It's Definitely You...

TITLE: You (You#1)
AUTHOR: Caroline Kepnes
PUBLISHER: Atria
PUBLISHING DATE: September 30, 2014

FROM GOODREADS: When a beautiful, aspiring writer strides into the East Village bookstore where Joe Goldberg works, he does what anyone would do: he Googles the name on her credit card. 

There is only one Guinevere Beck in New York City. She has a public Facebook account and Tweets incessantly, telling Joe everything he needs to know: she is simply Beck to her friends, she went to Brown University, she lives on Bank Street, and she’ll be at a bar in Brooklyn tonight—the perfect place for a “chance” meeting. 

As Joe invisibly and obsessively takes control of Beck’s life, he orchestrates a series of events to ensure Beck finds herself in his waiting arms. Moving from stalker to boyfriend, Joe transforms himself into Beck’s perfect man, all while quietly removing the obstacles that stand in their way—even if it means murder. 

MY THOUGHTS: So I had this book on my shelves for years and never got around to it. Then one weekend I started watching the series adaptation on Netflix and before you knew it, I'd grabbed the book because I had to have more Joe in my life.  Now those of you who know Joe may realize that may say something weird about me, but then I had always heard he was a likable maniac and I do have to agree.

Joe works in a bookstore and one days in walks Beck.  Joe instantly becomes obsessed with Beck and as they bond over books, he decides his future lies with her.  So Joe starts following her.  She is a writer working on her higher education and he definitely has a love for books, so what could go wrong?  LOTS!

I actually found "You" to be a really fun read.  That being said, I despised a lot of the characters, especially Beck, who I found to be an annoying, pretentious brat.  At one point, despite knowing what I knew about Joe, he was pretty much the only character I liked.  Beck's friends are just as despicable and we won't even discuss the psychologist she starts seeing - Dr. Nicky.  Talk about too little too late. 

This is the second book I've read by Kepnes and her writing really clicks with me.  I plan on picking up "Hidden Bodies" sometime in the near future and am excited to see what else she has planned for Joe.  I definitely recommend "You" and if you haven't read "Providence," I'd give it a go as well because it remains one of my favorites. 

I will leave you with some words to Joe:

Dearest Joe,

I am writing to tell you that honestly, I think with some work, you could be a decent guy.  You work in a bookstore so numerous gals out there might be interested in dating you, especially if they can get a store discount. You appear relatively attractive, at least on TV, and you're also very intelligent.  I mean, you know tons about books, can manage a store by yourself and also have a definite charisma which enables you to charm numerous individuals - patrons, therapists and gas company workers alike.  

You are also very attentive.  You know what people need and are able to meet those needs, even though sometimes you use illegal measures.  You possess a very high self esteem and confidence that I honestly believe you could accomplish anything you set your mind to.  I just think you need to pick better girlfriends.  Seriously, Beck would drive me to do some illegal things as well I am sure.

Now since we've went there with illegal things, there's just the small matter of you being a homicidal stalker.  Perhaps some of that could be cured with a good therapist - and I'm not talking Dr. Nicky.  You have a lot to offer the world Joe, you just need to go about it the right way,

Yours truly, 

The Reader

RATING: 4 PAWS