Seeing Red

by Aurelia Gray

Death and the devil.

Find them. Kill them.

Twelve months. One year. I watched from the sidelines. I saw my friends die doing what I couldn't. Now, I’m back where I belong—soldiers with blood on our hands, burning the men who threatened innocent lives. We were outsmarted. Backed into a corner.

Then they slipped up. Stealing our information left a trail and I will find them.

They’ll run. I’ll follow. They’re ghosts in the forest. Death and the Devil. They’ve led me straight into hell and now they won’t ever let me go.

Find them. Kill them.

Genres: Dark Romance, Why Choose

651 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 31, 2025

Reviews

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not a bullying book, this is a proper enemies to lovers story with severe interrogation, using physical, emotional and psychological and sexual manipulation. If you like walking red flags then meet Baron and Castor, the two men who are about to turn Helena’s world and world view upside down. It took quite a while for me to like any of the main characters and there were times I was shouting in my head to Helena to open her eyes and realise what was going on around her, but by the end, (this is a long, thick book) I was totally invested in what happened to them all. The relationship between the two men is an interesting and complex one and we only learned a little of it. I need to know more.
This wasn’t an easy read but it was a damn good one. It was dark, brutal and emotionally charged. I can only hope the author can continue the story because I will be first in line to read it.

[Dinah's Bookshelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

F*kc! I want to scream so much for this novel!!! She’s a thick book for sure but this is one of the best books I have read so far! A masterpiece of Enemies to Lovers at its best.
Absolutely amazed by the writing style,
it’s complicated, captivating, spellbinding, breathtaking. Talk about emotional rollercoaster from chapter one! You are there with Helena, you are there with the boys Castor and Baron, you are in the fights, you feel pain and trauma and angst. It’s so cinematic! I mean the words paint the pictures so vividly. There are secrets and twist and turns that will have you biting your knuckles.
I love a book that tears me apart and this one for sure did. I was anxious furious, sad, shocked, brokenhearted, I mean jaw dropping moments and out loud cursing moments. The Author did so much research for this and it shows.
UGH... I need book 2 badly.

[Rachel bookin.withrach · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Your name. First, last.”
“Fuck. You.”
“Don’t worry, doll. I promise I won’t fuck you until you're begging for it.”

And that’s in the first 14% of Seeing Red. Y’all I think this is my first military dark romance and I am blown away by how much I enjoyed this baby. Seeing Red follows Helena a legacy in this special forces team trying to stop terrorists called The Codex. When Castor and Baron (part of the codex) enter the chat Helena makes it her mission to take down the enemies herself.

“Run and hide, Codex. Only one of us is walking out of here.”

Helena is the definition of a strong FMC. She showed the fuck up for herself even when she was beaten and bruised and seemingly using up her last breaths. She never once just laid down and took it. She gave everything she had and took what she needed all the way through. Slowly winding these two men all the fucking way around her little finger.

“She’s desperate, but not nearly as desperate as she makes me feel.”

Castor and Baron are these huge dudes that are trained to unalive people but they are no match for the way they fall for Helena. The primal need they both had for her was intoxicating.

“Run. Run like your life depends on it, doll. Because when I catch you, you'll see exactly what a desperate man does.”

This book is massive and for good reason. There is so much action and f u c k ing and fighting and destruction you couldn’t look away. If something isn’t blowing up then someone is cuming or bleeding. It was so hot and so so taboo. I loved it. I can’t wait to see how Aurelia continues on with the story because that ended left me so anxious and needing more.

“You looked so good covered in blood”

Codex for life baby. Check your triggers. Seeing Red is out now and available in paperback and on KU.

[Smuttybookoholic · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am in Awe. This book was a complete masterpiece, a true enemies to lovers. I cannot say one bad thing about this read. I was really nervous at first, because I wasn’t sure how I was going to like it and the length intimidated me, but I am so glad I read it. I never wanted to put it down. The plot..perfect. The smut..perfect. The plot twists..Perfect. Dialogue, chemistry, descriptions..perfect. The writing??? PHENOMENAL. Auriela I am not going to be able to put into words how much I truly loved and enjoyed this book. It is perfection and as of now my #1 read for 2025. I cannot wait to read book two, because that ending had me screaming. This book was truly brilliant and your writing is spectacular, I could go on and on with how impressed I am. Truly Amazing. I’m obsessed with Castor, Baron, and Helena. I need more, I want more. Everyone needs to read this book asap. I loved it so much, I will be getting a physical copy for my shelf. 10/10 Recommend.

[Allyson Escobar · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was an emotional roller coaster! I was drawn in from the very beginning of this book. It makes you think about everything and as soon as you think you've figured something out...wrong! True enemies to lovers in this book! I would definitely recommend.

[Allyse Reinauer · Rating 2 out of 5]

There’s a lot going on in this one.
One thing I did like was the action. There was always something happening and especially the fight scenes were really well written. I felt like I was right in there with the characters.

I don’t know if I would classify this as a romance…There is nothing romantic about any of it. This is the embodiment of Stockholm syndrome and the outcome of traumatized people forced into a situation where they become so dependent on one another they mistake comfort for love.
I’m not sure we are really meant to “like” these characters. They are brutal warriors on a mission and something like morals won’t stand in their way.
Castor and Baron bend Helena so far they break themselves in the process.

The whole storyline was a little convoluted. Whose allegiances were where and who was fighting for what … who was alive or dead. It left you guessing from one chapter to the next.
I really wanted to like it, but it just didn’t do it for me.



I received an ARC and this is my honest review.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐️
Oh man, this was an insane, intense, action filled ride, with lots of trauma.
Helena is truthfully one tough bada** soldier. Seriously the hell she goes through in this book was just insane...and heartbreaking. Yet she held it together. Kept fighting.
She finds herself fighting against people she thought she could trust. Struggling to piece together what was true and what was all a lie.
Add in Castor and Baron and she really struggles to separate truth and lie.
These aren't your morally grey mmcs. They are pitch black. The things they've done and seen are unimaginable.
They're out for revenge. No matter the cost. Stopping at nothing. Including using Helena to get what they want.
They just don't expect her to get under their skin the way she does...unintentionally.
Honestly a true enemies to lovers.
There was no shortage of intense action, including the spice. Honestly I was left wanting to know what would happen next. The trauma each character endured was a lot. To say the least.
I highly HIGHLY recommend you check the tws.
That dang cliffhanger though got me again, even though I knew there was one ahead of time. 😅
Really wanting to know what happens next with these characters.
.
.
While I was intrigued to figure out what happens each chapter, I just couldn't connect with the characters...also, a scene near the end kinda just rubbed me the wrong way with the mmc's, I couldn't look past.
Other than that.. it was interesting, dark, and very action packed. I'd still read the 2nd book if I'm being honest. I just need to know what happens next.
.
.
Thank you Aurelia for allowing me to arc read your debut book. ☺️🫶🏻

[Alison Galloway · Rating 4 out of 5]

Where do I start!?!? 4.5 stars for me. Why choose, but in such a way that makes you wonder where your morals are. 😅 Please, please, please read the trigger warnings before you read this. I personally don’t have many triggers (I’m sure one day I’ll find them) but I know some people that they would not be ok reading this. What a debut for this author! Now work faster to get book 2 out because it can’t end like that!

[Sammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow… Seeing Red is an absolutely wild, emotional whirlwind!

Aurelia Gray delivers a story that is intense, addictive, and unlike anything I’ve read before. The way Baron and Castor manipulate and break Helena down had me on edge the entire time. They’re dangerous, calculating, and completely unhinged in the best (and worst) ways.

The plot twists had me gasping, and just when I thought I had a grip on where things were going—bam! That ending?? That cliffhanger?? I need more immediately. If you love dark, twisted romances that keep you second-guessing everything, this one is a must-read!

[Jessi · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a crazy ride! Please check the trigger warnings before jumping into this deep book! This book is intense and not for the faint of heart.

'Truth, trust, control, restraint.'

'Hell is f**king empty and waiting for him. I only belong to two devils and he isn't one of them.'

Seeing Red was a crazy emotional rollercoaster. I spent the majority of the book waiting for things to pan out for our FMC but it always gets worse. Anything that could go wrong, did. But I'm hooked and I need to read the next book as soon as it's available!!!

Loved the book, all the twists had me second guessing my life choices along the way.
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

[Nalina IB · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I tell you I couldn’t wait to put my hands on this book then you should know I was desperate. LOL. Aaaamd boii the author takes the prize for the cruelest book I’ve read. Cruel MMCs check. Twists hits left and right check. Writing style takes you for a head spin check ( this is bcz I haven’t read sth as strong worded in a while). Seeing Red indeed, don’t even doubt it, the book offered and def.delivered. Yes you’ll see red and even A LOT more than only that. I was so close for putting it down half way through, I was confused and conflicted as FMC was ( why is everything still blurry confused) and uncomfortable ( too much sexual scenes). A book full of stubbornness and emotionless characters 💀.


Anyways in general I love the military genre so this was kinda in the good pace, a lot of research was put into this specific category which very rarely happens, I am a sucker for this well put together element. However a long with that genre too much was happening, I needed to read the paragraph twice maybe three times to understand and keep up with the plot and understanding the storyline. It’s not fast paced, nope and I loved the pacing of it, but this a lotness in the huntings the killings overwhelmed me ( yeah as I said bcz I haven’t read sth like this in a long time (yk romance book make your softer and your reading abilities to slack off a bit maaaaybe Idk) ) but I still wanna know and read more about them three; Bcz they confuse me the f off. The plot is complicated and it’s plotting, I haven’t read sth as twisted as this one .. except if you were reading paranormal then yeah … but here at this level is top tier stuff.

The fact that I was lost at the beginning and continued throughout the book is hilarious, was FMC liked, or despised, when did it happen?why? And how? Who are those two people? why r they doing what they’re doing… to HER? Disgusting psychopathic behaviors btw! Manipulation who?? Nice character planning though, the vagueness made me more curious about wanting to know more about them.

So the fact that FMC is military trained personnel, she is dumbbb!! Literally the friend explained everything ( in short and clear and simple ) to her yet she still run behind that dipshit, the fact that I still held this book and resumed reading and not curve the pgs with a bucket knife is a miracle 😤. But I got her at the end man…

Yes 30-50% of the book I was a bit staring at the wall trying to make my brain process what I was reading. Big words, big complicated paragraphs, and completely grey-esh characters.

So as you saw against every con there is a pro and I’m still read it eagerly to see where this is going, also bcz I like supporting niche authors. Also The ending sold ME!!!!! so it took me a while to go back a pick it back up but I ain’t regretting it man … READ IT!


After all this you might be wondering about my rating but it’s soo good, it offered and delivered great content… I wanna read what happens next 😭😭😭😭. Miss author HELLOOO
We NEED BOOK 2!!!!!!!

[Summer · Rating 3 out of 5]

~Arc Review~
⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶🌶🌶

~Seeing Red~The Codex Book 1~ Aurelia Gray~

“The people who say coffee isn’t good for you should be shot. I don’t know a soul on this earth who isn’t happier after drinking some French roast.”

~This review was definitely hard for me to write because I had a like/hate relationship with this book. Seeing Red is a very dark military romance that revolves around corruption & revenge & was a debut book for this author. Let's start out with the things that I liked. I liked the outline of the storyline, the unhinged MMC's/FMC, & the darkness. The trauma that these characters went through made me 100% feel for every one of them, and we got a bada** FMC as well. In my opinion, I would have given this book 4 stars had the below made more sense to me.

Now, I will list the things that lowered my rating of the book. I understand the need for the cliffhanger because it's book one in a series & that's okay but I feel like everything was very repetitive, and this book did not have to be an 650 page book to get to the ending. I felt like the storyline was good, but it ended up all over the place. I understand that this is a fictional story but the amount of times that the same characters "died" all to come back to life to k*ll, abduct, or harm the main characters did not make any sense to me as this was not a paranormal book & the way these characters "died" there is no way they are coming back over and over unless they have super healing powers. I know the book mentions that one of the villians may have look alikes & that is why they haven't actually k*lled them yet, but that doesn't sit right with me either. The reason I say this is because the main characters are highly trained individuals who have been hunting these villians for years, and the FMC was practically raised by them, so they should know them when they see them. Even if they had look alikes the things that they did to k*ll the look alikes they wouldn't have survived to try and harm them again 10 minutes after dying. That brings me also to the things that happened to the main characters as well. The things that each of them went through by the hands of each other and others there is no way they would have survived it all for there to even be another book.

~As Always Happy Reading~

[Vanessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is Dark. It is sexually Violent.
You’ve been warned.


I think what I love most is that when I started the book I was unsure if I would even like it. I have my own ptsd and I don’t particularly like reading about others who have it. I wouldn’t call it a trigger but more of just a personal dislike but as I got into the story. This has to be one of my top 5 reads of the year. It’s so rare to find books that truly surprise me. Loved the psychological warfare aspect that was used in this book! Ugh chefs kiss. Helena is smart but also dumb as a doorknob. She can read the boys in an instant with her tongue so quick it could cut them with words alone but then she allows her emotions to lead her and she gets herself into these positions where the boys have to save her countless times. I love her but I also wanna shake her head and see if anything is loose and rattling around in her head where her brain should be. Between the building relationship between two men who broke her apart to rebuild her after she lost everything she held dear to her and had her entire world implode.

“I’m going to break her apart, piece by piece, until the perfect little doll Bane molded is nothing but shattered fragments at my feet. I don't care what's left of her afterwards. I don't care if that fractured shell has nothing underneath it. I don’t care if she loses all will to live. I will have her. I will shatter her, every last part of her, and I will parade it to her beloved commander before I shove a grenade down his throat.”

Finding out who Fury was a mixed emotion. One had I was angry but the other I was also super happy. I took a guess at who they could be and I’m happy I was wrong! This book will take you on a rollercoaster of emotions. The ending is definitely heartbreaking and has me feral for the second book to come out because I need to know what happens next 😫😅 this book was the perfect mix of emotion, spice, suspense, action, and a small dash of love. It was an incredible read and if you can get past the trigger warnings which I’m my opinion make the book better then I highly suggest it.

[Shanai Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dark, Dirty, and Ruined Me—10/10

First of all, let us bow before Queen Aurelia Gray for crafting a book that absolutely wrecked me in the best possible way. I’m not saying she put me in a chokehold—but if emotional submission were a sport? Gold medal.

From page one, I thought I knew where things were going. I had theories. I had charts. I had emotional support snacks. And then—BAM—plot twist to the face like I owed the book money. Every chapter was like, “Oh, you thought? Cute.” It was less a reading experience and more a psychological hostage situation… and I was living for it.

Now, Helena? BABY. I was Helena. I don’t know how or when it happened, but suddenly I was mentally in combat boots and trauma-bonded to chaos. The girl couldn’t catch a break—and neither could my heart. Just when it looked like she might get a crumb of peace, the book hit me with a flying chair of emotional destruction.

Castor… sweet, infuriating, complex Castor. I don’t know if I want to kiss him or throw him into the sun with love. That man had my feelings doing gymnastics. He surprised me. He pissed me off. He might have awakened something in me I’m not ready to unpack.

Baron? Sir, what are we doing? I’m watching you. Quietly. From the shadows. Waiting to see if you’ll give me the vibes I desperately need in book two. But hey, greatness takes time. And a Queen never rushes her brilliance.

Let’s be clear: this isn’t your cute, soft romance. This is a dark military romance that comes with emotional landmines, spicy chaos, and psychological warfare. It’s dark. It’s dirty. It’s deliciously painful. Like a heartbreak cupcake with extra frosting.

But listen to me closely, babes—READ. THE. TRIGGER. WARNINGS. This book does not come to play with your feelings, and if your emotional foundation isn’t reinforced, you’re gonna need a therapy group chat. Mental health first, always.

[Krystal Kraft · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tell me a book that whipped your emotions around like they never existed and I’ll tell you mine. THIS ONE! When you are warned to pace yourself during this read, I advise it. It is heavy, descriptive, brutal and fully packed with trigger warnings. The things that not just Helena but all of our main characters go through physically and emotionally make my heart race.

Seeing Red will stay with me for as long as I can foresee. I truly feel changed after reading this book. My heart feels extremely connected to each person. The plot. All of it. It was a freaking emotional roller coaster but it also showed us about manipulation, humility, strength, determination, hope and loss through our main characters. We learned that not everything is as it appears. We learned that sometimes the ugly can turn into something different. We learned that no matter how bad something is, there is always a reason to keep fighting.

The character growth and development was unlike anything I’ve ever read before. The level of investment I had during the entirety of the book was INSANE. I did not think for one second it was going to end the way it did- and to be honest it is going to take me a minute to process it as it made me feel many different things that I wasn’t anticipating based off how it started. Buckle up for this journey I hope you embark on… and if you think you have it figured out, no you do not. The plot twist will be there to get you and you will be pleading for the next one before you even set this one down.

I ABSOLUTELY recommend it. It was outstanding.👏
It’s a 700 page debut novel that reads like it has 350 pages. The depth of it was mind blowing. I can tell how well researched and thought out Seeing Red was. It’s sure to keep you strung along until the very end!

[Alex Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

*PHEW* WHAT A DEBUT! Aurelia, you absolutely KILLED this!

This is a DARK *emphasis on DARK* military/mercenary esque romance filled with action, graphic torture and psychological torment, vivid PTSD flashbacks and mental health struggles… and one of the gnarliest cliffhangers I’ve ever read.

Aurelia’s writing is exquisite, I felt transported into the story and truly in the minds of these characters. The character arcs/development was so beautiful to experience and as the story progressed and more was revealed I could understand why these characters were the way they were and how their experiences shaped them. As someone who grew up around the military, I thought that the PTSD/mental health struggles service members face was masterfully executed. Helena, really struggles coming home from war and her inner dialogue and beliefs surrounding mental health were profound.

This is a *TRUE* enemies to lovers book, the change in perspective (from enemies to lovers) and slow burn aspect feels authentic and believable based on the time frame (but DAMN we really have to WORK for it) . They really HATE each other and it shows. The torture sessions are graphic, and the mind games Castor and Baron play on Helena is TOP TIER, as a reader I felt just as lost, confused and thoroughly manipulated. Baron and Castor are the *MOST UNHINGED* MMCs I’ve read and they are truly 10 steps ahead of the game… perfectly calculating and lethal!

Everything you thought you knew, is not as it seems. Just as I thought I knew where it was going, it went another. I did have a few theories that I was right about but everything else… T-boned by a Semi (Aurelia). Aurelia, blew me away with the twists and turns. I experienced ALL the emotions!

[Dani-Lynn Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - 5 Star Rating
Multi First Person POV (Helena, Baron, & Castor)
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️ 🌶️
Age Rating: 18+

🖤 𝓻𝓮𝓿𝓲𝓮𝔀 🖤
This was a slow burn, rollercoaster of straight up emotions. I haven’t felt so much love/hate for characters that had me throwing words at the pages. This is a fantastic enemies to lovers book done right, and a thick one at that. The plot was perfect. The smut was fire. And the chemistry between our mains was simply divine. I’m truly obsessed with Castor, Baron, and Helena. I came for the unhinged dark romance and I was not disappointed.

🖤 𝓹𝓵𝓸𝓽 🖤
After a traumatic mission took place the previous year, Helena is called to return to duty. But when she comes across the two dangerous men from her past, things become a whirlwind of triggering emotions and manipulations. Just when you think these men are going to change their ways, our Helena gets hit with another manipulative response that sinks her further into their grasps. A slow burn of intense destruction and I was there for it all! But that cliffhanger left with me so many unanswered questions that I NEED more!

🖤 𝓬𝓱𝓪𝓻𝓪𝓬𝓽𝓮𝓻𝓼 🖤
Helena is a smart, strong FMC despite her being a little not so smart at times. Castor and Baron are literal red flags with legs. The way they want to manipulate and break her down until there’s nothing left.

🖤 𝓽𝓻𝓸𝓹𝓮𝓼 🖤
🖤 MFM
🖤 military romance
🖤 mercenaries
🖤 enemies to lovers
🖤 slow burn

🖤 𝓬𝓸𝓷𝓬𝓵𝓾𝓼𝓲𝓸𝓷 🖤
If you’re in the mood for a slow burn, enemies to lovers emotional hell-ride, SEEING RED will fulfill your needs with its 600 page length that will have you GRIPPING your seats with intensity, psychological warfare, and spicy scenes… anticipating what’s going to happen next! And I look forward to reading it!

[Melissa Matti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: 5⭐️, 4🌶️

I finished this book a few days ago, and I really needed to take a few days to get my thoughts together. Why? Because what the h*ll?! The whole book had me questioning my sanity, while keeping me confused in all the right ways. Then the ending… I just had no words!!!

Seeing Red by Aurelia Gray was so incredibly well written. The way the truth of the story was hidden from us as the reader by the POVs of the MCs. You learned what was really happening when they exposed it or were exposed to it. It left you confused and unsure what was really happening which just made you want to keep reading. It worked! I could not put this book down!

The story followed Helena, our FMC, a soldier who was on a revenge mission against The Codex, who she believed was responsible for her Father’s d3ath. Unfortunately this mission doesn’t go to plan and she ends up in the hands of The Codex leaders. Our MMCs Arik aka “Baron” and Silas aka “Castor”. They and to take down Acacia, and they believe Helena holds the information they need to do so. They interrogate her… but is this their only intention?

This is a must read!! It’s a thick book, but it needs to be. To be able to give you the experience that Aurelia Gray created within Seeing Red. Because this is what reading Seeing Red was, an experience. This is a dark read, please check your trigger warnings before diving in. Your mental health matters!

[Theresse (Tess) Gregory · Rating 4 out of 5]

--ARC Review--

Stars: 4.5/5
Spice: 4/5

I absolutely devoured this book! From the very beginning, it had me hooked, and the brutal cliffhanger at the end left me desperate for the next installment. The true enemies-to-lovers dynamic between the characters is expertly crafted; upon their first true interaction, I could almost feel the hatred that Helena had for both Baron and Castor. I loved watching Helena's incredible character development unfold throughout the story; her strength was so admirable, and it was rewarding to see her evolution. While I wish there had been more insight into Baron and Castor’s friendship, I’m hopeful that will be explored further in book two. Despite being over 600 pages, the action, plot twists, spice, and tension kept the pages turning quickly, and I didn’t even realize how fast I’d read it until I reached the end!

Tropes Include:
Enemies to Lovers
Military Romance
MMF
They’re Her Targets

[Aubry · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨ARC REVIEW✨

This was wild. Unhinged. Psychologically thrilling. I can’t say I’ve read a better enemies to lovers dark romance. The twists in this were an absolute roller coaster. Castor and Baron define red flag 🚩. We have Helena as the badass FMC with PTSD. Sprinkle in past trauma, military villains, and vengeance and we have a non-stop action story that has no HEA and ends on a cliffhanger.

WHEW!! Castor and Baron have paired up to form an alliance—The Codex—to right the wrongs of a unit of soldiers who are on the wrong side of morality and will stop at nothing to get what they want. Helena is introduced under the guise of eliminating terrorists and ordered to hunt down and destroy The Codex. Secrets are revealed with betrayal served on a silver platter. An emotionally charged debut from Aurelia Gray.

[Enelyae Is Reading · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hooo Boy! This was ……..epically dark! Super fucking unhinged and I am here for it! Only thing that bugged me throughout the whole book was how brainwashed she was….how it took her so long to realize the truth. Just wanted to wake the girl up! Also, all I’m gonna say is I KNEW IT!! But you’ll have to read it to see if you can figure it out too 😉!

There is so much that goes on in this book. The web that was weaved and all the lie and manipulation made me not want to put the book down. I really started to like the boys near the end of the book, I will say I struggled with them a little in the beginning, but our girl Helena is hella strong and resilient! 🫶. I seriously need the next book, I need them to be happy 😩!

Please, please read the trigger warnings before starting this book. It is a rough and dark ride (but absolutely amazing if you like this kind of book!)


⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

[Sara Chapel · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a KILLER debut! This one is DARK, and I'm living for it.
Enemies to Lovers at its finest, Baron and Castor are walking red flags that turn Helena's world into chaos. Initially, the size of this one had me questioning if the story would hold my attention all the way through, but the writing style is so well done it was almost as if I was watching it all play out like a movie. You know that one main character you love but at the same time you are like "hey dummy OPEN YOUR EYES!"? Yea that's Helena. Like girl you are so smart, but sometimes you need a kick in the head. I loved the manipulation aspects of the book, and it really played into the emotional rollercoaster that was this story. I was all over the place, mad, sad, anxious, you name it. Just when I THOUGHT I had it all figured out, NOPE. That plot twist came and punched me in the gut, leaving me hurting and begging for more. I cannot wait (unfortunately I have to) for book 2!! Brava Aurelia.

[Ariel Oliver · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is 100% enemies to lovers but it's so twisty and intriguing you won't want to put it down!

Castor and Baron are not what you expect from MMC's and if you are looking for something light, look elsewhere. They are UNHINGED, a little scary and can completely flip out when provoked. Helena, the FMC is a baddie with a mouth.

Aurelia wrote a dark book that is filled with anger, torture, adrenaline and everything in between. It will have you on the edge of your seat, biting your nails and screaming in parts. I'm pretty sure I slapped my forehead at one point and said "men".

Her writing is so captivating, you won't want to stop reading! Don't let the thickness of the book intimidate you, it's so worth the read. This book made me a fan, I can't wait to see what she puts out into the world next because I NEED MORE!!!

[Raquel Rolen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seeing Red isn’t just a book—it’s a psychological hostage situation, and you’re the willing victim. Check the trigger warnings because this one drags you through hell with no mercy. Every time you think things might improve for our FMC—plot twist! Nope, just more beautifully brutal chaos.

The slow burn? More like slow emotional destruction. You start thinking, Oh, maybe he’s not so bad… then BAM—manipulated. Again. The writing is savage and stunning, with quotes that make you question your morals (“Anyone else that even thinks about putting a hand on you dies. Every. Single. One.” SWOON).

And that ENDING?! Aurelia, where is book two? Because I need answers and maybe a support group. If you love emotional whiplash and gasping at 2 a.m., Seeing Red is your next obsession.

[justscarlettedaily · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m OBSESSED!

This book is not for the faint of heart, it will leave broken and you’ll love every second of it. A beautifully written, true dark romance. A strong willed FMC and not one, but TWO hot MMCs who are a bit darker than morally gray.

Plot twists and turns that will rip your heart out, open door signs that will make you cross your legs and fan yourself.

A story That is captivating and page turning that you won’t want to put it down.

PLEASE! PLEASE! PLEASE!
READ THE TRIGGER WARNINGS

This book does end with a cliffhanger, so hold on tight. Her debut book and she blew it out of the park, a spicy, dark, enemies to lovers military romance MFM with triple POV. The cliffhanger is killing me and I will be waiting for the next book with bated breath.

[Erika Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this it’s a spicy, dark action packed military style romance with a fierce FMC and two morally grey MMC’s. After a traumatic mission the previous year Helena is called back to duty when men she believes are apart of a dangerous group has resurfaced. I enjoyed these characters Helena is feisty sassy, smart mouthed, and a fighter. Her determination was such a treat to read about because no matter what situation she faced she didn’t back down. I loved the guys though they did have their moments of taking things a bit too far with Helena. Their banter with each other was so entertaining, I liked that we get glimpses into their pasts and learn about how they met. I can’t wait for the next book the last couple of chapters had me saying noooooooo and whyyyy are you doing this to him!!

[Paige Ridler · Rating 4 out of 5]

👹 Seeing Red by Aurelia Gray 👹

“They stick to her face, the ends dipped red and fuck, does she look beautiful covered in their blood.”

“Anyone else that even thinks about putting a hand on you dies. Every. Single. One.”

Ok first…Aurelia, that ending! I need the next one..seriously..please. 🥹

This was beautiful, emotionally abusive, heartbreaking, comedic and just pure amazing. I don't think my head has hurt this much from each twist, psychological fuckery and general YES! Oh wait what? I loved every minute and everyone needs to read this (obvi check the warnings 🫶).

The slow burn, the tension, the slow oh he's not so bad…oh no he's terrible and completely manipulated me 🫣.

Tropes:
👹MFM
👹Military
👹Mercenaries
👹Captivity
👹Slow Burn
👹Morally Grey MMC’s
👹Fierce FMC
👹Enemies to Lovers

Rating:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/out of 5
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/out of 5

[Rissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Woah. What an emotional and crazy read!! This is my first ARC read from Aurelia and I LOVED everything about Castor and Baron and Helena. This lengthy dark military romance dives into Helena coming back after an accident years ago but it’s not what she remembers. This book is dark, constantly left me to wonder what was going to happen. There are so many twists and turns but I could not stop reading! Helena is such a strong, smart FMC but I feel so bad for her, she can never seem to catch a break. Aurelia really knows how to torture us with that glimmer of hope towards the end. I look forward to reading more by her!!

[Mattea · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨ARC Review✨

“Anyone else that even thinks about putting a hand on you dies. Every. Single. One.”

I just want to start off by saying check the trigger warnings. It’s a thick and dark one!!

This book is a true definition of enemies to lovers. The banter between Helena, Castor, and Baron I loved every second of it. This book was a rollercoaster of emotions. Just when you think you knew where the story was going, plot twist. The ending leaving on that cliffhanger… I need the next book IMMEDIATELY!

Lastly, I just want to say Thank You Aurelia Gray for the ARC opportunity! And I can not wait until book 2!!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

[Chelsea Donohue · Rating 4 out of 5]

🌟🌟🌟🌟/🌶🌶🌶🌶
This book had me gripped from beginning to end. This is a TRUE enemies to lovers' story. It was gritty, traumatic, brutal, beautiful, and i f*cking loved it. These characters are so complex, and their growth throughout the book was incredible to see. This book is a BIG BOY, and I ate up every single page! If you like DARK romance in a military setting with pages of intense action, toe curling spice and men who are quite literally the definition of a walking red flag? Then look no further! Seeing Red releases on 31st March 2025.

*please check trigger warnings for this book*