You by Caroline Kepnes - Book Review

This story examines the question of how far a person is willing to go for the one they love. 

Joe Goldberg knows what to expect out of life, and especially out of working at a bookstore, so when Guinevere Beck, a gorgeous blonde walks into the store, he knows his life is about to change forever.

She is funny, smart, creative, sexy as hell, and everything he ever wanted, but she doesn’t know it yet. As Joe begins to pursue Beck, he realizes there is much more to her than meets eye, and thus the two of them enter into an obsessive relationship that quickly spirals yielding deadly consequences.

Caroline Kepnes’ debut novel created quite a stir upon its release. With rave reviews from both fellow authors and critics alike, she has taken on the Hollywood troupe, turned it on its head, and examined the thin line between love and obsession.

Here is a thriller with plenty of twists and turns to make you shudder, but that in and of itself is nothing new. What makes You stand out is her unique portrayal of an archetype we are used to hate, and to judge without question

Her characters are deeply complex and flawed but ultimately want nothing more than to be loved and desired in a world controlled by social media and appearances.

Undoubtedly, what makes the novel stand out is her ability to make you question yourself, and everything you think you know about how far you’d go for the person you love.

Joe is a character you will both loathe and cheer for in the same breath, and Beck who is meant to garner sympathy invokes a deep sense of mistrust and confusion. Together, they are the epitome of toxic, and they turn to love in a high stakes game.