Skip to main content

Member Reviews

Well, what do you know, Joe is back and I'm starting to be a little over it.

Joe Goldberg has moved to Massachusetts and after being invited to a writing fellowship at Harvard. What an accomplishment for Joe, a lifelong book lover! He used to sell books now he is going to write them. But he is also ready to fall in love, be obsessed, share some of his humor, obsess some more, and do what Joe does!

Joe has been an interesting character to follow. I was blown away when I read You. I thought it was fantastic and could not get enough of Joe. But now, I'm ready to break up with Joe. This book, although great in parts, was slow and a tad boring in other parts. It also felt long, and more editing would have been nice. I didn't care for Wonder, his love interest. He usually falls in love with more interesting (and annoying) characters. You picked the wrong love interest here, Joe.

This has been a great series, but I just wasn't feeling this one as much as I expected I would. I went in waves this book where I really enjoyed it, then was bored by it, I was annoyed, I found some passages brilliant, I enjoyed Joe's observations, then I was back to twiddling my thumbs. This must be how Joe feels on a daily basis.

Joes moves around a lot, one must when you leave bodies in your wake, but it would be nice to see Joe go back to his roots, have a bookstore, and be a little more rooted. It was nice to see goodreads mentioned!

Although I was all over the place with this book, I still enjoyed it.

Was this review helpful?

Thanks to NetGalley for allowing me to read this in exchange for an honest opinion.

This was by far my least favorite of the You series. It was so slow, the kills weren’t even exciting, and the main love interest had little to No character development? It felt honestly like a complete departure from the other three books. Always clever writing, but overall not for me.

Was this review helpful?

I’ve read ever book in the You series and was excited to get an arc of this. The first two books in the series were great and last one was decent but this one was just ok.

The character development was excellent but the story just kept going and going and going. 200 pages into it and I was well bored and it took a week to read it because it just dragged on. The story should have ended earlier then it did but unfortunately it didn’t.

And the relationship between Wonder and Joe from the beginning was just wrong. Joe needs an intellectual and not a coolata drinking baseball watching Goodreads reviewing chick who is completely wrong for him. The whole thing felt forced and wrong.

If there is another book in the series I’ll give it a shot but I hope it’s a lot better than this one

Was this review helpful?

Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for the chance to read this uncorrected proof. I have enjoyed entering the mind of Joe Goldberg since the first book was released and while I really did want to love this book, I found it somewhat lacking. I didn't get the same sense of urgency from Joe that I have in other books and the character development of the supporting cast was minimal. I understand this book was an uncorrected proof and I think through the editing process, it will become a wonderful addition to the series.

Was this review helpful?

“The royal moments are supposed to be the fourteen cookies that come after the meal, the cherries on the top of sundaes. They’re rare for a reason.”

Joe Goldberg is back and this time he’s in Boston🍀

The book goddesses were looking out for me when I was approved for this ARC from @netgalley. I have no idea how I pulled that off, but believe me when I say I screamed from joy. BEST holiday present ever.

You is one of the few series that I re-read once a year. Caroline Kepnes’ writing style is fantastic, always filled with relevant pop-culture references and fun quotes. I will say, I am getting a bit nervous that the You series will become overdone with too many books, but until that happens, I’ll continue to indulge.

For You & Only You was another great Joe installment. This time around, Joe has joined a fellowship at Harvard, where he meets his next love interest, Wonder. I’m a Massachusettes native (as is Caroline), so I loved all of the local references. I felt like this installment was much tamer in the violence category that other ones, which was neither a negative or positive. I just can’t believe he keeps getting away with all of his crimes!

Has Joe learned from his past mistakes? Guess you’ll have to find out for yourself…

Was this review helpful?

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Random House, and brilliant author Caroline Kepnes for this latest ARC in the YOU series, For You And Only You.

This story’s location is my home! I enjoyed Kepnes’ observations of Boston cultural and academic tidbits; as well as her general musical references peppered into the narrative.

This book contains a sympathetic, brilliant, snarky, observant, bad-boy-who-isn’t; academia, books, writing; and general human nature social and romantic BS!
How I adore the world Kepnes continually creates.

There were some differences between this slower-paced book and the tightness of the previous in the series, but I still rate it five stars.

Wonder also seemed less potent of a love object to me, but none of this lessened my reading pleasure because I was given the gift of hanging out again in Joe’s head for a few days!
He is my one of my favorite characters ever created and I hope to read more of him (and listen on audiobook, and see on television adaptations!) to come.

Previous review copied below as it all remains true to me:

“5 stars as usual for the latest in author Caroline Kepnes’s You series. You Love Me is just as delicious to read as the preceding books were!

In this and all of the You books I am astounded, awed by the author’s ability to show perfect insight into an intelligent and slightly askew but sensitive male mind.

Joe is my dream man - a sympathetic sociopath - because of his socially-satirical, sarcastic, snarky, *aware* brain; and it amazes me that a female author can so accurately create such a male voice and character.

Caroline Kepnes is also an astute observer through Joe of the hypocrisy inherent in weak human nature, as well as the mercurial condition of romantic love.

I am a huge fan of this book and Caroline Kepnes, and I hope that Joe never dies.”

Was this review helpful?

This installment of the series left me a little wanting. Joe seemed more manic in his stream of consciousness and much more mellow with his murders and kidnapping. Although I did enjoy many of the new female characters - I didn't feel his passion and obsession for the apple of his eye in this one. BUT I'm very much looking forward to where he ends up in the next one.

Was this review helpful?

I love the You series. However, this book and the 3rd were a bit of a letdown. I think this series has run its course. Joe has gotten more annoying to read about throughout the series.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you to both #NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group/Random House for providing me an advance copy of Caroline Kepnes’s fourth novel in the #JoeGoldberg series, For You and Only You, in exchange for an honest review.

#ForYouandOnlyYou is the fourth novel in the #JoeGoldberg series. True to format, the novel opens with Joe fantasizing about his latest obsession (aka victim). This time it is a colleague enrolled in his writing fellowship at Harvard, Wonder Parish. Joe and Wonder seemingly share more commonalities than their elitist peers…or so, Joe thinks.

Is it me, or is Joe a bit more irritating than usual this time around? Regardless, this might be my second favorite book in the series since the first novel. It is certainly the closest to the original source material. I had lost almost all hope after the third, but the charm and wit finally shined through again. Also, doesn’t hurt to picture Penn Badgley as Joe thanks to the #Netflix series #YOU.

Equally, easy to imagine while reading the novel was the obnoxious Boston accent (I refuse to spell it as such) attributed to Wonder. It was as cliché as a #Walhberg flick. Yikes! If you can get over the Boston stereotypes, however, it was truly one of the more enjoyable of the four. I was under the impression the author had only planned for four, but given the cliffhanger, I assume there will be others. Ironically, the ending was the part I hated most about the book. #Sorrynotsorry for being a #goodreadsgirl.

For readers familiar with the series, this one is heavily reliant on Joe’s inner monologue. So, expect sardonic humor and sole focus on Joe…or as Joe would put it, #Me.

Was this review helpful?

My favorite psychopath returns. I admit Joe is my very guilty pleasure. I am fascinated beyond words by this man and I especially love full access to his thoughts, he brings life to the stream of consciousness. No one can read people like Joe, he’s dead on and brutally honest. The best part - lots of Joe sharing his thoughts. I was not a fan of Wonder at all. I didn’t feel the chemistry between the two and I detested her personality. However, Sarah added zest so it balanced my dislike of Wonder. The narrative was clever but it dragged a bit, the ending was a huge hit. Everything equilibrium-wise came together in the end. Kepnes does such a fabulous job with Joe and each book in the series is wonderfully individual you never know what to expect in the next installment. All I can say is I rarely dip into series but Joe Goldberg mesmerizes me in a twisted and sensical way. Looking forward to more of Joe. I will add, to fully enjoy I would read the previous books to grasp a better understanding of references sprinkled throughout the narrative.

Was this review helpful?

I will read ANYTHING with Joe Goldberg (**swoon**). Being in his head fascinates me. It intrigues me. I absolutely love his character. He's a murderer yet I'm always rooting for him!!! He's my favorite anti-hero!

This installment of the YOU series takes place in Boston. Joe is heading to Harvard for a writing fellowship in hopes of being published. In true Joe fashion someone catches his eye, enter, Wonder Parish. However, as we all know, it's never easy for Joe and he always finds his way back to his murderous tendencies, in the name of love of course.

Out of all the books in this series, this one was the least entertaining for me. Don't get me wrong, it had its moments and I thought, here we go, it's happening but, it never happened.

I found this book to be boring. It left me confused (so confused) and disappointed.
But, if there's a 5th book, you're damn right I'm gonna read it!

Was this review helpful?

When I didn't think the series could get better than it already is, IT DID!

This is the 4th book in the You series and its just as good as the first. Caroline just blows me away with every single release.

We catch up with Joe, in a post-covid life, during a Harvard Fellowship and what a turn of events, he is writing a book about himself. How much truth are we putting in this book Joe? We also know he can't go long without someone catching his eye....I wonder how long she makes it? Has he finally met his match!!?? :")

Thanks to Net Galley for this ARC!! I can't wait for everyone to get their hands on this one, coming your way April 2023!

Was this review helpful?

As ridiculous and addictive as its predecessors. But no one is reading (or watching) the "You" series for likeable characters or relatable plot.

Was this review helpful?

The biggest thanks and appreciation to Random House and Netgalley for approving my E-Arc request! I feel like a little kid on Christmas.

Joe Goldberg is in Boston, he's got a spot in a writing fellowship at Harvard. Joe goes to Sonsie and Trident. The places I go... all the time. I don't know if it's because I live in Cambridge and I'm walking the same streets and know all of these locations, but this is definitely my favorite book in the series. This was so much fucking fun to read. Being in Joe's head never gets old, his inner voice makes me laugh out loud yet I'm simultaneously squirming because I know how easily he'd get to me.

Dark academia is a favorite, and Joe absolutely thrives in this kill-your-darlings setting. I adored this new character, Wonder. I feel like I grew up with her. There's a kindred feeling in her hardness and tendency to love, a Boston thing. I tore through this one and I'm really sad it's over. Go pre-order it now! You won't be disappointed. Thank you, Caroline Kepnes! You're a badass, and Connecticunt might be the best word ever written in a book.

Was this review helpful?

Joe Goldberg is the itch you can't stop scratching even though you know it's likely to leave a scar. In this fourth installment of Caroline Kepnes's YOU series, Joe is attending Harvard as a writing fellow. And wouldn't you know it, he's found someone to occupy his time. Joe, didn't you learn your lesson with writers back in New York? This is the Joe we hate to love and love to hate, and this time we get to see him in a less twisty narrative than the ones we've grown used to. I can't wait to see where Joe ends up next. Maybe he should take a little breather on the beer-soaked shores of Cleveland.

Was this review helpful?

Review Copy

OK, I admit it. I'm confused. How does Joe do it? He's a psychotic narcissist. He falls in and out of love like nobody's business. He leaves pee in Peach Salinger closet and has the luck of the Irish and yet...And yet we still care. And he doesn't get caught!

Well, in YOU AND ONLY YOU everything gets turned upside down and inside out. Somehow, Joe finds himself a Harvard fellowship and falls in love with a Dunkin Goodreads girl. Annnnd he discovers certain people's secrets and other people learn his.

Say, what?!

Yes, that's why this was my least favorite of the four Goldberg YOU books. It still had the same incredible writing. But Joe needs the Cuckoo's Nest. He needs to get caught.

I love Carolyn Kepnes and have read everything she has written. But what will she write next? What will Joe do? Will he crash and burn? Or finally find the one?

Was this review helpful?

So admittedly, I haven’t been keeping up with my ARCs as well as I should, but I can honestly say I’ve never been this excited about being approved, so a HUGE thanks to @netgalley and @randomhouse for this digital ARC.

Joe Goldberg is back, and just as twisted as ever in this one! Now living in Boston and in a highly selective fellowship program at Harvard University. A lot has changed since Joe’s last outing on Bainbridge Island, but not nearly enough. It just wouldn’t be a You novel if he didn’t have another woman to fixate on.

But this time around, he might have finally met his match, in more ways than one.

I won’t say much more because I’d hate to spoil this one. But if, like me, you love seeing all the awful, despicable things Joe gets up to, make sure you grab For You and Only You when it comes out April 23rd!

Was this review helpful?

I was so excited to read this one! It definitely started out really fast paced and I love the psychotic feeling of Joe narrating. This one wasn’t as dark as some of the others, but it was still really enjoyable to read about Joe’s latest adventures at Harvard. Can’t wait to see what’s next! I received a free copy of this book from netgalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

Was this review helpful?

For You and Only You is the fourth book in the Joe Goldberg series. The story is set in Boston as Joe earns a place in a writing fellowship at Harvard - only it doesn't take long for someone else to become Joe's obsession. In an effort to avoid spoilers for the series, I'll leave the plot there. Highly recommended to fans of the series. If you haven't started the book series yet, what are you waiting for? Highly recommended! Kepnes has done it again!

Was this review helpful?

Another solid entry in the Joe Goldberg series, FOR YOU AND ONLY YOU, sees Joe reinventing himself writer at a Harvard fellowship only to (of course) quickly find a new object of obsession in one of his fellows. The "you" in this book is Wonder, a Boston native who like Joe, doesn't have the money and formal credentials of the other people in their group and, also like Joe, has a sizable chip on her shoulder about it. Wonder is a bit of a nothing character, to be honest. Part of this is simply down to the fact that Joe doesn't truly ever see the women as the real people they are and as the readers we are always in his view point. But Becks, Love, and Mary Beth all still managed to seem interesting in ways that Wonder doesn't. I found her boring and annoying more than anything else.

Kepnes really leans into Joe's psychopathy and misogyny in this one. I wonder if that comes from frustration at some segments of fandom painting Joe as a romantic hero (especially with the handsome Penn Badgely portraying him in the Netflix series). Joe has never been he "nice guy" he thinks himself as, but it's REALLY hammered home in this one. Not just in the murdering or the stalking, but the very way he thinks about himself as this great feminist who is just helping Wonder achieve her potential and saving her from herself, is more obviously stated than ever before. I don't think this is a bad thing, but it's sad that it's necessary.

Overall, the book is a fun one, if a bit repetitive at times. The book is filled with the usual supporting assholes who you don't mind seeing get murdered, along with a new foe for Joe who is by far the most interesting character in the book as she really challenges him and it's always fun to see Joe horrified at another person's supposed psychopathy.

Was this review helpful?