Fragile Designs

If you are in the mood for a roller coaster of emotions in the best way possible, here is your ticket. I can’t complement this enough honestly. I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect out of it, but I was absolutely hooked from the beginning. I immediately fell in love with Carly’s character, and Lucas soon after. I found the story revolving around Carly and her family, and their found treasure, so well written and interesting, I couldn’t help but to finish this in one sitting. This was actually my first Colleen Coble novel, and I look forward to more. Fragile Designs is one of my favorite stories of the year, it was so creative! Thank you to Netgalley, Thomas Nelson Fiction, and the author for allowing me to read this!

Pub Day: January 2, 2024

A fantastically narrated story that has an intriguing premise of a great granddaughter finding a possible Faberge egg worth millions and it being a possible reason for the murder of her husband.

An excellent first chapter that had my attention and interest piqued and then the characters just kept growing on me. I can’t actually articulate just how much I loved this story. It a variety of themes including mystery, faith, familial love, and a little romance. It was so sweet and had me tearing up on multiple occasions but it also had very intense moments that had me on the edge of my seat.

This is my first book by Coble and it most definitely won’t be my last!

Thank you so much HarperCollins Christian Publishing for the alc via Netgalley in exchange for my honest feedback.

I had the opportunity to listen to an ARC of the audiobook! What a great story! I found myself sneaking to find time to listen a little longer just to find out what happens next. Suspense, lots of twists, and a little romance made for a great listen. Loved that the story centered around a little bit of history with the Faberge egg. Definitely would recommend. I’ve never read this author before and am excited to read more of her work. The narrator was great too.

i enjoyed this story so much. I will admit that I felt it had a slow start, but it just kept getting better and better with time. i would highly recommend this book to anyone. Great job

This author is one of 3 must have authors in Christians suspense. I listened to the audio version and it was outstanding. There was a great deal of family love, reconciliation and warmth in this story. The plot was captivating and intriguing. There were also some rotten, greedy eggs. I always cherish the light faith in her books. Clean romance. Contemporary setting. Highly recommend.

This was an intriguing cozy mystery and I enjoyed it very much it was well written and I could follow it easily I would recommend it to my friends who like cozy mystery and it's a book I would read more than once the narrator was very good and had a good speed

Oh my goodness! Colleen Coble knows how to write a good cozy mystery!

Fragile Designs really has it all, characters you love, mystery, a splash of romance and growth all over the place!

I listened to the audiobook and Karen Peakes knocks it out of the park. She really nails the characters voices and made it an absolute delight to listen to...that feels weird to say since it is a murder mystery!

I really loved this book and would for sure recommend it!

Big thanks to HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Thomas Nelson Fiction, and NetGalley for the advance copy!❤️✨

Fragile Designs by Colleen Coble is phenomenal! Carly has been through so much and she is just trying to live her best life to help her family and her son. She discovers a missing Faberge egg while cleaning out the garage and all of a sudden, life as she knows it is turned upside down. She starts researching and more comes to light than she ever bargained for. Thankfully, Lucas is not only smart enough to aid in her research, but he is also a sworn officer and helps protect her when things take a deadly turn. I really enjoyed how their friendship blossomed as they both realize there is more to the other than they had previously realized. Before long, the twists and turns will leave you wondering who is who, and who can be trusted. It took no time at all to suck me in and I could not stop or put it down until the end. I was not ready for it to end, but all the loose ends fit together perfectly. Not only does this book have a great mystery, but it also has a wonderful romance. I had the bonus of enjoying an audiobook narrated by Karen Peakes, which really brought the story to life in my mind. I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley and all opinions expressed are solely my own, freely given.

(NetGalley audio book review)
What an incredible thriller! This is a story of mystery, heartbreak, and tragedy, backed by the strength from love and family and friends. Murder and intrigue around missing valuables...then finding them and dealing with the safety concerns that threaten their families. The way the author blends suspense and fear with hope and love is just amazing. This book is excellent your young readers and those that dont like the 'spice' aspect. This story will have you on the edge if your seat and will also warm your hearts in so many places sprinkled throughout the book. Savor and enjoy this story!

This was my first Colleen Coble book and it will not be my last. I absolutely loved the thrill, the romance, and the mystery of this book! Each page has you guessing where the book was going to go. It was a roller coaster of a ride and I would’ve never guessed a few of the players in trying to steal the egg! The narrator did a fantastic job at reading the book.
This was a very enjoyable book. Highly recommend & cannot wait to share on release day.
Thank you NetGalley & the publisher for this ARC of Fragile Designs by Colleen Coble!

After the murder of Carly‘s husband Eric, she moved in with her grandmother Mary when her grandmother mentioned renovating her beautiful home to a bed-and-breakfast for the benefit of Carly and her two sisters she thought it was a fabulous idea. First however she would need to go through the old worthless and antique items in the attic the first thing she come up on was an old trunk belonging to her great grandmother and she found a blanket wrapped around what she thought was a painted worthless Easter egg with paper saying her grandmother was adopted and that the great grandmother was leaving it up to Carly on whether she would tell Mary about her adoption but there was something else Mary was also a twin in the egg was far from worthless it was a Faberge egg from the missing Romanoff art collection. Through her investigation her and her neighbor detective Lucas will grow much closer he will even fall in love with baby Noah she will learn about estranged relatives be disappointed in some and become much closer with others and resolve the issues she never knew her sisters had with her. Most importantly she will learn while protecting this priceless treasure that the most important things in life don’t cost a penny. It seems every time they get a good lead the Russian mafia and or the killer gets there first and what does all of this have to do with Erickson murder? When she goes to question his ex partner Kelly she learns she too has a little baby name Caroline but when Carly and Lucas go to bring the baby a gift Kelly isn’t as friendly as Carly remembers her being but why? All these questions are answered by the end of the book and what a great book it is! I know saying this book had great characters can sometimes be a throwaway comment but in the case of fragile designs by Colleen Coble it is absolutely true they have great characters a great message it is inspirational heartwarming romantic scary intriguing mysterious an old soul so good. There is something that is so much better about sweet romance as a post to they meet have sex and then fall in love kind of books and that is what this book has a sweet sweet romance and I’m going to stop here because all I want to do is talk about how great this book is but I said that and so if you love a good mystery with sweet romance in suspense then you definitely love this book as I said I certainly did! I can’t believe I almost forgot to mention Karen peaks awesome narration she has great character distinction and it’s so easy to tell who is talking as she does the voices she is a superb narrator and I would definitely listen to another audiobook done by her simply brilliant this whole book is five stars across the board. I want to thank Harper Christian audio and Net Galley for my free Ark copy please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

I loved this book. Colleen Coble has done it again.

Carly Harris's husband was murdered. Her job finding antique treasures isn’t enough to support herself and her son. Her grandmother offers to have her move in to renovate the house to become a bed and breakfast. As she searches the attic, she finds a letter from her husband. He was investigating her grandmother’s adoption. Carly also finds a priceless antique, a Fabrege Egg, that begins a thriller of murder, secrets and family. With the help of her neighbor, Luke, they begin to try and find the truth about family and the antique.

The narrator did a great job with conveying the suspense and emotion of the characters. This was a wonderful book. Definitely fast paced as they try to uncover the secrets. I loved Carly, her strength, perseverance and faith. I listened to this book in one day. It was so well written and suspenseful that I couldn’t put it down.

I would recommend this book. Put it on your TBR and pre-order today. The book will be released on January 2, 2024.

Thank you to NetGalley, HarperCollins Christian Publishing and the author for the e-ARC.

Colleen Coble has Written a Book That Will Keep You Up All Night!

This story will keep you on your toes! There is so much going on and you won’t want to miss any of it.

The characters and storyline are developed well and will have you guessing throughout the book.

Audiobook: Narrated by Karen Peakes
Karen Peakes did a wonderful job narrating this book. She read it in a way that drew you in further not distracting at all. I was able to get so many things done but still drawn in to the book!

I received a complimentary copy of this book and audiobook through NetGalley on behalf of the Publisher. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

"Fragile Designs" by Colleen Cable is a compelling novel that delves into the complexities of human relationships and the fragility of life. The story revolves around the lives of three interconnected characters, each struggling with their own demons and striving to find meaning in their existence. Set against the backdrop of a small coastal town, the novel weaves together themes of love, loss, and redemption, drawing readers into a poignant and thought-provoking narrative.
Cable's masterful storytelling and vivid prose create a deeply immersive reading experience, allowing readers to empathize with the characters' dilemmas and profound emotions. The author skillfully navigates through the characters' past and present, unraveling the intricate web of their interconnected lives and the profound impact of their choices on one another.
The novel's exploration of human vulnerability and resilience prompts readers to reflect on their own experiences and relationships, making it a compelling read for those who appreciate introspective narratives that resonate on a deeply personal level.
I enjoyed reading this bo0k previously and thought I'd give it a listen. It was just as good both ways.

Fragile Design is an intricately plotted story by consummate mystery/thriller author Colleen Coble. Carly Harris deals in antiques and flea market finds with a legacy load of merchandise from her great grandmother to sort through. The furnishings she has been tasked with organizing and selling to share with her two sisters, Amelia and Emily. However, the chest was left especially to her along with all of its contents.

While on a weekend flea market trip her police officer husband Eric is supposed to be helping her by organizing the items in her storeroom on their Pawleys Island property. When Carly returns she finds ominous clues that something is amiss. When she finds Eric, it is face down in a pool of blood in the back of the storeroom with boxes ransacked around him.

A year later, Carly and her infant son Noah are living in Beaufort with her grandmother, Mary Tucker. When strange things begin happening, Carly turns to the police detective next door, Lucas Bennett, with her concerns. Lucas is not a fan of Carly’s after the teenage breakup of her with his younger brother Ryan, as well as the complaints of Eric before his death. However, her concerns have merit and when a nighttime intruder disrupts a quiet evening, Lucas is all in.

The mystery surrounds paperwork, provenance, and a priceless antiquity left by her great grandmother that leads to unraveling murders, attempted murders, other break ins, and the Russian mafia. With well drawn characters, picturesque setting, and plot twists galore all I can say is just Wow! All of Ms. Coble’s novels have been well written but this one tops them all! I was so engaged I finished it in one day! I very much enjoyed this book and I do recommend it!

I really enjoy Colleen Coble’s books, so I was thrilled to get an audio ARC of Fragile Designs. As with her other reads, the plot pulls you in from the beginning and you don’t want to put the book down. The story is full of suspense, family drama, betrayal, love and reconciliation. The characters were so well developed and the plot is realistic and believable.
Thank you NetGalley and Harper Collins Christian Publishing for my ARC.

Fragile Designs is a Christian Suspense Romance from one of my favorite authors, Colleen Coble. I couldn't read this book fast enough and lost sleep trying to figure out who could be trusted in this unique and complex plot. The main characters, Carly and Lucas become more and more likable as they grew throughout the story. Their heart, determination and faith had me shedding a few tears. A not to be missed book by an amazing writer.

I was fully hooked on this mystery/thriller from the beginning. There were so many different well-developed suspects that I just couldn’t figure it out even to the end. The main character, Carly, was super relatable and the type of FMC that you root for. The main plot follows her as she is newly widowed and also a new mother, and has moved in with her grandmother while she figures life out. Then she discovers a piece of their family history that upends everything, but might have a connection to her husband’s death, so she asks her grumpy detective neighbor to help her. The side plots of family drama and romance are also done very well, it never felt like a side track and it all went together seamlessly. I even found myself interested in the history of faberge eggs! This is the first but definitely not the last book that I’ve read by Colleen Coble. The narrator for the audiobook was great, and switched between characters with ease. I literally have zero complaints. Thanks so much to NetGalley, Thomas Nelson, and Zondervan Audio for the audio ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Fragile Designs
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A totally Fantastic Book! It was so good I couldn't put it down. It was a super cool story with lots of moving parts & tons of suspense. You will fall in LOVE with the characters. It will keep you cheering everyone on. Great finish & ending. I could read it again right now. Enjoy!!

The storyline grabbed me right from the beginning. The plot is original and the intrigue kept developing. The descriptive writing had me visualizing every detail. The story transports the reader to hot/humid South Carolina with the warmth/customs of the South. The history of Faberge Eggs and all the additional information was fascinating.
I absolutely loved listening to the audiobook!
The narration by Karen Peakes is ideal. The narration is well paced, clear and easily listen to. All of the characters’ distinguishable voices were consistent. I loved the SC southern drawl.

I look forward to enjoying Colleen Coble’s next endeavour.
Thank You to NetGalley, HarperCollins Christian Publishing and Colleen Coble for the opportunity to thoroughly enjoy listening to this ARC.

If you’re looking for an edge of your seat read with plenty of twists and turns, Fragile Designs is it! I love a good thriller with complicated characters, a touch of romance, and nail biting suspense. This book really delivered on all those accounts. From the first, I was drawn to Carly’s plight as a young widow trying to navigate raising an infant son, complicated family relationships, family secrets, a treasure that may have caused her husband’s death, and danger from those who are after the treasure. Add to that the handsome neighbor next door who happens to be her old highschool sweetheart’s older brother and a colleague of her dead husband’s, and you have quite the story!

Colleen Coble always manages to deliver an unforgettable mystery that’s hard to put down. Her characters are complicated yet relatable and often in need of redemption. I appreciate that she doesn’t sugarcoat the kinds of trials they endure. The mystery behind the Faberge egg was fascinating. I loved learning more about what makes these so valuable and how the egg tied into Carly’s family history.

The romance between Carly and Lucas had such a great arc going from casual acquaintances to more in a believable way. Lucas is a cop which really helps when Carly and her family’s lives are constantly in danger. Lucas was really nervous around kids and wasn’t interested in marriage and family. I loved the way Carly and little Noah wove their way into his heart. Carly has been through so much especially with her deceased husband. I loved her grandmother and how she provided a way for Carly to earn a living and reconnect with her sisters through turning her home into a bed and breakfast.

The suspense really kept me on edge especially with the Russian mafia involved. I could hardly put it down! Each new clue added to my suspicions of an ever growing suspect list and I enjoyed trying to narrow it down. As with each of Colleen Coble’s mysteries, there’s an element of faith woven in that’s believable and natural.

I listened to the audiobook version and thoroughly enjoyed it. I felt like the narrator did a great job distinguishing between all the characters and really bringing the story to life. She put in just the right amount of emotion and I enjoyed how she voiced both female and male characters.

Definitely recommend to romantic suspense fans especially those who enjoy inspirational romantic suspense. I received an advanced listener copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own and voluntarily provided.

Colleen Coble is my go-to author when I'm in the mood for a good clean Christian suspense. Fragile Designs was such a great and easy listen that I got through the whole book in one afternoon. The mystery was interesting and I was compelled to keep listening so that I could find out what happens with Lucas and Carly and her family.

The narrator was just perfect for this story. I've found that I don't like men narrators...not sure why and even some women's voices I'm not fond of but Karen Peaks did a wonderful job!

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read/listen and review. All opinions are my own.

Publication date: 2 January 2024

A romantic suspense story with intriguing characters, a decades old secret and a found artifact of significant importance and money. A piece so priceless that others will kill to have it. As the mystery leads Carly and Lucas on the hunt they are met with deception and dead bodies. But the deception is much closer than they realize and the stakes are higher than they could ever imagine. Thank you Netgalley and Harper Collin’s Christian Publishing for an audio version of this excellent book. I am voluntarily leaving this review.

Fragile Designs is my first Colleen Coble book and I must say, it won't be my last. I truly enjoyed it. And, I had no idea until the end who was the bad guy. It was quite refreshing, actually. The story centers around Carly and her neighbor Lucas, a police detective. Carly finds what she believes to be a lost Faberge egg and enlists Lucas' assistance as she tries to navigate what happens next, especially as she believes her husband was killed for information about the egg. Very intriguing and I love how the past was incorporated with information about the eggs and how they came to be. Looking forward to my next Collen Coble book! Thanks NetGalley

For a mystery slow burn romance this was a well written book. Right from the beginning it had me hooked. All the teams that Carly went through and still her family was trying to tear her apart all while she was trying to keep them safe from the people coming after the faberge egg. Lucas falling in love with her after she was proving she wasn’t who he thought she was as a person. There were lots of holding my breath parts because I was getting scared for Carly and Noah and Lucas was there every step on the was to protect her and her child. Loved how this book ended. It was so happy and heart warming.

Carly and her family are taking on the task of renovating their house to turn it into a bed in breakfast. During the process they uncover family secrets and a valuable item. Soon they find themselves the target of someone that wants the item and they have to work hard at not becoming the next victim. I liked the relationships of the main characters and how they learned to work with each other overcoming the main crisis, but also the family issues that arose. I liked how she was able to interact with the neighbor and get old issues settled. A great read/ listen that will keep you guessing and rooting for the characters.

Holy cow that was a good mystery and suspense combo. The beginning was a bit slow & I almost gave up on it, but then it took off. I could not finish it fast enough. Great characters, great villain and really great mystery. I cannot wait for the follow up.

I listened to the audio book version of Fragile Designs and it was absolutely captivating! I really felt for Carly throughout much of the story as she dealt with some truly bad behavior from some of her family members. I enjoyed when she stopped letting herself get pushed around, realized that she had allowed herself to be treated badly, and finally made some changes to how she responded to certain people. I loved the way Lucas stood up for her at various times in the book.

The slow growth of romantic tension between Lucas and Carly balanced nicely with the suspense threaded throughout the story. There were details that I figured out before the main characters, but a couple of surprises, as well, keeping me listening intently through to the very end. I loved this story from start to finish.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Great audio version of an excellent book. This book pulled me in with the great characters, the family drama, and the lost treasure from decades ago. I think it may be my favorite book by Colleen Coble.

"Our lives are so fragile. Maybe it's by design, so we look to God."
Carly's life is more complicated than she anticipated. Raising her son after the death of her husband was unplanned. Trying to solve a family secret recently brought to light proves to be more challenging and dangerous than she expected. Realizing that not everything is as it seems almost pushes her over the edge. Thankfully she has her faith and more support from those who truly care about her.
The focus of the plot is a historical item of value. The cover does provide a bit of a hint, and I think the idea that such a priceless heirloom could be hiding in the attic is certainly fascinating. There is plenty of suspense, family drama and surprises. More than that, there is plenty of faith and forgiveness to guide through tough circumstances. All of this is beautifully woven together to create a fantastic book.
The setting of coastal Carolina provides an interesting place to live. This book also has a strong hint of home & garden television since restoration is involved. There is so much that is pleasing about this book. This book is my favorite Colleen Coble book ever! (And that is saying a lot as I have finished almost all of her books!) Such a creative and fascinating plot with plenty of suspense and surprises!
I actually listened to this book through Netgalley. The narrator brought the story to life in a beautiful way. Reading the pages would also be enjoyable! So glad I could enjoy this one in advance. I wanted to read and review the book. All opinions are my own.

Superbly twisted with pulsating turns at every stage leading one to a passionate thriller which I could not put down! Fabulous with a sinister overtones - Great!

Wow!! This book had everything!! Heartache, suspense, plot twists, adventure, love, and even some palindromes! This story was so well written. I felt drawn to the characters and wanted everything to work out. You couldn’t help but root for the main character to finally have something go her way. There was even a part that made me tear up. Excellent book. I highly recommend!!!

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read this ARC.

I was given a copy of this to review by Zondervan and Thomas Nelson Audio.
Carly Tucker has had a rough year. Her husband has died and left her with a baby to raise. In the process of starting a project with her family she discovers a treasure. Things quickly go south for her. Her grandmother’s police officer neighbor gets involved to help. This story has a unique premise, a bit different from anything I have read.
This is a wonderful, inspirational, suspenseful romance! I think it was done well! The only thing I hope is that we will have stories about other characters in the book.
I would recommend this book to anyone who loves Christian (inspirational) or clean romantic suspense. There were definitely some nail biting moments.

This was a captivating story that ran the gamut of betrayal, loss, family, and hope wrapped in an intriguing romantic mystery. The pace is good, and the characters are likeable and well developed. The mystery is both complex and intriguing with a Russian twist that I particularly enjoyed. What sets this book apart from other well written mysteries is the underlying faith of these characters that is so naturally a part of their story. Carly and Lucas, in particular, clearly rely on their respective faith in the good times and the bad. I found it refreshing. My only disappointment is that this book apparently does not launch a series. I would love to see more of Carly, Lucas, and their family and friends.

Karen Peakes does an excellent job of voicing these characters, bringing each one to life.

I’m trying to give fewer five star reviews because I think I give too many, but Fragile Designs certainly earns one. Imagine coming home to tell your husband he’s going to be father, only to discover him dead on the floor. This story start with a bang and keeps going.

For Carly Harris, the discovery turns her world upside down, even though her marriage was troubled. as she starts to rebuild, a shock discovery put Carly’s life, and those around her, in danger. She’s forced to ask her neighbor Lucas for help.

Homicide Detective Lucas Bennett isn’t Carly’s biggest fan, believing she broke his brother’s heart. But he can’t seem to leave her alone to face the danger, especially not with an infant.

So the pair work together to figure out what’s going on and who is threatening Carly. As the body count rises, feelings between the two emerge and Lucas realizes he has the wrong impression altogether.

I really liked how clever this story is with each chapter peeling back another layer and keeping me guessing until the very end. The characters all leapt from the page and I was cheering for Carly and Lucas very quickly.

I highly recommend Fragile Designs for anyone who enjoys romantic suspense. I received an audiobook copy from the publisher via NetGalley. The opinions are my own.

Fragile Designs is the first Colleen Coble book I've read/listened to. It was such an entertaining & easy read. I enjoyed how this book included a bit of everything. There's some mystery/suspense, murder, a bit of romance, family drama, & even some historical fiction. I was hooked from the beginning. I was also pleasantly surprised at how clean the content was. I'll definitely look for some more of Mrs. Coble's books.

I was gifted this book by NetGalley & the publisher. I was under no obligation to leave a review.

I’m hooked Colleen Coble. I was lucky enough to find her on the NetGalley website and have been a fan since. Fragile Designs is her best yet! The plot really pulled me in. If you love romantic suspense novels I highly recommend the author and all of her books!

I have been provided with a review copy of Fragile Designs from NetGalley for an impartial review. I was just drawn into this wonderful story and I just couldn’t get enough of it. It was just so easy to get lost in this great story. I just didn’t want it to end. I just lost myself in and I just couldn’t get enough of these interesting characters. I can’t wait to see what’s next from this author.

So good! I remember watching a movie that mentioned the eggs and was fascinated by them. This was so well written and captivating from the beginning. What I really enjoyed was I myself noticed that they were leaving a lot of avenues unfollowed and instead of just leaving it that way they addressed it themselves, I loved that.

Carly returns home after just finding out she's pregnant only to find her husband dead. After his death she moves in with her grandmother who helps raise baby Noah. Grandma Mary decides to remodel their large beautiful home into a bed and breakfast, but first Carly will have to go through the attic and the items that she inherited from her great grandmother upon her passing. After opening an old trunk Carly finds a strange red painted egg, after cleaning it up she begins to wonder if this beautiful white egg could actually be a Faberge egg!

The only problem is that she may not have been the first one to find it and now others have begun looking for it. Carly's husband had found the egg first and not only told his mistress but also put the word out with the wrong people and now they're looking for it and they don't intend to do it quietly.

Luckily Carly and her grandmother live next door to Carly's ex-boyfriend and his brother who just so happens to be a police detective. When someone breaks into Carly's house and Lucas is there to save the day feelings begin to develop between them. But who is out to try and steal the egg and to what lengths will they go to take it from them?

I enjoyed listening to this mystery -- it had all the elements: paperwork found in a dusty attic, long lost twin, Fabergé egg, Russian hitmen, a race against time, etc. I haven't read too many Colleen Coble novels and I consider her a Christian author -- her story is a mystery but the characters will at times stop to prayer and discuss their faith. I listened to this while driving to work on the interminable commute and I enjoyed the cadence and tone of the narrator. Thank you for this audiobook!

Fragile Designs
By: Colleen Coble

Genre:
Fiction Thriller, Romantic Suspense

Summary:
A pregnant Carly suffers the tragic loss of her husband who is a police officer, and is killed during a home invasion. This leaves Carly as a single mother who is forced to make a choice, raise sweet baby Noah on her own or move in with her grandma.

Grandma has a plan to make her home into a Bed and Breakfast, which allows Carly to leave her job, focus on her writing and help grandma with the renovations. While cleaning through the attic Carly makes an unbelievable discovery. Once that will rock her family to the core.

Review:
I love reading Colleen Coble, and she doesn’t disappoint in Fragile Designs! It is fast paced, action packed, and full of unpredictable suspense! The plotline and transitions flow perfectly, the tension between Carly and her sisters, and the romantic suspense between Carly and Lucas is unbelievable! I did receive an audio version of this novel and the narrator pulled off the southern accent and charm. It was truly engaging! Highly Recommend this read or listen.

Thank you to Colleen Coble, Thomas Nelson, Zondervan Audio, and NetGalley for the Advanced Readers Copy for free. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

#netgalley #colleencoble #fragiledesigns #Thomasnelson #ARC #Zondervanaudio

This novel is set in Pawleys Island, North Carolina, a small town (I googled it) with a population of about 103. Pawleys Island itself is "4 miles long and mostly 1 house wide" (Pawleysisland.com), so having the info helped me to understand some of the plot and to visualize it better.

Carly Harris is the MC who currently goes to flea markets and other such places to earn an income, which isn't enough. She's always had a dream of writing a novel but has yet to do so. Life becomes complicated when a tragedy occurs and as she is going through things she finds something that she recognizes as one of a kind and extremely valuable, if it is in fact authentic. Carly also finds some documents that will change the entire family, a long kept secret that she has to decide who to tell and when. All of this takes her back to live with her grandmother, Mary, where Carly gets help from Detective Lucas Bennett, the brother of a long ago boyfriend of hers.

The item of value that she found is potentially the cause of murders, so she is concerned for her family and that they are in danger. There is possibly a Russian mob behind the murders happening and she has to find out in order to know if she and her family are safe.

I don't want to say more, but was engaging, fast paced, and held my interest throughout. I love how many connections were made and family involved. It definitely kept me on my toes!

The narrator of the audio version was excellent, had really good voice inflections, and was easy to follow. I would absolutely listen to this narrator again.

I've always loved India Jones'style adventure. But this book isn't just a historical treasure hunt, it's an adventure with lots of family drama. I loved the combination of the two. It's intense, sweet and sour at the same time. Exactly how I like it.

Carly is a young widow struggling to stay afloat after her husband's death. The marriage was not going well, but she never imagined finding herself a widow with a baby in her arms. While doing some cleaning she found a priceless object with a lot of historical value and this is where it all starts. There are a lot of people interested in this relict and in the middle of this whole adventure she realizes that life didn't end when she became a widow.

I loved the premise of the story and it was written with a sweetness that grabbed me until the last paragraph. I highly recommend it.

This book has something for everyone! Mystery, family dynamics, history, and plenty of twists. Of course when you start out with two characters who dislike each other, you just know they'll end up madly in love. So there were a few predictable parts but plenty of surprises too. The book is well written with believable characters and a story that pops up on the page and keeps the reader on edge wondering what will happen next.

I listened to the audio book and was impressed with the narrator. A very enjoyable book.

I had the pleasure of hearing the audio version of Colleen Coble's Fragile Designs. The narrator's performance was perfect for this book. I loved hearing it. Five stars.

Fragile Designs by Colleen Coble: Colleen Coble has done it again. Trademark twists and turns complete with relationships dynamics are just some of the reasons I enjoyed this book. I've always been interested in Faberge Eggs and one being an intricate part of this story made it a must read. Trusting God through unimaginable circumstances is always a prevalent theme (but done in a non preachy way) that always encourages me in my own relationship with God. Colleen's characters always feel real and are people l'd like to meet in real life minis the 'villain.' I was privileged to read an ARC of this book. All opinions are mine.

This storyline did not disappoint. There were a lot of twists and turns, and the author kept me guessing on who was the culprit. Voice actor did the story justice. Will be reading more from this author!

I read because books like this and I'd give it a 10 stars rating if I could.

I loved the story of redemption and second chances. Callie was a darling. I mean her selflessness and sense of devotion to those she loved was inspiring. She deserved all the good things thay came her way. Lucas was a hero. He and Callie were well suited for each other because of their shared values on love, faith and family.

The twist and turns of the book was very unpredictable.

Highly recommended. I listened to the audio version and the narrator did an excellent job. Excellent job.

I received a copy of this book and this is my honest opinion.

Suspense lurks around every corner in the newest Colleen Coble novel. From page one, readers will find themselves drawn into the life of Carly Harris. The newly widowed young mother begins to uncover a long hidden-family secret while sorting through collectibles inherited from her great grandmother. Harris’ natural maternal desire endears her to readers, and her connection to her grandmother’s neighbor tugs at the heart.

The continual plot twists keep readers on the edge of their seats throughout the entire novel. Just when it seems they are making progress discovering the truth, a new development reveals a new part of the mystery.

This clean read will be enjoyed by suspenseful murder mystery lovers and is Coble’s best novel yet.

What a well-written story. So many layers!

This book has opened up the world of Fabergé to me, which I have never really known much about before. What a rich history this topic has! I am ready to learn more about the history of Fabergé now, and the missing eggs.

Carly has a renewed chance at love with a guy she knew a long, long time ago. Now he's her next-door neighbor. And confidant as they bust this case open. And her protector.

I really enjoyed seeing Carly's relationship with her grandmother and how much she cherishes that connection. The story dives in to that and allows Carly to search for relatives that they didn't even know were lost.

Not a cozy mystery; definitely a suspense novel. It had me at the edge of my seat a few times!

Trigger warnings: Some violence. Infidelity in marriage.

Overall, a clean read. No crude language or content.

I listened to the audio version. Well narrated! Great listening experience.