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 1). Even though Nash is physically healing from his gun shot 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 neighbor 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 book 1 (Things We Never Got Over) before picking up a copy of Things We Hide from the Light as the main action from book 1 continues in book 2. Things We Hide from the Light (TWHFTL) is a contemporary, forced proximity romance with mystery and thriller elements told from a dual point of view. I would recommend TWHFTL 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. TWHFTL 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”. I love the gorgeous cover art, especially the significance of the lily of the valley flowers. Even though TWHFTL focuses on Nash and Lina, the main characters from book 1 including Knox, Naomi, and Waylay are still very much present throughout TWHFTL. Since I was already familiar with the conflict, setting, and characters in Knockemout, TWHFTL 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 TWHFTL 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 (book 3, Things We Left Behind, is expected on September 5th 2023)!
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Struggling alcoholic Cal is the last Kane brother to tackle the terms of his grandfather’s will and receive his inheritance…he is tasked with spending the summer at his grandfather’s house in Lake Wisteria before selling it. But, when Cal arrives in Lake Wisteria after spending 6 years away, he is shocked to discover that Lana, his childhood best friend and only love, lives in his grandfather’s house with her young daughter. Cal’s chances of obtaining his inheritance are put in jeopardy when he discovers that Lana, who hates Cal for breaking her heart 6 years ago, co-owns the house and doesn’t plan on selling.
I would recommend Final Offer to fans of romance novels like Twisted Love by Ana Huang, Things We Never Got Over by Lucy Score, Hook, Line, and Sinker by Tessa Bailey, Every Summer After by Carley Fortune, Lizzie Blake’s Best Mistake by Mazey Eddings, and In the Weeds by B.K. Borison. Some themes present in Final Offer include loneliness and isolation, growing up, family, wealth, desire to escape, love and heartbreak, death, mental health, and addiction. Trigger warnings include absentee parents, alcoholism and addiction, and death of a family member (prior to story). Cal is totally swoon-worthy; not only is he a committed cat dad, but he is also so sweet to Lana’s daughter Cami, and it was very cute to see Cal develop an almost instant dad-like connection with Cami. I also loved how Cal learned to use books as a healthier way of coping with some of his mental health struggles; I think that other readers will connect with this as well. My favourite part of Final Offer was the epic trip to Dreamland (the Kane family’s Disney-esque theme park) which included a princess make-over and fireworks show, and I think that fellow Disney lovers will also really enjoy this part too! I really liked how Asher included some comedic elements in this novel; for example, Cal unknowingly volunteers to dress-up in an embarrassing costume for the community Strawberry festival. I enjoyed how the other Kane brothers (and their significant others) were still apart of the plot in Final Offer and made regular appearances throughout the novel. Without spoiling anything, I felt like the ending, both of this story and the series, was very fitting.
Overall, I enjoyed this book and would recommend it to fellow contemporary romance readers, especially those who love second chance romances!
The story begins with Lily Greene, a shy bookworm who works in non-fiction but dreams of being a children’s book editor, starting an email correspondence with her favourite fantasy author N. R. Strickland. After months of intimate email exchanges, “Strick” suddenly ghosts Lily. Sometime later, Lily desperately needs a date to her sister’s wedding and, after witnessing his matchmaking skills in action, enlists the help of her handsome neighbour Nick…who’s secretly a fantasy author with the pen name N. R. Strickland. The Neighbor Favor is a contemporary adult rom com featuring the pen pals/ secret identity, “friends to lovers”, and forced proximity tropes. I would highly recommend The Neighbor Favor to fans of “books about books” such as By the Book by Jasmine Guillory, Book Lovers by Emily Henry, The Bookish Life of Nina Hill by Abbi Waxman, Booked for the Holidays by Chelsea Curto, or Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren. Some themes present in The Neighbor Favor include communication, companionship, escapism, empowerment, family, fear of failure, love and heartbreak, isolation, and overcoming fears. Some trigger warnings include cheating, toxic relationships, death of a partner (in the past), and absentee parents.
The biggest downfall for me was that The Neighbor Favor was very slow to start and hard to get into seeing as the first forth of the novel consisted of Lily and Strick’s email exchanges; I felt like the email section should have been shorter and I felt like I had to wait too long to get into the main action of the story. Overall, the plot wasn’t really what I was expecting…the plot was unrealistic, almost Hallmark-y (but with some spice), and not very action-packed. Lastly, I didn’t really like the miscommunication/ secret identity plotline; there was almost a sense of impending doom while I was reading as I kept on waiting for the inevitable fallout that would accompany Lily discovering Nick’s secret.
I’m not sure if it’s been announced yet but, at the end of my copy of The Neighbor Favor, there was a sneak-peek at Lily’s sister Violet’s story so I assume that there will be at least 2 more installments of this series (one for each of Lily’s sisters). If you’re a bookworm, enjoy “books about books”, and have always fantasized about befriending your favourite author, then you should definitely check-out The Neighbor Favor. |
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February 2024
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