Angel

by Danielle Carriere

It is 1880, Nebraska.

All seventeen-year-old Angel wants is to go someplace where no one knows her name or—more importantly—what happened to her. However, Angel’s plans are disrupted when she becomes stranded in an unfamiliar town. With no means to leave and no place to stay, Angel finds aid in an unexpected place: Nathan, a childhood acquaintance with scars of his own.

All nineteen-year-old Nathan wants is to leave every memory of his father far, far behind. But when Nathan’s path leads him to Angel, he begins to realize that his father’s influence has reached further than he could ever have imagined.

As Nathan and Angel face the prejudices of the townspeople together, their tenuous friendship begins to grow into something more. However, when Nathan’s father returns, Angel and Nathan must decide whether they are willing fight for the life they’ve created for themselves, or whether they will once again leave everything they love—including each other—behind.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Romance, Historical, Historical Romance, Fiction

236 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2019

About the author

Danielle Carriere is an author, song writer, econ geek, and outdoor enthusiast. She lives in Montana with her husband and kids and loves to write books with all the feels. Sometimes she dreams in animation. Her debut novel is Small Great Joys.

Reviews

[Deacon Tom (Feeling Better) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just an ordinary romance that was not very interesting for me.

I selected the book because it was set in Nebraska where I live.

I do not recommend

[Wendy · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book takes place in Nebraska in the 1800's. It is the story of survival and understanding between a young girl,Angel and Nathan a young man. They first meet when they are 1o and 12. Both of there lives are not the best. Angel lives with her uncle above a saloon, and Nathan with his abusive father. They meet for just a few hours but this changes Nathan's life. Years go by and the meet again under very different circumstances. This is there story and all that has happened to to them. It was a ok read for me. I didn't hate it but I didn't love it either. It was like I said just ok.

[Anya Fankboner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book!!!! This book is so amazing. I did not expect such a deep feeling book. It is so well written and easy to read. Danielle effortlessly takes you through so many emotions and captivates you throughout the whole book. Make sure you have tissues ready because you will be sure to need them. I absolutely love this book and highly recommend reading it.

[Tobyann Aparisi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this book from Goodreads (Kindle version) for an honest review.

This is a surprising and wonderful read. A character driven story with lots of heart. The characters are well developed and the scenery beautifully scripted. This life story is rich with symbolism and teaching moments. A YA book that could make for a good book for study in an educational setting. I feel it brings up a lot of life teaching moments and just the situations the characters go through would make for great discussion points. This author knows how to grip their readers in such a way that they can not put the book down because we MUST find out what will come of these characters. A well thought out and beautifully pieced together book, I highly recommend this page turning book. This story will touch you and leave you wanting more.

[Loni · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great debut book, Danielle!

[Caroline Matthews · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a picky reader. I love to read, but the books I love have to grab me in the first chapter or I'm out. Angel got me from the first page. There's so much to feel and reflect on in this book that as I'm reading I feel for the characters, contemplate whether I could live that way and it made me consider how I treat or judge others. Angel and Nathan are both such strong characters, it was a joy to see the world through their eyes and get a glimpse of what society and the world was like in the 1880's. I enjoyed this book very much and would recommend this book to anyone. It has a lot of dark situations but is told in a manner that is respectful for young and adult readers alike.

[Aly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is wonderful! The story captures you from the beginning and leaves you wishing it didn’t have to end. It is full of emotion and makes you think about how we pass judgement on others based on incomplete information and socially driven stereotypes. I finished it in 2 nights, it’s just that good!

[Jennavier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Disclosure: I am Danielle's crit partner, so I got to see the story from the beginning. Normally I would say that makes me biased, but I knew from the first time read Angel that it was something special.

If there's only one thing I could tell people about Angel it's how it is a beautiful, delicious narrative that feels slow and intimate while at the same time being gripping. I was absolutely glued to the pages as Nathan and Angel opened up to each other. The second half is even better as the circle of survivors both becomes larger and comes together to make each person stronger. I was satisfied by the ending but still feel sad that the story is over and I don't get to read more.

Angel features two characters that are survivors of really challenging circumstances. I don't want to put out any spoilers, so I'm not going to dig into it, but Danielle handles it very respectfully. The fragility of the characters melted my heart. Every character felt real, which led to a really chilling bad guy! I wasn't able to write him off like I am most antagonists. Instead I knew at a gut level that he was choosing to be who he was.

I loved the setting of Angel. It was historical, but didn't feel like one of the old cowboy westerns I read growing up. It felt relevant and fresh. Danielle brings her experience growing up on a ranch to the character's life on the farm and it shows.

Overall I think Angel is amazing and am so in love with it. Angel and Nathan forever!

[Eliza Gravedoni · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sad and emocional story

There are many types of books, and this one talked about very hard topics, and it was filled with very traumatic experiences.
It was a book that made you think and reflec, and even if it talks about rape, abuse and murder it was explicit.
What made me give it only 3 stars, is that most of the action is told, and not shown. There are three points of view, James, the antagonist, and this pov is in first person, and you have a paragraph from his perspective at the beginning of every chapter. But it was very confusing because I thought it was Nathan's thoughts, and then I started kinda skipping them because it took me out of the story. Just later when we discover more about who James is, it started making sense. I wish we knew at the beginning that it was James the one talking.
The other two pov are of Nathan and Angel. I think they were well built, but I wish there would have been more tension and chemestry between them. To have a bit of a break in between all the sadness. There are some things mentioned of how they start falling in love, but I didn't feel it.
The book ends pretty abruptly, and if it wasn't for the chapter of the next book included and the letter you read from Angel, ther wouldn't have been any type of epilogue.
I liked the secondary characters, and how the story made sense at the end, the setting was pretty believable, but I wish there could have been some light hearted scenes and not just sad ones.

[KConnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

ANGEL, written by Danielle Carriere, is a book of hope, courage and strength in the face of great sadness, uncertainty and adversity.
Angel and Nathan start out facing their individual challenges alone and soon develop a tenuous friendship that enables them to support each other through a minefield of issues.
The choice of running away is alluring, but both Nathan and Angel soon realize that running would only become a ingrained part of their lives. As a reader, my hopes rose along with Nathan and Angel when they decide to step up and face their fears, the threats, as well as some judgmental members of their community.
Carriere does a good job of developing the characters and a story that deals with cultural issues in our society. In addition, the hope that this story shares helps make ANGEL an uplifting and encouraging book.

[Sam Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story has quiet strength woven into every one of its lines. It opens with both Angel and Nathan trying to rebuild the pieces of their shattered lives. One united as children through a simple kindness, life pulled them apart from each other--and that rift deepens when they are reunited, as a wounded Nathan lashes out at Angel in misunderstanding. It's fascinating to watch them come to terms with each other, and the new direction of their lives. I love watching as Nathan learns to soften the hard edges he's formed to protect himself, while Angel builds her voice and speaks up for herself to a cold-hearted community--not an easy thing to do for a young woman in 1880s rural society.

This book is a wonderful read for fans of character-driven historical fiction.

[Justine Barr · Rating 4 out of 5]

A boy with a haunting past. A girl who is victim of a brutal crime. Both connected by one day in their childhood.

This story takes place, predominately, on a small farm in a small town full of small minded people. Main characters are forced to live as outsiders because of dark past events that continue to stalk towards them until the book’s climax. These protagonists are well developed, heartbreaking, and easy to love. The events they endure are in turns breathtakingly sad and beautiful. I never expected to feel so much during such a simple plot.

[Claire Rackett · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this historical romance which was really much more than that. It was heart warming to read such an emotional story which could have been true to life. The characters were strong and kept being introduced throughout the book. It was sad, romantic, protective, showed different family values, had a strong sense of right and wrong while also showing how people can interpret situations wrongly without any justification. I wanted to read something different and this made a for me a good story with twists that just kept me gripped and wanting to read the next chapter. Thank you.

[Linsey Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I could hardly put it down. It was well written and engaging. I thought it tactfully yet purposefully tackled some hard topics in a way that was impactful. I loved the character development I saw and how things tied together in the end. I felt like as a reader, there was just the right amount of intrigue/mystery as well as information to keep me engaged the entire time. Overall, I was just really impressed and enjoyed it immensely.

[Rita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Historical Romance at its best.

Seven years ago Nathan met an Angel. She sit with him on the Saloon steps, she noticed he had injured his back and she applied soothing ointment to help him feel better. Now seven years later, Nathan can't believe the young woman he has offered a ride is his Angel. This first novel by Danielle Carriere is well written, I read the entire book in one sitting. Great characters and story. I will definitely be reading her books again.

[Karen Raper · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book in the giveaways section and this is my honest opinion.

Wow! I was hooked from the start and didn’t want to put the book down. This was a really great love story that arose from brokenness between the two characters of Angel and Nathan.

I won’t give away any spoilers, but encourage people to read this book. I loved it. 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Megan K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Captivating story and characters

I stayed up late to finish this book in one day, couldn’t put it down! The characters and story suck you in. There were a few different endings I was predicting while reading but didn’t quite see this ending and I am so happy with how it turned out.

[Elisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! Loved the twists and turns, trying to figure out the pieces to the puzzle. It was a quick, entertaining read and kept my attention throughout. Loved that is was clean and had good messages throughout.

[Kelly Knapp · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful Characters

Nathan has only one good and special memory in a childhood fraught with violence. It is of a child, Angel, who shows him kindness. Now it's his turn to show kindness.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy, Quick Read

This was an easy, quick read for me. The characters were believable and the plot moved at a steady pace. The outcome was somewhat predictable, but not in a bad way.

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice solid debut novel. A little predictable in spots, but over all quite enjoyable. Loved the fast paced, no nonsense approach to each chapter. And, having story set in the 1800s was such a welcomed change of scenery too.

[Micayla Dempsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was probably one of my favorite historical fiction books I have ever read. It focuses on two characters with two heavy pasts. I like how they both used their pasts to build each other up in a way.

[Judith Fey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unexpected revelation

I usually don't read western stories but your title was very intriguing. I enjoyed reading the realistic story about the twists and turns in Angel's life. The ending was an excellent way to end the story.

[Jerry M Morello · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn't put it down

I loved the story line, and the way it was written. I have read books with a good story but written like a 5 th grader wrote it. It was a book that kept me uninterested that I didn't want t to put it down. 😃

[djaccarino58gmail,com · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick feel good read.

I enjoyed it mostly. Most of the story seemed to belong to seven years before. I found it hard to believe that they cared so much ,but never tried to keep in touch,not like they lived 500 miles away.

[Barnes and Semi Noble · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this in a raffle. I can’t wait to read this book. The reviews so far have been stellar! I will update this review when I finish.

[Corian Pommerville · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great quick read. It is written well and gets your attention right away. My 13 year old loved it too. I highly recommend this book.

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book got me interested from the beginning. I wanted to keep picking it back up to finish it. It was a quick, easy read for me and I really enjoyed it!

[laura lee fox]

Loved these characters and couldn't out this book down.

[Aggie M · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting

Ahhh. I finished this book in one day and I enjoyed it very much. Definitely would recommend it to others.