Seeing Strangers

A stylish novel of obsession set in a world where sex is just a swipe away.

Life is going well for Greg Kelly. He's married to Cristian, a Spanish-born artist who is handsome, kind, and can even cook. Greg's work as a translator for an IT startup allows them to live comfortably in a chic Bushwick two bedroom and enjoy just about all NYC has to offer―including sleeping with other men. Greg and Cristian's marriage has been open for the past few years, and this arrangement has been particularly appealing to Greg due to his voracious sexual appetite. But as they approach their mid-thirties, fatherhood and adulthood call and they enlist a friend to act as surrogate.

In order to focus on building a family, Greg and Cristian decide to close their marriage when the baby arrives. Greg is going to miss his hookups, but he has the summer for one last hurrah. He methodically plans his connections via Grindr and Tinder, carefully coordinates train routes for lunchtime trysts, and scouts potential candidates anywhere, anytime.

As their baby's due date draws closer, anxiety sets in over Greg's impending parental responsibilities, the loss of his sexual freedom, and even his marriage to Cristian. But before he can sort out his feelings, an old hookup reappears―Russell, an arrogant tv producer, who Greg spurned. And the problem is, Russell just won't go away, infiltrating himself into Greg's life in the worst ways possible, threatening his marriage and sanity. But what Russell doesn't know is that Greg will stop at nothing to protect both.

Sebastian J. Plata was born in Poland, grew up in Chicago, and spent most of his twenties in Tokyo. He is currently based in Brooklyn, NY. In addition to writing, he also works as a Japanese/English translator. He is the author of the YA novel FREAK 'N' GORGEOUS, this is his first thriller. Find him online @sebastianjplata.