Like a ton of other people, I've been obsessed and entranced with both the books in this series and the subsequent Netflix production, so I was really excited to see that the third instalment was out. In "You Love Me", Joe has relocated to a small town after his brief stint in prison, away from his estranged ex girlfriend, Love Quinn, and his infant son. Joe is soon fixated on the local librarian, Mary Kay, but things are different this time around. Mary Kay already has a family, And a life, And Joe will do whatever it takes to be a part of it...

Although the novel is brilliantly written in Kepnes' signature style, and Joe is as compelling a character as ever, this one didn't quite hit the spot for me. I'm all for suspending my disbelief, but it was stretched almost to breaking point in this book, where almost every character is a closet maniac or sex pest, and I found Mary Kay's blowing hot and cold in endless cycles tedious. Essentially, this book is more of what we've seen in the earlier novels, just on a loop and less engrossing. Kepnes hasn't lost any magic as a storyteller - for me, it was the characters that let this one down. Will I still read any subsequent novels? Hell yes. Joe is one of the most interesting fictional characters I've come across in a long time, and I'm still absolutely invested in seeing how the story pans out - I just hope that future novels reconnect with the originality that made them so good in the first place rather than retreading the same old cycles.

Thank you ton NetGalley and to the publisher, who gave me a free ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

You Love Me by Caroline Kepnes
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If anyone ever asks me what my favourite psychological thriller book is my answer is always the same 'I have two.. You and Hidden Bodies by Caroline Kepnes. And now I have three. You Love Me, the third book in the' You series' by the amazing Caroline Kepnes.
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Once again we get to delve into the mind of Joe Goldberg and I sincerely can't think of a more fu**ed up place to be. I'll avoid any spoilers here and just say if you're a fan of Joe, you'll be a fan of his new story. Loved it 🖤

Caroline Kepnes has done it again.

What I find fascinating with her Joe Goldberg books is the way that she keeps things fresh and interesting. Initially each of the books have the same premise, and yet Kepnes manages to work her magic and find new stories and characters for Joe to meet and terrorise.

And, oh terrorise he does. New Town. New woman. New obsession

Being in Joe's mind is a blast. His thoughts make me laugh out loud, particularly when he's in mid conversation, and it's rather scary that sometines I find myself relating to him! I think each of us has a smidgen of Joe Goldberg in us. After all he's not a bad guy remember!

I did have a couple of gripes. Firstly, I thought there would be more of a particular character from Joe's past, and when they do arrive their interaction is over far too soon.

Secondly and this is a SPOILER

SPOILER

SPOILER

I wish the book had ended after Mary Kayes's daughter had made her intentions to Joe clear, just after their wedding. I do think that Kepnes could have worked all of that into a new novel. Imagine Joe being happily married and having his fairy tale ending, and then having his step daughter attracted to him to deal with. It had SO much potential! A shame really.

Still this is the most fun I've had with a book for a while. Kepnes has such a unique voice and I can't wait to read the next in the series.

I struggled a lot with this one. I have read the other books in the You series, but in this one it felt like Joe had lost his touch a little.
It wasn't as tense as the first one, and I found it very hard to believe the way the relationship between Love and Joe ended.

It is not a bad read, but I expected better.

I loved reading the third book about Joe Goldberg. It follows the same writing style as the two previous novels in the series and is a fast-paced read.

Joe has moved to a new place and has his eyes set on his new boss, Mary Kay. He tries to be a good guy this time but things don’t go to plan.

Thank to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for a review.

I definitely enjoyed reading Joe's latest "adventure". Having seen the previous two seasons on Netflix, i kept on visualising how Joe would say and behave every time and that made reading it more fun.

Thanks Netgalley and the publishers for an ARC

DNF'ed @ 20%.
There's nothing inherently wrong with this book, I was actually enjoying it and finding it entertaining. The writing, however, was what made me DNF. While it's entertaining and I'm sure an easy read for some, I struggled to fully immerse myself into the novel and story because the writing was so stop/start and jarring. I think it makes for a good TV series, one I actually enjoyed, I just cannot get past the writing. It was all a little confusing and all over the place. As I said, I'm so upset I couldn't get into this, but it wasn't for me.

#YouLoveMe #NetGalley
A must read.
Joe Goldberg is done with cities, done with the muck and the posers, done with Love. Now, he's saying hello to nature, to simple pleasures on a cosy island in the Pacific Northwest. For the first time in a long time, he can just breathe.
He gets a job at the local library – he does know a thing or two about books – and that's where he meets her: Mary Kay DiMarco. Librarian. Joe won't meddle, he will not obsess. He'll win her the old fashioned way . . . by providing a shoulder to cry on, a helping hand. Over time, they'll both heal their wounds and begin their happily ever after in this sleepy town.
It was far more than sinister. Go for it.
Thanks to NetGalley and Simon Schuster for giving me an advanced copy.

I could simply not wait to devour the 3rd book in this series and it really did not disappoint and I’m so grateful that I was granted an advanced digital copy. This was one of my most anticipated releases of the year!

This book has a bit of everything and I was so shocked by all the twists and mind blowing moments!

I hate the fact that the author created such a terrible person in such a wonderful way that I see myself rooting and empathising with the villain! That’s how good this book (series) is.

There is a certain rawness in this story that is just simply compelling. Luke the previous books, there are some parts that are just a little bit too perfect and it makes it a bit less credible but... with Joe being Joe, it is easy to start believing that anything and everything is possible.

The plot, the new characters, the narrative, the setting... everything falls in amazing places. I thought that Hidden Bodies will be my favourite book from the series, no matter what would happen, but now I think I have a new favourite!

I would like to thank Simon Schuster UK for an advanced digital copy of this amazing book in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

This is the third book in series about Joe Goldberg.
Joe has moved to a small town to get away from his past and start again.
This time he wants to do things right, no stalking, obsessing or killing, he just wants to be a nice caring, friendly guy.
Then he meets his new boss Mary Kaye and things are not as easy as he hoped.
I really enjoyed the first book in this series but this book was more about what was going on inside his head and I found myself skimming parts of the book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster UK for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

I loved You... I hated Hidden Bodies... by You Love Me was back in form. Not as good as You, I don’t think anything could be as shocking as the hit of that first novel. But Joe was back to his crazy self and the characters were yet again people I cared about. Love and Forty were awful, I hated them and I did not care what happened in Hidden Bodies.
Much much much better!

A fabulous book and one that I’d strongly recommend.
I didn’t read the first book and only watched the Netflix series which I loved. I was desperate to find out what would happen to Joe next and it certainly didn’t disappoint.
I had a range of emotions throughout this book from sad, frustrated, angry and disappointed.
It’s beautifully written and there were twists in it that I didn’t see coming. I now wish I had read the first book before watching the Netflix series.

Ahhhh-mazing!!! If only I could rate this book more than 5 stars!!!
Ughhh! I loved loved loved this book. I can’t explain in words how much I loved this book!!! I have only watched the ‘You’ series on Netflix and oh boy was I missing out!!! As much as I love watching the show I loved and enjoyed reading the book. Caroline Kepnes definitely ups her game with every new book in series, mindfuckingblown (Joe style, lol).
I couldn’t help but read the book in Joe’s voice as in how Joe sounds on the Netflix show. Joe is a character who we all know is wrong and does wrong things but still can’t help but love him. The author does such a great job for us to root for him and we want things to go his way. However, Joe is good and tried to be good after all that happened to him previously. I felt sad for Joe and I couldn’t stop crying towards the end as I didn’t foresee or expected the twists at all. Ugghh! Again Hats off to the author for making the readers empathize with Joe - disturbed, obsessive and dangerous character.
I love thriller books and this book was definitely a ride. I am an avid reader and this is a really great book I have read in a long time (and now added to my favorite lists). I am writing this review right after I have finished reading the book and I have to say I absolutely enjoyed and loved the book. I am still screaming in the inside!!! I highly recommend this book if you love books with numerous twists, psycho characters, shocking plots.
Can’t wait to watch the show on Netflix and for the next book already!!! Thankyou Caroline for writing such a great book. Thankyou Netgalley and Simon & Schuster UK for the early e-arc.

This was the best book I read this year (Finished on 31/12/2020) Thank you to NetGalley for giving me this as an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Joe Goldberg is back and he is going straight! This book couldn’t possibly have been written better. More character development for Joe, reading through his twisted psyche, as he navigates trying to have a real relationship without killing.

He is impossible, honestly believing that his ways and his behavior is normal.

This is a satisfying novel in the You series and an absolute triumph for Kepnes.

You will be thrilled to see the new life and new people in his life.

“You’re the one from the phone but holy shit, Mary Kay. Are you the one for me?”

Can you hear it? The unmistakable cadence of Penn Badgley’s voice narrating in your head as your eyes take in the words? Ladies and gentlemen, Joe Goldberg, your friendly neighbourhood serial killer and master stalker, is back.

I have to admit, I am yet to read “You” and “Hidden Bodies”. However, having seen the show and dying to know what happens next, I had to start with “You Love Me”. Caroline Kepnes has created a character that you really want to root for, regardless of how wrong it actually is. She’s done a phenomenal job because I really did root for Joe. I was mesmerised by the protagonist’s (antagonist’s?) voice, the style of writing, how effortlessly the story unfolded. I got lost inside Joe’s mind, in his unyielding efforts to be a good person, “good Joe”. But people kept getting in his way – and we all know how Joe deals with obstacles. Still, he’ll try his best to keep on track, because he is in love, and it is real this time, and he will not stalk or obsess or…

“You Love Me” was the last book I read in 2020. It might also be the best. I truly can’t recommend it enough.

Bonus point – I enjoyed the little, blink-and-you-miss-it, references to the show!