Freaky. Twisted. Upsetting. Chilling. These are words that come to mind when considering Caroline Kepnes’s novel YOU. This novel was released in September of 2014 but it is getting some publicity now that it’s being developed as a Lifetime tv series. I was thrilled to hear this since I loved this book back in 2015 when I got my hands on it (Kepnes wrote a follow-up to this called Hidden Bodies, just in case you want more). At first, it is hard to grasp how disturbing this book is at times. I often had to put it down and revisit parts just to make sure I was reading the words correctly. The novel centers around two main characters: Joe, a seemingly harmless bookstore clerk, and Beck, a beautiful aspiring writer. As the book progresses, Joe “invisibly and obsessively takes control of Beck’s life… moving from stalker to boyfriend.” Perhaps the most disturbing theme of the book is how social media plays a role in these character’s lives. Beck’s constant posting and checking-in help Joe discover all he needs to know about her. I felt sucked into the warped world of Joe and Beck– at times feeling confused and guilty that I was clearly rooting for the bad guy. This book has that kind of power over the reader. It sucks you in, captivates you, grosses you out and leaves you speechless…but YOU won’t be disappointed.
For a peek inside the book, click here. For a Goodreads review, click here.
