Providence by Caroline Kepnes
Published by Random House Publishing Group on June 19th, 2018
Genres: Mystery, Thriller
Pages: 400
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A propulsive new thriller about the obsessive nature of love when an intensifying relationship between best friends is disrupted by a kidnapping.
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.
Lisa’s Review:
I received a advanced copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley.
I LOVE Caroline’s YOU duology and was super excited to read this book. When I received the approval notification I literally was jumping for joy.
This book dives into the emotions relating to young love, loss, separation, coming of age and the struggles relating to finding yourself. The main characters, Chloe and Jon became friends at a young age. Their feelings for one another developed as they both were able to be themselves around each other. Before either of them were able to share their feelings with the other, Jon was kidnapped. Years went by and Chloe had struggled with the loss. Jon then miraculously returns and things with him are not the same. Jon finds out he is not the same person and had developed superpowers which have a negative impact on those around him. Jon then leaves but continues to keep an eye on Chloe from a distance. Chloe and Jon grow up and their feelings for one another are still there. Jon and Chloe seek out answers to what happened with each of their lives and then their search brings them back together.
Chloe and Jon are both amazing characters. They were both well developed and easy to relate to. My heart really went out to Jon and all he had to endure. I was really cheering for him when he was trying to find answers and was on the edge of my seat in anticipation because I wanted those answers as well.
Caroline is such an amazing writer. She has the ability to pull you into the book and make you experience all of the emotions the characters are feeling.
I LOVED this book and highly recommend it. A HUGE thanks to Random House Publishing for the ARC via Netgalley.
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