Where to Start with Caroline Kepnes
For most readers, the absolute best starting point is You (2014), the dark, satirical masterpiece that launched Caroline Kepnes to literary stardom and inspired the blockbuster Netflix series. Reading Kepnes in publication order is highly recommended, as it allows you to watch the evolution of her distinctively sharp, first-person narrative voice. Her books are categorized into the primary Joe Goldberg series, a standalone genre-bending novel, and several short story contributions in multi-author collections.
The Joe Goldberg (You) Series in Order
The core of Kepnes's fame is the psychological thriller saga of Joe Goldberg, a charismatic yet deeply disturbed, obsessive bookseller. To follow Joe's twisted path across the country, you must read this series in strict chronological (which matches publication) order:
- You (2014): Introduces Joe Goldberg in a New York City bookstore where he meets aspiring writer Guinevere Beck. Joe quickly becomes obsessed, utilizing social media and stalking to manipulate his way into her life.
- Hidden Bodies (2016): Joe leaves New York for Los Angeles in search of a fresh start and revenge. Here, Kepnes satirizes the superficiality of Hollywood culture as Joe finds himself falling for the wealthy Love Quinn.
- You Love Me (2021): Seeking a quieter existence, Joe moves to Bainbridge Island in the Pacific Northwest. He takes a job at a local library and targets a librarian named Mary Kay DiMarco, promising himself he will win her love through patient, non-violent means.
- For You and Only You (2023): Joe gains entry into a prestigious writing fellowship at Harvard. Surrounded by elitist peers, he becomes infatuated with Wonder Parish, a fellow writer and fellow outsider whom he views as his ultimate literary soulmate.
Standalone Novels and Anthologies
If you need a break from Joe Goldberg's unsettling inner monologue, Kepnes has written a standalone novel and contributed short fiction to horror anthologies:
- Providence (2018): A genre-blending thriller containing romance, science fiction, and supernatural horror. The story follows Jon, a young man who is kidnapped by a Lovecraft-obsessed scientist and returned with a terrifying, uncontrollable power: he physically harms anyone he experiences strong feelings for. Fearing for his childhood love Chloe, Jon exiles himself to Providence, Rhode Island, while a detective investigates a series of mysterious cardiac-arrest deaths.
- Lullabies for Suffering: Tales of Addiction Horror (2020): An anthology edited by Mark Matthews. Kepnes contributed the short story titled "Monsters".
- Dark Stars: New Tales of Darkest Horror (2022): A modern homage to classic horror anthologies edited by John F.D. Taff. Kepnes contributed a chilling novelette titled "The Attentionist".
A Crucial Warning: Multi-Author "Collections"
When searching for Kepnes's books online, you will likely encounter listings for two series: the Out of Line collection (2020) and the Never Tell collection (2024). It is incredibly important to note that these are multi-author Amazon Original Stories collections. Kepnes did not write all the books in these series; she only contributed a single short story to each:
The Out of Line Collection (2020)
This series features feminist-themed stories from several famous writers. Caroline Kepnes wrote only the third installment, Sweet Virginia. The rest of the series was written by other authors, including Cheryl Strayed (This Telling), Roxane Gay (Graceful Burdens), and others.
The Never Tell Collection (2024)
This is a multi-author collection of suspense and thriller stories. Kepnes wrote only the final installment, The Bad Friend. The remaining books in the collection are authored by names like Amber Cowie and others. If you purchase the entire collections expecting Kepnes's writing throughout, you will be disappointed, though the other stories are excellent thrillers in their own right.
Book vs. Show: How the Netflix Adaptation Differs
Many readers find Kepnes after watching Penn Badgley portray Joe Goldberg on television. While the Netflix series is a faithful adaptation in its first season, it diverges drastically from the books as it progresses:
- Character Sympathy: The TV series goes to great lengths to make Joe sympathetic, such as giving him protective instincts toward young neighbors like Paco or Ellie. In Kepnes's books, these characters do not exist, and Joe's internal monologue is much darker, more sadistic, and unrepentant.
- Plot Divergence: Season 2 of the show borrows elements from Hidden Bodies, but by Seasons 3 and 4, the show's plotlines diverge entirely from You Love Me and For You and Only You. Reading the books offers an entirely alternative universe and progression for Joe's adventures.