The title Fragile tells you a lot about the main character in this book. The tale explores how easily a child can be damaged. The author touches on the problems with foster care and the ease with which fostering can go wrong, very wrong. Fragile takes a heart-breaking look at two young people who were failed by the system and the effects that failure had on their lives. By the time I finished this book I found myself angry, angry because are children out there who are being failed, by their parents. And angry because I know not all of them can be saved.

Sarah Hilary is extremely creative in telling this story. You see the story unfold as the author jumps between past and present in Nell’s memory. At times it becomes a little confusing, but I believe that is what the author intended, giving you a feel of what was happening in Nell’s mind. This young woman is confused, insecure and she trusts no one. The author did a remarkable job putting the reader into Nell’s mind allowing you to experience her emotions.

Nell promised to look after Joe, she promised to stay with him forever. Joe Peach is the only boy she has ever loved. Joe is a drug addict and when he leaves Nell alone to find his next fix she follows close behind. She sees him leaving a club with a woman and tries to follow them but loses sight of them. Determined not to give up she stays on the street where she last spotted them.  The next morning she discovers a house hidden between a restaurant and an office block. Convinced that is the house Joe disappeared to she talks her way into the house and secures herself a live-in housekeeper position. The only way she believes she will be able to find out what happened to Joe.

But things in Starling Villas is not as they would seem and as she settles into her new life everything turns upside down. As she falls in love with her boss, his wife makes an appearance filling her with doubt. At her most vulnerable, her past comes knocking. Can Nell find a way to put her past behind her? Can she finally allow herself to be happy?

I quickly fell into Nell’s world, wrapped up in her guilt and insecurity. You experience her love for Joe and Rosie first-hand. The author made Nell so real, you share her feelings as you turn the pages.

The author created realistic characters, allowing you to become invested in the story sharing the emotions as they happen. This book is all-consuming. Nell Ballard leaves you believing every word you read. A young woman who manages to appear strong and in control, while you get to see inside her head and know how broken she is. I loved this character despite knowing she is not as innocent as she appears to be.

Fragile draws you deep into Nell’s world and leaves you surrounded by her emotions. I did not want to reach the end of this book because the more I read, I knew there was not going to be a happy ending. This is a deeply moving, sad story. I loved this book. Even when I realised that things were not going to turn out rosy for Nell.

Gothic thriller and women’s fiction fans are in for a treat with this book. If you are keen on an emotional story that will draw you into a world of a broken young woman who does not get a happy ending, then this is the book for you.