Thursday, February 4, 2016

Review: Hidden Bodies by Caroline Kepnes

Title: Hidden Bodies
Author: Caroline Kepnes
Series: Book Two in the You Duology
Published By: Atria (February 23, 2016)
Source: ARC Copy Provided by the Publisher
(in exchange for an honest review)
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
My Rating: 4 Stars!


Book Description:
Charmingly murderous anti-hero Joe Goldberg continues his twisted quest for the perfect love in this thrilling follow-up to the “deeply dark yet mesmerizing” You. When Joe follows the woman he wants to marry to the West Coast, he never imagines that his obsession will lead him to such tragedy.








Disturbing, horrific, vengeful, psychotic, and foul are all words that not only describe this novel but Joe, the ultimate anti-hero, himself. And yet despite all his flaws, all of the horrors that he has done, we can't help but be fascinated by his story. By how his mind works, categories, justifies, and manipulates.

And no matter how dark a place that is, Joe's world, Joe's mind, he still manages to have some redeeming qualities and those qualities, are what keep us reading. Keep us hoping that maybe just maybe, this story, his story, will somehow be okay in the end. That there has to be some happily ever after, whether for him or for his victims. 

Without going into too much detail I will say that this isn't the same Joe from You, in fact, this is a whole new Joe, good and bad and this book, shed so much light, on so many things. Once again we are thrust into a dark mind, a dark place but also a place that does have some light. Small rays that slip through here and there, those redeeming qualities that we all hope are really there, that are in all of us, good bad, evil, what have you.

Kepnes once again wrote something much different from anything else I have ever dared to read. She puts us in a place most of us would never dream to go, would never want to go, and yet she keeps us reading, keeps us turning the pages. I have to hand it to her, this woman knows how to draw us in. She knows how to write and sick or not, she does it well.  




*All thoughts and opinions are my own and were not influenced by the author or publisher. I was not compensated for this review.*

55 comments:

  1. it looks like we have a really specific atmosphere here! And it's great to have a good story like that too!

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  2. I haven't read You yet, but it's in my TBR pile! Joe sounds like an absolutely fascinating character and I really want to know what's going on in that crazy mind of his.
    Great review, Ali!

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  3. This is next up for me and so excited to get back to Joe'd world. Glad you enjoyed it!!

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  4. This duology looks really fantastic. Definitely up my alley. Great review!

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  5. I've read great things about Kepnes. I'll have to check out this duology. Great review!

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  6. Oooo I didn't know there was going to be any kind of follow up to YOU! I've heard such great things about the first book and Joe in particular. I feel like I'll be morbidly fascinated by him. So glad this second book lived up to the first!

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    1. Morbidly fascinated is a great way to put watching Joe Jenny. ;)

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  7. I have no idea if I would like this but I have to admit that I am a bit curious. Sick and twisted can end up good or bad for me.

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  8. I am hesitating on this one. I have my copy, but after YOU, I am not sure I am ready to dive back into Joe's head.

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    1. He is very disturbing for sure Heidi and not somewhere I would want to be often.

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  9. I have this coming up, and I am really glad you liked it:)

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  10. Dang! I still have the first one to read. Ahhh! Must find more hours in the day. lol

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  11. Glad You liked it I just started getting to more and more thrillers!!
    Tori @InToriLex

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  12. I skimmed because I need to read YOU still, but I really really want too - even more now!

    -Lauren

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    1. Joe is just crazy but in this weird lovable way.

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  13. This duology sounds really intriguing. It takes a talented author to make draw you into an anti-hero.

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  14. Ali, I feel like you are a magnet for fresh, innovative and new premises. I love that I can find these gems through your reviews.

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  15. I'm not brave enough to read this one, Ali. It would give me nightmares for sure.

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  16. I try to stay away mystery, but the fully fleshed out character definitely sounds like a great read. Anti-Hero's usually are fascinating.
    Tori @InToriLex

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    1. They really are and such a different approach to a story.

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  17. I’ve seen You around, though I’m not sure this book is for me. Glad to hear you enjoyed the second book, Ali!

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  18. I'd totally hang out with Joe. lol. It's creepy because how normal he comes across to other people.

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    1. It is! I think that is what makes it scary, the fact that someone like him could be lurking inside anyone we know!

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  19. I have "You" on my list to listen to this year. I keep hearing great things. Glad to see that the second book was good too.

    Melanie @ Hot Listens & Rabid Reads

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  20. Woah. This sounds really good, albeit pretty creepy. Sounds like something I need to read. I love finding characters who aren't good, but possibly could be--though this guy sounds like a full blown psycho.

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    1. He totally is psycho on the inside but seems so normal on the inside which is what makes it all the more creepy!

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  21. Truth be told, I'm terrified of these books. Gah.

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  22. This sounds engrossing - a perfect escapism for lovers of psychological thrillers, if I could call it that ha!

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  23. I like the cover but I don't think this is something I'd be interested in. Interesting though!

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    1. It is really interesting but definitely not for everyone.

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  24. Okay I left this comment on the wrong book. How, I don't know. Lol. I can't wait to get this one. You was one of my favorites of 2015.

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    1. Oh LOL! We'll if you loved You then you will love this one too. ;)

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  25. I still need to read You. I didn't know another book came out. So excited.

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    1. It was fun that there was another one. I hope you like You!

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  26. First I have heard of this book. So not the same Joe as in the first book-he's completely changed or he is psychologically sicker,I am guessing? Sounds like a really different sort of read and I am glad you enjoyed? the read.

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  27. Is this a sequel or companion to You? Or something different? You is one I have on my audio wishlist cause I heard it's amazing!

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    1. It is a sequel and very worth it if you loved Joe from You. ;)

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