Review: Jane Doe

Jane Doe by Victoria Helen Stone
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Attention Joe Goldberg (and Caroline Kepnes) - I have found the perfect woman for you. Please get together and make deliciously sociopathic babies immediately. Her name is Jane Doe - actually I have no idea what her real surname is since the author never discloses this information - and she is your soul (less) mate.

I realize this match made in some demented form of Heaven will never come to fruition, but wow, what an epic love story that would be if it did. The fact that I am so clearly enthusiastic about the non-existent possibility of these two fictional psychopaths finding each other should tell you all you need to know regarding my feelings towards this novel. That and the coveted, yet rarely awarded, 5 star rating this review is flaunting. Is it a perfect 5 star? Nah, I would probably give it a 4.5 if I were to be meticulously accurate, but I can sleep at night knowing I rounded up for this one.

Jane might be one of my all-time favorite characters. I am typically not a fan of books that are part of a series since they tend to water down the magic captured in the original, but I would binge on any sequel or prequel (yes please!) starring this fantastically devious, shockingly self-aware and hilariously honest sociopath.

The real shocker for me, though, is that Jane Doe was penned by the same author as Evelyn, After - and believe me, the two do not even exist in the same universe. I think I specifically criticized the latter for being corny and cringe worthy in its depiction of two characters getting it on - but I never once felt the urge to dry heave as Jane casually led us through her adventures in promiscuity. And boy oh boy, did she like her some sex. I marvel at the spiritual growth the author was able to demonstrate between these two novels. Good for you, Victoria Helen Stone, you have officially mastered the art of a well written sex scene. Add it to your resume.

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