Johnny Angel

Rating:
Summary: An Angel in the house
Review: I have been a life time fan of Danielle Steel and have all of her books. However,her writing style has severely been defective in the last few books. She runs sentences together, grammar is incorrect, over-use of the word "and" and repeats herself over and over and over again---as another reviewer mentioned. It detracts from the story entirely too much. When you read as much as I do and love to read well-written stories, Ms. Steel's style is not enjoyable any longer.
However, having said this, the story is enjoyable. I skimmed this book to avoid all those deficiencies in her writing and was able to finish it in a couple of hours. Yes, I did shed tears in several places--didn't miss the story line in spite of the fast read. It's a different take on the "angel in the home" idea----never before have angels moved things around and made noise that everyone hears. But--it was somewhat comforting to read about the appearance of Johnny to his little brother as well as to his mother. I do think, however, that he could have also talked to Becky, the love of his life.
I'm not sure "angels" can manipulate lives as much as talked about here. But having lost a child myself (he was 4) I know the pain of the loss, the comfort knowing he's in a good place and will be in my heart forever------I do "see" him in dreams but never during my awake times. My child angel does "speak" to me in eerie ways------songs that suddenly play on the radio----"our special" ones,fate-related events. But Ms.Steel went over the edge in some of her story lines. But that's fiction------and ok.
Is Danielle Steel truly writing these books? What happened to an editor to check for mistakes, grammer and run-on sentences? Or is someone else-----perhaps a middle school child----doing the writing?? It just isn't the quality that we came to love and expect from her.
Quick read, sad but comforting story----poor writing style.But great for the beach reading.

Rating:
Summary: Somewhat disappointing! What happened Danielle?
Review: I really am a big fan of most of Danielle Steel's body of work. I've read the vast majority of her books - purchased and listened to many of them as audio books...and even seen the ones that have been made into movies. This was pretty disappointing! I had purchased "Dating Game" the same time I got "Johnny Angel". "Dating Game" was everthing that "Johnny Angel" wasn't! The book was thin in every way - the story line and the characters were lacking...and the whole thing reminded me of a beefed up short story. Hardly worth the $7.50 I paid for the paper back! Also, the entire time I was reading it, I felt like someone was pulling my leg. It was somewhat entertaining - but I certainly would never be interested in re-reading it - which I often do with her other works! It has the same silly fantasy of "The Klone". I guess every once in awhile Ms Steel blows a mind fuse! Hopefully, she'll get back on track with the next book! Let's keep our fingers crossed!

Rating:
Summary: Johnny Angel by Danielle Steel
Review: Johnny Angel is a touching story about a young man's unexpected death. Johnny Peterson was valedictorian of his class, star athlete of both the track and football teams, had a beautiful girlfriend, and was getting ready to graduate highschool. Then on prom night he was hit by a drunk driver suddenly ending his life and causing grief and pain amongst his friends and family. Johnny's mother was hospitalized due to an ulcer caused by stress from Johnny's death. Just when his mother didn't know how she was going to live without him he appeared to her just like he was when he was alive. The miracle didn't end there he stayed with the family on earth only visable to his mother and little brother Bobby. From then on he would change all their lives for the better.
I felt that it has a touching story that woke the reader up to the harsh realities of drunk driving. Many of the family tradgies in this book could've beeen avoided by not consuming alcohol and driving. I also thought this was a good book to read if you had recently or ever lost a loved one. From the story you get the understanding that those who have passed on are always with you in your heart and our watching over you. At times the book can be a real tear jerker so be prepared with a box of tissues if your one of those emotional types.
I liked the story, but I thought there were some things that could've been better. On a postive note the ending had a little twist to it that took away from the predictability of it. Some parts in it I found very predictable, somewhat like a Disney movie. I also liked the whole purpose of the story and how it touched you. What I didn't care for was that it was not challenging at all to read and in some parts I think she could've used a more descriptive style. She used many passive verbs.
Overall it had a nice plot that was easy to follow and that the reader could easily relate to. I would only recommend this book to those who would find interest in it. It is a good choice to read if you like LifeTime movies or if you become absorbed in emotional novels.

Rating:
Summary: An OK book
Review: To be honest, I was pretty let down by this book. I've read many of Danielle Steel's other works, including the book she wrote about her Son, Nick Traina, to which I thought this book would be related. Unfortunately I was wrong in that assumption. Reading her other works I've been privy to her writing style and have enjoyed it very much. Although this book was a quick read - I too finished it in less than a day - I was disappointed in the lack of character and plot development. It seemed like there were many opportunities for her to elaborate during certain parts of the story, yet she didn't.
I did like the story line, and it definitely was emotionally moving. However, for someone looking for a well developed story line and more detailed writing, you may want to look elsewhere.

Rating:
Summary: What I Think Of Johnny Angel......
Review: What I think of the book, Johnny Angel, is that is a great book because even though it wasn't a realistic book I still loved it. In this book you can celebrate life, death, a little boy speaking, a family's love for someone loss, and so much more. The book is happy at times and sad at times, and sometimes it will make you want to laugh or just cry your eyes out. This was the first Danielle Steel book that I have ever read, but after reading it I would have to say that I will read more books that she has written. I would say it deals with the problems that any family suffering a loss would go through; a mother and father dealing with a loss of a son, brothers and sisters dealing with a of a loss of a sibling, and a girlfriend or boyfriend going through the loss of a significant other. Personally I think it is a great book to read if you're dealing with a loss of your own. Since I read this book while I was going through a loss of my own I think it helped relate to the book a little bit more and also helped me get through my loss.
In this story the beloved, athletic, and smart Johnny Peterson gets into a car on with his girlfriend, Becky; and in an effort to save everyone else in the car he swerves so he is the only one hit. Johnny is the only one killed. His mother and Becky are devastated when they find out, his father becomes a drunk, his mute brother gets worse, and his sister is fighting for even more attention. Alice Peterson, his mother, had gotten sick from starving herself and had to go into the hospital where all of a sudden she starts to see and speak with an angel, its Johnny. He helps her get back on track in life, so she can help him help the family. Then he appears to his mute brother, Bobby, and helps him be comfortable around people and also talk. Johnny helps his father, Jim, stop drinking and with his job; and helps his sister, Charlotte get the attention of her parents, mainly her father. She helps Becky move on from him and find someone else for her to love. But, most of all he lets the people who cared for him the most forget about him.

By: Hannah D.