Can't Take My Eyes Off You

by Clare Dowling

From bestselling author Clare Dowling comes a fabulous new novel full of wit, warmth and wisdom.Clara's been away for too long. So, after ten great years in London, and with boyfriend Matthew in tow, she arrives home in small-town Castlemoy. The family welcomes her with open her diet-shy mother, her closet-living sister and her actor brother who scratches a living doing voiceover ads for chicken. Not everyone is delighted to see her, though. Jason, her long-ago ex, seems to have old scores to settle. Soon Clara finds herself being watched, followed and manipulated from afar. How can she make him stop? And as Clara's dreams of happily-ever-after begin to shatter, will she be able to wrestle her life back?

352 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2013

About the author

Clare Dowling is a screenwriter and bestselling author. She's had many jobs, including as an actress, a waitress and a legal secretary before turning to writing full-time. She's had eleven novels published, and she also writes scripts for television. She lives in Dublin with her family.

Reviews

[Sue Lilley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this. It was a bit of a slow-burn but the characters were entertaining enough to keep me interested. The story line was very easy-going but then took an unexpected darker turn. A satisfying read.

[max ☆ · Rating 1 out of 5]

i regret every penny that went into this book

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first book I have read by Clare Dowling, she is one of those authors I just never got round to reading. So when I was sent a copy of her new book from the publishers to review I was really looking forward to it.

From never reading any other of Clare's books, I am unsure of her style and the pace her books take. I found it a bit tricky to get into as not a lot of was happening.

This is a story about Clara, who moves back to her home town in Ireland with her boyfriend. Clara's ex still lives there and she catches his interest straight away. Jason, the ex seems to begin to be supportive and pleased that Clara has moved back and tries to help her new business take off, but all is not as it seems.

I thought that the book covers a lot about Clara's family and background stories and not enough on Jason and his developing obsession with Clara. This I felt should have been the main focus of the story.

Personally I think that Clare Dowling has taken on more than enough in this book, she has tried to cover large issues based with obsession, health issues and stalking as well as others and I feel that these should perhaps been addressed as separate issues in different books.

I would say this is not your average chick lit book and if you are looking for something a bit more meaty then this could be for you. I would have given the book 3 and a half stars if I could have as I feel that the main story line (obsession with an ex) wasn't covered as well as it could have been. I also felt that perhaps there were too many issues going on in the book for you to draw a clear connection with the characters and actually feel for them.

I would like to thank the publisher for sending me this in exchange for an honest review.

[Anireg · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was expecting intense stalking from Jason. However, his stalking skills kinda dismayed me. The plot mostly focused on Anita's diabetic struggle and Roisin's gay life. This book has sense of humor, and loads of Brit-English words (of course, the setting's in Europe). Overall, I enjoyed spending sleepless nights with this book! Definitely worth my reading time!

[Samantha Bee · Rating 4 out of 5]

First book I've read of Clare Dowling and will probably read more. It's was your usual chic lit and maybe a bit predictable but if you read chic list that's what you come to expect. Maybe more could have been made of the stalking bit, but at the end of the day it's a chic lit not a thriller.

[Lauren Jackman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this book

Wasn't a normal chick book had a bit more substance to it with the stalking that takes place . The end part was slightly rushed.

Loved Anita s character

Would read more by Dowling

[Angela Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great reading! I couldn't put it down about halfway through. :)

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Couldn't not put this book down, good plot - keeping you in suspense whilst being very funny

[Lls · Rating 1 out of 5]

blech....predictable....

[Bonnie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book as an easy read. However I think it has a bit of an identity crisis.. is it chick lit or a thriller? Turns out to be a weak mix of both.

[Lesley Halliday · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice easy happy chick book

[Tiina · Rating 1 out of 5]

The main character took such a long time to realize what was happening that it was unbelievable. She was a wimp and irritating to follow her make all kinds of mistakes. Blergh.

[Colette O'meara]

Another enjoyable read from this one of my favourite authors.