Things We Left Behind

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2023

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Download PDF

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

Character Analysis

Lucian Rollins

Lucian Rollins is the male love interest and protagonist of the novel. He is Black and handsome with dark hair and dark, smoldering eyes, and he is nearly always powerfully outfitted in a sleek, expensive suit. As a Knockemout local, Lucian was best friends with Nash and Knox Morgan in his youth and has known his next-door neighbor, Sloane, since the two were teenagers. All his life, Lucian has adopted the dual roles of protector and rescuer; as a teenager, he shielded his mother from his abusive father, Ansel, who had an alcohol addiction. The justice system repeatedly failed Lucian in childhood; for example, he was wrongfully imprisoned for a week when his act of self-defense against his father’s abuse was deliberately misinterpreted as an unprovoked attack. Because Lucian’s father had a solid friendship with the Police Chief Wylie Ogden, Wylie often looked the other way whenever Ansel operated vehicles while intoxicated or violently abused Lucian and his wife.

Lucian’s innate desire to protect his loved ones continues into adulthood, and he often tries to protect others even when his efforts come at his own expense. As an adult, Lucian owns a political consulting firm that is powerful enough to “put people into and [take] then out of office when necessary” (86). Although Lucian claims to prefer vengeance over justice, which he supposedly no longer believes in, he devotes his career to making certain that protections are in place for people who cannot defend themselves, and he works to ensure that only trustworthy officials remain in positions of political or judicial power.

In childhood, Sloane used to see Lucian as a “dreamy, hopeful boy who carried a burden much too heavy” (10), but she believes that he has since become “a cold, ruthless man who hate[s] [her] as much as [she] hate[s] him” (10). Lucian prefers to ignore his emotions, especially his feelings for Sloane, because he equates feeling emotions with losing control. Lucian adopts this outlook on life to avoid becoming like his father. He also wishes to erase the Complex Family Legacies of his traumatic youth—which he defines as potential generational abuse—by leaving his past in the past where he believes it belongs. Unfortunately, this includes distancing himself from Sloane, and this mindset contributes to much of the conflict in the novel. Lucian’s character growth comes from realizing that his true legacy is defined by his near father-son connection with Simon Walton, and he finally succeeds in Rebuilding a Sense of Self-Worth despite his dark past.

Sloane Walton

Sloane—nicknamed “Sloaney Baloney” by those who have known her since childhood—is the female love interest and second protagonist of the novel. Sloane labels herself the “head librarian of the best damn public library in the tricounty area, working [her] ass off to expand [their] catalog, programs, and services” (6). Sloane has worked at Knockemout Public Library since obtaining a degree in library science and public administration.

Sloane flaunts sleek blond hair, red lipstick, a nose piercing, and a petite build, yet despite her good looks, she struggles with her dating life, which has taken a backseat to her career for decades. Sloane desires marriage and a large family with many children. She is a relatively static character, especially in comparison to Lucian, for she knows what she wants in a partner and has clear visions of a future family. These facets of her character do not change throughout the novel, and Sloane’s false belief—the belief that she will never find a partner in time to have the large family she’s always wanted—is relatively minor in terms of its requirements via internal growth. Lucian, however, experiences transformative changes that allow him to overcome his past trauma enough to realize that he wants the same things.

Although Sloane lives up to her family legacy by helping her community with the resources she has, her character development comes from completing the most important part of this legacy to her—a happy marriage that resembles her parents’, with a house full of children. By the end of the novel, it becomes clear that this legacy will soon come to fruition.

Knox & Naomi Morgan

Knox Morgan is the resident “bad boy” of Knockemout. He works as a barber at his barbershop, Whiskey Clippers, and is also the owner of the local bar, Honky Tonk. He is a childhood friend of Lucian, and his personality shares many similarities with Lucian’s. For those who are familiar with Score’s full series, the evidence of Knox’s transformation from Things We Never Got Over is also emphasized on multiple occasions. For example, after seeing Knox in a suit at Simon’s funeral, Sloane marks this change in his gruff exterior as evolutionary because “the grumpy Knox in a suit—tie askew as if he couldn’t be bothered to tie it correctly—was definitely fatherhood material” (8). The various transformations of Knox’s character after falling in love with Naomi also serve to imply that similarly drastic changes are on the horizon for Lucian. As unchangeable and stubborn as Lucian may seem, Knox’s shift in demeanor proves that love is more than capable of inspiring change.

Naomi Witt has recently married Knox and has taken his last name. Naomi is Sloane’s good friend and the community outreach coordinator for the Knockemout Public Library. Naomi’s endless optimism and bubbly affection are essential to providing Sloane with the support system she needs after her father’s death. Naomi also serves as a welcome contrast to Lina, who provides actionable plans of attack when Sloane is in need of advice but isn’t capable of providing the same level of emotional support or physical comfort. Naomi is very involved in the well-being of her friends, which forces Lucian outside his comfort zone. Lucian has “no doubt Naomi would track [him] down, demanding to know if everything was okay” (171) if he ever disappears without contact. This level of accountability forces Lucian to stay connected with his friends, even when he would rather sink into isolation.

Nash Morgan & Angelina Solavita

Nash Morgan and Angelina (Lina) Solavita are newly engaged. Nash is a local police officer and is highly protective of his friends and family. He is someone Sloane can rely on, and for this reason, Nash is the first person that Sloane calls whenever she is in legal trouble or personal danger. As a law enforcement officer and the new Chief of Police after the downfall of Wylie Ogden, Nash is directly tied to the Anthony Hugo case that Lucian and Sloane are involved in.

Angelina is another good friend of Sloane’s who isn’t big on physical affection, unless it comes from Nash. She also has a fiery temper. Lucian describes Lina as “smart, devious, and better at managing people than she gave herself credit for” (32). Her previous experience as an insurance investigator—a dangerous job that she quit to remain close to home with Nash—allows her to work for Lucian at Rollins Consulting. This position gives her a direct connection to the Hugo case. Working with Lucian also allows Lina to bring Sloane into Lucian’s life through conversations and chance encounters at his office. Thus, she serves a functional role in the plot by furthering the protagonists’ relationship when neither party seems inclined to do so on their own. Nash and Lina’s involvement with the Hugo case bolsters their roles in the novel, providing their characters with extra space for growth in advance of their rapidly approaching wedding. Alongside Knox and Naomi, Nash and Lina provide visual reminders of all that Sloane and Lucian are missing by holding onto their past and refusing to act on their mutual attraction.