Ginette B. (Niteowl7) reviewed on 3/19/2006 + 242 more book reviews

Helpful Score: 1

It's been about 25 years since I read a Danielle Steel book. And I probably won't read another one of her books for another 25 years, if I live that long. Too many other readings I want to do. I found the romantic elements in her books too schalmtzy (for those not from the Northeast, this translates as "yicky" or even unrealistic)and something I had outgrown. Also Steel's writing is at about an 8th grade level and I was trying to improve myself. Now, I don't care nearly as much and I read almost anything that floats by. At first I found "Johnny Angel" so unrealistic as to be laughable. Actually I was annoyed. Johnny is too good to be true - a "perfect" teenager: easy going, always willing to help, attached to only one girlfriend who he plans to marry; working to pay for college while maintaining a good grade point average, adored by his parents and finally, an excellent all around athlete. He's a one-dimensional hero. It is only after his death in a car accident that Johnny becomes more multi-dimensional. Through his quiet intervention Johnny is now able to positively effect the lives of the living, especially those who are devastated by his death. But the "too good to be true" changes and opportunities given to the living don't appear as unrealistic as in the beginning. Johnny leaves his family when his "Mission" is done but not before having pulled some miracles that leaves those closest to him much happier than when he first arrived. I don't want to give away any of the plot not described on the flyleaf of the book. Yes, the ending was just as unrealistic as the beginning but I was sucked in nonetheless by the second part of the book. It was as if I was reading a fairy tale geared for adults. Danielle Steel is a whiz at creating plot and characters we can relate to at some level which is why I suspect she's had so many bestsellers. If you like Steel, you won't be able to put this 180 page book down.

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