Continuing after the events of Things We Never Got Over, Things We Hide from the Light focuses on Knox’s brother, police chief Nash Morgan, and Knox’s friend Lina (whom we briefly meet at the end of book one). Even though Nash is physically healing from his gunshot wounds, he is secretly suffering from PTSD in the form of panic attacks, depression, memory loss, and nightmares. Additionally, Nash is frustrated that Duncan Hugo (the man who kidnapped Naomi and Waylay) is still in the wind. Despite trying to close himself off to everyone, Nash has trouble shutting out his temporary new neighbour Lina; a thrill-seeking insurance worker who’s keeping some dangerous secrets. Even though Nash is looking to settle down and Lina doesn’t do serious relationships, Nash and Lina can’t deny their spicy chemistry and instant connection. As Knox and Naomi’s wedding approaches, trouble in the form of Duncan Hugo resurfaces, threatening Nash and Lina’s chance at a happily ever after.
Firstly, you need to read Things We Never Got Over before picking up this as the main action continues on into this book. Things We Hide from the Light is a contemporary, forced proximity romance with mystery and thriller elements told from a dual point of view. I would recommend this to fans of the Chestnut Springs series by Elsie Silver, Something Wilder by Christina Lauren, Scandalized by Ivy Owens, the Dreamland Billionaires series by Lauren Asher, the Twisted series by Ana Huang, My Killer Vacation by Tessa Bailey, and, of course, Things We Never Got Over by Lucy Score. This deals with themes and topics such as mental health and PTSD, identity, right versus wrong, appearance versus reality, family and parenthood, memory, trust, secrecy and lies, loneliness and isolation, companionship, and darkness versus light. Trigger warnings include kidnapping, addiction, gun violence, and heart conditions. In my opinion, the moral of TWHFTL is that it’s better to seek help and live in the light than it is to suffer in silence and hide in the darkness; “I just wish I woulda kept trying to look to the light instead of sinking into the dark…A man can learn to live in that dark, but it’s no life”.
Firstly, I love the gorgeous cover art, especially the significance of the lily of the valley flowers. Even though this book focuses on Nash and Lina, the main characters from book one , including Knox, Naomi, and Waylay, are still very much present throughout. Since I was already familiar with the conflict, setting, and characters in Knockemout, this ended up being a real page turner for me and I was hooked from the very beginning! Additionally, I definitely had trouble putting down this book towards the end as the last few chapters were suspenseful and action-packed. I thought that this was very unique; not only did it have a spicy, slow burn romance, it also had a suspenseful mystery storyline that kept me guessing. I loved how Nash and Lina initially bonded over rescuing and caring for a sweet pup named Piper as I thought that these moments were very cute and swoon worthy. For those, like me, who are patiently waiting for Lucian’s book, you’ll be pleased to know that Score teases Lucian’s story in TWHFTL (perhaps Lucian’s story will be the focus of book 3, Things We Left Behind, which is expected in September 2023)!
There really wasn’t much that I didn’t like about this book. The only real downside for me was that the book was on the thicker side, so it was a tad daunting to start.
Overall, I can honestly say that I enjoyed Things We Hide from the Light just as much as I enjoyed Things We Never Got Over! If you like suspense, mystery, and spicy romances, then you should definitely check-out the Knockemout series.
Things We Hide from the Light is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore.
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Synopsis | Goodreads
Nash Morgan was always known as the good Morgan brother, with a smile and a wink for everyone. But now, this chief of police is recovering from being shot and his Southern charm has been overshadowed by panic attacks and nightmares. He feels like a broody shell of the man he once was. Nash isn’t about to let anyone in his life know he’s struggling. But his new next-door neighbor, smart and sexy Lina, sees his shadows. As a rule, she’s not a fan of physical contact unless she initiates it, but for some reason Nash’s touch is different. He feels it too. The physical connection between them is incendiary, grounding him and making her wonder if exploring it is worth the risk.
Too bad Lina’s got secrets of her own, and if Nash finds out the real reason she’s in town, he’ll never forgive her. Besides, she doesn’t do relationships. Ever. A hot, short-term fling with a local cop? Absolutely. Sign her up. A relationship with a man who expects her to plant roots? No freaking way. Once she gets what she’s after, she has no intention of sticking around. But Knockemout has a way of getting under people’s skin. And once Nash decides to make Lina his, he’s not about to be dissuaded…even if it means facing the danger that nearly killed him.
