I See Red

by R. Crowe

I have loved him since I was a kid. Before I ever knew his name.

My best friend has loved him just as long.


It’s been years since we have seen him.

Years since he unknowingly saved her from her childhood..

Years since we made that stupid pact.



Something has brought him back to the city and

everything is unraveling at a rate neither of us can control.


She could lose her relationship.

I could lose my best friend.

We all could lose our minds.

Some- their lives….


I See Red is a story of timeless love; trauma bonding love.

The love you can’t ever quit let go of.

The kind you’d stab a friend in the back for.

The kind you’d risk everything for- even yourself.


The question is whose love is worth saving?

What demons are worth chasing?

Whose secrets are game ending?


Dear Diary,

Checkmate B*tch

This is… 𝑰 𝑺𝒆𝒆 𝑹𝒆𝒅.

Genres: Dark Romance, Romance

383 pages, Paperback

Published November 13, 2024

About the author

R. Crowe is an indie author with her debut novel coming 2024. When she is not writing, she is dreaming of worlds in true Pisces fashion pretending she lives within them. In her stories, she enjoys creating complex, morally grey characters with abstract thoughts, allowing readers to explore the depths of their inner struggles. These characters are not purely good or bad, but rather embody a mix of virtues and vices, in turn making them more relatable and intriguing. She enjoys being the puppet master of a sticky plot that keeps readers engaged and guessing. R. Crowe's debut novel promises to be a captivating and thought-provoking read. As she continues to craft intriguing stories, she hopes to leave a lasting impact on the literary world. Although she can keep a story thriving, she can't say the same for her plants. You can catch this author, crossing genres and singsonging every last line.

Reviews

[Miriam · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not for me.
Spanish translations were horrible. Maybe consider using another source other than Google translate. Not everything translated by Google is correct. As an author you might need to do more research if it’s not your culture.

Cause JESUS FUCKING CHRIST…

[Nikki Miskey · Rating 1 out of 5]

I rarely one-star books, but I just had to with this one. IYKYK. Would not recommend.

[Nick Goodsell (goodyreads) · Rating 1 out of 5]

Yeah no….cant support this

[Bookaholic__Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Crowe has a way with words and truly writes beautifully. This book had no business being this damn good.

'I see red' blended together plot and spice together perfectly. Dont get me wrong. I love a spice driven book just like the next feral book tok girlie, but I was happy that this offered me one hell of a story. I was invested in the characters and their story.

The ending?! What was that?! I don't want to wait.... Give me a second book like yesterday! Crowe, I need more from you ASAP, ma'am. K. Thanks. ❤️ You are definitely gonna be an insta read author for me.

I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Sydney B · Rating 1 out of 5]

I just don’t think this was for me. I just couldn’t keep up with it, it honestly wasn’t holding my attention. All of the POVs were a bit much for me, I struggled to keep things straight.

[Sasha · Rating 1 out of 5]

I tried… I really did—but the chapters are just one long run-on sentence. And the Spanish translations? Awful. Google isn’t always right when it comes to translation. If you don’t know something, take the time to educate yourself on other cultures and represent them properly!
But hey CHECKMATE BITCH.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I see red review

I am not okay. Not even a little. If this book is not on your list of books to read, put it there, now! I've never been fantastic with sharing feelings but yall, this one took me alll the way out & left me there!! How is this a debut?!

I absolutely loved how each character was individually wrote. They all have a story of their own & R. Crowe did a wonderful job at giving snippets into each one's lives while not giving everything away to soon. This whole writing style is exquisite! SHE WROTE IN ACCENTS Y'ALL!

Don't for a second think you have it all figured out. You don't.
This inter-twisted love square is wild. Chemistry, love, deceit, angst, & all the spice.

If I could read this for the first time, time and time again, I would. You won't wanna miss this book folks!

Thank you R. Crowe for the opportunity to read for you! I truly loved everything about this book!

Checkmate,
Bitchhhh ❤️

[Shannon Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a beautiful and well done piece of work, the twists and turns had me on the edge of my seat and what the characters went through had me heartbroken. With that being said this was my first book by R.Crowe and I cannot wait to read more by her.

[Edith Jacob’s · Rating 1 out of 5]

Picked it up after all the controversy online.
Tell me you’re ableist without telling me. Wtf is the formatting? Indents/paragraphs exist.
Poorly written. I couldn’t get through the first few pages.

[Katelyn · Rating 1 out of 5]

The Spanish translations are genuinely awful. Did the author not have one single Spanish speaking friend to read it before publication? But the writing has other issues as well. I could never in good conscience recommend this book.

[Love.thebookshelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

I see Red- R.Crowe (ARC)
This one was hard for me, I honestly had read so many snippets and it sounded like everything I love in a book. But it took me so long to get into it and passed those first few chapters that just seem to drag.

I see Red had me in all of my emotions, and in a complete mind f$ck. I was over her hating T for being in love with and saying all these amazing and devoting things to Ivy to turn around and say very similar things to Red… it had me at the point where I was like I don’t even know if I can finish this book. I literally was like I have finally found a limit I can’t get into. (Shock horror I know).
As you all know I like my men morally grey the type of a guy that will burn the world down for his lady not a why choose between who he wants to stick his dick in and love in this time. At 50% I was ready to put the book down and call it a day.

But am I glad I didn’t that whole plot twist i never saw coming happened. And no it wasn’t Red in the car iykyk… (I’ll never look at a gear stick the same)
Ivy really is a loose cannon that I didn’t see coming, the girl that drives me insane really is a little insane.

Split personalities? Two personas? What is real and what isn’t… There is seriously so much going on in this book I struggled to keep up but I also struggled to put the book down. I had so many jaw dropping moments that shook me. I honestly have no idea if I loved I See Red or not all I know is that it took me on a roller coaster of emotions, and I was totally here for it.

That ending, that cliff hanger.. I need to know more. I need to know more about Liam and if he gets to really unlock all of Ivy or is that the end for them.. i just need to know everything like yesterday.

[DesiRee · Rating 5 out of 5]

First check your triggers then dive in to ivy and reds life with a splash of tayden and Liam. This story was a masterpiece and I want to read it again for the first time. We have a perfect balance of a back story of tragedy and love tossed in a current life. I can’t wait for the next book.

[Taylor Balkema · Rating 5 out of 5]

I need 5-7 business days to process this and put into words 🖤

[Krystal (KindlyKReads) A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Hot Read ❤️‍🔥


Wow! This book has everything you could pretty much want in it. I found a lot of this to be intimate and intense. Did I mention Intense? There are so many delicious and exciting parts to this book. I loved the desire the MCs had for each other.

Yet, it was much more than just a sexy steamy novel; it also has this excitingly fierce and emotional connection to it that makes it easy to get into the story as a whole. “I See Red”, was definitely worth the read and I do recommend this book!

A huge Thank You to the author for allowing me this ARC opportunity, I cannot wait to read more from her!

[Montana · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review - contains spoilers

Okay I was extremely annoyed with Tayden for a while thinking he was the common denominator here until holy plot twist. Ivy and Red are the same person?! What! Tayden, Liam, Olive and everyone around knew and just embraced this fully? I have so many questions.
The self awareness and how to go about learning things about yourself you didn’t know is all in this book. It hit in places I didn’t know would hurt. The ending has me so confused and needing answers because what other body? Is Ivy/Red actually dead? Was this planned or an accident? What happens with Liam in all of this? There’s no way Tayden gets married after his public display of mourning.

There were times I felt lost in the writing and the chapters were fairly long, but overall I did end up enjoying this book.
Congrats on your debut novel and I cannot wait to see you grow from here!

[Melissa Carty · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book absolutely blew me away!!! I adore R. Crowes writing style and the characters she has brought to life!! The whole book kept me on edge with every twist and turn. I was so enthralled and I can’t wait for everyone to get to know these characters as well and fall in “love” or “hate” these characters as much as I did!!!

[Candis Arnett · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review

I'm. Shook. Debut!? Say what now!? R. Crowe, congrats girl because wow! I See Red was such a crazy ride! I was captured right away! The twists and turns...the ending...just WOW! You really had me questioning everything and had me on the edge of my seat! Hell I'm still there!! I can't wait for book 2!!

[Bookslover09 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great job, @rcrowe_author! This story is packed with unexpected twists that will absolutely keep you on the edge of your seat. You'll find yourself loving and hating the characters at once. Their journeys are truly heart-wrenching yet captivating. Get ready for an emotional rollercoaster!

🌟🌟🌟🌟💫

[Iskra Dimitrova]

Dnf

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Really struggled with this one. Idk what it is about it?
The long ass chapters? The "love triangle" the Spanish translations, idk honestly, i just couldn't get into it

[Dee | myliteraryera]

RTC

[Rose.of.bookss · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG THIS BOOK ❤️‍🔥 I couldn't put it down. For a debut novel R. Crowe did a phenomenal job. This story was everything I didn't know I needed. I was on edge, I was laughing, gasping, saying wtf.. The twist and turns... The ending... The way Crowe uses her words in such a poetic way left me with chills. The emotions behind the words are everything. This is definitely a book that you should go into without too many details. The books has 4 POVs, it's dark, twisted, and all the good things! I honestly don't even know what to say after reading it.

Thank you so much R Crowe for the opportunity to ARC read this baby ❤️

[Sherri · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book defined trigger for me. I sobbed for most of the book. I'm not sure if authors know when they write fictional characters how much the reader will see themselves in every thought and action. I felt so perceived...it ached. I loved this book because of that. When we make ourselves uncomfortable in the hopes of healing, I think we truly connect with the story. I felt like I was reading my own diary. This book was so deep and complex. I felt so much while reading it, and as soon as I finished, I thought, "How do I put this into words?" I don't think I could do it justice. It felt like an insanely emotional, extra spicy, psychological thriller. The spice was so good and eye-opening and exciting. My soul is still trying to re-locate my body. I don't think my triggers with this book are the same as others, but always remember to check your triggers and your mental health as you go. This book was an amazing debut that felt like a stab in the heart every chapter. I highly recommend it! I'm going to go stare at the ceiling for a while. I can't wait to see more from this author!

[Alyssa Zaifert · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an absolutely delicious twisted mind fuck!
Sorry not sorry for my language but this book just took me for a ride I did not want to get off of.
Ivy, Red, T, Liam, Olive, O’Conner what a fantastic fucked up cast of characters. How many secrets can one person have?!
The love, the heartbreak, the passion, the spice!!!
And plot twists are like no other… never once did I see them coming.
This book is like nothing I’ve ever read before. And to talk too much about it would be giving too much away. It does talk about some heavy and dark topics so check the trigger warnings but this book, OMG this book is absolutely amazing. I really don’t know what I’m supposed to even do with how it ended, and now I’m just supposed to be okay until book 2??
This is some cruel and unusual punishment but maybe if it’s coming from O’Conner I’ll be okay - IYKYK
Checkmate, Bitch 💋

[Lizz_reads._ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed reading this book cause what ? Omg the ending of this boook Omfg I don’t know what to say to be honest. Overall I really liked the book , the characters and the storyline it was refreshing to read. This story made me go feral for the characters. JUST LOVE IT 😻 😩

❤️TROPES ❤️

⛓️Bondage
💨 Breath play
🕹️Non-Con (not between MCS)
🔪 Play
💦waterbo@rding
🛟Institutionalized psych scenes
🌪️Open relationship representation
😈inanimate object play + Starcrossed lovers
🚿Multiple POV
🙃Trauma recovery
⚰️ childhood flashbacks
🎅 Santa isn't real
🍀S.W.A.G.😉

[Paige Gladden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Get ready to be blown away.
R. Crowe has a way with keeping you on the edge of your seat the entire book, with twists that have you pausing to catch your breath and characters that you love, love to hate and leave you wanting more of them.
This was my first book by the author and I have to say, I can't wait for more!

If you want a book with a diverse character base, a story that will keep you hooked and enough spice to keep your appetite appeased this would be a good read for you!

[Mrsz_reads13 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book gives a different level Dark and twisted. This book was great, it really held my interest. Ivy,Red, Liam, and Tayden are very complicated characters..Just when you think you are starting to discover some new layer, all you see is RED. .I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Brooke Peters · Rating 4 out of 5]

invigorating

I was kind of confused from the beginning but HOT DAMN was this good. I didn’t think there would be that twist and it got me good. It was spicy, addicting, and so much more! Definitely recommend!

[Casey · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is so much to this book. I don’t think I’ve read a book like it. There are so many twists and turns that at one point I couldn’t keep up but had to keep reading. I’m confused in a good way. I definitely need the next book to piece together this story♟️

[Misti Binkley · Rating 5 out of 5]

First book i have read by r crowe
I love how it's a perfect amount of spice and plot
And i was shocked with the plot twist at the end
I'm ready for the next book