Reviews with content warning for Sexual assault - You

YOU by Caroline Kepness is a departure from the typical style of books I have read. It is also the first time I felt I read from a “Villain's” perspective. I found my self in the begging feeling so uneasy reading from this perspective of a Stalker, and later a murderer. However, Caroline’s brilliance was giving Joe such a unique personality. He was undoubtedly creepy yet, he had jokes with himself, his obsession became addicting, and I found myself continuously turning the pages to learn more about him.

I also found this book to be a love note to writing, and literature. And it put a smile on my face consistently, whether it was jokes about certain authors, or about figuring out what to write it was great commentary on it mixed in with a horror story.

There aren't many flaws with what this book was trying to do and I enjoyed it a lot. I can see how this book ends up in “Romance Sections” sometimes, because Joes mind is very sexual, so there is a lot if steamy descriptions. Being someone who doesn't read steamy stuff found myself saying man this is A LOT of sex, and that is my personal flaw with the story.

With that I highly recommend this book to people who like Horror and reading from the perspective of bad people. I give YOU by Caroline Kepness 4.5 out of 5!

Content Warnings

cutiepie999's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark tense fast-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

4.5

Content Warnings

taelights's review

Go to review page

dark tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

As a big fan of the show I loved getting to listen to the audiobook version. Joe is somehow even worse in the book than in the Netflix show which shocked me a bit because I didn't realize he could get any worse lol. I look forward to reading more of the series.

Content Warnings

alblaylock's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

Content Warnings

bookdragonk's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Completely unforgetable (and not in the best way). I was so creeped out by many scenes in this book, and I really have to give props to the writer for being able to get inside my head. I was so disgusted, but that just made me want to keep on reading. The characterisation of Joe as a manipulative, gas-lighting and egotistical stalker who blamed other for his downfalls was perfect. You can't root for any of the characters, but you definitely cannot root for him. Personally, the book could be a bit slow at times, and the faster-paced scenes seemed to end quite abruptly.

Major content warnings would be graphic depictions of violence, sex, and murder, as well as the obvious stalking and kidnapping.

Rating: 3.5/5

Content Warnings

ceilidhwilliams's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark tense fast-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

3.75

I think that every one of you who thinks that while Joe does horrible things you find the way he thinks relatable, need to go to therapy, seriously how the hell is he relatable??

Content Warnings

amandalorianxo's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark sad tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

So I watched the show (both seasons) before I read the novel and Joe is just as creepy and messed up in the novel as he is in the book. His thought process and rationalization behind every action, word, and thought really made me wonder how many other human beings think in a similar way that Joe does? I understand his childhood was messy but something more than trauma had to have happened to him to make him do everything that he did. Beck was portrayed similarly in the novel as she was in the show - I didn't have any strong feelings towards her. However

, Peach sexually assaulting Beck while she was under the influence was also messed up.

Beck clearly had also been going through her own trauma to find comfort in certain behaviors (meaning the type of people she associates herself with.) Overall- not the scariest book I read but not the worst book. It did drag on for more than I wanted it to.

Content Warnings

More...