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Cover of Things We Never Got Over

Things We Never Got Over

562 pages

A chaotic, banter-filled collision of a sunshine runaway and a grumpy local that melts into a fiercely protective, small-town romance.

What it feels like

Reading this feels like stepping into a bustling, gossip-fueled local diner where everyone knows your business but will fiercely defend you anyway. The narrative moves at a brisk, highly entertaining clip, driven by razor-sharp banter and the delicious friction of a classic grumpy-meets-sunshine dynamic. Beneath the sassy dialogue and steamy tension lies a surprisingly tender exploration of found family, healing from past emotional scars, and the terrifying vulnerability of letting someone take care of you. The prose is conversational and snappy, making its hefty page count fly by as the emotional stakes deepen. It is a warm, chaotic, and deeply swoony experience perfect for readers who love fiercely protective heroes, capable but overwhelmed heroines, and a quirky community that feels like home.

Mood
  • cozy yet chaotic
  • warm
  • swoony
Tone
  • wry
  • sassy
  • heartfelt
  • banter-heavy
Pace
brisk
Themes
found family · healing from emotional abuse · unexpected parenthood · small-town community · grumpy-sunshine dynamic
The writing
Conversational and snappy, balancing sharp comedic timing with emotionally direct, steamy romance.
The arc
Begins in a state of chaotic upheaval and defensive isolation, slowly melting into vulnerable trust, fierce protectiveness, and deep-rooted belonging.
Who it's for
Romance readers who devour grumpy/sunshine tropes, fiercely protective heroes, and quirky small-town ecosystems.
Content notes
  • past emotional abuse
  • child abandonment
  • kidnapping/danger subplot
  • fistfights

About the book

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.

Description from Open Library.

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