This was a really different suspense with some psychological thriller thrown in. There are three different points of view and even a different time frame, so I was feeling a little lost at the beginning, but as I got involved in the story, I began to understand what was going on better. Skye Starling is a trust fund baby who is about to turn thirty and come into her inheritance. She has difficulty establishing long-term relationships because she is OCD (think, like Monk on the TV show). When she meets Burke Michaels, they have a whirlwind romance and get engaged. The second POV is a teen named Heather who has a boyfriend named Burke and who is determined to find a new life in NYC. The third POV is Burke’s who is writing letters to his therapist and discloses that he is already married and has a plot to capture Skye and her money. Okay, enough disclosures. I haven’t spoiled anything, but I hope to have made it easier to anyone reading this review to understand what is happening from the very beginning. Anyway, the first half of the book was fast-paced and absorbing. Then, there was a big reveal about halfway through the book and the second half was almost a ho-hum, I already know all of this. Nevertheless, the characters and their stories were compelling enough to keep me interested and reading to the end. There were no real surprises after the middle, but there were several unexpected twists. Fans of suspense will enjoy this book, especially its surprises and unique presentation.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

Ever since her mothers death, Skye’s OCD has ruled her life, and sent more than a few men running the other direction. That all changes when she meets Burke. Their romance is fast, but she cannot wait to marry him her love. Little does she know that Burke has a pretty big secret. He is already married…and is only using Skye for his own needs.

This book kept me up way past my bedtime! I had to know more. I did not see the twists coming, which these days is a huge win for me! You will love some characters, you will hate some others, but overall you will love this read! It’s hard to review this one without giving away any spoilers, which I don’t want to do! I loved Carola Lovering’s first book, but it was so different from this one, I cannot wait to see what Lovering does next!

SO. FREAKING. GOOD. I was hooked from the first page, didn’t guess any bit of the twists and turns and have already recommended it to several people.

I loved that Too Good to Be True was written in three different points of view. It’s pretty easy to write in different voices and time periods while leaving the reader lost, but Lovering nailed it. I truly identified with each character, and, despite how flawed (and sometimes psychotic) they each were, I loved them.

It was a highly entertaining story that kept me guessing the whole way through. Lovering, I’m checking out what else you’ve written immediately!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I was lucky enough to win an electronic ARC of TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE by Carola Lovering through a Shelf Awareness giveaway. Thank you for the early look, and I hope you have a safe and socially distanced holiday!

I enjoyed this one so much! Yes, the ending was an unbelievable one but I went with it.

Too Good To Be True was a page-turner suspense with a great twist that I did not see coming. I actually had an "Oh wow" moment.


Skye Starling is a young woman who is working as an editor. She is also a very rich woman. She has a trust that would make anyone more than comfortable in life. Yet, even though it looks like she has everything or she could buy it if she wanted to, she is unlucky in love. She has OCD and is unable to stop her compulsions of knocking on all pieces of wood or kissing clocks. So the men she has met so far, fall short 100%. Some of them total losers for sure. And then, Skye meets Burke Michaels.

Burke is a man in his forties. He looks like a successful businessman who is also handsome and interesting. He is a recovering addict who doesn't hide it. Burke doesn't care about Skye's compulsions. He understands her. There is of course one tiny problem. He is already married!!!

I think that in order to get the maximum enjoyment of Too Good To Be True, is to not read the blurb. It has way too much information and since I went in blind, I had a blast reading it.

Skye had all my sympathy. Dealing with a debilitating OCD is hard. Her meds were not completely useful but at least her therapist was a great one.

I won't comment on Burke because I don't want to give out any spoilers. Just know my friends that you might want to have an open mind about the ending.

Cliffhanger: No

4/5 Fangs

A complimentary copy was provided by St. Martin's Press via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

"TOO LONG TO GET THROUGH" , this is the book that took the longest for me to finish (6 days to be precise).
It was as if there were more chapters being conjured as soon as I felt I am about to reach my wit's end with its completion.

But it wasn't a bad book if we ignore the verbose, long windedness.
The book alternates amongst three POVs. A gorgeous but fragile thirty something, "Skye Starling" (loved the name), a middle aged, attractive Burke Michaels and his stunning forty year old wife, Heather Michaels. There are some unexpected TWISTs in her which is totally worth reading it. The first half of the book was a crazy, whirlwind ride but the second half was a DRAG.

Is this book about a scandalous extra marital affair, a girl/guy gone CRAZY or something TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE
that it is UNBELIEVABLE? Read on to find out.

That being said, its a GOOD BOOK but not a thrilling 5 star read for me.

Thank you NetGalley and St.Martin's press for sending me an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

The death of her mother when she was only 12 years old caused Skye to develop OCD. She’s almost 30 years old, is heir to millions of dollars, is young and beautiful, but has never truly been loved because of her OCD compulsions. Everything changes when she meets Burke. Though he’s much older, their relationship clicked from the moment they first met. He understands her and, though he’s seen her OCD in action, loves her anyway.

Burke has loved his wife for over 30 years. She’s the mother of his three children and, though he’s tried so hard, they’ve never been able to achieve the life of riches she’s always wanted. Money is always tight, and bills are always due. He’s desperate to find a job, but no one wants to hire an ex con.

Heather blames Burke for her miserable life. If it wasn’t for him she could have been enjoying life without a care in the world. He owes her, so she’s going to make him pay. It’s up to him to fix everything, and make sure she gets what she deserves.

“Too good to be true” is a hard book to put down. As stories and histories are revealed, characters come alive. Sides are taken, battle lines drawn, and allegiances formed. When the dust settles Carola Lovering’s true brilliance is revealed.

Highly recommended for Adults.

I received an advance reading copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

I know this book doesn't come out until 2021, but it is earning a spot on my top books read in 2020! As soon as I started reading Too Good To Be True, I could not put the book down and finished it in less than 48 hours. This book will hook you right away and you may think you have it all figured out by the end of part one, but Carola Lovering hits you with some curveballs in part two and makes you question everything you think you know about what is going to happen.

I loved that the book offers the perspective of the three main characters with each chapter. The characters also flip flop between likable and unlikable throughout the whole story making you question who you really should be rooting for in this toxic triangle. The chapters switch back and forth between different timelines, but it is needed to build the story and it flows easy where it is never confusing.

I always base my book choices off of the synopsis, but this is the one book where it helps to not read the synopsis and go in blindly. Too Good To Be True will take you on a wild ride and it is so worth it!

This is probably my favorite thriller since Gone Girl and that's saying a lot.

Skye and Burke have whirlwind romance, and fall madly in love despite their nearly 20 year age difference. But is Burke too good to be true? His current wife, Heather might think so.

The story unfolds with 3 perspectives: Skye, Burke in letters to his doctor and Heather, starting from 30 years ago. All three perspectives were well devoloped and enthralling.

This is a fantastic book. The writing is great, the mystery keeps you guessing and the twists well done but not over the top. My only complaint is that the last part of the book seemed to drag on a bit more than necessary. If it would have been a bit more fast paced at the end, this would have really knocked it out of the park.

4.5 stars rounded up.

Thank you St Martin's Press and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

When social climbing goes wrong. Very wrong.

A must for fans of Greer Hendricks' "The Wife Between Us" or Gillian Flynn's "Gone Girl," Carola Lovering's "Too Good to Be True" is a terrific contemporary psychological thriller and warning of what can happen when ambition and greed meet on a collision course.

Skye Starling is a beautiful, young, single heiress with a team of loyal girlfriends, a Barnard degree, and a spacious, stylish (and paid for!) apartment in NYC. Sound "too good to be true?" Well, she's still dealing with the death of her beloved mother, smarting from a bad breakup, and living with crippling OCD, a disorder that keeps her from working in a normal office, exiting rooms with doors or looking at clocks without feeling like she's going to implode. But she's about to meet a "perfect" man who will change her life and fill the gaping hole in her heart. Or will he?

Carola Lovering's new novel from St. Martin's, while not perfect, is packed with plot twists and surprising turns of events. Engaging themes of love and deceit, ambition, disappointment, greed, and revenge run throughout as well as explorations of family, loyalty, and commitment. The trap of social media is also a big part of the story. I hesitate to use this cliche, but I couldn't put it down. This will be a huge beach read for 2021.

Domestic thrillers are high up on my preferences list these days, as they almost always have. This book definitely delighted my need to read the genre with it's intricate and full characters, making for a great thriller.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review.

4+ stars

Solid thriller told in three POVs (with two of them not so trustworthy). Major twist halfway. The type of book that you keep saying “one more chapter” and then I will take a break.

A fun to read, twisty thriller. Has a feel and drama of a soap opera, in good way! Would recommend this to readers who like romance meets domestic thriller.

Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book. Advised by a friend to go read this with as little info about book as possible. I did that and goodness, what a great ride. Grabbed me at once, good thing it was a rainy day because I wasn't going to put the book down

Thanks to Netgalley for an advanced reader copy. Wow, this book kept me on my toes from beginning to end. I loved the alternating POV, and really wasn’t sure how everything would play out. The writing style was addictive. The only part I could have done without was the sexual assault scene. I’m not sure how that added to the story- we could’ve known Max was a bad guy without that. However, still really liked this book. I will continue to read this author and will recommend this to anyone who likes a good psychological thriller with lots of twists and turns.

Was really excited to read Too Good to Be True. Carola’s first book, Tell Me Lies, resonated with me and I always recommend it to others. While I couldn’t put Too Good to Be True down, I didn’t enjoy it. The plot was easily figured out very early into reading and never found myself connected to any of the characters. By the end of the book I found myself scanning pages and checked out of the story.

Too Good to Be True is one of those books that just grabs ahold of you and won't let you stop reading. When you think you know what's going to happen, suddenly everything is spun a completely different way. I don't want to spoil anything or give anyone clues or ideas, but this is a unique, interesting story filled with lies and betrayal then sprinkle some revenge and deception on top. Set both now and telling the story of thirty years ago you have to figure out who is lying, what they're lying about, and why.

Too Good to Be True is a book to take a chance on, just go for it and read it without anyone's reviews in your head!

Thank you to Carola Lovering, St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for giving me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a fact paced and clever psychological thriller. I definitely suspected out some of the twists early on, but it didn't take away from my enjoyment of the book and there were still some surprises. The end was a little too corny for me - I would have preferred something a little Lifetime movie. But overall, it's a great, if unbelievable, escape. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the digital ARC.

4 stars

TW: rape

Relationship Status? It's complicated. That goes for some of these characters AND for my thoughts about parts of this book.

There is a great deal I really enjoyed here, particularly in the first half. For me this was a quick read because I wanted to know what was coming next, who was doing what, and how everything would resolve. I never stopped caring about any of those points, and that is a treasure in a thriller/mystery. I also really like the use of the three perspectives. While that seemed like a lot at first, the overall effect is positive.

I understand that at least some of the characters in a thriller are going to be terrible, but there were a lot of those here, and I struggled with their outcomes. On one hand, it's easy to sympathize with most of them at times. On the other, some have quirks that become tedious (initially understandable, later less so). Most importantly, there are aspects of the ending that are so unsatisfying. For me, the biggest challenge is that a particular character's choice to remain silent is portrayed as bordering on heroic or self-sacrificing, but I found the messaging troubling, especially in conjunction with what certain other characters, especially, get away with as a result. There is a specific gendered component to this that left me feeling pretty gross. There is also a character who is referred to by an incomplete name throughout the entire work, and I really was expecting some sort of reveal that never came. Ah, the vagaries of a spoiler-free review!

Overall, this is an entertaining read that I'd recommend to folks who think the description sounds intriguing. I will absolutely read whatever Lovering puts out next!

I came into this book expecting a variation of the typical "thriller" that is so ubiquitous right now and man was I pleasantly surprised. I cared about each character, even though some were pretty hard to love. To me that's the mark of a good read. I figured out one of the "twists" early on but I really enjoyed the story nonetheless and there were still more surprises to come! I really liked Skye and her heart and her tenacity.

4 stars


Thanks to St. Martin's Press for a complementary copy of this novel. All opinions are my own.