Joe is back, this time in L.A., and he isn't going anywhere.
For those that know the first story of Joe Goldberg from Caroline Kepnes' "YOU," the story is far from over in the second book in the trilogy.
We left Joe in NYC after Guinevere Beck's death and, five months later, he is recovering all too well. He's met a girl, Amy Kendall Adam (not "Adams," like the actress). Amy enjoys being off the grid. Amy enjoys being her own person. Amy doesn't need a man...
But Amy does need access to someone like Joe. Someone who needs connections and a way to help her do what she does best; con. And con, she does. She takes off after getting rare, expensive copies via Joe of "Portnoy's Complaint." She takes off to L.A. She has bested Joe.
And Joe is never bested by anyone.
Instead, he closes down "Mooney Rare and Used," the bookstore he has been working at for years. The bookstore where he met Guinevere Beck. Where he killed Benji. And Beck. Where he grew up realizing that sometimes, you have to take care of your own problems how you see fit. And he goes to L.A. He follows Amy. And he will find Amy.
He will also find love. He will fall in love. He will find Love. Love is daughter of tennis-obsessed parents who are still completely in love. Love is the sister of Forty, an aspiring director who has an affinity for drugs, much to Love's dismay. But Joe is smitten. Shocked. Amazed at this girl with the tennis name who has been married twice. Who is 35. Who is somewhat demanding but just what Joe needs.
Soon, Joe forgets about Amy. Amy who? He has Love. Love, who's family welcomes him in, no questions asked. Love, who is beautiful and smart and stunning and needy but in the best way. And Joe doesn't need to do anymore killing.
But he does...and he does...and he does. And soon, Love is suspicious. But Joe wants to marry her. Joe wants to have a family with her. Joe wants everything with Love. So he tells her everything. Every. Single. Thing. And she responds with the best news Joe has heard in a long time. And soon, Joe's life is new. Full of hope. He can't wait.
But neither can Peach Salinger's family. Or Beck's family. Or Dr. Nicky. And soon, Joe's past comes back to haunt him. Because, as Joe knows, some bodies do not stay hidden forever.
I adored reading "YOU" and "Hidden Bodies" did not disappoint in Joe's continuing story. It was as if I had not said goodbye to Joe back in September. Instead, we parted ways and he invited me back into his psychotic world of murder and love..and Love. I will say, Joe is a murder, yes, but he does not deserve some of the awfulness and moodiness Love puts him through. I think Joe can do much better than the sarcastic and clingy Love, but it is what it is. If you enjoyed either Season One of the Netflix show, "YOU," based off Kepnes' book or you enjoyed the book "YOU" and wanted more, "Hidden Bodies" is one of the best sequels I have ever read.
Click here to read my book review for YOU and stay tuned for the review of Kepnes' latest book in Joe's story, "You Love Me," coming soon!
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