As per usual, I loved this book, just like I love all of Carola Lovering's books. It was juicy, exciting, and I couldn't put it down.

This book wasn't what I expected, but ultimately I think that benefitted the book itself. Lovering's writing is so compelling, this book is SUCH a page-turner in a way that I wasn't really expecting it to be. Molly and Jake are so sweet and heartbreaking, and the third POV was shockingly juicy and devastating.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Everything happens for a reason… doesn’t it? All the what if’s… what if Molly hadn’t gone with Nina to see a new band that might? What if Molly had said no to the date? How much differently would Molly and Jake’s loves end up?

10 years later, Molly is married to Hunter, but when Jake reappears in her life, all the what if’s…

Thank you to @netgalley for providing a copy of #cantlookaway by @carolatlovering in exchange for an honest review - I loved it!

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This book was different than I expected, but I really enjoyed it.

First I have to join in my friend Michael’s clarification of the genre of this book. I completely agree with him that isn’t any kind of mystery or thriller, despite the cover and the marketing. It is more what I would call “romantic suspense” or a suspenseful romance. But lucky for me, an escapist, suspenseful love story was just what I needed this weekend.

The story is about Molly, a young everyday 23-year-old New Yorker who falls head over heels in love with an up-and-coming musician, Jake Danner. Here I must pause to acknowledge something about myself. I was a music-obsessed young lady who spent some of her later teenage years as a groupie hanging with my favorite bands on the Sunset Strip. Let’s just leave it there 😂

So needless to say, this star-crossed romance tale of a doomed love between an ordinary girl and a rock star playing Madison Square Garden was right up my alley and probably my teenage dream come true. I thought Lovering captured the music scene realistically with a lot of sensitivity and insight. The personal and real nature of the writing made me wonder if the author had some personal experience dating a musician, too. It was a fun, touching, heartbreaks story of that first passionate love everyone happens to experience…Molly’s just happened to be with a famous musician who turned it into the hit single “Molly’s Song,” transforming both of their lives.

The book jumps back and forth between Molly as a 23-year-old rock star’s girlfriend, and Molly later in life, married to another man, who once again runs into her former musician love. There is suspense and intrigue in the form of Sabrina, a creepy stalker of Molly’s who we meet early in the book. Why is she stalking Molly and how does it all tie together with Jake the musician? Honestly, it’s all not too hard to figure out, but the suspense is great and the execution of the twists does not disappoint. I love Carola Lovering’s page-turning, inviting style, and just like he past book, I was sucked in by the first page and couldn’t put the book down till I learned how it ended.

This page-turner solidifies Carola Lovering as a must-read author for me. Some readers might long for more of a thriller from this author, and I too would love to see her return to that genre one day, but for me Lovering is an author who is entertaining and satisfying in any genre because of her sheer talent and mastery at truthful emotion and heart. The ending of the book was a little unexpected, and very lovely.

Solid four star read for me and I can’t wait to read what Carola Lovering writes next.

Thanks to St. Martin’s, NetGalley, and the author for a touching and satisfying book with heart.

I found this book to be a good read. It jumps around from several different characters perspectives but is always very clear on who is speaking in the chapter title. I'm still trying to figure out exactly how the title of the book fits the story. The story has a lot of twists and turns - many that you will be able to guess along the way - but flowed well and was enjoyable. It will surely remind you of a previous relationship or two from your youth. Molly was a relatable main character and I believe you will find yourself routing her on. I would recommend this book.

At first sight, Molly Diamond falls in love with Jake Danner, lead singer of a rock group. The story is narrated by Molly, Jake, and Sabrina, one of Jake’s previous loves, and switches back and forth between the past and the present, which made me pay close attention. It’s a primer on relationships and all the ups and downs that take place. None of the characters are particularly likable and I quickly figured out what was going to happen in the end, Nonetheless, I enjoyed the story and thank the publisher and NetGalley for my copy of Can’t Look Away.

** spoiler alert ** I honestly couldn't get enough of this book. It gave me definite YOU (from Netflix) vibes, so it was really thrilling and fun to read. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time and couldn't read quickly enough. I also love reading books that use different POVs, and this one gave you 3 POVs I believe. Also, the back and forth between present and past at different times was great too because it really gave you a sense of everything that was going on in the character's past that led them to behave/think a certain way in the present. Sabrina honestly scared me a bit - I wasn't sure how far she was going to go. She did have a bit of a character arc, which I'm not sure exactly how I feel about because she was so manipulative. I wish the ending of the book lasted a bit longer because I did feel like the culmination of everything the book was leading up to was a bit rushed, but still good regardless. My favorite quotes from the book were -

"There was a folded note on the kitchen counter, and as Jake picked it up, he was flooded with a series of memories of the two of them there in that very spot: Jake extending a wooden spoon of warm pasta sauce for Molly to taste; Molly topping off their glasses with more wine, an intrigued smile on her face as she sat watching him cook; her spine arched against the laminate as he pressed his mouth to her neck while the sauce simmer; the sound of her laugh, wild and deep"

and

"...past the powder room they've wallpapered with old covers of The New Yorker and Life - half of each, their dreams combined" how frickin cute!

5/5 stars!

I wanted so badly to like this more than I did. It was good, but not great. Interesting premise and meh execution. I just felt like Molly and Sabrina talked in circles a lot, and half of their chapters just said the same things over and over again. It was almost... boring? Not a lot happens, and then the ending just falls flat. Definite miss for me.
I probably would not recommend this to others.

Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin's Press for the ARC!

The marketing has falsely enticed me to read this mediocrity, when Can't Look Away was touted to be a 'sexy suspense novel' about obsessive love, I was anticipating something along the line of Rock Paper Scissors (Alice Feeney), or even He Will Be My Ruin (K.A. Tucker), but this was really just a slightly dramatic women's fiction in disguise, and a pretty bland one at that.

This review might be partially unfair because I'm judging it against how it was conveyed to me (and comparing to my typical reading preference), instead of its rightful intent (and impression from an appropriate audience).

Can't Look Away comes across like a bad Lifetime movie, with shallow characters and melodramatic clichés. I'm not the reader who enjoy stories of middle class suburban wives digging up past affairs to afflict emotional turmoil towards each other (while complaining about country club membership), and that is basically the crux of the novel. The 'suspense' only exists structurally (multiple perspectives and time jumps to disorient and distract), instead of embedding within its narrative and building up to a meaningful climax. There's no chemistry or steam in the romance department either (I recall a kiss was as physical as it get on page), and characters are just generic White people being generically miserable ('he loves work more than me!' / 'She's my muse I can't live without her.' / 'I need vengeance because my husband is still emotionally attached to her.').

Overall, I was sold one thing and I got another — Can't Look Away was a cringe to get through for me, but I'm sure there's an audience for it as long as it's been correctly promoted.

A compelling read with likable characters and relatable feelings. Evocative, and engaging. Great escapism!

I literally could not put this book down - it was absolutely my vibe of book, a little twisty, subtly dark, human… I devoured this in a day, and look forward to more from this author.

Can't Look Away introduces us to Molly and Jake, drawn together instantly and deeply. They're young and full of plans for the future - Molly wants to be a writer, and Jake a rock star. The story follows their journeys - both together and apart. Several unexpected twists and turns shatter their plans and their relationship, but both never really let go. I wanted to know what happened to them both (and cared about it!), and wasn't disappointed.

First, I would like to thank NetGalley for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review

Through a series of time lapses, this story follows Molly throughout her twenties and early thirties. Molly was once a young writer that caught the eye of Jake, an up and coming Rockstar, and they fell in love. Now, Molly is a young mother and married to Hunter.
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As you follow Molly through her relationships and life, you also see Molly through the lens of Jake’s ex. Sabrina becomes dangerously obsessed with Molly.
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Overall, I think this book was pretty good. It occasionally felt a little long, but all of the parts tied together nicely. Through all of the big twists I love that the end came together so well.

Can't Look Away by Carola Lovering. Not for me,, slow moving with too much angst, jealousy, and unlikable characters in the book. Couldn't relate to the story or characters. Ms Lovering's fans will most likely enjoy it.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to preview the book.

Holy hell, what a wild ride.
This book is told in a flip flopping timeline from multiple points of view.

A few chapters in, you realize this is not going to be a stereotypical romance novel.
It's! So! Good!
You fall in love with the characters, you get wrapped up in their drama, their lives, their love, their heartbreak. Lovering wrote this exceptionally well.

There were many times I had to put it down and take some deep breaths because the ANXIETY! the ANTICIPATION!

It was exciting, genuine, creepy, drama-filled, and wonderful.
A few of the plot twists were a bit predictable, but I very much enjoyed this and would recommend!

Can’t Look Away Review

Ah I can already tell this is going to be one of my favorites from 2022! This book was fantastic. It sits somewhere in between being a romance and a mystery, and I thought it had a good combination of both which is really unusual for the genre. I was equally invested in the back storyline and the current storyline as all of the characters began to collide.

This book has a bit of a love triangle or almost a love square. The main character is Molly, who has moved to Connecticut with her sweet husband Hunter and their young daughter Stella. She has been struggling to make friends, but she majorly hits it off with Sabrina, only to discover Sabrina has a unique connection to Molly already. I thought the romance was so heartfelt in this one, and it really solidified a place as a favorite for me with the ending.

Read this if you:
*like Blink-182
*have ever dated someone in a band
*have ever wanted to be a writer
*have ever wanted to teach yoga/Pilates
*love a good character driven story

This is my third book by this author and it did NOT disappoint. Truly might be my favorite one yet. That epilogue though *chefs kiss*. I was invested in the characters and how it would end up. Shows the great length’s people will go to in order to get what they want.

Thank you NetGalley & St Martins Press for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. Pub date: June 14

2013: Molly Diamond, a 23-year old New Yorker barista and wannabe writer, is almost finished with her studies when she meets Jake Danner, the lead singer of a band. They fall fast and hard for each other. As his band’s debut album skyrockets up the charts, he writes a song about Molly (creatively titled “Molly’s Song”) that ends up being the biggest hit from the group.

2022: Molly now lives in a Connecticut suburb, married to a man named Hunter, and with a 5-year old daughter named Stella. She’s given up writing, and now teaches yoga instead. When she hears a new acoustic version of “Molly’s Song” on the radio (sung by Jake himself), she can’t help but remember him...as much as she has tried to forget him over the years after their breakup.

Meanwhile, Molly makes a new friend in the neighborhood. Sabrina and her husband have recently moved to town, and Molly meets her at the yoga studio. They instantly hit it off and become close. But Sabrina has secrets...and an agenda all her own.

This is being marketed as a mystery/thriller, and that is absolutely, certifiably, 100% false. It’s a domestic drama with maybe the slightest hint of suspense. I think many readers who pick this up will be disappointed, but now you’ve been warned and know what you’re getting into.

That being said, I still enjoyed this for the most part - in the same way I would maybe enjoy a Lifetime movie...not realizing it was a Lifetime movie until I was already sucked in by the overdramatic plot. There are no twists (IMHO), and nothing surprised me...and yet I wanted to know what was going to happen next.

Everything is wrapped up in the end. All that’s missing is a pretty red bow. I actually enjoyed the finale, but other readers may find it a bit too perfect.

Overall, it’s a quick and entertaining DRAMA that doesn’t require too much brain power, but nevertheless hooks with its back and forth timeline and interesting characters.

3.5 stars rounded down.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for providing me with a widget of the ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Expected Publication Date: 6/14/22.

Review also posted at: https://bonkersforthebooks.wordpress.com

When Molly meets Jake, there are fireworks, stars, little birdies flying around tweeting hearts…because this is the real deal. Molly and Jake have a love story that is unbreakable---they are meant to be and neither can deny it. But when the stress of Jake’s band tours becomes too much for Molly, she realizes that it’s time for her to grow up and face reality. But what does that look like when Molly and Jake find each other again 7 years later? Really fun read and definitely hard to put down. This one left me thinking about the character for days after I was done reading the book. Will definitely look for more by this author in the future!

Special Note: Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read this in exchange for an honest review.

This is the story of Molly, Jake, Hunter and Sabrina and how their lives intertwine. Molly is a writer who wasn’t. Jake was a Rock Star who isn’t. Hunter is a good man, a husband and father. Sabrina is rich, spoiled and self centered. I won’t go into the plot any further because of spoilers, but will tell readers I was reading the next development when I should have been otherwise occupied. Thanks to Net Galley and St. Martin’s Press for an ARC for an honest review.