Agatha's Angel

by Michael C. Vassallo

Edgy Catholic fiction.

John Palmaccio has recently returned from serving with the Peace Corps and now works in the high-stakes world of corporate New York. However, his job and the Long Island bar scene only offer a shallow happiness—contrasting with the solace of his former Peace Corps mentor Doug’s young-adult Bible study.

When John meets the sensible, upbeat, devout Amy Santiago, he eventually rediscovers love, despite still mourning his deceased fiancée.

John looks into an upcoming breast cancer race to impress Amy, he must face his bigoted father, who despises Amy’s biracial ethnicity. John also faces ridicule from his friends for remaining chaste with a religious Amy, condescension from his stern boss, and jealousy from Doug’s embittered daughter. Most of all, he faces his own weaknesses, which threaten his newfound happiness and grace.

Genres: Realistic Fiction

537 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 7, 2024

Reviews

[Shey Saints · Rating 5 out of 5]

Agatha’s Angel by Michael C. Vassallo is a contemporary inspirational fiction novel that blends romance, faith, and second chances. The story follows John Palmaccio, a young man still reeling from the tragic death of his fiancée. Three years later, on a day heavy with grief, a chance encounter on a train introduces him to Amy, a kindhearted stranger whose warmth and words offer unexpected comfort. What begins as a fleeting conversation becomes the catalyst for a journey of healing, self-reflection, and rediscovery of purpose. With themes of faith, redemption, and the small moments that can change a life, the novel moves between tender emotional beats and the grounded realities of daily struggles.

I’d give this book 5 out of 5 stars. The writing is heartfelt, and John’s emotional depth feels genuine, especially in the way he wrestles with guilt, loss, and hope. Amy is written as a beacon of kindness without being overly idealized, and the faith elements are integrated naturally into the story. The pacing occasionally lingers in side details, which might slow momentum for some readers, but it also gives the novel its warm, reflective tone. I especially appreciated how the book handles grief, not as something to “get over,” but something you learn to live with. There’s mild language and mentions of alcohol and drug use, but nothing graphic. Overall, Agatha’s Angel is uplifting without being saccharine, a gentle reminder that even brief connections can leave lasting footprints on the heart.

[Bulletproof Girl · Rating 4 out of 5]

What stood out most to me in Agatha’s Angel were the characters. John isn’t a perfect hero. He smokes, he drinks, and he sometimes wallows, but that makes him more human. Amy, on the other hand, is this gentle presence who radiates empathy without feeling too flawless. Even side characters like Deacon Luke and Doug feel fleshed out, each adding depth to John’s world. The faith themes are sincere, and the dialogue often carries truths about loss, forgiveness, and moving forward. There’s a good balance between heartfelt moments and slices of everyday life. My only note is that some background sections could have been trimmed to keep the focus sharper. Overall, it’s a touching, character-driven read that earns a solid 4 out of 5 stars.

[Jiminie Mochi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book’s real strength lies in its message. How one small, compassionate act can change the trajectory of someone’s life. Agatha’s Angel takes its time to show how John, still aching from the loss of his fiancée, finds an unexpected source of comfort in a stranger named Amy. The conversations about faith feel authentic, and the novel captures the beauty of hope emerging in unlikely places. It doesn’t shy away from showing John’s rough edges, but it also highlights his capacity for growth. There’s mild language and mentions of alcohol and drug use, so I’d recommend it for mature readers who appreciate thoughtful, faith-tinged fiction. It’s uplifting without being unrealistic, and a reminder that even brief encounters can leave lasting light in the dark.

[Harmonia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading Agatha’s Angel felt like taking a deep breath after a long cry. John’s grief over losing his fiancée is raw and relatable, and the author doesn’t shy away from showing both his strengths and flaws. The meeting with Amy is one of those scenes that sticks with you, not because it’s overly romantic, but because it feels real, like something that could happen to any of us. I loved how the story wove faith into everyday conversations without making it preachy. It’s not about miracles falling from the sky, but about ordinary kindness having extraordinary impact.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

What I liked most about Agatha’s Angel is how John feels like a real guy. Messy, vulnerable, trying to figure out his life after heartbreak. I didn’t expect to relate to an actuary from Long Island, but his struggles with grief and guilt felt so familiar. And then when Amy enters the story, her warmth feels like a breath of fresh air. She isn’t just a “love interest,” she’s written with depth, her faith and kindness shaping the way John starts to see things differently. The book never felt like it was rushing their meeting; instead, it gave space for quiet moments that felt real.

[Barbie Sparkle · Rating 5 out of 5]

The settings surprised me. I didn’t think I’d care much about Rockville Centre or even the train rides into Manhattan, but those scenes had atmosphere. The rainy commute, the little conversations overheard between strangers, even the chaos of Penn Station all felt alive. You can tell the author knows these places and lived in them. It wasn’t just window dressing, the environment often mirrored the characters’ moods, like the foggy mornings reflecting John’s internal heaviness. It’s one of those books where place really matters.

[Sofia Heeler · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is more character-driven than plot-driven, and that’s a compliment. I liked how Deacon Luke came across as a grounding presence. Even though he’s dealing with his own pain, his way of talking to John felt honest, fatherly, and compassionate. On the other side, John’s relationship with his actual father brought a sharp contrast — complicated, prickly, sometimes painful. That dynamic between the supportive surrogate father figure and the distant biological one made me think about how family isn’t just blood.

[Onyx Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

What I really loved about this book was the way a single encounter can change everything. Amy’s character stood out to me because she wasn’t written as larger than life, but as someone genuine and grounded. Her warmth and faith felt authentic, and the way she interacted with John made those moments some of the most memorable in the story. It reminded me how sometimes the simplest kindness from a stranger can stay with you long after. Amy’s presence gave the book its heart.

[Baymax · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book hit me with a mix of heaviness and light. It starts with loss but slowly guides you into moments of hope, and that balance is what I enjoyed most. The characters feel like people you might know. Flawed, stubborn, but searching for meaning. I liked how faith, doubt, and human connection were all interwoven without it feeling preachy. The story left me reflecting on how small encounters can sometimes change the entire trajectory of someone’s life.

[Ruth Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wasn’t expecting to connect so much with John. His struggles felt raw, and even though he made mistakes, it was easy to empathize. The writing is detailed, sometimes almost cinematic, which made certain scenes stick in my mind. The spiritual undertones add a layer of depth, but it never feels forced. It’s more about people trying to find their footing after being knocked down, and I think that’s what makes it relatable.

[Pablo Marcus · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story flows in such a way that you don’t even realize how many pages you’ve gone through. I liked the realism of the settings such as restaurants, train rides, work, home life. It all felt lived in. The conversations between characters felt authentic, sometimes awkward, sometimes warm, just like real life. What stuck with me most was how one encounter can leave footprints long after it happens. A touching story with deep themes, though some sections felt longer than they needed to be.

[JP Li · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading this, I kept thinking about timing. How sometimes you meet people at exactly the right or wrong moment. The book plays with that idea in a very human way. It’s not about perfect characters; it’s about flawed people trying to figure themselves out. That made it easy to get invested, because you want them to make better choices, to heal, to grow. The emotional core was powerful, yet a bit more subtlety in certain scenes would have made it stronger.

[Max Prime · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought the story had a heartfelt message and I really liked Amy as a character, but some parts felt a little long for me. The descriptions of settings like the office and train rides were vivid, yet sometimes I wanted the plot to move a bit quicker. Still, John’s struggles came across well, and I appreciated the sincerity of the writing. A solid read, but pacing kept me from giving it more than 3 stars.

[Finley Benna · Rating 5 out of 5]

The relationships in this book are complex and layered. I liked seeing John’s interactions with Doug, his mentor, and how those conversations contrasted with the pressure he often got from his dad. Even Michelle, who could’ve been written as a one-note jealous character, had enough sharpness to make her feel believable. The way characters clashed, comforted, or misunderstood each other carried the story more than any big “twist.”

[Mali Pearson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The faith element was present, but it never felt heavy-handed to me. John isn’t painted as some saintly figure, and Amy’s faith felt more like a natural part of her personality than a sermon. I thought the way John wrestled with spirituality, sometimes resisting it and sometimes leaning on it, made it feel more real. Even Father William and the church group scenes had a grounded tone, not just religious filler.

[Kaizel · Rating 5 out of 5]

What drew me in was the contrast. Grief and faith, despair and kindness, weakness and strength. The author isn’t afraid to show pain, but he doesn’t leave you there. There’s always some flicker of light, even if it’s small. That’s what kept me turning pages. It’s a book that feels like a journey toward peace more than just a story with a beginning and end.

[Elsie Vera · Rating 5 out of 5]

The pacing is gentle, but it works for the type of story this is. You’re not meant to rush through it. You’re meant to sit with the characters, feel their weight, and then notice the small ways life keeps nudging them forward. I found that meditative in a way. It’s less about action and more about healing, and that was refreshing.

[Karen Apet · Rating 5 out of 5]

I appreciated how the book didn’t make everything tidy or easy. There are conflicts, regrets, and messy emotions. But that’s what gave it authenticity. I especially liked how the characters interacted with faith, not as something they had all figured out, but as something they were still trying to live out in the middle of their struggles. That gave the story heart.

[Zharke Tamayo · Rating 5 out of 5]

The writing style is straightforward, but that’s part of why it works. It doesn’t try too hard to be poetic, but emotions still come through. The imagery is vivid when it needs to be, like during moments of grief or reflection, but otherwise it lets the characters carry the weight. That balance made it feel both accessible and heartfelt.

[Anya Reid · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story has a way of sneaking up on you. At first, it feels like you’re simply following John through his ups and downs, but before long you realize you’ve gotten attached, rooting for him to find his footing. The moments of kindness from others really struck me, because they were simple yet powerful. It’s a reminder of how much impact even small words can have.

[Mori · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wouldn’t call this a fast-paced novel, but it doesn’t need to be. It’s about character growth and inner change, and the author takes his time letting that unfold. By the end, it leaves you with a sense of closure but also reflection, like you’re meant to carry its message with you beyond the last page.

[Lala Bo · Rating 5 out of 5]

What stood out most to me were the emotional beats. One page would have me tense, the next softened by a moment of kindness or warmth. The way strangers step in at just the right time makes the book feel hopeful even when the backdrop is grief and guilt. It’s not just a romance or a drama; it’s more of a journey of healing.

[Ver · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book really surprised me with how grounded it felt. It doesn’t gloss over pain, but it also doesn’t dwell so much that it drags. There’s always movement forward. I think the pacing works well because it mirrors real life: one day you’re stuck in memory, the next you’re suddenly inspired by something small like a smile or a kind gesture. That realism is what carried me through the chapters.

[Lee Serrano · Rating 4 out of 5]

There’s something about how John interacts with the people around him. Friends, mentors, strangers…that makes you reflect on your own relationships. The themes of forgiveness and purpose are woven in without being heavy-handed. It’s definitely a story that leaves you thinking about second chances. I loved the characters and their sincerity, but the pacing dragged in a few spots.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had a slow burn kind of beauty. At first, it felt heavy with loss, but then little flickers of hope kept appearing. I found myself drawn into John’s internal battles more than the plot itself. It’s very character-driven, and the way dialogue reveals personalities felt natural. You could sense the struggle between wanting to give up and wanting to keep going.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite things about the book was how faith was shown through everyday actions rather than big speeches. It’s in the little choices, the quiet encouragement, the way people reach out when someone is at their lowest. That made the story more believable to me. It’s heartfelt without being sappy, which is a balance that’s not easy to achieve.

[Sue Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

The emotional tone of this story is what makes it shine. It starts heavy but gradually turns into something gentler. I really liked how supportive side characters were written. Even when they weren’t perfect, you could feel the layers of care behind their words and actions. It made me think about the mentors and friends in my own life who’ve stepped up at hard times.

[PolP · Rating 5 out of 5]

The tone shifts a lot between heaviness and lightness, and I liked that. One chapter will have John weighed down by memories and nightmares, and the next will show him joking with his friends at a bar or finding comfort in Doug’s young adult group. That balance gave the story rhythm. It didn’t feel like wall-to-wall sadness, nor was it forced optimism. Just life, with all its ups and downs.

[Cali Mendez · Rating 5 out of 5]

What I didn’t expect was how much music and little cultural references were sprinkled in. Mentions of Flyers hockey, Guns N’ Roses posters, barroom banter, even throwaway comments about food or songs made the characters feel like they lived in the real late 90s and early 2000s. It added a nostalgic vibe without being overwhelming.

[Nana Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the little moments of humor. For example, John and his friends hanging out at Larry’s bar, or Doug being this warm but slightly quirky mentor figure. It kept the book from feeling too somber. The humor wasn’t loud, just small exchanges that made the characters feel like friends you’d actually want to hang out with.