Reviewed by Lucinda E Clarke for Readers' Favorite

Ronald Hunter’s autobiography titled Angel Finally Found His Wings tells how he grew up in an extremely dysfunctional family. His mother suffered from a severe mental health problem. His elder brother had PSTD after returning from Vietnam and various other siblings, while trying to help, were not always in the home to keep the peace. Ronald has a deep affection for his mother, and to help her in any way he can, he allows a friendship to develop with his soccer coach and scout leader, Charlie. But unknown to him, his benefactor is grooming him as a rent boy. Ronald turns tricks, even though he is underage, with men on the streets of New York. Eventually, he falls in love with one of his punters but Charlie is not ready to let go.

Angel is the street name adopted by Ronald Hunter in his autobiography Angel Finally Found His Wings. He’s a Donny Osmond lookalike as the photographs show. I was close to tears as the story unfolded of an innocent and trusting boy led into a life of sex with numerous customers on the streets. The author holds nothing back, sharing his experiences as he is led down the road from quick visits in sleazy hotels to palatial mansions in the countryside. Many might decry his actions, although his motives are pure, and seldom does Angel take drugs or resort to alcohol. He maintains his standards and you cannot help but love and admire him. Without giving any spoilers as to the outcome, I loved this book. I found it impossible to put down as I flew through the pages. Not only is it well written, intertwining the past and the present, but we bond with Angel in his innocence and later his awakening. The sad episodes, the losses, and Charlie’s cruelty as Angel discovers that his friend and hero thinks nothing of him, are truly heart-rending. This is a book I shall remember for many years to come as it touched something inside. It will not be easily forgotten. I wish I could award it six stars.