While I love Joe, it took a while for this one to pick up speed. Very slow beginning. Overall it was a decent read if you can get past the first half the book. I just have such high expeditions from the first book that I unfortunately don’t think any will live up to You.

If you enjoyed reading the other books or watching the Netflix show I would definitely ask you to keep reading. This is way better than the TV series because this is where the storyline really deviates and I liked it so much more. I like this one so much more! It was also a bit longer than expected but worth it. If you think you know Joe Goldberg, think again. He is full of surprises and the other characters always get me. I literally hear the actor's voice in my head which makes it even better. Just go read it already...

Joe is ready for a change. Instead of selling books, he’s writing them. And he's off to a good start. Glenn Shoddy, an acclaimed literary author, recognizes Joe's genius and invites him to join a tight-knit writing fellowship at Harvard. Finally, Joe will be in a place where talent matters more than pedigree, where intellect is the great equalizer and anything is possible--even happy endings. Or so he thinks, until he meets his already-published, already-distinguished peers, who all seem to be cut from the same privileged cloth.

Thankfully, Wonder enters the picture. They have so much in common. No college degrees, no pretensions, no stories from prep school or grad school. Just a love for literature. If only Wonder could commit herself to the writing life they could be those rare literary soulmates who never fall prey to their demons. There is so much they’re up against, but Joe has faith in Wonder. He will sacrifice his art for hers. And if he has to, he will kill her darlings for her.

With her trademark satirical, biting wit, Caroline Kepnes explores why vulnerable people bring out the worst in others as Joe sets out to make this small, elite world a fairer place. And if a little crimson runs in the streets of Cambridge who can blame him? Love doesn't conquer all. Often, it needs a little push.

Ooof. I have struggled with how to rate this one. Ultimately, I think a 3 is perfect for the book as a standalone, I think maybe a 4 if you're a fan of the You series and see this latest installment as a bigger part of the overall story of Joe Goldberg. I felt like a trudged through this one and that the story is very much the same as the previous books. I will say that the references to so many authors, books and Housewives were so fun and my favorite part of this latest glimpse into Joe's psyche.

It appears that I will continue reading these books as long as they come out, regardless of how I actually feel about them! The latest installment of Joe Goldberg's mess: For You and Only You was just mediocre for me. I don't know if I've simply had enough of Joe being...Joe, or what, but this one fell a bit flat for me. It felt long and slow, and not in a good "it's slow because he's stalking" kind of way. This fourth "You" novel is definitely not as graphic as the last ones, which makes me more likely to recommend it to some friends who have found the others to be too much. I honestly think I would have enjoyed this book more if it was *not* Joe Goldberg!

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

Caroline Kepnes delivers a darkly captivating tale in this latest book. Joe Goldberg, a gifted writer, joins a prestigious writing fellowship at Harvard, only to realize the ugly truth of elitism among his peers. But when he meets Wonder, a fellow lover of literature, Joe finds hope for a kindred spirit. As their relationship unfolds, Joe's belief in the rule of fiction is put to the test, and he must confront his own demons.

Kepnes's sharp and incisive prose is a highlight of the book, as she dissects the toxic dynamics that arise when vulnerable people are driven by ambition and desire. The exploration of classism, privilege, and the lengths people will go for success is both timely and thought-provoking. Through Joe's morally complex journey, Kepnes challenges conventional notions of love and the consequences of unchecked ambition.

"Love doesn't conquer all" is a recurring theme in this darkly humorous and suspenseful novel. As Joe navigates the cutthroat world of literary circles, the reader is taken on a thrilling ride filled with unexpected twists and turns.

I am so sad. I was so excited to get a digital copy of this and it really fell flat for me. I don’t know if it’s because of the tv show or what, but this was not the same books I have been reading about Joe.

I could have cared less about all of the author talk or about the books these people were writing. It seemed like it was more of the story line than Joe being who Joe is. I missed the Joe that we read in the first two books. I knew I was in trouble when I had to reread chapter one several times. This happened several more times in the book.

All in all, I think I might be done with this series.

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for a digital ARC!

This book was like 200 pages too long 🫠 Maybe I’m just over this series but it seemed like this book was just draggggggging! I’m not sure if Joe is just getting soft, but I expected more murder and less literature.

Thanks @netgalley for read number 49 of 2023. I’ve read two of the other #joegoldberg books, and I was eager to read this one. I started it weeks ago, and found it too slow moving for me at the time, so I stopped reading it at 17% and decided to return to it this weekend. I’m so glad that I did. @carolinekepnes is one of a kind at writing characters. While this is a more character-driven suspense novel and maybe not as disturbing and graphic as some of her other ones, I absolutely loved it! She gets you thinking until the very last page. A ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ read in my books. Sometimes you need to just get immersed in characters, even ones that are very unlikeable. #joegoldberg is the most unlikeable, likeable character yet. #avivaandfriendsrecos

Joe, our famous stalker, is back now working on a writing program at Harvard and meets Wonder, who we can safely assume is the next target for his stalking. From there, it goes on the expected lines true to the series. I think the best part of the series has to be Joe's monologues which are creepy yet enjoyable for fun reading! As much as I have enjoyed this series, this one was long and could have been better if 100 pages were trimmed. Also of the female characters, I was not that interested in Wonder. I did like it but at this point, it felt too repetitive.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to read this ARC. I love the You series of books. I love the show. But this time, I couldn't get into it. The Wonder character seemed bland and I felt the ramblings went on too long.

Review of For You and Only You by Carolyn Kepnes

I admit it. I’m a huge fan of the YOU series. It is my absolute guilty pleasure. I will continue to read them as long as she writes them. I listened to this one mostly thanks to a listening copy from @prhaudio. I also had a copy on NetGalley I read at night. This installment was great. I liked it better than the third novel snd it rivaled the second one for me. I loved the setting as Joe is at Harvard working on becoming a writer.

Quick synopsis: Joe has moved on from the death of his wife and goes to Harvard to participate in a writing fellowship. There a beautiful young woman named Wonder catches his eye. If you know YOU and Joe you can guess what happens next..

The way I screamed when I was approved for this advanced copy!! I absolutely loved the first 3 books and couldNOT wait to see what Joe was up to next!! This book did not disappoint!

I don’t often DNF a book, especially an arc, but after I got to about 30% and felt like I should be at 80, I knew I just couldn’t do it. I feel like the series is just getting repetitive and doesn’t feel new. If this book was 100 pages shorter, maybe I would have made it.

Joe Goldberg is back! Delicious and dark and snarky as ever. Loved the setting of this one. Especially loved the creative fiction class and all it's denizens. Fans of the series will find much to love here. Come for Joes inner monologues. Stay for the tight and tense plot. As well as Caroline Kepnes's captivating language

The latest Joe Goldberg book sees attending a Harvard fellowship. There he meets Wonder. If you’ve read any of the previous books you sort of know how this budding love story is going to go.

I found this book to be one of the most introspective entries. Joe’s internal thoughts and conflicts take center stage. The author introduces a rival to Joe. A character who is seemingly more unhinged than him.

Overall, I found the book too long. As much as I love this series, the story dragged. The author could have likely cut 100 pages.

I’d still read a new book in this series but I feel like this all might be coming to an end. As is the case with the Netflix show which at this point isn’t adapted from these last two books.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

I was so excited to receive a copy of this book and it did not disappoint. Joe spent his time during the pandemic lockdown, in Florida, writing his novel....Me. That is not all of his activity during that time, but that is what remained once it was time to move on.
Joe is accepted into a Harvard writing workshop and hopes that by the end of it, his genius will be appreciated and published. On his first day Joe sees another fellow of his workshop group, Wonder. She is like him, on that she does not privileged and with a higher education, just another average Jane to his Joe.
Joe is determined to protect and advance Wonder's writing career, even before his own. Joe is not a murderer, if people die around him, it is because that was the only possible outcome based on their own choices, and the body count starts to stack up.
Why do the people with the power not see that Joe's new girl is Wonder-ful like he does? And to make matters worse, Joe has 'a mouse in his house' and will he be able to figure out who it really is before his world of Wonder comes crashing down around him?

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House for the opportunity to read this fun e-ARC.

Love the You series! It was easy to re-immerse myself in the world of Joe and see things through his eyes. Not to be missed - this would be a great poolside read!

What a complete letdown! As a huge fan of Joe, I have dealt with his holier than thou pretentiousness up until now, but this book was just too much pomp and not the Joe I thought I knew and loved. The characters aren’t lovable, the setting isn’t relatable, and it just reads (ironically) like an amateur attempt at writing a book about writing books. Just incredibly disappointing and I’m glad I finally finished it.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

It’s been a long time coming for the next installation of “You” and being transported to a fellowship writers room with Joe at the front and center was a very interesting ride. As always, we see Joe fall in love again with a new person who will make all of his dreams come true. I will say, not being a writer may have worked against me in this sense, as I don’t quite live in the process of writing a novel and putting my soul into something like this. However, that doesn’t get in the way of Joe being Joe until the very end. This chapter of Joe features more insight and delusion that reflects on how the author has defined Joe and kept it going for us. The epilogue really sealed this book for me and I enjoyed the last several chapters of this book!

3.5 stars

Joe, Joe, Joe.
How do you keep getting yourself into this mess called love?
Like book three, this story veers away from the plotline of the Netflix show, so there is really no point in comparing them.

In this installment, Joe is off to Harvard for a writing fellowship. Given his unique insights that make Joe special, in a psycho way we've all come to adore, he should be a natural. But he finds himself isolated in the group, desperate for the validation he believes he deserves. Eventually he forms a bond with the professor/author Glenn Shoddy, believing this connection will not only help him in his quest to be published, but will also help him gain favor with fellow writer in the program, Wonder. Things don't go as planned. RIP "fill in the blank".

While I have always loved Joe's inner monologue and overall commentary on life, the pacing of this story dragged at times, and I think could have been edited down. On top of that, while I usually don't care for the secondary characters in this book and am fine with them becoming Joe's victims, I also had no connection to Wonder. I'm not sure why Joe found her so special. I think with time, he realizes she doesn't measure up to the previous women in his life. Does that mean she'll join the body count? I won't say, but the ending is very different from the other books.

If you are a Joe Goldberg fan, then of course this book is a must. Just note that some of the dark humor/intensity of the previous books is not as strong in this installment.