Things We Hide from the Light (Knockemout Series, 2)

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Lucy Score returns to Knockemout, Virginia, following fan-favorite Things We Never Got Over with Knox's brother Nash's story.

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.

Lucy Score is an instant #1 New York Times bestselling author. She grew up in a literary family who insisted that the dinner table was for reading and earned a degree in journalism.

She writes full-time from the Pennsylvania home she and Mr. Lucy share with their obnoxious cat, Cleo. When not spending hours crafting heartbreaker heroes and kick-ass heroines, Lucy can be found on the couch, in the kitchen, or at the gym.

She hopes to someday write from a sailboat, oceanfront condo, or tropical island with reliable Wi-Fi.

Sign up for her never annoying newsletter at https://www.lucyscore.net/subscribe-lucys-newsletter-website/.

"Bestselling author Lucy Score pens heartfelt and hilarious love stories―and her latest novel is no exception, delivering all her signature charm." ― Woman's World

Lucy Score’s Things We Hide from the Light is a captivating blend of small-town romance, emotional depth, and light suspense. Serving as the second installment in the wildly popular Knockemout series, this novel shifts the spotlight to Nash Morgan, the universally beloved Chief of Police, and Angelina “Lina” Solavita, a fiercely independent and secretive insurance investigator. The story picks up after the dramatic events of the first book, which left Nash recovering from a near-fatal shooting. While the quirky, tight-knit town of Knockemout views Nash as their golden boy and steadfast protector, beneath his charming smile and easygoing exterior, he is drowning. He is secretly battling severe PTSD, crippling panic attacks, and profound depression. Nash is terrified that he has lost his edge and his identity as a protector, choosing to hide his struggles from everyone, including his fiercely protective brother, Knox.

Enter Lina Solavita, a woman who thrives on keeping her emotional distance. Lina is in Knockemout on a covert assignment to track down missing physical assets connected to the criminal enterprise responsible for Nash’s shooting. Pragmatic, guarded, and entirely anti-commitment, Lina lives her life on the move. Her reluctance to settle down stems from a deeply personal trauma: she is a heart transplant survivor. Although her new heart gave her a second chance at life, the experience left her feeling inherently fragile and convinced that her borrowed time shouldn't be a burden to anyone else. She avoids roots, refuses to rely on others, and treats romantic attachments as temporary distractions.

When Lina rents the apartment right next door to Nash, their vastly different worlds immediately collide. Nash is naturally drawn to Lina’s sharp wit, fierce independence, and undeniable beauty. More importantly, Lina is the only person in town who doesn't look at him with pity or treat him like he is made of glass. When she accidentally witnesses one of his debilitating panic attacks, she doesn’t coddle him; instead, she grounds him with a practical, calm energy that he desperately needs. This shared vulnerability creates an unexpected bond between them. For Nash, Lina becomes a rare source of peace in his chaotic mind. For Lina, Nash represents a dangerous temptation that threatens the carefully constructed walls she has built around her heart.

As they spend more time together, their dynamic evolves from wary neighbors to reluctant friends, and inevitably, into a passionate, fiery romance. However, both enter the arrangement with strict boundaries, convincing themselves that their relationship is strictly temporary. Nash believes he is too broken to offer Lina the solid future she deserves, while Lina is dead-set on leaving Knockemout as soon as her investigation is complete. They form a mutual pact of emotional distance, but as they navigate the idiosyncrasies of small-town life and the undeniable comfort they find in each other’s arms, keeping their feelings completely detached becomes entirely impossible. Nash, despite his trauma, is a natural caretaker who slowly begins to chip away at Lina’s fierce self-reliance. Conversely, Lina challenges Nash to stop pretending everything is fine, forcing him to confront his demons rather than bury them.

The narrative beautifully balances these deep emotional arcs with the overarching suspense plot. Lina’s investigation brings her dangerously close to the lingering criminal elements in Knockemout. As the truth about why she is really in town comes to light, Nash’s protective instincts kick into overdrive. The lingering threat of the crime syndicate forces them to work together, culminating in a high-stakes climax that tests both their physical safety and their emotional resolve. When the danger reaches its peak, Nash is forced to trust his instincts and step back into his role as a leader, effectively proving to himself that he is not the broken man he feared he was.

In the aftermath of the chaos, the emotional climax of the novel is profoundly satisfying. Nash finally learns to ask for help, opening up to his family and the town about his struggles, which beautifully highlights the novel's core message that vulnerability is not a weakness. Lina, faced with the prospect of losing the life she has built in Knockemout, must make a terrifying choice. She ultimately realizes that her heart—scars and all—is strong enough to love fully and deeply. She chooses to stay, allowing herself to put down roots and accept a permanent future with Nash.

Ultimately, Things We Hide from the Light is a touching exploration of healing, the courage it takes to let people in, and the power of finding someone who loves you through your darkest moments. Since you love the convenience of digital reading platforms like Kindle and Google Books, this novel is incredibly easy to dive into. You can seamlessly download a free ebook sample to test out Lucy Score’s engaging writing style. The digital format is perfect for this lengthy, character-driven story, allowing you to easily search back for your favorite banter-filled passages or carry the entire Knockemout world right in your pocket!