“You” by Caroline Kepnes
Published September 30, 2014 by Atria/Emily Bestler Books
Genre: Thriller
Let me start by saying that Caroline Kepnes is a very gifted writer. She has a way of pulling you into her books with interesting language and intriguing character development.
“You” is written from the viewpoint of Joe, who runs a bookstore in New York, but even though the book is written in his voice he is a mysterious character who you fall in love with, but you’re not sure why. You come to realize that Joe lives by his own rules and he does the things he does from a place of “love?”.
Joe meets a girl in the bookstore named, Guinevere Beck (aka Beck), and they have an instant connection. She is everything Joe has been looking for since his last relationship with Candace ended. Joe just has to show Beck how perfect he is for her too, but there’s always someone standing in his way. There is more to Joe than Beck realizes, but Joe doesn’t know Beck quite as well as he thinks he does either, which leads to some deadly consequences.
Looking at Beck through Joe’s eyes, she seems like a perfect, sweet, innocent girl. Oh, but she is not. This character is fantastic, because she is like so many people I know who appear sweet, but are completely toxic. Beck is a deeply troubled girl filled with lies. Lies she even tells her closest friends. She feeds on attention which is partly why she falls for Joe.
“You” will keep you invested page after page and will leave you wanting more after 432 pages. It’s unpredictable, sexy, thrilling, and smart. This is a book you can’t get off your mind. You can’t wait to dive back into the minute you get the chance.
“You” was turned into a series that you can watch on NETFLIX starring Penn Badgley as Joe. The show is a little different than the book as you might expect, but not too far off. Both are equally enjoyable.
There is a second season and a second book that I will talk about in my next book review blog. I’d love to hear your thoughts on either the book or the show or your thoughts on the show vs. the book.
