Title: You
(You #1)
Author: Caroline Kepnes
Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Romance
First published: September 25th 2014
Publisher: Atria/Emily Bestler Books
Finished reading: January 9th 2017
Pages: 433
DNF at 5% (21 pages)
“Work in a bookstore and learn that most people in this world feel guilty about being who they are.”
WARNING: Unpopular opinion ahead.
This book by Caroline Kepnes has been on my radar ever since I first found out it had a serial killer element, and I’ve seen lots of positive reviews about You ever since. I was really excited to be finally reading this one and I’m still wondering if I picked up a different story instead, because You left me confused. It’s probably just me, but to be honest I just couldn’t see the why behind the fact that so many people seem to love this story. I normally read at least 50 pages or 10% before I decide to DNF a book, but in this case I just couldn’t take it anymore. Why? First of all, I really disliked the writing style and its constant you, you, you was getting on my nerves. That and the constant swearing and sex talk/scenes left me no other option than calling You my very first DNF this year (and hopefully the last!). I keep feeling I might be missing out on something and it was just the beginning I struggled with, but then again sex talk/scenes and me just don’t go together. I wish I could have discovered more about the serial killer angle though!
When a beautiful, aspiring writer enters the bookstore where Joe Goldberg works, he feels himself forced to Google the name on her credit card after she leaves. And there is only one Guinevere Beck in New York City. Even better: she has a public Facebook account and Tweets, telling Joe everything he needs to know about her. Joe decides to create the perfect ‘chance’ meeting, and slowly takes control of her life by creating a series of events that should ensure her walking straight into his waiting arms…
I have to say that every time I read the blurb again, I want to give this story another try. I have actually tried to continue reading a few times, but especially the sex talk/scenes make me cringe before I finish the first pending page. I think You is a typical case of REALLY not-for-me, although I truly wanted to like this story. I have a weakness for serial killer thrillers, but even that weakness is not enough for me to tolerate adult scenes. Oh well, I guess you can’t like everything…
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I’ve also heard good things about this book but I have so many similar books at the mo I wasn’t in any rush. I suspect it will stay towards the bottom of the pile even though I’m less bothered by adult scenes. Sorry you couldn’t finish but you did the right thing. There are way too many good books out there waiting on you.
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I agree, I don’t like DNFing a book but with so many other pending titles it just seems wrong to waste time on a story that is clearly not meant for me. I hope you will enjoy it better when you get to it though!
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I wanted to understand why everyone loves this book. But I’ve tried it twice and can’t get into it. I’m glad I’m not the only one!
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I’m glad I’m not the only one! I feel bad for not finishing it since so many people seem to love it, but I guess it just really isn’t for me.
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Oh no! I’m sorry you didn’t enjoy this one enough to finish it. 😦
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I feel kind of bad for not finishing it, but I guess some books just aren’t for everyone…
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I’m not big on Fifty Shades scenes in books so I’m not sure I’ll like it either then. I have this one though and I’ll give it a try, if only to see what all the buzz is about. Thanks for your honest review.
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I wouldn’t touch the Fifty Shades books with a long pole myself haha. If you don’t like adult scenes, you will probably have the same feelings when reading the first pages of You… I’m not sure if it get’s better afterwards, but a lot of people loved this series and it kind of makes you wonder. I hope you will enjoy it better than I did if you decide to give it a try!
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I’ve actually struggled through the first book but enough was enough. I’ll let you know. I do want to make up my own mind about this one :-).
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I can totally understand that; I always want to try a book myself as well even though it has bad ratings. I’ll be looking forward to hear your thoughts! 🙂
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I’m glad you shared about this — that kind of writing isn’t for me either. I’ll give it a pass, too.
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If you don’t like that kind of writing, I can definitely recommend that. 🙂
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Oh no! Sorry you had such a difficult time with this one. At the end of the day, life is too short to read books you are not enjoying. I really struggle with DNFing a book. I’m actually reading one right now that I’ve been contemplating the DNF, but I always worry that the story will pick up.
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I always have a hard time DNFing a book because I’m always left with the feeling I might be missing out, but in this case I felt You just REALLY wasn’t for me. I personally hate sex scenes in a story, so continuing this story would have been torture for me. 😉
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I can appreciate a well done sex scene, but I think less is more when it comes to depicting sex in books. I like when the author leaves some of it up to imagination:)
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