Things We Left Behind

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2023

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Summary

Background

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapters 1-10

Chapters 11-20

Chapters 21-35

Chapter 36-Epilogue

Character Analysis

Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

Tools

Beta

Discussion Questions

Background

Author Context: Lucy Score

Lucy Score is a highly successful #1 New York Times bestselling author whose witty writing style and sassy female protagonists have garnered considerable attention from appreciative readers. Before finding success as an author, Score earned a degree in journalism and wrote for a local newspaper, as well as gaining expertise in jobs such as proofreading and marketing. When faced with unexpected unemployment, Score decided to write a romance novella. The 35,000-word endeavor took about a year and only sold 35 copies. Her failure eventually provided an opportunity to turn her dreams into reality when she was approached by a start-up publisher of indie authors. The resulting novel, Undercover Love, was published in 2015, and by applying her knowledge of marketing and journalism, Score gained a loyal readership as she worked on a second novel. Pretend You’re Mine (2015) became a #1 Amazon Kindle bestseller within days of its release, and its success marked Score’s transition into full-time writing. She went on to write and self-publish three more novels in 2016. By 2020, her new release titled By the Thread became another #1 Amazon Kindle bestseller.

In 2022, Score negotiated a traditional publishing deal with Bloom Books and Holder & Stoughton, which placed Things We Never Got Over (2022) on the New York Times bestseller list. Things We Hide From the Light (2023) and Things We Left Behind (2023) have also become #1 New York Times bestsellers. Score has also partnered with Amazon MGM Studios to develop the Knockemout series for TV.

Series Context: Knockemout

The Knockemout series consists of several stand-alone romance novels that are connected by a larger, overarching plot. Each novel features one of a childhood trio—two brothers, Knox and Nash, and their best friend, Lucian. The individual novels introduce each respective protagonist’s love interest and further develop the supporting characters and broader plot lines.

Things We Never Got Over (2022) is the first installment of the series and follows the love story of Knox Morgan and Naomi Witt. The novel introduces Knox as a surly, brooding man who won an 11-million-dollar lottery years prior and yet still lives a humble life in Knockemout as the owner of a barbershop and a bar owner. Naomi Witt leaves her rich, spoiled fiancé at the altar and flees to Knockemout to visit her troublemaking twin, Tina, who is caught up in an illegal car theft scheme with the highly dangerous Duncan Hugo, the son of an underworld kingpin. When Naomi arrives, Tina steals her car and money, abandoning her with the niece Naomi never knew existed: an 11-year-old tech-genius named Waylay. Waylay’s intelligence is a frequent aid in the adults’ mission to uncover the car theft ring throughout the series. Naomi and Knox get married in Things We Hide From the Light.

Nash Morgan is Knox’s brother and works as a local police officer. He is shot in Things We Never Got Over, and the second installment of the series, Things We Hide From the Light, delves into the long-term effects of this traumatic experience as he pursues a romantic relationship Angelina (Lina) Solavita. Lina is an insurance investigator sent to Knockemout to uncover the car theft ring involved in Nash’s accident. Nash is initially interested in Naomi, but when Lina arrives toward the end of Things We Never Got Over, his attention is diverted. As they work to uncover the car theft ring, Lina is kidnapped by Tate Dilton—a cop in Knockemout with a history of harassment; he also happens to be a henchman of Hugo’s. Nash and Lina are engaged by the end of the second installment.

Lucian Rollins makes a few appearances in Things We Never Got Over, and these earlier novels establish the fact that he is a childhood friend who harbors an unexplained hatred for Sloane Walton—a petite blonde who works at Knockemout Public Library. Sloane is assaulted by one of Officer Dilton’s friends in Things We Hide From the Light, after which Lucian comes to her defense. Lucian’s past is vaguely mentioned in the first two installments, including hints of his abusive father, his past jail time, and his passion for justice. Lucian is extremely wealthy and runs a surveillance and IT network that plays a vital role in locating Duncan Hugo on behalf of law enforcement.