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venysnizel's review against another edition
3.0
Meh. I think this is just one of those rare occurrences where, for me, the show is better than the book. Watching the show, I was always Team Joe (as awful as that might sound to some). Yes, he was clearly troubled, but he was also a bit of a hopeless romantic and had a bit of a Humbert Humbert quality to him (yes, when it comes to Lolita, I am Team Humbert Humbert - maybe I just have strange taste in men). However, whereas the show romanticized him more, I feel like the book made him out to be even more of an obsessed psycho. Beck was clearly a villain here, as well - straight up neutral evil, as we would call her in the Dungeons & Dragons world - but their relationship never seemed at all buyable and his obsession just seemed stupid, while the characters remained lackluster and self-absorbed. Once their “relationship” finally began, everything felt rushed and the ending just fell flat for me. Perhaps I would feel differently had I not seen the show first, but I really feel that if I had read the book first, I wouldn’t have bothered with watching it in the first place.
courtm217's review against another edition
5.0
An eye opening read that follows Joe Goldberg from the moment Guenivere Beck captures his attention in the bookstore he runs. Joe quickly becomes infatuated with Beck and orchestrates chance meetings and the opportunity for Beck to come running to his open arms. Joe is willing to do whatever it takes to make Beck feel the same way.
I couldn't put this book down, a completely thrilling page Turner!
I couldn't put this book down, a completely thrilling page Turner!
normienim's review against another edition
4.0
boy meet girl. girl flirt with boy. boy fell for the girl. boy put in effort. boy get girl. and stuff.
probably my first romance novel ever.
probably my first romance novel ever.
camicarreno's review against another edition
3.0
Es un libro entretenido, pero en algunas partes bastante inverosímil. Igual da un poco de susto lo fácil que es ser stalker en estos tiempos digitales. Me llamó la atención que no se hablara de Instagram, sólo de Facebook y Twitter, aunque el libro es del 2014. Es un libro súper pop con un montón de referencias que, si eres más viejo o muy joven, no te van a hacer sentido.
koalabear's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
feyley's review against another edition
3.0
I really wanted to love this book. The premise of it was really interesting. But I just didn't like the perspective of Joe at all. It had nothing to do with the kind of person he was. And everything to do with the fact that I just didn't like the way that author decided to narrate the book. It was an interesting story but I think this is something I would have enjoyed more from multiple perspectives. At some point I will try to read the sequel but not right away.
smsadeee's review against another edition
4.0
I only enjoyed this book because I didn't take it seriously and I think you too should approach it the same way. The book didn't turn out to be the thrilling, mysterious, and horrifying story it intended to be instead, it had a humorous and interesting tone.
The narration style had its pros and cons. On one hand, it was what kept me engaged and entertained during the first half. However, it also contributed to the downfall of the second half. Disappointed but not surprised.
I think Joe's character is the best aspect of the book because it's written in a way that manipulates you into liking him and makes you feel like you could easily become one of his victims.
They should’ve left this book as a standalone.
The narration style had its pros and cons. On one hand, it was what kept me engaged and entertained during the first half. However, it also contributed to the downfall of the second half. Disappointed but not surprised.
I think Joe's character is the best aspect of the book because it's written in a way that manipulates you into liking him and makes you feel like you could easily become one of his victims.
They should’ve left this book as a standalone.
titansgo12's review against another edition
4.0
Warning: If you are a survivor of stalking/ domestic abuse, this book is probably going to be HIGHLY triggering for you and you should probably skip it and the TV adaptation.
Watch out for Crazy ass Joe. As probably most of the recent reviews, this book was brought to my attention through the TV adaptation which, I feel faithfully honors the source material. That being said, it's odd watching the show and or reading/ listening (great audiobook here and my preferred format) to the book in a post 2017 world where #MeToo and #TimesUp movements are in full force. The subject matter and events can easily be seen as heavily problematic and regressive especially when compared to media with similar themes in the past that were romanticizd but are now looked at as troublesome to say the least *cough* Twilight *cough*. If you're however, looking at this from a purely entertainment stance, as I am, this work checks all the boxes, it's thrilling, scary, good pacing, shocking and dare I say, sexy and same goes for the TV show which has been renewed for a second season and moving to Netflix that I'm guessing will focus on the sequel to this novel called: Hidden Bodies, needless to say I'll be tuning in and probably listening to the book as well. So, just to clarify, though this book is a work of fiction I feel it necessary to say that Joe Goldberg is not a romantic character and DOES NOT deserve your sympathy. His actions and relationship to Beck (and other women) is not a blueprint for a healthy and normal relationship, HE IS A MONSTER and no matter how he rationalizes his actions (which happens a lot) HE IS WRONG and YOU DO NOT WANT a Joe Goldberg in your life ladies and gents, he is a monster, watch out for crazy ass Joe.
Watch out for Crazy ass Joe. As probably most of the recent reviews, this book was brought to my attention through the TV adaptation which, I feel faithfully honors the source material. That being said, it's odd watching the show and or reading/ listening (great audiobook here and my preferred format) to the book in a post 2017 world where #MeToo and #TimesUp movements are in full force. The subject matter and events can easily be seen as heavily problematic and regressive especially when compared to media with similar themes in the past that were romanticizd but are now looked at as troublesome to say the least *cough* Twilight *cough*. If you're however, looking at this from a purely entertainment stance, as I am, this work checks all the boxes, it's thrilling, scary, good pacing, shocking and dare I say, sexy and same goes for the TV show which has been renewed for a second season and moving to Netflix that I'm guessing will focus on the sequel to this novel called: Hidden Bodies, needless to say I'll be tuning in and probably listening to the book as well. So, just to clarify, though this book is a work of fiction I feel it necessary to say that Joe Goldberg is not a romantic character and DOES NOT deserve your sympathy. His actions and relationship to Beck (and other women) is not a blueprint for a healthy and normal relationship, HE IS A MONSTER and no matter how he rationalizes his actions (which happens a lot) HE IS WRONG and YOU DO NOT WANT a Joe Goldberg in your life ladies and gents, he is a monster, watch out for crazy ass Joe.