Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for access to this title. All opinions expressed are my own.

I said that 2023 would be catching up with the series I have committed myself to in the past. Keep that TBR low. This certainly wasn't the final book but I feel that Caroline Kepnes is soon going to help us say goodbye to our favorite stalker and killer. Honestly, Joe was a bit boring in this one. He seems to be losing his mojo.


A short recap of my reactions to Joe Goldberg and the You book series and Netflix adaptation. SPOILERS ABOUND. The times I use the word boring -probably too many times. I am sorry.

You book 1 = 5 stars! OMG, I loved this so freaking much. Joe's sarcasm and his general ability to make me laugh. Please let there be more!

Hidden Bodies book 2= 4 stars. I hate L. A! Just like Joe Goldberg. Liked the twists!

You Love Me book 3- 3 stars. Okeee.... it's starting to be a little bit formulaic but I am sticking with the series.

For You and Only You book 4 2 stars= Harvard is not that exciting. A lot of these characters were not very memorable. Did like that someone is starting to catch on to Joe. Still going to see where the series goes.


Netflix Series( binged all 4 seasons in Winter of 2023)

Season 1= Acting is great. Overall, very faithful to the book. Didn't bother me the little changes or creative licenses taken. Appreciated out the fleshing out of Joe's back story. But... sometimes I felt bored. Is that because I had read the book?

Season 2= Acting is great. Joe & Love ❤️❤️❤️ Don't mind the changes from the book. But after a few episodes, all Forty scenes were fast-forwarded. Also, Jenna Ortega is a great actress but I grew tired of her in this. Sometimes, I was bored. Maybe these books don't need ten episodes?

Season 3= Acting is FANTASTIC! I know, I know, a huge departure from the books but let's see the direction it goes in. Oh, gosh, LOVE IS insane! I am glad to see Scott Speedman again. I always feel bad that I was TEAM Noel. But he is great at this next-door neighbor role. But I am REALLY bored, like, I don't want to watch this television show anymore. But my momma didn't raise a quitter!

Season 4= Acting was great. Some episodes didn't really hold my attention. Seriously, why do we need ten episodes of this show? Why am I so bored?

Season 5= It has just been announced this will be the final season. I hope it blows all the other seasons out of the water.

Expected Publication Date 25/04/23
Goodreads Review Published 16/04/23
#ForYouandOnlyYou #NetGalley

I think it’s time to leave Joe.

I really loved You, felt meh about Hidden Bodies, enjoyed You Love Me, but For You and Only You just didn’t work for me. Maybe I just like every other You installment, but I honestly don’t know that I would read any more at this point. My favorite part about Joe was that he was funny, but I’m getting annoyed now. I mean obviously Joe is unhealthy, but he’s normally pretty aware, sarcastic, funny, and makes some great remarks about the world in general. He’s no dummy, but it’s starting to feel pretty dumb for him to continue to stalk desperate women and the women themselves are just getting worse. Beck was awful, but I got it. Love was almost an equal in some ways and was interesting, Mary Kay was sweet and simple in a time when he wanted to settle down in a sleepy town, but Wonder was just… bland.

I think I could have forgiven his obsession with Wonder, but the whole writing fellowship in New England was just too much for me. The literary references and the insufferable literary types in the fellowship and everyone’s awful need to be the next recognized writer just made my skin crawl. I know that was the point, but I just didn’t want to read about it. It’s one thing when it’s the love interest being desperate and Joe acting like he knows what’s best for her, but when every character is just trying to climb over each other but still act like they are friends and having Joe also be lumped into that.. he should have been smarter and stayed away from a giant group of academics.

I’m usually captivated by the narration and I really didn’t enjoy reading this one. I was more secondhand embarrassed and annoyed with Joe and I’ve never really felt it as much before. I hated that Joe was trying to stalk Wonder AND also try to see his own book succeed and I missed his confidence.

I hate to rate this low when I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the books and really wanted to love this one, but I just didn’t like it at all.

Joe Goldberg is back in this 4th book in the You series. Joe is stepping out to the acclaimed halls of Harvard where he will be participating in a writing fellowship with fame author Glenn Shoddy. He thinks he has finally found a place where talent is all that is needed. That is until he meets the other participants who are just elitist assholes. Luckily, Wonder Parrish walks in and saves Joe. They both come from meager backgrounds and have so much in common. If Joe can get Wonder to commit to the writing lifestyle they would be literary soulmates and Joe will do anything to make that happen.

I have read and watched all of the You series and this is a warning after book 2 the book and the series do not match up and are really different. I’m not sure why but I read this book and watched season 4 of You at the same time which messed with me a bit because I actually liked the show’s season 4 better than the book but I think if I had done this at a separate time I would not have compared them so much. So, if you have already watched season 4 go into book 4 with an open mind. The book brought classic Joe Goldberg back which had me fall in love with the books in the first place.

There were some parts of this I enjoyed, but overall it did not work for me. I found it to be missing so much of the magic, fun, and thrilling aspects of the other books in the series. All of the characters, especially Wonder, felt so one-note that I didn’t care about them in the slightest. Someone finds out about all his murders and he suffers no consequences at all?? This just did not do it for me.

Joe Goldberg has made his way to Harvard and managed to secure a writing fellowship. Finally he is writing instead of selling other writers books. This is where he meets Wonder, they have so much in common, they are both from humble beginnings who earned their place in the fellowship on talent alone. He will sacrifice his own dreams to make hers become a reality.

I still want to see where this story goes, and if there ever ends up being a tied up ending to it as a whole. Which might be my biggest motivator in reading these novels, I'm fully invested. With that said, it is getting to the point where it feels like the same thing in a different location, but not quite as exciting. I enjoyed this novel because it was a Joe Goldberg novel, but I feel like he has lost a little bit of his mojo. Wonder was my least favorite of Joe's interests, she was boring and I couldn't understand why Joe was so into her and I think that took me out of this story a lot. Every time she left him I found myself screaming "LET HER GO JOE" at my kindle because seriously, he could have been his creepy self for someone better.

Overall, I still enjoyed it, but I'm worried it's losing it's magic for me.

I was jumping for joy when I received this arc. Love love this story. I can’t get enough of Joe. Always enjoyed this authors writing and I can just picture Joe speaking. I really hope there is another one. Highly recommend

5⭐️

<b> Something had to change, so I put all my feelings about my tragic, no-good love stories into a blender and wrote a novel.</b>

Joe Goldberg’s at it again, this time as a member of a Harvard literary fellowship working on writing his book, <i>Me</i>. Unsurprisingly, Joe falls in love with a fellow autodidact (and a Goodreads girl) in a sea of Harvard elites, and he will stop at nothing to ensure their new relationship succeeds.

I love these books! This is the first time I’ve read a physical copy of this instead of listening to the audio book, and admittedly I did really miss what the audio book narrator brings to Joe. I will definitely be rereading when the audio book releases! I can’t wait to see what trouble Joe gets into in the next one.

<b> Love is a book. You don’t skip ahead. You let the story surprise you. You root for the character and let the author set the pace. You don’t read because you’re in control, because you know what comes next and when. You read because you don’t know.</b>

Just when I thought it couldn’t get better, Caroline wrote this bad boy! I loved this book the most of out of the whole series! Prepare to be unable to put this book down.

This is a review I never thought I would write...
I think Joe Goldberg has hit his expiration date. (I can't believe I am even typing that.)
There were so many things in this book that got under my skin so much, that I thought about walking away from the book. I have been a huge Joe Goldberg lover for years.
First of all, in general, I am sick and tired of the whole white man privilege AND evil white man narrative in fiction. Words cannot express how tired of it I am. While this has been a theme in the previous books, it felt much heavier in this book. I was over it really fast.
Joe just didn't deserve any happy ending in this one. I just didn't like him. The whole vibe of the book was completely different than the first three books. It felt off-centered. Actually, I really didn't care about any of the characters in this book. Not a one.
I had to force my self to read to the end. It wasn't all that interesting, if I'm being honest. The book just was. It's haninging out there somewhere in the, I could've not read the book and not miss anything and I am glad I at least read it. This book wasn't necessarily terrible, but it definitely didn't feel like a real Joe Goldberg book.

We have another installment on Joe Goldberg in the YOU series.

I enjoy the YOU series but I am just not sure how much more can happen.

In this new book Joe is heading to Harvard. He has written a book and now got invited to a writing fellowship at the college.

This is where he meets Wonder Parish at a coffee shop. We found out that she is an aspiring writer and Joe is absolutely infaturated with her. I found her character to be rather boring.

I enjoyed the writing but I did have a hard time getting through it due to the length and me thinking this series seems to just have run it’s course.

The ending does leave you think that another story could he coming in the series.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing in exchange for my honest review.

What do you do with a problem like Joe Goldberg? This time our villainous hero is awarded a writing fellowship at Harvard.
Between falling in love and murdering whomever is in his way Joe has written a book which needs to get published
I must admit between watching the current season on Netflix and concurrently reading this latest volume the body count here was lackluster. Trying not to compare and just enjoying Joe, his inner monologue is so much fun. There is never a moment we don't know what's happening in that crazy brain. I know he eventually needs to be stopped but for now just enjoy the ride. Thank you to Netgalley and Random House for the early edition

While I love Joe, it took a while for this one to pick up speed. Very slow beginning. Overall it was a decent read if you can get past the first half the book. I just have such high expeditions from the first book that I unfortunately don’t think any will live up to You.

If you enjoyed reading the other books or watching the Netflix show I would definitely ask you to keep reading. This is way better than the TV series because this is where the storyline really deviates and I liked it so much more. I like this one so much more! It was also a bit longer than expected but worth it. If you think you know Joe Goldberg, think again. He is full of surprises and the other characters always get me. I literally hear the actor's voice in my head which makes it even better. Just go read it already...

Joe is ready for a change. Instead of selling books, he’s writing them. And he's off to a good start. Glenn Shoddy, an acclaimed literary author, recognizes Joe's genius and invites him to join a tight-knit writing fellowship at Harvard. Finally, Joe will be in a place where talent matters more than pedigree, where intellect is the great equalizer and anything is possible--even happy endings. Or so he thinks, until he meets his already-published, already-distinguished peers, who all seem to be cut from the same privileged cloth.

Thankfully, Wonder enters the picture. They have so much in common. No college degrees, no pretensions, no stories from prep school or grad school. Just a love for literature. If only Wonder could commit herself to the writing life they could be those rare literary soulmates who never fall prey to their demons. There is so much they’re up against, but Joe has faith in Wonder. He will sacrifice his art for hers. And if he has to, he will kill her darlings for her.

With her trademark satirical, biting wit, Caroline Kepnes explores why vulnerable people bring out the worst in others as Joe sets out to make this small, elite world a fairer place. And if a little crimson runs in the streets of Cambridge who can blame him? Love doesn't conquer all. Often, it needs a little push.

Ooof. I have struggled with how to rate this one. Ultimately, I think a 3 is perfect for the book as a standalone, I think maybe a 4 if you're a fan of the You series and see this latest installment as a bigger part of the overall story of Joe Goldberg. I felt like a trudged through this one and that the story is very much the same as the previous books. I will say that the references to so many authors, books and Housewives were so fun and my favorite part of this latest glimpse into Joe's psyche.

It appears that I will continue reading these books as long as they come out, regardless of how I actually feel about them! The latest installment of Joe Goldberg's mess: For You and Only You was just mediocre for me. I don't know if I've simply had enough of Joe being...Joe, or what, but this one fell a bit flat for me. It felt long and slow, and not in a good "it's slow because he's stalking" kind of way. This fourth "You" novel is definitely not as graphic as the last ones, which makes me more likely to recommend it to some friends who have found the others to be too much. I honestly think I would have enjoyed this book more if it was *not* Joe Goldberg!

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

Caroline Kepnes delivers a darkly captivating tale in this latest book. Joe Goldberg, a gifted writer, joins a prestigious writing fellowship at Harvard, only to realize the ugly truth of elitism among his peers. But when he meets Wonder, a fellow lover of literature, Joe finds hope for a kindred spirit. As their relationship unfolds, Joe's belief in the rule of fiction is put to the test, and he must confront his own demons.

Kepnes's sharp and incisive prose is a highlight of the book, as she dissects the toxic dynamics that arise when vulnerable people are driven by ambition and desire. The exploration of classism, privilege, and the lengths people will go for success is both timely and thought-provoking. Through Joe's morally complex journey, Kepnes challenges conventional notions of love and the consequences of unchecked ambition.

"Love doesn't conquer all" is a recurring theme in this darkly humorous and suspenseful novel. As Joe navigates the cutthroat world of literary circles, the reader is taken on a thrilling ride filled with unexpected twists and turns.

I am so sad. I was so excited to get a digital copy of this and it really fell flat for me. I don’t know if it’s because of the tv show or what, but this was not the same books I have been reading about Joe.

I could have cared less about all of the author talk or about the books these people were writing. It seemed like it was more of the story line than Joe being who Joe is. I missed the Joe that we read in the first two books. I knew I was in trouble when I had to reread chapter one several times. This happened several more times in the book.

All in all, I think I might be done with this series.

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for a digital ARC!

This book was like 200 pages too long 🫠 Maybe I’m just over this series but it seemed like this book was just draggggggging! I’m not sure if Joe is just getting soft, but I expected more murder and less literature.

Thanks @netgalley for read number 49 of 2023. I’ve read two of the other #joegoldberg books, and I was eager to read this one. I started it weeks ago, and found it too slow moving for me at the time, so I stopped reading it at 17% and decided to return to it this weekend. I’m so glad that I did. @carolinekepnes is one of a kind at writing characters. While this is a more character-driven suspense novel and maybe not as disturbing and graphic as some of her other ones, I absolutely loved it! She gets you thinking until the very last page. A ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ read in my books. Sometimes you need to just get immersed in characters, even ones that are very unlikeable. #joegoldberg is the most unlikeable, likeable character yet. #avivaandfriendsrecos

Joe, our famous stalker, is back now working on a writing program at Harvard and meets Wonder, who we can safely assume is the next target for his stalking. From there, it goes on the expected lines true to the series. I think the best part of the series has to be Joe's monologues which are creepy yet enjoyable for fun reading! As much as I have enjoyed this series, this one was long and could have been better if 100 pages were trimmed. Also of the female characters, I was not that interested in Wonder. I did like it but at this point, it felt too repetitive.