Ratings248
Average rating3.8
I read this after watching the show and once I finished reading the book, I watched the show again. I have to say that watching the show after reading the book made it more entertaining, at least for me.
This book is crazy in so many ways and one word that sums it all up is: Joe. Joe makes this book. Obviously, because he's the main character and it's in his POV, but what makes this story truly interesting and entertaining IS that we hear from Joe and his thoughts.
The plot is pretty interesting itself, but this book is nothing without Joe. He's such an unreliable narrator and essentially a crazy stalker and serial killer yet you find yourself agreeing, sympathizing, and even liking him at times which makes it even more creepy.
Getting his perspective and view makes this story so much better and I'm glad it was done that way. He truly is an interesting character to pick at and was definitely an interesting character to read.
This dude is a psycho-killer sex-crazed maniac. No forreal, is manic behavior and thought processes make this work so much worse than the Netflix show. Obviously watching him make decisions vs hearing all the stuff that went into those decisions is bone-chilling. The author did a good job with foil characters, they feed off each other and contradict each other. But unfortunately this was just a little too much for me in the sex-department. I listened to this on audiobook while walking outside to get some quarantine sun and felt so dirty and embarrassed though no one could hear it. This is like 50 shades soft porn, I don't get it. Shout out to the narrators for of the audiobook, he did a great job with tonal variation to induce panic and unsettlement in the reader's processing of the book.
Actual rating: 3.5 ⭐️
The characters in this book are messed up. Really messed up. But that's the good part of the story. But there were some minor details I didn't enjoy, so I can't say it's the best book I've read. I liked the ending so I won't be reading Hidden Bodies.
I read this book over three sittings - it was worth every moment invested.
Right at the beginning, you realize that there's something very wrong about the main character - it's only much later that you realize that there's something wrong with his obsession (his ‘love interest') as well.
Suffice to say that there is not a single likeable character in this novel, and yet you can't help but plod on, thinking of what monstrous behavior you'll encounter next.
Obviously, this being the author's first novel, some loopholes were found, and there were some Deus ex machinas to make the plot plod along - but these minor transgressions are mere specks of dust in the cesspool of moral decay and corruption that is described by this masterpiece.
TL;DR - spellbinding, stupefying, so on and so forth. Worth every moment of binging it.
i listened to the audiobook read by santino fontana, and i have to say he did a fantastic job! he really pulled off joe's psycho asshole character and made it a really pleasant listening experience. having watched the netflix series before listening to the book, the ending didn't surprise me at all which is what i mainly look for in a mystery/thriller. i have a feeling that if i hadn't watched the show beforehand, it could've been a five star read. nevertheless, i still loved this book and would definitely recommend listening to the audiobook!
This was so fucked up. It was like a less verbose Bret Easton Ellis novel, filled with pop culture references and a questionably reliable narrator. Fun!
Holy shit.
Was not expecting to love this as much as I did.
Joe is relatable in the worst ways. Like holding up a mirror to the most fucked up side of yourself. Oof.
Warning: If you are a survivor of stalking/ domestic abuse, this book is probably going to be HIGHLY triggering for you and you should probably skip it and the TV adaptation.
Watch out for Crazy ass Joe. As probably most of the recent reviews, this book was brought to my attention through the TV adaptation which, I feel faithfully honors the source material. That being said, it's odd watching the show and or reading/ listening (great audiobook here and my preferred format) to the book in a post 2017 world where #MeToo and #TimesUp movements are in full force. The subject matter and events can easily be seen as heavily problematic and regressive especially when compared to media with similar themes in the past that were romanticizd but are now looked at as troublesome to say the least cough Twilight cough. If you're however, looking at this from a purely entertainment stance, as I am, this work checks all the boxes, it's thrilling, scary, good pacing, shocking and dare I say, sexy and same goes for the TV show which has been renewed for a second season and moving to Netflix that I'm guessing will focus on the sequel to this novel called: Hidden Bodies, needless to say I'll be tuning in and probably listening to the book as well. So, just to clarify, though this book is a work of fiction I feel it necessary to say that Joe Goldberg is not a romantic character and DOES NOT deserve your sympathy. His actions and relationship to Beck (and other women) is not a blueprint for a healthy and normal relationship, HE IS A MONSTER and no matter how he rationalizes his actions (which happens a lot) HE IS WRONG and YOU DO NOT WANT a Joe Goldberg in your life ladies and gents, he is a monster, watch out for crazy ass Joe.
I think the writing style and perspective works really well for this kind of story. I was thoroughly icked out the whole time. Joe is a disturbed human being.
3.5 stars. I kinda liked Joe in the beginning- but then things got very dark, very quickly (which I kinda liked 😂). Beck was not likable at all, yet I was still rooting for her.
3.5 stars I have to admit I was a bit let down by this book. It's entertaining, but it's not mind-blowing like i thought it would be from all the reviews I've seen. Weirdly enough Joe was the only character I liked... I don't know what that says about me. It was a weird reading experience; I was uncomfortable most of the time, I didn't really like any of the characters but I kept turning the pages.
Full review to come once I've gathered my thoughts because wow
EDIT: Late review. Super late review, but I prefer to type these on my laptop and I really haven't had the time recently.
This book was insane. I listened to the first half on audiobook and read the second half in physical copy and both were really good. I wouldn't recommend one over another they were both phenomenal.
This book was so creepy and so terrifying and I could not get enough of it. I have never read a book like this before, the perspective is so unique because it's in the second person which really puts you in the mind of our stalker, Joe, and being in Joe's mind is wild. I actually found myself forgetting some of the awful things he had done purely because we were seeing his reasoning behind things. The ways that he rationalized his actions in his head were so creepy because they are similar things that normal romances hold. Had I been in Beck's position I probably wouldn't have known anything was amiss either. Joe was so crafty and so good at covering his tracks that had we been reading this book from Beck's perspective I would have never guessed Joe would have been the culprit. It only really began hitting me once the end events began to wrap and boy did it hit me. I would definitely recommend this book if you want a unique thriller told from the perps perspective and something, unlike anything you may have ever seen before. I know there is a second book in this series, but I've read a number of bad reviews on it and I don't really think Kepnes will be able to outdo the masterpiece that is You so I'm not planning on reading Hidden Bodies.
I had the hardest time getting through this book. I started it on the 15th of November and didn't finish is until the 6th of January. Several people told me I should DNF it if I wasn't into it but I forced myself to read it because I wanted it to count toward my 2017 goals and challenges. I wasted so much time reading this book when I really didn't like it at all. I was so bored while reading this. I thought the way that it was written from the bad guys point of view was unique and different and I don't think I have read anything like that before but I just couldn't get into it. I didn't like any of the characters and it was so slow. This was a huge disappointment for me because I truly thought I was going to like it. I don't want to deter anybody from reading it because my opinion of this book is an unpopular one. I think this book is one of those books that you will either love it or you will hate it.
If you like dark and twisted, this book is for you.
You won't be able to put it down.
This was a very interesting reread for me. I received a copy of book three from the publisher and I wanted a refresher course in books one and two. When I read this originally I gave it four stars it still deserves four stars. My thoughts haven't changed much so I will be leaving the majority of my review intact.
Where do I begin? As someone who loves thriller novels, it can be difficult to come across a premise that isn't predictable. Most often, I can figure out what is going to unfold before it does, and guess the ending ahead of time. You by Caroline Kepnes completely blew me away and had me wondering what would happen next throughout the entire novel. It's that dark and disturbing page-turner that had me lost in Joe and Beck's world until I put the book down hours later. Even without the book in my hands, I had my thoughts on what would be happening next and didn't go long without getting back into the book. Even though I reread this I found things that I missed the first time around.
You might as well say I was addicted to finishing this novel, just like Joe is addicted to making Beck his own. It's such a well balance of crass, wit, and clever, but comes together in this brilliant disturbing storyline. It's an exceptional thriller that is chillingly passionate, dangerous, and quite often left me speechless. This novel is without a doubt my favorite release of 2014. I am so glad that the author has continued the series and I am lucky enough to have my hands on book three already.
6+ Stars!!
WOW WOW WOW, I LOVED this book was SO MUCH!!
From page one I was sucked into this story. It's told in a second-person narrative which took a bit of getting used to but worked really well for this novel.
Joe deliciously twisted and disturbed Joe, meets the wholly unlikable Beck in his bookstore one day, and the infatuation begins.
What follows is a fabulously twisted and dark commentary on today's society. The ease in which someone can stalk another through Facebook, Twitter, Instagram etc. I have to admit, even though I KNEW the dangers of putting EVERYTHING out there when you are seeing it through the eyes of a stalker, well, let's just say it makes you think twice.
I not really sure what this says about me, but I LOVED Joe. I was rooting for him through the whole book. Rooting for him to do what, I don't know. Get the girl? Kill the girl?? I didn't matter, Joe's voice was just that compelling, his character just that intriguing. Alas, that can't be said for ANY of the other characters. They all come across as spoiled, self-absorbed assholes. Which is pretty much the point I think. Perhaps a reflection of today's 20-something generation? And that ending, WOW...
In any case, this is right up on top of my favorite reads so far this year!
omg !
Joe is sick , and i love it
YOU is the first Thriller book i read,it made me fall in love with this genre .but now the problem is , no book will ever be that good !
The main character is Joe , the hottest villain in the history of my reading . he was written so good that it made me really really scared , i was in his head the entire time ! i couldn't let go of the book , i just wanted to read him and listen to his crazy sick thought forever .
then we have ,Beck : (THE Girl) ,see Joe is the stalker , however caroline kepnes created Beck to make us wonder,” is Joe really the bad guy ?” . this girl was sooooo annoying and i hated her with every page , she doesn't know he's a stalker , all she knows is that he's Different , Hot , and he treats her good ,however ,she continues to treat him like shit.
this book opened my eyes to the real danger of social media sites , the effect it can have on our lives , the social media parts (Twitter , facebook , ...etc) were so real and you can really relate to them and be really scared “Is anyone stalking me on my (Instagram , twitter,facebook...etc) right now ?”.
finally my favorite part of the book , The books ! Joe worked in a book store , he was so smart and attractive and he talked about books Alot in this book , i love it .
This is it , my new favorite book :)
well done Joe ! may we meet again in Hidden Bodies
“...the bullshit thing is, if someone saw the three of us, well, most people would think I'm the weird one just because I followed you here. And that's the problem with this world...”
Holy crap. This was a twisted novel about stalking, obsession, and psychopathy. It touched on the use of social media in interesting ways - whether we overshare, how safe it is, whether we're fully experiencing life if we're so concerned with constantly sharing updates. The second-person narration was a unique and especially effective method of showing the world from Joe's perspective. It upped the creepiness factor substantially, giving the reader the impression that Joe was speaking right to you...as Beck. This point of view also allowed for an interesting examination of the games people play when in relationships, even when they're not crazy stalkers trying to manipulate their prey...I mean, significant others. Along those same lines, Beck's online presence highlighted how easy stalking is in the current digital age, where a quick Google search can bring up any number of personal social media accounts, addresses, telephone numbers, education and employment history, all from the comfort of your own home.
For a completely nut job, Joe, our narrator, is surprisingly charming and witty. His observations on daily life sometimes had me nodding along, which led to uncomfortable discussions with myself about how I could possibly be agreeing with someone so unstable. I'd go chapters before I'd be jarred back to the reality of what a creepy psycho he was...usually around the time he was stealing Beck's cell phone or panties or something.
This book works great as a stand-alone novel, but I'm glad it's the first in a trilogy because I look forward to seeing what Joe's future holds. Whatever it is, I'm sure it's creepy and likely illegal.
if you look at the word crazy in a dictionary, you'll see Joe the main character in this book. The more you read this book and about Joe, the more you canoot stop, you just want to know what happens next. Dark, at times freaky and with some humor. A pleasure!
3.5 stars. If you enjoy twisted, narcissistic characters, you will like this book. I often found the main character's thoughts and observations funny and on-point which was a little disconcerting but added to my reading enjoyment. It reminded me a little of of “Gone Girl.”
Gravely disturbing, but fascinating read. I was glued to my kindle from the first page.
P.S. Who in the right mind would tag this as “romance”? This just might be creepier that the book itself. It makes me want to lock my doors and never step out of the safety of my home ever again.