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ashleyraemc's review against another edition
3.0
Am I the Goodreads girl now?
Joe Goldberg is back, this time with major dark academia vibes!
When I saw I was approved for an arc from NetGalley, I was so pumped. From the first chapter, I was hooked. Caroline Kepnes’ writing is superb and witty, as always. I’m convinced even her grocery list is an entertaining read.
I read the last three books in this series. I binged in 24 hours. This one took me about four days.
Through the first third of this book, I loved it. The twists and Joe’s unhinged behavior were in full force, and then it mostly fizzled out. Don’t get me wrong, there are still some interesting situations and moments Joe gets himself into, but a lot of the middle part of this book was a bit of a slog.
Honestly, I think what caused me to not love it as much as the others were the constant pandemic references. These were mainly scattered in the first half. I sort of get why Kepnes put those into the book. She often puts topical references into this series. Personally, any pandemic references make me squeamish. I wouldn't say I like when books talk about it. Mentioned once I could get passed, but a decent-sized part of this story is about what Joe was doing during the pandemic. I wasn’t compelled to pick it up because of that.
All that being said, there were quite a few things I liked! I loved the academia vibes and everyone’s bizarre names. I am always entertained by Joe’s twisted inner monologue and thought process. I also enjoyed the addition of S.B. I would love to get more S.B. and Joe. I will be picking up whatever Kepnes writes next.
Thank you to NetGalley for the complimentary copy! Expected Release: April 4, 2023
Joe Goldberg is back, this time with major dark academia vibes!
When I saw I was approved for an arc from NetGalley, I was so pumped. From the first chapter, I was hooked. Caroline Kepnes’ writing is superb and witty, as always. I’m convinced even her grocery list is an entertaining read.
I read the last three books in this series. I binged in 24 hours. This one took me about four days.
Through the first third of this book, I loved it. The twists and Joe’s unhinged behavior were in full force, and then it mostly fizzled out. Don’t get me wrong, there are still some interesting situations and moments Joe gets himself into, but a lot of the middle part of this book was a bit of a slog.
Honestly, I think what caused me to not love it as much as the others were the constant pandemic references. These were mainly scattered in the first half. I sort of get why Kepnes put those into the book. She often puts topical references into this series. Personally, any pandemic references make me squeamish. I wouldn't say I like when books talk about it. Mentioned once I could get passed, but a decent-sized part of this story is about what Joe was doing during the pandemic. I wasn’t compelled to pick it up because of that.
All that being said, there were quite a few things I liked! I loved the academia vibes and everyone’s bizarre names. I am always entertained by Joe’s twisted inner monologue and thought process. I also enjoyed the addition of S.B. I would love to get more S.B. and Joe. I will be picking up whatever Kepnes writes next.
Thank you to NetGalley for the complimentary copy! Expected Release: April 4, 2023
geminisoul's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
While I didn't enjoy this books as much as the others (it's becoming a bit repetitive)- I do really enjoy delving into the mind of Joe. It's so interesting to see the dichotomy between how others persive him and who he actually is. I also really enjoyed the Sara Beth character.
moderenan's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
skylabeouf's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
jordynn_rose's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
abi__'s review against another edition
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
_travelingpages's review against another edition
Boring and egotistical. The You series really went downhill right after the first book. I was able to hate finish 2 and 3, but this one is just so boring.
jaymeeduck's review against another edition
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
3.0
jasmeaniethebookish's review against another edition
3.0
The fourth installment in the “You” series finds Joe writing books instead of selling them. Joe finds himself accepted in a much-coveted spot in a writers fellowship through Harvard, where he can finally feel valued for skill instead of prestige. Joe assumes that because he is intelligent, he’ll blow past the other very published and successful fellows.
Then we meet Wonder, another writer invited into the fellowship. Wonder tends to look at the world through rose-colored glasses, but will she be able to see the best in Joe? Or will she end up like the others?
I’m going to be honest with you here. I didn’t love this book like I loved the other three. There were fewer action and thriller aspects that we’ve come to know and love. The beginning is slow enough that you can feel the difference, and it can be a bit of a slog. I read these books for the anxiety, dammit!
I still ended up enjoying the story, but it was missing that spark that is so prevalent throughout the other books. Joe could almost be described as tame. That being said, I will forever look forward to new books in this series, should they be written.
3 out of 5 stars
Thanks so much to Edelweiss and Penguin Random House for this eARC in exchange for an honest review!
Then we meet Wonder, another writer invited into the fellowship. Wonder tends to look at the world through rose-colored glasses, but will she be able to see the best in Joe? Or will she end up like the others?
I’m going to be honest with you here. I didn’t love this book like I loved the other three. There were fewer action and thriller aspects that we’ve come to know and love. The beginning is slow enough that you can feel the difference, and it can be a bit of a slog. I read these books for the anxiety, dammit!
I still ended up enjoying the story, but it was missing that spark that is so prevalent throughout the other books. Joe could almost be described as tame. That being said, I will forever look forward to new books in this series, should they be written.
3 out of 5 stars
Thanks so much to Edelweiss and Penguin Random House for this eARC in exchange for an honest review!