You Love Me by Caroline Kepnes
Series: You #3
Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
Publication Date: April 6, 2021
Date Read: April 7, 2021
Length: 400 pages
Source: Publisher via NetGalley
★★★★☆
Joe is done with the cities. He’s done with the muck and the posers, done with Love. Now, he’s saying hello to nature, to simple pleasures on a cozy 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.
The trouble is… Mary Kay already has a life. She’s a mother. She’s a friend. She’s… busy.
True love can only triumph if both people are willing to make room for the real thing. Joe cleared his decks. He’s ready. And hopefully, with his encouragement and undying support, Mary Kay will do the right thing and make room for him.
My Review
I liked this book. I have had a weird relationship with Joe. I read You and expected to fall in love with it but that isn’t what happened. I didn’t hate it but I wasn’t blown away either. Then I read Hidden Bodies and I loved everything about it. Of course, I was ready to dive into this newest installment and find out what has happened in Joe’s life since we last saw him. Unfortunately, I didn’t like this book nearly as much I liked Hidden Bodies but I did find it to be an enjoyable read.
Joe is trying to get a fresh start. He has moved to a new town, has a new house, a new job, and is determined to do things right from now on. He has a new love in his life, Mary Kay. Mary Kay works at the library with him and while she may not know just yet that they are meant to be together, she does seem to enjoy spending time with Joe. Joe is taking things slow and is going to be patient this time. Sure, he may be stalking her just a little bit but nobody has to get hurt this time.
Joe is a psychopath. He is not a good guy but he is a good actor and Mary Kay does seem to enjoy being with Joe. The story is told in second person from Joe’s point of view. Being in Joe’s head is an eye-opening experience because we not only get to see the things he does but we also learn his rationale for doing those things. Before this book was over, I found myself feeling bad for Joe which is a sign of great writing.
I would recommend this book to others. I think that this is a series that would be best read in order since the events from the first two books are discussed and come into play in this book. I definitely plan to read more of this talented author’s work.
I received a digital review copy of this book from Random House Publishing Group via NetGalley.
The Series
Book #3 – You Love Me – Now Available!
About the Author
Caroline Kepnes is the author of You, Hidden Bodies, Providence, and numerous short stories. Her work has been translated into a multitude of languages and inspired a television series adaptation of You, currently on Netflix. Kepnes graduated from Brown University and previously worked as a pop culture journalist for Entertainment Weekly and a TV writer for 7th Heaven and The Secret Life of the American Teenager. She grew up on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and now lives in Los Angeles.
Like this:
Like Loading...
I must say I was sceptical about continuing the series as I found YOU disappointing. Now after reading this review I am inclined to reconsider.
Interesting series. Wonderful review!
Anne – Books of My Heart
It's funny the only other person I know that has been reading this series, loved YOU, hated Hidden Bodies (says it was a hot mess…lol) so she is curious about this one but nervous too…lol. It's not a series I am interested in but I am glad you enjoyed it even if you didn't like it as much as HB! 🙂
I've been on the fence about this series since it started! I'm equally convinced I'd love it and hate it. This does sound good with a seriously creepy undercurrent.
I have seen Kepnes at the library 🙂
Seems like we had different opinions with the first two books since I liked You more than Hidden Bodies. I kind of like the sound of this though and it feels that it's completely cut off from the second book? I kind of want to try and reread Hidden Bodies since I somewhat forgot some of it already especially with how different the series actually is (as far as I can remember).