Book Review: Providence

PROVIDENCE | Caroline Kepnes
06.19.2018 | Lenny
Rating: 4/5 stars

Growing up Jon was the outcast at his school except for his best friend, Chloe. Most of his fellow classmates thought that Chloe only took pity on Jon since she was one of the most popular girls in school. Jon knows he’s in love with Chloe and Chloe feels that Jon is the only person who truly understands her. The day has come and Jon is going to tell Chloe he’s in love with her until he is suddenly kidnapped by a substitute teacher from his school who is obsessed with H.P. Lovecraft and confident he can alter Jonathan in ways that will save humanity.

I am powerful, in a way. But it’s a misleading word. The power isn’t mine. I’m full of it, but I may as well be dead. The power isn’t mine. I’m a host for an evil force. Powerless.

Chloe and Jon’s parent appear to be the only ones to mourn his loss. Each fill the void left behind in different ways, Chloe by rebelling and then returning to the popular crowd and Jon’s parents by getting a dog. When Jon is finally able to escape he realizes he has become even more of an outcast than before thanks to an uncontrollable power generating from his heart whenever his emotions become high. In order to protect those most important to him Jon decides to run away and go into hiding. Jon and Chloe are both unable to stop the way they feel for each other and both dedicate their lives to trying to find each other and track each other’s movements. Will Jon be able to figure out what is happening with his body and live a normal life?

This is what a broken heart looks like. This is the plane going down. This is a whole love of mistakes.

Caroline Kepnes blew my mind with YOU, so when I found out I won a copy of her newest novel I was instantly over the moon! PROVIDENCE is a unique novel that has a strong science fiction base with the novel centering around H.P. Lovecraft. If you’re like me and don’t have much experience with Lovecraft, don’t let that deter you from trying out this book. That being said, if you’re looking for a thriller, don’t expect that from this book. Ultimately, PROVIDENCE is hard to categorize as it contains elements of science fiction, mystery, romance, crime fiction, and a coming of age story. For me the combination was just right! Kepnes made my heart leap through a series of emotions alongside Jon as he desperately tries to find his place in the world. My attention was kept on high as the chapters alternated between narrators and I found myself desperate to get to the end. I highly recommend PROVIDENCE to readers looking for a unique storyline, but please don’t go into it expecting another YOU because what Kepnes has created here is entirely different.

People get excited about horrible things happening when they’re not happening to them.

A special thank you to Library Thing, Lenny, and Caroline Kepnes for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for my review.