If you love a small-town romance and are looking to add to your TBR (to-be-read) pile, look no further than bestselling author Lucy Score. Score, who is known for her sweet and steamy stories filled with humor and emotional depth, has written more than 30 books. And though she’s been publishing for nearly a decade, Things We Never Got Over—the first book in her Knockemout trilogy—truly put her on the map for romance readers in 2022.
Whether you’re new to Score or are looking to discover more of her backlist, you’re in the right spot. Here, we gathered 10 of the best Lucy Score books—in no particular order—according to book lovers and FIRST editors!
Score is beloved by readers for her sweet, steamy love stories set in small towns—and her newest book follows suit! Hazel Hart, a romance novelist facing writer’s block, buys a historic home in the rural town of Story Lake, Pennsylvania, hoping the change of scenery will reignite her creativity. While settling in, she meets her handsome, grumpy contractor, Cam Bishop. Soon, sparks fly, but she can’t tell if it’s just a flirtation or something more.
What readers are saying: “This might be my favorite Lucy Score book yet, and that’s saying something because I live for all of her stuff. Story of My Life has some of my favorite tropes, including grumpy sunshine, small-town romance and fake dating. The small-town shenanigans were a delight, and I genuinely couldn’t stop laughing. Also, the romance!! This was so well done that I even thought the third-act breakup worked. Hazel is a highly relatable character, and it was nice to see a heroine in her mid-thirties. The spice was incredible, but it didn’t take over the whole plot, and I liked seeing the relationship develop. This was everything I could have wanted in a romance, and I already cannot wait for book two in this series!”
Things We Never Got Over is the first in the Knockmeout Trilogy featuring Naomi, a woman running away from her past. When she has to rescue her estranged twin from poor life choices and take care of a niece she didn’t know existed, her whole world spins on its axis. While staying in Knockmeout, Virginia, Naomi meets Knox—a broody, unattached man who doesn’t do complications or romance. But he can’t help but lend Naomi a hand, especially since her life falls apart right in front of him. Suddenly, the grump who’s sworn off love finds himself falling for the woman who unexpectedly blew into town, and everything seems to change.
What readers are saying: “Wow, this was my introduction to Lucy Score, and I was not disappointed. I loved the small-town romance. I thought the enemies-to-lovers was so well done. I enjoyed the wittiness and tone of it all. Overall, it was a great start to a series, and I’m absolutely hooked!”
Straitlaced Maggie Nichols travels the country flipping houses for her YouTube channel and is excited to work on her latest project: a Victorian mansion in Idaho. She brings local landscaper Silas Wright onto her team and is extremely impressed by his work and how charming he and his dog, Kevin, are. Yet his laid-back attitude and shameless flirting strike Maggie by surprise. She’s not interested in laying down roots…or is she? As the project wraps up, she has a decision to make. How can she stay when her whole career is based on moving on?
What readers are saying: “As soon as I saw this adorable cover, I knew this book would be a fun read,” shares Lauren Stachiw, FIRST Beauty Director. “And it did have me laughing and smiling just a few pages in! Maggie and Silas made a great team. Their steamy chemistry and banter had me kicking my feet—I could see this being a movie!”
In this heartwarming small-town romance, opposites attract in unexpected ways. The story is set in Blue Moon Bend, where Army veteran Carter is running his family’s farm. When journalist Summer Lentz is sent from the city to interview Carter’s family, she feels like a fish out of water. As Carter and Summer spend time together, they wrestle with past secrets and their true feelings.
What readers are saying: “Everything this author writes is magic, including this small-town romance. I was so involved with the town of Blue Moon that I made myself an honorary Beautification Committee member. Carter and Summer had some obstacles to overcome but they proved that everything is easier together. I loved this love story!”
After getting divorced and fired from her job, Riley Thorn is living a pretty uneventful life in a mansion with a pack of elderly roommates—until the day a handsome private investigator Nick Santiago comes knocking on her door asking questions. Then, she has a clairvoyant vision about the murder of her across-the-hall neighbor. When her violent vision comes true, Riley jumps at the chance to help find the murderer. But when she and Nick begin spending more time together, their reluctance toward love turns into sparks that make them an unstoppable force. What follows is a funny and romantic mystery brimming with action and lovable characters.
What readers are saying: “Recently, after binge-listening to my favorite true crime podcast, I was in the mood for a lighthearted whodunit,” says Maggie Dillard, FIRST Senior Associate Editor. “My friend suggested the first book in Lucy Score’s beloved Riley Thorn series—and it didn’t disappoint! I enjoyed reading about Riley and Nick’s adventures, and I found myself giggling as I turned each page. I already can’t wait to get my hands on the next book in the series!”
This enthralling third installment in the Knockmeout trilogy stars Lucian Rollins, a mean mogul on a quest to erase his abusive father’s mark on the family name. He’s power- and money-hungry and not looking for romance—but he can’t keep Sloane Walton, the feisty local librarian, out of his mind. The two are bonded by an old secret and a mutual dislike, but when their bickering turns into sparks flying and emotions soaring, they’re both caught by surprise.
What readers are saying: “This book was almost 600 pages, yet somehow I still wanted more. I knew Lucian and Sloane’s story would be 10/10 based on their interactions from the previous books in the series, but holy moly, they blew me out of the water. When I think of enemies-to-lovers, this is all I will think about. I seriously couldn’t put it down. It was so much more than a romance novel, and with all the action happening in the subplot, I was on the edge of my seat. Top-tier book and an amazing conclusion to this wonderful series!”
Looking for an opposites-attract contemporary romance book? You’ll find one in Score’s standalone, Forever Never. Remi Ford has always been drawn to Mackinac Island but didn’t expect to be tangled up with Brick Callan again. He’s a crotchety, mysterious man who always keeps his distance, but their undeniable chemistry reappears when the two are forced together. As secrets from their past surface, the pair must decide if love is worth the risk. Will they follow their hearts, or will old wounds keep them apart forever?
What readers are saying: “Lucy Score once again has taken me on a journey. This book was absolutely everything, and Brick Callan may be in line for the book boyfriend title. This also had a bit of darkness, and Lucy blended that in really well. It didn’t take away from the overall story but brought the characters closer. I thought the second-chance romance /friends-to-lovers was so beautiful.”
At 38, Marley Cicero has hit rock bottom. She’s jobless, single and forced to move back in with her parents in her small town of Culpepper, Pennsylvania. Desperate for a fresh start, she takes a job as a high school gym teacher and soccer coach, despite having no experience. Unsurprisingly, it’s a disaster. Enter Jake Weston, the town’s former bad boy turned history teacher. With a reputation as a player, he’s the last person Marley expects to help her. But he makes her an offer she can’t refuse: a fake relationship to boost her credibility and earn the team’s respect. What starts out as a scheme slowly turns into something real, and Marley’s unsure if she can trust her feelings or Jake’s intentions.
What readers are saying: “This is by far my favorite and most re-read Lucy Score book so far!! If you love entertaining, heartwarming and funny books, this one is for you. Some authors just click for me, and this humor was spot on. It wasn’t over-the-top, and the characters weren’t embarrassingly silly. The humor was perfectly balanced, and the whole book checked all my boxes. It was a delightful mix of everything I love: sports romance, small-town charm, rom-com vibes, and a fake relationship. Rock Bottom Girl was a total hit!”
Sexy firefighters, cute dogs, sweet romance and a little suspense…the last installment of the Benevolence trilogy has it all. Lincoln Reed is known for his lifesaving adventures in the fire department and for keeping things hot in the bedroom. He is the fire chief, after all. Flight trauma surgeon Mackenzie O’Neil is on a path to burnout. After a recent accident, a temporary job as a small-town family physician is exactly what she needs. She’s also not looking for love, but Lincoln ignites something she never expected. Their chemistry is unmatched but when danger strikes, Lincoln will do anything to protect the girl he’s falling for.
What readers are saying: “From the first heart-pounding chapter to the last sweet words, this book captured my attention and my heart. Transient Mack and hometown hero Linc are so much more than I expected. I loved their rocky road to love! This book is exciting, funny, sweet, heart-pounding and incredibly sexy! I loved going on the ride.”
The Devil Wears Prada meets The Hating Game in this standalone enemies-to-lovers office romance. Dominic Russo has everything—he’s rich, handsome and the heir to a fashion empire. But he’s also testy and impossible to please. When Ally Morales, a feisty waitress, serves up a little sass with his pizza, she ends up getting fired. Just when Dominic thinks he’s done with Ally, his mother takes pity on her and offers her a job at the fashion magazine. Now, Ally is stuck working for Dominic, whose only goal is to make her miserable. But even with their incessant bickering, the two can’t deny the tension between them. As their attraction grows hotter, and they spend more time together, it becomes harder to cast their feelings aside.
What readers are saying: “By A Thread seriously made me break out into a happy dance. I think I wore a permanent smile the entire time reading this book and the banter just made me giddy! I thoroughly enjoyed this book and there were so many memorable moments that made this book simply charming. Slow-burn lovers will devour this.”