Things We Hide from the Light by Lucy Score – A Journey Book Review
What do we hold back when the lights are on us? Lucy Score’s Things We Hide from the Light takes readers to the small town of Knockemout, where secrets, love, and healing collide. The story dives into the lives of Nash Morgan, a police chief recovering from a near-fatal shooting, and Lina Solavita, his intriguing neighbor with a hidden agenda. Through themes of trauma, vulnerability, and the yearning for connection, this book blends suspense and romance effortlessly. If you’re drawn to heartfelt stories laced with mystery and emotional depth, you’re in for a captivating read.
Nash Morgan: The Complexity of the Good Cop
Nash Morgan’s character shines as a deeply layered portrayal of resilience and vulnerability. In Lucy Score’s Things We Hide from the Light, Nash struggles to balance being a devoted police chief while confronting the inner turmoil of his past. His journey is far more than a surface-level recovery from a near-fatal shooting—it’s an exploration of how unseen scars shape and influence our lives.
Nash’s Personal Struggles
Nash Morgan isn’t your typical “hero cop.” Following the shooting that nearly ended his life, he battles post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and the persistent grip of panic attacks. These experiences don’t just fade away; they shadow his every move, influencing how he interacts with both his job and those closest to him.
But Nash isn’t the type to open up easily about his pain. Like many in high-pressure careers, he keeps his struggles predominantly to himself, wearing a mask of professional composure. Even as he attends counseling and relies on medication for anxiety, the sense of isolation weighs heavily on him. This resistance to vulnerability often mirrors the silent battles faced by real-world first responders, where the fear of appearing weak overshadows the need for self-care.
His reluctance to discuss his mental health parallels common stigmas in law enforcement—a field that often prizes toughness over transparency. Interested in reading more about the struggles of trauma recovery? This resource dives into how Nash’s battle with PTSD is portrayed throughout the book.
The Impact of Trauma on Relationships
Trauma doesn’t operate in isolation—it ripples into every aspect of a person’s life, especially their relationships. For Nash, connecting with others becomes a minefield. His walls are high, and his moments of emotional withdrawal lead to tension with those closest to him, particularly Lina Solavita, his mysterious and strong-willed neighbor.
Despite their growing feelings for each other, Nash’s PTSD creates emotional barriers that are hard to overcome. Panic attacks and paranoia push him toward reclusive behavior, just as his heart is pulling him toward Lina. This tension keeps the reader deeply invested—how can a relationship thrive when one partner is grappling with the aftermath of trauma?
Lina’s patience, combined with her own secrets, becomes both a challenge and a lifeline for Nash. It’s a raw depiction of how love and understanding aren’t always enough to overcome emotional wounds. Trauma often creates cracks in trust and intimacy, leaving those affected feeling distant and overwhelmed. To learn how trauma impacts relationships in real life, check out this article.
Ultimately, Nash’s journey with Lina isn’t just about romance—it’s about building trust and learning how to confront the darkness within, rather than hiding it from those who care. The story feels authentic in its depiction of a man fighting to find balance between love and healing while wrestling with his inner demons.
Lina Solavita: A Fierce Counterpart
Lina Solavita isn’t just Nash Morgan’s love interest—she’s a force to be reckoned with. Her strong-willed personality, mysterious motives, and unwillingness to back down make her the perfect match to Nash’s stoic and guarded demeanor. As her hidden layers come to light, readers see just how much Lina’s story fuels the emotional and suspenseful core of Things We Hide from the Light.
Her Mission and Secret Goals
Lina didn’t arrive in Knockemout by coincidence—her mission is as deliberate as it is secretive. A stolen Porsche and a tangled connection to Nash’s life put her squarely in the middle of the action, but her cool exterior rarely lets on how invested she truly is.
Beneath her confident and carefree attitude lies a woman determined to achieve her goals without revealing too much about herself. That stolen Porsche isn’t the only mystery at play—it’s a symbol of deeper secrets tied to her investigative work and her reasons for being in town. This mission isn’t just about recovering a luxury car; it’s about untangling threads that connect to a larger story involving Nash and his recent trauma.
Despite her intentions to stay unattached and independent, Lina’s proximity to Nash begins to blur the lines of her mission. She finds herself navigating the fine line between personal and professional stakes, something that elevates the tension in every interaction they share. To read more about Lina’s character and her hidden motives, check out this analysis on Fandom Wiki.
Health and Vulnerability in Lina’s Journey
Lina is far from invincible, but she wears her strength like armor. One of the most compelling elements of her character is her complicated relationship with her health. She’s battling issues that could easily break anyone else, yet she chooses to keep her vulnerabilities close to the chest.
Her reluctance to share those struggles with Nash reveals a deeper fear of appearing weak or dependent—an irony, considering that Nash himself fights the same internal battle with vulnerability. Lina’s strength lies in her ability to push forward despite her challenges, but hiding her health issues also creates an invisible wall between her and those around her.
In her relationship with Nash, these hidden struggles become a double-edged sword. On one hand, they allow Lina to remain fiercely independent, a quality she clings to. On the other, they add unnecessary strain to a growing bond that thrives on honesty and trust. Vulnerability, after all, can be a pathway to genuine connection—a truth that both Lina and Nash struggle to accept. To learn more about why vulnerability in relationships matters, this resource from Psychology Today offers great insights.
Through Lina’s perspective, readers see how strength and courage often coexist with fear and uncertainty. She’s an investigator, a problem-solver, and a caretaker of her own boundaries, but her guarded nature reminds us that even the strongest among us aren’t immune to moments of doubt or frailty.
The Dual Intertwined Plotlines
Lucy Score’s Things We Hide from the Light captivates readers with a plot that weaves together mystery, crime, and romance. At its core, the story unfolds through two gripping threads: Nash’s shooting investigation and the dangerous confrontation with Duncan Hugo’s henchmen. These moments not only drive the narrative forward but deepen the emotional stakes for both Nash and Lina.
Unraveling the Mystery of Nash’s Shooting
Nash Morgan isn’t just recovering physically from his near-fatal shooting—he’s trying to untangle the web of who was behind it. The investigation takes on increasingly high stakes as layers of deception are revealed. Lina Solavita, with her sharp instincts and investigative background, becomes an emotional and strategic anchor for Nash. But how does she fit into this dangerous puzzle?
As details emerge, it becomes clear that Nash’s shooting wasn’t a random act. The violent event is tied to larger, more sinister forces at play, and Lina’s arrival in Knockemout isn’t as incidental as it first seemed. Her role as an insurance investigator ties her fate to Nash’s, especially as she works to recover the stolen Porsche—a vehicle linked to the same crime syndicate that orchestrated the attack on Nash. As Lina digs deeper, suspicion tightens around Duncan Hugo, a figure whose reach casts a long shadow over the investigation.
The complexities of balancing professional and personal relationships come alive here. Lina brings a sense of grit to her role, diving headfirst into a mystery that has consumed Nash’s mind for months. Realizing that the two events—her search for the Porsche and Nash’s shooting—share a critical overlap heightens the stakes. This connection not only unites their efforts but brings to light the physical and emotional hurdles they must conquer. For more about the connection between the stolen Porsche and Nash’s attack, this detailed summary unpacks the intricacies of the plot.
Conflict and Resolution
The culmination of the book bursts with tension as Nash and Lina face direct threats from Duncan Hugo’s henchmen. What makes this confrontation unforgettable is its balance of high-stakes action and deeply personal stakes. When Nash and Lina finally piece together Hugo’s involvement, they find themselves directly in the path of danger. The climactic face-off is more than just a showdown; it’s a moment of reckoning that has been building throughout the novel.
Duncan Hugo’s network proves ruthless, and the confrontation is anything but simple. Lina, known for her quick thinking and resourcefulness, manages to slip past danger, even when cornered by Hugo’s men. Alongside her, Nash overcomes not just physical threats but psychological barriers, tapping into his resilience to protect those he cares about. For an in-depth breakdown of this pivotal moment, check out this section summary.
The resolution isn’t just about eliminating a threat; it’s about liberation. As Lina and Nash breathe after the crisis, they find themselves freed not only from the immediate danger but also from some of their personal demons. Their intertwined stories no longer feel like barriers that keep them apart. Instead, they become the foundation for a partnership built on trust, understanding, and shared survival.
Through this arc, Lucy Score reminds readers that while external villains can be conquered, the battles within often leave the deepest scars. And yet, facing those scars together can transform what once felt broken into something undeniably whole. If you’re curious about how characters endure and grow through challenges, this analysis delves deeper into the themes of resilience and closure within Things We Hide from the Light.
Themes of Secrets and Healing
In Things We Hide from the Light by Lucy Score, themes of secrets and healing are intrinsic to the journey of Nash and Lina. Both protagonists are grappling with emotional wounds, shaped by their pasts and present challenges. These themes are only amplified by the small-town backdrop of Knockemout—a setting where community plays a pivotal role, and relationships face the test of trust and vulnerability. Let’s explore how these elements are woven into the narrative.
The Role of Community in Healing
The tight-knit community of Knockemout serves as more than just a place; it becomes a catalyst for the characters’ transformation. Nash’s path to recovery after his traumatic injury highlights just how essential the support system of a small town can be. In times when he struggles with isolation and PTSD, it’s the people around him who nudge him toward healing, even when he’s reluctant to engage.
Knockemout’s residents embrace imperfections in a way that encourages growth and acceptance. For Nash, this means learning that it’s okay to lean on others. Whether he’s exchanging conversation with old friends or receiving gentle pushes from his family to reconnect with the world, these everyday interactions form the bedrock of his emotional recovery. A sense of belonging, rooted in collective care, slowly chips away at the walls he’s built around himself.
Community also impacts Lina, a character whose guarded demeanor often keeps others at arm’s length. However, the genuine warmth of Knockemout offers her a haven, subtly encouraging her to trust and open up. This sense of community aligns with research on how social connectedness fosters emotional and physical health. For more about the healing benefits of connections, check out this article on Psychology Today.
Through Knockemout, Score shows that healing isn’t always solitary; it thrives in spaces where kindness and accountability coexist. The town becomes a silent character, providing both protagonists the stability they need to confront their demons.
Breaking Down Walls in Relationships
The evolution of Nash and Lina’s relationship is beautifully depicted as a journey from guarded defenses to mutual trust. Initially, their emotional barriers highlight the human tendency to self-protect. For Nash, trauma has turned vulnerability into something he’d rather avoid. For Lina, her secretive nature stems from a fear of commitment and the consequences of exposing her true self.
Instead of rushing into emotional intimacy, their bond unfolds naturally. Small gestures, shared adversities, and moments of raw honesty build a foundation for trust. Nash’s struggle with PTSD—and his eventual willingness to talk about it—becomes a turning point. Similarly, Lina’s disclosure of her own vulnerabilities allows her to accept comfort from someone else for the first time. This gradual dismantling of walls reflects what it takes to truly connect in relationships.
Breaking down emotional barriers isn’t easy. In the story, moments of friction and hesitation show just how much effort it takes to lower defenses. But this growth isn’t one-sided; it’s a collaborative effort. Both Nash and Lina realize that trust is built in small increments, requiring patience and understanding. If you’re curious about ways to facilitate greater emotional openness in relationships, this resource on breaking down walls may be helpful: Signs and Strategies to Address Emotional Barriers.
Ultimately, while Nash and Lina’s relationship carries its fair share of setbacks, it becomes a testament to the power of perseverance and empathy. The unspoken message is clear: healing together often requires more than love; it demands the courage to be seen, imperfections and all.
Conclusion
Lucy Score’s Things We Hide from the Light masterfully combines romance, suspense, and emotional depth to deliver a story that feels both gripping and heartfelt. Its exploration of trauma, resilience, and love is not only compelling but also profoundly relatable for anyone who has faced life’s challenges while trying to open up to others.
The book’s ability to balance humor, tension, and vulnerability offers a reminder of the strength found in connection, even when it’s messy or imperfect. It’s a tale that leaves you rooting for its characters long after you’ve turned the last page.
If you’re someone who enjoys stories rooted in emotional growth and authentic relationships, this book is a must-read. Share your thoughts below—what draws you most to stories like this?
