Fragile Things: A New Adult Romantic Suspense
- eBook
- Paperback
Synopsis
Poe Halliday was an accident, a chance meeting that could change my life forever.
Growing up, my mother didn’t have secrets—her secrets had her. And after she disappeared, I had nothing.
Or so I thought.
When the invitation arrived, the opportunity to learn more about my mother’s past was too tempting to ignore. Heading west to meet a long-lost aunt was a risk, but the need for answers outweighed my hesitation. Losing my heart was never part of the plan. Poe broke down my walls, made me vulnerable, and now the dark history of this town threatens to tear me apart.
Stella Bradleigh was a distraction, one who didn’t recognize my name.
For as long as I can remember, I’ve been groomed for a future I don’t want. And death is the only way out.
Or so I’ve been taught.
When Stella showed up out of the blue, none of us knew what it meant. Beautiful, with a mysterious past and a snarky attitude, I figured she’d be fast, fun, and disposable. Instead, she consumed me, opened my eyes to the evil that festers here, and now I’m left questioning everything about my family’s legacy.
Release date: August 13, 2020
Publisher: Folkestone Publishing
Print pages: 312
Reader says this book is...: action-packed (1) emotionally riveting (1) entertaining story (1) sex scenes (1) suspenseful (1) terrific writing (1) unputdownable (1)
Content advisory: Please see TW at beginning of book.
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From page one, I was captured. We begin with the opening of a literal Pandora’s box, as our heroine Stella receives a mysterious package with an invitation to visit an aunt she di...
From page one, I was captured. We begin with the opening of a literal Pandora’s box, as our heroine Stella receives a mysterious package with an invitation to visit an aunt she didn’t even know she had. Stella has been on her own from the ripe old age of fifteen- abandoned by her mother, a fugitive of the foster care system, and now surviving on her own under a different identity. Not only is the invitation a mystery, but Stella’s own understanding of her history is, too- a missing mother and missing memories and bouts of anxiety have long since left her perplexed. Impoverished and relatively alone, she doesn’t have much to lose and only answers to gain, so she travels across the country to stay with her aunt, thrusting her squarely in the middle of an elite world foreign to her. A chance encounter and an elite inner circle connects her to Poe, the rich golden boy. Stella soon finds herself smack in the middle of a tangled web of secrets, mystery, deceit, and treachery- all part of some mysterious history amongst the town’s most elite. But just where does Stella fit into all of this?
Stella is one of my favorite heroines I’ve read in a good while. She’s so admirably resilient and self-assured. She’s just STRONG- unwilling to be pushed around or live outside of her values. But, she’s also got layers- she’s kind and empathetic, and profoundly patient for all that she’s endured. She’s a heroine you can respect, the heroine you desperately root for. And Poe is the dreamy alpha elite bully- son of a founding family and the defacto leader of the crew. He’s cocky, charming, and smug, but he’s also complex, he’s emotionally aware and understanding. He has a sweet and protective streak a mile long- he sucked me right into his orbit and I never want to leave. And their chemistry is scorching. We get some insta-love, sure- but Samantha really develops their emotional connection- she gives these characters a chance to be open and vulnerable, to invest in each other, and the emotional and sexual tension between them is consuming.
What I loved most about this story, though, was how cleverly Samantha creates two leads who subvert your normal expectations for the bully trope. Both leads don’t exactly play into the normal “rich bully” and bullied types. Poe isn’t your typical alpha bully- in fact, he resents his privilege, would rebuke it if he could. He abhors cruelty and high school hierarchy BS. In fact, none of the elite really play into the whole “rule the school trope”- they just want to exist, be with their friends. And, when he finds himself having to be cruel to Stella, he’s wracked with guilt and remorse. He’s got such a deep soul, such an emotional consciousness that is truly refreshing. And Stella, despite her painful history, isn’t bitter or hostile. She’s strong, but she’s also got an uncertainty and vulnerability to her. She opens up to people, she’s not closed off to others. And best of all, both characters are so self-aware- they understand their own psyche, recognize their own patterns and baggage, and are actively trying to address them as best they can. They accept responsibility for their actions, and they are thoughtful in what they do. It feels so much more grounded and mature- and way more emotionally complex.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t celebrate the QUALITY OF writing here- this reads like a novel by a veteran writer. From the basic mechanics (word choice, syntax, etc) to adept world building and characterization, Samantha Lovelock is clearly a gifted writer. The prose flowed, the characters are dynamic and captivating, and pacing was perfectly balanced and builds a fantastic crescendo to the finale. There’s a real nuance to the story telling- a descriptive quality in both character and place that is really encompassing. And, Samantha masterfully scaffolds and weaves the chemistry and the mystery to create both intensity and intimacy, which kept the pages turning but also kept me emotionally invested. If this is the kind of writing Samantha produces on her debut, then she’s clearly an author to watch.
I’m loving the themes of belonging- this is a story about a girl just trying to figure out just where she belongs. And a thoughtful exploration of just how much where you belong, and where you came from, influences who you are, and who you are meant to be. I can’t wait to see where this goes next in the second half of the duet- I NEED IT NOW!
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