Things We Hide from the Light by Lucy Score Summary

Things We Hide from the Light is a contemporary romance novel about Nash Morgan, a small-town police chief struggling with PTSD after being shot, and Lina Solavita, a secretive insurance investigator who becomes his neighbor. The story follows their intense physical connection as Nash battles depression and panic attacks while Lina hides her true reason for being in Knockemout, Virginia. This steamy romance explores healing, trust, and the power of vulnerability within a tight-knit community.

Lucy Score is an instant #1 New York Times bestselling author known for writing contemporary romance novels with strong character development and small-town settings. She earned a journalism degree and now writes full-time from Pennsylvania, creating what fans call "heartbreaker heroes and kick-ass heroines." Things We Hide from the Light is part of her popular Knockemout series, which has topped bestseller lists and earned multiple Goodreads Choice Award nominations.

This book is perfect for readers who enjoy steamy small-town romance with emotional depth and mental health representation. Fans of Lucy Score's Knockemout series, particularly those who enjoyed Things We Never Got Over, will appreciate seeing beloved side characters return. The novel appeals to readers seeking good boy/bad girl dynamics, PTSD representation, found family themes, and romance novels that balance humor with serious emotional moments.

Things We Hide from the Light earned mixed-to-positive reviews, with readers praising the mental health representation, character depth, and steamy scenes while some felt the suspense subplot overshadowed the romance. The book topped New York Times and Amazon bestseller lists and received a Goodreads Choice Award nomination for Readers' Favorite Romance in 2023. Fans of Lucy Score's writing style and the Knockemout series generally find it worth reading, though opinions vary on whether it surpasses the first book.

Nash Morgan battles severe PTSD, depression, and panic attacks after surviving a near-fatal shooting in the line of duty. He experiences nightmares, emotional numbness, and a sense of being a "broody shell" of his former charming self. The book portrays Nash hiding his deteriorating mental health from others in typical "Morgan boys fashion," showing how trauma transforms his personality and affects his ability to feel hope or connection until he meets Lina.

Nash represents the "good boy"—the town's beloved, charming police chief known for his kindness and Southern charm before trauma changed him. Lina embodies the "bad girl"—a badass, independent woman who avoids relationships and physical contact, keeps dangerous secrets, and plans to leave town once her job is done. Their opposing personalities create electric tension, with Nash's protective sweetness contrasting Lina's guarded independence and commitment-phobia throughout their developing relationship.

The novel explores trauma recovery through Nash's journey from emotional darkness after being shot to finding healing through love and vulnerability. Lucy Score depicts PTSD realistically, showing Nash's struggle to recover emotionally and psychologically beyond physical wounds. The book emphasizes that healing requires accepting help from others, as Nash begins recovering only when he allows Lina and his community to support him, demonstrating the transformative power of trust and authentic connection.

Lina's primary secret is her true profession—she's not a regular insurance agent but a specialist in recovering stolen property, specifically investigating the car theft ring connected to Nash's shooting and searching for a stolen Porsche belonging to Duncan Hugo. She conceals her real reason for staying in Knockemout while everyone believes she's just an insurance worker. Lina also hides her health history and deep-rooted fears about relationships and being controlled by others.

Opinions vary significantly on this comparison. Some readers prefer Things We Hide from the Light for its deeper character development and more realistic portrayal of flawed, wounded people compared to Knox and Naomi's story. However, others felt the first book had a stronger, more cohesive plot while this sequel felt aimless with romance taking a backseat to suspense subplots. Both books feature Lucy Score's signature humor, steamy scenes, and quirky side characters in the Knockemout setting.

Duncan Hugo is the criminal mastermind behind the car theft ring whose organization shot Nash in the first book. The suspense subplot involves Nash and Lina working together to identify Duncan's location and recover the stolen Porsche while he hides in Knockemout. Duncan wants to cooperate with federal agents to eliminate his father and take over the family criminal operation. The mystery culminates when Nash's niece Waylay helps identify Duncan's henchman through a candy detail, leading to a dramatic confrontation.

Physical touch is a significant theme because Lina typically avoids physical contact unless she initiates it, making Nash's touch uniquely meaningful. Their "incendiary" physical connection grounds Nash during his PTSD struggles and makes Lina reconsider her boundaries and risk-aversion. The novel explores how physical intimacy becomes a form of communication and healing for both damaged characters, though some readers criticized the lack of condom use and STD discussions in their steamy scenes.

Common criticisms include the feeling that the plot lacks cohesion, with readers finding the story aimless as characters pine for each other using the "do I want him/her? Am I too damaged?" routine similar to the first book. Some felt Lina and Nash worked better as side characters than protagonists, lacking chemistry and depth. Readers also noted the suspense subplot often overshadowed the romance, making it feel secondary. Additionally, some found the book too long and predictable despite enjoyable banter.