Angel Flying Too Close to the Ground

by Annie Garrett

Ten years after leaving her home to seek a career in New York, Tess, a successful celebrity journalist, returns to the Ozarks and to Branson to interview famed country artist Buck Campbell, the orphaned football player and talented singer whom she had loved as a teenager

Genres: Romance, Fiction

181 pages, Hardcover

First published February 1, 1996

Reviews

[Laurie (barksbooks) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Tess Boone, a disillusioned celebrity journalist, returns back to her hometown in the Ozarks to interview her first love Buck Campbell, now a famous (but also disillusioned) country western singer.

Tess left Buck to pursue her dreams and please her father who wanted bigger things for his baby girl. In the process she stomped all over Buck's heart. Heartbroken he turned to booze and women. Headed straight for Hell, he was saved by Georgina, an older woman who saw his potential and made him a singing sensation. She molds him into the man the public sees and he marries her even though he'll never love her.

When Tess and Buck meet up again (years later) the sparks fly and they realize what empty lives they've been living. In a few short days their love is reborn. Only now there are two big obstacles in their way: Georgina (for starters) and Buck's good-guy persona. Will they sacrifice their careers or their hearts? Will I care when they do? (The answer to that one would be NO)

Ms. Garrett has a beautiful way of describing the Ozarks and her vivid imagery breathes life into this familiar story of lost love. Despite her lyrical writing I thought the heroine was self-centered and very difficult to sympathize with. The hero never came alive for me because we mainly see him through the heroine's eyes and learn his feelings via his song lyrics. This technique absolutely did not work for me. I would've enjoyed a hundred or so more pages of the hero's viewpoint. And (finally, you say?) I thought the ending was way too vague and pat. A miss, a dud, a do not bother unless you've never read a truly great romance. There are way too many good books out there to waste time reading this one.

[Alison West · Rating 5 out of 5]

I go back and read this book each and every year when I want something to make me cry, make me smile, make me laugh and move me. It symbolizes home for me. Always on my nightstand I pick it up every few months. A quick read, but one that leaves a lasting impression.

[Debby · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tess and Jamie grew up in Properity, Arkansas - across the border from Branson. They fall in love in high school, but separate when she goes to college at her father's insistence. She becomes a celebrity journalist. He becomes a country western star. Ten years later, she goes to interview him in Branson. Love is rekindled, but he's married to his manager. She quits her job and returns to the Branson area and has his baby. He comes back just after baby is born. The ending does not tie up loose ends of divorce/marriage/them getting back together.

Tastefully done - no overt sex scenes - values. Great first novel.

[Melissa · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found this in a box of books I had stored for 20+ years and decided to reread it. Now, I must have really liked it 20+ years ago, because I packed it up to bring with me when I moved, yet the reread two decades later didn't go as well. It was a quick read, and it had cute, charming moments, but overall, the older me just doesn't like it as much as the younger me did. I wasn't thrilled about the handling of the reunion between the main characters, nor of the book's ending. So this time, I think I'll move it to the donation box.

[Margie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two people fall in love in their teens. Her father wants her to go to college and make something of herself. She tells her boyfriend they are done, she is following her father’s dream. Ten years later they meet again. She a successful journalist and he a famous singer, and her next assignment is to interview him. He has married his agent. What happens next is wrong to me but you decide.

[Amber]

Pick your poison-Just for adults-group of friends reuniting as adults- Tess had to flee the small town for college. A dream her father had instilled in her repeatedly since she was a child, she is leaving behind the love of her life, Jamie. Ten years later, journalist, Tess, is scheduled to see her first love again for an interview with the now music heartthrob, Buck Campbell.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Romance, but kinda messy. Tess and Jamie were first loves, but Jamie is married and a celebrity when they meet again. Ending doesn't quite say if/how the divorce/marriage happens.

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Found this book at a 2nd hand shop. Opened it up to find a simple yellow post it note and penciled on it were the words “Nice Story!” it was just that, a simple little Nice Story.

[Eileen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Far too much introspection and talking about the scenery and too little action. The ending was very anticlimactic

[Patricia · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a new author for me. The authors real name is Kelli Pryor and she is, or was, an entertainment reporter, a fact that is hard to miss with the spot on details of celebrity journalism in this book.
Ms. Garrett writes well, has some interesting characters, and intriguing relationship dynamics going on in her story, but they all get short shrift.
The writing is also a bit maudlin and melodramatic.
Tess is not at all likeable, and Buck is a bland, wimpy character. The other characters, and their stories and relationships, were far more interesting to me. Unfortunately, none of the characters, nor conflicts, were fleshed out, and the ending was vague at best.
My library has a few more titles by this author, and because I see some potential, I will probably check them out, and give the author another try.

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very sweet love story of two people who met as teenagers - finding completion of themselves in each other. Through ambition and expectations, they separated but chance brings them back together. Storyline is somewhat expected but told almost poetically.

[Keli Wright · Rating 3 out of 5]

my friend loaned me this book..it was a nice little romance story. I liked it OK ..I just would have liked it more if it were more in depth...plus the end ...Idk about the end ...but I gave it three stars because I appreciate how clean the author kept it..

[Cws]

F Gar

[Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful romance story...

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tess' high school sweethear becomes a major country singer and she learns he never stopped loving her.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Its a fast afternoon read, sweet romance that warms the heart!

[Shagofa · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a really good book. Well written.
Spoiler alert:
I wanted to know more, it didn't give much hints towards her being pregnant.
And they forgave each other very easy.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tess and Jamie, high school sweethearts, reconnect after ten years.

[Mica · Rating 3 out of 5]

great book

[Danap1968 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it but when it finally got interesting, glossed over too much

[Megan- · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book if you're looking for a good love story!

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is pretty good and a quick ready. I read it in like 3 days. It is a very good sto

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

good easy read romance