Things We Left Behind (Knockemout Series, 3)

After finishing ‘Things We Hide from the Light’ I was counting down the days until this one came out and it did not disappoint me. I am just obsessed with this series and I don’t care if its predictable or unrealistically smutty because frankly that’s what makes them amazing. Lucian and Sloane’s story gave me all the feels - sadness, love, annoyance, anger, frustration, lust - but by the end I definitely couldn’t stop smiling.

Continued story of romance, mystery, murder and trauma

This book would've been an 7/8 instead of a three if it wasn't for the constant fetishization of "tiny" childlike women. This book was (emphasis on the WAS) great, I loved it all the way up until the spicey scenes started. Sloane is 38 years old, an older woman. She drinks pretty consistently, indulges on sweet treats like the rest of us, and follow no workout routine. YET, she is constantly described as "petite" while also having "swollen" goods up top (??? Swollen? Check for lumps, girl) and "luscious, generous" curves down low. While also having a "tight, taunt" stomach and "tiny feet" and "slender thighs". Can this get any more male gazey? It's not impossible for a woman to be well endowed with a toned stomach, I see it all the time in women that frequent the gym like myself. Yet you expect me to believe, that a near 40-year-old woman who NEVER works out, out drinks everyone at the table, and eats a fair share of sweets, somehow has the body of a teenager that got work done? And not to mention, whenever they are getting intimate, the author cannot seem to stop writing how slim and fit and toned and curvy she is. Taunt skin, fit body, smooth milky skin, no wrinkles no spots no scars no stretch marks, nothing. YET also, big boobs killer rear slim thighs tiny feet tiny wrists etc. Sloane had NEVER been described as "petite" or small before these moments, it's never been established as a part of her character. Yet somehow, she is so tiny and so small Lucian mentions it just about every page. Not to mention Sloane constantly talking about how well-endowed Lucian is. You'd think with the way she's constantly remarking his size with corny phrases that this book falls into a different category of the romance genre. The monster kind. This is the first book I've ever DNF'ed by choice. It's so gross how Sloane's character has suddenly become so childlike, and how overly sexualized it is. Not to mention the frequent comments by Lucian on how fragile, helpless, and weak she is compared to him and he can just say stuff like "I'll just have my way with your body". Gross. Sorry, I'd rather spend my time reading a romance where the FMC isn't described as a child and without the r@pe-y undertones. So sad to see women writing women like this, feeding into unrealistic body expectations that cause EDs in young girls. Disgusting really.

My favorite book of the whole series … I’m so said it’s over.

Great love story! Love the history and bond between them. Wish I could find a Lucian in the real world lol