YouAuthor: Caroline Kepnes
Series: You #1
Published by: Atria Books
Publication Date: September 30, 2014
Format: eARC
Source: Publisher
Love hurts…
When aspiring writer Guinevere Beck strides into the East Village bookstore where Joe works, he’s instantly smitten. Beck is everything Joe has ever wanted: She’s gorgeous, tough, razor-smart, and as sexy as his wildest dreams.
Beck doesn’t know it yet, but she’s perfect for him, and soon she can’t resist her feelings for a guy who seems custom made for her. But there’s more to Joe than Beck realizes, and much more to Beck than her oh-so-perfect façade. Their mutual obsession quickly spirals into a whirlwind of deadly consequences . . .
A chilling account of unrelenting passion, Caroline Kepnes’s You is a perversely romantic thriller that’s more dangerously clever than any you’ve read before.
This. Book!
What a ride. I felt a bit manic while reading You, and had a hard time removing myself from the story when I wasn’t reading it. I became obsessed with Joe and his obsession. This book is seriously fantastic!
I hate saying stuff like this, but I really hope people “get it.” It is brilliantly effed up, and I was absolutely giddy about the insanity of it all.
This is not a romance, yet it is. But it’s not. I know, that’s confusing. Joe is a stalker, and he is in love with Beck. He will do anything to make her fall in love with him. He knows what’s best for her and will protect her from not only other people, but herself, as well. Everything he does is for Beck.
Joe is an absolutely wonderful anti-hero. His voice is intoxicating, and the way the author wrote his narration is very clever. I love him! But listen, there’s a difference between loving the character itself, and loving what the author has created. You can love a character who is a bad person, because the author did such an exceptional job. So when I say I love Joe, I love what a phenomenal job the author did with him.
You start out thinking Joe is such a creep, but then start getting sucked in by him. It gets to where you’re rooting for him, not wanting him to get caught in certain situations, but then step back and think “wait, why am I rooting for him?” You start sympathizing, then BAM you’re reminded how dangerous and messed up he is.
What’s also so great is, while we are in Joe’s head and know what he’s really thinking and doing, we see how he comes off as so normal to other people. He’s delusional, yet some things he’s intuitive and actually spot-on about. I found him and his train of thought absolutely fascinating, addictive and humorous.
The twisted, dark humor in You is perfect! The irony of some of the situations he found himself in are hilarious. I can’t even tell you how much I love this aspect of the book.
There is so much about You that I love, that it has made it to my list of all-time favorites. It’s one of those books that I want everyone to read and experience its brilliance. At the same time, I feel protective over it. I just hope readers can appreciate what the author did here.
OMG, I am already creeped out…and I love it. I love books like these, were you root for the bad guy, sort of. I like being conflicted like that. I will keep an eye on this one.
You need to read this, Jennifer. You were one of the people I thought about when wondering who would like it.
You does sound fascinating! I haven’t given it much thought, bc I’ve seen mostly negative reviews. Based on your review, I think I might “get” it. Thanks for the review, Christy!
Grrr … curse the negative reviews. I don’t even want to see them. lol. You should REALLY read it, Andrea.
LOVE the sound of this Christy! I completely understand what you’re saying about Joe – you love him because he’s so brilliantly executed, not because he’s a stand up guy. I love characters like that – ones that make me root for them and sympathize and then I have to shake myself and remember he or she is inching toward the black side of the gray spectrum:)
Dude, Jenny… it was was crazy being in his head. It was fun too though. You need to read it. Seriously.
Yeah, sounds like one you’re either going to love or not, and I think it would be one that I would love since I loved twisted ones, especially since it’s executed well. 🙂
I was going to tell you specifically to read this, Kirsty. I am 100% confidant you will love this, especially the psychology of it.
I am so glad I listened to you and picked this up!!! I think I might start reading it next… well, after I finish the book I’m on, and then the one I had to stop to pick up this one. THEN I’m starting it. I can’t wait!!
As long as you do pick it up soon. I think you’ll ‘love’ Joe.
Girl, you have some brass balls. You read a lot of right-in-the-solar-plexus reads that I wouldn’t dare read. Lol.
I love your brilliantly effed up books, they always mess with my mind in a really good way. 😉
This is coming out on audio tomorrow, so thanks to you there goes one of my credits! LOL.
At first I though this sounded a lot like Made For You, which I recently finished and enjoyed, but the similarities ended in the second paragraph of your review. This has a different spin, and I think I’m going to like it too.
I’m looking forward to this now.
This sounds like such a unique story, and I can’t wait to see what I think about Joe. I can see myself rooting for him and laughing at him, while also thinking that it’s kind of effed up what he’s doing. You definitely have me intrigued to read this! Lovely review 🙂
I think I would aike this one since it is a messed up read. I am definitley adding it to my schedule.
omg yay! I have this one for review and was nervous about it.
This sounds really intriguing. It sounds like it’s a psychological thriller and being inside Joe’s head sounds fascinating. I need to give this a shot and add it to my TBR.
Lovely review!
Dark humour is the best kind, and I like how deliciously twisted the story line is. The fact that this book made your all-time favourite list is definitely telling, and I love me an anti-hero! Thanks for the recommendation, Chrity—wonderful review!
I get it because I love books like this! I have to say, Christy, I love your book rec even if my TBR groans from the constant additions.
I really love psychological thrillers because they are so dark and twisted and this definitely sounds up my alley – especially about stalkers which I find totally creepy. Great review Christy, I’ve added it to my TBR!
This book really sounds great. I hadn’t heard about it before but you definitely make it sound like a book I have to read. Adding it to my TBR now!! Awesome review 😉