Scan barcode
cindysbookcorner's review against another edition
3.0
I have always enjoyed books by Colleen Coble, and while I enjoyed Fragile Designs, it wasn't my favorite of hers.
I am going to start with what I didn't enjoy. When Carly thinks she might have discovered a Faberge' egg, we get a history lesson on Faberge' eggs, which doesn't appeal to me at all (but will be appealing to others!). Second, there was so much going on, but sometimes I had a hard time with certain parts being believable. I also didn't like Carly's sisters and how they treated her.
Overall, I did like the storyline, it was pretty unique. The suspense kept me invested and guessing. I had several suspects, and while I didn't figure it all out, I did have some hints of who was involved.
I am going to start with what I didn't enjoy. When Carly thinks she might have discovered a Faberge' egg, we get a history lesson on Faberge' eggs, which doesn't appeal to me at all (but will be appealing to others!). Second, there was so much going on, but sometimes I had a hard time with certain parts being believable. I also didn't like Carly's sisters and how they treated her.
Overall, I did like the storyline, it was pretty unique. The suspense kept me invested and guessing. I had several suspects, and while I didn't figure it all out, I did have some hints of who was involved.
grannytj's review against another edition
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
aefsargent's review against another edition
4.0
Thank you, Net Galley, for an advance copy of this book.
In Fragile Designs, Colleen Coble combines twins separated at birth, domestic drama, a murder or two, a Faberge Egg and romance. What could be better? After the murder of her police officer husband seven months earlier, Carly, finds herself living with her grandmother in a large Victorian in Beaufort SC with her newborn son. Next door is an old beau and his brother Lucas, a Beaufort PD Detective. Carly, who collects and sells antiques, has inherited estate items from her great-grandmother. While cataloguing the items, Carly makes some major discoveries regarding family history and finds a real Faberge Egg made for the Russian Imperial Family in 1885.
Almost immediately, strange people appear in Carly's life and danger is imminent. Carly enlists the aid of her neighbor Lucas to look into the several mysteries and the murder of her husband that have suddenly appeared. A major renovation of her grandmother's house brings two difficult younger sisters back into her life. Carly is forced to prioritize her own needs and resolve old and new hurts to move on.
Throughout the author does a brilliant job of navigating twists and turns seamlessly keeping the readers interest right to the end. I am a fan of Colleen Coble and have read almost all her books. I enjoyed this ride and was delighted to see my favorite independent bookstore in Pawley's Island included!
This book will keep your attention!
There was so much happening in this book, it begs for a sequel.
In Fragile Designs, Colleen Coble combines twins separated at birth, domestic drama, a murder or two, a Faberge Egg and romance. What could be better? After the murder of her police officer husband seven months earlier, Carly, finds herself living with her grandmother in a large Victorian in Beaufort SC with her newborn son. Next door is an old beau and his brother Lucas, a Beaufort PD Detective. Carly, who collects and sells antiques, has inherited estate items from her great-grandmother. While cataloguing the items, Carly makes some major discoveries regarding family history and finds a real Faberge Egg made for the Russian Imperial Family in 1885.
Almost immediately, strange people appear in Carly's life and danger is imminent. Carly enlists the aid of her neighbor Lucas to look into the several mysteries and the murder of her husband that have suddenly appeared. A major renovation of her grandmother's house brings two difficult younger sisters back into her life. Carly is forced to prioritize her own needs and resolve old and new hurts to move on.
Throughout the author does a brilliant job of navigating twists and turns seamlessly keeping the readers interest right to the end. I am a fan of Colleen Coble and have read almost all her books. I enjoyed this ride and was delighted to see my favorite independent bookstore in Pawley's Island included!
This book will keep your attention!
There was so much happening in this book, it begs for a sequel.
shelfreflectionofficial's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
My feelings about this book are pretty similar to the other Colleen Coble book I read- Strands of Truth. I would say Colleen Coble knows her audience and has mastered writing to them.
I’m not exactly her core audience so there was enjoyment for me reading this book, but aspects of it that didn’t quite land.
Just like in Strands of Truth there were some interactions, reactions, dialogue, and word choice that at times seemed unnatural to me— are eyes really intelligent? would Lucas really have called Emily a dimwit? — and the like. But these parts aren’t all over the place and don’t hinder your ability to stay in the story.
In the author’s note, Coble said that she’s been fascinated with Faberge eggs and wanted to write a story about it. So no, Coble didn’t contemplate- what would be the most realistic, thrilling story I could write? and then crank this out. This came from- how can I write a romantic suspense story that incorporates Faberge eggs? I think she did a good job of coming up with something!
The basic premise is (and I agree with other reviewers that the Goodreads summary probably provides too much information… and has Lucas’s name wrong?) Carly Tucker, who lives with her grandmother after her husband’s unsolved murder and 9 months after she has his baby, comes across a treasure in the antique collection left to her by her great-grandmother. She discovers it’s an authentic Faberge egg that was declared lost and may have been part of the reason her husband was murdered.
But there are multiple groups, including the Russian mafia, out to secure the egg and Carly and her family find themselves in the center of a lot of danger as Carly attempts to figure out the story of the egg.
Throw in some romance between Carly and the detective next door who is helping her case and a long lost twin sister of her grandma who has another piece of the puzzle and you’ve got a drama filled book!
Carly wasn’t a super relatable character for me personally because, like some other readers, it got on my nerves how much she let her sisters walk all over her and cater to their every whim. I wouldn’t have put up with that. But at least Coble writes some good character development for her throughout the story as she is confronted with some hard information about her past relationships. Lucas helps her stand up for herself while still acknowledging that her serving nature and humble spirit are good things.
I do feel like there was a plot hole in terms of how little security the families had after people broke into their property multiple times and then someone was found killed in one of the rooms. I don’t think just moving next door was quite enough to feel safe to sleep at night, but I suppose it’s one of those necessary plot holes to provide a place for some action.
I enjoyed the setting of South Carolina with its live oak trees and trying to imagine the mansion as it was being remodeled. I wish I could see it in real life.
Recommendation
Overall, I would recommend this book if you enjoy a good, clean romantic suspense story or if you’re really into Faberge eggs.
It’s not going to keep you up at night, but I never dreaded picking it up to keep reading.
Even if you don’t purposefully read Christian fiction, I think it’s worth giving a shot if romantic suspense is up your alley. If you’re mostly into edgy thrillers, this may not be a good match for you.
[Content Advisory: no swearing or sexual content; infidelity]
**Received an ARC via NetGalley**
I’m not exactly her core audience so there was enjoyment for me reading this book, but aspects of it that didn’t quite land.
Just like in Strands of Truth there were some interactions, reactions, dialogue, and word choice that at times seemed unnatural to me— are eyes really intelligent? would Lucas really have called Emily a dimwit? — and the like. But these parts aren’t all over the place and don’t hinder your ability to stay in the story.
In the author’s note, Coble said that she’s been fascinated with Faberge eggs and wanted to write a story about it. So no, Coble didn’t contemplate- what would be the most realistic, thrilling story I could write? and then crank this out. This came from- how can I write a romantic suspense story that incorporates Faberge eggs? I think she did a good job of coming up with something!
The basic premise is (and I agree with other reviewers that the Goodreads summary probably provides too much information… and has Lucas’s name wrong?) Carly Tucker, who lives with her grandmother after her husband’s unsolved murder and 9 months after she has his baby, comes across a treasure in the antique collection left to her by her great-grandmother. She discovers it’s an authentic Faberge egg that was declared lost and may have been part of the reason her husband was murdered.
But there are multiple groups, including the Russian mafia, out to secure the egg and Carly and her family find themselves in the center of a lot of danger as Carly attempts to figure out the story of the egg.
Throw in some romance between Carly and the detective next door who is helping her case and a long lost twin sister of her grandma who has another piece of the puzzle and you’ve got a drama filled book!
Carly wasn’t a super relatable character for me personally because, like some other readers, it got on my nerves how much she let her sisters walk all over her and cater to their every whim. I wouldn’t have put up with that. But at least Coble writes some good character development for her throughout the story as she is confronted with some hard information about her past relationships. Lucas helps her stand up for herself while still acknowledging that her serving nature and humble spirit are good things.
I do feel like there was a plot hole in terms of how little security the families had after people broke into their property multiple times and then someone was found killed in one of the rooms. I don’t think just moving next door was quite enough to feel safe to sleep at night, but I suppose it’s one of those necessary plot holes to provide a place for some action.
I enjoyed the setting of South Carolina with its live oak trees and trying to imagine the mansion as it was being remodeled. I wish I could see it in real life.
Recommendation
Overall, I would recommend this book if you enjoy a good, clean romantic suspense story or if you’re really into Faberge eggs.
It’s not going to keep you up at night, but I never dreaded picking it up to keep reading.
Even if you don’t purposefully read Christian fiction, I think it’s worth giving a shot if romantic suspense is up your alley. If you’re mostly into edgy thrillers, this may not be a good match for you.
[Content Advisory: no swearing or sexual content; infidelity]
**Received an ARC via NetGalley**
manasarge's review against another edition
4.5
Time lines don't add up, which is a minor annoyance. Otherwise, interesting and sucked me in.
parklandmom's review
5.0
Stars: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ & 1/2 (4.5/5 stars, rounded up to 5 stars)
Read: January 2024
Format: Audible audiobook
Narrator: Karen Peakes (great narrator!)
Challenge Prompt: CNL’s #10 of 50 — “Published in 2024”
BOOK #5 of 2024: This just may be my favourite book by this author—or at least in the top 3.
This was an exciting and suspenseful ride with betrayal and drama but it was balanced with familial relationships, babies, and more. Though they were maybe a somewhat ragtag group of people thrown together, but they grew as individuals and healed together. There were several tender moments that I appreciated. The ending was quite HEA (happily ever after) and made me both smile and tear up at the same time.
I know very little about Fabergé eggs so it was fascinating to learn.
The truth uncovered a lot of lies, danger, and frustration. However, it also brought them something priceless—far more priceless than the Fabergé egg.
Read: January 2024
Format: Audible audiobook
Narrator: Karen Peakes (great narrator!)
Challenge Prompt: CNL’s #10 of 50 — “Published in 2024”
BOOK #5 of 2024: This just may be my favourite book by this author—or at least in the top 3.
This was an exciting and suspenseful ride with betrayal and drama but it was balanced with familial relationships, babies, and more. Though they were maybe a somewhat ragtag group of people thrown together, but they grew as individuals and healed together. There were several tender moments that I appreciated. The ending was quite HEA (happily ever after) and made me both smile and tear up at the same time.
I know very little about Fabergé eggs so it was fascinating to learn.
The truth uncovered a lot of lies, danger, and frustration. However, it also brought them something priceless—far more priceless than the Fabergé egg.
og_chai's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0