A Novel Obsession

A Novel

By: Caitlin Barasch

Narrated by: Kristen Sieh

A Good Morning America Buzz Pick, and a BuzzFeed and New York Post "Best Book of 2022"

"If you’ve ever felt tempted to ‘keep tabs on’ a partner’s ex on Instagram and then found yourself down a rabbit hole of their vacation posts from three years ago, this debut novel—which follows a 24-year-old New Yorker named Naomi who becomes obsessed with her boyfriend’s former girlfriend—is for you."—Vogue, “Best New Beach Reads”

Twenty-four-year-old New York bookseller Naomi Ackerman is desperate to write a novel, but struggles to find a story to tell. When, after countless disastrous dates, she meets Caleb—a perfectly nice guy with a Welsh accent and a unique patience for all her quirks—she thinks she's finally stumbled onto a time-honored subject: love. Then Caleb's ex-girlfriend, Rosemary, enters the scene.

Upon learning that Rosemary is not safely tucked away in Caleb’s homeland overseas, but in fact lives in New York and also works in the literary world, Naomi is threatened and intrigued in equal measure. If they both fell for the same man, what else might they have in common? The more Naomi learns about Rosemary, the more her curiosity consumes her. Before she knows it, her casual Instagram stalking morphs into a friendship under false pretenses—and becomes the subject of her nascent novel.

As her lies and half-truths spiral out of control, and fact and fiction become increasingly difficult to untangle, Naomi must decide what—and who—she’s willing to sacrifice to write the perfect ending.

Exhilarating and literary

This book is a perfect blend of romantic thriller and modern meta narrative fiction. I was on the edge of my seat for the whole book.

Kept me hooked!

I couldn’t stop listening! I felt for the Naomi, I’ve experienced some of the same insecurities and situations in relationships. I loved this book.

Quick Read

This is a quick read. The ending was a bit obvious, but I still really enjoyed the ride!

Mind your own business

Concept was different, someone so interested in the past they had a hard time living in the present. The old girlfriend was the star of Naomi’s life. She had many issues to deal with I. Her relationship to Caleb, but her fantasy world and over concern with the past consumed her. The ending was great to see the tables turned by Rosemary.

Messed up!!

I have a rule about finishing books, so I stayed with it, but this book was messed up. The situation was creepy and demented and just messed up. not a book I will share. but very well written if the topic wasn't so disturbing.