Book Review – Answered Prayers by Danielle Steel

Answered Prayer was my very first book from Danielle Steel, not actually a good book for me to start but I still think it’s a decent read. An emotional story of wasted years, sacrifices, and a faith that GOD answers prayers when you wait long enough.

Answered Prayers by Daniel Steel
First Published by Corgi Books on January 1, 2002
Genre: New Adult, Romance, Contemporary
416 pages
Format: eBook
Source: Purchased
Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars
Buy: Book Depository, Amazon
Find on Goodreads

Faith Madison is the very picture of a sophisticated New Yorker. Slim, blonde, stylish, married to a successful merchant banker and having raised two daughters, Faith has a life many would envy. But Faith has overcome a childhood marred by tragedy, and has carried within herself a secret she could divulge to no-one.

The sudden death of her stepfather sets off a journey of change and revelation. At the funeral, painful memories flood back – and an old friend re-enters Faith’s life. Brad, a long lanky boy from her childhood days who had teased, tormented and protected her. Now a busy lawyer in California, Brad re-enters Faith’s life just as she makes a decision that plunges her marriage into crisis. As these two childhood friends rediscover each other, Faith is finally ready to face the most painful step of all: of sharing a secret that has long been haunting her, and opening up her heart for the first time in her life.

Review

I really don’t have any idea that I have some of Danielle Steel’s books in my TBR until I met one of our company intern who adores her. It’s been so long that I didn’t knew I had them in my list haha. You see, when I’m in my hoarding mood, I tend to forget the total number of books I’ve haphazardly added to my list haha.

I’m always planning to try at least one of her books but I never got the chance until last night. I’m not sure what genre she’s in so I don’t know what to expect. All I know is that she’s good, base from our bias intern ofcourse haha. So yep, I was expecting something when I decided to try Answered Prayers.

When I read the first few pages, I don’t know what to think. It’s definitely not YA as the main lead is already married. I don’t usually get thrilled with NA unless it’s romance but I kind of like the writing style of the author so I decided to really go for it.

The story started talking about Faith (main lead) and her dull marriage. Now that both of her daughters were away living their separate lives, she is left with nothing else to do. She never got the chance to finish school and she’s thinking that she want to try her luck and go back to school. But with a demanding prick of a husband, it’s going to be a winding road ahead for her. Then on the day of her stepfather’s burial, a friend from childhood came back to her life and everything’s changed, and this time it’s for the best.

I hate dropping spoilers but when I am in a state I am currently in, it’s hard to control my mouth, or should I say my fingers. So I apologize in advance *wink.

The first few chapters we’re quite intriguing, a little dull than my usual read but it was undeniably intriguing. Why’s that? I’m a big dialog reader but almost the whole book has few dialogues in it, but I surprised myself by being able to get halfway through the book by only skipping some few lines. If it’s not about explaining the environment, it’s about Faith telling us how nasty her husband is to her. You see, Faith married a prick. So I guess you already have an idea why I keep reading this book eh?

I do enjoy reading books about family, especially if it’s more on the drama side (didn’t I tell you I’m a drama queen? haha) but never something like this book. It’s just too maddening thinking about it, so I’ll leave it to you to find out. *wink.

I was able to get through the first half of this story by only skipping some few lines, but it didn’t last long as I skipped a lot on the second half. It was really really really dull and I had a hard time focusing on both the main lead’s problems (which they never failed citing how miserable their married life is) because I want to get into the juicy part so fast. You see, Alex (Faith’s prick of a husband) makes me so mad that I wanna flay him alive. I can’t tolerate all his bullsh*t anymore that I want to finish this story fast!

Luckily, a few pages until I hit the ending, the story became bearable as Faith finally able to reclaim her daughters especially her eldest (but I still want to give Eloise the slap she deserves!). Alex got his karma but I’m suspecting that it’s only half of it and the remaining half will come soon (insert evil laugh here).

Faith’s second chance is quite predictable but I’m still happy reading the last few pages of this story. Of all the things she experienced I’m happy that she’s now with someone who will really love and treasure her. It’s quite of cliché really, but who cares? At least it’s a happy ending haha.

I don’t want to talk about the main leads as I don’t have anything to talk about. They’re both ok I guess?

I may not have understood this story that much (in terms of feelings and all) since I’m not yet married but this book did gave me a heck of things to think about. Especially on both Faith and Brad’s situation and their lamentations about their married life. Plus, I liked that this story didn’t just talk about both the main lead’s married life (which isn’t really a nice topic to talk about as it’s sad and unrewarding) but also a serious issues a few children around the world are suffering or have suffered.

I don’t think Answered Prayers’ a horrible story, I guess it’s just not for me. When I get married (if ever I will), I’ll sure to reread this one and see if my opinion would still be the same. So for now I’m leaving this book a 2.5 star rating.

Challenges

Preview & About The Author

Book Review – Answered Prayers by Danielle Steel

Danielle Steel has sold 650 million copies of her books internationally, and every one of her books is a bestseller. She is published in 69 countries and 43 languages.

Steel’s latest novel is The Right Time. Other recent bestsellers include The Duchess, Against All Odds, Dangerous Games, The Mistress, The Award, Rushing Waters, Magic, The Apartment, Property of a Noblewoman, Blue, Precious Gifts, Undercover, and Country, all of which have leapt to the top of the New York Times bestseller list, the Wall Street Journal list, and comparable best seller lists around the world.

Steel has written more than 163 books, 139 of which are novels; 18 children’s books, including Pretty Minnie in Hollywood and Pretty Minnie in Paris about her white long-hair teacup Chihuahua; four works of nonfiction, including His Bright Light: The Story of Nick Traina, A Gift of Hope: Helping the Homeless, and Pure Joy: The Dogs We Love; a book of poetry; and she has written the lyrics for a music album.

She also founded and runs two foundations, one named in honor of her late son, The Nick Traina Foundation, which finances organizations involved in mental illness, child abuse, and suicide prevention. The second foundation was established to assist the homeless. In 2002 Steel was decorated by the French government as an “Officier” of the distinguished Order of Arts and Letters and in 2014 she was decorated as a Chevalier (Knight) of the Order of the Legion d’Honneur in Paris. She lives in Paris and San Francisco and is the mother of nine children.

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