Feb 2024 FBR - KU Buddy Read: Things We Never Got Over by Lucy Score

[Ashley, The Tipsy Challenger]

Welcome to the February "Kindle Unlimited" Buddy Read!
starts 1-Feb-2024, ends 29-Feb-2024

Our theme this month is ❤️Romance❤️ and we're reading Things We Never Got Over by Lucy Score.

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.

When using this Buddy Read to get Bonus Points for a Challenge, please check with the mod running the Challenge for any posting requirements not listed below!
✨(Impossible) Disney Challenge - to receive bonus points for this challenge, you must read the book and participate (at least 3 meaningful comments) in discussions.

[Ashley, The Tipsy Challenger]

Optional Book Discussion Questions!
Not sure what to talk about and need somewhere to start? Here are some "book club" questions to help get you started. These are NOT required, but can be a fun way to help us all share our thoughts!

P.S. There are no "spoilers" to these questions, so feel free to peek before you start the book.

Question 1:(view spoiler)[
How did the setting impact the story for you? What did you think of Knockemout, Virginia? (hide spoiler)]

Question 2: (view spoiler)[
What can be learned about the effect of wealth on relationships as depicted in the book—both positive and negative? (hide spoiler)]

Question 3:(view spoiler)[
Discuss the relevance of Naomi’s and Knox’s alternating first-person perspectives. How does this storytelling technique improve your understanding of each character’s experiences and feelings? (hide spoiler)]

[Rebel]

I will be starting this one soon! :)

[Ashley, The Tipsy Challenger]

Rebel wrote: "I will be starting this one soon! :)"

Great! I'm trying to finish something so I can start it too!

[Ashley, The Tipsy Challenger]

Alrighty! I'm finally starting this one, and I'm honestly excited, it's been on my TBR for awhile now!

I know there's been a lot of hype around this one, but I haven't actually looked into it much, so I'm going in with only the synopsis from Goodreads!

Here we go!

[bamaace83]

Question 1:
How did the setting impact the story for you? What did you think of Knockemout, Virginia?

I really liked the setting of this book. Growing up in a small town, I totally understood the small town vibe. I also feel it really added to the story especially with all the fun small town things. :)

Question 2:
What can be learned about the effect of wealth on relationships as depicted in the book—both positive and negative?

I think wealth can play a huge part on relationships. The positive side is more memories, items, and opportunities can be bought with wealth. The negative side is that sometimes people with money try to assert themselves and can really turn a relationship sour rather it being a relationship due to love, family, or friendship. This book did a great job with the wealth aspects.

Question 3:
Discuss the relevance of Naomi’s and Knox’s alternating first-person perspectives. How does this storytelling technique improve your understanding of each character’s experiences and feelings?
I always enjoy stories with alternating POV's. I think this really helps us understand what each person is feeling and experiencing. I read this book but now I'm wondering if the audio version had two different voices because both characters had me cracking up at times.

[bamaace83]

This was a really good book for me. I enjoyed it and am hoping to read the second one this week if I have time. I really liked the small town and all the characters. I'm invested now. It was also on my TBR for a long time so I'm glad that I had time to get it done.

[Ashley, The Tipsy Challenger]

I made it about 25% of the way through last night before I had to sleep. I'm really not a fan of Knox at the moment... usually I like the grumpy in my grumpy - sunshine romances to at least have some redeeming qualities, but I haven't seen them yet. I'm hoping there are some really awful things that have happened to this man to justify him being such a jerk.

Oh well, onward we go!

[bamaace83]

Keep reading. I think things will get better for you. Knox can be pretty grumpy for sure.

[Ashley, The Tipsy Challenger]

Ok, I haven't had a ton of "at-night" reading time in the last couple of days, and that's when I'm reading this one. So I've only made it to about 40%. Knox is getting more understandable, but I'm still struggling with him. I think I've got it in my head now that he's mean... so, I'm going to try extra hard to clear that from my brain from here on out.

[Ashley, The Tipsy Challenger]

Well, I thoroughly enjoyed Chapter 24. Her parents are great!

[Ashley, The Tipsy Challenger]

Almost finished, and I'm enjoying the book much more. Knox has definitely grown on me and I don't feel like he's mean anymore, just grumpy and overbearing (lol).

[bamaace83]

My real life went crazy at the end of this week. I felt Knox's character developed more as the story went on. I really like her parents. They were funny. For side characters, I really liked Chloe.

[Ashley, The Tipsy Challenger]

Finished a couple days ago, and did end up quite enjoying the book!

[bamaace83]

Yeah, I liked this one. I've started the second one and I'm hoping to get it read this week. Last week went crazy at the end of the week. I'm having a terrible time getting into the other one. I'm going to post on that thread in a few minutes.

[Shan ~A~]

Okay so I finished a few hours ago and I really enjoyed this. There were moments where I was laughing out loud and then a few where I wanted to either shake someone or shed a tear.

I completely related to Naomi, Waylay and Knox. I've been in their positions to a certain extent. (view spoiler)[The adult who had to help a child who was being neglected by their parent and a child who had with a neglectful parent (mine due to drugs) (hide spoiler)]

Question 1:
How did the setting impact the story for you? What did you think of Knockemout, Virginia?

I love the small-town aspect when it's not one of those towns with more judgmental people instead of people who are being supportive. I think for this story to work the way it did it needed to be within a small town like this are a tightknit friend group.

Question 2:
What can be learned about the effect of wealth on relationships as depicted in the book—both positive and negative?

On the positive side you have the ability to help the people you love in whatever way the need financially, but the flip side you have that ability but if you aren't considering what they actually want it turns that positive into a negative. Plus, it makes it easier to throw money at a problem that actually work through issues that you may be having.

Question 3:
Discuss the relevance of Naomi’s and Knox’s alternating first-person perspectives. How does this storytelling technique improve your understanding of each character’s experiences and feelings?

It's a good thing we get this story from both perspectives, because I'm not sure if I would have liked Knox otherwise.

Knowing what's on his mind helped me understand him better but didn't make the things he said okay. And I say the things he said, because his actions were at odds with the words coming out of his mouth.