I wanted to try a Colleen Coble book since I had her name all over the Christian fiction section of Barnes and Noble. I would not say I am disappointed, but maybe just misled. I was expecting this book to be more suspenseful, but it is really just a mystery. Which is probably my least favorite genre. Intriguing story and likable characters for those who enjoy this genre. Easy writing to comprehend and a simple story to get into.

Well known author but I should have read the blurb more carefully. Christian romances are NOT my thing so this was a DNF.

I love Colleen Coble's books. She always delivers a clean, romantic, mystery that will keep you reading well into the night. The characters are well developed and you soon come to love them. This book is no different Carly is someone you want to meet and become friends with. Her family has its problems as do many families and the book shows that and how the issues are resolved. Add in a story of an unknown adoption a Faberge egg and a few twists and turns and you have a recipe for a great book. Huge thank you to Netgalley and Thomas Nelson for an ARC. My review is all my own words and opinions. I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did.

This novel really drew me in right away - part mystery, part romance - it definitely kept me turning the pages. I enjoyed the plot, the characters were well-developed, and the ending was unexpected. Especially for those who enjoy a religious/Christianity slant to their reading, this book is ideal.

The author's books are always a favorite, the mystery, the characters, and of faith.
Carly didn't know what her husband had been into. Until death and raising her son and the danger now surrounding her. With the detective Lucas next door his love for babies, and helping with the murder of her husband..Renovations of the place to a B& B she finds treasures in the attic. A story showing one's faith and that life is fragile. Given arc for my voluntary review by Net Galley and Thomas Nelson Releases. Jan 2. 2024

I am a huge fan of this author , and this book was magnificent!

Carly‘s police husband, Eric is murdered when she is just two months pregnant, she returns home to her grandmother, after her son is born and then her grandmother announces that she plans to turn a house into a bed-and-breakfast, and enlists Carly and her two sisters help into cleaning up the place for renovations.
While cleaning the attic, Carly finds an old family, secret, and many treasures
Her next-door neighbor, Lucas, a policeman, who is also the brother of her ex-boyfriend, gets involved in this family mystery.

This book had me turning the pages as fast as I could, I loved Carly and Lucas’s character… I love the story line, I love the mystery

Colleen Coble has another great novel--this time surrounding A Fabergé egg! I LOVED having the extra info about the eggs woven into the plot! I personally LOVE studying the different eggs that have been created.

But what about the plot? Well in true Coble style, she will keep you guessing until you get nearly to the end--slipping little bread crumbs here and there--but also FALSE breadcrumbs! In this story we have Carly--a young widow who is trying to move on with her life after discovering her husband murdered just 9 months prior. She has a newborn baby that never knew his father to take care of. She's currently living with her grandmother in her giant old plantation home. She is supposed to be going through her great-grandmother's belonging in order to sell off any antiques and split the money with her sisters. Through the course of this she discovers a chest that has the stunning news that her grandmother is a TWIN and there is a Faberge egg in the chest! Suddenly life changes as Carly recognizes the egg as one that has been "lost" and thus would be worth MILLIONS of dollars. Now she wonders if that is what got her husband killed...

And everything is set in motion. We meet Lucas the next door neighbor who worked with Eric and always thought rather negatively of Carly...but is discovering that things weren't always as they seemed.

There is intrigue--there is family dynamics. There is mystery. and there is murder. The usual Colleen Coble novel!

Honestly this wasn't my favorite by her. I preferred some previous books--they were way more intense in plot. But it was still a solid mystery!

4 stars
**I was given this book as an ARC by the publisher and NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review, and all my opinions are 100% my own!

What a page turner! So much happens to Carly and her family in this book as they try to uncover their grandmother's family tree. Carly is a genuine person and she cares for everyone around her. It is too bad that she doesn't always get that treatment in return. Uncovering the mystery of who is behind everything takes you right to the end of the book! Colleen Coble does not disappoint!

Fragile Designs by Colleen Coble had in-depth characters with enough of a twist that kept me flipping through the pages. I love the backstory and how Coble tied all the ends together at the end of the novel. The plot was a treasure hunt to find her grandmother’s real family and if the egg was actually a Faberge egg. Plenty of action to keep readers flipping through the story. The romance between Carly and Lucas blooms through the novel, making readers want to know if they will have their happily-ever-after. As the story progresses, reality and hidden truths come to light to either bring life to a dying element or hurt to others. I love the idea of Faberge Eggs. If readers enjoy this concept, Kelli Stuart, has written a novel called The Master Craftsman that is a historical novel that deals with this concept. Overall, Fragile Designs by Collen Coble incorporated history into a modern mystery, which I really liked. If fans are ready for a treasure hunt, then this would be a wonderful book to pick up and spend a day with.

I received a complimentary copy of Fragile Designs by Colleen Coble from Thomas Nelson Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.

3.5 stars

This romantic suspense is listed as Christian but religion is not forced down your throat like some books. I wouldn't hesitate to suggest this book to a non-Christian.

There were a lot of characters and some suspension of disbelief is required in regards to the plot but it was still an interesting and entertaining read.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you, Thomas Nelson!

Colleen Coble has crafted another great suspense story! There are quite a few characters, and even several bad guys, so it was a little confusing keeping track of them all, but it was still a great book. I love Carly’s character. She’s so kind and generous. I don’t want to give any spoilers, but I especially liked the birthday party at the end. I’ve always been a fan of Ms. Coble and look forward to reading more of her books.

I received an advanced readers copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

A well-written book full of danger, mystery, intrigue and a bit of a love story. This book kept me reading when other things needed to be done but it was well worth it. This is a Christian novel without religion being front and center. History and facts about the Faberge eggs add to the story. Without giving away details from the story, I recommend this book to anyone who likes a good mystery. I received an arc of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own.

Fragile designs seemed to have it all. Suspense, intrigue, family, murders, love, When a recent widow discovers a family secret that no one knows about, everything in their life begins to come unraveled. With the help of her neighbor, and the brother of her ex boyfriend, she begins to piece together and figure out what is going on.
This book was amazing. It has been a long time since I have read a book by Colleen Coble but it won't be as long now! Looking forward to her next story.
Thanks netgalley & Thomas Nelson for a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review and opinions.

This book is one of those that you cannot wait to get to the end and when you do you are sorry that it ended. The plot is a suspense filled journey through the pages of a family history. When Carly inherits her grandma's things she has no idea what this will mean to her and her family. As the mysteries unravel, the reader is transported into Carly, her friends and her family' s lives. It seems that there are secrets everywhere. But threats and even murder cannot dim the love and faith of these people.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.

Set mostly in South Carolina in the present. Carly Harris is a widow, her son Noah is two months old and they live with Carly’s grandmother. While clearing out her grandmother’s attic Carly finds an old chest. Inside the chest she finds a photo and documents. Hidden in a blanket is a mysterious egg-shaped object. She also finds a note that had been written by her murdered husband.
When Carly starts questioning how the items in the chest could be linked to her husbands murder she soon finds her own life could be in danger.
I loved the way this story unfolded to reveal family secrets. Full of action, twists and turns.

A mystery surrounding a Faberge egg and intricately entwined family secrets create the setting for Colleen Coble’s Fragile Designs.

Nothing in Carly’s life is simple. Nothing in her life is as it seems. Carly sets out to find the answers surrounding the murder of her husband, but she soon reveals the hidden truths behind her own family secrets.

This book had many likable characters and several mysterious storylines to unravel. While I really enjoyed the multiple surprises throughout this book as well as the family interactions and growth, the pacing was very slow at points. The long or repetitive explanations hindered the unraveling of the mystery and dampened the “got to know” suspenseful feelings.

Overall, this was a good read with a unique antiquity approach that still felt very contemporary.


Thank you NetGalley and Thomas Nelson fiction for an advanced digital to honestly read and review. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Recently widowed and the mother to an infant son, Carly Harris makes a shocking find when she is sifting through the contents of her great grandmother’s trunk. When she realizes the value of her find, she turns to neighbor Lucas Bennett, a police detective, to figure out what to do. Tension increases as Carly finds herself the target of people who will do anything to gain possession of her valuable discovery. Will she and Lucas be able to find the answers they seek before it’s too late? It’s another suspenseful winner from a masterful storyteller.

Wow - What a terrific story is found in the pages of Fragile Design, a novel centered on the discovery of what is thought to be one of the lost Faberge Eggs from Russian history. If indeed this egg is what it seems, it's worth tens of millions of dollars and where such great amounts of money are involved, it's no surprise that criminals are not far behind. Actually, it's a real challenge to stay ahead of them.

The author has written a truly engaging story, one that touches on so many aspects of life - Love, betrayal, forgiveness, deception, murder, intrigue, danger, and romance. This book has it all. Such great characters that at times I almost felt like I was in a small theatre watching a fabulous play.

Hard to believe I've never read a book by this author before now. She's an excellent writer. No gaps, no slow points, plenty of excitement and suspense, with a wonderful romance woven throughout the pages of this story. It's an engaging read that you won't want to put down.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Fragile Designs is an easy read involving mystery, international intrigue, and suspense. Add in family drama, romance, and twins separated at birth, and you have a story that was hard to put down. I recommend any and all of Colleen Coble’s books as she is one of my favorite authors.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced reader’s copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Colleen Coble does a great job of working family and romantic relationships into her mysteries, and this book is no exception. Between a stumped murder investigation, family dynamics with Carly and her sisters, a new relationship budding, a newly discovered twin sister, and a mystery surrounding a found Fabrege egg, there is plenty of suspense, intrigue, and emotion to keep,my turning pages! Wonderful story!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.