Angel Falls by Kristin Hannah - A Review

Angel Falls by Kristin Hannah

Angel Falls is an emotional and ultimately enjoyable novel centered on a woman whose life changes instantly after a tragic accident leaves her in a coma. As her family waits and hopes, long-buried secrets begin to surface—raising the question of whether love and relationships can survive once the truth is revealed.

Mikaela appears to have a beautiful life: a loving physician husband, two children, and a deep love of horses. When a riding accident leaves her comatose—an event witnessed by her young son—her husband is forced into an impossible role. He must balance his medical knowledge with hope, support his children, and face the terrifying uncertainty of whether his wife will ever wake up.

The novel starts beautifully, with a premise full of emotional potential. About halfway through, I found myself fully invested and eager to keep reading. Unfortunately, as the story progressed, some of that momentum faded. While the themes were familiar, I felt the book didn’t fully capitalize on the strength of its premise. At times, the emotional pull felt a bit forced, as though the author was trying too hard to tug at the heartstrings.

That said, this is still a good story—just not a standout one. Kristin Hannah consistently delivers meaningful messages, and Angel Falls is no exception. The novel offers thoughtful reflections on love, sacrifice, and recognizing the blessings in our lives before they’re gone.

I did struggle with certain aspects of the story, particularly Mike’s selfishness and the role of secrecy. While I understand the theme that real love goes beyond infatuation, I’m not a believer in keeping secrets, and that element worked against my enjoyment. Still, I appreciated the exploration of how Mikaela’s difficult upbringing shaped her choices and relationships.

Overall, Angel Falls is a light, emotional read with solid messages and a familiar warmth typical of Kristin Hannah’s writing. While it isn’t a favorite, I did enjoy it—and Kristin Hannah remains one of my favorite authors.

Final rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3 stars)

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From my archives June 29, 2018