About the Book:
Joe Goldberg is done with the cities. He’s done with the muck and the posers, done with Love. Now he’s saying hello to nature, to simple pleasures on a cozy island in the Pacific Northwest. For the first time in a long time, he can just breathe.
He gets a job at the local library—he does know a thing or two about books—and that’s where he meets her: Mary Kay DiMarco. Librarian. Joe won’t meddle, he will not obsess. He’ll win her the old-fashioned way . . . by providing a shoulder to cry on, a helping hand. Over time, they’ll both heal their wounds and begin their happily ever after in this sleepy town.
The trouble is . . . Mary Kay already has a life. She’s a mother. She’s a friend.
She’s . . . busy.
True love can only triumph if both people are willing to make room for the real thing. Joe cleared his decks. He’s ready. And hopefully, with his encouragement and undying support, Mary Kay will do the right thing and make room for him.
My Review:
Joe Goldberg is back and just as diabolical as ever! But in a funny, sarcastic and brilliant kind of way. Yes, characters do die in this installment but spoiler alert! Joe didn’t actually kill any of them. Is he reformed or is he up to old habits? Caroline Kepnes has written another uniquely funny and dark thriller that will keep you surprised and invested until the very end.
I know we are not supposed to like Joe but he is just too smart and too funny. His running inner monologue is sharp and insightful and really hilarious.
“New York used to be like a Richard Scarry book.”
“Love him.”
“But it lost that Scarry feeling.Maybe it was Citi Bikes. . .” Or all those dead girls.
Joe has moved to Bainbridge and the object of his intentions here is his supervisor, Mary Kay. A librarian! How perfect. But Joe must watch his every step because she has very close group of friends who must approve of him first. Every scene, every encounter in this book is twisty, dark and so fascinating. Joe really is trying is best to reform his obsessive tendencies, but will he succeed?
I’m a “good guy,” but what use is it to be Citizen Good Guy if I’m not doing better on the inside too? You make me want to think good thoughts and you tell me that you should get back to work. We shake hands—skin on skin—and I can do it. I will do it. I will grow for you.
Mary Kay is dominated by her friends and her daughter and there are tons of surprises in store for Joe and the reader. Even as Joe’s new perfect facade starts to crumble all around him, I was still rooting for him! This book is a wild ride of unexpected twists and turns and yes, lots of mayhem. Joe is obviously a psychopath but he is a brilliant one. Caroline Kepnes has a gift for writing funny, sarcastic dialogue and also turning a sharp eye on the effects of social media. Surprisingly, I found that this book could be read on its own as each character is fully developed and the references to Joe’s past are explained in detail. With that said, the first book on this series is one of my favorite thrillers and should not be missed!
(Thank you to the publisher for providing an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.)
Favorite Quote:
“Come on,” I say. “One drink.” You shift your purse. “I should probably go home. We ran late tonight.” I expected a little pushback and I know all about your shouldprobably disorder. Shel Silverstein should write a poem about the shouldprobablies and the female need to express her awareness of what a good woman would do right now. But you’re still hesitating and what the hell is there to think about? You’re my neighbor. You live right around the corner and the pub is right around the corner and your daughter isn’t six—there’s no babysitter to relieve—and your shoulders are tense getting tenser—“I don’t know, Joe . . .”—and did you learn nothing from Lisa Fucking Taddeo? Stop feeling guilty, for fuck’s sake.