Contemporary Romance published by That’s What She Said Publishing 13 Jan 22
Since I’ve been having a difficult time finding new authors who work for me, especially after finding a few over the last year or so who I’ve loved, I’m glad my unlucky streak has ended with Lucy Score. This is my first book by her and I absolutely loved it. As much as I like a good kick-ass heroine, it’s a sexy hero who keeps me reading my beloved romance. In this case we get a grumpy bad boy, Knox, and I was in love with his tattooed self right off the bat.
Unfortunately for Naomi, it takes a bit before she and Knox hit it off. She’s a runaway bride with daisies in her hair when they meet, and she doesn’t like his grumpiness as much as I do. But the tattoos and his Viking good looks make her take notice, even while she’s telling him off here and there. It also doesn’t sit well when Knox mistakes Naomi for her twin sister, Tina – who is one piece of work compared to Naomi’s kindness and eagerness to please. In fact, the entire town makes the same mistake and she’s got her work cut out for her, especially when she learns Tina left her daughter, Waylay, in Naomi’s custody.
Knox isn’t looking for a relationship of any kind – they’ve never worked for him and never will – but he can’t seem to help himself when Naomi needs a place to stay, a job, and help with taking care of Waylay. So he puts her up in a cabin on his property, gives her a job at his bar, shares his family with them, and the best part of a lot of scenes are those he has with Way, showing her not everyone will abandon those they love. Eventually Naomi and Knox can’t keep away from each other, despite how hard they try, and I enjoyed their dancing with each other in every aspect of the new life they could have.
But Knox can’t make himself forget why such a way of life isn’t for him. Thus, I wanted to knock him upside the head when he distances himself from these two ladies. His brother – another swoon-worthy hero – and his friends call him all kinds of idiotic stupid, but he’s not to be moved from his stance, at least until the unthinkable happens and he really does nearly lose it all. Normally I’m not a fan of this type of revelation, but Ms. Score does a great job of putting fear in Knox’s way to get him to open his eyes and heart further than ever before.
I had hopes that we might get books about some of the terrific secondary characters in this story, but, according to the author’s website, this book is a standalone. While it would be nice to read more about the Knockemout townsfolk we meet here – especially Sloane and Lucian – this one is well worth your time to sit down and get to know them. Highly recommended.
I will definitely be reading more by Lucy Score.
Grade: A
Summary:
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.
Read an excerpt.
