You Love Me (You #3)

By: Caroline Kepnes

4/5 🔴

**I received a free copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**

**Trigger Warning: Stalking, sexual assault, and drug abuse**

Joe Goldberg is back and he's turned over a new leaf. After a few months locked up, he's ready to change. He's left behind cities, posers, and love. Joe's ready to enjoy nature and rekindle his love of books. After anchoring a volunteer position at the local library, Joe sees her: Mary Kay DiMarco. No matter how much Mary Kay wants Joe, however, he will restrain and win her over the old fashioned way. There will be no stalking and no games.

Unfortunately for Joe, Mary Kay already has a life. She has friends, a career as the island's librarian, and a daughter. Joe is determined to have a family himself, no matter the cost. Will his new behaviors grant all his wishes or will he succumb to old demons?

I'll admit, I was a little lost as I started this book because I tend to get the show and the books a little confused (especially since the second season and Hidden Bodies differed quite a bit). Due to this, I would actually recommend rereading the second book or refreshing yourself because it will help keep the story straight. Personally, I would have appreciated a little blurb of "what happened before," especially because Joe's narrative is so disjointed as is.

Despite this, I found it really easy to get back into the story. Over a year later, I found myself falling for Joe's delusions. In fact, I thought they were even more well done in this book than the previous two. Perhaps it's because I've finally comprehended his delusions and unreliability as a narrator. I found myself second-guessing his version of events, but I also found myself falling his delusions. There were times where I didn't see Mary Kay as a victim and instead saw her as annoying, just as I did with Beck and Love. I think this is the genius of Kepnes' writing. As a reader, we know Joe is bad, but we also want to love him. We want Joe to be good.

I have to say, I liked this one better than the other two. I think part of the reason is that Joe's voice was still there, but it was much less vulgar. He seemed almost less psychotic in this one, which made it more... enticing. I kept waiting for the moment he would turn. The moment it would all be revealed a sham. I'll admit, for a fifty or so pages I got a little bored with "good" Joe. Luckily, the last 100 pages made the wait well worth it!

I want to keep this review devoid of spoilers, so I can't say much; however, there are some plot twists that were absolutely wild that last 100 pages. I did not see that ending coming! I couldn't put it down at the end! The twists and turns made the "boring" parts well worth it. While I loved this book, I'm very interested to see where the TV show takes it and if my reading was correct in the sense that I trust Joe... All in all, Kepnes did not disappoint!