Providence: A Novel

by Valerie Green

Providence , the first in the McBride Chronicles trilogy, describes the sweeping story of two parallel lives – Jane Hopkins, an orphaned young girl from England and Gideon McBride, the son of a poor fisherman from Scotland - who separately travel to the New World in search of a better life. Their individual stories contain hardship, adventure, intrigue, deception and lies but, above all, a great love as they each find their way to survive in an unforgiving world – Jane through music and a desperate need for the foundations of a happy family life, and Gideon through a desire to escape from a lifestyle he was expected to embrace.

The beginning of the McBride family dynasty starts in Victoria, British Columbia’s capital city, and is set against a backdrop of the Province’s vivid history – from the days of the first gold rush along the mighty Fraser River, the incorporation of Victoria as a city, and a smallpox epidemic that decimated the Indigenous population - to B.C. joining confederation in 1871. This book describes the moral as well as the corrupt days of early colonization.

Providence tells a mighty story depicting the strength and determination of early settlers.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction

Kindle Edition

Published December 1, 2022

Reviews

[Johanna Van · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finished reading it in a day. The general story is a tale on two parallel tracks all the way to p. 239 of this 399-page novel when the two protagonists finally meet in Victoria BC. One POV is of a girl, Jane, abandoned for some reason (likely poverty) by her mother to a Christian orphanage. The other character is the only surviving son of a fisherman's family, Gideon. Both want to escape: Jane from the dreary and bleak life of being in the service of the wealthy, and Gideon from the dangerous life of the coastal Scottish, always in poverty, unless one big haul happens to befall them.

It is the history of the powerless and downtrodden little people of Europe. I guess Scotland is part of Europe and always will be, despite the UK nation stepping out of the EU. (By the way, the Scots currently still resist bullying by the English and a "hard" border with the EU.) Despite the odds and their young age, Jane and Gideon manage to take control of their powerless lives. Determined to manage their own lives, they seek and create opportunities for escape and experience many setbacks and traumas along the way. Well done.
This is how people indeed emigrate, and so also Gideon and Jane. They're forced by terrible circumstances to leave their old lives behind and start a new—hopefully better—life. Well researched, is it not just a story of romance and overcoming hardship, but whoever reads it gets a good impression of a part of Canadian history and some of its people: the Anglo-Scottish. It also touches on the plight of the Indigenous in BC and the terrible attitudes of the time that caused their near-extinction, recently correctly named genocide.

As an immigrant myself, I appreciate this kind of mature story. Valerie is a competent writer. The story unfolds logically and systematically and I am rooting for the protagonists. Will they overcome the barriers to a loving relationship and the past traumas in their own lives, the absence of commitment, and the drive to stay independent?

They do indeed get together, marry and prosper. When they think they have it all: wealth, beautiful properties, and a son, their world falls apart. They separate and have to work through their grief on their own. The last chapters of the book lead the readers back to the English Oxfordshire area where Jane was born. The solution to the puzzle is hinted at in the first chapters for the careful reader, a giveaway that the author initially used to write non-fiction and true crime stories.

Valerie studied journalism and English Literature and story writing at London’s Regent Institute and is an immigrant to Canada (1968). She now lives in BC on Vancouver Island. She is semi-retired, enjoying her two grandchildren.

[Christine Stobbe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Providence is an intriguing debut fiction from an accomplished non-fiction author. I enjoyed the story, although I found the author's non-fiction expertise coming through toward the end of the book, as in many places, it read more like a report than a story.

The format of first-person perspective for the two main characters allows the reader an up-close view of the lives of Jane Hopkins and Gideon McBride. The shifts require some flexibility in chronology, considering the age difference between the two characters, but they are effectively labeled. A few times, I had to flip back to remind myself when in "time" I was reading about, and I would have preferred a more consistent chronological approach. (Which may have messed with the effective presentation of the story, I allow.) I occasionally found the perspectives challenging to keep straight toward the end, where the chapters shift between characters after only a few pages. In a few instances, the action and the perspective could have been from either character's point of view, and I had to look back to remind myself whose head I was in.

I look forward to seeing this author strengthen her fiction skills of realistic dialogue and character arcs as she progresses through this series. Her love of British Columbia and Victoria, in particular, shines through her writing. I look forward to reading the second book in The McBride Chronicles.

[Mya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Providence brings excitement to the true history of the founding of Victoria. This historical fiction novel gives a resemblance to noteworthy TV series such as Bridgerton, Downton Abbey, with a hint of Outlander. Green weaves the true historical elements into this novel effortlessly. The rich history of the early settlers of Fort Victoria, blending with Green’s fictional world, creates an exciting, daring, and at times heartbreaking, story of two characters brought together by destiny. The trials and tribulations that Green’s protagonists go through to get to each other is enchanting. As well, Green’s notable reference to the Songhees peoples in this book is a huge step in the right direction for Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and found myself fully encapsulated with the journey these characters were on. I could see everything Green described painted vividly in my mind. I would highly recommend this book.

[Benjamin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was pulled in by the dual journeys of Jane Hopkins and Gideon McBride two very different lives converging in a harsh, opportunity-filled “new world.” The historical detail (gold rush, early Victoria, the smallpox epidemic) feels carefully researched without overwhelming the story. What stayed with me most is the emotional core: longing for belonging, the cost of ambition, and the quiet persistence it takes to build a life from nothing.

[Marie Švecová · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid historical fiction read with a lot of heart. Gideon’s storyline was probably my favorite because of how much he wanted to break away from his past. The setting in early British Columbia was interesting and not something I read about often. It did feel a bit slow in the middle, though. Still, the characters kept me going. I’d recommend it if you like character-driven stories. Definitely worth trying.

[John Max · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jane’s search for stability and Gideon’s push against expectation make this story feel deeply human. Their paths are shaped by hardship, but it’s their choices that define them. I appreciated how the novel balances personal struggle with a wider historical canvas love, identity, and survival all unfolding against a vivid 19th-century backdrop.

[Michael F. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thoughtful and well-written story about new beginnings. I liked how both main characters were trying to escape something in their past. The historical setting added depth without making things too complicated. It’s not super fast-paced, but that worked for me. Some emotional moments really stood out. Overall, a satisfying read. I’d recommend it to historical fiction fans.

[Barbara J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book completely pulled me in. I got really attached to Jane and her search for stability and love. The writing felt warm and genuine, not overly dramatic. I also liked how the history was woven into the story instead of feeling like a lesson. It had a good balance of hardship and hope. By the end, I didn’t want it to finish. Really excited to see what happens next.

[Hafsa Shadha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This felt like a very immersive story. You can tell the author put effort into the historical details. I liked how both main characters had very different motivations but similar struggles. Some moments were honestly a bit heavy, especially the hardships they faced. But that made it feel more real. It’s not a quick read, but it sticks with you. I’m curious about the rest of the trilogy.

[Naomi Bryant · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had mixed feelings about this one. The story itself is interesting, especially the idea of two lives unfolding side by side. But I didn’t fully connect with the characters the way I hoped to. The pacing also felt uneven at times. That said, the historical backdrop was well done. It’s not a bad book, just didn’t fully click for me. Others might enjoy it more.

[Tyson Corbeil · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a beautiful and emotional read. I really felt for both Jane and Gideon throughout the book. Their journeys were tough, but also inspiring in different ways. The writing made it easy to picture everything clearly. I especially liked the theme of starting over and building a life. It felt very human and relatable. Definitely one of my favorite historical reads lately.

[Louie Stevenson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked how this book took its time developing the story. It didn’t rush anything, which made the characters feel more real. Jane’s love for music added a nice layer to her story. The historical elements were interesting but didn’t overpower the plot. A few parts could have been tighter, though. Still, I enjoyed the journey overall. It’s a calm but meaningful read.

[Carolyn C. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had a lot of potential, and I can see what the author was going for. The themes of survival and love were clear, but sometimes it felt a bit stretched out. I liked the setting and the historical references. However, I struggled to stay fully engaged all the way through. It’s not bad, just not very memorable for me. Might work better for other readers.

[Amelie Bishop · Rating 5 out of 5]

I honestly didn’t expect to enjoy this as much as I did. The story slowly builds, but once it gets going, it’s hard to stop reading. I really appreciated how realistic the struggles felt. Nothing seemed overly romanticized. The connection between the characters felt natural too. It left me wanting more by the end. I’ll definitely be picking up the next book.

[Sharon Cross · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you enjoy historical fiction grounded in real places, this delivers. The portrayal of early British Columbia from the Fraser River gold rush to Victoria’s growth adds texture and authenticity. The narrative occasionally leans dense with detail, but it ultimately enriches the setting and stakes.

[Elizabeth Barnett · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is as much a story about legacy as it is about love. Secrets, class divides, and the pull between old-world expectations and new-world possibilities run throughout. I liked how the book shows that building a future often means confronting and sometimes breaking from the past.