For You and Only You: A Joe Goldberg Novel

Written by Caroline Kepnes

Narrated by Santino Fontana

New York Times bestselling author Caroline Kepnes, whose acclaimed YOU series inspired the hit show on Netflix, follows “addictively charming antihero” (The Washington Post) Joe Goldberg to the hallowed halls of Harvard, where he leaves crimson in his wake.
 
“Twisted . . . delightfully creepy.”—Rolling Stone

A POPSUGAR BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR

Joe Goldberg is ready for a change. Instead of selling books, he’s writing them. And he’s off to a good start. Glenn Shoddy, an acclaimed literary author, recognizes Joe’s genius and invites him to join a tight-knit writing fellowship at Harvard. Finally, Joe will be in a place where talent matters more than pedigree . . . where intellect is the great equalizer and anything is possible. Even happy endings. Or so he thinks, until he meets his already-published, already-distinguished peers, who all seem to be cut from the same elitist cloth.

Thankfully, Wonder Parish enters the picture. They have so much in common. No college degrees, no pretensions, no stories from prep school or grad school. Just a love for literature. If only Wonder could commit herself to the writing life, they could be those rare literary soulmates who never fall prey to their demons. Wonder has a tendency to love, to covet, but Joe is a believer in the rule of fiction: If you want to write a book, you have to kill your darlings.

With her trademark satirical, biting wit, Caroline Kepnes explores why vulnerable people bring out the worst in others as Joe sets out to make this small, exclusive world a fairer place. And if a little crimson runs in the streets of Cambridge . . . who can blame him? Love doesn’t conquer all. Often, it needs a little push.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Penguin Random House Audio Publishing Group
• Release date: Apr 25, 2023
• ISBN: 9780593394465

Caroline Kepnes

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.

Reviews for For You and Only You

[tobinelliott · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Hmmm...I feel like I'm beginning to be the Goodreads contrarian. Everything that the majority loves, mostly leaves me cold. And then there's books like this one, that's seemed to not hit well, I quite enjoyed. I mean, hell, there's a couple of reviewers I've seen that seem to love EVERYTHING they read, and they're not digging this.

Well, this book was kind of Candyland for me in a few ways.

First, it was a book about authors writing books. So, the field is wide open for not only all the literary references, the name dropping, the snide comments about various types of authors, about literary criticism...oh, it's just a fun theme park to stroll through and get on all the rides.

Second, it's Joe Goldberg. Kepnes does have Joe ramble on a bit too much at times, but even at his worst, his worldview, his machinations, his way of validating himself...it's fascinating to view, and entertaining to read.

And finally, Kepnes seems to be back. You was phenomenal. You Love Me was good. But both Hidden Bodies and Providence (her non-Joe G novel) were utter disappointments.

So, with the one-two punch of her last couple of Goldberg novels, she seems to be coming back, and this latest one is really promising for me, as she seems to be taking more chances here, and subverting expectations. This seemed far...fresher? Is that the right word? ...than anything she's offered up since Joe's debut outing.

So, at least for this guy, this was a really enjoyable and satisfying outing.

[jenn88-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I don't honestly know how to write this review. The book was hard to get in to. I didn't really care for Wonder. Overall I did enjoy the book and didn't want it to end. I like the candor and humour - the author can write. I would read the next book in the series but I also feel like this series should just end already.

Thanks to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group for an ARC.