Lisa Colozza Cocca

Becky's father is unloving and abusive, and always under his thumb, her mother is passive and accepting of all he does. So when their barn burns down and it is blamed on 16 year old Becky, her mother advises her to run - anywhere. Because it would be too dangerous for her to stay.
So Becky runs. She hops a freight train, and finds that she is sharing the boxcar with a newborn baby - no parents in sight. When she leaves the train, she can't leave the baby, and to turn the baby over to authorities would mean turning herself in as well and being sent back home. So she simply strolls into a town and lets everyone assume the baby is hers.
After a rocky start, she is befriended by the 80 year old Rosie, who is willing to help Becky out without asking questions about her past. Eventually others in the town start to see her in a similar light.
The theme is very similar to "Where the Heart Is" by Billie Letts... that family isn't necessarily who you're related to - it's who loves you.… (plus d'informations)

When sixteen-year-old Becky accidently sets the barn on fire, she decides she has no choice but to run from her father’s wrath. She hops a train to anywhere but, in the boxcar, she finds a duffle bag with a newborn baby girl inside. She makes a cursory search for the parents but finds nothing to identify them. Becky had spent most of her young life tending to her nine siblings so caring for the infant is something she is more than willing to undertake. She gets off the train in a small town in Georgia where she hopes to find a job and a place for her and the baby she names after this new state she will call home. She stumbles upon a second-hand store run by Rosie, an old woman with a big heart. Rosie recognizes that Becky and Georgia need a home but, as the relationship develops between them, it becomes clear to her that she needs them as much as they need her.

Providence by author Lisa Colozza Cocca is a beautifully written and heart-warming coming-of-age tale of a girl who leaves home and finds her true family, one that grows from love instead of blood. It is a tale about the meaning of community and the rewards of caring for and about others. In some ways, Providence seems like an old-fashioned tale – there is a hint of romance but no sex or violence, just a group of people who share a common sense of responsibility, respect, and love for those around them. It is more about emotions than actions and, if I had to compare it to other books I have read aimed at a YA audience, the only books that leap to mind are those of LM Montgomery despite the difference in era. I fully enjoyed the quiet beauty and sense of community that permeates Providence and hope it finds the audience it deserves.… (plus d'informations)

I wanted to read Providence because I like the premise of her finding the baby, needing to escape home, and finding acceptance and love in the small town where she gets off the train. I have read another book similar to it, except the girl took her little sister because her mom was on drugs I think.
I liked the story well enough, it for me just pushes the boundary of realism. I am sure that something like this could happen, but I guess I have a hard time believing that she could make it with a little girl on her own knowing no one, and that her parents wouldn't come looking for her. I understand that they were a farm family and her dad had a temper, but with the mom and 9 other siblings, and her leaving without notice and not being of age, it just breaks my heart that they wouldn't look for her or care that she is gone.
The small town feeling was amazing in this one. She happens upon the nicest lady, Rosie who gives her a job and eventually takes her and baby girl Georgia into her home. But some of the other town members, reasonably, ask questions, and it makes Becky uncomfortable to lie, but some she can't escape. The way they described the main street and everyone up in other's business really gave it an authentic ring to it and almost made me think this was a historical fiction, but there is still mentions of texting and other such modern conveniences, so that threw that idea.
The bond between Rosie and Becky I think is what made me keep reading this book. Oh and the mentions of John and hints at romance that unfortunately didn't come to fruititon like I would have hoped. But that is another thing, that romance and any thoughts of that were squashed by Becky and she was being responsible in the ways that counted for baby Georgia even if there were many things she was doing wrong. Rosie is so sweet and unasuming but she also pushes Becky to be the best she can be.
I didn't feel like Becky had enough personality though, she was kind of just there and leading the story, I didn't get a whole lot of feeling for who she was besides the generic daughter, sister, and caregiver of Georgia. I did like that she was selfless towards Georgia and Rosie, putting their needs first and that she was a hard worker. The most I got from her really was that she liked to read, and when she was decorating the store or making things I almost got that breakthrough of what she loved and who she could become. Though I suppose to be fair, by the ending where she had Rosie vested in her as well as another townsperson the mysterious Lily on her side, she began to think some of the what-ifs, and how could it work.
The ending worked for this one, but I guess I just wanted more information about Becky's choices and how it works out. And more of John...

Bottom Line: Good contemporary with secondary characters I loved. Becky and romance just fell a little short.… (plus d'informations)

Becky just wanted a few moments to herself to read and hide from her father. She did not mean to burn down the family barn. Becky packs her bags and leaves. She hops a train and finds a baby girl left in a duffel bag. Becky knows how to care for a baby thanks to her siblings. The train stops at Watson's Grove, Georgia. Becky figures this is a good place to stop until it is safe to go back home.

Providence is a instant winner! One of the best books of 2014. I would group author, Lisa up there with Jodi Thomas and Robyn Carr. Two of my many authors. Lisa brought she life to the characters in this book. They felt more like family then they did people in a story.

Rosie is an angel. I almost cried during a certain part. I don't want to give it away. I absolutely loved Baby Girl aka Georgia. She stole my heart. Then there is Becky, John, and the rest of the people in Watson's Grove. The only bad part about this book is when I finished the last word and was finished with the book. I did not want it to end. I tried to savor every moment of this book.… (plus d'informations)