Published: 2023
Genres: Fiction, Romance, Contemporary, Romantic Comedy, Popular Fiction
Grade Levels: Adult
Content Warnings: stereotypes, language, abuse, sex
Goodreads Link: Things We Never Got Over
Publisher’s 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.
Review:
Cliche. I do not know what else to say. This is one of those books that follows a familiar template and feels very shallow to me, though many readers seem to love it. It covers the big themes of love, secrets, family, sex and the beloved dog while offering an easy escape from reality for those looking to laugh at messy fictional lives. My issue is the way men, particularly Knox, behave. I do not enjoy when a male character is heroized despite poor manners, foul language and troubling intentions. That stereotype reinforces an unnecessary and harmful legacy of male dominance. The dynamic of the helpless woman needing rescue from the gruff but secretly soft hero is equally tired. The fact that so many readers adore this book suggests we need broader societal change, beginning with the stories we uplift.
