A Novel Obsession

A Novel

By: Caitlin Barasch

Narrated by: Kristen Sieh

Length: 10 hrs and 7 mins

Publisher's summary

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.

©2022 Caitlin Barasch (P)2022 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

A Most Anticipated Book of 2022 by BuzzFeed, The Millions, Goodreads, Bustle, BookRiot, and The Nerd Daily

"Barasch has a talent for balancing discomfort and empathy, pushing the reader away and pulling them right back.... The characters are emotionally engaging, beckoning you to rubberneck the inevitable train wreck." —Associated Press

"Wow, if you’re looking for a great book you’ll be instantly obsessed with, A Novel Obsession hits the nail on the head—in both title and story.... I couldn’t put this book down. It became a page-turner on my commute to work (both ways) and there won’t be another one like it.... It’s so spicy." —New York Post

Quick Read

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

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.

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.

Amazing audio performance

….and great book. Really enjoyed this. So well done. Loved the characters and well-crafted suspense.

Addicting Shocking,

Relateable story, we are all a little like Naomi, weather we like it or not. Didn’t put down. Like binge watching a good Netflix show and hoping for a second season

Amazing story!

I was truly breathless on the edge of my seat throughout the entire story! The voice actor is amazing, as well! I highly recommend this book! Read it before it inevitably gets optioned for a movie or tv series 🤝

I can’t believe I stuck with it

Wow. I cannot tell you how many times I thought about dropping out of this book. The protagonist is such a narcissist. There is so little about her that is likable or redeemable. The narration is great. The story is not.

Skip to the last chapter

The protagonist is narcissistic and obsessed with her boy friends ex. That’s all you need to know until the last chapter, where the conclusion is just “ok”

Wanted to love but hated it

This book was more character-themed which I love in some stories but there was absolutely no climax. It went on and on about the character, who was not very likable to begin with. And then... the characters develop me character that are reflections of themselves.. I just can't