Morgan Mandel

Angelina Fortunata is having to deal with a major romantic setback in her life and she is not handling it well. However, she may find that another option is closer than she thinks. This short novella is a follow-up sequel to "Her Handyman," the first book in Mandel's "Perfect Match" series. However, considering the quick length of the two books, it might be better to consider these two books as two halves of a single novel. Again, this second novella is a decent romantic fantasy that will satisfy "happily-ever-after" adherents with its predictable outcome. The depth of the character's insecure emotional thoughts is still light, but a touch stronger, and the storyline does seek to restore the wayward slight to a character that many readers may have felt in "Her Handyman." Per the book blurb, there is concern that reading "A Perfect Angel" before "Her Handyman" will be a major plot spoiler for the reader, but for many readers, the predictability of these stories dampen the plot spoiler argument, as the first book could be considered a way for the reader to see how Angelina found herself at her bottom in the beginning of this tale. Perhaps the best line in the book says it all, "If imperfection was the recipe for appreciation, she'd follow it perfectly."… (mehr)

Jake Witkowski, handyman extraordinaire and owner of Jake of All Trades, receives an emergency call in the middle of the night to repair an overflowing toilet in Zoe Carmichaels' penthouse apartment. Jake stops the flooding and attempts to educate Zoe about the emergency shutoff valve, when Zoe's dog causes Zoe to slip and knock Jake over, hitting his head against the toilet and knocking him out. Zoe calls 911, but has to tend to Jake awhile on her own, since the paramedics have to race up the stairs in the building as the elevator has just gone out. It is during this time that a connection forms between Jake and Zoe, but can Jake consider leaving his longtime girlfriend and new fiancée and can Zoe find the courage to open herself to the world? This short novella is a decent romantic fantasy which is very predictable in its outcome. However, beyond some insecurity hesitation rambling, there is no depth to the reasoning behind the characters' thoughts, and many readers may not agree with the emotional direction that occurs in the story's direction. Editing is fine with just the occasional missing "the", and readers should gloss over Zoe's "ninety-five" story brownstone, which would make it eight floors short of the Empire State Building even though it is only serviced by one elevator.… (mehr)

Dorrie Donato doesn't think things can get much worse after her husband is killed by a hit-and-run driver but then she loses her job. To her rescue comes her husband's former employer, Roman Remington, called the Angel Man, who offers Dorrie a job which she finds a bit bizarre. She is presented the opportunity to be the first human subject for a forever young pill which will change middle-aged Dorrie back to the age of her choice and offer her the chance to remain at that age forever without health issues. Overwhelmed by bills, 55-year-old Dorrie agrees and her body is documented as she becomes younger and younger until she reaches her desired age of 24. Dorrie becomes something of a celebrity and embarks on a cross-country tour to promote the pill, along with the Angel Man who continually pressures Dorrie about the location of her husband's iPhone. Dorrie, who has the iPhone safely hidden in her safety deposit box as a remembrance of him, eventually begins to think that her husband's mysterious death may be tied to the very pill that's made her young and beautiful again.

Mandel has built an intriguing cast of characters, both nefarious and virtuous, around a fascinating concept. Dorrie is a woman who is somewhat naive surrounded by men who offer her a caring facade but their interest in her is anything but. And when Dorrie finally realizes this and sets out on her own, it seems the whole country is after her with her life at stake if she is caught.

Book one of the Always Young Trilogy is written in a unique style, as something of a cross between a cozy mystery and suspenseful thriller. The ending will leave readers anxious for the next book in the series, hoping to find out if Dorrie escapes her predicament and whether or not she chooses to discontinue taking the pills that keep her young.… (mehr)