Hidden by Selena Laurence – a Review

Links to order Hidden: Amazon

Description:
Nick Carlisle comes to Hawaii to hide—from what happened during his service in Afghanistan, from relationships, from his future. Lyndsey Anderson came to Hawaii to hide too—from the man who abused her, from the sacrifices she made, from her dark past. But when Nick meets Lyndsey, Hawaii gets a whole lot hotter, and they find they can’t hide their hearts. As Nick fights to come to terms with what he’s done, Lyndsey struggles to forgive herself for the choices she’s made. But when the dangerous past threatens the beautiful present, can they survive to learn how to love? And who will finally reveal what’s hidden?

Review:

Hidden by Selena Laurence impressed me.  A contemporary love story set against the backdrop of Hawaii can come across as unimaginative, but Ms. Laurence avoids that yardstick by layering her story with dark secrets, painful epiphanies, and a faith that will forever connect Nick and Lyndsey.  

Lyndsey Anderson wants to leave her past behind and settle into the life she’s pieced together “one yard sale at a time”.  Compared to three years ago, Lyndsey’s demanding school schedule, crammed in between her busy work schedule as a waitress, feels like luxury.  Just don’t fall for any guys (her mantra); avoid that complication of the heart.  But when gorgeous Nick Carlisle sits at her table, damn her traitorous heart for leaping to his attention.  This attraction may sound cliché, but I swear it’s not of the predictable variety.  We quickly discover that Nick is just as resistant (more like avoids) exclusivity, but his reasoning is a result of post-war trauma.

Trusting each other doesn’t begin to explain the myriad of problems surrounding, preventing this relationship.  When we start to learn their respective stories, your heart aches for this couple and you pray they figure it out before they lose what they’re building.  Nick suffers from a loss of life in Afghanistan that haunts his ability to be happy again.  Lyndsey’s brutal past at the hands of an ex-boyfriend dictates her fierce privacy.  As unique as their backgrounds are, Nick and Lyndsey unconsciously align themselves in misplaced shame.

“I nodded, thinking that was something we had in common – this aura of damage that seemed to float around our heads like cursed halos.  Maybe it was one of the things that drew me to her; we were both trying so hard to be “normal” when really we were anything but.”

When Nick and Lyndsey finally explore those mounting desires (heartily I might add — Hi-five, Ms. Laurence!) their link is solidified.  That is, until an outside source interferes in the worst way possible.  I didn’t see it coming; I celebrated too early!  L Ms. Laurence disturbs their short-lived peace with chaos and upends their HEA.  The once-strong relationship goes awry, confidence is shaken, and progress halts.  It was painful to read (choking up just remembering), but it allowed Nick and Lyndsey to be proactive about their painful pasts. 

“And maybe the reason you can’t trust me enough is because you can sense that I’m not whole yet.  As much as I love you, I’ve got to get me in order before I can be of use to you or anyone else.”

We are inundated by romance novels and they all deserve a chance (I have found gems over at Amazon!).  What makes this one so special?  Hidden is a cautionary tale about love and facing demons.  It earned my swoon and recommendation for being so well-written and touching on delicate issues that can be of service to all demographics of readers.  I laughed, I screamed, I cried.

“I don’t think we’re going anywhere,” I shot back.

“Would you like us to?”  He stopped and took my elbow so that I had to stop too.

I looked into his incredibly beautiful blue eyes.  “It’s all I’ve ever wanted,” I whispered. 

Awwwww….this book will surprise you!

Reviewed by Carmen

Copy provided by Author