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stephreadseverything 's review for:
Providence
by Caroline Kepnes
(Review copied from my IG: @stephanietries)
It’s official Bookstagram: Caroline Kepnes is now one of my favorite authors. I read YOU, HIDDEN BODIES, and PROVIDENCE in July and I do not regret that life decision one iota (is it weird that a lot of my positive life decisions are bookish? 🤷🏻♀️) Despite PROVIDENCE being a bit of a departure from the Wonderfully Whacky World of Joe Goldberg, it was still full of Kepnes’ unique and witty voice, with a sprinkling of some of the enjoyable pop culture references that gave me the warm in fuzzies in her previous books.
PROVIDENCE tells the story of Jon, a sort-of weird kid in love with a sort-of popular girl. He gets kidnapped by a sort-of mad scientist, only to be returned home four years later with a pretty shitty superpower: he can kill anyone he has intense feelings toward (good *or* bad). Of course he must skip town to avoid accidentally murdering the love of his life (among others) yet they stay in weird, obsessive contact with each other (oh hello, flashes of YOU) as he tries learn more about and get a handle on his new “power.”
Now if this sounds weird, it’s because it is, but gloriously so. Kepnes mixes genres in this book with ease: obsessive romance, thriller, some supernatural elements, and even throws in a dash of cop procedural in the mix as well (which TBH is usually a turn off for me). It sounds like it shouldn’t work, but it does and it’s Kepnes’ strong writing and storytelling that makes it work. There’s also that added element of her being a native New Englander (hey girl, let’s grab some Dunkies when you’re in the area next—lol): reading about places I’ve been always gives me a little extra book buzz.
I can’t recommend this one enough!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 stars.
It’s official Bookstagram: Caroline Kepnes is now one of my favorite authors. I read YOU, HIDDEN BODIES, and PROVIDENCE in July and I do not regret that life decision one iota (is it weird that a lot of my positive life decisions are bookish? 🤷🏻♀️) Despite PROVIDENCE being a bit of a departure from the Wonderfully Whacky World of Joe Goldberg, it was still full of Kepnes’ unique and witty voice, with a sprinkling of some of the enjoyable pop culture references that gave me the warm in fuzzies in her previous books.
PROVIDENCE tells the story of Jon, a sort-of weird kid in love with a sort-of popular girl. He gets kidnapped by a sort-of mad scientist, only to be returned home four years later with a pretty shitty superpower: he can kill anyone he has intense feelings toward (good *or* bad). Of course he must skip town to avoid accidentally murdering the love of his life (among others) yet they stay in weird, obsessive contact with each other (oh hello, flashes of YOU) as he tries learn more about and get a handle on his new “power.”
Now if this sounds weird, it’s because it is, but gloriously so. Kepnes mixes genres in this book with ease: obsessive romance, thriller, some supernatural elements, and even throws in a dash of cop procedural in the mix as well (which TBH is usually a turn off for me). It sounds like it shouldn’t work, but it does and it’s Kepnes’ strong writing and storytelling that makes it work. There’s also that added element of her being a native New Englander (hey girl, let’s grab some Dunkies when you’re in the area next—lol): reading about places I’ve been always gives me a little extra book buzz.
I can’t recommend this one enough!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 stars.