A good story overall, set in rural Louisiana, with an old plantation, ghosts and a demon. When bones are found in the woods, and an ex-priest is asked to help with the exorcism, things get complex. A touch of romance, a touch of mysticism adds to a good story. Would recommend.

This book is quite the story. Full of love and envy. Both natural and supernatural. But the love stories win in this book. I was hooked from the beginning to the end.

I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Kat Martin’s The Unseen opens with the unsettling discovery of a long-buried skeleton near Belle Reve, a mansion layered with the weight of history and loss. This chilling event sets in motion a sequence of uncanny happenings that disturb both the mansion’s tranquility and the lives of those who live within its walls.

As footsteps echo through empty hallways and doors close on their own, a sense of threat begins to settle over Belle Reve, drawing the reader into a narrative infused with suspense, emotion, and a brush with forces beyond ordinary experience. Through the experiences of Rachel Belmond, her niece Nicole, and Lucas Devereaux, Martin crafts a story that is as much about personal courage and family bonds as it is about the shadows that linger from the past.

One of the most striking aspects of The Unseen is the way the mansion itself becomes a participant in the story. The creaking floors, the pockets of darkness, and the sense that unseen eyes are watching all build an atmosphere that enfolds the reader in a classic Southern Gothic mood. What happens at Belle Reve does not simply rely on external threats; the building’s history seeps into the present, creating a tension between remembered events and current dangers. This setting supports the plot’s supernatural elements, making the unexplainable feel natural within the bounds of the story.

Martin’s writing allows the mansion’s personality to emerge without overshadowing the human story. The eerie atmosphere enhances the growing unease while also serving as a reminder of the past’s persistence. The house does not just hold secrets; it actively unsettles those who try to ignore them.

At the heart of the novel is Rachel, whose fragility and inexplicable illness bring urgency to the events at Belle Reve. Her vulnerability makes her the emotional center of the story, as the other characters rally around her in an attempt to protect her from both physical and supernatural harm. Nicole stands out as a figure of resolve and compassion, growing from a worried relative into someone actively confronting forces that most would deny exist. Her willingness to reach out to Lucas Devereaux signals her refusal to allow fear or skepticism to hold her back.

Lucas’s presence as a former priest lends gravity to the supernatural conflict. His past, including his connection to Nicole’s family through her half-brother Sean, adds layers to the relationships at play. The slow-developing connection between Nicole and Lucas brings warmth and hope, contrasting with the coldness that haunts Belle Reve. Their partnership is defined by mutual respect and the shared goal of breaking the mansion’s hold on Rachel.

The Unseen touches on themes that resonate beyond its ghostly events. The burden of family legacy, the fear of hidden threats, and the effort to shield loved ones from harm all feel immediately relevant. The supernatural encounters become a reflection of the less obvious dangers people face in everyday life, whether interpersonal, psychological, or societal. Lucas’s personal struggle with faith and redemption deepens the novel’s concerns with belief and resilience.

The romantic thread in the book does not distract from its darker undercurrents but instead provides balance and relatability. The interaction between suspense and romance invites reflection on the nature of fear and the strength it takes to confront what is unseen rather than flee from it. While the pacing sometimes moves toward predictability, and certain characters could benefit from more detailed backgrounds, these issues are minor in comparison with the overall immersive effect.

Kat Martin manages an effective combination of tension, romance, and supernatural elements, encouraging readers to think about the ways the past continues to influence the present.

For those drawn to stories that sustain a strong mood and feature resilient figures facing the unknown, The Unseen offers a satisfying and memorable experience.

Wow! what a fantastic read.
while this is not my usual genre, I dove right in and could not put it down… romance, mystery, ghosts, past and present and so much more.
Nicole and Lucas were the entire package, both trying to move on together, and fight the ghosts of the past and save the family home and Nicole’s aunt.
I totally recommend this book!
Enjoy!!

The Unseen by Kat Martin is a spooky and slow burn thriller set in a creepy old Louisiana mansion. The story begins with a skeleton being unearthed. Between eerie footsteps and slamming doors, you’re never quite sure what’s real and what’s supernatural. I love that Nicole and Lucas’ relationship add a touch of romance without overshadowing the suspense. Read this if you want a haunted house story with a murder mystery twist!

I have mixed feelings about this book. On one side I liked it on the other I am shaking my head. It was definitely unlike anything I have read before.

Rachel Belmond is a sickly, young woman, well she’s 47 and owns a big beautiful house named Belle Reve. Rachel’s niece, Nicole Belmond, lives in the carriage house and is the guardian of her teenage brother Sean. Now Sean got in trouble and as his punishment he must stay at a troubled boys center during the week. On weekends he comes home to Rachel’s. Rachel is an artist but some of her work is a little dark. She meets Lucas Devereaux, a former priest but owner of the Baton Rouge Youth Center. Strange things start happening in the Belle Reve when a box of bones are found by two young boys. Rachel starts seeing things and hearing a voice in her mind.
The attraction between Nicole and Lucas is instant and explosive. Lucas knows about ghosts and demons. He performed exorcisms while a priest, and still does, so he agrees to help Nicole and Rachel. Rachel becomes attached to the apparition. Can they figure out what is going bump in the night?
This was a really great story. Steamy. Ghosts. Someone is trying to run Rachel out of her home. Nicole has abandonment issues. Lucas has issues with giving his heart away.

* VOLUNTARILY READ AND REVIEWED FOR NETGALLEY *