Johnny Angel

By: Danielle Steel

Narrated by: Joseph Siravo

In her fifty-eighth bestselling novel, Danielle Steel tells the breathtaking story of a mother’s love and a son’s gift, of the tragedy that nearly destroyed a family...and the miracle that saved them.

Johnny Angel

With a word or a smile, seventeen-year-old Johnny Peterson could light up a room, fill his mother’s heart with pride, and inspire the best in those around him. A star athlete and class valedictorian, tall, lanky Johnny had a future filled with promise--until he stepped into a car on prom night, dazzling in his rented tux, and in an instant, it was all taken away.

In the months that follow, Johnny’s family and high school sweetheart, Becky, struggle to put together the pieces of their shattered lives. No one is more devastated than Johnny’s mother, Alice, whose oldest son owned her heart from the day he was born. But amid the heartache, something miraculous is about to happen to the Peterson family, something that will alter the course of each of their lives. When a sudden illness sends Alice to the hospital, a glorious vision comes to her in her dreams. There, standing before her, is Johnny himself, with that familiar twinkle in his eye, gently urging his bewildered mother to be strong for her splintered family. For Alice, seeing her marvelous lost boy is a miracle she can’t quite believe but is more than willing to embrace. In the weeks to come, Johnny will appear in the most unlikely places, visible only to the two people who need him most: his nine-year-old brother, locked in a silent world, whose special needs Johnny always seemed to understand…and his mother, who has always nurtured her family, but who now needs a guardian angel of her own.

Through a season of hope and healing, Johnny will walk by his mother’s side, leaving miracles in his wake, leading his parents, his girlfriend, his sister, and his brother out of their grief. But as Alice is about to discover, Johnny has returned not just to help those he loves, but to uncover a purpose even he cannot comprehend--one that will change them all forever.

An unforgettable story of loving and letting go, of mixed blessings and second chances, Johnny Angel is a celebration of life, hope, and forgiveness. It will make you laugh and cry…and hold your loved ones just a little bit closer.©2003 Danielle Steel; (P)2003 Random House, Inc. Random House Audio, a division of Randhom House Inc.

Critic reviews

“The world's most popular author tells a good, well-paced story and explores some important issues. . . . Steel affirm[s] life while admitting its turbulence, melodramas, and firing passions.”—Booklist

“Danielle Steel has again uplifted her readers while skillfully communicating some of life's bittersweet verities. Who could ask for a finer gift than that?”—Philadelphia Inquirer

Johnny Angel

This was a little different that the other Danielle Steel novels I have read. It didn't have the passion of her other novels. I did really liked it though. I thought it was a sweet book with a nice ending.

Sad but great

I loved this story. The narrative kept my attention & I couldn't stop listening to it.

a page turner

If you could sum up Johnny Angel in three words, what would they be?

pulls at heartstrings

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

the whole book moved me right from the start

Any additional comments?

i had a hard time stepping away, listened to the book in two sittings, which is a rarety for me

Her Best Book Ever!!

I read Johnny Angel when it was first released and I thought that it was an excellent book. Though it was not like her many other books, that is what made it great.

Most of her books deal with the issue of sex and sometimes abuse, whereas Johnny Angel deals with the aspect of a mother's love for her son even after his death.

When her son, Johnny, died in a car accident on his prom night, it destroyed the lives of all of the people that he loved. But what moved me the most was that Johnny came back as an angel to help his mother and brother move on with their lives. But he didn't stop there, he helped his girlfriend find someone to love her just as much as he did. And in effect, it touched the lives of everyone around them.

Johnny Angel was very moving and touching in my opinion and I admit, I cried through the entire book. Whenever I get the chance I recommend it for other people to read because I enjoyed it so much.

To Danelle Steele, if you ever write a story like this one again, I will definetly read it over and over again. You have my full support and I do hope that you write more books just like this one.

A Last Goodbye

a story about a family falling apart after the death of their oldest son. Now, granted an opportunity to visit his mother, he will change the disastrous course their headed for for something else.