Which Characters Play The Biggest Role In The First Kiss By An Angel Book?

It raises the stakes of their vulnerability. For Alex, whose trauma is deeply tied to loss and weakness, showing any softness in such a physically tough environment feels like a supreme risk. For Daisy, failing in front of this hard-bitten crew feels more humiliating than failing at a society party. When they do finally lower their guards with each other, it's more meaningful because it happens in a world that rewards toughness. Their moments of tenderness are like secret, precious things hidden in the rough, demanding backdrop of circus life.

I think it's crucial for the 'grumpy sunshine' dynamic to work at this intensity. Daisy is pure, persistent sunshine trying to melt Alex's grumpy exterior. If they weren't forced together, Alex would simply avoid her, and her sunshine would have no target. The arranged marriage ensures her optimism is a constant, inescapable presence in his life. He can't shut her out completely. He's subjected to her cheerfulness, her questions, her attempts to connect, day after day. That relentless exposure is what ultimately causes the thaw. The trope traps the grump in a room with the sunshine.

The antagonist's point of view, when we rarely get glimpses, is terrifying. Seeing their calculated moves to isolate Ivy and cover their tracks shows the mystery from the other side, a battle of wits.

Reading 'Kiss an Angel' still makes me grin — it’s one of those rom-com-yet-deep reads that sticks with you. The heart of the story is Daisy Devreaux, a pampered, flighty young woman who’s suddenly given an ultimatum by her father: go to jail or enter into a marriage of convenience. The man she’s married off to is Alex Markov, a brooding, dangerously handsome circus manager who drags her away from Manhattan into the rough-and-tumble world of a traveling circus. That setup — arranged marriage, culture clash, and the circus as a living backdrop — is what drives the whole book. What I loved most were the supporting players who make the circus feel alive: Sheba, the proud and complicated former lover figure; Tater, the loyal friend who keeps things light; Heather, a bratty teen who stirs conflict; and even the animals, who almost have personalities of their own. Daisy’s arc is the classic fish-out-of-water-turned-resilient heroine: she’s forced to learn stunt work, earn respect, and discover strength she didn’t know she had. Alex’s arc is darker at first — he’s standoffish, harsh, and famously cold — but the tension between them melts into a messy, slow-building love that culminates in genuine growth for both. Reviews and reader pages capture both the charm and the fraught bits of his behavior, which some readers find troubling even as they’re invested in the couple’s eventual reconciliation. By the end, the book leans into redemption and belonging: Daisy carves out a place in the circus family and Alex has to confront pride and vulnerability. It’s sexy, sometimes exasperating, frequently touching, and very much a product of Susan Elizabeth Phillips’ flair for romantic comedy with teeth. For me, Daisy is unforgettable — stubborn, warm, and brave — and that’s what keeps me coming back to this story.

I'm a bit skeptical of the later companion books, but the original trilogy is solid. And it all hinges on that first novel, 'Kissed by an Angel'. Without the strong foundation of Ivy and Tristan's relationship, the supernatural elements in the sequels would feel unmoored. So, even if you only plan to read the core three, start with the first one. It's a quick, emotionally charged read that establishes everything you need to know. The writing is accessible, and the plot moves at a good pace. You'll likely finish it and want to immediately pick up the next one.