“Twisted . . . delightfully creepy.”—Rolling Stone
A POPSUGAR BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR
Joe Goldberg is ready for a change. Instead of selling books, he’s writing them. And he’s off to a good start. Glenn Shoddy, an acclaimed literary author, recognizes Joe’s genius and invites him to join a tight-knit writing fellowship at Harvard. Finally, Joe will be in a place where talent matters more than pedigree . . . where intellect is the great equalizer and anything is possible. Even happy endings. Or so he thinks, until he meets his already-published, already-distinguished peers, who all seem to be cut from the same elitist cloth.
Thankfully, Wonder Parish enters the picture. They have so much in common. No college degrees, no pretensions, no stories from prep school or grad school. Just a love for literature. If only Wonder could commit herself to the writing life, they could be those rare literary soulmates who never fall prey to their demons. Wonder has a tendency to love, to covet, but Joe is a believer in the rule of fiction: If you want to write a book, you have to kill your darlings.
With her trademark satirical, biting wit, Caroline Kepnes explores why vulnerable people bring out the worst in others as Joe sets out to make this small, exclusive world a fairer place. And if a little crimson runs in the streets of Cambridge . . . who can blame him? Love doesn’t conquer all. Often, it needs a little push.
Author
Caroline Kepnes
Caroline Kepnes is the New York Times bestselling author of theYou series, which was adapted into the blockbuster Netflix hit show. You First: a Joe Goldberg Prequel is her fifth book in the series. She is also the author of Providence. Caroline’s work has been translated into many languages. She graduated from Brown University and then worked as a pop culture journalist for Entertainment Weekly and a TV writer for The Secret Life of the American Teenager. She is also the author of dozens of short stories. Most recently, “The Bad Friend” was selected for Best American Mystery and Suspense and “Room 24” was nominated for a 2025 Shirley Jackson Award. Caroline grew up in Cape Cod, and now lives in Los Angeles.
Learn More about Caroline Kepnes