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minimochi's review
4.0
Almost an Angel was a surprising read and I can honestly say that I did not expect to like this book as much as I do now. The plot is intriguing- a woman is re-incarnated [is it re-incarnation when she doesn't do the whole dying-being born as a different person but instead stays in the same body?] and tries to help people so that she can ascend into Heaven as an angel.
The male lead of the story- James Oscar Henry- does not believe Carolly's story at all and frankly, I was right there with him most of the time. Everything just seemed so far-fetched that I was inclined to believe that she was schizophrenic, and I would have if Carolly hadn't mentioned cars. That's right, a woman that lives in the 19th century now, knows about cars so of course I had my doubts. Kudos to Ms.Jade Lee for all those red herrings.
This is the first book I've read that has even remotely touched upon mental illnesses and it helped me remember why I haven't gone near such books (Hint: I cried my eyes out). Loving someone with a mental illness, romantically or otherwise, is hard. It makes you painfully aware that you have so much to be grateful for and also that you are utterly helpless and sometimes the best thing you can do is love them.
The ending was okay. It was happy (thank you Jade Lee) and a bit confusing, or maybe it was a plot hole? I don't even know, but I think the ending was not as good as I expected it to be because I might have wanted her stories to not be true (this is due to your influence Shida & Diana, THANKS A LOT). All in all, the book was pretty darn good and I'd recommend it to any romance buffs .
Before anyone attacks me about what I said regarding mental illnesses and the way they make loved ones feel, I am not speaking from real life experience. That is just what I picked up from the book and they are my views on what it's like to love someone with such disorders. I also apologize if the term 'mental illness' offends you but I don't know what else to call it when I'm talking about a broad definition.
The male lead of the story- James Oscar Henry- does not believe Carolly's story at all and frankly, I was right there with him most of the time. Everything just seemed so far-fetched that I was inclined to believe that she was schizophrenic, and I would have if Carolly hadn't mentioned cars. That's right, a woman that lives in the 19th century now, knows about cars so of course I had my doubts. Kudos to Ms.Jade Lee for all those red herrings.
This is the first book I've read that has even remotely touched upon mental illnesses and it helped me remember why I haven't gone near such books (Hint: I cried my eyes out). Loving someone with a mental illness, romantically or otherwise, is hard. It makes you painfully aware that you have so much to be grateful for and also that you are utterly helpless and sometimes the best thing you can do is love them.
The ending was okay. It was happy (thank you Jade Lee) and a bit confusing, or maybe it was a plot hole? I don't even know, but I think the ending was not as good as I expected it to be because I might have wanted her stories to not be true (this is due to your influence Shida & Diana, THANKS A LOT). All in all, the book was pretty darn good and I'd recommend it to any romance buffs .
Before anyone attacks me about what I said regarding mental illnesses and the way they make loved ones feel, I am not speaking from real life experience. That is just what I picked up from the book and they are my views on what it's like to love someone with such disorders. I also apologize if the term 'mental illness' offends you but I don't know what else to call it when I'm talking about a broad definition.
destiel74's review
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This is a pretty strange romance novel. But overall it is pretty sweet and fluffy.
takethyme's review
3.0
ALMOST AN ANGEL is a hodge podge of genres and because if this, some may find the story confusing. Carolly Hanson is from the year 2000. When she passed away she had wasted her young life. Believing in second chances, she has died several times and has been reincarnated so she can bring someone true love. In her past lives she could never finish her mission so she dies a violent death and then returns to a new time. Her goal, she thinks, is to redeem herself so she can become an angel. This will complete her days on earth.
It is now 1815 and James Northram, the Earl of Traynem, finds a woman in a field on his lands. She is unconscious, wearing peculiar clothes and looks as though she was beaten. He brings her to his home where she recuperates....and drives him nuts. Her tall tales and peculiar manners both attract and distance him. James doesn't know what to believe but he knows she needs help and he decides he's the man to do this.
James is a former soldier, a confirmed bachelor and guardian to his niece. Because he has no children of his own his cousin Garrett stands to inherit everything on his death. In his 30's he still has a long life and tries to use his monies to help those working his lands. But they are not happy and this causes problems for the Earl.
Carolly thinks she needs to find him a wife, someone he can love. She also tries to make his relationship with his niece better. This is where the story lost one star because she keeps doing stupid things. There are humorous moments that make up for some of her brainlessness but I thought she should have been smarter.
I lowered the rating another star because there was some slow reading. The book pulled me in at the beginning but by the middle I was wondering what happened. Ms. Greyle introduced a new character about 2/3's of the way in to justify some of the nonsense. Instead it just made me think she was introducing this woman's name to patch up some of the confusion. It is about 30 pages too long and I think Ms. Greyle's editor could have done a better job. On the whole, I liked it because it was a different type of romance but I can't recommend it because of the above problems.
If you are looking for a different type of romance and want a five star read try KISS ME, I'M IRISH by Bella Street or BASKET OF WISHES by Rebecca Paisley.
It is now 1815 and James Northram, the Earl of Traynem, finds a woman in a field on his lands. She is unconscious, wearing peculiar clothes and looks as though she was beaten. He brings her to his home where she recuperates....and drives him nuts. Her tall tales and peculiar manners both attract and distance him. James doesn't know what to believe but he knows she needs help and he decides he's the man to do this.
James is a former soldier, a confirmed bachelor and guardian to his niece. Because he has no children of his own his cousin Garrett stands to inherit everything on his death. In his 30's he still has a long life and tries to use his monies to help those working his lands. But they are not happy and this causes problems for the Earl.
Carolly thinks she needs to find him a wife, someone he can love. She also tries to make his relationship with his niece better. This is where the story lost one star because she keeps doing stupid things. There are humorous moments that make up for some of her brainlessness but I thought she should have been smarter.
I lowered the rating another star because there was some slow reading. The book pulled me in at the beginning but by the middle I was wondering what happened. Ms. Greyle introduced a new character about 2/3's of the way in to justify some of the nonsense. Instead it just made me think she was introducing this woman's name to patch up some of the confusion. It is about 30 pages too long and I think Ms. Greyle's editor could have done a better job. On the whole, I liked it because it was a different type of romance but I can't recommend it because of the above problems.
If you are looking for a different type of romance and want a five star read try KISS ME, I'M IRISH by Bella Street or BASKET OF WISHES by Rebecca Paisley.
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