Can’t Look Away is another soap opera disguised as a thriller. There is really no mystery here. Sabrina is trying to hurt Molly because Molly had the love of Jake. So she worked as hard as she could to get between them. There is one reveal that is not really a reveal so much as extremely obvious from the beginning.

TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE by Carola Lovering is one of my favorites, so her newest has been a much anticipated read for me. Lovering is an incredible suspense writer — intricately weaving together details, leaving no loose ends. CAN’T LOOK AWAY is a slow build that sucked me in right away. The multiple POVs and alternating timelines had me turning the pages as fast as I could. I was captivated by Molly’s story and with finding out what Sabrina would do next. In addition to the suspense, there was also romance. I will read anything by Carola Lovering at this point — CAN’T LOOK AWAY is addictive and highly entertaining.

This was a fun, fast-paced thriller that would make a great vacation read. While I wasn't necessarily shocked by any of the twists, I still enjoyed seeing things fall together (and apart) through the dual timelines. Molly was a great protagonist, with depth and lots of reasonable insecurities that made her easy to empathize with. Seeing the changes in her in each timeline made her feel real and complete. I also LOVED all the pop culture references (for example, having Jake's band open for real bands like Vampire Weekend) because they firmly planted the story in reality. I almost could have done without the Sabrina chapters at all--I wanted more mystery from her, but I felt like I knew exactly what she was thinking at each step of the story, rather than being shocked and having to put pieces together like Molly does.

Can’t Look Away by Carola Lovering

First of all, this is not a thriller like the cover makes it look like. It’s a domestic drama and romance type of story. There is a creepy and obsessive ex girlfriend character which explains the thriller vibe on the cover.

I think I liked this book, but am a bit unsure. I loved it at first, it’s very addicting and I was so invested in finding out what happens to these characters. But by the end I didn’t like them. I hated the lying and secrets and they seemed like toxic people. But the writing was very well done and I’m sure it will be a popular one!

Thanks to @netgalley, @macmillan.audio and @stmartinspress for both the audiobook and ebook! This one is out on June 14th.

What summer book releases are you looking forward to?

#cantlookaway #books #ebooks #audiobooks #bookishthoughts #kindle #bookreview #bookthoughts #netgalley #stmartinspress #macmillanaudio #books #canadianbookstagrammer #bookstagram

Can’t Look Away is an exciting read. I found Molly likeable and easy to root for. Hunter is a dream that felt comforting in tough times. The pace of this novel is rhythmic and perfect – especially the audio. Narration is spot on and adds to the experience. The choices Molly makes are challenging yet understandable given the circumstances she’s faces. I was invested in all the main characters – past and present POVs. I classify this is as a romantic, domestic suspense.

3.75-4 stars

Content warnings for a lot of discussion about fertility issues, IVF, miscarriages, etc.; they’re central to the plot, not just passing references.

This wasn’t quite what I was expecting from the writer’s new book; it had the typical domestic thriller/suspense elements, which was fine, and I enjoyed the layers of the story about creativity, expression, music, etc. However, as I felt about the last book I read from this author, the ending felt a bit too picture-perfect to be believable. I’m all for feminism and empowered female characters and not mindlessly hating on other women for making mistakes…but when you spend years of your life aggressively stalking, manipulating, and trying to get revenge on someone for a perceived wrong, you don’t all of a sudden forgive them, wish them well, and move on because something bad happened to them. I don’t know…it just didn’t feel totally realistic. Either way, I did largely enjoy the book, and I’m sure I’ll check out whatever the writer puts into the world next.

I received an ARC of Can't Look Away in exchange for an honest review. This is a romance novel with a twist. There is a little bit of a thriller in the story as one of the characters is slightly obsessed with another character. The story is told in two timelines 2013 and 2022. The love story revolves around Molly and Jake. Jake is a member of a band that is starting to become big. Molly is his girlfriend. The story follows the ups and downs of Molly and Jake's romance and then throw in a scorned girlfriend.

Sabrina, Jake, and Molly are in a love triangle. What's scary is this: Sabrina is the only one who knows. She is also our only perspective which is in the first person. So, we get to watch her play the long game and see that she is a manipulating (ahem) B-word. One thing I really liked about this story was the opportunity to watch for clues and see how Sabrina was pulling the strings and causing chaos. Another was the band that is a prominent piece of the plot -- Jake is the frontman. This is quite low-key as far as thrillers go. There is one perilous scene and the rest is domestic drama at a 5-star level (in my humble opinion). So, why not five stars for the rating? Well, the f-bombs are overused (you are totally correct on that point, Kat) and the author seems to be obsessed with Frozen. There is one paragraph where that movie is referenced four times! It is a Frozen birthday party, but come on. (Kat, you also noted that shortcoming in your review.) That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Thank you to St. Martins Press and NetGalley for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.

Just like the title…Can’t Look Away, I couldn’t and didn’t want to stop reading this one, especially near the halfway mark! The top genre listed is a thriller, but to me it was a suspense, romance, which made for an interesting dichotomy that I loved. Lovering is now 3 for 3 on writing fantastic, engrossing novels! I can't wait for the next one.

Can’t Look Away is a mix of drama with suspense. I enjoy the author telling the story from the characters different viewpoints. It’s a quick read perfect for summertime.

2.5 stars rounding up to 3. This was an easy to read family drama. It really didn't make much of an impression on me - it was like a Lifetime move. Everything wrapped up a little too perfectly at the end - even the 'villian' got a happy ending. Thanks to NetGalley for the digital ARC.

Can’t Look Away is a well written domestic drama. It kept me reading and I totally enjoyed the storyline, but it definitely is not in the thriller category. There is so much angst between the four main characters, with one stalker doing anything she can to get her man, one never having gotten over her first love but content with her husband, one still in love with his first love and not so happily married, and one happily married. Put them all together and….
I really appreciated the flexing of timelines telling the story, as well as the points of view. It was a bit like a puzzle and I found myself putting the pieces together until the end when all the pieces formed a completed puzzle. The writing flows easily and is very engaging.
Many many thanks to Carola Lovering, St. Martin’s Press, and NetGalley for affording me the pleasure of reading an arc of this soon to be published book.

That was wild. That was like a 90’s lifetime movie (which, obviously, I love).
Can’t Look Away is told in then and now from Molly and Sabrina and limited Jake POV.
I didn’t particularly like any of the characters, but man oh man, Sabrina was that crazy, stalkerish ex-girlfriend and she played the long game my friends.
Molly and Jake’s relationship was tumultuous and there were things that were fairly predictable happening.

Overall, if you like drama with a hint of suspense then you’ll enjoy this one too!

Thank you to St. Martins Press for an advanced digital copy via NetGalley in exchange for review.

Oh Molly. She was in love with Jake ten years ago but that didn't work out. Now, she's married, fairly happily, to Hunter, mom to Stella, and living in Connecticut. She's lonely, though, so when Sabrina, new to town and to Molly's yoga studio extends a hand, she takes it because she wants a friend. At the same time, Jack's tribute to Molly- Molly's Song- it heading up the charts again, bringing up old feeling. Especially from Sabrina. Canny readers know that Sabrina has a secret and what it is. What happens next, though. well, no spoilers from me. This plot isn't unique but Lovering has created memorable characters and will keep you guessing. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A good read.

This novel was bananas In the best possible way! I’ll definitely be reading more Carola Lovering in the future.
Molly and Jake have the kind of all-consuming first love that you dream about. The kind where he writes a song for her and it goes to #1 on all the charts and rockets Jake’s band to stardom. But Jake also has a crazy ex with a capitol ‘C’, SiSi, who will stop at nothing to destroy Jake and Molly’s love. She seemingly succeeds.
Fast-forward 5 years and Molly is married to Hunter and raising their daughter, Stella. But what happened with Jake? And why is Sabrina still trying to ruin Molly? A fast-paced thriller that will make you reminisce about your 20s and maybe your own first love.

*Special thanks to.NetGalley and the publisher for an e-arc of this novel.*

Enjoyment: 5
Total rating: 4.71

Jake and Molly fell in love at first sight. But their love story ends in heartache for both parties.

Years later, they both move on, and Molly is now happily married to Hunter living in a small town. They are having problems conceiving their second child, and Molly doesn't feel like anyone understands the pain of her struggles. But then, newcomer Sabrina moves into town, and after two casual encounters - at Molly's work and at the doctor's clinic - they become fast friends. But Soon, both of their lives will collide as their past comes back to haunt them.

I am a huge fan of Lovering's plotting. Her characters are compelling, relatable and are believable. They make real decisions a non-fictional person would make and I find that very refreshing. I also love how her love/intrigue triangles make sense.

She teases us by slowly releasing information, much like that pixel puzzle. Slowly you start seeing it more clearly, until you have the whole picture. It makes for a satisfying reading experience. Without spoiling anything as it is my personal taste, I absolutely adore her endings. So satisfying!


Disclaimer: In exchange for an honest review, I am thankful to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for providing a copy of Can't Look Away.

Carola Lovering knows how to tell a tortured love story that hits in all the right places. Love at first sight, star crossed lovers and obsession are all woven together in this wonderful web of deceit.
The love between Molly and Jake is a once in a life time love that never goes away. I was mesmerized, smitten and furious at the way their relationship played out. I needed them to find a happy ending, and I’m sure you will too. But, of course someone else is always waiting in the shadows.
“To be obsessed with someone or something is to adopt a singleminded drive that reduces the rest of the world to sheer insignificance.” If ever there was a quote from this book to sum up Sabrina, this is it. She is ruthless in getting what she wants, no matter who she hurts. I love how her character was written, and could feel her intense need for Jake. She is everything Molly isn’t, and not in a good way.
I loved this twisty, heart wrenching story. If you’re a fan of Taylor Jenkins Reid type love stories, this book is for you.

I thought this was a thriller, but it's really more of romantic suspense - rooted in obsession and revenge.

Molly Diamond can't believe she is dating Jake Danner, the gorgeous frontman of a hot new band. Their love for each other is passionate and deep. It should be a love that lasts a lifetime - 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘪𝘧 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘦𝘭𝘴𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘸𝘢𝘺.

Years later, Molly is raising her beautiful daughter Stella with her husband Hunter in a Connecticut suburb. They are trying desperately to have another baby via IVF. Molly is missing her friends from Brooklyn, so Molly finds it lucky when Sabrina drops into her life and befriends her. But it's not a coincidence on Sabrina's part.

𝐂𝐚𝐧’𝐭 𝐋𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐲 offers the emotions of love and heartbreak with the suspense of stalking and manipulation. I didn't feel it had the thriller atmosphere; instead, the romances, yes plural, took center stage. Tension does build as the timelines jump back and forth. I also didn't feel this had big twists or turns, but it delves into first loves, sacrificing for love, and those who won't let go. I flew through this one!

🎧 I listened to the audiobook from @macmillan.audio and it was fantastic with excellent narrators: Caitlin Davies, Karissa Vacker & Zachary Webber.

Thank you to @stmartinspress for a gifted copy.

THIS BOOK!!! I have no words it was soooo good. Definitely way more of a romance than a thriller, but I was all in. The relationships between Molly and Jake and Molly and Hunter were just so good. Sabrina was crazy, but added a lot to the story and I really loved the ending!! So so good and definitely in my top books of the year.

Wow!. I was blown away by this book. Did not see the twists coming. Just loved the story. Completely engaged thru the whole thing.