Member Reviews

This was a fast-paced twisted romance. It’s described as a thriller, but I feel like it’s more of a romance/drama filled with suspense. Told through three POV’s of Molly, Sabrina and Jake and multiple time lines. The characters were well developed, Sabrina was unreliable and the romance was swoon worthy. In the book you have a rockstar, a jealous ex, and the one that got away. It was an entertaining story that kept me guessing on what was going to happen, and the ending was perfect.

A huge thank you to Netgally and St. Martin's Press for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

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𝗬𝗢𝗨'𝗟𝗟 𝗟𝗢𝗩𝗘 𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗦 𝗕𝗢𝗢𝗞 𝗜𝗙:
• You want a well written suspense
• You're a millennial & want a relatable romance
• You enjoy past/present duel timelines

📚 Molly, an aspiring writer locks eyes with lead singer of a band Jake at a concert in Brooklyn. They fall in love fast and Molly quickly becomes Jake’s muse. But can this creative couple stand the test of time, or will life choose different paths for them…?

💭I want to start by saying that I love Lovering's books! They are always so relatable and her writing is so fast paced I never want to put them down. Although this story holds suspense, it was the perfect mix of secrets, obsession, drama and romance for me. It makes you think about second chances, your first love and acting with your head vs. your heart! I don't want to say too much and spoil this one, go in blind! I would definitely add this to your summer reading list!

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This author’s writing style captivates me. I went into this book thinking it was a thriller but it was more a drama about the loves we experience in our 20’s versus the love we choose for a lifetime with some great plot twists. There was nothing shocking or gasp worthy, but this story held my attention and soothed me. Thank you Netgalley, St. Martins Press and the author for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

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This book gave me Single White Female vibes. Crazy bitch...I do love me a 90's throwback, though.

This is not so much a thriller, but a domestic suspense and wow, did I hate just about everybody! Smack your momma, why are you so annoying?!??!?!

I'm not sure how I felt about this one.

This book kept my attention throughout and I thought the multiple timelines and POV were done really well.

However, something happened at the 85% mark that just rubbed me the wrong away. I'd ❤️ to tell you what that was, but I'm old, drink a lot and read this several books ago, so I can't remember.

There were so many cutesy nicknames, too! Moll (Molly), Hunt (Hunter) and many others that I've blocked out. Towards the end, this made me want to regurgitate.

The ending was ok. I just couldn't rationalize what happened to certain people, but no spoilers here, so I'll leave it at that.

I liked it. I think. I did. I'm pretty sure.

Thank you @netgalley and @stmartinspress for the ARC of this book.

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

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What I loved:
1. A captivating storyline about the mystery of what was, and the journey of how things ended up, and why.
2. 3 POV’s of important main characters, which gave us a glimpse into their lives, and how everyone is connected.
3. The moments of suspense, that essentially kept me reading.
What I would’ve enjoyed more:
1. More moments of suspense, and plot surprises.

I think overall, this is a softer mystery thriller. Not too intense, and overall and good slow paced burn. Perfect to enjoy on a summer day by a bonfire.

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Thank you to St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for an ARC of Can't Look Away. I enjoyed Carola Lovering's previous novel and was excited to read this one. It didn't disappoint!

The story centers on Molly and Jake, and their romance in their early twenties. Several years have passed, and they have moved on and married different partners. Yet, they are reunited in the small town they both live in. Their meeting brings back old feelings, yet it seems too unbelievable that they happened to meet again. Jake's new wife, Sabrina, orchestrated this meeting - but why?

This was a drama-filled novel that had me turning the pages wanting to know what exactly was going on with Sabrina. I love books like this, ones that keep me guessing and have some betrayals and domestic suspense. I enjoyed this one, and can't wait to read her next book!

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3.5 stars. This one is not an edge of your seat thriller necessarily, but I was curious what was going to happen next, and I was engrossed in the plot for most of the story. But.....this one totally falls apart at the end for me. A different ending and I would probably go 4 stars, because this one does provide quite a bit to talk about - first love, relationships, fertility, and so much more. I loved the author's last book, and I will definitely check out what she writes next (with fingers crossed for a more believable ending).

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Can’t Look Away was a realistic fiction that made me feel awful. It was a story that made me nervous and anxious. Nothing good was happening. Choices were made and lots of people got hurt in this story. It took on a whole new level of complicated.
This story was so broken and sad. To much lying and cheating for my taste. I wish the author could of balanced this out. The author writes well I just hated the story. There. That’s what I thought.
Thanks St. Martin’s Press via NetGalley.

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I love a story that jumps between timelines but something about this one just left me a little underwhelmed. I felt like there wasn't much action or character development and I'd like there to be at least one or the other. I enjoyed reading this in the same way I enjoy reading celebrity gossip. Entertaining and interesting, but no meat. The ending offered no resolution, which I guess mirrors reality, but it left me craving a conclusion that wasn't coming.

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I think this is really bad marketing between the cover and the description as a thriller, and that’s my biggest issue with it. I wasn’t feeling the love story, couldn’t relate to the main character, and didn’t really care to find out why this woman decided to stalk the main character. DNF.

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Can’t Look Away by Carola Lovering was such a mesmerizing domestic suspense novel and I loved it! Did you say Joe Goldberg stalker vibes, say less! Sign me up!!!! Sabrina just may be Joe’s evil twin and I’m so here for it!! Go in blind and enjoy the ride!!

A huge thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this ALC in exchange for my honest review!!

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This one wasn’t for me. I found it to be a bit bored. I normally enjoy a multiple POV story, but this one was very eh. This is definitely a domestic drama, not a thriller, so go into this one knowing that.

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3.5 stars for a story that kept my interest until the end. Jake is a performer and Molly is a spectator in the crowd who catches his eye. She's been unhappy lately and it was that one night out that changed her life and his, for better and for worse.
Performers are known for being moody and that carries over into this story. How much of Jake's moodiness can she balance with her need to be creative in the writing field? As the years go by, they go their separate ways, but of course there is Sabrina who has not forgiven Jake for putting her aside for Molly. Actually, it is more so that Sabrina really has not forgiven Molly for taking Jake away from her and is intent on making Molly pay.
I enjoyed the wondering which way it was going to go and who was going to come out unscathed.
Thank you NetGalley for an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest opinion.

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Molly Diamond is a twenty-three-year-old aspiring writer when she reluctantly agrees to go out with friends and sees the lead singer of a band, Jake Danner, up on stage. It's love at first sight and before she knows it, the two are locked in a sweeping but sometimes tumultuous romance. Ten years later, Molly finds herself married and raising her daughter, Stella, in the wealthy suburb of Flynn Cove... and married to someone who is not Jake. Lonely, she befriends a woman, Sabrina, who attends one of Molly's yoga classes. But she'll soon learn Sabrina has a reason for showing up at Molly's class--and it all has to do with Jake.

First of all, I'm not sure this book should be marketed as a mystery/thriller. There are some dramatic pieces as we try to unravel Sabrina's role, but very little is left for the reader to figure out. This is almost a romance, or at least a story of people trying to find their way and find themselves. Don't go in expecting some grand mystery and a bunch of twists and turns (there are a few, but they are more character-driven).

AWAY reads like a weird soap opera and, honestly, it's hard to turn away from its pages. In that way, it's strangely captivating, even if a little melodramatic at times. I flew through it, because I was fascinated to find out exactly what went down with Molly, Jake, and Sabrina. The characters aren't exactly endearing (besides Molly's new husband and her cute daughter). Molly comes across as a bit self-absorbed and unable to stand up for herself. Jake takes selfish to a new level. And Sabrina... well she's just special, let's say that. But they do make for some crazy reading! The book also honestly looks at infertility (trigger warning for miscarriage discussions).

There is a lot of angst and pining for Jake (who, as stated above, is not worthy of any of this) in this book. If that's not your thing, I would skip this one. If you enjoy some romantic suspense, it's a quick read, though probably easily forgotten once finished.

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This was a quick, fun read. Part thriller, part domestic drama, Can’t Look Away explores how that all-consuming love you feel in your early 20’s morphs into something more sustainable.

Although I enjoyed this book, it wasn’t really a thriller (those elements are dropped at the end with little more than a shoulder shrug), and it doesn’t really explore the emotion or effects of the characters’ actions enough to be a domestic drama. I would have liked the book to go in one direction or the other. The ending wraps up very neatly considering all of the drama that went on between these people.

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A Rockstar.
First Love.
Big Dreams.
Sinister ex-girlfriend.
Deceit.
Suspense.
Regrets.

Can't Look Away is an obsessive story. I was immersed in the young love story, and how the present was blending with the past. It is a gripping thriller within a love story. The ending was highly satisfying.

Lovering is definitely an author on my always read list as Too Good to Be True was one of my favorite novels of 2021.

Thank you St. Martins Press for the complimentary copy of this novel.

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Well, what a juicy little guilty pleasure - totally improbable, but definitely readable, especially for a beach vacation.
Carola Lovering's novel has all the ingredients for a light read: a nice girl, handsome bad boy rock star, a rich, beautiful, yet psychotically manipulative villain, a bunch of good friends and a hero without a selfish bone in his body.
The setting is in New York City and an affluent suburb. There always seem to be at least a few people in novels lately who are obsessed with fertility and it gets a fair amount of play in this book as well. Otherwise, the action moves along. The dialog is good and the character's emotions are sure to cause an empathetic reaction by the reader.

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This author is a drop everything author for me so I read this back in December the second I got my hands on a copy thank you to @stmartinspress for my copy!

For the most part I loved this one especially the beginning, my problem with this one was I thought it was a thriller so I was expecting some big twist, but never got it.

Lots of drama and obsession, just was hoping for more of a bang. Regardless she’s a great writer and her writing is super engaging. Back to anxiously awaiting for her next one. I hope she keeps them coming!

If you been waiting to read this one it’s out now, so definitely pick it up!

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A captivating and unique narrative that easily engages readers. Carola Lovering has created a dynamic cast of characters in this moderately paced story about life, friendships, love, and the secrets that bind them all together. Loved it.

Thank you to #NetGalley for the ARC of #CantLookAway which was read and reviewed voluntarily.

#stmartinspress #bookfluence #bookreviews

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Jake and Molly...Molly and Jake. Can't Look Away delves deep into their love story, while still retaining some suspense elements. I fully went into this book expecting a thriller, and instead got a domestic drama that I ended up liking much more. The character development was much deeper than what you typically get in a thriller and I felt there was also a lot more development to the plot.

There were some things I was convinced I saw coming, and while I sort-of did, they didn't happen in the way I expected, so it still felt as if there were twists. Even though I found nearly every character unlikable at some point (with a few exceptions), I still really enjoyed this book. In fact, it impresses me more when I enjoy a book in which I don't necessarily like the main characters.

The characters felt real and flawed, and I prefer that so much more than a book in which everyone comes across as perfect. While I didn't agree with some of the decisions the characters made, I did understand the thoughts and motivations behind those decisions.

If you are someone who is looking for a true thriller, this book may not be what you are after. But if you are open to a more-developed story with a light suspense element, then I think you will really enjoy it.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

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