Book Review: Providence by Caroline Kepnes

“I forgot how beautiful the world is when you’re a part of it this way, when the sun is relenting and the moon is rising and the night is magic, it can change your life if you let it,”

― Caroline Kepnes, Providence

This book is a work of fiction with a vague science fiction theme. Loosely, as it is mysterious and leaves out the scientific explanation for how one of the key characters gets transformed. It has been characterized as a supernatural romance-suspense thriller. It has been openly described as odd by reviews.

Synopsis from Goodreads...

Growing up as best friends in small-town New Hampshire, Jon and Chloe are the only ones who truly understand each other, though they can never find the words to tell one another the depth of their feelings. When Jon is finally ready to confess his feelings, he’s suddenly kidnapped by his substitute teacher who is obsessed with H.P. Lovecraft and has a plot to save humanity.

Mourning the disappearance of Jon and facing the reality he may never return, Chloe tries to navigate the rites of entering young adulthood and “fit in” with the popular crowd, but thoughts of Jon are never far away. When Jon finally escapes, he discovers he now has an uncontrollable power that endangers anyone he has intense feelings for. He runs away to protect Chloe and find the answers to his new identity—but he’s soon being tracked by a detective who is fascinated by a series of vigilante killings that appear connected.

Whisking us on a journey through New England and crashing these characters’ lives together in the most unexpected ways, Kepnes explores the complex relationship between love and identity, unrequited passion and obsession, self-preservation and self-destruction, and how the lines are often blurred between the two.

My reaction to this novel...

After reading the “YOU” series, I was completely smitten with Caroline Kepnes’ writing style, which is why I was so eager to read Providence. To that end, I added it to my cart and proceeded to read it. But first and foremost, I must state that Providence is not a “Joe and Beck” tale. It is not the same as that story because the genre of this falls under supernatural phenomena. It’s a touching romance mystery with a sci-fi twist. That is, however, why this book is wonderful. Caroline creates an implausible narrative and makes it completely authentic. When you’re engrossed in a story, you’ll notice that you’re less focused on the spectacular events of the story and more focused on the feelings of the characters and their unfortunate circumstances.

This story was really unique. Each section was a struggle to read through. However, I am not a big lover of science fiction, but I was captivated by the plot, which kept me awake at night. I also noted that one of the ways Providence differs from Caroline Kepnes’ previous works is its command of time. The main protagonists’ narrative spanned several years. During that period, you will observe that the settings alter and the majority of the characters progress. You see, some people develop and go on with their lives. Some people have fatal breakdowns. The story’s tremendous secret of how and why it happened to Jon, which was left unanswered throughout the whole book, is my sole complaint. When I couldn’t discover the explanation for why it occurred in that manner, I genuinely thought the author was playing a joke on me. I also realize that not all secrets are revealed in a novel, but in my opinion, it would be ideal and genuinely acceptable if it were revealed given how excellent and remarkable the story’s flow was.

I don’t want to include more spoilers here. Well, without a doubt that, If you appreciate otherworldly creatures, fate, love and family stories then, at that point, this is the most ideal book for you. You will love Jon here. You will find that he is genuine, a character in a world filled of unfair and unjustifiable events. You will also feel that he should his life as what he wants, since he merits it. You will also feel that he needs to live, love and be loved which was undeniably and unfairly taken away from him very early in his life in a very mysterious way. And because of that he doesn’t merit the cards he has been managed. Each chapter that focuses on Jon will make you desire for his return, and each page you read will reveal that Caroline Kepnes will not give us what we need as easily as she did in her previous works, which I found both disheartening and upsetting. However, I believe that the magical elements that Caroline handles so phenomenally well as a writer are the greatest aspects of this novel.

Kepnes has this relaxed, open, and convincing approach to narrating that is quickly enamoring. You will feel areas of strength especially when it comes to love which will make you trust that there’s a spin-off in it. It needn’t bother with a spin-off however, it’s sufficient as a stand-alone novel yet as a reader, I might simply want to find out about what occurs with Jon. This book has the wow factor woven all through the story and I couldn’t get enough of it.

I will totally recommend it to everyone who is an avid fan of supernatural, mystery novel. You will appreciate the story of this one. Though you may have read some negative reviews about this, but for me, the story of this one is so interesting and mind-boggling.

My Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐(4/5)