Molly is living a quiet and peaceful life in an affluent suburb with her husband and daughter. It’s a simple and beautiful life but Molly finds herself missing the companionship of her close friends when she lived in the city. In a happy turn of events, she strikes up a friendship with Sabrina, a newcomer who just moved to the neighborhood with her husband. After building up a cherished friendship with Sabrina, Molly comes to find out that Sabrina’s husband is none other than the one person she’s been avoiding from her past. The future, and the past, unfold as the reader gets swept up in a story about love, deceit, and second chances.

I really enjoyed this book and gave it 4 stars. I always like stories that are told from different perspectives and jump around from the past to the present, and then back. I thought the author did a phenomenal job of slowly revealing the backstory between characters and their respective secrets, and creating such complex characters with complicated relationships. A great, female-centered book that I would definitely recommend.

My second Netgalley read was Can’t Look Away by Carola Lovering. I was super excited about getting this read because I thoroughly enjoyed Lovering’s last book Too Good to Be True. This one definitely wasn’t a letdown despite other reviews.

This novel jumps back and forth in time and perspectives. In the past, readers learn about Molly’s great love Jake. He is an up-and-coming rock star who falls head over heels for her after spotting her in a bar at one of his concerts. After he writes a song about her and it tops the charts, they move in together and it appears the rest is history. In present-day Molly lives in Flynn Cove with her daughter and husband Hunter, is struggling with infertility, and fitting in. She is a yoga instructor and notices when a new person, Sabrina, comes to one of her classes. The next day they then bond over shared fertility issues and Molly feels she’s finally found someone she can connect with. Little does she know, Sabrina has a hidden agenda. While driving one day an acoustic version of “Molly’s Song” plays on the radio; Molly is forced to deal with unresolved feelings. The novel has so many twists and turns, that a summary is so hard to write without giving too much away!

I really enjoyed this romantic thriller. It had me on the edge of my seat trying to figure out what the big twist would be. Even though I did predict the major twist (yes there are two), I wasn’t mad about it, because I did not predict the way it would actually play out. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know all the characters and playing martyr in this “he said, she said” story. Each and every character was unique. I also thought this book, though the genre was similar, was nothing like Lovering’s last novel. I also LOVED the ending. But I won’t say more, to avoid spoilers.

The only thing I didn’t enjoy was how long the novel was. I felt there were some backstories that were unnecessary. It felt like it took a long time to get to the action and there were parts, I felt dragged. Overall, this is my only critique. I really enjoyed this book.

Favorite Quote: “Maybe happiness is what you surrender to, not what you fight for.”

Can the past stay in the past? Many years ago Molly locks eyes with singer Jake and a relationship starts…
Years later Molly is happily married raising her daughter in a quiet town.
Sabrina enters their life and nothing is the same.

I kind of figured this out easily enough, however it’s my first book by this author and it won’t be my last !

Molly and Jake Danner, famous rock star, have a passionate romance. However, the life of the musician drives them apart. Years later, Molly is married to someone else, with a kid, when she meets a new friend Sabrina. When she meets Sabrina's husband, she realizes that it is her previous love, Jake.

I was so excited to read this because I loved the last book by Carola Lovering. However, this one fell flat. It felt like it couldn't make up its mind if it was a thriller or a literary fiction/romance. There were elements of suspense but no real payout. Maybe if I had gone in without that expectation, I would've enjoyed it more.

I loved both of Carola Lovering's last books, and this one lived up to them both! She knows how to weave a twisty thriller. I was guessing the "twist" most of the time, and I didn't even guess it. I was left surprised, which doesn't usually happen when I'm reading thrillers. I will definitely be recommending this to friends!

This one was different from what I expected. I wouldn't say it was necessarily a thriller rather than a crossover of multiple genres - romance, suspense, women's fiction. Overall it was a story that kept me intrigued even through parts that felt a little slow. I think wondering "What if?" as Molly does, is something we can all relate to in some way. Molly befriends her former loves wife, Sabrina. Jealous that her husband, Jake, still thinks of Molly as the one that got away, Sabrina knowingly seeks out Molly to create a friendship and during her sections you can see the obsession and insecurity she has.

While I didn't enjoy this book as much as Lovering's previous works, I still found myself flying through the chapters and wondering how she would wrap it all up!

This book tells the story of Molly Diamond, a 23 year old living in NYC when she meets Jake Danner, an up and coming musician. The two become somewhat star-crossed lovers and as the novel jumps in time between then and present day, we discover what became of them and their relationship. The story also jumps in perspective, something I think Lovering does exceptionally well, adding an element of suspense and intrigue.
For me this book read more like Tell Me Lies than Too good to be True, both of which I also thoroughly enjoyed. The intense feelings of being young and in love while also trying to figure out and start an adult life are so poignant and this novel captures that time period so well.
This is a love story with just a hint of suspense and I appreciated that Lovering didn’t make it over the top twisty, turning it into some kind of trope. I was completely immersed in the story and loved it.
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

Wow! This book was unputdownable for me!! So this book was not what I was expecting, but in a really good way!! I went into it thinking it would be super suspenseful but it was more along the lines of a psychological drama, with some romance and mystery mixed in. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and found myself lost in it quickly. The storyline was fantastic, super interesting, and it kept me flipping the pages. The character development in this book was superb! I’ve not read anything by Carola Lovering before, but I will definitely be checking out her previous books now!

Thank you St. Martins Press and Net Galley for an ARC in return for my honest review.

This book was not what I expected at all. It was more of a love story than a thriller. Love stories are not my usual genre. This one kept me interested and reading well into the night.

I was so invested in this story! Wow, what a ride. I still have tear rimmed eyes writing this review. The books takes you back and forth between the love story of Molly Diamond and Jake Danner — then and now point of views with so much emotion packed into one really complicated, messy, beautiful story. I felt so connected to multiple relationships, it really pulled my emotions in more than one direction. The story was so well written and flowed so effortlessly. Softly emotional with just the right amount of suspense. I totally recommend this book, it was fantastic. Thank you Netgalley and St Martins Press for the ARC.

Do you believe in love at first sight? I have always been a skeptic, but that is just me.

Enter sexy and mysterious Jake, a rock star to boot. Playing at the local watering hole, Molly and Jake cross paths and it was at first sight. Molly was head over heels for Jake but we all know that it never ends well when you get involved with a rock star.

Here comes Hunter.

Molly and Hunter are living a comfortable and stable life with their daughter. Living in a very boughie neighborhood, Molly could not ask for any more than what is right in front of her but when she meets Sabrina she is instantly captivated by this mysterious woman. As the two women form an almost immediate bond, they have quickly become best friends. However, Sabrina is not who Molly thinks she is and Molly's perfect world is about to come crashing down.

This is an insane thriller that will have you second guessing everything you are thinking. I was at the edge of my seat the entire time and could not get enough. Can't Look Away, has thriller of the year written all over it.

This book will go down in history for being one of my favorites. Bravo, Carola Lovering, you rocked my world! I can not wait to see what you come out with next!

Without a doubt, FIVE stars!

Carola Lovering is a new fresh voice in the world of suspense.

I loved this book about what might have happened and obsession. Set with a rock and roll backdrop, the book was an excellent read about obsession and the choices we make and justify.

I would recommend this twisty and satisfying plot.

Really enjoyed this book! Such a fun read with great character development! Such a fun one and great to grab!

This ARC was provided to me via Kindle, St. Martin’s Press and by #NetGalley. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

I truly enjoyed this one. Fist loves, a bitter ex, revenge, meeting again years later. Told from several perspectives, it’s a riveting tale that keeps you entertained. You won’t want to put it down.

The title alone is enough to make you want to find out what this book is about. A suspenseful story about the one who got away....haven't we all at some time wondered what was going on in the life of our high school crush? Not heard of or read this author before but will be interested to check out more of her work. Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an e-arc in exchange for a review.

Wow! This is the first! I started a thriller and it gave me the same kind of deep pain at each time I devoured a Colho book: this is angsty, tear jerker, heartbreaking romance! Perfectly developed four characters you can honestly relate with including Sabrina who may be the evil twin of Joe Goldberg!

The obsession story is well blended with heartfelt, sad romance parts! And it truly worked quite well for me!

Molly truly reminded me of Colho’s sad, determined characters who sacrificed too much, putting the others first, giving up her dreams to become author for living in Flynn Cove, befriending spoiled rich- pretentious stay at home moms, giving yoga classes. That’s where she met with her new friend Sabrina, bonding fast connection with her.

But Sabrina has some secret agenda. She already knows who Molly is and she secretly plans to ruin her life, scheming her grande revenge plan.

Once upon a time Molly fell so hard for Jake Danner who has written a song about her which put his band on the map. But his music may be the biggest obstacle for their relationship ( even though Jake’s ex is sharpening her nails to rip their heads off)

Molly chose Hunter: which means she chose trust, loyalty, compassion over her heart wrenching, painful love!

But now four people’s paths are interwoven in Flynn Cove. The secrets are about to come out. Unresolved feelings are about to pour out. Unfinished businesses are about to be faced!
Nobody’s life will be the same after the hard slap of the truth knocks them off!

I considered this as a very angsty romance which made me cry! I also get agitated and bit my nails a lot!

At some parts I found myself empathize with the villanelle!

Luckily the conclusion was brilliant and fair which made me relieved. Because the book was really well-written and characters are flawed, realistic, easy to resonate! So I wished the author could give their stories proper endings. Thankfully she did!

Overall: I loved Too Good to be True! This book was also well executed. But this was more romance than a thriller or suspense. I still enjoyed it and I gave four emotional, musical stars!

Special thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest thoughts.

Can't Look Away by Carola Lovering is the story of love. Four people tangled in a web of love and lies. Get ready for the unimaginable things people will do for love.

'Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.
-Alfred Lord Tennyson

A case of unforgettable love. Molly Diamond finds herself enthralled with Jake Danner. The two lock eyes one night at a gig, while Jake is singing his heart out.

A lesson in love. Jake Danner has found the love of his life. Is it Molly or his band?

A one-sided love. Sabrina was Jake's girlfriend before Molly. She has unfinished business.

Unconditional love. Hunter is Molly's friend who is there for her when Jake is emotionally and physically unavailable.

The four lives collide as they find themselves living in Flynn Cove. They each must face the consequences of young love.

I must applaud Carola Lovering's writing style. This is the second book that I've read of hers and loved. I'm not sure why her book reviews are all over the place. It hits all the emotions.

It's captivating. I sat down and read half the book in one go.

A page-turner!

First off, I have to preface my review with the fact that I LOVED Tell Me Lies by Carola Lovering. But then I didn't love Too Good To Be True - so I thought maybe, in my eyes, Tell Me Lies was a one-hit-wonder. I was WRONG.

Can't Look Away is in my top-3 of all time book. I loved it so much. I loved the fact that even though I hated some of the characters, I was engrossed in their stories and rooting for them. I loved the fact that I didn't know how I personally wanted it to end - and I had not a clue to how it would actually end. I didn't want to put it down. Every chapter and time change, I was sad to not find out more "present" information but then the "past" chapter would suck me right in and I didn't want to go back to the "present"!

Molly, Jake, Hunter, Sabrina all live in the small town of Flynn Cove, CT. The story moves through finding out how all of their lives are intertwined at different points throughout the past and present. I don't want to give away any more spoilers than that, I think there is something so special about diving into a big and having not having a single expectation - and this book is perfect for that! I love an author's ability to make you root for and connect with everyone, even the villain. I think that's when an author really has something special going, and I definitely felt it here. The time-jumping in this story was perfect to leave me on the edge of my seat, hungrily reading for more. I can't say enough times how much I did not want to put this down. I can't recommend this book enough.

Carola, I can't wait for the next one! You are my favorite!

This is a quick read…enjoyed the characters and the setting…I like books by this author…although the story moves slowly at times, it comes to a satisfying conclusion…sent to me by Netgalley.