I knew Joe before he was famous. Yes, before he was a Netflix superstar, I read and devoured Joe Goldberg, getting lost in his twisted, yet sympathetic inner monologues; his murderous, yet charming ways. Joe is an anti-hero I love to read, and I was thrilled when I learned that author Caroline Kepnes was expanding the You series beyond the first two books. More Joe Goldberg? Count me in.

However, some things are better quit when they are ahead. As the You series goes on, Joe becomes less interesting and compelling as he becomes more sane and civilized. Don’t get me wrong - I love to see Joe as a reformed man … I just don’t find it entirely readable. When I pick up a You novel, I am looking for the crazy and completely unhinged. While there were still some glimpses of the “old Joe” in the third novel in this series, You Love Me, by book 4, Joe is practically your average guy … who sometimes has the tendency to kill. I hate to say it, but … I miss the old Joe!

In For You and Only You, Kepnes takes Joe to the Ivy League. Joe wants to be a writer and has been accepted in a Harvard fellowship program, which hopefully will lead to a book deal for him. If he would use his own life for source material, I am sure his novel would be a hit. But alas, Joe wants to be a “serious” writer - think Salinger - and is apparently working on a piece of literary fiction, which is much how For You and Only You reads … like a piece of literary fiction. The suspense is gone. The fun is gone. Instead, we have over 400 pages of Joe lamenting about his book and fellow writers. It’s such a far cry from what we have previously read about Joe that this novel feels like it belongs in an entirely different series! It is a book about books, and even though we met Joe in a bookstore, I don’t believe it is his love of literature that keeps readers coming back to him. We want more JOE, and Joe, unfortunately, is just a shadow of his former self.

As Joe says so many times in this book about his current love interest, I too am a Goodreads girl, so Joe, I am sorry to say this, but I feel like I don’t get what you were trying to do here. This You novel was too literary for me; not accessible, and not what I was looking for. Because this is the weakest novel in the You series, I have to rate it 3 stars, having rated other novels in the series 4 & 5 stars. I didn’t hate it, but I didn’t love it either. If you are coming to the You series strictly from the TV show, having not read any of these books, I expect you to hate this novel. If you have read the other books in the series, then I think that you too will feel as I do. That is to say, disappointed.

This was probably my least favorite book out of the series. I really loved the first two and I just liked the last two. Overall this is a wild series. However, I hope their are no more books in this series. After reading four books in this series I feel like that’s enough. I feel like Joe’s story should be done.

For You And Only You is the fourth installment of the You series, and it was sadly my least favorite book in the series. I struggled to stay interested, and the book lacked the same charm as the other books had.

Joe is back in this latest installment, restarting his life in Cambridge, MA, and hoping for his book to be picked up and published. He finds a new lady love to be obsessed over, Wonder Parish, and still, nothing goes according to his plans. Unfortunately, he must resort to his manic homicidal ways to get what he wants.

This book did not give me the same satisfaction as the others, but my favorite part was that the story was set in my home state of Massachusetts. It was fun seeing places like Dunkin’s, Fenway, and Harvard were mentioned. The references made the story more compelling, but I felt the plot was still lacking. I felt like Joe had lost his magic, and he is more like a lost love-sick puppy in this book. Nothing exhilarating happens, and it is hard to stay interested when it is the same plot as the other books without the thrills. This book was not my favorite, but honestly, the whole series is worth the read, and they are much better than what the TV series is turning into.

Thank you to NetGallery and Random House Publishing House for my copy of the book.

This is the same Joe we all love...and hate. (Hate to love?) Our favorite stream-of-consciousness hero is back with another love of his life, and as usual we follow along and enjoy the bike ride.

Joe has written a book and is going to Harvard for a semester to workshop his story. He has a room full of like-minded students and a teacher/mentor who is to-die-for. Each student is in a different part of their writing journey, but there's a mouse in this house and the cheese is getting stinky. Who will make it out in one piece?

I love Joe and his commitment to the love of his life every single time. Pop culture references fit in perfectly and make me feel like I'm in on a secret joke. I really hope that Joe can find the one someday, but it doesn't seem likely. I'll always keep reading to find out!

The You series is one of my all time favorites. I could not wait to get my hands on For You and Only You and was not disappointed. The character development in this series is incredible (I’ll add that the casting in the Netflix series was spot on) and I silently root for (and against) Joe Goldberg throughout the story. In this chapter, Joe’s writes a book and newest love interest is fellow writer, Wonder Parrish. I found Wonder absolutely unlikeable, as she is so self absorbed. This is a change from previous stories, where I was hoping that Joe’s latest love would change him for the better. Like the other books in the series, I was immediately pulled in and was on the edge of my seat waiting to learn who Joe’s latest victim would be. In an interesting turn events, Joe may have met his ( psychotic) match and this added layer created mixed emotions (again rooting for an against Joe).
An absolute must read if you love this series.

Ｂｏｏｋ Ｒｅｖｉｅｗ

𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐎𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐘𝐨𝐮 by Caroline Kepnes
Published: Releasing April 25, 2023
Reviewed by: Mel
Format: ARC eBook

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐎𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐘𝐨𝐮

Special thanks to @carolinekepnes @netgalley and @randomhouse for sending me an eBook ARC of the 4th installment of the You series. You don’t know how much you made my fan girl dreams come true…you could even say I would have killed for this ARC. Heh.

This is one of my favorite series of all time — and Caroline has absolutely done it again. I just can’t seem to get over the quick wit, the creative references/pop culture, and Joe Goldberg’s unique voice.

This specific book takes place in Boston/Cambridge - which is hilarious because the 3rd book ends hinting that Joe is going to Orlando, and this book picks up after Joe has been living in Orlando. I currently live in Orlando and moved here from Boston — so it’s all close to home for me! The entire book had references and places that made me feel at home and it made me that much more invested in the story.

I honestly don’t know how Caroline does it, but in each of the You books, she creates this bond with Joe, this alliance that, no matter what Joe does, you’re always on his side — always agreeing with his actions — always empathizing with him.

This book sure was a rollercoaster, and I predicted absolutely zero percent of the twists and turns. I don’t want to spoil anything, but wowza — there’s just something about the way Caroline writes, both her actual prose as well as her plot lines and story arcs — it’s so unique and so engaging. I can never find in any other writer that je ne sais quoi — bravo to you Caroline, and I absolutely cannot wait for whatever adventure you have Joe embark on next or whatever creative character is born in your mind for the next story 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

Obviously when I received a digital ARC of the new Joe book, everything else I was currently reading went by the wayside! The YOU series has long been one of my favorite reads--and the show on Netflix is such a treat. It's almost like an alternate timeline of Joe events!
That being said...I think that this book will be divisive. It definitely is the most unusual Joe book to date. It is the most slow-burner of the Joe books, as well. So some people might be let down by that aspect.
Of course, being the fourth book in a series, some things become formulaic. That doesn't deter Kepnes from making the books continue to work. Because the stories are really character-driven. It is always LESS about the plot and more about JOE.
I devoured this in a single sitting, as per usual. I am still very excited about this character. I am also wondering where this will go. How this will end. Will Joe ever be happy? Will he get caught?
I look forward to the next Joe book. I hope that Kepnes can re-invent the character, or throw us a curve ball.
This book is out in April and if you have enjoyed the other Joe books, you will enjoy this one, too. Thanks Net Galley for this book in exchange for an honest review.

I know Joe is batshit crazy and I love him anyway. That's what a good writer does, made me love a villain. I am glad I read this before Netflix and their newest season. Loved Joe and his dark sarcasm. i didn't love Wonder as much, and I can't believe that's how Joe would have ended it....will be interested to see if the show stays with book. Keep them coming!

Thank you to NetGalley of the publisher for allowing me to read an ARC of For You and Only You by Caroline Kepnes!

Joe has found another girl who he is supposed to spend the rest of his life with. This time, he has been picked to join in with a group of his ‘peers’ working on writing books. I feel like if you are reading the fourth book in this series, you know what you are in for. If you liked the other books, you will enjoy this one as well.

Thank you to the publisher for my copy - all opinions are my own.

Joe Goldberg is back and in perfect form once again. Every single Joe book, I worry that somehow the plot will veer too far into the unreal, and I will be left disappointed, and every time I am proven wrong. I just love how Caroline manages to keep Joe within the realm of reality and how he is forced to continue to find his way as a man while navigating his tendencies to murder those people who get in the way of his endeavors with true love.

Joe is back and once again has found a woman that he can see his whole future with. Wonder proves to be a terrific match for him, along with the wider group of fellows in the Harvard writing group that Joe finds himself accepted into.

There are so many delicious new characters in this installment - messy, egotistical, deranged and delightful. Each one adds a new level of nuance to the story, and a few twists that were unexpected and just SO FUN.

No spoilers, but Joe G. fans will not be disappointed by this one. A must for 2023!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I LOVE Joe Goldberg! He is creepy and I an always terrified of being in his head. I love his inner monologues and always question how reliable of a narrator he is. I enjoyed this book so much. It was fun to be in Joe’s head.

I've been a huge fan of the 'you' books to date (as well as the Netflix adaptation). But sadly, this one wasn't quite at the same level. Joe has always been the villain that you still find very likeabke but in this book I didn't like him very much! Still urge you to read her earlier books and hoping the eventual next one in the series is back to former glory!

This was the worst Joe book. You Love Me was slipping as is but this was just so awful it took me months to finish because I just wasn’t into it. There was no chemistry between Joe and Wonder (which I despised her name), and they were never fully in a relationship to begin with in my opinion. The new characters were bland except for Sarah Beth. I kept waiting for there to be a plot twist with her and then there wasn’t. Joe was just randomly now obsessed with becoming a writer and wanting everyone to love his book. I think at this point I will stick with You and Hidden Bodies. I absolutely loved the first 2, but by the 4th book, Joe’s story seems to be dead in the ground like his victims.

What a great first book for 2023. I was overjoyed when I received a ARC of this book. I devoured the first three, and couldn’t wait to find out where this book took me. There is something about a story with one of your favorite characters.

I have both read and listened to this series, and it is almost creepy how I could hear the words in the narrator’s voice… and picture Joe as Penn.

This story finds him at Harvard in a fellowship program. The story almost intertwines with the book that Joe read.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and can’t wait for what is next!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I received an ARC of this novel from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Joe is a writer and a schemer. He squeezes his way into a Harvard fellowship and sets out on a mission to rule his world.

The newest “chapter” of the YOU series definitely was a slow burn for me, but satisfying nonetheless.


A lot of Joe’s inner-monologues that we have become accustomed to, and stream of consciousness trains of thought which is par for the course with our anti-hero… but for me this time I didn’t really love the object of his affection’s character, Wonder. I think the thing we have to remember though- is that Joe’s infatuation has never been because there is anything really outwardly special about a girl, but just his mind creating the idea that she is perfect (until she is not), so I understand the underwhelming female opposite.

I did enjoy the setting being in New England and all the cultural references that came along with that and some of the pop culture references.

I really enjoy the world that this author has built to fit a character like Joe Goldburg in, however I really hope the next installment of this story includes a bit of a shake-up and some character growth for our main character. I definitely will continue to read Joe’s story because I think the premise is super unique.

Thanks to Netgalley and Random House publishing for this ARC- this one will be published 4/25/2023!

Joe and his delusions are hilarious to me. Just as funny in the books as they are in the hit Netflix tv series. Instead of suffering any kind of consequence for his actions in previous books, Joe has now found himself in another environment brimming with people and potential victims.

The fact that he is so sick of everyone makes me chuckle a bit. The nicknames he chooses for the characters are even funnier. In walks Wonder, and in true Joe fashion, he becomes immediately obsessed. They have a few things in common which is more than enough cause for Joe to start cyber stalking and physically stalking her.

As always, I love the sarcasm and the nonsensical thought process that makes Joe think he's somehow superior to everyone else. I want Joe to meet his match one day.

Heart pounding thriller that left me on the edge of my seat. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this one. Definitely one of the best books this year.

Many many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing as well as Ms. Kepnes for this ARC. I loved that I got to read this in exchange for my unbiased opinion.
#NetGalley #RandomHousePublishing #YouAndOnlyYou #CarolineKepnes

This was one of the most exciting ARCs I’ve gotten. I love Joe Goldberg and his twisted ways!
As usual, he has moved onto a new place. Now he’s haunting Cambridge, MA. Now he’s been invited into a writing fellowship at Harvard. This is where he meets his next….victim?? Wonder is also in the fellowship and, as is his way, Joe is sure he has found his soulmate. They’re both autodidacts and both love to read. They’re both obsessed with reading and neither are like the other pretentious members of the group. Naturally Joe has to both cyber stalk and actually stalk her so that he can commit a bunch of felonies. We expect nothing less.
Joe’s wit is, undoubtedly, entertaining in its randomness and sarcasm. I love how each of these books is written in the second person. Joe is always disgusted with everyone and his biting wit makes me laugh out loud while I read. I love the erratic jumping from thought to thought and back again. The nicknames are everything!
As funny as our anti-hero is, he does get quite whiny. I feel like this book could have been edited down by at least one third. The whining and complaining about every little thing wears thin. I also found the end unsatisfying. It was adequate but I had hopes for more. I won’t give any spoilers but I did wish for a more gratifying end.
Overall, while I love that we get more of Joe’s life, I was hoping for a bit more. Maybe in the next one?

This latest addition to the You series doesn’t really pick up/slightly pull you in until about halfway through (maybe even further). Joe is always the anti-hero who will have moments where we lowkey root for him even though we know it’s wrong, but this one misses that mark. The writing style is almost written like the script for the show which doesn’t translate the same while reading.