Thank you to NetGalley for providing a digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. Although this is book 2 in the series, it can be read as a standalone. The love story of Nash and Lina is what you would expect from this author; a slow burn bursting with tension that will inevitably turn into a passionate coupling. Nash and Lina's story was a bit drawn out for me, but I guess there has to be some sort of drama to fuel the fire.

Both Things We Never Got Over and Things We Hide from the Light were so much fun! I love the whole big family dynamic where they have your back through thick and thin. Nash and Lina's story was just as amazing as Knox and "Daisy's". I loved the inner struggle that Nash and Lina both dealt with and how they realized they both had to let down the walls they created to have the relationship they wanted. Great side characters and can't wait for Lucian's story!! Definitely read book 1 so you get to know the whole family and background.

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review. All opinions are my own.

Publication date: 21 February 2023.

I must admit, and I may be a bit biased as a Lucy Score stan.

However, this book was highly anticipated after reading the first book (okay, I read Knox's story 4 times + an audiobook). This book was exceptional, I wasn't sure what I anticipated for Nash's love story, but Lina was not it. In the first book, Nash is very much *a golden retriever*, but as we get a new perspective of Nash, readers see he isn't that different from his Viking brother. Lina, whom we met in Things We Never Got Over, brought fire, and humor, and is a bada$$ addition to the women of Knockemout, VA. This book was the perfect combination of angst, slow burn, heartbreak, and healing (and vivid joy.) In addition to all of that, this story was FUNNY. I loved that we got to see Knox, Waylay, and Naomi's story evolve through Nash's eyes. I've read this book twice, and CANNOT wait for Lucian's story. 10 out of 5 stars, 4 out of 5 on the spice chart. 100/5 recommend. A must read!

Nash has always been the better Morgan brother, but he is struggling recently after being shot on the job. The panic attacks and nightmares are new for him, and he isn’t sure how to handle them. Lucky for him, Lina moves in next door, and she is great in a mental health crisis. Normally she hates people touching her, but for some reason, she doesn’t hate it when it comes to Nash.

3.5 Stars. I really enjoyed Things We Never Got Over, so I was super excited to read this book! I can tell you that it did not disappoint. The kidnapping trope happening in book two as well as book one felt a bit odd, but overall it didn’t change how I felt about this one! I loved the just sleeping sleepovers between Nash and Lina, and their banter was beyond fantastic. I am looking forward to the third book in this series to see how it comes together!

In the previous installment of the Knockemout series, Nash was shot. He is now experiencing panic attacks and wondering if he can still be an effective police chief. When his brother’s ex-girlfriend, now best friend, moves in next door, she sees through Nash’s bravado and helps him through his panic attacks. Nash begins to fall for Lina, but she doesn’t intend to stay in Knockemout, doesn’t do relationships, and has secrets of her own that she definitely doesn’t want Nash to discover. When danger rears its head again, Nash and Lina will have to decide how much they’re willing to risk to protect the ones they love.

I probably should have read Things We Never Got Over before reading this sequel, as I might have had a better connection with the characters that were established in book one. There was a lot going on that related to events that took place in book one, and I didn’t care about the bad guy plot as much as I probably should have.

Recommended for adults who have read the first book in the Knockemout series. Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

The main reason I will recommend this book is because the first one was really good. This one does not quite live up to the first, but readers of the first book will want to see where the characters are now. I wanted more from Nash and Lina - it felt like it was dragging in places. However, I will stick with this series and I will recommend it.

I absolutely loved Things We Never Got Over, Book #1 in the Knockemout series, so I had high hopes for this one. I'm happy to say I absolutely loved this one too. And now I'm eagerly and impatiently awaiting book #3.

What do I love about it? It's so heart-felt. The characters are flawed and trying. There are themes of connection, love, family, hope, and resilience. There is also grief, regret, and loss. So basically the whole human experience with a side of light and laughter. It's long and as I got towards the end, I would've been okay with it being longer. I want to reread and write some of the quotes down. There's one about vulnerability- "Being vulnerable doesn't mean you're weak. It means you trust yourself to be strong enough to handle the hurt. It's actually the purest form of strength". I love this. There are also themes of trust, strength, support, and self-love. This book is definitely my cup of tea. I can't wait to read it again. It made me feel happy and full.

Thanks to the publisher for a copy. All opinions are my own.

Things we Hide from the Light is book 2 in the Knockemout series by Lucy score.
This one featured Nash and Angelina (Lina)
This is the third book Ive read by Lucy Score and im really enjoying her writing. This book though? It was REALLY LONG. I know she's not your usual romance novel type author, but for 40 year olds to be this filled with angst and emotion was A LOT. For an Insta-Love Its a slow burn but the spice is delicious.
There are quite a few subplots. If its been over a year since you read the first one, you are going to forget some things from Book 1. I love that Lucy has some diversity in her characters especially in small town USA.

I dont really enjoy cops as main characters. The job as as whole just stresses me out. Add in PTSD and job trauma and its hard for me to stay invested. I finished this book, but it took a couple weeks and Im just unsure if I will continue the series.
3.5 Stars

I'm so happy that Nash finally got his own book and HEA! I really enjoyed THINGS WE HIDE FROM THE LIGHT! I had been waiting on bated breath for the book to come out and it's finally here! I devoured the book and although I didn't love it as much as TWNGO, I still really enjoyed it! I loved hearing about both Nash's and Lina's backstories - they both had quite different upbringings but they were perfect for each other. There was a bit of steam but I would've loved more! The book did seem a little longer than it needed to be, in my opinion but I totally get it. Lucy doesn't skimp on details and the suspense part took up a lot of the book. The plot / setup is similar to TWNGO, so if you loved that book, then you'll love this one. I especially loved that mental health was a big theme in the book and it was interesting to see how it affected Nash; it just goes to show that mental health affects everyone - it does not discriminate. I also loved the epilogues! It made me so happy that Stef, Lucian, and Sloane were in the book. I really loved all the characters so it was great to see them show up in TWHFTL! Speaking of Lucian and Sloane, I can't wait to hear their story in THINGS WE LEFT BEHIND. Fingers crossed that we get a Stef / Jeremiah book next!

Thanks so much, Bloom Books, for the eARC and generous physical copy, in exchange for my honest review!

I think I would read the back of a cereal box if Lucy Score wrote it. I just love everything about this an all of her books, They are exciting, witty and emotional all at the same time.

Nash and Lina were perfect and I adored that they helped each other overcome hardships. This book was raw and emotional and it really shined a light on post-trauma in a service field. There were some interesting twists and turns which made the book mysterious and fun. I just can't say enough good things!

I can't wait for Sloane and Lucien's book!

Nash and Lina get their time in the spotlight in this follow up book to Naomi and Knox’s story. Nash and Lina feel from the get go that they both have too much baggage and wouldn’t be good for each other. But there in an undeniable pull they feel toward one another. They have lots of ups and downs as they worth through career challenges, personal challenges and romantic challenges. Can love reign with all these obstacles?

Lucy Score does it again! I couldn’t put this book down. It was a lot romance, a little mystery/thriller sprinkled in and just a whole lot of fun to read! I highly recommend this series and already can’t wait until the 3rd book is released!

♡‧₊˚ Lucy Score never does me wrong! A beautiful and emotional small-town romance that everyone should read.

I've been anticipating Things We Hide from the Light for so long. I was a little bit nervous about going in, because sometimes the second book is not as good as the first book (*points at my review of Queen of Myth and Monster*). But oh my god I should have never doubted Lucy Score! This book was pure joy and enjoyment. I couldn't stop reading. I swear every time I wanted to stop to go to sleep or go do something else, the chapter ended in a way that it was impossible for me to put it down. I needed to know what was going to happen next! This book is addictive af.

We return to Knockemout with Nash and Lina's story. One thing I will say that I wish it was different was Nash's profession. Man, I hate he's a cop??? Please.

But all the other stuff- it delivered. The steam, the pining, the neighbors to lovers trope, the yearning and sexual tension? BANG, BANG, BANG! Spectacular, iconic, magnificent. I swear it didn't feel like an almost-600-pages romance novel. And it was an almost-600-pages romance novel lmao. I loved how domestic it was and all the scenes with the group of friend made me smile. Revisiting Knox and Naomi, meeting more characters in this little town, I wanted more if you can believe that. I love books where they give you domestic content where they're just chilling and hanging out, you know? Could they be cut? Yeah. But I love that they're in the book.

I'm not going to say more about the book so you can go into it with no knowledge of anything happening lmao. BUT I DO WANT TO SAY THAT NASH ADOPTS A TINY DOG AND HE DRESSES HER WITH CUTE OUTFITS AND TAKES HER EVERYWHERE. I love Piper so much stop.

Immediately upon finishing Things We Never Got Over, I knew I had to find and read this book. Lucy does such a great job creating her characters and Nash was so likeable right from the first book. It was a little overdramatic at the end and I didn't love the ending but overall it was very enjoyable.

Thank you Bloom Books for the advance copy.

Wow. 4.5 stars for Knox and Lina! Lucy Score outdid herself with this one.

My loves:
• Nash totally shined in this book.
• Nash > Knox
• Lina is a total badass. I love a badass MC.
• All our favorite characters from Things We Never Got Over are back and better than ever. Plus, there’s the edition of Nolan.
• Surprisingly, I laughed a lot. This book’s dialogue and one liners are really funny.
• Suspenseful, swoony and steamy. Who knew Nash would be such a dirty talker?
• The push and pull was amazing.

My only dislike:
• Things We Hide From The Light was a tad bit too long.

Recommendation: A must read for all romance readers!

I cannot wait for Lucian’s book.

After reading and absolutely loving Things We Never Got Over I was really looking forward to Nash's story in Things We Hide from the Light. The book picks up right where TWNGO left off, with Nash not being able to remember why he was shot and his investigation still pending. The bad guy is still on the loose and everything is complicated. Including Nash's relationship with his new neighbor and insurance investigator Lina.

Lina and Nash are immediately drawn to each other and neither of them wants to act on their attraction. Lina doesn't want anything to do with a relationship or living in a small town like her best friend Knox. But the town keeps growing on her, including Chief of Police Nash Morgan. Will the lie that Lina's been keeping come between them?

I have to say that the first half of the book was pretty strong for me. I enjoyed the banter between Nash and Lina and their late night sleepovers were HOT! However, I do feel like the book faltered halfway through. I do feel like it was entirely too long and I kept putting it down to read something else. I just didn't feel the same connection for Nash and Lina that I did for Knox and Naomi. Even in Things We Hide from the Light, the highlight was always when Knox was on the page - gah how I love that fictional character.

Not my favorite book in this series, but I absolutely cannot wait for Things We Left Behind.

Nash and Lina were magical together. They were the precise definitions of slow burn, stubborn, and wounded. AND THE ANGST. I was dying for at least a kiss kiss, and then Lucy DELIVERED with the spice. Seriously, it was explosive.

I loved the storyline. I loved seeing Waylay, Naomi, and Knox especially. The scenes with everyone were my favorite. And the epilogues, I was SOBBING. I also love how like every Lucy Score book I read, it includes suspense that has me on the edge of my seat.

If you want a fantastic romcom with a dash of suspense, wounded hero, stubborn tough girl, and small townspeople, check this one out! You won't regret it!

Also, just because I have to talk about it: I cannot wait for the next book. I will seriously hunker down in my bedroom with wine and tacos until I finish reading it when it comes out. Lucian will destroy me, and I will thank him for it.

“If broody, wounded Nash was sexy, bossy-pants Chief Morgan was a panty melter.”

What is in the water in Knockemout because they make their men absolutely delicious?!!?! 😂

Nash Morgan, is the “good” Morgan brother. He is as law abiding as you can get, he is the police chief after all. He’s the marrying, settling down type of guy. So why can he not stop thinking about Lina, Knockemout’s (temporary) resident badass who also dated his brother a lifetime ago?

Since being shot, he’s been feeling like a shell of the man he used to be. But Lina seems to be bringing out all these different emotions from him and it’s making him feel again. They’re complete opposites and yet he can’t help himself.

“This was more than a crush, a run-of-the-mill attraction. What I felt teetered on the line of uncontrolled craving.”

Lina, is on a mission and once she’s done, she’s out of Knockemout. So why can’t she seem to stay away from Nash? She’s never wanted to plant roots before but somehow staying seems to sound better and better.

Nash and Lina are as opposites as they come. The Good Guy and the Bad Girl but the attraction and pull they feel for each other is something they can’t ignore. They are just completely 🔥 together! They just complement each other perfectly inside and outside of the bedroom. The journey to their growth was amazing to see.

We get to see more of our other favorites from the series, Knox, Naomi, Wayley and the rest of the family and town. Can’t wait for more! Can’t get enough of this town!

In the second book in the Knockemout series by Lucy Score, readers get the chance to have a more intimate look into Knox’s younger brother, Nash, while still enjoying the curmudgeon exterior if Knox and the happy-go-lucky charm of “Daisy”.

Nash is the town’s Chief of Police and is used to being the hero, the savior. In “Things We Hide From the Light” we are introduced to more vulnerable side of Nash- one that he doesn’t want anyone to see.

The FMC, Lina, is very much as hard-shelled as Nash. Their relationship that forms from feeling comfortable and safe to show each other their own insecurities is heart warming, to say the least!

Score continues to write entertaining and charming characters and dialogue, but the intimacies of these two was so real, it made for an even more enjoyable layer than I had even hoped for!

Thank you, NetGalley for providing another ARC!

Y’all, I loved this book so much.

Nash is everything and watching him work through his trauma with Lina by his side was perfect.

I loved Lina as well. She could hold her own and wasn’t going to let anyone stop her. I also loved seeing her realize that she found a family that loved and accepted her for who she was.

Of course I absolutely loved being back in Knockemout. Side characters are one of my favorite parts of books and this was no different.

My two final thoughts:
✨ Nash >> Knox
✨ even though I loved it, it was too dang long.

I honestly couldn’t finish this book. While this book is technically a stand alone it starts like a continuation. It had been a while since I read the first novel so it took a while for me to clue into what was happening.

This typical small town romance features a wildly sexy woman coming into town and falling in with the local “going through some stuff” chief of police. They need each other, but both are too stubborn to ask for or accept help.

If this book was a 100 pages shorter I think it would have finished, but unfortunately the book dragged on a little bit for my taste.