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3.81 AVERAGE
3.81 AVERAGE
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
I loved this. This is not normally my genre of book. I don’t like Lifetime movies or cheesy romance. I love mystery/thrillers but non Christian ones are usually riddled with cursing and other inappropriate content that we are meant to guard our minds from so I gave it a chance. I’m glad I did.
It was mysterious and tense, yet heartwarming and hopeful. I really loved Lucas and Carly. I definitely recommend this and plan to buy my mom a copy as soon as it’s released because this type of book is the only thing she reads.
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for an advance copy of this e-book in exchange for my honest review.
It was mysterious and tense, yet heartwarming and hopeful. I really loved Lucas and Carly. I definitely recommend this and plan to buy my mom a copy as soon as it’s released because this type of book is the only thing she reads.
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for an advance copy of this e-book in exchange for my honest review.
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
fast-paced
After I won this one, I realized it was billed as a Christian romance. Honesty, I sorta regretted entering...neither word fits my reading preferences
But it was better than I expected. There's certainly a love story there but it's also a mystery. And the mystery really drives the story. There are references to prayer and God, but it really wasn't overly religious. I don't really care for racy scenes anyway...I don't object but they aren't a draw either...so the fact that it's "clean" was irrelevant to me.
It's a 3.5 for me. If forced...so glad SG doesn't do that but otherd do...I think it's more honest for me to round down. It did have the mass produced feel that sometimes comes with a certain style. But really "good not great" is more honest. I do prefer character-driven books...this was more plot than character...the characters were enjoyable but I don't "know" them warts-and-all the way I tend to prefer. Rounding down is probably more about me as a reader than the novel
If you like mysteries with a touch of romance...esp if you do prefer the PG side of romance...you might round up.
ty to Goodreads and the publisher for the free copy. As always, the review is my own
But it was better than I expected. There's certainly a love story there but it's also a mystery. And the mystery really drives the story. There are references to prayer and God, but it really wasn't overly religious. I don't really care for racy scenes anyway...I don't object but they aren't a draw either...so the fact that it's "clean" was irrelevant to me.
It's a 3.5 for me. If forced...so glad SG doesn't do that but otherd do...I think it's more honest for me to round down. It did have the mass produced feel that sometimes comes with a certain style. But really "good not great" is more honest. I do prefer character-driven books...this was more plot than character...the characters were enjoyable but I don't "know" them warts-and-all the way I tend to prefer. Rounding down is probably more about me as a reader than the novel
If you like mysteries with a touch of romance...esp if you do prefer the PG side of romance...you might round up.
ty to Goodreads and the publisher for the free copy. As always, the review is my own
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 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.
mysterious
medium-paced
I enjoyed this audiobook. It was entertaining for the entirety. I wasn’t shocked at any of the twists but it was still intense. Great Read. I appreciated the faith elements throughout.
Thank you NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for giving me the opportunity to listen to this audiobook
Thank you NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for giving me the opportunity to listen to this audiobook
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I really enjoyed this book. The characters were interesting and well drawn. The mystery/suspense was well-written and kept me turning the pages. I felt invested in the characters right away. I have always enjoyed books about the Faberge Eggs. This one had just the right amount information about the history of the eggs. I would highly recommend this book.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
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.
Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read this ARC.