You remember that specific feeling of browsing a Waldenbooks or a Borders in the late nineties? That's where most of us first encountered Kissed by an Angel. It had those iconic, slightly moody covers that promised something a bit more substantial than your average teen fluff.
Elizabeth Chandler didn't just write a romance. Honestly, she wrote a thriller wrapped in a ghost story, tied together with the kind of devastating grief that stays with you long after you finish the final page. It’s been decades since the original trilogy—Kissed by an Angel, The Power of Love, and Soulmates—hit the shelves, but the story of Ivy and Tristan remains a cornerstone of the paranormal romance genre.
What Kissed by an Angel Got Right About Grief
Most YA novels today try to rush through the "sad parts" to get to the magic. Chandler didn't do that. When Tristan dies in that car accident early on, the narrative doesn't just "move on" to his ghost appearing.
It lingers.
Ivy Lyons is a protagonist who is fundamentally broken by her loss. She loses her faith in angels—which is pretty ironic given the title—and she loses her sense of safety. That's the core of why Kissed by an Angel resonates. It treats teenage emotion with actual gravity. You've got this girl who is essentially being haunted by the person she loves most, but she can't see him, can't feel him, and is convinced she’s losing her mind.
Tristan’s perspective as the "angel" isn't some sparkly, all-powerful transition either. He’s frustrated. He’s a novice. He has to learn the "rules" of the afterlife while watching the girl he loves be targeted by a literal murderer. It’s high stakes. It’s messy.
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The Mystery Element That Most People Forget
People usually talk about the romance, but the murder mystery is what actually drives the plot. Gregory, Ivy’s stepbrother, is one of the most effectively chilling villains in 90s teen fiction. There’s no supernatural motive for him; he’s just a sociopath.
That grounded evil makes the "angel" side of the story feel more earned.
If you go back and re-read the series now, you’ll notice how carefully Chandler planted clues. The accident wasn't an accident. The people Ivy thinks she can trust are the ones she should fear the most. It’s a classic suspense structure that keeps the pacing tight even when the emotional beats get heavy.
The 2011 Revival and the Shift in Tone
In 2011, Simon & Schuster decided to bring the series back. They released Evercrossed, Everlasting, and Everafter.
It was a weird time for the fandom.
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The original trilogy felt like a complete arc. Bringing Tristan back into a physical body—or a version of one—changed the stakes. Some fans loved the extension, wanting more of the Ivy/Tristan chemistry. Others felt like the "happily ever after" of the original Soulmates ending was cheapened by dragging them back into a new conflict.
The later books leaned harder into the "fallen angel" tropes that were popular during the post-Twilight boom. While Chandler's writing remained sharp, the atmosphere shifted from "moody 90s thriller" to "modern paranormal drama."
Why We Are Still Talking About These Books
It’s about the tropes, sure, but it’s also about the execution.
- The "Ghost" Logic: Unlike many stories where ghosts can just do whatever, Tristan struggles to move even a penny. It makes his interventions feel meaningful.
- The Step-Family Dynamics: The blended family tension with Gregory and his mother adds a layer of domestic horror that feels very real.
- The Lack of "Chosen One" Syndrome: Ivy isn't some magical princess. She's just a girl who went through something terrible and has to find the strength to believe again.
The series paved the way for books like Hush, Hush or Fallen, but it did so with a lot less ego. There’s a sincerity in Kissed by an Angel that is hard to replicate.
Revisiting the Series in 2026
If you’re looking to dive back in, or maybe read it for the first time, don't expect a flashy, action-heavy Marvel movie. This is a slow burn. It’s about the quiet moments—the smell of the ocean, the feeling of a cold breeze in a locked room, the frantic typing on a computer that shouldn't be on.
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It’s also worth noting the influence of the setting. Westbrook isn't just a backdrop; the coastal, affluent, yet isolated town atmosphere adds to the "no one can hear you scream" vibe of the thriller subplots.
Essential Next Steps for Fans
If you want to experience the story properly, start with the original three-book bind-up. Most retailers sell them as a single volume now.
- Check the release dates: Stick to the 1995 originals first to get the intended atmosphere.
- Look for Elizabeth Chandler's other work: Under her real name, Mary Casanova, she writes fantastic contemporary fiction, but her "Chandler" persona is where the gothic romance lives.
- Pay attention to the foreshadowing: On a second read, look at Gregory’s dialogue in the first 50 pages. It’s terrifying how much he reveals.
Basically, the series is a masterclass in how to blend genres without losing the emotional heart of the story. Whether you’re here for the "angel" or the "kissed," you’re going to stay for the mystery.
Grab a copy of the first book. Read it on a rainy afternoon. Let yourself feel that specific brand of 90s teenage angst again. It’s worth it.