***NO SPOILERS***

Fascinating, murderous psychopath Joe Goldberg is back in all his glory, this time with a California tan and new #1 goal in appearance-conscious Los Angeles. Like [b:You|20821614|You (You, #1)|Caroline Kepnes|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1411958102l/20821614._SY75_.jpg|39913517], Hidden Bodies is coarse and edgy, hooking from the first page and picking up right where the first book left off. Readers will be pleased to discover that Hidden Bodies nicely connects with You, with occasional mentions of Beck, Benji, Peach, and the infamous "mug of piss." This isn't a separate entity.

The story feels very current. Pop culture references abound--as they did in You--everything from mention of Philip Seymour Hoffman to t.v. show “Better Call Saul.” Joe’s voice is as wry and humorous as ever, a kind of crass Holden Caulfield.

Some of Hidden Bodies's strongest parts are when Joe shares observations of his new surroundings. You is very focused on main character Beck, but Hidden Bodies is almost as much a biting commentary of Los Angeles as it is about the main players in Joe’s life. He’s jaded and insulting, yet there’s something oh-so-funny about his bold honesty. Yes, Joe is back.

However, this isn’t perfect. Kepnes crafted some gloriously outrageous scenes. They’re suspenseful and thrilling to watch unfold. Many are also laughably improbable. Where what occurs in You is wild but still possible (one of You’s many strengths), much of what happens in Hidden Bodies couldn’t happen. Kepnes’s characterization is top-notch (one of the many strengths of both books), but it isn't always realistic. On occasion, otherwise sane, sensible characters do nonsensical things. Things also happen too conveniently; there are lots of highly unlikely coincidences; and certain happenings just don’t make sense.

Still, Hidden Bodies keeps readers on tenterhooks from beginning to end and does some things one or two notches better than You. In particular, the California sensibility is well rendered. This is one of those books wherein the setting is almost like a character. This isn't just because of talk of Lyft and jabs at L.A. and Angelenos in general but because of the vivid characterization of some main-character Angelenos. There’s the swimming-in-money, gorgeous girlfriend; her druggie brother; their irritatingly officious friend; the surfer-dude coworker; the desperate neighbor. The list goes on. All these populate a story that goes up and down continuously. Just when it’s time to breathe easy, yet another thrill occurs to upend everything. It’s a formula that works superbly, and if there’s one thing that can be said about Hidden Bodies it’s that it’s thoroughly entertaining. ( )

Just like with the book You this was a reread for me. My thoughts are similar to the first time around but I will say I hated Love’s family even more after reading the book a second time around.
this is a three-star rating for me. I loved YOU I ate it up and wanted more and this one just left me feeling blah. I miss crazy Joe! I miss the "I'm-going-to-misinterpret-everything-the-girl-I-am-obsessed-with-does-and-turn-it-into-how-she-is-in-love-with-me" Joe. Trust me, Joe is still insane, but it is different. It isn't the kind of crazy that I found so endearing in the last book. I am let down. The good news is that book three has brought back crazy Joe in waves He is calm and crazy in a great combination. I will be posting that review either tonight or tomorrow.

Now, had I gone into this book not knowing how entertaining, funny, witty, and completely bonkers Joe was in You, then I probably would have enjoyed this book more because it really was good. BUT... knowing that the best parts of the last book were missing in this book lead me to disappointment. Again, not because the story was not good, not because I did not enjoy the book, but because I missed the brand of crazy that Joe embodied in You. I am so glad that this series continued these types of books are enjoyable for me. I wonder what that says about me as a person.
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I received an ARC Kindle copy of [b:Hidden Bodies|23492288|Hidden Bodies (You, #2)|Caroline Kepnes|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1437414470s/23492288.jpg|43082571] by [a: Caroline Kepnes|202260|Caroline Kepnes|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1417479736p2/202260.jpg] via NetGalley.

This story begins in a bookstore, and the main Antagonist / Protagonist Joe, is a multi-dimensional character. He has committed at least one heinous act, has a stalker mentality and is newly in love.

There is at least one major backstory that would probably be more solidified if I read [b: You|15507958|Me Before You (Me Before You, #1)|Jojo Moyes|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1357108762s/15507958.jpg|17763198] #1 You.

This novel is New York busy, and becomes California Kooky with a lot of kinky sex, drugs and Hollywood types.

The characters are mostly believable, but I wouldn't want to be in the same grocery store with any of them.

In order for me to like/love a book, I have to find commonality with the characters. I could not stand those people. Personally, it is not for me, but that does not mean that it is not entertaining, and could easily be converted into one of those B-Free movies I watch on Hulu. ( )

Great story and insight into Joes development via a "successful relationship." There are some parts that aren't really believable that pull the reader out of the story, such as the mug still being there after so many months. The ending also seems a little random and out of nowhere, however, hopefully the next book will elaborate more ( )

"Hidden Bodies" by Caroline Kepnes is the sequel to the best-selling thriller novel "You". It continues the story of Joe Goldberg, a charming and obsessive stalker who becomes increasingly dangerous as his obsession with the object of his affection, Love Quinn, grows.
The novel is narrated in the first person by Joe himself, which gives readers a unique perspective into the mind of a stalker and sociopath. Kepnes does an excellent job of making Joe a sympathetic character, despite his disturbing actions, by delving into his past and showing the traumatic experiences that have shaped him.
The plot takes Joe on a wild and twisted journey from New York to Los Angeles as he tries to escape his past and start a new life with Love. Along the way, he encounters a variety of characters, from Hollywood elites to struggling writers, all of whom become tangled up in his web of lies and manipulation.
These characters are also well-developed and complex. Joe's love interest, Love Quinn, is a particularly interesting character who is much more than she appears to be at first. The interactions between the various characters are realistic and believable, adding to the sense of realism in the story.
Kepnes' writing style is fast-paced and addictive, with plenty of suspenseful twists and turns to keep readers engaged. Her descriptions of Los Angeles are particularly vivid, bringing the city to life as a character in its own right.
While "Hidden Bodies" is a dark and unsettling read, it's also a captivating exploration of obsession and the human psyche. Kepnes is a skilled storyteller who has a talent for creating deeply flawed characters who are still able to evoke empathy from the reader. This novel is sure to keep readers on the edge of their seats until the very end. Fans of the first book will not be disappointed, and those new to the series will quickly find themselves hooked.
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