Possible Clues:

• Powerless to grasp snub of utterly absorbing read
• Powerless to defend humiliating remark? Enthralling
• Like gripping book lacking capacity to include crushing remark
• (Of a book) totally engrossing
• Finished in one sitting? Novel you reportedly pan wouldn't be
• Not at all susceptible to gibes like 16 across, if absorbing
• Gripping
• Of a book, too absorbing to be set aside
• Riveting not strong enough to hold post in lower position
• How book reviewer might describe 'The Cutest Dog the Vet Had Ever Seen'?