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Book Description:

Meet Lucian Rollins, a man fueled by a fierce desire for retribution, determined to undo the shadows cast by his father’s legacy. With every moment consumed by ambitions and an unyielding pursuit of success, Lucian believes he can safeguard himself from the world’s dangers.

But then, there’s Sloane Walton, the spirited small-town librarian who disrupts his well-ordered world. She’s a force of her own, bent on pursuing justice and unveiling her family’s tangled history. Their lives intertwine through an old, dark secret, kindling a fiery disdain for each other.

In an unexpected turn of events, their clashes ignite a passionate encounter, leaving them grappling with desires they didn’t know they had. Yet, as the flames of attraction flicker, they face an insurmountable divide. Sloane yearns for a family, while Lucian fears the complications of commitment and fatherhood.

Lucian bears scars that have shaped his belief—broken men break women. He refuses to let Sloane suffer that fate. He chooses isolation over risking her safety. However, the cruel hand of fate teaches him that abandoning her exposes her to other threats.

Twice, he has callously removed her from his life. He won’t get a third chance, she’s certain. Now, it’s up to him to carve a new path, to prove he can mend what he once shattered.

“You remembered,” she said softly.
“I remember every second of us.”

“Things We Left Behind” was a breath of fresh air after reading “Pretend You’re Mine” by Lucy Score. Lucy’s writing has developed exceptionally since her 2015 release of Pretend You’re Mine, and I was finally reminded why I adore Lucy’s writing! I’ve been looking forward to Lucian and Sloane’s story since it was first mentioned in book 1, and boy, it was like unwrapping a long-awaited present.

My biggest issue with this book (I know, I’m cutting right to the good stuff) is that these are two adults, both in their late 30’s, with all that life experience in their backpacks, yet often acting like they’re in their twenties. Don’t get me wrong, youthful spirit is great, but there were moments where I wished they’d channel their age a bit more.

Their feud stemmed from a childhood miscommunication. Yes, childhood. This entire book was watching two adults carry their teenage angst into adulthood. Sometimes, it made the conflicts seem a bit superficial, which was a tad disappointing. I found myself thinking, “Come on, guys, you’re better than this!”

But amidst these gripes, Lucian and Sloane’s story still had me smiling and rooting for them. Their banter and chemistry was on a whole other level!

However, the conflicts felt a bit forced and a rehash of the previous two books. It was like the universe was conspiring to keep them apart, and it got a tad frustrating. I just wanted to shake them and say, “Communicate, people!” I wish the conflict towards the end of the novel was spread out more throughout, as the last 15% of the novel felt rushed and crammed.

But hey, despite these qualms, the book was a great read. The charm of Lucy’s writing shone through, and I was happy to finally dive into Lucian and Sloane’s story. Lucy Score knows how to write romance, and “Things We Left Behind” is another notch in her belt. If you’re a Lucy Score fan, this is a must-read.

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