Reviews

A Novel Obsession by Caitlin Barasch

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skinlaced's review against another edition

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medium-paced

3.5

jmcelroy5's review

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dark tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

3.5 or 4, boosted up a little for a debut novel. I read the preview of this book and NEEDED to read it, in a way that feels so compelling and nice. I was absolutely hooked in the beginning and love the premise. It's a little [b:You|20821614|You (You, #1)|Caroline Kepnes|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1411958102l/20821614._SY75_.jpg|39913517] meets [b:Gone Girl|19288043|Gone Girl|Gillian Flynn|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1554086139l/19288043._SY75_.jpg|13306276] with the flawed, unreliable narrator and dangerous stalking and I loved the feels I got from both of those novels, entering the mind of someone like that.

We get that here somewhat as well in this cool meta story about a very insecure person, a writer who develops an unhealthy fascination with her boyfriend’s ex-girlfriend and using the novel she is writing for justification for her actions. The writing style was a big factor and pretty great to me. Lines like "She came in with the cold" and and "Who wants to read about bland, unconflicted people who simply love each other?" and "Only when I reveal my worst self, and am forgiven for it, will I be certain I am loved." These aren't even the best examples, just the way the words fall out of the lips/pen of the main character Naomi are mostly excellent.

The ending is a bit of a letdown. Not really in execution to me, I understand why that was the choice, even though I know others felt cheated. But I think it needed to be a little longer to have the right impact and could have had some bits trimmed from other areas instead. To really stick that landing, there needed to be a bit more. Just a bit. I wanted it pushed a little darker than it ended up being, but alas.

Don't know if I'll reread, but worth the time. I'm interested to see what else may come from [a:Caitlin Barasch|16268883|Caitlin Barasch|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1624034813p2/16268883.jpg] and was definitely stressed with the anticipation of everything coming out and being destroyed. Kind of on Team What Was So Great About Caleb To Justify This but also kind of think that is part of the point.

jttreads's review

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dark emotional

3.25

i listened to an audiobook but i feel like the plot could've been better executed. i was expecting the absolute worse and on the edge of my seat but the outcome fell flat. i did predict the ending and naomi was a lil too unlikable for my taste. BUT SHE FELT A LIL TOOOOOOOO REAL. i understand where her insecurity came from but i still can't believe some of the stuff she did

eviesellers's review

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2.0

just as things were picking up and secrets were being revealed, the story ended. It didn't feel like anything actually got resolved, which is a shame because it was really getting good. this book is also another case of an unlikeable main character, which adds complexity to a story but isn't something I personally enjoy.

yaboigrass's review against another edition

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dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

pookiee's review against another edition

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dark reflective tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

this was crazy—good crazy. I felt really anxious to know what would happen! the ending is a cop-out but the journey to get there is fun.

Content Warnings

geauxgetlit's review

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4.0

As an avid book obsessed reader, I love books about books. I was excited to receive this copy from Dutton books from a debut author. Thank you!

This book gave me fatal attraction vibes with a bookworm twist.

The protagonist Naomi, is an aspiring writer and hasn’t had positive relationships with men prior to meeting Caleb on Tinder. He took a shine to her and he bacame her boyfriend. Her overly anxious mind couldn’t relate to what he seen in her and she decided to write a novel about this to see if she could find the answers to love.

Befriended his ex girlfriend she thought would make an excellent plot to her novel and it’s often easier to write about situations drawn from experience.

This was a very interesting take on how a writers real life and the fictional character in her book becomes a frightening psychosis.