Title: Fragile
Author: Michelle Leighton
First published August 6, 2012
296 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9781475158373 (ISBN10: 1475158378)
Rating: 4
Overview
In Michelle Leighton’s novel “Fragile,” Hardy Bradford has everything he could ever want: the perfect girlfriend, a clear path to football stardom, and a bright future. But when he meets Miracle St. James, he realizes that his life was missing something essential.
Miracle is unlike anyone he’s ever met before, and he can’t get her out of his head. When she shows up in his class months later, Hardy knows that he’s in trouble.
Miracle is sick – very sick – and she needs his help. Hardy will do anything to save her, even if it means sacrificing his future and his dreams.
As Miracle’s condition worsens, Hardy must decide how much he’s willing to give up for the woman he loves. Can he be the hero that she needs?
Or will he need saving too? “Fragile” is a gripping and emotional story about the power of love in the face of life and death.
About the Author
M. Leighton, a bestselling author on both the New York Times and USA Today lists, hails from Ohio but has since relocated to the South for the warmer weather and proximity to water during the summer months.
As a child, Michelle had a wild imagination that she now channels into writing literary fiction. With more than a dozen novels under her belt, Michelle enjoys daydreaming about romantic settings with charming Southern men, much like her own husband and those featured in her latest works.
When not lost in these fantasies, she can be found indulging in her love for horseback riding, skiing in Aspen or scuba diving with a hunky rock star—all from the comfort of her cozy office.
In her personal life, Michelle is a fan of coffee and chocolate, especially when they’re combined. She even believes that this combination could one day bring about world peace.
Additionally, she is fond of the color red and is considering dying her hair to match.
Editoral Review
In Michelle Leighton’s novel, Fragile, readers are transported into the world of a small town in North Carolina, where secrets, love, and tragedy collide. Leighton is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, well-known for her captivating storytelling and ability to create characters that come to life on the page.
Published in August of 2012, Fragile falls into the contemporary romance genre, yet Leighton adds a layer of mystery and suspense that keeps the reader engaged until the very last page. The story centers around Bree, a young woman who has come back to her hometown to escape an abusive relationship.
Despite her best efforts to keep a low profile, she is immediately drawn to a brooding, mysterious man named Merrick. As they both try to navigate the complex emotions that come with their connection, they are confronted with a tragedy that leaves them both questioning everything they thought they knew about themselves and the people around them.
The setting of Fragile plays an important role in the story; the small town is filled with characters who have known each other for decades, and their history is entwined with the land itself. Leighton does an excellent job of weaving descriptions of the town and its inhabitants into the story, which makes the world feel fully realized and immersive.
One of the strengths of the novel is Leighton’s ability to create multi-dimensional characters that feel like real people. Bree and Merrick are both flawed and complex, and it’s easy to see why they are drawn to each other.
The romance between them is steamy and intense, yet Leighton never lets it completely overshadow the larger plot. The themes of abuse, trauma, and healing are handled with sensitivity and care, and it’s clear that Leighton has done her research.
That being said, there are a few weaknesses to the novel. The pacing can be a bit uneven at times, with some sections feeling slow and others rushed.
Additionally, some of the supporting characters feel underdeveloped; while they serve a purpose in the story, it would have been nice to see more of their inner lives. Overall, Fragile is a captivating read that will leave readers rooting for Bree and Merrick’s relationship to succeed.
While it’s not without its flaws, Leighton’s expert storytelling and ability to create a fully-realized world make it a standout in the contemporary romance genre. Fans of authors like Colleen Hoover and Tarryn Fisher will find a lot to love here.
Score: 3.5/5
