Left Behind Series Order (Knockemout)

Let’s be honest, the “Knockemout” series by Lucy Score is one of those phenomenons that’s either your catnip or your cringe. It’s got the small-town charm, the chemistry, and the emotional gut-punches, but it’s also a lot. With multiple books in the series, it’s easy to get confused about the correct reading order. Don’t worry—we’ve got you covered. Here’s everything you need to know to dive into this addictive series.

Things We Never Got Over

⚡ 🏆 NYT Best Seller | ⭐ 4.4 (45k) | 🌶️ 3/5 | 👀 Dual POV

This is where it all begins. Meet Naomi, a classic runaway bride who finds her life completely upended when she lands in the quirky, nosy, and utterly charming small town of Knockemout, Virginia. This book is the perfect entry point into a world you won’t want to leave.

Naomi isn’t just running from the altar; she’s running to the rescue of her estranged, trouble-making twin, Tina. But when Tina bolts, leaving Naomi with a niece she never knew she had, zero cash, and a car that’s seen better days, she’s stranded. And who does she run into? The town’s resident grump, Knox Morgan—a bearded, broody barber who wants nothing to do with her high-maintenance drama.

This book absolutely sets the stage for the entire series, for better or worse. It establishes the grumpy-sunshine dynamic that defines the central romance, introduces the key players and the small-town setting that feels like a character in itself, and hooks you with a blend of heart, humor, and just enough danger to keep you turning the pages.

💬 Reader Quote: “I couldn’t put it down! The chemistry between Naomi and Knox was electric, and the small-town setting made me feel right at home.”

Things We Hide from the Light

⚡ 🏆 NYT Best Seller | ⭐ 4.5 (32k) | 🌶️ 3/5 | 📚 Book 2 of 3

Just when you thought you had the town of Knockemout figured out, this book throws you into a gripping continuation where every secret has a price and every heart is on the line. The stakes are supposedly higher and the tension is thicker, but for me, the payoff was a slow burn that almost fizzled before it exploded.

This time, the focus shifts to police chief Nash Morgan, Knox’s “good” brother, who is struggling with the aftermath of being shot. He meets his new neighbor, the smart and guarded Lina, who wants nothing to do with a relationship.

If you crave a story that masterfully weaves romance with a suspenseful, gripping plot, this is your book. It digs deeper into the town’s darker side while giving us a couple who have to fight through their own trauma to find each other. It’s a heavy but rewarding read.

Emotional & Fun: Books Like “Things We Never Got Over”

If you loved the “Knockemout” series, you’re probably craving more small-town romances with grumpy-sunshine dynamics, emotional depth, and just the right amount of spice. You’re in luck. Here are some must-read recommendations to add to your TBR pile immediately.

It Happened One Summer

⚡ 🏆 Genre Classic | ⭐ 4.2 (150k) | 🌶️ 4/5 | 👀 Dual POV

Okay, look, Piper is a lot to handle at first. If you can get past the initial ‘spoiled socialite’ vibe, what you’ll find is a spicy, hilarious, and utterly addictive enemies-to-lovers romance that will have you laughing one minute and fanning yourself the next. For me, it was pure, unadulterated fun with a massive dose of heart.

Piper Bellinger is a wealthy, spoiled socialite whose wild lifestyle finally lands her in hot water. Her stepfather cuts her off and sends her to a small fishing town in Washington to run her late father’s dive bar. There, she clashes with Brendan, a rugged, grumpy sea captain who thinks she won’t last a week.

This is the ultimate book for fans of the grumpy-sunshine trope and the fish-out-of-water-in-a-small-town dynamic. The chemistry is electric, the banter is top-tier, and the spice is scorching. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

The Simple Wild

⚡ 🏆 Genre Classic | ⭐ 4.3 (85k) | 🌶️ 2/5 | 📚 Book 1 of 4

Prepare your heart for a breathtakingly beautiful, slow-burn romance set against the wild, untamed backdrop of Alaska. This is a story that will stay with you long after you’ve finished, full of raw emotion and unforgettable characters.

City girl Calla Fletcher receives a call that her estranged father, who she hasn’t seen since she was a toddler, is sick. She travels to the remote Alaskan town where he lives, a world completely foreign to her. There, she meets Jonah, a rugged, arrogant pilot who can’t stand her… at first.

This book is a masterclass in emotional growth and found family. If you loved the journey of self-discovery and the remote, tight-knit community feel of Knockemout, this story will capture your heart. It’s less about the spice and more about the deep, soul-crushing connection.

For another series that will absolutely wreck you in the best way possible, check out our Dark Verse Series Order.

Fresh & Passionate: Hidden Gems for Romance Lovers

Looking for your next favorite romance series? These hidden gems are perfect for fans of Lucy Score’s “Knockemout” series, offering fresh takes on beloved tropes and emotional storytelling that will leave you completely obsessed.

Great Big Storm

⚡ 🔥 Hot New Release | ⭐ 4.6 (8k) | 🌶️ 3/5 | 📚 Book 1 of 2

This book is a straight-up force of nature, and I mean that in the most chaotic way possible. It’s a stormy, raw, and intensely passionate romance that will either grab you from the first page or feel completely overwrought. For me, it was the kind of story that felt both dangerous and inevitable.

A life-altering storm forces two strangers to take shelter together, trapping them with nothing but their pasts and an undeniable, crackling chemistry. As the hours tick by, they’re forced to confront the secrets they’ve been running from and the feral attraction pulling them under.

For readers who live for intense romantic suspense and fresh, emotionally charged storytelling, this is a must-read. It captures that same feeling of being swept away by forces beyond your control, making it a perfect follow-up to the emotional highs of Knockemout.

And if you’re looking for a series that blends epic romance with high-stakes fantasy, you absolutely need to dive into the A Court of Thorns and Roses Series.

Thematic Deep Dive: Why We Love These Tropes

There’s a reason we keep coming back to tropes like Grumpy-Sunshine, Forced Proximity, and Small-Town Romance. They’re not just plot devices; they are emotional catnip. They promise a specific kind of tension and a deeply satisfying payoff that readers, myself included, find completely addictive.

In books like Things We Never Got Over and It Happened One Summer, the Grumpy-Sunshine dynamic creates immediate sparks. You have one character who is a storm cloud of cynicism and another who is a ray of relentless optimism. Watching the grump slowly, reluctantly soften is one of the most rewarding character arcs in romance. The Forced Proximity in a story like Great Big Storm amplifies this tension to an almost unbearable degree, trapping characters together so they have no choice but to confront their feelings. And the Small-Town Romance setting, the backbone of Knockemout, creates this fishbowl where all the drama unfolds—it’s both a comfort and a cage, making the community a vital part of the love story.

💡 Quick Recap:

• Grumpy-Sunshine: Sparks fly when opposites attract.
• Forced Proximity: Tension builds when characters are stuck together.
• Small-Town Romance: Cozy, intimate settings that feel like home.

Safety First: Trigger Warnings & Spice Levels

Let’s be real: trying to figure out what you’re getting into can be its own special kind of hell. An informed reading experience is everything.

Knowing the emotional intensity and spice level is crucial, because we’re all here for a good time, not an unexpected trigger that comes out of nowhere and ruins a perfectly good book.

⚠️ Note on Triggers: Readers sensitive to themes of past trauma or violence may want to proceed with caution. These stories are emotionally rich, but they don’t shy away from the darker aspects of their characters’ lives.

FAQ

Is “Things We Left Behind” part of a series?

Yes, absolutely. Things We Left Behind is the third and final book in the Knockemout series by Lucy Score. It provides the much-anticipated enemies-to-lovers story for Lucian and Sloane and should only be read after the first two books.

Do you have to read the Knockemout series in order?

One hundred percent, yes. To get the correct things we left behind series order, you must start from the beginning. The character relationships, romantic arcs, and suspense subplots are all interconnected. Reading them out of order will result in major spoilers and a much less impactful emotional experience. Trust me, do it right.

What is the first book in the Knockemout series?

The journey begins with Things We Never Got Over. This is the essential starting point and introduces you to the small town of Knockemout, Virginia. It sets up the world and the main characters, including Knox and Naomi, whose story kicks off the entire trilogy. Don’t skip it.

What is Lucian and Sloane’s book name?

If you’re looking for the book about Lucian and Sloane, you’re in the right place. Their enemies-to-lovers story is the explosive finale of the series, titled Things We Left Behind. It’s the third book and delivers all the tension and history that was built up in the first two novels.

What are some books like “Things We Never Got Over”?

If you loved the grumpy-sunshine and small-town vibes, you need to grab It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey immediately. For a more emotional, slow-burn journey in a remote setting, The Simple Wild by K.A. Tucker is a perfect choice.

Your Next Obsession Awaits

Diving into the world of Knockemout is an experience—it’s messy, emotional, spicy, and utterly unforgettable. With this guide, you’re now armed with the definitive things we left behind series order and a list of follow-up reads to keep that book hangover going. Stop scrolling and start reading. These characters are waiting for you, and their stories are guaranteed to leave their mark.