Who Would Like This Book:
This book is a masterclass in psychological suspense, plunging you directly into the mind of Joe Goldberg - a charming bookshop manager whose infatuation quickly spirals into obsession. Written in a unique second-person perspective, it feels chillingly intimate and invasive, making you rethink what you share online. If you love dark, twisty thrillers with unreliable narrators, pop culture references, and a spot of dark humor, you'll be hooked. Fans of shows like Dexter or books by Gillian Flynn will find this disturbingly addictive.
Who May Not Like This Book:
Sensitive readers, beware - You doesn’t pull punches when it comes to explicit language, sexual content, and graphic depictions of unhealthy relationships. The unlikable, deeply flawed characters and the story’s unrelenting creepiness can be unsettling. Also, the pacing can drag in the middle, and the narration style (all from the stalker’s perspective) doesn't suit everyone. If you need characters to root for or can't handle gritty content, this might not be your cup of tea.
About:
'You' by Caroline Kepnes follows the story of Joe Goldberg, a charming and intelligent bookstore owner who becomes obsessed with Guinevere Beck after a chance encounter. What starts as innocent flirtation quickly escalates into a disturbing tale of stalking and manipulation as Joe goes to extreme lengths to integrate himself into Beck's life. The narrative is told from Joe's perspective, providing insight into his twisted thoughts and actions as he rationalizes his obsessive behavior.
The book delves into themes of obsession, manipulation, and the dark depths of the human psyche. Through a gripping storyline and a unique second-person narrative style, readers are taken on a suspenseful journey that challenges their perceptions of right and wrong. As the plot unfolds, the complex characters and unsettling events keep readers on the edge of their seats, culminating in a chilling exploration of the blurred lines between love and obsession.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Triggers include stalking, violence, mental illness, explicit sexual content, and manipulation, making it unsuitable for sensitive readers.
From The Publisher:
NOW A HIT NETFLIX SERIES
A NEW YORK TIMES AND USA TODAY BESTSELLER
"Hypnotic and scary." -Stephen King
"I am riveted, aghast, aroused, you name it. The rare instance when prose and plot are equally delicious." -Lena Dunham
From debut author Caroline Kepnes comes You, one of Suspense Magazine's Best Books of the Year, and a brilliant and terrifying novel for the social media age.
When a beautiful, aspiring writer strides into the East Village bookstore where Joe Goldberg works, he does what anyone would do: he Googles the name on her credit card.
There is only one Guinevere Beck in New York City. She has a public Facebook account and Tweets incessantly, telling Joe everything he needs to know: she is simply Beck to her friends, she went to Brown University, she lives on Bank Street, and she'll be at a bar in Brooklyn tonight-the perfect place for a "chance" meeting.
As Joe invisibly and obsessively takes control of Beck's life, he orchestrates a series of events to ensure Beck finds herself in his waiting arms. Moving from stalker to boyfriend, Joe transforms himself into Beck's perfect man, all while quietly removing the obstacles that stand in their way-even if it means murder.
A terrifying exploration of how vulnerable we all are to stalking and manipulation, debut author Caroline Kepnes delivers a razor-sharp novel for our hyper-connected digital age. You is a compulsively readable page-turner that's being compared to Gone Girl, American Psycho, and Stephen King's Misery.
Ratings (110)
Incredible (15) | |
Loved It (44) | |
Liked It (28) | |
It Was OK (12) | |
Did Not Like (7) | |
Hated It (4) |
Reader Stats (244):
Read It (113) | |
Currently Reading (1) | |
Want To Read (77) | |
Did Not Finish (4) | |
Not Interested (49) |
9 comment(s)
I don’t normally read this kind of book, but I decided to give it a try—and honestly, it just wasn’t for me. While the premise was interesting, I found myself weirded out by a lot of Joe’s actions rather than intrigued. The pacing also felt a bit slow, which made it harder to stay engaged.
Joe does have humor, but it wasn’t my kind of humor, so instead of enjoying his perspective, I mostly just pushed through the story. It wasn’t a total miss—I can see why people like it—but I personally didn’t connect with it the way I hoped to.
If you enjoy dark, psychological thrillers with an unsettling narrator, this might be worth picking up. But for me, it just wasn’t my cup of tea.
I almost exclusively read by listening to audio books now. When I first listened to this, that wasn't necessarily the case, but still after listening to countless audio books, no one does Joe better than Santino Fontana. My gosh... he makes the book for me.
This Book was Brilliant - I was gripped and the twists and turns were riveting, i need the next one is this series. Read it if you like a good twisted mystery!
I haven't reread this series since I first read it in 2019 and it's rather funny that the recent read book in the series (the 3rd) got four stars but this first book got only two in this reread. The second one I didn't like the first time but not sure if I want to give it another go. Maybe just read the next when it comes out
This book was completely laughably unrealistic to me and I didn't enjoy it too much.
3.5⭐️
I So loved this book. I loved his obsession and his humor. It was romance but it was really dark. It was a good read
I So loved this book. I loved his obsession and his humor. It was romance but it was really dark. It was a good read
Different, hot
This book sucked me in from the first chapter. Being inside Joe's head, seeing how he rationalizes his behavior and his delusional thinking, is addictive. You is one those books that I just couldn't put down; I kept wanting and needing to know what happened next. Is definitely recommend it!
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You?
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