Thank you for a preview of this book. This story continues the saga of serial killer Joe Goldberg as he goes to Harvard. It was definitely a page turner and kept me interested, and I am a fan of the series and the Netflix show. I just feel that there isn't too much original happening here, as you can only twist and turn this character/story so much. That being said, Joe is a great character and this is a suspenseful read.

I love Joe, I really do, but it took me forever to finish this cause I was bored. Too long, too repetitive, and I just never did love Wonder or get why she became the object of Joe's affection. She was seriously stuck, stunted, and very one dimensional and she made Joe her mirror.

For me the series has started to get stale and that's sad. I would rather an author wrap it up and end it rather than it slowly die as she continues to write and write. Is there an ending planned? I was hoping for continued growth for Joe but instead felt like he stumbled. This is probably it for me unless the next book is the last book.

Rating: 3.5/5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (rounded up to 4)
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Once again, Joe is back, this time at Cambridge where he accepted an invitation to a writing fellowship at Harvard. Shockingly enough, I know, Joe falls head over heels for the one and only Wonder Parish. As per the usual, this installation is told purely through Joe’s point of view, or rather, Joe’s thoughts.
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The first two books were absolute fire, seriously I still recommend those books. The third installation, Joe really made me cringe with his weird incessant use of “lemonhead” for a woman’s lady parts. This one, this one was different, I think that Joe was more mellow - which was kind of a let down, if I’m being honest, I like crazy Joe. The murders were less frequent and honestly, just less in general. This is more of a slow burn compared to the other three. This one mores focused on Joe’s aspiration to become a writer, and of course his newest love interest. I wanted more death and I really didn’t care for Wonder at all, she was just flat and boring. I will say, I found this one, Joe in particular to be pretty funny in this one. There were multiple points in this where I actually chuckled out loud to myself.
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There was however an interesting twist thrown in there and I can without a doubt say that it was my favorite part! I wanted more with Sara Beth and Joe and their incident. I would absolutely love to learn more about Sara Beth and/or there be a spinoff following her. I can 100% say that as long as there is another Joe Goldberg novel - I will keep on reading. I’m invested, I need to know what is happening.
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Side Note: If you’re a fan of the series “YOU” on Netflix, don’t compare book four to season four - they are completely different.
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Overall, if you are a fan of the series, you obviously have to read this one, is it the best one yet? No, but come one it’s Joe, we love to read his sick, turtured, twisted thoughts. If you haven’t read the series, I highly recommend it - especially for the first two books. For You and Only You was released on April 25
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Huge thank you to @netgalley and @randomhousepublishing and Caroline Kepnes for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

DNF @ 45%

Thank you for an arc in exchange for an honest review. Unfortunately, this book is not for me.

In Caroline Kepnes's fourth instalment of the 'You' series, we follow Joe as he heads off to New England and does some more stalking, murderous and sociopathic things but with a new target.

I'm DNF'ing this book because as much as I loved the first one and the tv series, this series should have never been expanded past the first book. But here we are, four books in, and exhausted from the repetitiveness of this series.

My issue with this novel is that the writing and plot feel convoluted, exhaustive and directionless, and I would only recommend this one if you absolutely loved the third one. Otherwise, don't bother.

Joe is back and creepier than ever. And I love it!!

This book is everything you would want from Joe. Now an author in a group of other authors trying to get their books published, Joe eventually shows his true colors and then the fun starts!

You will definitely want to pick up For You and Only You to continue the saga of Joe.

Love this series. Want there to be more. I love the books more than the show. Also love the narration. So good.

The YOU series is such a good one. Too bad they botched the latest season of it on Netflix. Caroline Kepnes is a great writer and this is seriously a great story.

Lol @ “goodreads girl” joes monologues are always funny to me sorry
His choice of women is exhausting wonder was so boring worse than Mary Kay
He’s really leaving a trail and I just wonder what his next step is.

Loved the YOU series but I think I'm finally done and willing to end my chapter for the love I have for Joe Goldberg. I also hate how different the books are compared to the show, especially since the show is coming out faster than the books.

Would love something else by the author.

Joe is back! And this time he is fixated on writer in the rough and co-fellow Wonder.
The core of the story remains the same since book 1, Joe is completely delusional and lacks morality and self awareness… this is why I keep picking up this series!

While some of his patterns changed a little, the story did not exactly offer a fresh take on his obsessions or a brand new storyline. If you come here though for the same madness per usual , you came to the right place!

What I thoroughly enjoyed in this book is the love-hate relationship Joe has (not just with Wonder herself but also) with her success and craft. Is he a supportive partner or jealous out of his mind? He can’t decide!

While I overall give this a higher rating than book 2 and 3, I am ready for a conclusion of Joe‘s story! 3.5/5 stars.

Thank you NetGalley for providing me a free arc against an honest review.

I love Joe Goldberg and will never stop reading these books. That being said, this one was not like the others, Joe was a little too ‘good’ and it was a little on the long side. I thoroughly enjoy listening to these books, as the narrator sounds like Penn Badgley to me which helps to easily picture the Joe from the Netflix series here but maybe that is my issue, I shouldn’t compare season 4 and book 4 as they are nothing alike. In this book, Joe is letting his ‘feelings’ get in the way, he is ‘caring’ for people too much, and while I do think this will take us into the next book nicely where Joe will hopefully return to usual given how this one ended (just my thoughts). I really just wanted Joe to be who he is and nothing more. I do enjoy Joe’s inner dialogues and those were on point here, they had me chuckling throughout per usual. This was entertaining overall, and I cannot wait for the next one!

Thank you to PRH Audio, NetGalley, and Random House for the free copies to review.

Honestly this series went from have the worst sequel(the second one) to books that are 10x better than its Netflix counterpart. There the show has failed so extremely the book series thrives. If you are disappointed in what the show had to offer I recommend picking up the books

Title: A Captivating Journey of Love and Obsession

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Review:

"For You and Only You" by Caroline Kepnes is a gripping and intense exploration of love, obsession, and the boundaries of sanity. Kepnes once again showcases her masterful storytelling ability, weaving a complex narrative that kept me hooked from start to finish.

The novel introduces us to a cast of intriguing characters, each with their own flaws and secrets. The protagonist, with her deeply flawed yet compelling nature, is brought to life with meticulous detail. Kepnes excels at creating characters that are simultaneously relatable and unnerving, blurring the line between protagonist and antagonist.

The pacing of the story is superb, with the tension escalating steadily as the plot unfolds. The author skillfully weaves together multiple storylines, offering glimpses into the minds of different characters and keeping the reader guessing at every turn. I found myself constantly on edge, eager to uncover the next twist or revelation.

Kepnes' prose is evocative and atmospheric, drawing the reader into the dark and obsessive world she has created. Her ability to delve into the complexities of human emotions is unparalleled. She explores themes of love, desire, and possessiveness with a depth and nuance that left me questioning my own perceptions.

What truly sets "For You and Only You" apart is Kepnes' ability to make us question our own morality and empathy. Through the lens of obsession, she forces us to confront uncomfortable truths about ourselves and the lengths we would go to for love. It's a thought-provoking examination of the human psyche that lingers long after the final page.

While I thoroughly enjoyed the book, there were moments when the pacing felt slightly uneven, and some of the supporting characters could have been further developed. However, these minor flaws did not detract significantly from my overall enjoyment of the story.

"For You and Only You" is a mesmerizing read that will keep you enthralled until the very end. Caroline Kepnes' masterful storytelling, combined with her exploration of obsession and the dark side of love, makes this book a compelling and unforgettable experience. I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys psychological thrillers and complex character studies.

I really wasn't sure where Joe was going to go in this next installment and I was afraid that it would be too similar to the past books. However, it was very fresh and unique storyline. I loved the writer's aspect of this one and found all of the characters to be very compelling. I just love Joe Goldberg as a character and I found his voice in this to be very true to himself. The way he narrates in the first person in this installment makes it feel personal and like you're inside his head. I loved hearing things from his point of view and hope we get another like this. I didn't find this to be drawn out at all and was very interested to see you where every character's story would lead. I look forward to seeing what else Joe has in store. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5)

Caroline Kepnes has done it again with her mesmerizing new chapter, "For You and Only You." Once again, we're pulled back into the dark and twisted world of Joe Goldberg, where Kepnes deftly explores the boundaries of love and obsession. Unexpected twists and chilling encounters will keep readers on the edge of their seats, all while being captivated by Kepnes' sharp prose and compelling character development. Fans of psychological suspense won't want to miss out on this must-read novel. Brace yourself for an unsettling journey into the mind of Joe Goldberg that will leave you craving more.

I cannot even explain how happy I was to be back in the world of Joe Goldberg. Since it's book #4 in the series I will keep some details cryptic, but was so excited to see Joe at Harvard and in Boston (it's a buzzword for me!).

Caroline Kepnes's writing drew me in when I first discovered YOU and it's continued to bring me back to the page. I loved every moment of this book and enjoyed a slow, indulgent reading experience. She always keeps me guessing - never sure what Joe is going to do next or how the story will unfold,

I've also really enjoyed the trajectory of Joe over the four books - how each experience has impacted him and how to continues to battle his inner demons. His snark and wit is so on point - he's definitely saying a lot of the things we're all thinking! And I've said it before and I'll say it again - he's absolutely a book crush of mine.

To me Joe is one of the best examples of how every villain is the hero of their own story. He's acting from a place of what he thinks is the right - or necessary - thing to do. And it comes from his version of love. Oh Joe! I am so intrigued to see what comes next - I hope something more comes next!

This book had be laughing and relating and cringing and worrying and wondering. I also loved how deeply this book went into the love of books and the life of writers. Caroline Kepnes continues to elevate each story and bring something unique to the page while also honoring who Joe is. Such a massive fan.

Huge thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. I was so thrilled to be able to read this one! Highly recommend!

I finished reading For You and Only You by Carolyn Kepnes last night and, of course, I loved it. An interesting new adventure with lots of twists and turn that had me on edge of my seat. Will Joe finally get caught?🤷🏻‍♀️ You’ll have to read this page turner to find out. As long as there are Joe Goldberg books, I will keep reading them. He’s one of my favourite characters.

When I finished the third “You” book it definitely teased a continuation so I was excited when I finally saw the fourth book available! However, I think this series has maxed out for me.

Although I don’t watch the Netflix show anymore, (I couldn’t get past halfway through season 1), I’ve really enjoyed the books. And I’m aware from friends that the books and the show have taken an entirely different direction. Reading Joe with his somehow likable personality despite being a serial killer has been mostly entertaining. But by the end of this book I felt over Joe.

This book felt like the first book all over again. Joe becomes obsessed with a woman and stalks her until they start dating. They met in a writer’s workshop at Harvard and she felt all too familiar to Beck. It read like a “been there, done that” for Joe and while I enjoyed the humor I wasn’t as interested in this book as a whole.

Then, about halfway through, things get super interesting! I felt like finally the plot took us somewhere new. But, ultimately I didn’t like where it all ended up. I felt like multiple parts of the plot were too absurd and unrealistic. I just had a hard time believing the characters.

All in all, this was not my favorite book in the series and even though it ends with an opening to continue I’m not sure I would this time.

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House for an ARC of this book.

For You and Only You by Caroline Keynes

I’m a big fan of Joe Goldberg both in print and on film…but I didn’t love this episode in his life.

The overall story, Joe at a fancy writer’s fellowship, was great, but it felt out of place in the storyline after everything else that’s happened to him.

The second half and the introduction of Sarah Beth knowing everything about him was really interesting. She was much more interesting than Wonder!

Still a good read and I will always pick up the next book! If you’re having Joe withdraw make sure to catch up on his latest shenanigans.

Thank to @netgalley and @atriabooks for the advanced reader.

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Joe Goldberg is back in the latest novel from Caroline Kepnes. Joe may be back but after reading ten percent of this one, I will not be back. I have high hopes that each novel will make me gasp and be surprised with Joe. However; I feel that this series has lived its time and needs to move on.