Angels in Pink: Raina's Story

Angels in Pink #2

by Lurlene McDaniel

Raina is happy and relieved that her friends Kathleen and Holly found volunteering at the hospital rewarding. They loved their summers at the hospital so much they will be working for credit during their junior year.

Raina is also looking forward to spending as much time as possible with Hunter during their last year of high school together. Kathleen is still dating Carson, but they are at different schools and she’s worried it won’t last. And poor Holly’s still waiting for her parents to let up on their rules so she can actually go out on a date.

Everything is going well until Raina’s old boyfriend Tony shows up and threatens to ruin the thing that matters to Raina the most—her relationship with Hunter. But she isn’t the only one with a secret. When Raina’s mother reveals her family secret, Raina feels betrayed. Luckily she has Holly and Kathleen to lean on.

Genres: Young Adult, Romance, Fiction, Contemporary, Realistic Fiction, Christian, Childrens

190 pages, Library Binding

First published May 10, 2005

About the author

Lurlene McDaniel (born c. 1948) is an author who has written over 50 young adult books. She is well known for writing about characters struggling with chronic and terminal illnesses, such as cancer, diabetes, and organ failure.


Other places to find her are...
https://www.facebook.com/lurlenemcdan...
http://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/aut...
http://www.youtube.com/user/LurleneMc

Reviews

[Rabbit {Paint me like one of your 19th century gothic heroines!} · Rating 2 out of 5]

Currently Reading (1/15/17): I'm finally reading my first Lurlene McDaniel book. Wish me luck, and let the lolz begin.

*Girds loins*





I'm probably going to make some new shelves for this book. Allons-y!

Review(1/16/17):

Where to begin? I was face-palming when I wasn't loling.

I remember hearing about her books on a dead blog snarking her books, and I knew I had to read them.

One of the most hilarious things for me is that the author can't write realistic teenage dialogue or characters. She also used morality so heavy-handed that I was loling. Abortion and sex is wrong, especially if you are female.

Some of the characters got really extra. The super religious dad who equated wearing nail polish to being a whore(!)

His son dating the MC Raina, when he found out she had consensual sex with her ex bf, would rather her be raped by her ex. He later apologized for implying that, but I was already yelling for her to dump his ass. EW.

His sister couldn't date, even though she is only a year younger than him. I guess because of purity~~ reasons. Double standards much.

The miscommunication trope was over-used and that got really annoying.

I was surprised that cancer didn't have a bigger role in the book, but she still worked it in at the end.

I definitely plan on snarking more of her stuff in the future. :D

[Mary Bronson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this was a great second book book to the Angel's in Pink Trilogy. We are not learning more about Raina and what she is going through in her life. She is madly in love with her boyfriend Hunter, but things become a bit rocky between them. We also find out about two bomb shells about Raina's life. I also do like how we are getting all three girls prospective throughout the book. Little bit here and there,but the main focus is Raina.

[Kayla W. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was really good! Spoilers!


I liked Carson's parents, because they were so welcoming towards Kathleen. I didn't like the character Tony, because he caused conflict between Raina and Hunter. At the end they make up, so that was good. I didn't like that the doctors couldn't save the baby Annie. I didn't like that Kathleen and Carson broke up, and I hope that they will get back together in the next book. I liked that Raina got to meet her sister Emma, but I didn't like that it took so long for her mom to tell her about her past. I hope that Raina is able to not be so mad at her mom, because she only wanted the best for her. I hope the surgery goes well for Emma and Raina. I hope that Holly is able to meet Shy Guy, because I want to know who he is. I think Carl and Helen are good parents towards Emma. It is a little awkward because of Vicki though. I recommend reading this book!

[Lara · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The two women [Evelyn & Vicki] held a silent conversation with their eyes, as only women can."

"These three are inseparable [Kathleen, Raina, Holly]."

[LilyU · Rating 3 out of 5]

I chose to read RAINA'S STORY by Lurlene McDaniel. This book mostly took place at a hospital which is where the girls work. The main characters of this book are Raina and her best friends Kathleen and Holly. Other main characters are Carson, Hunter, and Tony.
The three girls started volunteering at a hospital and they love it. Raina and Kathleen both have boyfriends, but Holly is still waiting. Raina's relationship was going great until her ex boyfriend came into the picture. On top of that, Raina's mother tells her a family secret that she wasn't prepared for.
I think that this was actually a very good book filled with relationships and drama which is what I like to read about. My favorite part was when Raina found out the family secret. I would recommend this book to people who enjoy reading teen drama.

[Mya Taylor · Rating 2 out of 5]

Alright so I have this book a 2/5 and giving it 2 stars was me being very generous. The amount of slut shaming, purity culture bullshit, and the brush over of cheating infuriated me. This book did not age well and I remember why I hated this book the most out of the series. Hunter did not deserve Raina. He looked at her differently all because she had sex like boo hoo it happens get over it. And everyone guilt tripped Kathleen into getting back with Carson when he allowed his girlfriend best friend to kiss him and treat Kathleen poorly. Like what?! How is she to blame for ending the relationship. I can not with this book. Will never read it again.

[Jenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

It started out with only talking about all of the girls and at the end we really got to know more of Raina’s story. Her Mom got pregnant at 16 and gave the baby away, years later hooked up with same man & had Raina… now Raina has become a bone marrow donor. The truth had come out, she now has adult sister and is mad at her Mom. I understand being frustrated but considering the circumstances and how blessed she should be Thankful. Her Mom could find love and fine a perfect person for Raina to have a Dad. I predicted it after she gone into a story about her Mom getting pregnant young.

[Liz Towery · Rating 3 out of 5]

Shame based views on things make me sad with the world. Why did we think this worked? That a girl could loose her virginity and be called “used” and “trash” is so heartbreaking. This is all covered in the first part of this book. Fortunately the second half picks up with a wonderful selfless story line.

I definitely can’t remember ever reading this book before. So I wonder if I only read the third one way back when? Not sure. But I know for sure I read the third book.

[Megan Salentine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a good second book in the story!! I was totally thrown off at the plot twist of Raina having another sister and that the sister was the match of her bone marrow! The relationship between Raina and hunter is rocky at first but the ending of seeing him at the hospital totally warmed my heart!! Loved this book!!

[Donna Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

I struggled over whether or not to read this book. I did not like the covers!! This is a series of three books. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading the first two books, Kathleen's and Raina's stories. In this case, the old adage is certainly true... Never Judge A Book by It's Cover!

[Paulina Hernandez · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved this trilogy when I was 12 (11 years ago) so I decided to read it again I really did enjoy it this time around just not as much as when I was younger. I still highly recommend this trilogy to anyone age 12-16

[Stacie · Rating 4 out of 5]

❤❤❤

[Katy Lovejoy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I dont think having the first in the series would help this much

[Jade · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was just such an easy book to read through loved the story line I'm going to read the others soon

[Bobby L · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love it they all open up more in each book. It gets sadder as it goes.

[Meghan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating for my teen self from back in the day.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Angels in Pink: Raina's Story" is one of three books in the Angels in Pink Series, but before reading this book, i did not know that it was a series. After seeing this book in the store and reading the blurb, it looked pretty good, so i decided to go ahead and read it. The story revolves around three best friends: Kathleen, Holly and Raina who all attend the same school and also are part of the Pink Angels volunteer program at their local hospital. The book details each girl's specific problems, ordeals and life events as they experience their junior year of high school. I enjoyed this book a lot, even though I realized that it is not the first book of the series. The three main characters in the book really develop throughout the story and being the reader, I could observe each of their changes in relationships with others and how their overall lives developed. The character that I enjoyed the most in the book was Raina, probably because the main focus of the book was her story ("Raina's Story"). At one point in the book, Raina's story hits a climax where she discovers she has a sister that her mother gave away and now needs a bone marrow transplant and Raina is the only one who can give it to her. This part showed how strong, brave and caring the character of Raina was and it was where Raina hit her point of maturity and began to grow towards adulthood. Also, this section showed a repeating theme in the book, Making decisions and choices, because each of the three girls had to make tough decisions throughout that year. Altogether, "Angels in Pink: Raina's Story" was a very good read and sometime in the future I hope to read the other two books in the "Angels in Pink" series.

[Arielle · Rating 2 out of 5]

With this, Lurlene McDaniel earns the dubious honor of being my most-read author on Goodreads. (Let's be honest -- she's long been my most-read author in life. Siiigh.)
This book is the second in a series, but I'd argue you lose absolutely nothing by having not read the first (I say, having not read the first).
This one has sentences like "The two women held a silent conversation with their eyes, as only women can" and phrases like "monumental ennui." The latter describes not the girl whose mother is dealing with MS, or the girl who's going to be a bone marrow donor and (spoiler alert) discovers she has a secret sister, but the one who's single and sad that her brother is going to college and she has to deal with her parents on her own.
Monumental. Ennui.
Also, it's generally terrible. So there's that. And I don't even know the words to describe my issues with the treatment of women, sex, relationships, etc. But there are so many problems. So, so many.
I'll still keep coming back, though. And no, I can't explain.
But I will offer you this, from her bio in the back:
"Her many novels, which have received acclaim from readers, teachers, parents, and reviewers, are hard-hitting and realistic but also leave readers with inspiration and hope."
So she says.

[Hilary Watkins · Rating 1 out of 5]

Required Author - Lurlene McDaniel

This book made me laugh out loud. Literally. I'm sad to say, though, that it was scornful laughter. McDaniel's plot goes from weak to completely and outrageously improbably. Young Raina unfolds the great mystery of her family, learning that she's the perfect bone marrow donor for a total stranger, who she later learns is her half-sister, then discovers this random person is actually her full-blooded sister and that her mother had a tumultuous relationship with their biological father.

Perhaps more ridiculous are the awkward teen arousal moments when Raina stresses out over her relationship with her super-Christian boyfriend. While I admire McDaniel for having the courage to write Christian characters who believe in chastity, but the dialog is just... literarily gross.

I would recommend this book to middle school girls who are anxious to read about high school drama and high-charged almost-sexual encounters of good Christian kids.

[Steve Mount · Rating 5 out of 5]

Homework Book #2. This is book two in a three book series, so I jumped into the story in the middle, though I feel the author did a good job of filling in a reader like me with the pertinent details as quickly and painlessly as possible. The way the main characters interacted with each other gave me some good ideas for how some of my own characters should interact. Though my eighth grade characters are younger than these high school juniors, I think the concepts track nicely. I should have anticipated that I would not get full resolution on the story from the first few chapters, where what I presume was the main storyline from book one was fully resolved. The wedding scene in the final chapters honestly tugged at my heartstrings as a parent, and I like it when a book does that to me. All in all, a good read.

[Chelseaj · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this angle's in pink for the second book in the series, it is telling Raina's story. Raina, Kathleen, and Holly are all best friends and they enjoy spending time with each other. They have been best friends since they were little. This is there junior year and Raina's boyfriend, Hunter, is a senior this year. Hunter is Holly's brother and that makes them even closer. This school year, all three girls have signed up for the volunteer project again and everything is going fine. Raina finds out that she will be working with little babies. Raina thinks things are fine until her ex-boyfriend, Tony, comes back. He is now trying to find it in his best ability to tear up Raina's and Hunter's relationship. He even tried to jump Hunter. When Tony reveals the one secret about him and Raina, it completely ruin's Raina's and Hunter's relationship.

[Holly · Rating 2 out of 5]

Oh, the cheesiness of this book. Honestly just reading the back of this book clued me in to the fact that it would be artificially sad and sweet and cheesy. Ok, I hope that doesn't sound too harsh. I'm sure there are people who like these kinds of books and that's great. I'm just not one of them.
One example of what I'm talking about is when they address each other as "girlfriend." And it's not even when they are being silly or happy.
In the midst of all the juvenile speech and problems, I was surprised to find a pretty heavy make out scene and discussion of marriage and sex. So there are some adult problems in the book.
But really the problem is that all of it is so unbelievable. The plot, the characters, everything. I found myself rolling my eyes a lot. I can't think of anyone I would recommend this to, unless they are in to this type of book.

[Melissa Cunning · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book of the Angels In Pink series that I've read. I've grown up on Lurlene McDaniel's books but when it comes to this one, I really sensed somethings different. Each book I've ever read before always seemed to have one core topic. Not this one. It covered so many issues all tied up into one intriguing story. Pink Angels (which are hospital student volunteers) and how important they are, the importance of honesty and forgiveness, the importance of the bone marrow registry, the importance of helping others regardless of whether your related or not, and the need to have faith and use it to pull you through.
I've never seen such a complex story written for Young Adults. If you ask me, this story's great sense of maturity far surpasses that.
I didn't think anything could top the Dawn Rochelle series, but this one is right up there with it!

[Kaitlyn Crawford · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is kinda weird but interesting. It was also funny. I think that my favorite part is when the volenter to work at the hospital and Raina gets to work the babys. This is not unusualy for here she used to work with the kids who had cancer but that is now emilys job. She enjoys working with the babys at first she was full of joy because she thinks it will be fun and of course it will who doesent love spending time with little kids there adorable But she doesent relize how much work it will because she has to feed them give them ther pacifires and also bring them to and from there mom and makeing sure they have the right room cuse the parents will be mad if the get to the wrong mom and dad.

[alyssa · Rating 4 out of 5]

RAINA'S STORY still goes inside the lives of the three friends from the first book (Kathleen, Raina, and Holly), but the main focus is on Raina St. James. RAINA'S STORY explores the relationship between Raina and her mother, her boyfriend Hunter, and Raina's lack of faith.
Everything is going good in Raina's life, until an old boyfriend shows up at her school and threatens to turn everything around. While she's worried about what might happen with him, she throws herself into her volunteer work at the local hospital, where she faces even more challenges, and gets the opportunity to save a woman's life.

[$hanel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Raina St.James has always thought that she has had a regular life. Two best friend`s, Kathleen and Holly, a cute boyfriend, Hunter who is Holly`s older brother and a normal Mom who works at a hospital. That is about to change her thinking. When Raina and her friends begin working at the hospital as "Pink Angels" who help save lives Raina is told that she can save a 26 year old girl`s life by giving her her bone marrow. Raina thinks that it`s crazy that she is doing this for someone she dosent even know-let alone lives in a different state but knows its for a good cause. Just when she thinks she dosent know this girl that changes. Find out in Angels in Pink Raina`s Story.

[JeniReadABook · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love Lurlene McDaniels. I discovered her writing in the 4th grade when my teacher read us Six Months to Live. From that point on, I was hooked. She has such a way if telling a story that pulls you in. Her characters deal with life and death situations and manage to give you the tiniest glimmer of how that really feels. The Angels in Pink series doesn't disappoint. The 3 best friends deal with love, loss, pain, and triumph-learning how to navigate life with all it's ups and downs. Giving me hope that I can also handle whatever life throws at me because they managed to cope with their trials.

[Shay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Angels in Pink: Raina's Story is another great book to an amazing trilogy by Lurlene McDaniel. When dark secrets of the past become unraveled and love is threatened, three best friends Raina, Kathleen, and Holly can only turn towards each other to get through difficult times.

It amazes me the loyalty and dedication that these three girls have towards their friendship through any tragic and dark times in their lives.

The lessons of love, forgiveness, loyalty, hope, and understanding that come from this novel are extraordinary.

Once again, Lurlene McDaniel has written a beautiful and inspiring novel.

[Roxana · Rating 2 out of 5]

Angels in Pink: Raina's Story wasn't really interesting. I would consider it a boring book. In this book...Raina finds out that she has a sister her mother never told her about. Her sister was adopted by a family in another state and her name is Emma. Emma is in an urgent need of a bone marrow transplant, and luckily Raina matches them perfectly. Raina does the transplant and her sister ends up getting married in the hospital. I think this book is boring because I think the author put events that really wouldn't matter to the reader.

[Areeba · Rating 4 out of 5]

A perfect little world at peace for Raina. During the last year at High school with Hunter, raina doesn't want to miss a chance being without him but when her ex-boyfriend turns up and threatens her to ruin her relationship that matters her the most, her world doesn't seem much perfect. Later her mother also reveals her a family secret, feeling betrayed, she's lucky to have Kathleen and Raina by her side.

Second in the trilogy, Raina's story carries out the message for life isn't simple but tangled with every part of you.