Johnny Angel

Title : Johnny Angel
Arthur: Danielle Steel

I read this book just this morning (for the third time, I think). I bought it last year- or was it the year before?

I've always relied on reviews (either from the printed or electronic media, but mostly friends who have the same interest in books) before deciding to buy any books and since I was a Popular Card member, I almost always read all the reviews they have on new books.

This book caught my attention because

1. Though I don't have any preferred authors, I know that Ms Steele's books have always been on the best sellers list

2. The book itself is not a thick book, and it was printed in a large font so I knew I could finish this book in two hours (I wanted to buy a quick book at that time since I was waiting for a very late friend)

3. Though as a Muslim, I don't believe a spirit could come back for unfinished business, I like to see the prespective of people who believe in it (refer to Remember Me I, II and III by Christopher Pike, my favourite books when I was in secondary school, I had to skip recess for a few weeks just to buy these books)

It was about Johnny, an all around nice boy, valedictorian of his class and best athelete of his school. On the verge of his graduation, he encountered a fatal accident on his prom night leaving his family devastated and girlfriend, Becky shattered. His family wasn't really the perfect family though they were happy (father alchoholic, mother a worrier, sister Charlie who's been trying to get her father's attention since forever and brother Bobby who's never spoken a word after an accident with his father)

His death caused a lot of sadness but one day, miraculously, he came back to 'tie up loose ends' (as his describes to his mother). Sadly, only his mother and Bobby (though we won't know till the middle ofhe story) could see and talk to him.

Not sure about his mission, he spends his days cheering up his mother, helping his brother to talk, watching over his sister in school, setting up Becky's mom with a nice guy, helping his father and finding a new partner for Becky (which might be the most painful)

Towards the end of the book, he manages to complete most of his tasks and everyone starts to be happier. His father no longer drinks and now spends more attention to Charlie after being coaxed to go to one of her games and realizing that she's just as good an athelete as Johnny was. One touching moment was when Bobby wished his father Merry Christmas. His father had been so consumed with guilt that he lost hope of ever reaching out to Bobby, but when Bobby finally spoke, it was a great turn of his life.

But somehow, this book fails to express how Johnny felt when Becky started falling in love with the guy Johnny chose for her himself. True, it did mention about how hurtful it was to him but readers won't be able to picture how he felt. Though, we might sympathize with him, I mean imagine pairing up someone you love with someone else.. :'(

I'll give a 3 and a half rating for this book. I still think its too short and should be longer so we can really feel what the characters are going through. Nice book though, nearly perfect if you're in the mood for a sweet touching story.