I loved the authors previous book, Too Good To Be True, and I couldn’t wait to get my hands on this one.

The power of your first true love as an adult can make people do all kinds of things and this is what you will find as the centerpiece of this story.

Love can be so many things to different people, but when a person feels that first love was stolen from them…all bets are off.

So many mixed thoughts on this one! I think I really enjoyed it.

I’m struggling with how to categorize this - there’s elements of mystery, suspicion, romance, love triangles, spurned lovers - lots of things for lots of people!

There was a while were I thought this was going to be a DNF for me because my pet peeve are stalker-like, jealous exes but this was like a car crash that I couldn’t look away from.

I will say I guessed all the twists but I also have read 100+ this year so I’ve seen a lot. I will saw though I’m mad at a certain characters end - I think said character got off wayyyyyy too easy.

First Time that i read a book by this author. I liked it a lot. The characters are very well developped and i was able to really identified to them. I also like the story plot and relate it to normal Life if i can say. I also like the descriptions of the places.. when you don’t want to stop reading and are eager to continue when you stop it’s because it’s a good book. I will definitely look for more books by this author.

I wouldn't say this was a thriller or suspense, perhaps more along the lines of fiction.

Molly Diamond goes out with friends and the band Danner Lane happens to be playing. Jake is the frontman of the band. There is an instant attraction between Molly and Jake Danner. After a short time, they move in together. Jake is on tour a lot for the band, and when Molly can't reach him, then suddenly gets an email showing Jake in a liplock with another female. Molly's trust is shaken.

They break up for awhile, then get back together, but once again Jake is unreachable while on tour and Molly spins out of control. She leaves him for good this time.

Years later, Molly is married to Hunter and has a five-year-old daughter, Stella. The family has moved to a new community where Hunter grew up and Molly is having a tough time adjusting. They live comfortably, but are surrounded by affluent neighbors which leads to making it difficult for Molly to be accepted by the women in the community. Molly teaches Yoga, and it is here that she meets Sabrina. They hit it off and become fast friends.

The friendship may not be quite what Molly believes it to be, what exactly does Sabrina want?

There were a few twists in the story and I did figure out one early on. I think the drawback for me was the dinner and unexpected surprise. I did enjoy the multiple points of view. Although, it was an acceptable story; I didn't find this as enthralling a read as other books by Carola Lovering.

I received an ARC from NetGalley via St. Martin's Press and I have voluntarily reviewed this book.

Oof, this one did not work for me. New wife wants to get back at former rock-star husband’s ex-girlfriend. Former rock-star husband is known for a love song he wrote for his ex-girlfriend. (I couldn’t stop thinking about the song “Delilah” by the Plain White Tees. New wife is unhinged and the reason for her obsession with ex-girlfriend can only be described as mental illness. I really like Lovering’s last book, so I would recommend that one — Too Good To Be True

3.5 rounded up to a 4 on this one.

I really liked this story - it was very entertaining to read the multiple POVs and see how different characters perceived the same timeframes. It was a little slow and ultimately I didn't feel like a lot happened in the end.

I absolutely loved this author's previous book, Tell Me Lies, so I was thrilled to read her new book, Can't Look Away!

This was a solid domestic drama, and I liked the main character, Molly. The storyline of a first love coming back to haunt her was cool and fun to read. I also loved the twisted neighborhood dynamics. What fell a little flat for me was the whole "mystery" aspect, it was not as mysterious as I would have liked. Regardless, I am excited to read this author's next book!

*Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for my ARC in exchange for this honest review*

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this novel, Can't Look Away. The obsession was nuts in THIS BOOK. I was beside myself what people do when someone gets away from them. If it is love, they will never be able to really leave you...don't stalk them... This was a good read.

I am definitely a fan of this author. I really enjoyed her first book and this one did not disappoint me. It was a solid, well written, and quick paced thriller. I was extremely invested in the characters and their stories and I most enjoyed the parts from the past. The ending was very surprising and I really liked the outcome. I can’t wait to see what’s next from this author.

For most of this book I was hooked. However, I wouldn’t really describe this one as a mystery thriller. While the multiple POV and dual-timeline plot kept a little mystery as to what would happen, there really wasn’t a big twist and air of suspense. All in all, I read this one on vacation and thoroughly enjoyed my!

I would definitely recommend this read, but there are some major triggers (see bottom of caption).

The story alternates between last and present with three POVs: Molly—an MFA student with hopes and dreams of becoming a published author, Jake—an up and coming musician with a troubled upbringing, and Sabrina—who I won’t say too much about in order to not give anything away.

While Molly and Jake were in a deep love in their early 20s, something happens and years down the road, Molly is married with a kid to someone totally different in a weather suburb. Molly feels disconnected and is struggling to conceive her second child, when she befriends the newcomer in town, Sabrina. Sabrina’s narrative brings about a distrust of the situation more and more of everyone’s secrets unravels.

—c a n t l o o k a w a y—⁣
What is the best concert (or one of the best) you’ve been to? Or who would you love to see live?⁣
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Can’t Look Away is the newest release from Carola Lovering (of Tell Me Lies fame). It contains several different perspectives and timelines. I enjoyed but very much struggled with this book (it has serious triggers - infertility, miscarriage, namely - that kind of put me off). But, like the title suggests I could not look away. This book sucked me in - it is tense and propulsive and demanded to be finished. So despite the issues, I devoured this book.⁣
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It follows Molly - who in 2013 was an aspiring author in Brooklyn - and Jake - budding musician/ band frontman rising to fame and the rise (and eventual fall) of their complex relationship. Cut to present day, Molly is a suburban mom and yoga teacher and meets (perhaps not by chance) Sabrina who is also connected to Jake. Per GoodReads, “What happens when life turns out nothing like we thought it would when we were young and dreaming big?” Turns out - it can be a bit of a wild ride.⁣
—⁣
I love how Lovering writes about relationships. She captures the dynamics and complexities well. I felt her character developed (particularly of Sabrina) was lacking a bit. I appreciated much of the pacing and plot but wasn’t totally sold.⁣
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In all - a page turner with some serious triggers (be warned). ⁣
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Thank you @netgalley and @stmartinspress or the chance to read!⁣
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#bookreview #bookreviewsneedlovetoo #cantlookaway #bookstagram #booksbooksbooks #bookstagrammer #kindlebooks #netgalley #booksaremagic #littlebooknook📚

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you so so much Netgalley for this opportunity

3.5 stars

what an odd book... the concept was so odd, but still an enjoyable read. You'll meet Molly the main character from 2013 and 2022 and figure out how she ended up where she did. I liked this book, but didn't love it. I think it was mostly because of the plotline and it was a bit too unrealistic for me. The book revolved around three main POVs to have a better understanding of what each character's thoughts and wishes are. Writing this, I'm still perplexed about Sabrina (one of the main characters) and how her personality was so cringy (don't want to spoil anything). This had more romance than I was expecting since it was classified as a thriller, but it was good nonetheless. As you read secrets are revealed and you discover the intentions of each character. I was surprised to read this one as quickly as I did and would recommend to my friends, but I don't plan on purchasing this book in the future.

Overall, the story was interesting and a few sad parts. It was pleasant seeing all the secrets coming together in the end. The ending felt a bit ehhh for me and I wasn't the biggest fan, but I'm not sure what else I would have wanted. If you're looking for a bittersweet, romantic story with a dash of mystery this is perfect for you

This book was an incredible read. I loved the balance of romance and suspense. The separate timelines and perspectives added another layer to the plot, setting, and characters. With heartbreak, suspense, and unforgettable characters, this book won't be one you want to miss.

I still think Lovering can do no wrong. She’s so good at creating different voices for her characters. While an ultimately predictable story it was such a good story and shocking at moments

This book felt like a train wreck so I figured that’s why it was called Can’t Look Away. The amount of manipulation and lying was really cringey and hard to read sometimes. Having the sinister point of view made me think something much more dramatic and thrilling would happen at the crux of the novel but that didn’t really happen how I expected. I was entertained throughout the story, though. This is my second book by this author and I’d probably read more from her.

Carola Lovering is a new favorite author of mine. I first read her toxic relationship "primer" Tell Me Lies a few years ago, and just last month devoured her next novel Too Good to be True. After loving her first two books, I had high expectations for her latest release, Can't Look Away, a novel spanning a decade in the lives of three characters who are inextricably linked due to their pasts. This book turned out to be quite enjoyable, albeit a bit predictable and contrived, and will appeal to fans of domestic dramas.

Can't Look Away follows the start and end of Molly and Jake's relationship. Jake is the frontman of an up and coming band - Danner Lane - and Molly is the girl he falls in love with, his "muse." When the two eventually have a falling out in their early 20s, they go their separate ways, not knowing that their paths will cross again ten years down the line thanks to an unassuming third party - Sabrina. Just what is Sabrina's connection to Molly and Jake's past and what secrets is she hiding?

As are all of Lovering's books, Can't Look Away is well-written, absorbing, and oh so toxic. Lovering knows how to craft a good story and keeps her readers turning the pages. Admittedly, however, Can't Look Away is her weakest novel, as it is lacking that extra something special that her first two books possessed. Not to say that this story is bad, just that it is one you might have heard before if you read a lot of domestic dramas/thrillers. This story isn't wholly unique or original, thus making it likely to be forgotten once you have spent enough time away from its pages.

A little bit of drama, a little bit of thriller, a great summer read.

Boy meets girl. The boy happens to be a rock star. Boy and girl break up. A former girlfriend gets involved and things start to get a little dramatic. Although a bit predictable, I really enjoyed this novel and finished the book fast.
Thank you, NetGalley, for an advanced copy of this book!

Molly and Jake meet when they are both in their 20s. They feel an immediate connection. While Molly is finishing her MFA, Jake is trying to make it big with his band. Jake swears to Molly that he has broken up with his girlfriend Sese, and is in love with Molly. However, the touring and Jake's selfishness regarding his music take a toll on their relationship.
Now, several years after their breakup, Sabrina befriends Molly. She is out to get Molly because she believes Molly stole Jake from her. Sabrina is actually Sese, and is now married to Jake, but she is out to extract revenge on Molly. While Molly is happily married to Hunter, with a daughter, Stella, Sabrina wants to destroy Molly.
Things go crazy when Molly discovers that Sabrina is married to Jake. Seeing Jake again after a few years makes Molly question whether or not she did the right thing leaving him years earlier.
This book is about revenge, jealousy, and marriage, as well as immature relationships vs. mature relationships. @carolatlovering @stmartinspress #CantLookAway #CarolaLovering #StMartinsPress #NetGalley

Ooh, I liked this one. It had me flipping pages as fast as I could because I needed to know all the things! It's definitely best described as a sexy suspense novel. Add this to your TBR!

Can't Look Away is one of those books that is told in the present and the past. While reading, you are piecing together everything to figure out all the secrets of their lives. This is about a couple that truly loves each other but perhaps found each other a little too early in life. Molly is a trying to figure out her young adult life in New York City when she meets Jake, a lead singer of a band. As they fall in love, Jake's band rises to the top. Among all of this, there is a twisted ex-girlfriend who is also pining for Jake. The goes back and forth between this time in their twenties to current day and what their lives are like now. I would categorize this book more as a relational drama then psychological thriller. I think if you go in with those expectations, you will really enjoy. This author also draws me into her books and makes it an enjoyable reading experience.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a copy to read.