I burned through this one in under a day--what an amazing read!

It's so hard to review because there are so many parts to this book. It's a supernatural tale with elements of gothic/cosmic horror, but it's also a bittersweet love story that burrows so deep in your heart, you'll be thinking about it for days after you finish. It's billed as somewhat of a thriller, but its roots go much deeper than that, and I would advise readers not to go into it thinking it's going to be a fast-paced action book. It's much more, and if you read it with the same mindset you would a straight literary fiction novel--as something to be savored--you won't be disappointed.

There are a lot of intertextual references here, most notably The Dunwich Horror by HP Lovecraft. I'd never read any Lovecraft before, but I stopped reading halfway through this book to read Dunwich. (You don't need to do that to enjoy this book, but it definitely gave me more context--and also turned me into a Lovecraft fan!)

A lot of people are saying this is a scary story, but I didn't find it very frightening. Most frequently, I was sad--sad for the characters and their circumstances, and praying that things would turn around for them. Jon is one of the most heartbreaking, endearing characters I've ever read. I ached for him to be reunited with Chloe, and I hoped against hope that he'd find a cure for what was done to him.

Oh, and the VOICE of this book. All the characters were so clear on the page; Kepnes made it so easy for us to feel for them after reading their thoughts and funny observations about life. To be honest, I was hooked during the very first paragraph, when Jon says: "Nobody can kick your ass for what you think in your mind, not even your mom." That sentence is like most of the book--real, relatable, and so refreshing it makes you laugh out loud.

My only problem with this book was how long it took for Jon and Chloe to reunite. I don't think we were given enough time to see them together, and after all the yearning and hardship they both went through, it still didn't feel resolved by the end. I'm not sure if the author plans a sequel to this book, but I would totally read one. At the conclusion, I was left feeling hopeful, but also a little disappointed. Maybe that's by design, though.

I will be telling all my reader friends about this book; it's so well done that I'm also going to buy the other books by Caroline Kepnes. Her voice and observations are simply too good to miss!

The story begins with Jon being kidnapped by a man who was a substitute teacher at his school. He uses Jon to undergo some form of experiment to save humanity giving Jon uncontrollable powers. With this beginning, I pictured a completely different read from what I actually read. This story was nothing what I envisioned.
Jon and Chloe are friends who never find the words to express how they feel about each other, yet they are the only ones who truly understand each other. They have a solid connection with each other, yet they drift apart from each other. Even though Jon and Chloe started off as friends and Chloe showed immense effort in trying to find Jon I never felt more than friendship between them. When Jon returned I couldn’t understand why he didn’t reach out more to Chloe. They occupied a parallel universe of time living in the same vicinity, yet apart. They had an odd connection of which they understood and I couldn’t understand the connection.

The timeline was choppy going from four years to one year to another just living life. I wasn’t in favor of the way Kepnes delivered the information in this book. There were many components to this story: Jon’s superhuman powers, the cop building a case against Jon, and Chloe the love interest. Yet for me they didn’t flow. These components felt like separate stories.

This story reminded me of a comic book character with these strange powers. The weirdest thing about this story was the comparison to the Dunwich Horror book about Wilber. Wilber was a deformed boy with special powers that grew at an abnormal rate. I felt like Kepnes was using this platform to write her thesis about the Dunwich Horror story referencing Jon in comparison to Wilber. It felt like an unoriginal topic to compare Jon with Wilber.

I didn’t like this story, not one single part of it, but that’s okay. I gave Kepnes a second chance to wow! me, but it didn’t work out that way. I was bored by the Dunwich Horror comparison. The cop known as Eggs wasn’t very relevant to Jon’s character as far as helping his situation and his character was disappointing.

Kepnes is fast becoming a favorite psychological suspense author for me. She's honing her voice very clearly, and this story definitely has some shades of early Stephen King, but also focuses on some of the same themes as You, like how obsession can impact your life. I appreciated the fresh spin on a child kidnapping plot and while I would've liked a little more on the "how" end of things of what happened to Jon, I was really moved by the heartbreaking, but hopeful ending. As a Providence native, I also appreciated the local references and flavor.

I really tried to like this. I was mostly interested in the author since her book "You" has been on my TBR for some time now; however, I just couldn't get into it. I quickly disliked the characters, and even though they are teenagers, I still couldn't justify the way they behaved. It was actions and speaking that contradicted itself and being whishy washy. I started to skim early on and once I hit the shift to four years later, I just couldn't care anymore. I really felt like it was trying to be too many things at once with a lack of likable substance. I hope this isn't an example of her work. I am sure there is an audience out there for this book, it just isn't for me.

When the newest book, Providence, by Caroline Kepnes became available, I excitedly requested and downloaded it on NetGalley. Her first book, You, is one of my favorites, and her second, Hidden Bodies, was very strong. I rushed through Providence this week turning the pages and watching a strange story unfold before my eyes. There are many parts I enjoyed, a few I thought were just okay, and in the end would give it about 3.5 stars.

Let's start out with a little bit about the story... two teenagers are best friends in love with one another but unwilling to tell the other. We see why they click and what is appealing in both. Then Jon goes missing. The book jumps several years later and Chloe is now dating the guy who picked on Jon when they were younger. We have no idea what happened to Jon. More time passes and we find out Jon was kidnapped by someone at their school, and when he wakes up, he's been in a medically-induced coma for years. He's physically matured and somehow developed a bit of a supernatural power. This is where I got worried... I'm not a fantasy or sci-fi reader, but I'm trying to branch out, so this was a really great opportunity to check out another genre.

I wasn't disappointed. It was exactly what I thought it would be. I love how the 'other worldly' talents integrate into the story, but I had tons of questions like a two year old: why, how, when, where, what... yet I believe it's important as a reader to hold your own questions at bay and read with an open mind. I never got the answers, but then again, you don't always get them in sci-fi or fantasy (from what I understand). It just happens and you go with the fun aspects of something new or different. That said, I found ways to enjoy the book for what it is. A coming-of-age story where the main character is a bit older than normal because of everything he's gone through. And you end up questioning what is right and wrong. Is one bad or evil action able to be redeemed, or should someone suffer / die because of it.

Throughout the course of the ~400 pages, Jon struggles to balance his love for Chloe and his inability to control the powers when he gets emotional. It's a love story, a suspenseful drama, a mystery chase, and a bit of a reflection on life. Kepnes is fond of (and strong at, too) developing characters with obsessions, social media-frenzied anxiety, and over-indulgence in human emotional needs. I mean this in a positive way, too. She gets right to the core of what makes some people tick or focus on the little details that sit within a person's mind all day long. It helps pull you in to the story and the characters.

Many readers will compare this to You, and if they aren't sci-fi or fantasy genre buffs, they may struggle a little. I am not familiar with HP Lovecraft's books, which are a central theme in this one. Although Kepnes does a good job and explaining what you need to know, it would be better if you had read Lovecraft. I hope readers will see this as something similar yet purposely different to both books, as it stands out as an interesting and quick read where you see a different slice of humanity and psychological rhythm. Character development is spot on. Plots are woven well. Settings are very clear. And there's a subtle page-turning push you feel trying to understand where it's all going.

For me, it's a good book. I'm glad I read it. I'd recommend it only to folks I think would be willing to cross all the different genres and go for a peculiar and crafty ride. Thanks to NetGalley, Kepnes and her publisher for getting me an early copy.

I really wanted to love this, because of how much I loved YOU and HIDDEN BODIES. But this one was a strange read for me. It tried to be so many genres at once, and the supernatural elements were a complete turn off for me. I do hope that the author goes back to her (strictly) thriller roots, because her last two books have yet to be beat.

Providence is not your everyday love story. While some see hope, Providence brings you to a realization that with every passionate thought, there is a negative. This story grabs you from the very beginning and is a heart racing page turner.

Good, but . . . If I had been handed this manuscript with no cover sheet, I would have said with 1000% certainty that it was Dean Koontz’s latest. Having read You and Hidden Bodies, I would never have guessed that Caroline Kepnes was the author. So Providence is a fun read, but not at all what I was expecting when I requested the ARC from NetGalley/Random House.

The story is about two childhood best friends, Jon and Chloe. Chloe is pretty and popular, while Jon is a bit of a misfit, with Chloe as his only friend. One day on his way to school, Jon is kidnapped by a substitute teacher and spends 4 years in captivity in a medically-induced coma. When he reemerges, he finds he has been instilled with a power that it makes it impossible for him to live a normal life among people. He relocates to Providence, RI, and lives a life of solitude, but it is there he comes to the attention of a dogged police detective nicknamed Eggs, who is obsessed with a series of suspicious deaths. The novel is told, in turns, by Jon, Chloe, and Eggs.

Kepnes is a talented author, and she brings all of the characters in Providence to life. As a reader, I felt great affection for Jon, Chloe, Eggs, and Eggs’ wife Lo. Kepnes’ writing is exceptional, which is why I loved her previous books and liked this one well enough. My biggest problem was that I couldn’t buy into Chloe’s never-dimming love for a childhood crush well into her adult life despite having no physical contact with Jon and ever-decreasing virtual contact (through texts). It just didn’t ring true for me. Would a successful artist really carry a torch like that? I don’t think so. Additionally, while the supernatural aspects of the plot were interesting, a recurring reference to H. P. Lovecraft and his novels lost me. Perhaps if I had been familiar with his work, I would have enjoyed Providence more than I did.

So, in summary, Providence was good but not up to Kepnes’ prior gold standard. Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for providing me this ARC in return for an honest review.

<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35226186-providence" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img border="0" alt="Providence" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1511798456m/35226186.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35226186-providence">Providence</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/202260.Caroline_Kepnes">Caroline Kepnes</a><br/>
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2268099227">3 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
This book gets a mixed reaction from me. The story took a bit long to get to the heart of it. I felt “on hold” for much of the book waiting for Jon and Chloe to reunite. Maybe I’m just too impatient. On a better note, I like the premise and the writing but the individual plot points didn’t fit together as I’d hoped. <br />Thank you netgally for an early release copy!
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/4007603-hilary-carter">View all my reviews</a>

I do not want to spoil too much, but this book is kind of like The Shape of Water meets X-Men but inspired by H. P. Lovecraft. There's romance and drama and mystery and supernatural elements as you follow the story of a teenage boy who loses four years of his life and must reassemble the pieces, but he isn't QUITE the same. Definitely a unique read, and Kepnes as usual writes compellingly.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Caroline Kepnes does not disappoint with her next book. Although missing a character as destructive as Joe Goldberg, Kepnes does a great job of weaving together a story of monsters and of love.

I received an ARC from Netgalley for an honest review. I was a little nervous going in. I normally don’t enjoy books of a supernatural genre. But come on, this was written by Caroline Kepnes! I had to give it a chance. I’m glad I did. I would say that this is a suspenseful, heart wrenching love story, with just a tad of supernatural aspects. I throughly enjoyed this book! I give it 4 shining stars!

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to preview Providence by Caroline Kepnes. I am such a fan of her previous books so to see a new novel out on the market was pure JOY!.
I thought at first this might be a YA book, but realized that time travel took the reader ahead in time.
Jon is a loner who loves his friend Chloe. Then Jon disappears, and Chole morns his disappearnce. Then four years later he retuns, but has no idea what has happened to him because he was kidnapped by a substitute teacher who really like him - ? Jon just knows something is different when he awakes, and he is fearful that these changes will hurt Chloe so he leaves. to protect her. He is then followed by a detective who is trying to solve murders and he is sure Jon is involved.
Not sure if this is a supernatural genre or a love story - Fans of Kepnes may not like this book because it is so unlike her previous novels. For me I did not engage with the characters and felt it lacked the depth for me to care. 2.5 stars.

I was quite disappointed with Providence, which I hate saying because I loved her first two books so much! I just felt like I couldn't connect with this story and the beginning portion of the book was more of the Young Adult genre, which I do not care for. I'm patiently waiting for a third Joe Goldberg book!

This is going to be a very polarizing book. Caroline Kepnes's first book, You, was such an iconic hit and people are not going to be able to resist the temptation to compare her latest, Providence, to that. While I can tell this is a book written by the same author, this is completely different from a Joe Goldberg book and you have to be okay with that going in.

Her strength is her character writing. Right from the beginning, I was drawn into the story. Jon is an outsider with odd interests like the daily news and Chloe is his best and only friend. Jon gets kidnapped early in the book- not a spoiler, just an early plot point- and he emerges as changed several years later. We're not entirely sure what happened to him, only that things are very, very different and that it's going to be hard for him to get close to anyone. Chloe mourns the loss of her former best friend but grows up, finding solace in her art. Down the road, we're introduced to Eggs, a dogged detective, and Lo, his wife. Eggs and Lo have a son with a serious disability and the couple works to find a way to best care for him.

There were a few too convenient plot points used to drive the narrative along but nothing to distract too much. My attention was certainly held. There's a lot of Lovecraft references that I absolutely skimmed over, but perhaps if you're a big Lovecraft fan you might like that element. I found myself rooting for Jon to fix himself, for Eggs to find Jon, and for Chloe to find herself. I would rather read a unique story like this from a writer I already love than the same stories written with different characters over and over. I usually like to recommend 'read alikes' to help other readers decide if they should read a book, but I honestly haven't read anything like Providence. One thing I'm sure of is that I wouldn't call this a thriller- it's more supernatural fiction than anything else.

Thanks Caroline Kepnes, Random House Publishing, and Netgalley for providing me with a free ecopy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

As soon as I saw Caroline Kepnes' name on an upcoming book, I requested it from NetGalley. I loved You and her writing style. I was less enamored with Hidden Bodies, but that was just because it was so much like You that I didn't feel it was necessary. However, I still loved Kepnes' writing style and humor. Thankfully, I read some reviews on Goodreads that made it clear that I would be disappointed if I read this book as a comparison to You. I was able to go in open-minded about the mild supernatural/sci-fi aspect of the book. Turns out it was a good idea to do so.

I really enjoyed this book as an original, out-of-the-box story for a writer who has left such an impression with the main character of her first two novels, Joe Goldberg. In Providence, the lead is more of a victim overall. In some ways it was hard to root for him as he never seemed to have any fight in him toward his school bullies, even toward Chloe when she was not the kind of friend she should be. Then after the kidnapping, he became a victim of some unknown science experiment done on him while he was in captivity. At that point, all a reasonable person could do was feel empathy for his plight.

There was a large section in the middle of the book that dragged on with just more of the same about Chloe's day-to-day life and Jon's. I felt like Providence should have been about 50 pages shorter than it was. Also, while there was never anything revealed about Jon that made me think less of him as a human being, there was not enough development of Chloe to make me like her as much more than a guilt-ridden-quasi-mean-girl. I wanted to root for her more, but she just wasn't very likable to me.

I would recommend this book to someone who is new to Caroline Kepnes or someone who enjoys seeing an author take risks with her writing style and genre. I am still a big fan of this author and will read anything she puts out. In this case, a three star review means I enjoyed the book without LOVING it, but at no point was I tempted to DNF. It was an easy, engaging, quick read.

I think I might be in the minority here, but this was a miss for me. I spent most of the book lost and confused. There is no depth to the writing, abrupt time jumps and really no character development. The 2 main characters spent very little time together, didn't even speak for years, but they were soul mates??? And the ending......so unsatisfying.

I didn't read the synopsis for this book. All I needed to know was that Caroline Kepnes wrote it and I was not disappointed. As You and Hidden Bodies, Providence deals with obsession. Chloe knows that being in love with Jon is a bad idea, but she can't help it. Jon obviously doesn't want her, why is she throwing her life away pining for him? But Jon does care. He wants Chloe more than anything. He can't have her because he could literally kill her. He is powerful, but oh so lonely. Providence may seem like a love letter to Lovecraft, but it reminded me more of Frankenstein. Jon is the monster. He wants to connect, to love, to touch, but all that he brings is death. As extreme as their predicament is, the novel is strangely relatable and the characters are believable. There is a love triangle, but the real third wheel is Eggs, a cop who knows in his gut that a string of deaths are not what they seem. Young people are dying of heart attacks. It's unusual but it can't be anything but a fluke, right? Eggs doesn't think so, and he starts looking for a culprit. The story is suspenseful and touching, bitter and sweet. A five-star read.

3 1/2 stars

I really liked Kepnes' other works so I was excited to read this one (Thanks NetGalley and Random House)

Jon and Chloe are best buds in a small town. While on the way to school, Jon is kidnapped. Chloe has given up any hope of Jon coming back. Just before graduation, he returns. He wants to pick up where he and Chloe left off. However, he has no memory of what happened to him and suddenly discovers that he has strange powers that could hurt the ones that he cares about the most. He is terrified that he will hurt Chloe, so he runs away to seek answers. In Providence, healthy people with no connection to each other are dying. Detective Eggs suspects a serial killer, but he soon finds himself in a strange world seeking answers.

Guys, this book is weird. I'm not sure I am weird enough to quite understand it. I enjoyed Chloe and Jon, and the strange powers are kind of cool to read about. However, it just doesn't make sense enough for my mind to comprehend everything that is happening. Kepnes is a gifted writer and at no point did I want to put this book down. I just was confused at points. Again, it's almost too weird. I would still recommend it because there's nothing else like it. It's just strange. That's not a bad thing though. It's kind of like Stranger Things in a way. You don't quite know what is going on, but you keep going.

I absolutely adored the authors previous novels and could not wait to delve into her latest psychological thriller. The pace is lightening quick, the character development is strong, and the novel is strongly plot driven. Providence has all the makings of another fabulous read that you just want to devour and then miss once you reach the last page. However, there are too many questions left lingering. I realize that part of the resolution was intended to be unsettling and in fact, resisting resolution, but there were gaps in the backstory that needed to be filled. Overall, it has the potential to be another great read.