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. ( )

Joe becomes obsessed with Beck, a woman he meets at work. He wants to be with her no matter what it takes.

This was not what I was expecting at all! I knew that the main character would be a stalker and that was pretty much it. But wow, I had no idea how much I would dislike almost every character. I liked Ethan. That was it. But for some reason I still loved this book. Maybe because it was so gross and disturbing and creepy. I’m not sure, but I flew through this and can’t wait to watch the show.

Things I loved: the stream of consciousness, as twisted as it is, I was almost rooting for Joe not to get caught bc he actually doesn’t seem to realize that he’s in the wrong, I just wanted him to become a better person, the twists

Things I didn’t love: Beck

Overall this was a fun read. I am throughly disturbed. ( )

Creepy and thrilling. From a different perspective, most of this story could be seen as a romance but as you get deeper, you see just how dangerous Joes obsession really is ( )

I enjoyed watching You on Netflix so much that when I am folding laundry I keep season 1 playing in the background. I wasn't going to read the book because I thought that Joe couldn't be more violent and sick in the novel. I was wrong. Book Joe is nothing like the psycho narcissist TV Joe. I think Penn Badgley portrayed Joe perfectly after reading You, but Netflix definitely toned down how just deranged Joe truly could be.

I am going to continue this series. ( )

YOU by Caroline Kepnes is a gripping psychological thriller that explores the dark side of human nature. The book tells the story of Joe Goldberg, a seemingly ordinary bookstore manager in New York City, who becomes obsessed with a customer named Guinevere Beck.
At first, Joe appears to be charming and intelligent, but as the story progresses, it becomes clear that he is a deeply disturbed individual. He starts to stalk Beck, using social media to gather information about her and manipulating her friends and acquaintances to get closer to her. As his obsession with Beck grows, Joe becomes increasingly violent and manipulative, ultimately leading to a shocking and disturbing conclusion.
What sets "You" apart from other thrillers is its unique narrative style. The story is told from Joe's perspective, giving readers a glimpse into the mind of a sociopath. Kepnes's writing is masterful in this regard, as she captures Joe's voice and inner monologue in a way that is both unsettling and compelling.
Despite his disturbing behavior, there are moments where Joe's humanity shines through, causing the reader to feel conflicted about their feelings towards him.
The novel also explores themes of social media and how it can be used to manipulate and control others. Beck's online presence is a key part of Joe's obsession, and Kepnes does an excellent job of showing how the curated image people present on social media can be far from the truth.
Despite the disturbing subject matter, "You" is a difficult book to put down. Kepnes keeps readers on the edge of their seats with unexpected plot twists and turns, and the tension builds to a fever pitch as Joe's obsession with Beck spirals out of control. The characters are well-developed, and the dialogue is sharp and realistic, making for a truly immersive reading experience.
Overall, YOU is a dark and thought-provoking thriller that will leave readers questioning their own perceptions of reality and the people around them. It's a disturbing yet fascinating look at the mind of a sociopath, and a must-read for fans of the genre. ( )