All the Broken Angels

“…Black-Gould and Hardiman’s work manages to carve out territory that feels contemporary by not shying away from issues that resonate today—including the treatment of LGBTQ+ people and the divisiveness a war can foment within a country—which are as relevant right now as they ever were. … Succeed[s] in crafting characters who are memorable enough to keep readers locked in and to stick with them beyond the final page. Cate, in particular, travels an arc that satisfies both in its literary aims and its emotional resonance. A well-rendered examination of the Vietnam War on the home front.”

— Kirkus Reviews 

“Society shifts, presidents come and go, and childhood lands in the rearview mirror, but readers will be struck by how often history repeats itself, putting a shiny new spin on the same old problems. … In addition to a well-rounded plot, clever wordplay, and genuine conversations, audiences will love the dynamic cast. … Racism, feminism, religionism, heroism, and patriotism synthesize into a beautiful story of loyalty and tenacity. Younger audiences will appreciate the richness of Americana, and older audiences will be kissed by nostalgia in All The Broken Angels.”

— Indies Today, five-star review 

“The narrative brings joy, sorrow, and gladness … as the story reaches its unexpected and unusual end. . . . Leaves the reader relating to the characters on a very personal level. … Thank you to the authors for this wonderful, inspiring book. It is much appreciated and well worth more than one read.”

— Readers’ Favorite, five-star review

“The title is brilliant and emblematic of the lessons of the story. We are all indeed a little broken, and that’s OK. We all have the potential to grow and change if we choose and are more alike than not. The lessons in All the Broken Angels are a gift and offered to us through wonderful characters and their lives.” 

—Deborah Wear-Finkle, MD, MPA, retired Navy flight surgeon and psychiatrist 

“This riveting novel explores many deep themes, including life in America during the Vietnam War, diversity after WWII, and coming of age—a time in life when young adults often come to a stark realization that sometimes what is perceived might not be the truth. The three-dimensional characters add a richness to this amazing story, allowing not only a connection to the characters, but an enlightenment around the events of the time and their implications for today.” 

—Susan Densmore-James, PhD, The University of West Florida, Emerald Coast National Writing Project Director, The Book Dealer

“The book transported me back to when I was a young woman who served as a uniformed civilian in Vietnam during the war. The dialogue in this touching and powerful story allowed me to eavesdrop on the characters’ conversations. The narrative was like seeing a movie, watching these real-life young people trying to make sense of the world and their place in it. I laughed with them at the funny times, smiled at the happy times and cried with them at the sad times.” 

—Dr. Sandra Lockney Davis, author of What’s a Nice Girl Like You Doing in Place Like this? Seoul to Saigon

“All the Broken Angels takes readers on a compelling, heartfelt journey through one of the most turbulent periods in American history to a place of understanding. A beautiful story told through rich descriptions of Catholic school life, combined with the protagonist’s struggle to reconcile her evolving beliefs with duty to her family. This deeply moving narrative captures the essence of a nation in turmoil while also providing a poignant, personal glimpse into the life of a young girl coming of age in New Jersey, whose world is irrevocably changed by the Vietnam War. It is a testament to the strength required to navigate the complexities of family, faith, and the political landscape of an America at war with itself. All the Broken Angels is a story of loss, love, and the hard-won understanding that change, though painful, is an integral part of life.” 

—Rainy Horvath, MFA, storyteller and author of The Able Queen: Memoirs of an Indiana Hump Pilot Lost in the Himalayas 

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