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GRACELESS: Faith of the Fallen - A Dark Fallen Angel Paranormal Romance
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
August 9, 2026
⭐⭐⭐⭐½
Graceless surprised me in the best way because while I came for the supernatural romance and mystery, I stayed because I became genuinely invested in Cate and Raq.
One of my favorite things about this book was how distinct their POVs felt. Cate has a dry, sarcastic personality that made her easy to connect with, while Raq has this controlled, ancient, almost ritualistic way of thinking that constantly reminds you he has lived a very long life without beating you over the head with it. And somehow, the terrifyingly capable supernatural man who can handle danger without blinking but has absolutely no idea what to do with feelings became the character I was most emotionally attached to. Apparently fictional men having an existential crisis over caring about someone remains one of my weaknesses. 😂
I also loved that Cate’s work in art restoration actually mattered to the story. It was not just an interesting career thrown in for decoration. The mystery surrounding the artwork tied into the supernatural elements beautifully and gave the book another layer beyond the romance.
The relationship itself worked really well for me because it was allowed to develop through trust, conversations, vulnerability, protection, arguments, and simply spending time together. There is spice, but the story never disappears underneath it. The intimate scenes generally felt connected to the characters and their emotional development rather than existing just to fill pages, which is always a huge plus for me.
The mythology surrounding the fallen angels, grace, punishment, guilt, and obedience was another strong point. There is clearly a much larger world developing here, and I liked that this book answered enough questions to feel satisfying while still leaving me curious about what comes next.
My biggest criticism was some repetition, particularly in the middle. Certain emotional observations, descriptions, and sentence structures appear often enough that I occasionally noticed the writing pattern instead of simply staying inside the scene. I also thought the middle could have been tightened slightly to keep the suspense moving at the same strength as the beginning and ending.
That is really what kept this at 4.5 stars instead of a full five for me. A little trimming and less repetition would have made the pacing even stronger.
Overall, though, Graceless gave me exactly what I want from a paranormal romance: an actual plot, interesting mythology, emotional development, danger, mystery, characters I cared about, and enough going on to keep my hyperactive squirrel brain occupied. I laughed, worried, got invested, wanted answers, and finished the book wanting more from this world. And yes, Raq got me. 🖤
—Mz. Sassy K.
SassyReviews.com
NOTE: As always, all thoughts, reactions, fangirling, suspicious side-eyeing, and sleep-deprived ramblings are entirely my own. My reviews are always unbiased, unfiltered, and unapologetically honest—whether I loved the book, wanted to throw my Kindle across the room, or somehow managed to do both.
Graceless surprised me in the best way because while I came for the supernatural romance and mystery, I stayed because I became genuinely invested in Cate and Raq.
One of my favorite things about this book was how distinct their POVs felt. Cate has a dry, sarcastic personality that made her easy to connect with, while Raq has this controlled, ancient, almost ritualistic way of thinking that constantly reminds you he has lived a very long life without beating you over the head with it. And somehow, the terrifyingly capable supernatural man who can handle danger without blinking but has absolutely no idea what to do with feelings became the character I was most emotionally attached to. Apparently fictional men having an existential crisis over caring about someone remains one of my weaknesses. 😂
I also loved that Cate’s work in art restoration actually mattered to the story. It was not just an interesting career thrown in for decoration. The mystery surrounding the artwork tied into the supernatural elements beautifully and gave the book another layer beyond the romance.
The relationship itself worked really well for me because it was allowed to develop through trust, conversations, vulnerability, protection, arguments, and simply spending time together. There is spice, but the story never disappears underneath it. The intimate scenes generally felt connected to the characters and their emotional development rather than existing just to fill pages, which is always a huge plus for me.
The mythology surrounding the fallen angels, grace, punishment, guilt, and obedience was another strong point. There is clearly a much larger world developing here, and I liked that this book answered enough questions to feel satisfying while still leaving me curious about what comes next.
My biggest criticism was some repetition, particularly in the middle. Certain emotional observations, descriptions, and sentence structures appear often enough that I occasionally noticed the writing pattern instead of simply staying inside the scene. I also thought the middle could have been tightened slightly to keep the suspense moving at the same strength as the beginning and ending.
That is really what kept this at 4.5 stars instead of a full five for me. A little trimming and less repetition would have made the pacing even stronger.
Overall, though, Graceless gave me exactly what I want from a paranormal romance: an actual plot, interesting mythology, emotional development, danger, mystery, characters I cared about, and enough going on to keep my hyperactive squirrel brain occupied. I laughed, worried, got invested, wanted answers, and finished the book wanting more from this world. And yes, Raq got me. 🖤
—Mz. Sassy K.
SassyReviews.com
NOTE: As always, all thoughts, reactions, fangirling, suspicious side-eyeing, and sleep-deprived ramblings are entirely my own. My reviews are always unbiased, unfiltered, and unapologetically honest—whether I loved the book, wanted to throw my Kindle across the room, or somehow managed to do both.
August 25, 2026
I finished Graceless by Diana D’Angelo and I’m still trying to decide how I feel about some of these characters.
This story is MESSY—and I mean that in a good way. There were choices being made that had me questioning everyone, changing my mind, and occasionally wanting to yell at my book.
I liked that I never felt like I had everything figured out. There was always something making me rethink what I thought I knew. The characters definitely aren’t perfect, which made the story feel more interesting because I genuinely didn’t know who I was going to agree with from one moment to the next.
There were parts I loved, parts that frustrated me, and a few definite “WAIT… WHAT?!” moments.
I’m not saying anything else because I don’t want to ruin the experience for anyone going into this one.
Graceless was complicated, emotional, and just the right amount of messy. Definitely glad I read it!
This story is MESSY—and I mean that in a good way. There were choices being made that had me questioning everyone, changing my mind, and occasionally wanting to yell at my book.
I liked that I never felt like I had everything figured out. There was always something making me rethink what I thought I knew. The characters definitely aren’t perfect, which made the story feel more interesting because I genuinely didn’t know who I was going to agree with from one moment to the next.
There were parts I loved, parts that frustrated me, and a few definite “WAIT… WHAT?!” moments.
I’m not saying anything else because I don’t want to ruin the experience for anyone going into this one.
Graceless was complicated, emotional, and just the right amount of messy. Definitely glad I read it!
September 1, 2026
Graceless by Diana D'Angelo
Rating: 5★ ·
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ (it peaks higher)
[MIND YOURSELF: THE BOOK DROPPED TODAY, BUT THIS CONTAINS MILD-SPOILERS SO IF YOU HAVEN'T READ IT YET, SAVE IT AND COME BACK LATER]
Okay. Okay okay okay.
Hold on.
*Just let me gather my thought*
You’re a professional Claudia… You’re a professional… You CAN do this….
Okay lets’s go!
I opened this expecting a “fallen-angel romance” and………….. INSTEAD got a debut-feeling book reached into my chest, Tatta’s and those little holes that produces tears, who all proceeded to find the spot where I keep the stuff I don't talk about, and *lived there* for a
WEEK. SEVEN. WHOLE. DAYS..
Excuse me, Miss Diana D'Angelo, Ma'am, you and I need to have a talk after this, because 1) I need to pick your brain (it's facinating) and 2) how very dare you flop this literal MASTERPIECE in front of me, and then... then... you look me DEAD in my eyes and say: "I dare you not to lose your ever loving mind over this."
Well, Miss Ma'am, I failed, I failed HARD.
I am behind on my work because of this book. I blacked out because of this book. I had to RE-READ this book just to get the main points, so excuse me if I am all over the place on this one lol.
So… yeah… right… let’s go again... (version 2... loading)
Here's the setup and I need you to stay with me because it BUILDS.
Caterina (love her so much: SHE MUST BE PROTECTED AT ALL COSTS) is a broke art restorer in a Brooklyn basement who fixes painted angels and believes in EXACTLY none of them. (Future me went loooool) anyway…
She almost dies under a city bus (in the FIRST part of the book I might add), and throws one raw wordless "please" into the empty air. And you wanna know what happened? Hmmm?
THE. *CLAPS* EMPTY *CLAPS* AIR *CLAPS* ANSWEEEERRRRREDDDDDD.
And…. HIS name is Raq.
BUUUUUT he is not a man. Oh no no no noooo…. He is a WINGless, ten-thousand-year-old fallen Watcher (*coughs angle*) who talks like a traffic sign (don’t worry it gets better), moves faster than your eyes can follow....
(hello supernatural-masking-as-a-human trope: "i see you. I love you. I BURN FOR YOU”),
.....and… *how do I say this politely?* He… “installs” himself in her studio to guard a five-hundred-year-old panel… ( and her, duh)
...that is hiding, *under the varnish,* a censored record of the worst thing that was ever done to his kind.
*me giggling and keeping my feet because this isn’t my first rodeo babyyyyyy*
Do you see it??
HER whole JOB is finding what someone painted over and buried.
And the MAN in her chair IS a wound painted over with a prettier LIE.
*falls to knees* THE.... SYMBOLISM.... Now *that* my bookish besties, is writing+structure+plot-mechanics that = actual, prose-based, to the LINE, structural PAY OFF.
And pay off it sure as heck did.... listen to this yeah?
The painting, the angel, and the entire official story of the fall are the SAME THING seen three times through three different lenses, perspective, and structural ingineuity THAT MAKES SENSE and I have not recovered from how smart that is.
*cue me sitting on my office floor holding my Kindle like a rosary*
Because that is a WRITER (I'm looking at you Miss D'Angelo) that. knows. how. to. wrrrrriiiiittteeeeeeeeeeee.
*takes a sip of tea, calming down, but not really)
And then. THEN.
*deep soothing breath; even though they're useless at this point*
He takes her up on a rooftop, heals the ACHE out of her working hands, and he SHOWS her, her OWN lit window.
You know? The one he's been "guarding" all season (ALL BOOK. ALL OF ME STRUCTURALLY LOSING MY D*MN MIND)
*[cue keyboard smash:] jisdfjiwarbgdvsdhbvfhsdb HBCASHCHADBH ASBFXSDWQV BVKBVUIDSBVIHBJ VDVYUFGEUFB NBSBISDHFIUHGIBGNJ ASGCASTFDTAFDEFFJ VVBD f* --- I'm not going to translate that and you can't make me. *crosses arms firmly* well.... unless its you Miss Ma'am Diana D'Angelo DM-ing me demanding an explanation but or the REST of yoou.... nope... I won't.
*it’s okay, I’m okay, we’re all okay. Okay. Okay…. Okie dokie*
Now where was I? Oh right he shows her the lit window... right... *continues*
…. and she says "I'm going to die," (now I have to pause here for a minute to explain something: she's HUMAN, right, which means she only has a limited time on earth. And HEEEEEE is a fallen "graceless" angel that was banished from Heaven. so that MEAAANS..... when she goes bye bye, she goes up-up, and HE CAN NEVEEEEEEEER SEE HER AGAIN)
Let that sink in.... because what happens next... *Blows out a deep breath(
He gets "upset" and when I tell you he gets upset?? Honey… this man says that he'd rather have her fifty years than all the rest of forever without them…..
I. Was. DECE*SED.
Buried in the Bensonhurst dirt next to Nonna. (Nonna is mine now two, I have adopted her into my army of fictional adopted grannies/aunties and no take bakes!)
My sweet stoic ancient wingless disaster man. *Sighs dreamily*
I would 💀for him and he has already offered to 💀 for everyone. BUT HIM??????
Bring the bus back… I’d do it happily. Just to save them from what’s coming and *BOY OH BOY* what’s coming is…. Well you’ll see.
THE KISS (Ch 8) 🌶️-ish adjacent TENSION…..
There is a scene where two men pull a knife on her in a Brooklyn side street and he appears out of NOWHERE, but weird right? Because she just left him three blocks away, but he’s JUST somehow here... now... when she needs him most... and what does he do?? WHAT DOES HE DO??? He takes that knife and FOLDS it, closed one-handed like he's putting away a pen. And then WHEN all is said and me utterly wrecked… he’s just causally walking her home and he says, quietly, "You're angry that you were afraid."
And bestie;. That is when the door HITS her back. She doesn't even have time to process because MY mine MOVED FAST and BAM!!!!!
One of the most beautifully, yet sweat-inducing-fanning-myself-with-a-bookmark-KISS-scene's I had ever had the honor of experiencing.
*and that’s also where I froze, read, re-read, threw my kindle across the room, crawled on my hands and needs, and re-read again like a giggled crazed shmental patient*
And when he pulls away his eyes are the wrong blue…. All the way up. 100% CONFIRMED Not-HUMAN blue. And he says…. He says…. *squeaks* he says something in a language older than churches that roughly translates to *to the dark*
And me? I’m just sitting there hyperventilating, nearly crushing my Kindle: BECAUSE WHAT DO YOU MEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAN????????
THEN… then…. I realized he wasn't talking to himself.
I stopped breathing on a on the floor, on my stomach, mid-army-crawl…. because again….
WHAT. DO. YOU. MEAN.
*To… the…. dark….*
Personally, and this is just me, *I* think he just proposed to her. And to me by proxy.
But I’m taken so we leave it for our lucky girlie Cate, ookay??
*grumbles lucky smitch under my breath*
Things you should know going in, because I love you:
MIND. THE. CONTENT. WARNINGS:
- It opens BRUTAL. A mass wing-tearing. this is genuinely DARK (grief, referenced genocide, a crisis of faith that gutted me, a loss-of-autonomy beat the book is honest about).
- It's a SLOW burn and the middle is deliberately quiet and interior. If you need paranormal action every chapter, then kindly, gently, *shakes you by the shoulders BECAUSE YOU DO NOT WANNA MISS THIS* recalibrate your expectations.
This is a book you *soak in.* not drown in.
- The prose is the reason. This woman Miss Ma'am D'Angelo.... can WRITE. Line by line it's doing things Romantasy usually DOESN”T bother to do.
- The FMC, my baby girl Cate, throws a *rolling pin* at the HOST of heaven.
That's it. That's the tweet.
The mortal found-family (Nina, my beloved, and a 12-year-old who saves the angel a permanent seat "because he answers the actual question you asked") is the warm counterweight to all that cosmic dread and it WORKS.
ALSO AMAZING NEWS:
It's Book One of SIX. SIX!!!!!
The ending gives you a full emotional arc, has the audacity to then leave a feather on the windowsill just to make sure you can't sleep.
I cannot WAIT for Blameless, Book 2.
Read it with your eyeballs (no audio yet, and whoever narrates Raq someday is going to be a public safety hazard, *raises hands in a peaceful manner, yet grins feral*.... I'm just saying).
This one lives in my heart now. Eviction is not on the table. I will not allow it.
Rating: 5★ ·
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ (it peaks higher)
[MIND YOURSELF: THE BOOK DROPPED TODAY, BUT THIS CONTAINS MILD-SPOILERS SO IF YOU HAVEN'T READ IT YET, SAVE IT AND COME BACK LATER]
Okay. Okay okay okay.
Hold on.
*Just let me gather my thought*
You’re a professional Claudia… You’re a professional… You CAN do this….
Okay lets’s go!
I opened this expecting a “fallen-angel romance” and………….. INSTEAD got a debut-feeling book reached into my chest, Tatta’s and those little holes that produces tears, who all proceeded to find the spot where I keep the stuff I don't talk about, and *lived there* for a
WEEK. SEVEN. WHOLE. DAYS..
Excuse me, Miss Diana D'Angelo, Ma'am, you and I need to have a talk after this, because 1) I need to pick your brain (it's facinating) and 2) how very dare you flop this literal MASTERPIECE in front of me, and then... then... you look me DEAD in my eyes and say: "I dare you not to lose your ever loving mind over this."
Well, Miss Ma'am, I failed, I failed HARD.
I am behind on my work because of this book. I blacked out because of this book. I had to RE-READ this book just to get the main points, so excuse me if I am all over the place on this one lol.
So… yeah… right… let’s go again... (version 2... loading)
Here's the setup and I need you to stay with me because it BUILDS.
Caterina (love her so much: SHE MUST BE PROTECTED AT ALL COSTS) is a broke art restorer in a Brooklyn basement who fixes painted angels and believes in EXACTLY none of them. (Future me went loooool) anyway…
She almost dies under a city bus (in the FIRST part of the book I might add), and throws one raw wordless "please" into the empty air. And you wanna know what happened? Hmmm?
THE. *CLAPS* EMPTY *CLAPS* AIR *CLAPS* ANSWEEEERRRRREDDDDDD.
And…. HIS name is Raq.
BUUUUUT he is not a man. Oh no no no noooo…. He is a WINGless, ten-thousand-year-old fallen Watcher (*coughs angle*) who talks like a traffic sign (don’t worry it gets better), moves faster than your eyes can follow....
(hello supernatural-masking-as-a-human trope: "i see you. I love you. I BURN FOR YOU”),
.....and… *how do I say this politely?* He… “installs” himself in her studio to guard a five-hundred-year-old panel… ( and her, duh)
...that is hiding, *under the varnish,* a censored record of the worst thing that was ever done to his kind.
*me giggling and keeping my feet because this isn’t my first rodeo babyyyyyy*
Do you see it??
HER whole JOB is finding what someone painted over and buried.
And the MAN in her chair IS a wound painted over with a prettier LIE.
*falls to knees* THE.... SYMBOLISM.... Now *that* my bookish besties, is writing+structure+plot-mechanics that = actual, prose-based, to the LINE, structural PAY OFF.
And pay off it sure as heck did.... listen to this yeah?
The painting, the angel, and the entire official story of the fall are the SAME THING seen three times through three different lenses, perspective, and structural ingineuity THAT MAKES SENSE and I have not recovered from how smart that is.
*cue me sitting on my office floor holding my Kindle like a rosary*
Because that is a WRITER (I'm looking at you Miss D'Angelo) that. knows. how. to. wrrrrriiiiittteeeeeeeeeeee.
*takes a sip of tea, calming down, but not really)
And then. THEN.
*deep soothing breath; even though they're useless at this point*
He takes her up on a rooftop, heals the ACHE out of her working hands, and he SHOWS her, her OWN lit window.
You know? The one he's been "guarding" all season (ALL BOOK. ALL OF ME STRUCTURALLY LOSING MY D*MN MIND)
*[cue keyboard smash:] jisdfjiwarbgdvsdhbvfhsdb HBCASHCHADBH ASBFXSDWQV BVKBVUIDSBVIHBJ VDVYUFGEUFB NBSBISDHFIUHGIBGNJ ASGCASTFDTAFDEFFJ VVBD f* --- I'm not going to translate that and you can't make me. *crosses arms firmly* well.... unless its you Miss Ma'am Diana D'Angelo DM-ing me demanding an explanation but or the REST of yoou.... nope... I won't.
*it’s okay, I’m okay, we’re all okay. Okay. Okay…. Okie dokie*
Now where was I? Oh right he shows her the lit window... right... *continues*
…. and she says "I'm going to die," (now I have to pause here for a minute to explain something: she's HUMAN, right, which means she only has a limited time on earth. And HEEEEEE is a fallen "graceless" angel that was banished from Heaven. so that MEAAANS..... when she goes bye bye, she goes up-up, and HE CAN NEVEEEEEEEER SEE HER AGAIN)
Let that sink in.... because what happens next... *Blows out a deep breath(
He gets "upset" and when I tell you he gets upset?? Honey… this man says that he'd rather have her fifty years than all the rest of forever without them…..
I. Was. DECE*SED.
Buried in the Bensonhurst dirt next to Nonna. (Nonna is mine now two, I have adopted her into my army of fictional adopted grannies/aunties and no take bakes!)
My sweet stoic ancient wingless disaster man. *Sighs dreamily*
I would 💀for him and he has already offered to 💀 for everyone. BUT HIM??????
Bring the bus back… I’d do it happily. Just to save them from what’s coming and *BOY OH BOY* what’s coming is…. Well you’ll see.
THE KISS (Ch 8) 🌶️-ish adjacent TENSION…..
There is a scene where two men pull a knife on her in a Brooklyn side street and he appears out of NOWHERE, but weird right? Because she just left him three blocks away, but he’s JUST somehow here... now... when she needs him most... and what does he do?? WHAT DOES HE DO??? He takes that knife and FOLDS it, closed one-handed like he's putting away a pen. And then WHEN all is said and me utterly wrecked… he’s just causally walking her home and he says, quietly, "You're angry that you were afraid."
And bestie;. That is when the door HITS her back. She doesn't even have time to process because MY mine MOVED FAST and BAM!!!!!
One of the most beautifully, yet sweat-inducing-fanning-myself-with-a-bookmark-KISS-scene's I had ever had the honor of experiencing.
*and that’s also where I froze, read, re-read, threw my kindle across the room, crawled on my hands and needs, and re-read again like a giggled crazed shmental patient*
And when he pulls away his eyes are the wrong blue…. All the way up. 100% CONFIRMED Not-HUMAN blue. And he says…. He says…. *squeaks* he says something in a language older than churches that roughly translates to *to the dark*
And me? I’m just sitting there hyperventilating, nearly crushing my Kindle: BECAUSE WHAT DO YOU MEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAN????????
THEN… then…. I realized he wasn't talking to himself.
I stopped breathing on a on the floor, on my stomach, mid-army-crawl…. because again….
WHAT. DO. YOU. MEAN.
*To… the…. dark….*
Personally, and this is just me, *I* think he just proposed to her. And to me by proxy.
But I’m taken so we leave it for our lucky girlie Cate, ookay??
*grumbles lucky smitch under my breath*
Things you should know going in, because I love you:
MIND. THE. CONTENT. WARNINGS:
- It opens BRUTAL. A mass wing-tearing. this is genuinely DARK (grief, referenced genocide, a crisis of faith that gutted me, a loss-of-autonomy beat the book is honest about).
- It's a SLOW burn and the middle is deliberately quiet and interior. If you need paranormal action every chapter, then kindly, gently, *shakes you by the shoulders BECAUSE YOU DO NOT WANNA MISS THIS* recalibrate your expectations.
This is a book you *soak in.* not drown in.
- The prose is the reason. This woman Miss Ma'am D'Angelo.... can WRITE. Line by line it's doing things Romantasy usually DOESN”T bother to do.
- The FMC, my baby girl Cate, throws a *rolling pin* at the HOST of heaven.
That's it. That's the tweet.
The mortal found-family (Nina, my beloved, and a 12-year-old who saves the angel a permanent seat "because he answers the actual question you asked") is the warm counterweight to all that cosmic dread and it WORKS.
ALSO AMAZING NEWS:
It's Book One of SIX. SIX!!!!!
The ending gives you a full emotional arc, has the audacity to then leave a feather on the windowsill just to make sure you can't sleep.
I cannot WAIT for Blameless, Book 2.
Read it with your eyeballs (no audio yet, and whoever narrates Raq someday is going to be a public safety hazard, *raises hands in a peaceful manner, yet grins feral*.... I'm just saying).
This one lives in my heart now. Eviction is not on the table. I will not allow it.
August 18, 2026
⭐⭐⭐⭐(and a half)
I received this book as an advanced reader copy for free from the author and am leaving this review voluntarily.
This book absolutely sucked me in so fast. I seriously enjoyed the author's beautifully descriptive, almost poetic writing style and the pacing held well throughout the story,, keeping me engaged and wanting to keep reading until silly hours of the night.
I absolutely adored the two main characters - Cate, a restorer who finds what's hiding underneath, and Raw, a fallen angel who saves her from getting run over by a bus. I loved seeing their relationship develop and grow and seriously, the way this was written actually made me quite emotional at points throughout this story. I found Cate to be very relatable with her history of loss and her close friendship with the fiercely protective Nina. And Raq'ss, I loved his gentle and steady patience. And how Cate becomes the first thing he's cared about in centuries. The relationships, whether between the two MCs or between them and the supporting characters were truly a joy to read.
I loved the mystery of the panel and the significance of details within it that are yet to be truly revealed. And I enjoyed how well the author has woven aspects of religion and it's iconography so masterfully into her story.
Yet another amazing author for me to add to my favourites list. I'm so, so grateful to have had the opportunity to take part in this ARC read and cannot wait to continue this series.
I received this book as an advanced reader copy for free from the author and am leaving this review voluntarily.
This book absolutely sucked me in so fast. I seriously enjoyed the author's beautifully descriptive, almost poetic writing style and the pacing held well throughout the story,, keeping me engaged and wanting to keep reading until silly hours of the night.
I absolutely adored the two main characters - Cate, a restorer who finds what's hiding underneath, and Raw, a fallen angel who saves her from getting run over by a bus. I loved seeing their relationship develop and grow and seriously, the way this was written actually made me quite emotional at points throughout this story. I found Cate to be very relatable with her history of loss and her close friendship with the fiercely protective Nina. And Raq'ss, I loved his gentle and steady patience. And how Cate becomes the first thing he's cared about in centuries. The relationships, whether between the two MCs or between them and the supporting characters were truly a joy to read.
I loved the mystery of the panel and the significance of details within it that are yet to be truly revealed. And I enjoyed how well the author has woven aspects of religion and it's iconography so masterfully into her story.
Yet another amazing author for me to add to my favourites list. I'm so, so grateful to have had the opportunity to take part in this ARC read and cannot wait to continue this series.
August 31, 2026
Summary: I definitely want to read her next book!
Both Cat [Caterina] & Raq [Baraqiel] are excellent main characters: engaging, non-trivial, powerful. The romance between them was so well-written.
I loved the whole writing style:
- thoughtful observations:
"That's the part they don't tell you about being broke, that you can't hold a good number without immediately feeling around behind it for the bad one."
- humour:
"I had just been moved two blocks by a man who looked like a Caravaggio and talked like a traffic sign"
"You know what I have? A husband who tells me everything. Every thought, Cat. It's like being married to a podcast."
[Cat's friend Nina is just brilliant throughout.]
"I have forty minutes before I teach Renaissance survey to eleven teenagers who think Botticelli is a pasta."
- pathos:
"Heaven's work leaves no residue on the ones who carry it out. You bear it on the inside, where no-one will ever find it. Where you can never set it down."
"I lit every candle that parish had."
"I could live with the empty sky. I'd made my peace with the empty sky and I had an arrangement. But you're standing here, which means it was never empty. Somebody was in there. Somebody heard her. Eleven months of her. And the answer was no."
[So many moving passages.]
This was excellent and I'm looking forward to seeing what Diana writes next.
(I was fortunate to receive an ARC however the above is, as ever, my own opinion.)
Both Cat [Caterina] & Raq [Baraqiel] are excellent main characters: engaging, non-trivial, powerful. The romance between them was so well-written.
I loved the whole writing style:
- thoughtful observations:
"That's the part they don't tell you about being broke, that you can't hold a good number without immediately feeling around behind it for the bad one."
- humour:
"I had just been moved two blocks by a man who looked like a Caravaggio and talked like a traffic sign"
"You know what I have? A husband who tells me everything. Every thought, Cat. It's like being married to a podcast."
[Cat's friend Nina is just brilliant throughout.]
"I have forty minutes before I teach Renaissance survey to eleven teenagers who think Botticelli is a pasta."
- pathos:
"Heaven's work leaves no residue on the ones who carry it out. You bear it on the inside, where no-one will ever find it. Where you can never set it down."
"I lit every candle that parish had."
"I could live with the empty sky. I'd made my peace with the empty sky and I had an arrangement. But you're standing here, which means it was never empty. Somebody was in there. Somebody heard her. Eleven months of her. And the answer was no."
[So many moving passages.]
This was excellent and I'm looking forward to seeing what Diana writes next.
(I was fortunate to receive an ARC however the above is, as ever, my own opinion.)
August 20, 2026
This was an absolutely beautiful romance with a woman and a fallen angel.
The book opens with angels that are losing their wings. And I reread that first chapter after finishing the book. Recommend everyone do that.
Then we move to modern day where we meet Cat who is an art restorer. She's living in her Nonna's apartment and through out the book you can almost feel the atmosphere and smell and taste the food.
Cat deals with religious art, but is not religious herself.
"I fixed angels for a living and believed in none of them. It was the kind of joke that God would tell, if there was one, which there wasn't."
And then she steps off a curb against the light and is pulled back by Raq.
Raq is one of the fallen, and now he has fallen again but this time for Cat. Their relationship brings the eyes of the angels and whoever else is out there on the two of them. And Raq will do anything to protect Cat. Even when she doesn't want that protection.
How Cat comes to discover who Raq is, and to love him anyway is told beautifully and realistically. Cat's family welcomes him in and Raq learns what belonging feels like. We also meet Raq's 2 brothers with their own personalities.
This story really moved me as Raq and Cat learn to talk to and love each other.
The book opens with angels that are losing their wings. And I reread that first chapter after finishing the book. Recommend everyone do that.
Then we move to modern day where we meet Cat who is an art restorer. She's living in her Nonna's apartment and through out the book you can almost feel the atmosphere and smell and taste the food.
Cat deals with religious art, but is not religious herself.
"I fixed angels for a living and believed in none of them. It was the kind of joke that God would tell, if there was one, which there wasn't."
And then she steps off a curb against the light and is pulled back by Raq.
Raq is one of the fallen, and now he has fallen again but this time for Cat. Their relationship brings the eyes of the angels and whoever else is out there on the two of them. And Raq will do anything to protect Cat. Even when she doesn't want that protection.
How Cat comes to discover who Raq is, and to love him anyway is told beautifully and realistically. Cat's family welcomes him in and Raq learns what belonging feels like. We also meet Raq's 2 brothers with their own personalities.
This story really moved me as Raq and Cat learn to talk to and love each other.
September 7, 2026
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would. The whole fallen angel thing is a bit overdone, but the unique spin on this story gave it its own flair.
Caterina as an older, mature FMC was refreshing. I like women who can stand on their own. Plus I am Italian, so everything about her just resonated. Her spark, her sass, her stubbornness…..all accurate. Plus all of the food. It really is a thing.
The MMC Raq, as a fallen angel in modern times was very cool. His whole broody personality just fit his character so well. The poor guy was literal to a fault though. It reminded me of my child who takes everything to heart word for word. I felt for him at times having to deal with an angry Italian who argues like an Olympic sport. Their banter was the chef's kiss.
The only thing that kept me from rating it 5 stars was the miscommunication. The whole vanishing then reappearing and relocating thing was not well paced. I didn't think the reason behind the conflict fit the flow of the book, and it took away from what was otherwise an enjoyable story.
Overall it was well written with an immersive world, background, and characters that I loved. I am curious to read more from this author in the future.
I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would. The whole fallen angel thing is a bit overdone, but the unique spin on this story gave it its own flair.
Caterina as an older, mature FMC was refreshing. I like women who can stand on their own. Plus I am Italian, so everything about her just resonated. Her spark, her sass, her stubbornness…..all accurate. Plus all of the food. It really is a thing.
The MMC Raq, as a fallen angel in modern times was very cool. His whole broody personality just fit his character so well. The poor guy was literal to a fault though. It reminded me of my child who takes everything to heart word for word. I felt for him at times having to deal with an angry Italian who argues like an Olympic sport. Their banter was the chef's kiss.
The only thing that kept me from rating it 5 stars was the miscommunication. The whole vanishing then reappearing and relocating thing was not well paced. I didn't think the reason behind the conflict fit the flow of the book, and it took away from what was otherwise an enjoyable story.
Overall it was well written with an immersive world, background, and characters that I loved. I am curious to read more from this author in the future.
August 7, 2026
Graceless captivated me from the very first page with its beautiful, elegant prose and immersive storytelling. Diana D’Angelo has a writing style that feels effortless, lyrical without being overwhelming, and it made this such an easy book to sink into.
As a New Yorker, I especially loved the Brooklyn setting. It added an authenticity and atmosphere that made the story feel even more vivid, and I found myself smiling at the familiar details woven throughout the narrative.
The slow burn romance unfolds with patience, building a tension that feels earned, and when the relationship finally ignites, the intimate scenes are sensual, well written, and perfectly suited to the emotional connection between the characters. Combined with the gothic atmosphere, forbidden romance, and supernatural intrigue, it creates a story that is both haunting and addictive.
Despite its rich world and mythology, this was a surprisingly quick read because I never wanted to put it down. If you enjoy beautifully written paranormal romance with gothic vibes, forbidden love, and a possessive fallen angel, Graceless is one I would absolutely recommend.
As a New Yorker, I especially loved the Brooklyn setting. It added an authenticity and atmosphere that made the story feel even more vivid, and I found myself smiling at the familiar details woven throughout the narrative.
The slow burn romance unfolds with patience, building a tension that feels earned, and when the relationship finally ignites, the intimate scenes are sensual, well written, and perfectly suited to the emotional connection between the characters. Combined with the gothic atmosphere, forbidden romance, and supernatural intrigue, it creates a story that is both haunting and addictive.
Despite its rich world and mythology, this was a surprisingly quick read because I never wanted to put it down. If you enjoy beautifully written paranormal romance with gothic vibes, forbidden love, and a possessive fallen angel, Graceless is one I would absolutely recommend.
September 2, 2026
Graceless is the first book of the author’s Wings of Faith and Fire saga, a dark Fantasy Romance of forbidden love.
FMC Caterina Fontana wasn’t planning on stepping off a curb and in that instant seeing her death approaching in the form of a bus, and then finding herself pulled back, and ending up two blocks away from the incident.
And with the man who saved her leaving just as quickly as he saved her from death.
I so enjoyed this story which featured one of my favorite male characters, an angel.
MMC Raq has been Earthbound and wingless for a very long time, and his intervention will have consequences. Heaven is watching.
Wonderful writing with secrets, angels, intrigue, danger, immersive world building, tension, emotion, and passion has brought this vibrant and well crafted story to life, and I am so looking forward to reading more.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
FMC Caterina Fontana wasn’t planning on stepping off a curb and in that instant seeing her death approaching in the form of a bus, and then finding herself pulled back, and ending up two blocks away from the incident.
And with the man who saved her leaving just as quickly as he saved her from death.
I so enjoyed this story which featured one of my favorite male characters, an angel.
MMC Raq has been Earthbound and wingless for a very long time, and his intervention will have consequences. Heaven is watching.
Wonderful writing with secrets, angels, intrigue, danger, immersive world building, tension, emotion, and passion has brought this vibrant and well crafted story to life, and I am so looking forward to reading more.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 16, 2026
Wow, this book had me in a stranglehold and I loved every minute of it! This story had a perfect mix of frustration, strength, angst, pain, betrayal, and redemption.
Caterina is graced with a work project she never saw coming. She is an art restorer and gets commissioned to restore a piece which has never seen the inside of a museum. Along with the gigantic insurance policy to cover the piece, is a rider providing security while she works on said piece.
Except it is the man who saved her from certain death, walking in front of traffic absently. Except she blinks and they are three blocks away. And now he is her security and daily companion while she works. But something is very off about him and also this painting. And Cate is not prepared for what she starts discovering as she works.
The pacing to this story was very well done and I cannot wait for more from Diana!
Caterina is graced with a work project she never saw coming. She is an art restorer and gets commissioned to restore a piece which has never seen the inside of a museum. Along with the gigantic insurance policy to cover the piece, is a rider providing security while she works on said piece.
Except it is the man who saved her from certain death, walking in front of traffic absently. Except she blinks and they are three blocks away. And now he is her security and daily companion while she works. But something is very off about him and also this painting. And Cate is not prepared for what she starts discovering as she works.
The pacing to this story was very well done and I cannot wait for more from Diana!
August 20, 2026
Arc Review - 4,5⭐️
A beautiful love story, of how even a fallen angel can find a part of his lost grace through love.
Cate is an art restaurer, sarcastic and proud with her work, dedicated american/italian who treats life as it is: hard and dry yet beautiful and worth living. She is literally saved by Raq, a huge guy, misterious and silent, who answers all the question he is asked as if he is part of a documentary.
She finds in Raq a shoulder to relay on, a terribly annoying yet attractive attitude, and the love of her life.
It is a beautiful story of love and respect and found family where you least expect.
I have received this book as ARC from Booksirens and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
A beautiful love story, of how even a fallen angel can find a part of his lost grace through love.
Cate is an art restaurer, sarcastic and proud with her work, dedicated american/italian who treats life as it is: hard and dry yet beautiful and worth living. She is literally saved by Raq, a huge guy, misterious and silent, who answers all the question he is asked as if he is part of a documentary.
She finds in Raq a shoulder to relay on, a terribly annoying yet attractive attitude, and the love of her life.
It is a beautiful story of love and respect and found family where you least expect.
I have received this book as ARC from Booksirens and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 5, 2026
I would give this book a 3.75⭐️. I liked the story and the world building this first book gave. It gave intrigue and mystery. It was a slow build up and I really enjoyed the anticipation it created. For me, the characters were very analytical. It felt like instead of emotions I got assessments. I’m not sure how to describe it. I would have really loved to feel the connection more between Cate and Raq more. I do think Cate needs better survival instincts though, lol. It would have made the story more complete for me. I still want to read and explore more if this world and I am curious to know what happens and how it all turns out.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 5, 2026
What a unique take on paranormal. I enjoyed this very much. The characters are unique; if not totally likeable, they are real and raw. The storyline is unique with how it is woven in with the characters and their origins. The writing style is very unique in its language. It was a bit hard to follow at times but once I got used to it, the flat humor and sneaky wit was so good. I am not sure what that ending was, if that’s the end or if there will be more of this story in the next book, but either way, I’m interested. I received this ARC for free and am happily leaving this review with gratitude
August 24, 2026
Loved the strength and the honesty of the characters. Their dialogue was interesting and just a great story about Raq and Cate and how their relationship blooms. Raq is a fallen angel and Cate restores old paintings but when she has a fallen angel painting to clean up things get interesting. Raq can no longer hide Cate and what comes next is epic!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 5, 2026
Graceless by Diana D’Angelo caught me completely off guard. Cate’s sarcastic voice, Raq’s ancient fallen-angel intensity, and the mystery hidden beneath a centuries-old painting make this feel like more than a paranormal romance. The slow-burn between them is tense, emotional, and surprisingly tender, while the mythology keeps getting darker. And that opening? Brutal. Beautifully written, genuinely intriguing, and absolutely leaving me ready for book two.
September 7, 2026
This was a huge love for me. When Raq pulled Cate back on that curb, he set the wheels in motion. Him being a fallen angel, and her there restores old paintings. It was so cute seeing him stand guard on her stoop. The way he fell for her was sweet. I loved their banter and their moments. This was such a captivating and wonderfully written story. I was so deeply immersed the entire time. I truly didn’t want this one to end.
August 19, 2026
Obsessed, easy yet poetic writing, un-put-downable for sure. Must read for anyone who likes enemy to lovers, deep meaningful plot, good world building, spice, angsty.
Was a good time.
Definitely want to continue the series.
Honest ARC review.
Was a good time.
Definitely want to continue the series.
Honest ARC review.
August 23, 2026
Lovely prose, an intriguing plot. Every now and then it felt a bit dry, but overall it was an enjoyable read that I was loathe to put down.
August 27, 2026
The writing was honestly some the most beautiful writing I’ve read, and the plot was unique , but I felt lost at times and felt myself skimming at the slower pacing . I still don’t entirely know the point of the painting (which was like the main point of the story) maybe we’ll find out in the next installment of the series. I do plan on giving the next one a try .
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