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You #3
Você Me Ama
Joe Goldberg está cansado de cidades grandes. Cansado da sujeira, da falsidade e de sua ex, Love. Agora, tudo que ele quer é ficar perto da natureza e das coisas simples da vida em uma ilha pitoresca perto de Seattle. Pela primeira vez em muito tempo, Joe finalmente consegue respirar.
Mexendo os pauzinhos, ele arranja um cargo como voluntário em uma biblioteca local. Afinal, se tem uma coisa de que ele entende são livros. É lá que Joe a conhece: Mary Kay DiMarco. Bibliotecária. Gentil. Sexy.
Mas Joe não quer se aproximar muito, não quer ficar obcecado... Sua intenção é conquistá-la à moda antiga, sendo um cavalheiro, um amigo, alguém em quem ela pode confiar. Talvez assim, com o tempo, eles possam curar suas feridas e finalmente ter um "felizes para sempre" naquela ilha pacata.
Só há um problema. Mary Kay já tem uma vida. Tem uma filha. Tem amigos. Ela é... uma mulher ocupada.
Mas Joe sabe que o amor verdadeiro não acontece do dia para a noite. Ele já se ajeitou e está pronto para ser um homem bom. Agora, tudo que precisa fazer é convencer Mary Kay, com o incentivo certo e um empurrãozinho, a se livrar dos empecilhos e abrir um espaço para ele em sua vida.
Mexendo os pauzinhos, ele arranja um cargo como voluntário em uma biblioteca local. Afinal, se tem uma coisa de que ele entende são livros. É lá que Joe a conhece: Mary Kay DiMarco. Bibliotecária. Gentil. Sexy.
Mas Joe não quer se aproximar muito, não quer ficar obcecado... Sua intenção é conquistá-la à moda antiga, sendo um cavalheiro, um amigo, alguém em quem ela pode confiar. Talvez assim, com o tempo, eles possam curar suas feridas e finalmente ter um "felizes para sempre" naquela ilha pacata.
Só há um problema. Mary Kay já tem uma vida. Tem uma filha. Tem amigos. Ela é... uma mulher ocupada.
Mas Joe sabe que o amor verdadeiro não acontece do dia para a noite. Ele já se ajeitou e está pronto para ser um homem bom. Agora, tudo que precisa fazer é convencer Mary Kay, com o incentivo certo e um empurrãozinho, a se livrar dos empecilhos e abrir um espaço para ele em sua vida.
384 pages, Paperback
First published April 6, 2021
1958 people are currently reading
57535 people want to read
About the author
Caroline Kepnes
27 books14.1k followersCaroline Kepnes is the New York Times bestselling author of You, Hidden Bodies, Providence and...
You Love Me. Publishing in the US on Aril 6, 2021
(You know You Netflix? That's based on my Joe Goldberg books! You can read You3 before Season 3)
Her work has been translated into a multitude of languages and inspired a television series adaptation of You, currently on Netflix. Kepnes graduated from Brown University and then worked as a pop culture journalist for Entertainment Weekly and a TV writer for 7th Heaven and The Secret Life of the American Teenager. She grew up on Cape Cod, and now lives in Los Angeles.
You Love Me. Publishing in the US on Aril 6, 2021
(You know You Netflix? That's based on my Joe Goldberg books! You can read You3 before Season 3)
Her work has been translated into a multitude of languages and inspired a television series adaptation of You, currently on Netflix. Kepnes graduated from Brown University and then worked as a pop culture journalist for Entertainment Weekly and a TV writer for 7th Heaven and The Secret Life of the American Teenager. She grew up on Cape Cod, and now lives in Los Angeles.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 4,652 reviews
December 21, 2022
My jaw dropped, my mind is blown, eyes are popped out of my head.
Silence. Sigh. Silence. More sigh.
No words can be enough to define how I felt about this book. Keeping my big mouth shut and calm down my extra hyped mind might be the most challenging things in my life right now!
I don’t want to give any spoiler! I’m not a despicable party pooper! I mostly give away too much when I write reviews but this time giving spoilers will also mean to talk about whole entire season of one of the most rated, anticipated and popular ( definitely well-deserved) series!
I can only talk about my comparisons this book with two previous ones by telling you: THIS IS SO FAR THE BEST BOOK OF THE SERIES!
Do you know why?
This was the saddest and most heartbreaking book of the series. Joe is always a “fire starter”: he involved in people’s lives, lighting a match, illuminating their hypocrisy because most of them flawed, emotionally disturbed and acting like honorable people but actually they are not so different from Joe. In fact they are worst and sometimes you think you nearly deserved what happened to them! And as soon as he throws away the match, naturally some of them gets burned or deeply hurt.
This time the people Joe got involved are more broken, resentful, self destructive; they don’t belong to a big city, living their lives in a small island of Pacific Island which made them feel like more trapped, miserable, regretful.
Joe moves to this cozy island, after leaving his adventurous lives in big Apple and city of Mr. Morningstar, having a big, lovely house, volunteered job in library. You ask “how”, I just shrug, zipping my lips. You gotta read and learn if he quit his full time daddy job!!!!!!
This time we meet with another face of Joe: the wiser, more mature, patient, less obsessive ( just a little bit) trying to control his urges, his impulsive manners, being a better man who learned from his mistakes. Too many RIPs later, he is cautious. Maybe for the first time he really fell in love and maybe for the first time he found a better woman ( Beck was insecure cheater and Love is... well, love is inspiration of the song: what’s love gotta do with it, who needs a sociopathic girlfriend when Joe’s heart is already broken! )
Yes, Joe doesn’t have great track to find ideal women to spend his life. So let’s already give her name MK, a librarian, mother of 17 years old Meerkat ( not the real one, that’s the nickname Joe gave it to her), intellectual, people pleaser, emotionally insecure, wearing short skirts, flirting with Joe by sharing his beef-broccoli but their push and pull kind of daily banters and way too much high chemistry are not enough for them to form an intimate bounding.
Why? Of course Mr. Goldberg keeps his secrets which prevent him to ride into the sunset with his love of his life. But this time her new woman has more obstacles to start a relationship with him. As a result: Joe needs to get action to terminate those obstacles one by one. But he shall not kill or hurt anyone! He has new principles, new rules. Is he closer to get his HEA? Of course not! Everything comes with price in his life. He lights another match to brighten depressed lives of small town’s people and now his fire can burn the whole place to the ground.
I loved this book because:
That’s the most enjoyable ride to be inside Joe’s mind: he’s still disturbed, obsessed, sarcastic, criticizer of popular culture but he is still ugly honest, straightforward, direct because he knows himself, what he’s capable of and he already made peace with his inner monster.
Ms.Kepnes achieved something impossible. She made us empathize with a very dangerous, disturbed man. Yes, he killed, he stalked, he destroyed, he lied. But we still witness his never ending inner fight, facing his demons and we cannot hate him. Actually we start to like him. It’s dangerous line to root for a very disturbed man who can put you on fire and destroy lives to save himself but at each book we cross our fingers and whispering our prays for him to get rid of those complex situations he created at first hand by obsessing troubled women. And interestingly we want to see him settle, burying his past demons. But he’s trouble magnet: even though he changes himself and bring out his goodness by beating his inner vicious monster, the people around him never let him move on with his life. There will be always loss and casualties...
My warnings about this book:
You will get shocked, entertained, scared, shaken to the core! There are unexpected twists, shocking moments you never ever see it coming. I foresaw some of them but the final twist backstabbed me! I still cannot move, giving blank looks to my computer, seeing my horrifying face reminds you of a middle age woman suffer from too much Botox injection.
No more words! I’m giving entire stars of galaxy or rename a planet as Kepnes! This book is beyond five starred reading!
And I’m the lucky cow who had the brightest chance to win a reviewer copy!
Million thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for sharing this special reviewer copy of this incredible book with me in exchange my honest thoughts.
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Silence. Sigh. Silence. More sigh.
No words can be enough to define how I felt about this book. Keeping my big mouth shut and calm down my extra hyped mind might be the most challenging things in my life right now!
I don’t want to give any spoiler! I’m not a despicable party pooper! I mostly give away too much when I write reviews but this time giving spoilers will also mean to talk about whole entire season of one of the most rated, anticipated and popular ( definitely well-deserved) series!
I can only talk about my comparisons this book with two previous ones by telling you: THIS IS SO FAR THE BEST BOOK OF THE SERIES!
Do you know why?
This was the saddest and most heartbreaking book of the series. Joe is always a “fire starter”: he involved in people’s lives, lighting a match, illuminating their hypocrisy because most of them flawed, emotionally disturbed and acting like honorable people but actually they are not so different from Joe. In fact they are worst and sometimes you think you nearly deserved what happened to them! And as soon as he throws away the match, naturally some of them gets burned or deeply hurt.
This time the people Joe got involved are more broken, resentful, self destructive; they don’t belong to a big city, living their lives in a small island of Pacific Island which made them feel like more trapped, miserable, regretful.
Joe moves to this cozy island, after leaving his adventurous lives in big Apple and city of Mr. Morningstar, having a big, lovely house, volunteered job in library. You ask “how”, I just shrug, zipping my lips. You gotta read and learn if he quit his full time daddy job!!!!!!
This time we meet with another face of Joe: the wiser, more mature, patient, less obsessive ( just a little bit) trying to control his urges, his impulsive manners, being a better man who learned from his mistakes. Too many RIPs later, he is cautious. Maybe for the first time he really fell in love and maybe for the first time he found a better woman ( Beck was insecure cheater and Love is... well, love is inspiration of the song: what’s love gotta do with it, who needs a sociopathic girlfriend when Joe’s heart is already broken! )
Yes, Joe doesn’t have great track to find ideal women to spend his life. So let’s already give her name MK, a librarian, mother of 17 years old Meerkat ( not the real one, that’s the nickname Joe gave it to her), intellectual, people pleaser, emotionally insecure, wearing short skirts, flirting with Joe by sharing his beef-broccoli but their push and pull kind of daily banters and way too much high chemistry are not enough for them to form an intimate bounding.
Why? Of course Mr. Goldberg keeps his secrets which prevent him to ride into the sunset with his love of his life. But this time her new woman has more obstacles to start a relationship with him. As a result: Joe needs to get action to terminate those obstacles one by one. But he shall not kill or hurt anyone! He has new principles, new rules. Is he closer to get his HEA? Of course not! Everything comes with price in his life. He lights another match to brighten depressed lives of small town’s people and now his fire can burn the whole place to the ground.
I loved this book because:
That’s the most enjoyable ride to be inside Joe’s mind: he’s still disturbed, obsessed, sarcastic, criticizer of popular culture but he is still ugly honest, straightforward, direct because he knows himself, what he’s capable of and he already made peace with his inner monster.
Ms.Kepnes achieved something impossible. She made us empathize with a very dangerous, disturbed man. Yes, he killed, he stalked, he destroyed, he lied. But we still witness his never ending inner fight, facing his demons and we cannot hate him. Actually we start to like him. It’s dangerous line to root for a very disturbed man who can put you on fire and destroy lives to save himself but at each book we cross our fingers and whispering our prays for him to get rid of those complex situations he created at first hand by obsessing troubled women. And interestingly we want to see him settle, burying his past demons. But he’s trouble magnet: even though he changes himself and bring out his goodness by beating his inner vicious monster, the people around him never let him move on with his life. There will be always loss and casualties...
My warnings about this book:
You will get shocked, entertained, scared, shaken to the core! There are unexpected twists, shocking moments you never ever see it coming. I foresaw some of them but the final twist backstabbed me! I still cannot move, giving blank looks to my computer, seeing my horrifying face reminds you of a middle age woman suffer from too much Botox injection.
No more words! I’m giving entire stars of galaxy or rename a planet as Kepnes! This book is beyond five starred reading!
And I’m the lucky cow who had the brightest chance to win a reviewer copy!
Million thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for sharing this special reviewer copy of this incredible book with me in exchange my honest thoughts.
February 13, 2021
I read You seven years ago, and gave it four stars. I read Hidden Bodies four years ago, and gave it three stars. I'm, unfortunately, giving You Love Me two stars.
Were all the books like this one? If so, my taste has definitely changed over the years, because Joe's constant, rambling stream-of-consciousness drove me batty. I don't remember the internal dialogue being quite so dense in the earlier works as it was in this latest offering from Caroline Kepnes. I also don't remember Joe being so, well...annoying.
When I picked up my Kindle, this wasn't a story I was inclined to binge read. Joe's never-ending labeling of the other characters as "rat," or "meerkat," or "mothballs," became altogether tiresome...just like his ceaseless prefacing of the characters who died in the previous novels with an RIP before their names. Cute and quirky at first...and then grating. And dude, please quit calling a specific lady bit a "lemonhead." Just...ewww.
I also found this book to be quite slow. This was not a psychological thriller so much as a domestic drama. And I won't even get into all the implausibilities, because my review would be twenty paragraphs long.
The conclusion...ye Gods. Really? Endless pages of rambling dialogue...and for that? Are you kidding me right now, Caroline Kepnes? Suffice it to say, I expected more. This book was a disappointment for me on just about every level. Nothing worked. Everything seemed overly contrived and, frankly, quite silly.
I won't be recommending this one. Hopefully the screenwriters for the show are able to salvage this mess.
Available April 6, 2021
Despite my lackluster review, I'd like to thank to Random House and NetGalley for my review copy.
Were all the books like this one? If so, my taste has definitely changed over the years, because Joe's constant, rambling stream-of-consciousness drove me batty. I don't remember the internal dialogue being quite so dense in the earlier works as it was in this latest offering from Caroline Kepnes. I also don't remember Joe being so, well...annoying.
When I picked up my Kindle, this wasn't a story I was inclined to binge read. Joe's never-ending labeling of the other characters as "rat," or "meerkat," or "mothballs," became altogether tiresome...just like his ceaseless prefacing of the characters who died in the previous novels with an RIP before their names. Cute and quirky at first...and then grating. And dude, please quit calling a specific lady bit a "lemonhead." Just...ewww.
I also found this book to be quite slow. This was not a psychological thriller so much as a domestic drama. And I won't even get into all the implausibilities, because my review would be twenty paragraphs long.
The conclusion...ye Gods. Really? Endless pages of rambling dialogue...and for that? Are you kidding me right now, Caroline Kepnes? Suffice it to say, I expected more. This book was a disappointment for me on just about every level. Nothing worked. Everything seemed overly contrived and, frankly, quite silly.
I won't be recommending this one. Hopefully the screenwriters for the show are able to salvage this mess.
Available April 6, 2021
Despite my lackluster review, I'd like to thank to Random House and NetGalley for my review copy.
April 6, 2021
NOW AVAILABLE!
Hello, hey Joe. You wanna give love another go?
See what I did there? 🤣
Anyhoo...
Joe Goldberg is back in written form! In this third installment of the YOU series, we learn that his relationship with Love (the person) didn’t work out. Now, he’s moved on to the outskirts of Seattle, and has his eye on Mary Kay. She’s sexy, and she’s a librarian to boot. She’s perfect for Joe. He prepares to woo her and make her fall in love with him, because he deserves it. All Joe ever wants is to love and be loved, and find his soulmate. He won’t let anything (or anyone) get in the way of pinning down the woman of his dreams.
As anyone who is familiar with the the book series and TV series knows, Joe is a man you hate to love. He’s deeply psychotic, but you can’t help rooting for him. That continues to be the case here, and author Caroline Kepnes does a superb job of making him sympathetic...and making us feel crazy for feeling that way about him. Oh, and the cliffhangers...I forgot how well she utilizes those at the end of chapters. Some of them gave me massive anxiety, and I had no choice but to dive into the next chapter.
It took me a little longer than I expected to get back into the writing style of these books since I read the first two installments years ago...and have gotten used to the flow of the TV series. I love how dark (and darkly humorous) it is inside Joe’s mind. However, some things didn’t sit well with me. For example, repeatedly calling part of a woman’s anatomy a lemonhead made me cringe. 🤮 I think the long, drawn out climax could’ve benefited from a bigger OMG moment than what is written.
Overall, this is a highly entertaining and welcome return to Joe and the YOU-verse, and I can’t wait to see where the story goes next.
Thank you to Random House, Caroline Kepnes, and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Hello, hey Joe. You wanna give love another go?
See what I did there? 🤣
Anyhoo...
Joe Goldberg is back in written form! In this third installment of the YOU series, we learn that his relationship with Love (the person) didn’t work out. Now, he’s moved on to the outskirts of Seattle, and has his eye on Mary Kay. She’s sexy, and she’s a librarian to boot. She’s perfect for Joe. He prepares to woo her and make her fall in love with him, because he deserves it. All Joe ever wants is to love and be loved, and find his soulmate. He won’t let anything (or anyone) get in the way of pinning down the woman of his dreams.
As anyone who is familiar with the the book series and TV series knows, Joe is a man you hate to love. He’s deeply psychotic, but you can’t help rooting for him. That continues to be the case here, and author Caroline Kepnes does a superb job of making him sympathetic...and making us feel crazy for feeling that way about him. Oh, and the cliffhangers...I forgot how well she utilizes those at the end of chapters. Some of them gave me massive anxiety, and I had no choice but to dive into the next chapter.
It took me a little longer than I expected to get back into the writing style of these books since I read the first two installments years ago...and have gotten used to the flow of the TV series. I love how dark (and darkly humorous) it is inside Joe’s mind. However, some things didn’t sit well with me. For example, repeatedly calling part of a woman’s anatomy a lemonhead made me cringe. 🤮 I think the long, drawn out climax could’ve benefited from a bigger OMG moment than what is written.
Overall, this is a highly entertaining and welcome return to Joe and the YOU-verse, and I can’t wait to see where the story goes next.
Thank you to Random House, Caroline Kepnes, and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
January 22, 2021
This is going to be a real, brutally honest review. So please be aware of that.
If you'd like to see me praising the first two, please visit my 5 star reviews for You and Hidden Bodies, because this review will sadly be nothing like those two.
Spoilers will be tagged.
Okay, so right away I was ready to fall back in love with Joe. He's my favorite literary character of all time, and I kind of thought he could do no wrong. Okay, Caroline Kepnes could do no wrong because he was flawless in the first two books.
Well, boy was I wrong. This book was just not it. Not even close. And that breaks my heart because I can't even describe how much I love the first two. I've read them each maybe 5 times each? More?
Here's where it went wrong for me:
The beginning. Instantly I was like ummm this is the storyline we're getting? Really?
BUT DESPITE THAT FACT, I still gave it a chance because it was Joe Goldberg. I had my reservations the entire time but I was still powering through it, even if it was missing the humor and wit I was used to. (Seriously, I expected to LOL so many times and it didn't happen.)
So despite the flawed beginning, I kept going. I learned about this new woman he was in love with, Mary Kay. She had a daughter, was the owner of a library... great. Not very exciting but okay, that's the path Joe is going down and I'll follow it.
But NOTHING HAPPENED. I feel like I can't even critique this book without spoiling everything. It just wasn't good. It felt like a different author. There was no comedy, no repertoire. It was a million pages of Joe's inner monologue that wasn't even entertaining. What happened?!? This took me forever to finish. I actually put it down for a few days because I was not interested in the slightest. I didn't care what happened to Joe, to Mary Kay, to his future.
And here's where I realllly rip it apart:
I can't even write this without spoiling because there was so much that was just so wrong!
W H Y?
Why are people rating this so high? I don't get it. I don't get it at all. Yes I'm pulling this one out of my back pocket: DID WE READ THE SAME BOOK???
Also because I'm the worst person alive, these are the buzzwords I noticed throughout the book that needed to be cut out. And it shows how many times she used them. Catty? Yes. But I can't help notice when authors use repetitive words to the point that it gets annoying. EDIT THAT SHIT OUT.
Meerkat - 149
Murakami - 28
Fecal Eyed - 38
Mothball - 38
If you'd like to see me praising the first two, please visit my 5 star reviews for You and Hidden Bodies, because this review will sadly be nothing like those two.
Spoilers will be tagged.
Okay, so right away I was ready to fall back in love with Joe. He's my favorite literary character of all time, and I kind of thought he could do no wrong. Okay, Caroline Kepnes could do no wrong because he was flawless in the first two books.
Well, boy was I wrong. This book was just not it. Not even close. And that breaks my heart because I can't even describe how much I love the first two. I've read them each maybe 5 times each? More?
Here's where it went wrong for me:
The beginning. Instantly I was like ummm this is the storyline we're getting? Really?
BUT DESPITE THAT FACT, I still gave it a chance because it was Joe Goldberg. I had my reservations the entire time but I was still powering through it, even if it was missing the humor and wit I was used to. (Seriously, I expected to LOL so many times and it didn't happen.)
So despite the flawed beginning, I kept going. I learned about this new woman he was in love with, Mary Kay. She had a daughter, was the owner of a library... great. Not very exciting but okay, that's the path Joe is going down and I'll follow it.
But NOTHING HAPPENED. I feel like I can't even critique this book without spoiling everything. It just wasn't good. It felt like a different author. There was no comedy, no repertoire. It was a million pages of Joe's inner monologue that wasn't even entertaining. What happened?!? This took me forever to finish. I actually put it down for a few days because I was not interested in the slightest. I didn't care what happened to Joe, to Mary Kay, to his future.
And here's where I realllly rip it apart:
I can't even write this without spoiling because there was so much that was just so wrong!
W H Y?
Why are people rating this so high? I don't get it. I don't get it at all. Yes I'm pulling this one out of my back pocket: DID WE READ THE SAME BOOK???
Also because I'm the worst person alive, these are the buzzwords I noticed throughout the book that needed to be cut out. And it shows how many times she used them. Catty? Yes. But I can't help notice when authors use repetitive words to the point that it gets annoying. EDIT THAT SHIT OUT.
Meerkat - 149
Murakami - 28
Fecal Eyed - 38
Mothball - 38
April 12, 2021
3.5 stars
I love this book series and I love reading about Joe Goldberg, his character fascinates me. The first book You will probably always be my favorite, nothing can beat the magic of that book. I wasn’t a huge fan of Hidden Bodies, and while this book was definitely an improvement over the last book, it doesn’t live up to the magic that was the first book. But I still had a good time with this one, I love that it takes place in the PNW, but Mary Kay and some of the characters kind of drove me nuts 😅 But I’m excited to continue on in the series.
Here’s the reading vlog where I read this book: https://youtu.be/QByD-7NKM_8
I love this book series and I love reading about Joe Goldberg, his character fascinates me. The first book You will probably always be my favorite, nothing can beat the magic of that book. I wasn’t a huge fan of Hidden Bodies, and while this book was definitely an improvement over the last book, it doesn’t live up to the magic that was the first book. But I still had a good time with this one, I love that it takes place in the PNW, but Mary Kay and some of the characters kind of drove me nuts 😅 But I’m excited to continue on in the series.
Here’s the reading vlog where I read this book: https://youtu.be/QByD-7NKM_8
October 12, 2020
Joe Goldeberg is back and better than ever. He's recently moved to a small island off the coast of Washington State, living a quiet life, and trying to be the nice guy that he knows he can be. He decides to volunteer at the local library where he meets Mary Kay the head librarian and total fox. There are some roadblocks for him to navigate in order to win the heart of the woman he deserves but make no mistake about it, he does deserve her. Mary Kay may need some convincing but Joe is a patient man that always gets what he wants.
This book was a hoot and I still love Joe and his hilarious musings. I don't tend to read many *series* but this one is so damn good. This particular installment was nearly as good as the first. I was so happy when I turned the last page and realized that this isn't the last we'll be hearing from Joe. Bring it on, Kepnes, BRING IT ON!!!! 4.5 stars!
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House who were kind enough to grant my *wish* to read this ARC.
This book was a hoot and I still love Joe and his hilarious musings. I don't tend to read many *series* but this one is so damn good. This particular installment was nearly as good as the first. I was so happy when I turned the last page and realized that this isn't the last we'll be hearing from Joe. Bring it on, Kepnes, BRING IT ON!!!! 4.5 stars!
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House who were kind enough to grant my *wish* to read this ARC.
July 29, 2021
Thanks, Caroline Kepnes! You've given the people what they want - another fun ride on the Merry-Joe-Round.
After a bit of a misfire with the non-Youverse "Providence," Kepnes returns to life inside the mind of Joe Goldberg. The third installment in the series, "You Love Me," picks up where "Hidden Bodies" left off. It also happily returns to the second person point of view after "Bodies" used the commonplace first person. Hooray!
"It's a free country, it's a small island, so I keep strolling, as people do sometimes. I turn onto your street and then into your yard - we're 'Friends,' we pop by - and I enter through the side door - you didn't lock it, tsk tsk..."
The "you" Joe is speaking to in his head this time around is a librarian named Mary Kay, who is older, wiser, but just as Foxy as Beck and Love (his previous objects of obsession). He's left L.A. behind for the much more chill Seattle area, and he just knows (with typical Joe-level psychotic confidence) that Mary Kay is the key to him settling down as a family man. There are obstacles, naturally, but he knows they can be overcome.
Mary Kay does make for a refreshing object of affection, in that she's in her forties and has a daughter that's a high school senior. It's honestly a pleasure to see a woman in this demographic being depicted as desirable. But other than that, I personally didn't warm to her all that much. I don't think that matters though, as I don't think Kepnes tries to convince readers that Joe wants what he wants for rationale, relatable reasons. It's Joe's world, and we just live in it.
At 400 pages, "You Love Me" is the shortest in the series, but it did take me an unusually long time to get through it. I chalk this up to wanting to savor every word of Kepnes's unique writing style. "I scribble lies on my notepad - my bullshit words are sticks that will hurt you - and the last two are stones. Love, Joe."
Do you love (to hate) Joe? Then you'll love this book. Even if it treads familiar ground and has more than its share of moments where you have to suspend disbelief, you get a heaping helping of the cray that you've been craving.
HUGE thanks to Penguin Random House and the author for gifting me an uncorrected proof for review via NetGalley. You Love Me is now available.
Blog: www.confettibookshelf.com
After a bit of a misfire with the non-Youverse "Providence," Kepnes returns to life inside the mind of Joe Goldberg. The third installment in the series, "You Love Me," picks up where "Hidden Bodies" left off. It also happily returns to the second person point of view after "Bodies" used the commonplace first person. Hooray!
"It's a free country, it's a small island, so I keep strolling, as people do sometimes. I turn onto your street and then into your yard - we're 'Friends,' we pop by - and I enter through the side door - you didn't lock it, tsk tsk..."
The "you" Joe is speaking to in his head this time around is a librarian named Mary Kay, who is older, wiser, but just as Foxy as Beck and Love (his previous objects of obsession). He's left L.A. behind for the much more chill Seattle area, and he just knows (with typical Joe-level psychotic confidence) that Mary Kay is the key to him settling down as a family man. There are obstacles, naturally, but he knows they can be overcome.
Mary Kay does make for a refreshing object of affection, in that she's in her forties and has a daughter that's a high school senior. It's honestly a pleasure to see a woman in this demographic being depicted as desirable. But other than that, I personally didn't warm to her all that much. I don't think that matters though, as I don't think Kepnes tries to convince readers that Joe wants what he wants for rationale, relatable reasons. It's Joe's world, and we just live in it.
At 400 pages, "You Love Me" is the shortest in the series, but it did take me an unusually long time to get through it. I chalk this up to wanting to savor every word of Kepnes's unique writing style. "I scribble lies on my notepad - my bullshit words are sticks that will hurt you - and the last two are stones. Love, Joe."
Do you love (to hate) Joe? Then you'll love this book. Even if it treads familiar ground and has more than its share of moments where you have to suspend disbelief, you get a heaping helping of the cray that you've been craving.
HUGE thanks to Penguin Random House and the author for gifting me an uncorrected proof for review via NetGalley. You Love Me is now available.
Blog: www.confettibookshelf.com
April 16, 2024
Convening an official meeting of the bookworm committee.
Hi all. How ya doing. Janice, how's that reading slump, shake that off yet? Shirley, don't even look at me, if we so much as make eye contact we're going to talk about the new TJR book and it will only upset us both...Jeanine! How the hell are ya! What's new in the world of Scandinavian detective stories? Most murders still due to being bored to death? I kid, I kid.
Alright, everybody, enough joshing around.
I called this meeting for...a serious reason.
I need you to revoke my bookworm card.
(Gasp from the crowd!)
I know. I never wanted it to be this way. But I've wronged this group. I have done the unthinkable. And I respect you all too goddamn much to keep lying to you.
I...I...I think there's an adaptation that's better than the book.
(Gasp from the crowd, again! Someone faints!)
Even worse: I think there's a series of novels with a corresponding TV show in which the TV show has made substantial changes, and not only are the changes for the better, but TV in general is a better medium for the story than a book.
(Everyone drops their glasses in unison!)
I am so sorry for the pain I have caused. I will be listening, and doing a notes app apology, and any other white-man-waiting-for-forgiveness strategies I can think of.
I appreciate your understanding in these unprecedented times.
Bottom line: I'm disappointed too!
-----------------
pre-review
the tragedy of this series is that it's doomed to kill off its most interesting characters.
and the tragedy of me is i keep reading.
review to come / 2.5ish stars
-----------------
currently-reading updates
if this doesn't break me out of my slump, what will
-----------------
tbr review
how are you supposed to feel when one of your all time favorite thrillers becomes a surprise trilogy but you didn't really like the sequel?
if the answer is "completely forget it's even happening until it's already been out for four months," i'm on track.
Hi all. How ya doing. Janice, how's that reading slump, shake that off yet? Shirley, don't even look at me, if we so much as make eye contact we're going to talk about the new TJR book and it will only upset us both...Jeanine! How the hell are ya! What's new in the world of Scandinavian detective stories? Most murders still due to being bored to death? I kid, I kid.
Alright, everybody, enough joshing around.
I called this meeting for...a serious reason.
I need you to revoke my bookworm card.
(Gasp from the crowd!)
I know. I never wanted it to be this way. But I've wronged this group. I have done the unthinkable. And I respect you all too goddamn much to keep lying to you.
I...I...I think there's an adaptation that's better than the book.
(Gasp from the crowd, again! Someone faints!)
Even worse: I think there's a series of novels with a corresponding TV show in which the TV show has made substantial changes, and not only are the changes for the better, but TV in general is a better medium for the story than a book.
(Everyone drops their glasses in unison!)
I am so sorry for the pain I have caused. I will be listening, and doing a notes app apology, and any other white-man-waiting-for-forgiveness strategies I can think of.
I appreciate your understanding in these unprecedented times.
Bottom line: I'm disappointed too!
-----------------
pre-review
the tragedy of this series is that it's doomed to kill off its most interesting characters.
and the tragedy of me is i keep reading.
review to come / 2.5ish stars
-----------------
currently-reading updates
if this doesn't break me out of my slump, what will
-----------------
tbr review
how are you supposed to feel when one of your all time favorite thrillers becomes a surprise trilogy but you didn't really like the sequel?
if the answer is "completely forget it's even happening until it's already been out for four months," i'm on track.
May 26, 2021
Everyone’s favourite psychopath returns in a third instalment of the You series.
Having been a huge fan of books 1 and 2 I entered this one with a bit of trepidation, didn’t want it to be spoilt by overkill (pun fully intended)
However Kepnes did a great job at keeping things fresh. Joe definitely still has his unsavoury side, but here he is so much more relatable (at least to me - which might be concerning) at times I even felt bad for the guy!
There is plenty of drama and twists but without spoiling anything, turns out Joe ain’t the only crazy in this town. And he has definitely learnt a lot from his history. But will his history come back to bite him in the ass?
Overall an enjoyable third book and I’m still on board for book 4!
**********************
Ooh a third book?! I'm down for more of Joe and his crazy psychopathic ways!
Having been a huge fan of books 1 and 2 I entered this one with a bit of trepidation, didn’t want it to be spoilt by overkill (pun fully intended)
However Kepnes did a great job at keeping things fresh. Joe definitely still has his unsavoury side, but here he is so much more relatable (at least to me - which might be concerning) at times I even felt bad for the guy!
There is plenty of drama and twists but without spoiling anything, turns out Joe ain’t the only crazy in this town. And he has definitely learnt a lot from his history. But will his history come back to bite him in the ass?
Overall an enjoyable third book and I’m still on board for book 4!
**********************
Ooh a third book?! I'm down for more of Joe and his crazy psychopathic ways!
April 4, 2021
"I moved here because the murder rate is low..."
Joe is back, looking for love, and a crime free community, because you know...Joe is all about safety (and the ladies, and obsession, and stalking)! Joe has moved and is volunteering in a library - it is no bookstore, but he is in his element - plus, the librarian is well, obsession worthy. She is solid, she has a job, a teenage daughter and is also hot. What is not to love?
If you have read the first two books in the series (or watched, You on Netflix) you know Joe's M.O. He thinks A LOT. The reader is privy to his thoughts and in this book, they range from funny to sinister. He is a character that readers love to hate or shall I say readers hate to love. Either way, Joe makes his mark.
"Cedar Grove meets Dexter"
Unfortunately, parts of this book felt too drawn out and slow for me. His love interest, Mary Kay is wishy washy and annoyed me at times. But Joe did not seem to mind so who am I too judge...but I wish she had more oomph. I was so over her going back and forth with her feelings .... I want to be with you...this never happened, I love you.... I cannot do this.... This feels so right.... oops, I did not mean that. Make up your mind woman! But then again, she is dating Joe and he is well... we all know how he is.
So how to rate this book???? While it was slow and drawn out in parts for me, there were parts that really worked and when they worked - the book shined. The second half of the book was better and moved faster for me. Plus, there are some interesting supporting characters and a couple of twists that this reader did not see coming!
What you will see coming is book #4 which I will be on the hunt for. I am torn between 3 and 3.5 stars. This book although slow in parts, is brilliant in other parts.
Thank you to Random House Publishing Group and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
Joe is back, looking for love, and a crime free community, because you know...Joe is all about safety (and the ladies, and obsession, and stalking)! Joe has moved and is volunteering in a library - it is no bookstore, but he is in his element - plus, the librarian is well, obsession worthy. She is solid, she has a job, a teenage daughter and is also hot. What is not to love?
If you have read the first two books in the series (or watched, You on Netflix) you know Joe's M.O. He thinks A LOT. The reader is privy to his thoughts and in this book, they range from funny to sinister. He is a character that readers love to hate or shall I say readers hate to love. Either way, Joe makes his mark.
"Cedar Grove meets Dexter"
Unfortunately, parts of this book felt too drawn out and slow for me. His love interest, Mary Kay is wishy washy and annoyed me at times. But Joe did not seem to mind so who am I too judge...but I wish she had more oomph. I was so over her going back and forth with her feelings .... I want to be with you...this never happened, I love you.... I cannot do this.... This feels so right.... oops, I did not mean that. Make up your mind woman! But then again, she is dating Joe and he is well... we all know how he is.
So how to rate this book???? While it was slow and drawn out in parts for me, there were parts that really worked and when they worked - the book shined. The second half of the book was better and moved faster for me. Plus, there are some interesting supporting characters and a couple of twists that this reader did not see coming!
What you will see coming is book #4 which I will be on the hunt for. I am torn between 3 and 3.5 stars. This book although slow in parts, is brilliant in other parts.
Thank you to Random House Publishing Group and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
August 26, 2021
Oh Joe! I loved you…then I lost you. And I’m not sure we can get that spark back.💁🏻♀️
Joe is ready to start fresh. Perhaps this time a small, quaint town in Northern Washington State. It’s beautiful, serene, a great place for a new beginning.
Fingers crossed, hopefully this time it will work with the stunning Mary Kay. If Joe can just be patient (not his strong suit) perhaps she’ll come around. She must know they were meant to be. Destiny. And nothing can stop Joe…this time!
I absolutely loved book one,You. But sadly, this series has slowly lost its shine. Joe is the psychopath everyone loves and roots for. I hate to say it but I’m growing just a bit tired of him. You lost your Mojo, Joe! It now feels rather forced.
This third installment of the series just didn’t hold my attention. I needed Joe to do something! Anything!
Sorry Joe… but you and I just might be parting ways!😢🤷🏻♀️
A buddy read with Susanne 🤓📚
Posted to: https://books-are-a-girls-best-friend...
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing for granting my wish
Joe is ready to start fresh. Perhaps this time a small, quaint town in Northern Washington State. It’s beautiful, serene, a great place for a new beginning.
Fingers crossed, hopefully this time it will work with the stunning Mary Kay. If Joe can just be patient (not his strong suit) perhaps she’ll come around. She must know they were meant to be. Destiny. And nothing can stop Joe…this time!
I absolutely loved book one,You. But sadly, this series has slowly lost its shine. Joe is the psychopath everyone loves and roots for. I hate to say it but I’m growing just a bit tired of him. You lost your Mojo, Joe! It now feels rather forced.
This third installment of the series just didn’t hold my attention. I needed Joe to do something! Anything!
Sorry Joe… but you and I just might be parting ways!😢🤷🏻♀️
A buddy read with Susanne 🤓📚
Posted to: https://books-are-a-girls-best-friend...
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing for granting my wish
May 4, 2021
2.5 stars
I could not hold my excitement over the upcoming continuation of the YOU series with 2021's You Love Me , but sadly this did not work with me. I didn't love Hidden Bodies, but I loved how season 2 of the Netflix series ended, so I figured that Book 3 might pan out better. I really have a weird fondness for Joe Goldberg, but for the most part, this book did nothing for me. I felt that the plot was very recycled comparatively from the first book. The book takes long for the story to develop, but once you hit the last 20% of the book, it picks up. Overall, I still didn't enjoy the ending, but the book did have its moments. I think my time with Joe Goldberg has ended, at least for the book series.
I could not hold my excitement over the upcoming continuation of the YOU series with 2021's You Love Me , but sadly this did not work with me. I didn't love Hidden Bodies, but I loved how season 2 of the Netflix series ended, so I figured that Book 3 might pan out better. I really have a weird fondness for Joe Goldberg, but for the most part, this book did nothing for me. I felt that the plot was very recycled comparatively from the first book. The book takes long for the story to develop, but once you hit the last 20% of the book, it picks up. Overall, I still didn't enjoy the ending, but the book did have its moments. I think my time with Joe Goldberg has ended, at least for the book series.
April 23, 2021
You love me, you love me not...YOU LOVE ME ...and that’s that.
My favourite peeping Joe is bbbaaacckkk!
His latest obsession of course is YOU. YOU go by the name of Mary Kay. Joe is trying to be “a good man” but old habits die hard and YOU drive him to do what he really “doesn’t” want to do, but is natural for him when he sees YOU can’t do what’s good for YOU. And that’s HIM.
Oh Kepnes! YOU clever author, YOU! I would love to have a drink on menopause avenue with YOU.
This did get a little slow for me towards the latter part and didn’t have the same level of awesomeness as the initial story. But, YOU, JOE, remain a memorable character. And I loved the Neflix series too!
4⭐️
My favourite peeping Joe is bbbaaacckkk!
His latest obsession of course is YOU. YOU go by the name of Mary Kay. Joe is trying to be “a good man” but old habits die hard and YOU drive him to do what he really “doesn’t” want to do, but is natural for him when he sees YOU can’t do what’s good for YOU. And that’s HIM.
Oh Kepnes! YOU clever author, YOU! I would love to have a drink on menopause avenue with YOU.
This did get a little slow for me towards the latter part and didn’t have the same level of awesomeness as the initial story. But, YOU, JOE, remain a memorable character. And I loved the Neflix series too!
4⭐️
April 25, 2023
**Many thanks to NetGalley, Random House, and Caroline Kepnes for an ARC of this book! Now available as of 4.6!**
Hypnotic, spellbinding, and as deliciously dark as ever!
Joe Goldberg has followed the sage advice of Baz Luhrmann's "Everybody's Free to Wear Sunscreen:"
Live in New York City once but leave before it makes you hard
Live in California once but leave before it makes you soft
(Okay, it was Northern CA in the song, not Southern CA...but still!)
You Love Me picks up right where Hidden Bodies left off....almost. Joe is no longer entangled with Love, but is still on the quest for the dream woman and itching for the perfect family to call his own. He ends up in Bainbridge, outside of Seattle, and is of course, working in a book filled profession: this time, it's the local library, where he has signed up to volunteer. Mary Kay immediately catches his ever curious eye: she's literate, she's stunning...and NOTHING like hopelessly broken former flames Beck and Love. Finally, an uncomplicated situation. The moment he's been waiting for, a small community he can call his own, and the past BEHIND him. Really. Patience will be key. Finding just the right moments, the right words...he is Mary Kay's other half. And the detritus in her life? Let's just say it won't be a problem for long. But fate has quite a few surprises in store for Joe which take him roughly out of the driver's seat and force him to become a helpless passenger. Will his carefully built house of cards collapse before he can really show Mary Kay how perfect her life could be...and who is that man following HIS every move?
I adore Joe Goldberg. I mean, he drives me crazy, but I absolutely adore him. Kepnes has created one of the most unique, unforgettable, and paradoxical characters in contemporary fiction today, and I spent a lot of this book just reveling in the twisted, snarky, cynical, and enthralling innerworkings of Joe's mind. I've been trying to think on how best to sum him up as a character, and I think (unsurprisingly) it all comes down to language with Joe. His thoughts are almost lyrical and Kepnes' use of wordplay, allusion, and references from everything to random bits of pop culture to callbacks from previous books is enchanting.
Reading Joe's thoughts is almost like reading poetry...written by a psychopath who at the same time often comes across as the decent, well-intentioned man we all sort of WANT him to be...while simultaneously hoping he gets tripped up over and over again. The twisted love-hate relationship the reader has with Joe plays on ALL of your emotions, and I get snagged hook, line, and sinker, every time. While the characters in Hidden Bodies and the overall plot wasn't my favorite, I felt the setting and these characters not only captured my attention, but reminded me of why I fell in love with this series in the first place. Having Penn Badgley's voice in my head while reading only enhances this experience, and I can't think of a better Joe Goldberg to haunt my dreams...or at least to leave me desperate for more!
Perhaps my absolute favorite thing about this book is that it is perfectly clear this isn't the last we will be hearing from Joe, and I am already anxiously awaiting the next installment! I basically dragged out reading this as long as possible because I knew I'd miss him the minute it ended...and Joe? In the famous words of Prince/Sinead O'Connor....no one compares to, well, YOU!
4 ⭐
Hypnotic, spellbinding, and as deliciously dark as ever!
Joe Goldberg has followed the sage advice of Baz Luhrmann's "Everybody's Free to Wear Sunscreen:"
Live in New York City once but leave before it makes you hard
Live in California once but leave before it makes you soft
(Okay, it was Northern CA in the song, not Southern CA...but still!)
You Love Me picks up right where Hidden Bodies left off....almost. Joe is no longer entangled with Love, but is still on the quest for the dream woman and itching for the perfect family to call his own. He ends up in Bainbridge, outside of Seattle, and is of course, working in a book filled profession: this time, it's the local library, where he has signed up to volunteer. Mary Kay immediately catches his ever curious eye: she's literate, she's stunning...and NOTHING like hopelessly broken former flames Beck and Love. Finally, an uncomplicated situation. The moment he's been waiting for, a small community he can call his own, and the past BEHIND him. Really. Patience will be key. Finding just the right moments, the right words...he is Mary Kay's other half. And the detritus in her life? Let's just say it won't be a problem for long. But fate has quite a few surprises in store for Joe which take him roughly out of the driver's seat and force him to become a helpless passenger. Will his carefully built house of cards collapse before he can really show Mary Kay how perfect her life could be...and who is that man following HIS every move?
I adore Joe Goldberg. I mean, he drives me crazy, but I absolutely adore him. Kepnes has created one of the most unique, unforgettable, and paradoxical characters in contemporary fiction today, and I spent a lot of this book just reveling in the twisted, snarky, cynical, and enthralling innerworkings of Joe's mind. I've been trying to think on how best to sum him up as a character, and I think (unsurprisingly) it all comes down to language with Joe. His thoughts are almost lyrical and Kepnes' use of wordplay, allusion, and references from everything to random bits of pop culture to callbacks from previous books is enchanting.
Reading Joe's thoughts is almost like reading poetry...written by a psychopath who at the same time often comes across as the decent, well-intentioned man we all sort of WANT him to be...while simultaneously hoping he gets tripped up over and over again. The twisted love-hate relationship the reader has with Joe plays on ALL of your emotions, and I get snagged hook, line, and sinker, every time. While the characters in Hidden Bodies and the overall plot wasn't my favorite, I felt the setting and these characters not only captured my attention, but reminded me of why I fell in love with this series in the first place. Having Penn Badgley's voice in my head while reading only enhances this experience, and I can't think of a better Joe Goldberg to haunt my dreams...or at least to leave me desperate for more!
Perhaps my absolute favorite thing about this book is that it is perfectly clear this isn't the last we will be hearing from Joe, and I am already anxiously awaiting the next installment! I basically dragged out reading this as long as possible because I knew I'd miss him the minute it ended...and Joe? In the famous words of Prince/Sinead O'Connor....no one compares to, well, YOU!
4 ⭐
February 16, 2022
After absolutely loving You and really enjoying Hidden Bodies, I am sorry to say that this third book turned out to be shockingly bad.
The plot was mostly tedious and repetitive with some outlandish twists sprinkled in. It was the same story all over again - Joe "falls in love" with another damaged self-centered woman and then proceeds to change his personality to be her perfect boyfriend and to remove all obstacles (people) in her life. Only there are two differences from the previous books: 1. This time he doesn't have to kill anyone because all these people are very conveniently removed for him. 2. He's not entertaining and funny anymore which sucks because it was the best element of these books.
I was ready to give this book 3 stars, maybe 2, but the last part and ending came so out of nowhere, and the epilogue was such an obvious preparation for the 4th book which will probably be the exact same story with different people, that I couldn't justify giving it anything more than 1 star. It honestly feels like a quick and sloppy cash grab after the success of the Netflix show, especially considering that the previous book was released many years ago.
I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone, even fans of the series. Just watch the show or read the first two books on audio.
This eARC was provided by Random House via Netgalley.
The plot was mostly tedious and repetitive with some outlandish twists sprinkled in. It was the same story all over again - Joe "falls in love" with another damaged self-centered woman and then proceeds to change his personality to be her perfect boyfriend and to remove all obstacles (people) in her life. Only there are two differences from the previous books: 1. This time he doesn't have to kill anyone because all these people are very conveniently removed for him. 2. He's not entertaining and funny anymore which sucks because it was the best element of these books.
I was ready to give this book 3 stars, maybe 2, but the last part and ending came so out of nowhere, and the epilogue was such an obvious preparation for the 4th book which will probably be the exact same story with different people, that I couldn't justify giving it anything more than 1 star. It honestly feels like a quick and sloppy cash grab after the success of the Netflix show, especially considering that the previous book was released many years ago.
I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone, even fans of the series. Just watch the show or read the first two books on audio.
This eARC was provided by Random House via Netgalley.
January 15, 2021
Joe Goldberg is an amazing protagonist. I absolutely adored the first book in this now-trilogy and was shocked when the sequel had come out; it had done so well that the third will be released next year (I received an early copy thru NetGalley) and I'm certain there will be more. While the debut, You, is my favorite thus far, this is a strong contender and offered a lot to think about. It's been almost two years since the last book, and in between I binge-watched both seasons (it was made into a tv series)... as a result, my memory was a little fuzzy on things that happened in the book vs. tv.
The book has a slightly weird opening: Joe is immediately in 'the hunt' mode again, as he's found another woman he's in love with and must psycho-stalk. I have to admit, the title here is quite apropos given Joe's obsession in the last book was named Love, but she's gone this time... and now MK is his new desire. They work together. She knows a bit of Joe's past, not a lot. He's been in prison for some crimes, now another year older... wiser? Not sure yet! Instead of the glass cage he kept Beck in, he's now built the Whisper Room, a very different type of structure to contain his loves / prisoners. Phew, stay away from this guy; except, he's oddly attractive and really makes you want to love him. If only the victims could truly fall for him and not consider alternative options. They'd be safe, right?
Without giving too much away, the plot is good but a bit too reminiscent the Peach / Beck relationship from book one. The fall-out from the bestie's dislike of Joe is very different, and there is quite a surprise when Joe comes back to his Whisper Room one day. All in all, this is a good follow up to the series. It brings a new level of crazy but the theme is consistent in a nice way. The addition of Joe being a new dad and now a family guy thru his new relationship brings challenges, and I really like how Kepnes incorporated that softer side of Joe. We've seen it before, but this time, it's his own blood on the chopping block.
Writing is solid, but I will admit, it went off in a few tangents which reminded me of other Kepnes books (not in this series) that I struggled with (Providence). But it is minor and keeps pulling you back in. I stayed up late to finish the last half last night... good ending, twists in the last 20 pages, and I'm kinda looking forward to seeing what happens next! Hope you enjoy it...
The book has a slightly weird opening: Joe is immediately in 'the hunt' mode again, as he's found another woman he's in love with and must psycho-stalk. I have to admit, the title here is quite apropos given Joe's obsession in the last book was named Love, but she's gone this time... and now MK is his new desire. They work together. She knows a bit of Joe's past, not a lot. He's been in prison for some crimes, now another year older... wiser? Not sure yet! Instead of the glass cage he kept Beck in, he's now built the Whisper Room, a very different type of structure to contain his loves / prisoners. Phew, stay away from this guy; except, he's oddly attractive and really makes you want to love him. If only the victims could truly fall for him and not consider alternative options. They'd be safe, right?
Without giving too much away, the plot is good but a bit too reminiscent the Peach / Beck relationship from book one. The fall-out from the bestie's dislike of Joe is very different, and there is quite a surprise when Joe comes back to his Whisper Room one day. All in all, this is a good follow up to the series. It brings a new level of crazy but the theme is consistent in a nice way. The addition of Joe being a new dad and now a family guy thru his new relationship brings challenges, and I really like how Kepnes incorporated that softer side of Joe. We've seen it before, but this time, it's his own blood on the chopping block.
Writing is solid, but I will admit, it went off in a few tangents which reminded me of other Kepnes books (not in this series) that I struggled with (Providence). But it is minor and keeps pulling you back in. I stayed up late to finish the last half last night... good ending, twists in the last 20 pages, and I'm kinda looking forward to seeing what happens next! Hope you enjoy it...
June 2, 2021
2.5 stars
I'm so sad about this book. I love Joe! His little stabby stabby self is just the best. Except this book.
Joe has moved on and now he is volunteering in a library in a small town. He has come into a bit of money due to a past 'love'. So he has all kinds of time on his hands. (that might have been why I was bored outta my mind for most of this one.) He sees her in the library and he knows that she is the one.
Mary Kay DiMarco. The married to an aging Rockstar, mother of a teenage girl town librarian. He knows that they are destined to be together.
But holy hell. Joe. What the hell?
Every five minutes you are talking about her lemonhead.
and rats and meerkats and mothballs...good grief.
I'm totally on the fence on this book. I liked it because of Joe. I hated it because at times it was boring and it didn't seem like my Joe.
Will I read the next? Why hell yes.
Booksource: Netgalley in exchange for review.
I'm so sad about this book. I love Joe! His little stabby stabby self is just the best. Except this book.
Joe has moved on and now he is volunteering in a library in a small town. He has come into a bit of money due to a past 'love'. So he has all kinds of time on his hands. (that might have been why I was bored outta my mind for most of this one.) He sees her in the library and he knows that she is the one.
Mary Kay DiMarco. The married to an aging Rockstar, mother of a teenage girl town librarian. He knows that they are destined to be together.
But holy hell. Joe. What the hell?
Every five minutes you are talking about her lemonhead.
and rats and meerkats and mothballs...good grief.
I'm totally on the fence on this book. I liked it because of Joe. I hated it because at times it was boring and it didn't seem like my Joe.
Will I read the next? Why hell yes.
Booksource: Netgalley in exchange for review.
April 22, 2021
Sunny California has lost its luster for psycho stalker Joe, and he has resettled in Bainbridge, Washington. Time for a fresh start. This time, he is vowing to be good. No stalking, no shadowing, no pushing. His sights are set on a librarian this time. Joe loves his books, after all. And words, especially your words. You know, the ones you speak and that his skewed interpretation turns into exactly what he wants to hear. It can be a bad business.
I really was looking forward to ensconcing myself in Joe's head again, into that toxic mess of a brain. But somehow, the thrill is gone. Not sure if I have just become inured to his shenanigans or what, but the ongoing conversation in his head lost its charm for me this go-around.
I really was looking forward to ensconcing myself in Joe's head again, into that toxic mess of a brain. But somehow, the thrill is gone. Not sure if I have just become inured to his shenanigans or what, but the ongoing conversation in his head lost its charm for me this go-around.
d-n-f
July 6, 2021I think its because i read the previous 2 books a few years ago, but this is just not it. I am tired of joe and his psychotic antics
____
I mean.. after that cliff hanger, you know I'm dying for this.
• Release Date: 6 April 2021 •
______
My review for:
Book #1 : YOU
Book #2 : Hidden Bodies
____
I mean.. after that cliff hanger, you know I'm dying for this.
• Release Date: 6 April 2021 •
______
My review for:
Book #1 : YOU
Book #2 : Hidden Bodies
October 21, 2020
Find all of my reviews at: http://52bookminimum.blogspot.com/
“It’s a nice ‘antidote to the hell scape reality of the world right now’…” That’s me. You’re quoting me.
^^^I sure am. Rules be damned! This was exactly the escape I needed after eighteen thousand months in lockdown with my family and all of their farts.
Are y’all superfans enough to get that reference or did I just waste a crapton of my time making this gif for no reason????
Whatever. Worth it! Especially if it might mean I get an advance copy of the next book too : )
When I “wished” for this over on NetGalley, I figured I was doing so along with twelve gazillion others and never expected to get an early shot at this latest release in the You franchise. Then I had one of those seriously first worldy sorts of moments where I wanted to message the powers that be and tell them . . . .
Not because I think I’m important but because I admitted loving Joe back when it was still a taboo thing to do. I mean, unless Kepnes really shit the bed there’s slim to nil chance that I wouldn’t kinda love this. And then?????
I knew this was going to be a winner immediately when the format returned to the second person narration as was found in the original. The first book followed “You” after Joe set his sights on his dreamgirl – culminating in the realization that maybe their relationship wasn’t just meant to be. But then he found “Love” and although there were some bumps in the road, things were going as well as can be expected with our favorite antihero right up until the very end. This time around Joe just wants to find the one. And it appears he has – he just has to be patient and make sure they are on the same page so no more incidents occur. It’s a shame everybody and their brother in the small town of “Cedar Cove” seems to be trying to cockblock him!
Some things you should know about this book. It is not a standalone. You absolutely have to read the others and be willing to commit to the crazy one hundred percent. If that’s not your bag, I get it because I’m not a fan of reading a series either. This one is an exception to the rule and in an even rarer turn of events if you follow me here you’ll have noticed I did a re-read of numbers 1 and 2 to catch up with my old pal because I love him that much. Also note this is a sloooooooooooooooooooooow roller. Good, bad or indifferent - You has become a television series and since I believe things are all caught up now (sorry – not a T.V. watcher – Penn Badgley makes a hot Joe, but hour long fictional programs bore me when I can read an entire book in a few), this definitely gives the impression that it is now being written for an instant morph into weekly episodes with multiple “a ha” and “WTF?!?!?” moments throughout the novel to drive the action. It may not be for everyone, but if you are a freakin the sheets there’s a solid chance that you love being stuck in Joe’s head and don’t mind just meandering along through his days with him until you get to the big reveals. And if you truly “get” Joe, you’ll find yourself continually amused with the dark humor contained within these pages. You’ll also find an ending that leaves you thirrrrrrrrrrrsty for the final installment in the series and once again falling to your knees at the altar of the Kepnes because she is such a delightful weirdo!
Take my rating with a grain – or a bucket – of salt. I could give it 4 rather than 5, but fuck it. I’m here for the long haul and I love every G.D. second of it. From the LOLing at completely inappropriate circumstances to the shouting out loud and startling my children with “I’VE READ THAT!” when he references books such as Last Night at the Lobster or Fashion Victim. Joe is my person . . . .
Now pardon me while I go check out a shitton of Debbie Macomber books from the library.
ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
ORIGINAL "REVIEW"
I'm coming for you Joe!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
“It’s a nice ‘antidote to the hell scape reality of the world right now’…” That’s me. You’re quoting me.
^^^I sure am. Rules be damned! This was exactly the escape I needed after eighteen thousand months in lockdown with my family and all of their farts.
Are y’all superfans enough to get that reference or did I just waste a crapton of my time making this gif for no reason????
Whatever. Worth it! Especially if it might mean I get an advance copy of the next book too : )
When I “wished” for this over on NetGalley, I figured I was doing so along with twelve gazillion others and never expected to get an early shot at this latest release in the You franchise. Then I had one of those seriously first worldy sorts of moments where I wanted to message the powers that be and tell them . . . .
Not because I think I’m important but because I admitted loving Joe back when it was still a taboo thing to do. I mean, unless Kepnes really shit the bed there’s slim to nil chance that I wouldn’t kinda love this. And then?????
I knew this was going to be a winner immediately when the format returned to the second person narration as was found in the original. The first book followed “You” after Joe set his sights on his dreamgirl – culminating in the realization that maybe their relationship wasn’t just meant to be. But then he found “Love” and although there were some bumps in the road, things were going as well as can be expected with our favorite antihero right up until the very end. This time around Joe just wants to find the one. And it appears he has – he just has to be patient and make sure they are on the same page so no more incidents occur. It’s a shame everybody and their brother in the small town of “Cedar Cove” seems to be trying to cockblock him!
Some things you should know about this book. It is not a standalone. You absolutely have to read the others and be willing to commit to the crazy one hundred percent. If that’s not your bag, I get it because I’m not a fan of reading a series either. This one is an exception to the rule and in an even rarer turn of events if you follow me here you’ll have noticed I did a re-read of numbers 1 and 2 to catch up with my old pal because I love him that much. Also note this is a sloooooooooooooooooooooow roller. Good, bad or indifferent - You has become a television series and since I believe things are all caught up now (sorry – not a T.V. watcher – Penn Badgley makes a hot Joe, but hour long fictional programs bore me when I can read an entire book in a few), this definitely gives the impression that it is now being written for an instant morph into weekly episodes with multiple “a ha” and “WTF?!?!?” moments throughout the novel to drive the action. It may not be for everyone, but if you are a freak
Take my rating with a grain – or a bucket – of salt. I could give it 4 rather than 5, but fuck it. I’m here for the long haul and I love every G.D. second of it. From the LOLing at completely inappropriate circumstances to the shouting out loud and startling my children with “I’VE READ THAT!” when he references books such as Last Night at the Lobster or Fashion Victim. Joe is my person . . . .
Now pardon me while I go check out a shitton of Debbie Macomber books from the library.
ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
ORIGINAL "REVIEW"
I'm coming for you Joe!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
April 6, 2021
That's right, Joe is baaack! Now he lives on an island, off the coast of Washington state and he's living the quiet life. No, really! He gets a job volunteering at a local library. Being that he is, well...Joe, he's noticed and taken a liking to the head librarian, Mary Kay. Has Joe really changed? Is he going to go after Mary Kay with his usual determination and internal scheming? You'll have to read this to find out!
What I love most about this series is, (and I suspect it's the same reason as a lot of other readers), that Joe is written in such a way, that we are actually rooting for the guy. In his twisted head, which we have access to, his thoughts make sense-not in a way that represents a lot of moral thinking, but sense just the same. In his thoughts, he's really trying to do his best to change. At least, at first.
Like the other two books, there are a lot of cultural references and song tidbits-things like that, and I was happy to get most of them. Joe also has a way of referring to events or people with certain nicknames and that cracks me up because I do the same. I was giggling over the moniker "Strawberry Killer" but I can't tell you why right now.
The only issue I had with this book and it's a small one, is that it became a bit difficult at times to follow the discussions because Joe was acting as another person. Does that make any sense? It slowed down my reading just a bit, because I wanted to be sure exactly what was happening. I think this is due to the second person point of view, and also because I'm obsessed with getting everything straight in my head where Joe is concerned. In fact, I may be a bit obsessed with Joe, in general.
That's it, that's all I'm going to say. I don't want to spoil any of the deliciousness that awaits you. After all, YOU LOVE ME and I don't want to do anything to ruin that.
Highly recommended!
Available TODAY! Go get yourself some new Joe!!
*Thank you to the author, publisher and to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest feedback. This is it!*
What I love most about this series is, (and I suspect it's the same reason as a lot of other readers), that Joe is written in such a way, that we are actually rooting for the guy. In his twisted head, which we have access to, his thoughts make sense-not in a way that represents a lot of moral thinking, but sense just the same. In his thoughts, he's really trying to do his best to change. At least, at first.
Like the other two books, there are a lot of cultural references and song tidbits-things like that, and I was happy to get most of them. Joe also has a way of referring to events or people with certain nicknames and that cracks me up because I do the same. I was giggling over the moniker "Strawberry Killer" but I can't tell you why right now.
The only issue I had with this book and it's a small one, is that it became a bit difficult at times to follow the discussions because Joe was acting as another person. Does that make any sense? It slowed down my reading just a bit, because I wanted to be sure exactly what was happening. I think this is due to the second person point of view, and also because I'm obsessed with getting everything straight in my head where Joe is concerned. In fact, I may be a bit obsessed with Joe, in general.
That's it, that's all I'm going to say. I don't want to spoil any of the deliciousness that awaits you. After all, YOU LOVE ME and I don't want to do anything to ruin that.
Highly recommended!
Available TODAY! Go get yourself some new Joe!!
*Thank you to the author, publisher and to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest feedback. This is it!*
April 7, 2021
Joe is back! This book is now available!
Did Love change Joe? The third book in the You series seeks to answer this question. (It's worth noting that I actually shrieked "Oh My God!" when I learned I had gotten an early copy of this novel to review. Thanks so much to Random House for this treat! The book releases on April 6, 2021.)
Having moved to the outskirts of Seattle, our favorite love-struck psychopath Joe is smitten again -- with 90s grunge nostalgia, and also with a sexy librarian named Mary Kay. The beginning of the book immediately deals with the cliffhanger of Hidden Bodies in a hilarious and perfect way that I'm not going to spoil for anyone. But suffice it to say, on page 1, Joe is running loose again, and his twisted humor and obsession is still in top form. Joe has fully learned from his past mistakes, he assures us, and he's NEVER going to let love lead him to do such crazy things again. (Yeah, right. Raise your hand if you WANT to read a book about a better Joe?) Nonetheless, Joe diligently works to turn himself into the "Better Man" envisioned by Eddie Vedder in nearby Seattle, and he's just certain that the lovely Mary Kay will be the change he needs to grow into a mature relationship, certainly without murder. After all, the crime rate in his new small town is almost non-existent. What could go wrong?
Hahaha. Of course, when Joe is around, A LOT can go wrong. As always, getting inside Joe's head gives me FEELINGS. Most of these feelings are wickedly fun despite myself, as his narration continues to be hilarious and dark and sprinkled with literary references and charming rationalizations. I felt like the tone of this book changed a bit from the Joe we usually know. The style and theme of the narration this time was more Seattle meets American Psycho with even more stream of consciousness, thoughts on romantic comedies, Seattle grunge, popular culture, and Woody Allen. (Yep, Joe's Woody Allen obsession is still with us and it escalates in this book.)
I was fully entertained by the book, and would place it right behind the first book in the "You" canon — “Hidden Bodies" being my least favorite, "You" being the total classic. However, I promised to be honest in my review so let me say there are a couple of things in the book I didn't love as much as “You”: (1) In this book, Joe is painted more as a victim of circumstance. Some things are maybe "not his fault." Of course the reader will have to decide whether this is true, or just Joe's interpretation, but I felt this Joe was presented much more as the hapless victim at times, rather than an obvious psychopath who is rationalizing, as in the previous books. For me that made this a little less fun. It’s a little more like the TV show in this way. I prefer Joe as a straight up psycho. (2) A few of the new characters in this volume are just bananas with motivations and actions that don’t make logical sense. As an example, it’s not like I come to “You” for feminist theory (and I don’t require it, as a feminist AND a superfan of American Psycho), but the character of the strident feminist best friend in this book was a little on the nose and hard to swallow. Her motivations in a key scene or two were, to me, inexplicable. One or two of the other characters are similar. (3) This book had SO many twists — some of them were just fantastic and mind blowing. But some of them for me had no logic.
BUT (important but!) despite these nitpicks, most importantly, what really made this book a 4 star plus thrill for me, in addition to the always loveable (against all your best judgment!) psychopath Joe? I absolutely loved the character of Mary Kay. A much more complex and interesting gal than either Beck or Love, she is onto some aspects of Joe from the start and is much more difficult prey for him. Their relationship is complex and fun and interesting. Also, several of the twists are just spectacular and you’ll never see them coming. Readers who come to this book for over-the-top psycho fun are going to be absolutely thrilled and entertained by Joe’s latest antics. This is by far the most wild and nutty of all three books, which I think will delight many readers.
Kepnes is a fantastic writer and has created such a unique literary psychopath in Joe. I loved getting back into Joe’s twisted head and meeting his most fascinating and complex object of affection. Solid 4 plus stars for a thrilling, darkly humorous read. I cannot wait to read what Kepnes does next
Does love conquer all? Or does love knock Joe down again? Find out for yourself. This book is a must read for 2021.
Big big thanks to Random House, NetGalley and Caroline Kepnes for this awesome preview. My review is honest and my own.
Did Love change Joe? The third book in the You series seeks to answer this question. (It's worth noting that I actually shrieked "Oh My God!" when I learned I had gotten an early copy of this novel to review. Thanks so much to Random House for this treat! The book releases on April 6, 2021.)
Having moved to the outskirts of Seattle, our favorite love-struck psychopath Joe is smitten again -- with 90s grunge nostalgia, and also with a sexy librarian named Mary Kay. The beginning of the book immediately deals with the cliffhanger of Hidden Bodies in a hilarious and perfect way that I'm not going to spoil for anyone. But suffice it to say, on page 1, Joe is running loose again, and his twisted humor and obsession is still in top form. Joe has fully learned from his past mistakes, he assures us, and he's NEVER going to let love lead him to do such crazy things again. (Yeah, right. Raise your hand if you WANT to read a book about a better Joe?) Nonetheless, Joe diligently works to turn himself into the "Better Man" envisioned by Eddie Vedder in nearby Seattle, and he's just certain that the lovely Mary Kay will be the change he needs to grow into a mature relationship, certainly without murder. After all, the crime rate in his new small town is almost non-existent. What could go wrong?
Hahaha. Of course, when Joe is around, A LOT can go wrong. As always, getting inside Joe's head gives me FEELINGS. Most of these feelings are wickedly fun despite myself, as his narration continues to be hilarious and dark and sprinkled with literary references and charming rationalizations. I felt like the tone of this book changed a bit from the Joe we usually know. The style and theme of the narration this time was more Seattle meets American Psycho with even more stream of consciousness, thoughts on romantic comedies, Seattle grunge, popular culture, and Woody Allen. (Yep, Joe's Woody Allen obsession is still with us and it escalates in this book.)
I was fully entertained by the book, and would place it right behind the first book in the "You" canon — “Hidden Bodies" being my least favorite, "You" being the total classic. However, I promised to be honest in my review so let me say there are a couple of things in the book I didn't love as much as “You”: (1) In this book, Joe is painted more as a victim of circumstance. Some things are maybe "not his fault." Of course the reader will have to decide whether this is true, or just Joe's interpretation, but I felt this Joe was presented much more as the hapless victim at times, rather than an obvious psychopath who is rationalizing, as in the previous books. For me that made this a little less fun. It’s a little more like the TV show in this way. I prefer Joe as a straight up psycho. (2) A few of the new characters in this volume are just bananas with motivations and actions that don’t make logical sense. As an example, it’s not like I come to “You” for feminist theory (and I don’t require it, as a feminist AND a superfan of American Psycho), but the character of the strident feminist best friend in this book was a little on the nose and hard to swallow. Her motivations in a key scene or two were, to me, inexplicable. One or two of the other characters are similar. (3) This book had SO many twists — some of them were just fantastic and mind blowing. But some of them for me had no logic.
BUT (important but!) despite these nitpicks, most importantly, what really made this book a 4 star plus thrill for me, in addition to the always loveable (against all your best judgment!) psychopath Joe? I absolutely loved the character of Mary Kay. A much more complex and interesting gal than either Beck or Love, she is onto some aspects of Joe from the start and is much more difficult prey for him. Their relationship is complex and fun and interesting. Also, several of the twists are just spectacular and you’ll never see them coming. Readers who come to this book for over-the-top psycho fun are going to be absolutely thrilled and entertained by Joe’s latest antics. This is by far the most wild and nutty of all three books, which I think will delight many readers.
Kepnes is a fantastic writer and has created such a unique literary psychopath in Joe. I loved getting back into Joe’s twisted head and meeting his most fascinating and complex object of affection. Solid 4 plus stars for a thrilling, darkly humorous read. I cannot wait to read what Kepnes does next
Does love conquer all? Or does love knock Joe down again? Find out for yourself. This book is a must read for 2021.
Big big thanks to Random House, NetGalley and Caroline Kepnes for this awesome preview. My review is honest and my own.
June 1, 2021
Well, I like you, but I’m not sure about love…
He’s back!!!
Joe Goldberg is back and we are back to hearing everything that goes on in his head.
Joe says he’s been through hell but tells us he’s a changed man.
Joe is going to be volunteering at the Bainbridge Public Library. Mary Kay DiMarco, (MK for short) is the library’s branch manager. It’s only been a short time but Joe already feels like he knows Mary Kay so well. However, this time he is trying something new. He’s not going to be obsessive. He‘s not even going to Google Mary Kay. He’s determined to be Mr. Good Guy.
But there are things Joe does not know.
Well…
I didn’t love it but I definitely didn’t hate it. I found it a bit slow at times and some of the repetitiveness got to me. (Murakami, Beef & Broccoli, and Red Bed to name a few). I do wonder if I had read it instead of listening to it, if that would have made a difference.
However, I was still entertained. Joe is Joe. He’s a character we love to hate and I couldn’t resist seeing what he was up to. MK was meh for me. I didn’t warm to her as much as I would have liked. I was both surprised and not surprised by the ending.
I know many readers loved this novel and I’m happy they did. Although, I didn't love it, I'm still glad I listened to it. And I have to admit, if there does happen to be a book four…I will read it too. These books are definitely addictive.
October 6, 2022
Oh, Joe.
You’re such a psychopath and I love you.
I want to say that the TV show has been letting me down. Since they changed the ending of season 2 (why was that necessary?) I haven't liked it as much. It was still entertaining but IDK, something is missing. The trailer for the next season came out and I'm just so... confused. SO MANY CHARACTERS.
OK but we're here for the book. I love reading in Joe's voice. I love how he thinks he's a good guy with bad luck and I love how everything just gets fucked up around him. How does he keep finding these crazy people? I don't have much to say about the other characters.
I mean he's pretty much the star of the show.
They are always bland enough that they can blend with the background and give Joe the floor. Which is fine. I'm here for him anyway.
You need to suspend disbelief a lot in the book because of course, no way any of that would happen in real life but again, we're not reading for accuracy. All it takes it's for the story to be plausible.
I love it, and as long as the author keeps writing these books, I'll read them.
Oh BTW... I haven't read book 1🤣 I guess I'll have to go do that soon.
You’re such a psychopath and I love you.
I want to say that the TV show has been letting me down. Since they changed the ending of season 2 (why was that necessary?) I haven't liked it as much. It was still entertaining but IDK, something is missing. The trailer for the next season came out and I'm just so... confused. SO MANY CHARACTERS.
OK but we're here for the book. I love reading in Joe's voice. I love how he thinks he's a good guy with bad luck and I love how everything just gets fucked up around him. How does he keep finding these crazy people? I don't have much to say about the other characters.
I mean he's pretty much the star of the show.
They are always bland enough that they can blend with the background and give Joe the floor. Which is fine. I'm here for him anyway.
You need to suspend disbelief a lot in the book because of course, no way any of that would happen in real life but again, we're not reading for accuracy. All it takes it's for the story to be plausible.
I love it, and as long as the author keeps writing these books, I'll read them.
Oh BTW... I haven't read book 1🤣 I guess I'll have to go do that soon.
November 26, 2025
***SPOILERS HIDDEN***
You Love Me is what happens when an author unsuccessfully shakes up a successful formula. Psychopath Joe Goldberg is back for a third time, now living in a small town and obsessed with a local librarian, Mary Kay. At first, this third book in Caroline Kepnes’s provocative You series seems too similar to books one and two: Once again the story takes place from Joe’s perspective; once again he’s establishing himself in a new town; once again he’s become obsessed with an unsuspecting woman; . Characters similar to those in book one are here too: an overbearing Peach-like best friend and a male friend who is seemingly romantic competition. After recognizing these similarities, I was disappointed that it looked like I was in store for a rehash of book one. But given what You Love Me is instead, I would have welcomed that rehash.
What stands out about book three is its lack of page-turning excitement. The reader is in Joe’s delusional head to a fault; he internally rambles on and on while the risks he takes fizzle out or amount to nothing. The story is actually intensely eventful, but the difference is that Joe never lands in hot water—when he absolutely should. I was flabbergasted by the sheer number of events and details that squander their potential to present complications or to be thrilling: Unbelievably, of these numerous details exploding with potential, not one matters. The kind of tension and suspense energizing books one and two is drained right out of book three, if tension and suspense even get established in the first place. Additionally, the happenings in You Love Me are strangely encapsulated: Joe does something wrong or something wrong happens to him; then that miraculously resolves itself or is smoothed over with a heart-to-heart, and the story carries on as if the earlier weirdness never occurred.
In books one and two Kepnes showed that she happily rises to the challenge of writing plot complications that seem impossible to resolve. These complications are what make those books page-turners. It’s therefore baffling that You Love Me is instead dominated by mushy proclamations of love and an annoying love interest who wrings her hands over her selfish man-child husband and Columbine-obsessed daughter. A page-turner it is not.
Kepnes was working toward a specific story goal, however, and did intend the lack of drama and tone change—this third time around the formula’s been tweaked: Joe is striving to “be good.”
What the book has going for it is Joe’s signature wry voice and Kepnes’s vivid characterization of all the main players, made vivid mostly by distinct speech. Kepnes writes individual speech differences and quirks better than most, and it’s easy to envision her characters from these alone. The book also has the same modern feel that the other two have, with references to Lyft, Instagram, TikTok, hashtags, and the MeToo movement. And it kept me turning the pages (although that was mainly because I kept hoping a twist or something exciting was on the way). But these are all it has in common with the other books.
Kepnes understands that series need to be kept fresh, and she maintains enough consistency from book to book that these three do feel connected, but with You Love Me, she’s shown she’s lost touch with Joe’s essence. Honorable Joe is boring Joe. Small-town Joe is boring Joe. She published two works in between this and Hidden Bodies and I wonder whether doing so threw her off her Joe Goldberg game. Whatever the reason, her fatigue is showing, and the series has lost its freshness. Book three should be the end.
You Love Me is what happens when an author unsuccessfully shakes up a successful formula. Psychopath Joe Goldberg is back for a third time, now living in a small town and obsessed with a local librarian, Mary Kay. At first, this third book in Caroline Kepnes’s provocative You series seems too similar to books one and two: Once again the story takes place from Joe’s perspective; once again he’s establishing himself in a new town; once again he’s become obsessed with an unsuspecting woman; . Characters similar to those in book one are here too: an overbearing Peach-like best friend and a male friend who is seemingly romantic competition. After recognizing these similarities, I was disappointed that it looked like I was in store for a rehash of book one. But given what You Love Me is instead, I would have welcomed that rehash.
What stands out about book three is its lack of page-turning excitement. The reader is in Joe’s delusional head to a fault; he internally rambles on and on while the risks he takes fizzle out or amount to nothing. The story is actually intensely eventful, but the difference is that Joe never lands in hot water—when he absolutely should. I was flabbergasted by the sheer number of events and details that squander their potential to present complications or to be thrilling: Unbelievably, of these numerous details exploding with potential, not one matters. The kind of tension and suspense energizing books one and two is drained right out of book three, if tension and suspense even get established in the first place. Additionally, the happenings in You Love Me are strangely encapsulated: Joe does something wrong or something wrong happens to him; then that miraculously resolves itself or is smoothed over with a heart-to-heart, and the story carries on as if the earlier weirdness never occurred.
In books one and two Kepnes showed that she happily rises to the challenge of writing plot complications that seem impossible to resolve. These complications are what make those books page-turners. It’s therefore baffling that You Love Me is instead dominated by mushy proclamations of love and an annoying love interest who wrings her hands over her selfish man-child husband and Columbine-obsessed daughter. A page-turner it is not.
Kepnes was working toward a specific story goal, however, and did intend the lack of drama and tone change—this third time around the formula’s been tweaked: Joe is striving to “be good.”
What the book has going for it is Joe’s signature wry voice and Kepnes’s vivid characterization of all the main players, made vivid mostly by distinct speech. Kepnes writes individual speech differences and quirks better than most, and it’s easy to envision her characters from these alone. The book also has the same modern feel that the other two have, with references to Lyft, Instagram, TikTok, hashtags, and the MeToo movement. And it kept me turning the pages (although that was mainly because I kept hoping a twist or something exciting was on the way). But these are all it has in common with the other books.
Kepnes understands that series need to be kept fresh, and she maintains enough consistency from book to book that these three do feel connected, but with You Love Me, she’s shown she’s lost touch with Joe’s essence. Honorable Joe is boring Joe. Small-town Joe is boring Joe. She published two works in between this and Hidden Bodies and I wonder whether doing so threw her off her Joe Goldberg game. Whatever the reason, her fatigue is showing, and the series has lost its freshness. Book three should be the end.
October 19, 2020
It hurts my heart to say this, but You Love Me was disappointing.
As a fan of the books before the show, and a fan of the show, this just didn't measure up. I don't know, maybe if I hadn't watched the series in between reading Hidden Bodies and You Love Me I would have felt different?
The ending/twists were just implausible, and the only reaction I had was a shrug and an eye roll. There were definitely a bunch of plot holes too.
While I enjoyed being back in Joe's head again, I just didn't feel whatever made the first two books (and Joe) so captivating.
Will 100 percent still read another one if it comes though! Joe is still one of my favorite bad "good guys".
As a fan of the books before the show, and a fan of the show, this just didn't measure up. I don't know, maybe if I hadn't watched the series in between reading Hidden Bodies and You Love Me I would have felt different?
The ending/twists were just implausible, and the only reaction I had was a shrug and an eye roll. There were definitely a bunch of plot holes too.
While I enjoyed being back in Joe's head again, I just didn't feel whatever made the first two books (and Joe) so captivating.
Will 100 percent still read another one if it comes though! Joe is still one of my favorite bad "good guys".
July 26, 2021
Caroline Kepnes--you are one talented writer! Joe is back and settled in a small town in the northwest. Los Angeles and his dreams of the perfect little family is left far behind. Love has forsaken him, but not for long. This is Joe and Joe believes in love! He is a volunteer at the local library; you know Joe's other love (besides the ladies) is books. He meets a cute librarian and he's off to the races.
Joe is older now and wiser and he is determined not to kill anyone to win his lady, but unfortunately she has a lot of baggage. She is married already and has two stage-10 clingy friends and a teenage daughter. What's a psychopath to do? Joe deals with these horrible people in order to gain his fair lady, but the path of true love does not always run true.
Joe is older now and wiser and he is determined not to kill anyone to win his lady, but unfortunately she has a lot of baggage. She is married already and has two stage-10 clingy friends and a teenage daughter. What's a psychopath to do? Joe deals with these horrible people in order to gain his fair lady, but the path of true love does not always run true.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 13, 2021
I received a very early copy of YOU LOVE ME back in November of 2020 knowing full well that it was not due to release until April of 2021. My intentions were to hold out until now to read/review but I'll be honest and admit that I read it upon arrival.
The YOU series of books by Caroline Kepnes is the single most binge-worthy series on the planet. Zero exaggeration. The first book, YOU is unputdownable. Literally, I could not put it down. Joe Goldberg is mesmerizing. Once readers get inside his head and start hearing his narcissistic, misogynistic, and manipulative voice as he navigates through life-you can't live without it. New readers are so lucky that there is no time at all to wait between YOU and the next book HIDDEN BODIES because the saga continues and Joe Goldberg is just more Joe-ish than ever.
Then, along comes YOU LOVE ME. Up to this point, Joe has been infatuated with extremely flawed women that are not exactly "good" people. Not that any of them deserve the emotional gaslighting (and worse things) that Joe unleashes on the people he chooses to "love" but the women are not likable/relatable (to me, in my opinion). I don't see myself in the choices they make, the way they respond to certain situations, and ultimately, the danger they put themselves in.
I think all of that is intentional.
Because here's book 3 and the apple of Joe's eye is Mary Kaye DiMarco. She's a librarian in a small town in the Pacific Northwest. And she has a daughter. Basically, totally unavailable in every way but as we all know, nothing stops Joe Goldberg from getting what he wants. Nothing.
Since this book won't be released for another month or so, this is as far as I'm willing to go with any plot details but I will say that this is the perfect third book for the series. Joe has aged. He's grown. He thinks he knows more about what he's looking for in terms of settling down with the right woman and it is ridiculously hysterical to be inside his head and listen to all the ways he convinces himself that he's really turned over a new leaf. His interactions with secondary characters are beyond entertaining. I loved all the colorful people Kepnes brought into Joe's life. As an extra bonus, living just a stone's throw from where the book is set was a delight-I knew the town and all the places mentioned--so fun.
I think fans of the series are going to be happy with this third installment. And I'm already hearing buzz for book 4! Kepnes knows what her audience wants and she continues to deliver. I'm here for it.
The YOU series of books by Caroline Kepnes is the single most binge-worthy series on the planet. Zero exaggeration. The first book, YOU is unputdownable. Literally, I could not put it down. Joe Goldberg is mesmerizing. Once readers get inside his head and start hearing his narcissistic, misogynistic, and manipulative voice as he navigates through life-you can't live without it. New readers are so lucky that there is no time at all to wait between YOU and the next book HIDDEN BODIES because the saga continues and Joe Goldberg is just more Joe-ish than ever.
Then, along comes YOU LOVE ME. Up to this point, Joe has been infatuated with extremely flawed women that are not exactly "good" people. Not that any of them deserve the emotional gaslighting (and worse things) that Joe unleashes on the people he chooses to "love" but the women are not likable/relatable (to me, in my opinion). I don't see myself in the choices they make, the way they respond to certain situations, and ultimately, the danger they put themselves in.
I think all of that is intentional.
Because here's book 3 and the apple of Joe's eye is Mary Kaye DiMarco. She's a librarian in a small town in the Pacific Northwest. And she has a daughter. Basically, totally unavailable in every way but as we all know, nothing stops Joe Goldberg from getting what he wants. Nothing.
Since this book won't be released for another month or so, this is as far as I'm willing to go with any plot details but I will say that this is the perfect third book for the series. Joe has aged. He's grown. He thinks he knows more about what he's looking for in terms of settling down with the right woman and it is ridiculously hysterical to be inside his head and listen to all the ways he convinces himself that he's really turned over a new leaf. His interactions with secondary characters are beyond entertaining. I loved all the colorful people Kepnes brought into Joe's life. As an extra bonus, living just a stone's throw from where the book is set was a delight-I knew the town and all the places mentioned--so fun.
I think fans of the series are going to be happy with this third installment. And I'm already hearing buzz for book 4! Kepnes knows what her audience wants and she continues to deliver. I'm here for it.
October 1, 2021
***5 stars***
I am simply in awe with Caroline Kepnes' ability to make me root for the killer in this series. Yes, Joe is an obsessed stalker who will stop at nothing to have it his way, but everything he does, he does with so much love that we can overlook his homicidal mistakes. 🙈 Because after all Joe is human too, so he makes mistakes like you and me and he has a ton of issues, but in this book he tries so very hard to be good. (he's still disturbed af and it's now clearer than ever before)
He has found "true love" once again, this time on the small island of Bainbridge, where he's taken up residence after the events of Hidden Bodies. Her name is Mary Kay and with her also come many obstacles (in the form of her friends and family). But our boy Joe shows remarkable restraint and patience, because this time he's not killing the people who get in his way. And yet, bodies still start to pile up around him. Kepnes has definitely surprised the heck out of me by going in a completely different direction this time around.
Many unexpected turns of events are happening, there are plenty of twists, surprises and shocks. And by the end, you too will root for Joe, hoping he'll finally get his happily ever after.
Warning: the book ends with a cliffhanger, but that probably means there's a book 4 in the works. So yay to that!
I am simply in awe with Caroline Kepnes' ability to make me root for the killer in this series. Yes, Joe is an obsessed stalker who will stop at nothing to have it his way, but everything he does, he does with so much love that we can overlook his homicidal mistakes. 🙈 Because after all Joe is human too, so he makes mistakes like you and me and he has a ton of issues, but in this book he tries so very hard to be good. (he's still disturbed af and it's now clearer than ever before)
He has found "true love" once again, this time on the small island of Bainbridge, where he's taken up residence after the events of Hidden Bodies. Her name is Mary Kay and with her also come many obstacles (in the form of her friends and family). But our boy Joe shows remarkable restraint and patience, because this time he's not killing the people who get in his way. And yet, bodies still start to pile up around him. Kepnes has definitely surprised the heck out of me by going in a completely different direction this time around.
Many unexpected turns of events are happening, there are plenty of twists, surprises and shocks. And by the end, you too will root for Joe, hoping he'll finally get his happily ever after.
Warning: the book ends with a cliffhanger, but that probably means there's a book 4 in the works. So yay to that!
December 4, 2020
Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Expected publication date: April 6, 2021
The psycho-stalker you can’t help but love is back! Caroline Kepnes brings Joe Goldberg back with a vengeance in her newest novel, “You Love Me���.
Trying to leave the past behind him, Joe Goldberg moves from New York City to a small island town, hoping that a quaint and quiet life will be just what he needs to start over. Joe buys a house and even volunteers at the library, and then he meets HER; his boss at the library, Mary Kaye DiMarco. Joe knows at first sight that he and Mary Kaye are meant to be and he finally sees a positive and fruitful future for himself, with Mary Kaye as his partner. Mary Kaye, however, has a teenage daughter and a famous husband, and she doesn’t seem willing to leave either of them behind to start over with Joe. Joe knows that it is his responsibility to help Mary Kaye see how much better her life would be with Joe in it, and he will stop at nothing to make that happen.
“You Love Me” is the third novel in the obsessively addicting series, “You” (now a Netflix series starring Penn Badgley) . The good thing about this series is each novel is just as addicting as its predecessor yet, at the same time, you don’t need to read the other novels to be able to follow along (although I highly recommend it!) .
Joe is the antihero everyone hates to love, and readers will once again be cheering for the romantic misfit. Joe is as charming and deeply disturbed as he was in the previous novels, and he will definitely endear himself once again to readers. The other characters in this novel are all equally deranged (and for such a small town to have so many psychos? Be careful Bainbridge, Stephen King may come calling!) and yet, regardless of this insanely improbable fact, “You Love Me” pulled me into its clutches, locked me in the Whisper Room, and held on for dear life.
Another hands-down winner for Kepnes, and I hope to be able to continue to root for Joe in the stories to come!
Expected publication date: April 6, 2021
The psycho-stalker you can’t help but love is back! Caroline Kepnes brings Joe Goldberg back with a vengeance in her newest novel, “You Love Me���.
Trying to leave the past behind him, Joe Goldberg moves from New York City to a small island town, hoping that a quaint and quiet life will be just what he needs to start over. Joe buys a house and even volunteers at the library, and then he meets HER; his boss at the library, Mary Kaye DiMarco. Joe knows at first sight that he and Mary Kaye are meant to be and he finally sees a positive and fruitful future for himself, with Mary Kaye as his partner. Mary Kaye, however, has a teenage daughter and a famous husband, and she doesn’t seem willing to leave either of them behind to start over with Joe. Joe knows that it is his responsibility to help Mary Kaye see how much better her life would be with Joe in it, and he will stop at nothing to make that happen.
“You Love Me” is the third novel in the obsessively addicting series, “You” (now a Netflix series starring Penn Badgley) . The good thing about this series is each novel is just as addicting as its predecessor yet, at the same time, you don’t need to read the other novels to be able to follow along (although I highly recommend it!) .
Joe is the antihero everyone hates to love, and readers will once again be cheering for the romantic misfit. Joe is as charming and deeply disturbed as he was in the previous novels, and he will definitely endear himself once again to readers. The other characters in this novel are all equally deranged (and for such a small town to have so many psychos? Be careful Bainbridge, Stephen King may come calling!) and yet, regardless of this insanely improbable fact, “You Love Me” pulled me into its clutches, locked me in the Whisper Room, and held on for dear life.
Another hands-down winner for Kepnes, and I hope to be able to continue to root for Joe in the stories to come!
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