I hate to say it, but I watched the first season of the Netflix show before (way before) reading the book. And while I highly regret it, I don't, at the same time.
In "YOU," we meet Joe Goldberg, a man with a secret past but an even more interesting present. He works in a book store where one day, out of the blue, he meets this young woman. This captivating, enchanting, "straight-out-of-a-fairy-tale" young woman named Guinevere Beck -- Beck to her friends -- and both of their lives are changed forever.
Joe, who wants nothing more than to love and to be loved, will do anything to have Beck. Including bordering on...okay, no, scratch that -- including stalking and possession. He knows how Beck is; how damaging to herself she can be. But that doesn't stop Joe from trying to show her how beautiful she is. How talented.
Beck, who is 25-years-old but is already tired. Beck, who goes to Brown University, who lives on Bank Street in New York, who has never read "The Da Vinci Code," who loves Paula Fox books, just like Joe. Beck, who "tweets more than she writes" and has ways of getting inspiration that may be a bit unethical, but proven to work for her.
You know the kind of love that you'll do anything for? My boyfriend and I always say we'll do anything for each other. But how far is too far? How far is it to have the person of your dreams? How far is too far to make sure they are yours, forever?
Now, I finished this book and had to think about my genuine reaction because it is the EXACT reaction Kepnes wants you to have for Joe. After Joe goes too far, he explains how he will miss Beck, miss the future they could have had; the wedding, the kids, the laughter, the love, the growing-old-together. And I found myself crying for Joe. Crying for him being alone.
And that is when it hit me; Joe may be the villain, but he does one heck of a job making not only Beck fall for him, but the reader too. You think that, yes, Joe is a psychotic freak who needs professional help, but he just wants love. Yes, Joe hurt Beck in the long run, but she just didn't understand him. That is what Kepnes wanted. She wanted you to feel for Joe.
Because while Joe *is* the bad guy... Beck didn't help matters.
Beck, without giving too much away, does her own part to drive Joe down the rabbit hole of insanity. Yes, she is the victim, but she is also the abuser. She knows Joe has trust issues and, in a way, she plays with that. She teases and acts secretive, giving Joe cause to worry and stress. He plays a cat-and-mouse game, but she plays one with him.
All in all, if you like psychological thrillers that make you question your own mind a little, "YOU" is among my Top 5 Books now. Which is odd, that it made it that high but it is written so well, I want to read it again and again and again and again.
*****If you or someone you know is in an abusive relationship, I wanted to drop some numbers below that can be called 24/7 and/or for help. They are all 100% confidential and can get you the help you need. If it is an emergency, call 911 as soon as possible.*****
National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233
National Domestic Violence Website: www.thehotline.org
National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673
Battered Women & Children: 1-800-603-HELP
RAINN: 1-800-656-4673
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