Hello, You...

The scream I emitted finding out I got approved for this ARC, I probably sounded like RIPFortyRIPBeckRIPBenji... you get it.

In For You and You Only, our love-him-cause-ya-hate-him character Joe Goldberg takes on a Harvard fellowship (dark academia vibes?!), where he stumbles across his next hyper-fixation/love interest, Wonder. Wonder is a wonder to Joe (ba-dum-tskkk); smart as a whip, a fellow writer, and no ex-boyfriends... why it's almost like Love at first sight (ba-dum-tskk x2). And yet problems inevitably pop up, both in the book and outside it.

While this was undoubtedly my favorite You book since the first, some of my sentiments from books 2 and 3 carried over to this installment: Joe Goldberg is stuck in a loop and it's getting repetitive and predictable.

Sometimes that's not a bad thing. But when it comes to You, I preferred the 3rd season over it's novelization because it strayed from the book. Joe had to do a little more self-reflection with a wife and kid, and contemplate his priorities; I mean THE MAN WENT TO THERAPY!! Hell, Book Joe is practically burden-free compared to Netflix Joe.

I nevertheless dug right into this novel and was pleasantly surprised. Kepnes broke the fourth wall in this installment and I LOVED IT. It was so trippy reading about how someone like Joe is written, as well as getting into the psychology of why readers/viewers are obsessed with him. Joe, as part of this fellowship, is finally forced to confront his worst enemy: himself.

And one thing I will always give Kepnes credit for over the show is how recognizable and scarily-human Joe's voice is. I could also practically read it in Penn Badgley's voice, which I will never get sick of. She creates this perfectly imperfect psyche of someone with mommy issues to the nth degree. Her characters jump off the page fully formed and just the right amount of crazy.

The only point in this book where I had to deduct a star was at the ending.

I will not remark on what happens for the sake of remaining spoiler free, but just know that it's... oddly philosophical?? Like imagine if Kepnes pulled a Stephenie Meyer in Breaking Dawn. If you get it, you get it.

Overall, I would without a doubt recommend this book to anyone who's a fan of the You series. My deepest thanks to Caroline Kepnes, Random House, and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

For You and You Only is available April 25th, 2023 and available for pre-order now!

Joe Goldberg is at it again, this time in a place that his genius can truly be recognized- Harvard University. Joe wants to be a writer, and believes the fellowship at Harvard will offer him connections to publish his brilliant book. He has found a new object of affection in Wonder Parish, who is also a writer in the fellowship. However, Joe makes new enemies at Harvard and struggles to make sure all his former secrets stay buried. Will his brilliance finally be recognized? Will his relationship with Wonder thrive, or will she become another of Joe’s victims?

This book is the fourth installment of Caroline Kepnes series featuring You, Hidden Bodies, and You Love Me. This series is also an amazing show on Netflix, but as always, the books are even better and differ quite a bit from the show. I highly recommend starting from the first book before reading this one. I have read and loved this entire series, so it was truly such an honor to review this book. I love Joe’s voice, his hubris, and it’s such a unique perspective to read a book from the perspective of the anti hero. The academic setting was perfect for Joe, and I enjoyed the other characters in this book, particularly Sarah Beth Swallows. If you have read this series, you’ve got to pick this one up! If you haven’t, what are you waiting for?

Thank you so much to Random House, Netgalley, and Caroline Kepnes for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I have zero self control....

I JUST received this book two days ago and there was no way I could scroll and read another book knowing that this one was sitting on my shelf.

I had to do it.

I need Caroline Kepnes books in my life like I need the air to breathe.

We all obsess over the series "You" I mean come on, what is not to love, not only do we get to watch this suspenseful thriller play out in front of our eyes but we also get to swoon over Penn Badgley.

Buttttttt...

The books are better!!! I know that is wild to wrap your head around but the books are always better. It does not matter how great the series is, the book is where it all originated. I have read all three previous books, including, You, Hidden Bodies and You Love Me.

If you know anything about this series, you know there is no shortage of murder and deceit. If you know nothing about this series, I will tell you that you are in for a wild ride. Caroline Kepnes is a master within her field and will have you salivating as her words glitter across the page.

If I can offer you one book series suggestion for the rest of this year, it will be the Caroline Kepnes series.

I will leave you with one of my favorite quotes

"What a shame to be so angered by what you don't have that you treat what you do have like it's nothing" - You

For You and Only You by Caroline Kepnes carries on this series brilliantly. I love Joe Goldberg and his stream of consciousness. He's just as brash, sharp, and crazy as always. The writing is crisp, moves fast and is simply some of the best. Highly recommend this book, though it might help to read the other books by this author, and get to know Joe the lead character first. Recommended. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy.

4 stars
Caroline Kepnes does it again! I just love this series, and I love where it’s going. I dont want to give any spoilers but if you e read the others you won’t be let down by this one.