Honestly this series went from have the worst sequel(the second one) to books that are 10x better than its Netflix counterpart. There the show has failed so extremely the book series thrives. If you are disappointed in what the show had to offer I recommend picking up the books

Title: A Captivating Journey of Love and Obsession

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Review:

"For You and Only You" by Caroline Kepnes is a gripping and intense exploration of love, obsession, and the boundaries of sanity. Kepnes once again showcases her masterful storytelling ability, weaving a complex narrative that kept me hooked from start to finish.

The novel introduces us to a cast of intriguing characters, each with their own flaws and secrets. The protagonist, with her deeply flawed yet compelling nature, is brought to life with meticulous detail. Kepnes excels at creating characters that are simultaneously relatable and unnerving, blurring the line between protagonist and antagonist.

The pacing of the story is superb, with the tension escalating steadily as the plot unfolds. The author skillfully weaves together multiple storylines, offering glimpses into the minds of different characters and keeping the reader guessing at every turn. I found myself constantly on edge, eager to uncover the next twist or revelation.

Kepnes' prose is evocative and atmospheric, drawing the reader into the dark and obsessive world she has created. Her ability to delve into the complexities of human emotions is unparalleled. She explores themes of love, desire, and possessiveness with a depth and nuance that left me questioning my own perceptions.

What truly sets "For You and Only You" apart is Kepnes' ability to make us question our own morality and empathy. Through the lens of obsession, she forces us to confront uncomfortable truths about ourselves and the lengths we would go to for love. It's a thought-provoking examination of the human psyche that lingers long after the final page.

While I thoroughly enjoyed the book, there were moments when the pacing felt slightly uneven, and some of the supporting characters could have been further developed. However, these minor flaws did not detract significantly from my overall enjoyment of the story.

"For You and Only You" is a mesmerizing read that will keep you enthralled until the very end. Caroline Kepnes' masterful storytelling, combined with her exploration of obsession and the dark side of love, makes this book a compelling and unforgettable experience. I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys psychological thrillers and complex character studies.

I really wasn't sure where Joe was going to go in this next installment and I was afraid that it would be too similar to the past books. However, it was very fresh and unique storyline. I loved the writer's aspect of this one and found all of the characters to be very compelling. I just love Joe Goldberg as a character and I found his voice in this to be very true to himself. The way he narrates in the first person in this installment makes it feel personal and like you're inside his head. I loved hearing things from his point of view and hope we get another like this. I didn't find this to be drawn out at all and was very interested to see you where every character's story would lead. I look forward to seeing what else Joe has in store. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5)

Caroline Kepnes has done it again with her mesmerizing new chapter, "For You and Only You." Once again, we're pulled back into the dark and twisted world of Joe Goldberg, where Kepnes deftly explores the boundaries of love and obsession. Unexpected twists and chilling encounters will keep readers on the edge of their seats, all while being captivated by Kepnes' sharp prose and compelling character development. Fans of psychological suspense won't want to miss out on this must-read novel. Brace yourself for an unsettling journey into the mind of Joe Goldberg that will leave you craving more.

I cannot even explain how happy I was to be back in the world of Joe Goldberg. Since it's book #4 in the series I will keep some details cryptic, but was so excited to see Joe at Harvard and in Boston (it's a buzzword for me!).

Caroline Kepnes's writing drew me in when I first discovered YOU and it's continued to bring me back to the page. I loved every moment of this book and enjoyed a slow, indulgent reading experience. She always keeps me guessing - never sure what Joe is going to do next or how the story will unfold,

I've also really enjoyed the trajectory of Joe over the four books - how each experience has impacted him and how to continues to battle his inner demons. His snark and wit is so on point - he's definitely saying a lot of the things we're all thinking! And I've said it before and I'll say it again - he's absolutely a book crush of mine.

To me Joe is one of the best examples of how every villain is the hero of their own story. He's acting from a place of what he thinks is the right - or necessary - thing to do. And it comes from his version of love. Oh Joe! I am so intrigued to see what comes next - I hope something more comes next!

This book had be laughing and relating and cringing and worrying and wondering. I also loved how deeply this book went into the love of books and the life of writers. Caroline Kepnes continues to elevate each story and bring something unique to the page while also honoring who Joe is. Such a massive fan.

Huge thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. I was so thrilled to be able to read this one! Highly recommend!

I finished reading For You and Only You by Carolyn Kepnes last night and, of course, I loved it. An interesting new adventure with lots of twists and turn that had me on edge of my seat. Will Joe finally get caught?🤷🏻‍♀️ You’ll have to read this page turner to find out. As long as there are Joe Goldberg books, I will keep reading them. He’s one of my favourite characters.

When I finished the third “You” book it definitely teased a continuation so I was excited when I finally saw the fourth book available! However, I think this series has maxed out for me.

Although I don’t watch the Netflix show anymore, (I couldn’t get past halfway through season 1), I’ve really enjoyed the books. And I’m aware from friends that the books and the show have taken an entirely different direction. Reading Joe with his somehow likable personality despite being a serial killer has been mostly entertaining. But by the end of this book I felt over Joe.

This book felt like the first book all over again. Joe becomes obsessed with a woman and stalks her until they start dating. They met in a writer’s workshop at Harvard and she felt all too familiar to Beck. It read like a “been there, done that” for Joe and while I enjoyed the humor I wasn’t as interested in this book as a whole.

Then, about halfway through, things get super interesting! I felt like finally the plot took us somewhere new. But, ultimately I didn’t like where it all ended up. I felt like multiple parts of the plot were too absurd and unrealistic. I just had a hard time believing the characters.

All in all, this was not my favorite book in the series and even though it ends with an opening to continue I’m not sure I would this time.

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House for an ARC of this book.

For You and Only You by Caroline Keynes

I’m a big fan of Joe Goldberg both in print and on film…but I didn’t love this episode in his life.

The overall story, Joe at a fancy writer’s fellowship, was great, but it felt out of place in the storyline after everything else that’s happened to him.

The second half and the introduction of Sarah Beth knowing everything about him was really interesting. She was much more interesting than Wonder!

Still a good read and I will always pick up the next book! If you’re having Joe withdraw make sure to catch up on his latest shenanigans.

Thank to @netgalley and @atriabooks for the advanced reader.

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Joe Goldberg is back in the latest novel from Caroline Kepnes. Joe may be back but after reading ten percent of this one, I will not be back. I have high hopes that each novel will make me gasp and be surprised with Joe. However; I feel that this series has lived its time and needs to move on.

Joe is back! Now, Joe takes Harvard. He's always been a literary snob so what better place to land than right smack dab in the middle of the academic elite where he can wear his snobbery on full display. He's been invited to attend a writers workshop with an author he idolizes and believe it or not, he falls in love (or obsession again).

As the bodies continue to pile up, Joe seems to be starting to miss his ability to fly under the radar. While he navigates the complexities of his new relationship while trying to write the great American bestseller, things get sticky. For You and Only You is a great addition to the Joe series, I recommend it to any Kepnes fan.

This was a ROLLER COASTER!! I don’t feel like any of the other books in this series have jumped into the “action” so quickly. This book was pretty fast paced. As usual, Joe needs to take a chill pill and work on impulse control. There are some really fun twists throughout. I have to say, he needs to work on his partner picking skills. Every time I thought I knew where the story was going, something else came out of nowhere. The unpredictability made this a very enjoyable read. I couldn’t put it down!

The latest Joe Goldberg adventure takes us to Harvard, where our favorite stalker is now trying his hand at writing. The unique unreliable narrator still hits, you can still see the reality of every wild situation Joe finds himself in. Unhinged in the best way, this is another good time with Joe

I really wanted to like this book and I pushed through at times I wanted to stop, but at 70% I DNF'd it. To me this book didn't seem like the Joe that we all know so well. There was a lot of complaining in this book and not a lot of stalking/planning like his normal self.

For You and Only You by Caroline Kepnes is a gripping addition to the You series. The novel is a unique and addictive blend of psychological thriller and dark romance that explores the twisted mind of its protagonist, Joe Goldberg.

As the fourth book in the series, For You and Only You continues the story of Joe as he falls in love with yet another woman, Wonder, and becomes obsessed with her. The novel's unique narrative style, with Joe speaking directly to the reader, adds an extra layer of creepiness to the already dark and twisted plot.

Kepnes' writing is sharp and suspenseful, with plenty of twists and turns to keep readers guessing. The character of Joe is a fascinating and complex protagonist, and while his actions are often horrific, Kepnes manages to make him a strangely sympathetic character.

While the novel may not be as strong as the first in the series, it still fits well within the larger story and provides fans with plenty of thrills and chills. However, new readers should start with the first book in the series to fully appreciate the complexity and history of Joe's character.

Overall, For You and Only You is a dark and twisted addition to the You series that is sure to satisfy fans of psychological thrillers and dark romance. Kepnes' strong writing and unique narrative style make for an addictive and compelling read, even if the plot may not be as tight as the first book.

I struggled to get through this book because Joe at this point is getting boring, too repetitive in his ways.

Take a charismatic stalker with the occasional affinity for killing his darlings, make him extremely well-read to bolster his off the rails narcissism, give him a platform to write a fictional self-victimizing book about his relational transgressions, and what pops out is... You.

This fourth installation is Caroline Kepnes at her most ambitious. Its sister fan-favorite series popularized on Netflix has completely veered away from canon, and that's not necessarily a bad thing. Up until the latest run, each season has been loosely based on its book, but this is the first time the show has been released before the book. It's a breath of fresh air to dive into an adventure unrecognizable from the absolute dumpster fire of what the writer's room has done to the on-screen adaptation.

In the book, the titular Joe Goldberg escapes another slew of murders and lands in an ivy league fiction fellowship. In the show, he's fled to Europe to gain favor amongst London's pampered elite. In the book, Joe maintains a constancy of character. In the show, he randomly develops dissociative identity disorder.

The first rule of fight club is that you do not repeat fight club.

The writers are more narcissistic than the character they're ruining. The fundamental magic of this series is being inside Joe's head, and although it's an extremely disturbed head, it gives readers the same voyeuristic fetish Joe himself hungers for. Crucially, the narration needs to be reliable. Using the twist of having Joe unknowingly revealed as the eat the rich killer is not only lazy, it's disrespectful to the character, to Caroline, and to the audience.

Joe's always been a troubled character, for less obvious reasons than the fact that he murders people. As a kid working in a New York bookstore, his abusive boss locked him in a cage in the shop's basement for days, notably during the 9/11 attacks. He's released after the twin towers fall into a broken world. But he's still Joe. His arc, while meandering, is one of growth, not psychosis solely for shock value from a team assuming its viewers are dumb.

Unsurprisingly-great book, annoyingly-watchable show.

3.5 Joe, Joe, Joe Stars
* * * 1/2 Spoiler Free-A Quick Review
We all love Joe and the one who created him, Caroline Kepnes. There are those that loved Joe so much, a series on Netflix was created so those who weren't mainly readers, could fall in love with him too.

This recent endeavor brings Joe to Harvard, to write, and to be with those who should appreciate his talent. Instead he finds others who are full of themselves and elitist. Enter the one person he connects with, Wonder.

Will Wonder fulfill Joe's needs...We can only wonder...

Thank you for the opportunity to read this. I ended up not watching the fourth season of the show. I’m excited to see what Carolyn’s future work will be outside of You.

"For You and Only You" is the fourth book from the "You" series by Caroline Kepnes but the first that I have read. I thought that it would be ok to start with this book because I knew that there was a change of setting. I was hoping that maybe this might stand apart from the previous books more, but to be honest I think I would have benefitted from reading the whole series together. Luckily I had watched the first series on Netflix so I did go in with an idea about Joe and his obsessions. If I hadn't I really think I would have been completely lost. I do find Joe an interesting character, intriguing, cold and dangerous while at the same time still manages to keep you on his side. I think I need to revisit the other books before I can fully appreciate this addition to the series.

I really hate to say this but I think my love affair with Joe is over. Maybe it’s me but it almost seems like the story has fizzled and the shiny newness of it all has waned. I do love her writing style tho. Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for this copy for review