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.

I have loved all the books in the You series and I enjoyed this one but it was not my favorite. During certain parts I felt like it was just dragging. I also felt like some things were left open ended that should have been wrapped up. I am excited to read the next one since she left it open ended and see where Joe's journey continues to take him.

I really wanted to love this one. Unfortunately, all of the characters did nothing for me and the story was a bit bland. This didn't feel like our Joe.

Oh Joe, you creepy stalker. I can't tell you how glad I am to see you again. I did a small happy dance when my wish was granted and I had early access to You Love Me. Even though Joe is a voyeuristic stalker with an occasional murder thrown in for good measure, I can't get enough. This next chapter of Joe's life its just as engaging as the first two books in the series, and I am already excited for Book 4!

Better than the second not as good as the first! I enjoyed this read as much as I had expected to. Love being in Joe's head again. It's not okay that I find myself rooting for Joe, but I always do.

Joe is back! But this time, he vows to be the anti Joe. No more killing or watching or cages. He wants to be good. He’s moved to a small, quiet town with seemingly normal people. When he sees HER. And immediately Joe wants her to love him. The right way. But Mary Kay is complicated. Different than the others. Joe has to be patient. I loved this book so much. I feel like I need to follow Joe the way he needs to follow others. I need to know what Joe is doing at all times. I’m invested. This book will do that to you. It will have you invested. You will want to know if Joe remains patient. You will want to know if Joe gets the girl. You will love this book.

So I did a bad thing and have not read the first two books before picking up #3. I have however watched the show and had heard it followed the book fairly close so I thought I'd be OK. I was a bit lost at times. I highly suggest that you read the first 2 books before reading this one.
While I did enjoy the story, Joe's inner dialogue was, well, annoying. Maybe it wouldn't have bothered me so much if I had read the other two books and was expecting it.
All and all it was enjoyable, but I'm unsure if I will will read the next book, or just wait for Netflix.

Oh Joe, you creepy sarcastic being, you did it again. Book one is so incredible it’s hard to beat that one but this was really good. Some of the characters annoyed me. I found some parts to be a bit slower but it was still a phenomenal read. Even though I shouldn’t enjoy reading about a serial killer, he’s got some funny thoughts/perspective about reality that I always enjoy.

Oh, Joe Goldberg. You are back and at it again. Joe resurfaces on Bainbridge Island in the Pacific Northwest and starts volunteering at his local library. He immediately gets the hots for Mary Kay DiMarco, local librarian (big surprise), and some things never change, do they Joe? You are right back to being a creepy stalker and I am right back to enjoying the wild ride you always take us on (for some strange reason).

It’s the style of writing that just hooks me everytime. Joe is so toxic and so entertaining as a first person narrator. He REALLY thinks these crazy thoughts and believes that he is sane and I just can’t get enough. I started reading this series before it was a Netflix show so I have been a Joe follower for a while. I honestly don’t think they could have cast anyone better to fill the role than Penn Badgley because now he is all I can see when I think of Mr. Joe Goldberg who may be one of the most addicting characters of all time. I found myself a little irritated with how over the top ALL of the characters were, like can’t one person on this island just be mellow? That being said, that’s what makes it such a good read. These wacky people kept me on my toes. I do wish it was a bit shorter, some of the twists probably could have been ditched. Overall, if Joe was back again, you better believe I would be reading number four in this series right away.

I was hoping this one would be good, but my expectations weren’t very high as I didn’t see where the story could go after Hidden Bodies. I feel like this book was only written because of the popularity of the show after it was moved to Netflix after season one. As crazy as Joe gets for each woman he obsesses over, it cheapens the “love” each time. Not every person you fall for is going to be the love of your life, and if you go through life like that, you’re going to find yourself more disappointed than not. The ending had some serious twists, but you come to realize that Joe’s flaws prevent him from achieving his happily ever after.

I think this is the best book of the series so far. It’s hard to talk about this book without giving anything away. I will just say that we see Joe move to a small Island town outside Seattle as he tries to move on from his past and be a reformed man. I am so happy Joe is back and I hope we will see him again in more books in the future. Thank you Random House for granting wish on NetGalley!

Joe Goldberg is back and up to his same old tricks although he is "a good person". When we meet up with Joe this time he is living in the PNW in a home bought and paid for with the "stay away from Love" money her family paid him. Joe is volunteering at a library and has set his sights on a librarian there named Mary Kay. Mary Kay is married to a "has been" famous rock star and has a teenage daughter. The husband and daughter are no match for Joe. He even lovingly refers to himself as the stepdad. Joe is all in and will do whatever it takes to win Mary Kays heart even if it's not the most moral of choices.

I will admit the beginning seemed a bit slow and I was somewhat bored but it picks up about 1/3 of the way in. I ended up loving it. I can get enough of this creep! I've already found out there will be a book 4 and I can not wait!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

*I received a free copy of You Love Me in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own and do not reflect that of the publisher or author.

As my husband said when I first made him aware of the new installment in Joe’s story, “I really hope he finds love this time” and that’s the talent of Caroline Kepnes in all her Joe novels. She makes you care about a guy who does unspeakable things in the name of love and devotion.

This time, Joe finds himself in the Pacific Northwest, on a little island off the coast of Washington. The quiet setting was a stark contrast to Joe’s previous haunts (New York and LA) and the object of his affection is a married mother of a teenager named Mary Kay. What’s more, she works at a library. As a librarian myself, I loved the little glimpses into library life, as well as the literary references.

Since Joe’s paramore was already established it was a bit of a fresh take on Joe’s modus operandi. Of course we got the typical “love at first sight” accompanied by all the trappings of making sure his love is happy and being the guy she needs, even if she does not know she want him, yet. Joe is the ultimate unreliable narrator and I absolutely adore it. For anyone who has not read the books but has seen the Netflix show, you should go in knowing that Joe is so much cringier in the books than he is in the show.

At play in the book is also some consequences that carry over from Hidden Bodies, which I am going to remain tight lipped about to avoid spoilers. I will say that Joe is absolutely as diabolical, manipulative and stalker-ish as he was in the other two books– even if he is determined to “be good”. He even rescues three kittens– which all survive so do not worry about that!

Joe has learned from his past relationships, which he applied to his wooing of Mary Kay as well as the winning over of her daughter which he calls “the meerkat”. You love the people he loves and hate the people he hates and maybe, just maybe, you understand why he does a lot of what he does and how dare Caroline Kepnes make me empathize with a guy like Joe. It’s absolutely disturbing and I reveled in every minute of it.

Overall, I gave Joe’s latest effort to find love 5🌟 and wish him luck in his future endeavors that we will hopefully get to read soon. I am so thankful to Penguin Random House for the early copy and am always excited to read more from this author.

You Love Me is a must read for fans of the You series. This is the third book in the series and a great continuation of the series. If you like the Netflix series, I highly recommend reading the books while you are waiting for the next season. The books are different than the show, so there were a few parts I was confused by thinking of what happens in the show versus the previous book. Joe returns with his typical creepiness and scheming. Joe has a new love interest and I loved the suspense to see what will happen to her and Joe. The new love interest has more of a life than his previous girlfriends. This makes it harder for Joe to get close. I enjoyed seeing how Joe has changed but how he is still the same. It’s interesting to see the differences between his previous relationships and this one. You Love Me was my favorite book in the You series, and I am curious to see where the series goes next and how Joe evolves.

I listened to the audiobook narrated by Santino Fontana and think he is the perfect voice for Joe (as well as Penn Badgley). Fontana’s narration added to the suspense and excitement of the book.

Thank you Random House and Penguin Random House Audio for You Love Me.

As a huge fan of the first two books in this series, I was a little bit disappointed in this one. Joe didn't seem to have the same voice that I loved in the first two, it felt a little bit forced. I still liked it, it just wasn't the same level as the first two.

DNF for me. I love the Netflix series but tried reading and listening and just could not sort out Joes voice in my head the same way I’m used to watching it be narrated over the scenes. May try again in the future because I want to know what Joe is up to!

Thank you so much @RandomHouse & @NetGalley for giving me this eARC in exchange for my honest and unbiased review (Release Date | 06 April 2021)

SYNOPSIS | This the 3rd instalment in the YOU series where Joe decides that he has had enough of the city & moves to the Pacific Northwest for a fresh start. He begins working at the local library where he meets Mary Kay, but he won't meddle & he won't obsess, instead he will win over Mary Kay the old fashioned way. The only problem, she already has a life without Joe.

WHAT I LIKED:
- being back inside Joe's psychotic brain
- I had to constantly remind myself that Joe didn't write this book
- lots of mini cliff hangers at the end of each chapter
- it was left as if there could be a book 4...

WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE:
- overall this book could have been a smidge shorter
- where was the murder?!

"You Love Me" .. maybe it's me, not you.
2.5 Stars rounded up to three.

The 3rd book in the "You" series just didn't do it for me. I loved the first two books but I just found Joe to be rather annoying in this book. He just seemed to moan on and on and I was over it about 10 chapters in. The ending/twists weren't very thrilling.
Will I read another book in this series should the author decide to publish one? Of course. I still love Joe and can't wait for the 3rd season of the show.

Another fantastic installment of the Joe Goldberg! There is definitely a different side of Joe featured in this novel, but we still get a glimpse of the man we hate-to-love. I found this one to be a little slower than the first two installments, but once we got to the last 100 pages there were plot twists left and right that I did not see coming! Also LOVED that we got some solid library rep in this book. We love a book that love books.

Overall, a real solid installment, and I can't wait to read about Joe's adventures in Florida.

This is one of my most anticipated releases of 2021 and thank you so much to both Netgalley and Random House for the gift advance copy of You Love Me.

I first off want to say I am a major fan of Joe Goldberg and the YOU series. Although this was not my favorite You book, there is something about Joe that really captivates your attention while reading his journey through his love story. I first read You and Hidden Bodies back in 2018 and I think a major indicator of my rating is there was too much time in between books. I think if the books were read closer together or if the wait wasn't so long I may have enjoyed this story a little bit more.

Once the story finishes in Hidden Bodies, I am instantly wanting to know how Joe and Love's story continues. This book takes you in a completely different direction than what's expected, and I think I really enjoyed that the most. I wasn't expecting Joe to fall for someone else and I certainly wasn't expecting that person to be in the predicament she was in. Also, I love that the books really show how dark Joe can be vs the show. In the show, I feel like he is portrayed as someone who can be innocent but in the books, I love that he does have these dark intentions.

Will I continue to read anything by this author or other books in the You series? Of course, in a heartbeat.