Shauna Adams’ Seen is a wild, gritty plunge into a dark romance that’s anything but gentle. Set against a backdrop of Belfast’s criminal underworld, the story pivots around Aodhán, a morally grey antihero, and Nora, a woman whose accidental encounters with him ignite a dangerous obsession. Told through dual perspectives, the book peels back layers of trauma, lust, revenge, and vulnerability as their lives entwine. It’s a bold mix of intense attraction and criminal intrigue, stitched together with raw, explicit prose and themes that are not for the faint-hearted.

The writing is sharp and unapologetically in-your-face, and it works. Adams doesn’t mince words. Her dialogue has bite, the pacing sprints, and the steam is downright volcanic. Aodhán’s voice drips with menace and charm, while Nora feels real, grounded, and complicated. Still, parts of the book made me uncomfortable. Aodhán’s obsessive, stalker-like behavior is painted with romantic undertones that had me questioning whether I was supposed to swoon or scream. The emotional push-pull is gripping.

And yet, I couldn’t put it down. The plot twists hit like punches, and the chemistry between the leads was electric in a way that felt almost reckless. Adams pulls no punches on violence or sex, so you need a thick skin (and a strong stomach). The story has that addictive “just one more chapter” pull, even when you’re shaking your head at the sheer audacity of what’s happening. There’s a certain poetic tragedy in how flawed and raw everything is—it’s messy and unapologetically human.

In the end, Seen is not for everyone. But if you’re someone who loves dark romance, doesn’t shy away from taboo topics, and craves stories that don’t play it safe, this is your book. It’s intense, provocative, and a little unhinged—in the best way. Personally, I walked away a bit stunned, a bit disturbed, and a whole lot impressed. Adams knows what she’s doing, and she’s not afraid to break the rules to do it.

Pages: 253 | ASIN : B0DWFXCF54