Caroline Kepnes has done it again with this 4th book in the “you” series. I absolutely loved this book. She is one of my all time favorite authors. This book was just amazing. Joe was extremely creepy at times and how he gets so obsessive with the women he dates is alarming but that makes the series so great and very interesting!! Best book and best series I have ever read. This one is easily 5/5 stars for me.

Not my favorite YOU novel. I was bored the first 20% of the book. I had to take breaks in reading, so I wouldn't DNF the book. It started picking up once Joe got murder on his mind and started killing. Joe's rambling goes on forever. I think the book would've been better if the author cut back from pages of rambling. Overall, an ok read. I don't think I would read it again.

Sharp and witty. Caroline Kepnes’ Joe entertains once again. In this fourth installment of the “You” series, Joe meets Wonder during his first class as a member of a writing fellowship at Harvard. He despises his other peers, but of course he immediately connects with Wonder.

The snark is reminiscent of the first “You” book, so if you liked that one, I have a feeling you’ll like this one. So, pull on your sweater vest and dig out your old ball cap and hit the streets of Cambridge with Joe.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the opportunity to read and review For You and Only You. Joe is a very entertaining antihero and I thoroughly enjoyed his commentary about his writer peers. It gets 4/5 from me.

Joe is a character I have loved but I think at this point I’m finished with him. There isn’t much left for him to say or do at this point and his repeated obsessions and patterns have lost their initial shock and awe. I didn’t find any of the other characters in the book exciting or even interesting. I loved the first and second book, but not as much the last two. Others may still find him intriguing so I’d encourage fans to read this current installment.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I think it’s time to hang Joe up!

With this being the fourth installment, they continue to get repetitive and boring.

I love Joe and I loved You, Hidden Bodies has always been my least favorite but I do think it’s time to let Joe go. This book had so much potential and then it just fell off.

But I will never not love Joe and will continue to read whatever wicked ride he takes us on.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for the ARC in exchange for my honest feedback. I was excited to read this book since I am a huge You fan. This book I found to be slower than the other ones. I usually listen to them on audiobook, while I read this one as an ebook which may be a difference. However, it was an overall good story of Joe and all he gets himself into.

I am never disappointed with each book in this series. Joe is always perfectly creepy. Always immaculately written. Cannot wait for more! Many thanks to NetGalley for the arc!

Thank you to the publisher for this copy, all opinions are my own. For me this was a let down. I’ve read Caroline’s previous books in this series and was immediately hooked. I couldn’t get enough, but For you and only you left me tired of Joe. While nothing regarding Joe changed I wonder if to much of a good thing. I was bored and really couldn’t get into this book as I did on her previous one. Am I over Joe? I’m not sure, but this certainly wasn’t the story for me.

This is my lest favorite book in the series. I loved the first two and the last two were just ok. Overall I will continue reading the series and find out what Joe is getting into next.

Star Explanation: I give books a 3 when it was just all right and I wouldn't necessary tell all of my friends about it

First off I have to say I am relatively sure I'm completely over Joe Goldberg.. I was one of those people that was like "why am I strangely attracted to Joe" (yes I'm aware that means I need LOTS of therapy). Now I'm 100% on team Kill Joe Off. I'm aware that without Joe there is no story, so um....maybe it's time for him to bite the dust or get caught.

In terms of the writing I wasn't invested in the plot of this book at all. None of the characters were in the least bit likeable. Although I believe that is the whole point, you're not supposed to like anyone, but I needed someone to root for. I rooted for Beck, I rooted for Love before her true personality was revealed, I rooted for Joe (believe it or not) with his son. I admit I skipped You Love Me because I was already getting tired of the antics. But I thought, let me apply for an ARC and hopefully I'll be brought back into it.

The answer was no. Literally nothing happens in it. At least in the other ones there was a lot of action between Joe and his victims. In this one, it just felt stagnant. Joe's narcissism is almost too much for me to handle. I also didn't appreciate how Wonder was always being put down because she's a Goodreads reviewer. There is also constant talk about certain writing like thrillers or smutty romance not being "real writing". Or that those that write contemporary literature are somehow better than those who don't. If you've been on the book community side of TikTok you will absolutely understand why I didn't like this. Romance counts just as much as the classics.

While I wasn't a fan of the story overall, I can absolutely recognize that the prose is absolutely beautiful. If you are into books that you need to think deeply about everything that is written, you will love this one. I believe that might be why I didn't like it as much as her other novels. Her other novels were more suspenseful and the psychology of the characters was explored much more. This one leans way more philosophical and I just didn't jive with it.

I knew Joe before he was famous. Yes, before he was a Netflix superstar, I read and devoured Joe Goldberg, getting lost in his twisted, yet sympathetic inner monologues; his murderous, yet charming ways. Joe is an anti-hero I love to read, and I was thrilled when I learned that author Caroline Kepnes was expanding the You series beyond the first two books. More Joe Goldberg? Count me in.

However, some things are better quit when they are ahead. As the You series goes on, Joe becomes less interesting and compelling as he becomes more sane and civilized. Don’t get me wrong - I love to see Joe as a reformed man … I just don’t find it entirely readable. When I pick up a You novel, I am looking for the crazy and completely unhinged. While there were still some glimpses of the “old Joe” in the third novel in this series, You Love Me, by book 4, Joe is practically your average guy … who sometimes has the tendency to kill. I hate to say it, but … I miss the old Joe!

In For You and Only You, Kepnes takes Joe to the Ivy League. Joe wants to be a writer and has been accepted in a Harvard fellowship program, which hopefully will lead to a book deal for him. If he would use his own life for source material, I am sure his novel would be a hit. But alas, Joe wants to be a “serious” writer - think Salinger - and is apparently working on a piece of literary fiction, which is much how For You and Only You reads … like a piece of literary fiction. The suspense is gone. The fun is gone. Instead, we have over 400 pages of Joe lamenting about his book and fellow writers. It’s such a far cry from what we have previously read about Joe that this novel feels like it belongs in an entirely different series! It is a book about books, and even though we met Joe in a bookstore, I don’t believe it is his love of literature that keeps readers coming back to him. We want more JOE, and Joe, unfortunately, is just a shadow of his former self.

As Joe says so many times in this book about his current love interest, I too am a Goodreads girl, so Joe, I am sorry to say this, but I feel like I don’t get what you were trying to do here. This You novel was too literary for me; not accessible, and not what I was looking for. Because this is the weakest novel in the You series, I have to rate it 3 stars, having rated other novels in the series 4 & 5 stars. I didn’t hate it, but I didn’t love it either. If you are coming to the You series strictly from the TV show, having not read any of these books, I expect you to hate this novel. If you have read the other books in the series, then I think that you too will feel as I do. That is to say, disappointed.

This was probably my least favorite book out of the series. I really loved the first two and I just liked the last two. Overall this is a wild series. However, I hope their are no more books in this series. After reading four books in this series I feel like that’s enough. I feel like Joe’s story should be done.

For You And Only You is the fourth installment of the You series, and it was sadly my least favorite book in the series. I struggled to stay interested, and the book lacked the same charm as the other books had.

Joe is back in this latest installment, restarting his life in Cambridge, MA, and hoping for his book to be picked up and published. He finds a new lady love to be obsessed over, Wonder Parish, and still, nothing goes according to his plans. Unfortunately, he must resort to his manic homicidal ways to get what he wants.

This book did not give me the same satisfaction as the others, but my favorite part was that the story was set in my home state of Massachusetts. It was fun seeing places like Dunkin’s, Fenway, and Harvard were mentioned. The references made the story more compelling, but I felt the plot was still lacking. I felt like Joe had lost his magic, and he is more like a lost love-sick puppy in this book. Nothing exhilarating happens, and it is hard to stay interested when it is the same plot as the other books without the thrills. This book was not my favorite, but honestly, the whole series is worth the read, and they are much better than what the TV series is turning into.

Thank you to NetGallery and Random House Publishing House for my copy of the book.

This is the same Joe we all love...and hate. (Hate to love?) Our favorite stream-of-consciousness hero is back with another love of his life, and as usual we follow along and enjoy the bike ride.

Joe has written a book and is going to Harvard for a semester to workshop his story. He has a room full of like-minded students and a teacher/mentor who is to-die-for. Each student is in a different part of their writing journey, but there's a mouse in this house and the cheese is getting stinky. Who will make it out in one piece?

I love Joe and his commitment to the love of his life every single time. Pop culture references fit in perfectly and make me feel like I'm in on a secret joke. I really hope that Joe can find the one someday, but it doesn't seem likely. I'll always keep reading to find out!

The You series is one of my all time favorites. I could not wait to get my hands on For You and Only You and was not disappointed. The character development in this series is incredible (I’ll add that the casting in the Netflix series was spot on) and I silently root for (and against) Joe Goldberg throughout the story. In this chapter, Joe’s writes a book and newest love interest is fellow writer, Wonder Parrish. I found Wonder absolutely unlikeable, as she is so self absorbed. This is a change from previous stories, where I was hoping that Joe’s latest love would change him for the better. Like the other books in the series, I was immediately pulled in and was on the edge of my seat waiting to learn who Joe’s latest victim would be. In an interesting turn events, Joe may have met his ( psychotic) match and this added layer created mixed emotions (again rooting for an against Joe).
An absolute must read if you love this series.

Ｂｏｏｋ Ｒｅｖｉｅｗ

𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐎𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐘𝐨𝐮 by Caroline Kepnes
Published: Releasing April 25, 2023
Reviewed by: Mel
Format: ARC eBook

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐎𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐘𝐨𝐮

Special thanks to @carolinekepnes @netgalley and @randomhouse for sending me an eBook ARC of the 4th installment of the You series. You don’t know how much you made my fan girl dreams come true…you could even say I would have killed for this ARC. Heh.

This is one of my favorite series of all time — and Caroline has absolutely done it again. I just can’t seem to get over the quick wit, the creative references/pop culture, and Joe Goldberg’s unique voice.

This specific book takes place in Boston/Cambridge - which is hilarious because the 3rd book ends hinting that Joe is going to Orlando, and this book picks up after Joe has been living in Orlando. I currently live in Orlando and moved here from Boston — so it’s all close to home for me! The entire book had references and places that made me feel at home and it made me that much more invested in the story.

I honestly don’t know how Caroline does it, but in each of the You books, she creates this bond with Joe, this alliance that, no matter what Joe does, you’re always on his side — always agreeing with his actions — always empathizing with him.

This book sure was a rollercoaster, and I predicted absolutely zero percent of the twists and turns. I don’t want to spoil anything, but wowza — there’s just something about the way Caroline writes, both her actual prose as well as her plot lines and story arcs — it’s so unique and so engaging. I can never find in any other writer that je ne sais quoi — bravo to you Caroline, and I absolutely cannot wait for whatever adventure you have Joe embark on next or whatever creative character is born in your mind for the next story 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

Obviously when I received a digital ARC of the new Joe book, everything else I was currently reading went by the wayside! The YOU series has long been one of my favorite reads--and the show on Netflix is such a treat. It's almost like an alternate timeline of Joe events!
That being said...I think that this book will be divisive. It definitely is the most unusual Joe book to date. It is the most slow-burner of the Joe books, as well. So some people might be let down by that aspect.
Of course, being the fourth book in a series, some things become formulaic. That doesn't deter Kepnes from making the books continue to work. Because the stories are really character-driven. It is always LESS about the plot and more about JOE.
I devoured this in a single sitting, as per usual. I am still very excited about this character. I am also wondering where this will go. How this will end. Will Joe ever be happy? Will he get caught?
I look forward to the next Joe book. I hope that Kepnes can re-invent the character, or throw us a curve ball.
This book is out in April and if you have enjoyed the other Joe books, you will enjoy this one, too. Thanks Net Galley for this book in exchange for an honest review.

I know Joe is batshit crazy and I love him anyway. That's what a good writer does, made me love a villain. I am glad I read this before Netflix and their newest season. Loved Joe and his dark sarcasm. i didn't love Wonder as much, and I can't believe that's how Joe would have ended it....will be interested to see if the show stays with book. Keep them coming!

Thank you to NetGalley of the publisher for allowing me to read an ARC of For You and Only You by Caroline Kepnes!

Joe has found another girl who he is supposed to spend the rest of his life with. This time, he has been picked to join in with a group of his ‘peers’ working on writing books. I feel like if you are reading the fourth book in this series, you know what you are in for. If you liked the other books, you will enjoy this one as well.

Thank you to the publisher for my copy - all opinions are my own.

Joe Goldberg is back and in perfect form once again. Every single Joe book, I worry that somehow the plot will veer too far into the unreal, and I will be left disappointed, and every time I am proven wrong. I just love how Caroline manages to keep Joe within the realm of reality and how he is forced to continue to find his way as a man while navigating his tendencies to murder those people who get in the way of his endeavors with true love.

Joe is back and once again has found a woman that he can see his whole future with. Wonder proves to be a terrific match for him, along with the wider group of fellows in the Harvard writing group that Joe finds himself accepted into.

There are so many delicious new characters in this installment - messy, egotistical, deranged and delightful. Each one adds a new level of nuance to the story, and a few twists that were unexpected and just SO FUN.

No spoilers, but Joe G. fans will not be disappointed by this one. A must for 2023!