Coffeehouse Angel by Suzanne Selfors Book Review

The New Novel From the Author of Saving Juliet

Oct 18, 2009

Coffeehouse Angel, no matter how naive at times, hits the right notes.

Coffeehouse Angel, one of author Suzanne Selfors' two published young adult novels, deals with the questions of self-confidence, kindness and forgiveness. Its protagonist is Katrina Svensen, a quiet, bright 16-year old girl living with her grandmother and working in the family coffee shop. After she sees a stranger sleeping in the cold, dark alley behind the shop, Katrina selflessly offers him some food and drink. This act of goodness triggers an entire series of strange events that will have Katrina worrying about school, boys, a rival coffee shop, and eventually, her own purpose in life.

Teenage State of Mind

The best thing about Coffeehouse Angel is the way Ms. Selfors penetrates the minds of teenagers. Katrina is both a rebel and an angel herself. She does not fit with the popular crowds and has a very limited circle of friends, but she is still very resourceful, kind and communicative. The way her job is a part of her day-to-day life shows how responsible she is, but she is still far from the squeaky clean, sterile teenagers of High School Musical - observant as she is, she can still be jealous, smitten or let a bad word or two escape her mouth.

Although the titular character does figure quite prominently in the novel, the author expertly finds a way not to be preachy. This is a PG-rated book at most, aimed towards teenagers, but its morals and potential lessons are carefully and subtly dropped throughout the novel. Katrina is tempted towards acting impulsively on more than one occasion, and her semi-stalkerish angel Malcolm is not without agenda as well. This helps paint a realistic picture of 21st century teenagers and works well.

Sweet as a Cinnamon Latte

There is a place or two in the book where the author seems to have gone too far in portraying these kids as omnipotent, almost Disney-like in that manner (there is a point near the end where Katrina and her friends pull a business stunt that seems almost Donald Trump-like). However, this does not take away any of the book's charm. And although it is obviously being marketed for girls, it is not a girlie book at all – boys should enjoy it all the same. And after the success of another paranormal (and much more intense) romance, Twilight, Selfors' Angel will surely be read widely.

Other Suzanne Selfors titles include the YA novel Saving Juliet, as well as two children's books.

The copyright of the article Coffeehouse Angel by Suzanne Selfors Book Review in Teen Fiction is owned by Nikola Stepic. Permission to republish Coffeehouse Angel by Suzanne Selfors Book Review in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.