Fragile (Rafferty, #1)

Feb 09, 2009 Auntee rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Fans of romantic suspense

Recommended to Auntee by: Julie (jj)

Shelves: contemporary-romance, erotic-romance, 2009_reads, romantic-suspense, keepers, husband-worthy_hero, shiloh-walker

Boy do I love a good romantic suspense, one that doesn't skimp on the romance or the suspense for that matter, and Fragile really delivered on both counts. I loved the author's detailed characterizations of the hero and heroine--she gave plenty of background info about each--I felt that I knew them well enough to guess how they would react in certain situations. I love when an author takes the time to do that--it makes the story flow and also makes it more believable. This was no fairytale roman...more Boy do I love a good romantic suspense, one that doesn't skimp on the romance or the suspense for that matter, and Fragile really delivered on both counts. I loved the author's detailed characterizations of the hero and heroine--she gave plenty of background info about each--I felt that I knew them well enough to guess how they would react in certain situations. I love when an author takes the time to do that--it makes the story flow and also makes it more believable. This was no fairytale romance, either. Both characters had baggage, issues with their pasts, less than ideal childhoods--and this made it all the more satisfying when they found each other--I desperately wanted each to find happiness. And even when they did find happiness, it was no walk in the park. A lot of real life problems cropped up (work schedules and job related stresses) and it just made the story seem more real.

I loved the brave heroine, social worker Devon. She had a horrible past, one you don't read about often in a romance novel (at least for the heroine). It was truly heartbreaking to read, and it proved what strong stuff she was made of when she not only survived her miserable childhood, but turned her life around. After finally breaking free from her past, she wasn't looking for any complications in her life, and she found a big juicy complication though in Luke Rafferty.

And I dare anyone to read about the hero, former Army Ranger and now E.R. Doctor Luke Rafferty, not to fall in love with him. Wow. I loved his whole courtship of Devon. From the glances he'd give her when their paths crossed at the hospital, to the sexy fantasies he had about her hair--good stuff. It was romantic, yet hot. Very hot. I loved his whole, big bad alpha protective streak too. I loved that he thought he finally found what he was looking for all his life when he found Devon.

So the romance part of the book was very satisfying--with some nicely done erotic love scenes, romantic day-to day scenes, getting to know you and I-think-I'm-falling-in-love-with-you scenes--some really swoon-worthy stuff. It took some work, but I liked how Luke was able to break down Devon's emotional walls and get her to let him in. But of course this being a romantic suspense, there's got to be a little suspense, right? Oh yeah, there was plenty of suspense, especially when there was a stalker after Devon, and nobody could figure out who it could be until it was almost too late. Of course Luke got the guilts because he felt it was his fault that he failed to protect Devon, and this almost came between their relationship. But just when you think everything is back on course with the H/H, something equally serious happens, and this might destroy the beautiful romance once and for all. To say any more would just about spoil things, so all I can say is that I was heartbroken when Devon hurt Luke (for his own good, of course) and thought it best if she could work out her problems on her own. Not a good idea...

I should warn that there's lots of violence or talk of violence in this book, and it can be upsetting at times. It has a very gritty, realistic feel to it, and not all of it is easy to read. But I just loved the characters of Devon and Luke; I was dying for them to work out their problems and have a happy ending, so it was worth it to get through all the pain and misery to see them get a HEA. I also was intrigued by Luke's twin brother Quinn, a man with a story that's just begging to be told--I hope Shiloh Walker has plans for that to happen, because I would love to read about the mysterious Quinn.

This was definitely one of the best books I've read this year, and ranks right up there with the best romantic suspenses I've ever read. Equal parts hot romance and exciting suspense--a real keeper--5 stars!(less)

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Jun 26, 2009 Eastofoz rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Readers looking for a protector themed romance

Recommended to Eastofoz by: Auntee

Shelves: romantic-suspense

When you decide to read this book you really have to be in the right frame of mind for something dark and serious –it’s no light and fluffy the-world-is-a-beautiful-place romance novel, but it’s very good and will take you to hell and back on that emotional roller coaster ride. Some of the subject matter (child abuse, rape, drug addiction) may not be for everyone as it’s downright horrifying at times, but the author presented it very well all the while saying that if someone loves you enough and...more When you decide to read this book you really have to be in the right frame of mind for something dark and serious –it’s no light and fluffy the-world-is-a-beautiful-place romance novel, but it’s very good and will take you to hell and back on that emotional roller coaster ride. Some of the subject matter (child abuse, rape, drug addiction) may not be for everyone as it’s downright horrifying at times, but the author presented it very well all the while saying that if someone loves you enough and you love them back, life can be damn good and you can find that happiness again.

The story is told like a movie for a while and changes direction every few years so that you get snippets of the characters’ lives at different points. This was very well-done. It centers around Devon and Luke. Devon doesn’t know if she loves Luke because her life has been one nightmare after another. Luke has strong feelings for Devon from the get-go and is set on showing her that what they have can work and little by little he gets her to see that. This was one of the interesting parts of the book because usually it’s the hero who’s denying his feelings and acting like the cock of the walk, well not so here. I really felt for the guy. When she ends up rejecting him at one point my heart broke into little pieces and I said to myself “Devon stop being a freakin’ idiot already!” but then you start to understand her side of the coin too and can see why she does some of the things she does so you can’t really hate her. Walker did a very good job here making the reader feel torn and lost like her characters.

The hero in this story is a cut above. Luke, ex-Army Ranger, is on my **sigh sigh** shelf ;) He’s an alpha without being boorish or hot to trot or even full of himself, but he’s in no way a beta guy either which was what made me love him so much. The fact that he’s an ex-Army Ranger barely figures in the story which was odd because usually these guys are poster boys for He-Man and his ilk. He wants to be with Devon and he’s so sweet to her you just keep getting choked up going "geeze" right through. He’s a guy who knows what he wants and will wait patiently until he gets it. As for the heroine, it’s a wonder she’s still standing at the end of the day what with the things that happen to her but Luke helps her come into her own. She’s no waif or pushover that’s for sure but she’s been hurt so deeply that only a truly unconditional love can help her love herself. You really feel the connection between the two throughout the novel. Um, oh ya, and then there's the sex (!!) Mighty hot here ;)

The sub-story with Luke’s twin brother Quinn was very well-done also. Usually those secondary stories bug me but this one really added to Luke’s characterization. Quinn is one creepy guy but there’s something about him that just makes you wonder if the author is going to write his story soon.

The frightening parts in the story will certainly throw you for a loop and set your skin to crawling that’s for sure what with the sicker than sick stalkers.

So 4 ½ stars for me. Not quite a 5 because too many horrible things happened to the heroine and I find it a little hard to believe that anyone could survive all that intact and just go on merrily with their life, I’d have also liked to have seen a bit more at the end between the two –maybe an few years later wrap up or something. If you’re looking for a good protector romance this should do it.
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Jan 30, 2009 Julie (jjmachshev) rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2009-reads, erotica

Whew! My heart is still racing after finishing "Fragile" by Shiloh Walker. This is an expanded version of an e-book story titled 'Share and Share Alike', but even though I had already read the e-book, I was still riveted to the pages of the expanded novel. The tension was high, the mystery was intricate with plenty of suspects, and the sex was hot, hot, hot.

Devon survived the death of her parents only to end up the victim of a child molester. After running away, she spiraled down into drugs and...more

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Feb 15, 2009 Isis FG rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: any romance reader

Recommended to Isis FG by: Auntee

Shelves: 2009, info-full, reviewed, genre-romance-fiction, format-trade-pb, published-2009, stars-5

Rating 4.5 / 5

Such an emotional book! This was a total roller coaster ride to read. The heroine really tugs at your heartstrings. I was sucked into the story right from the beginning. And the suspense plot adds a really nice aspect to the book.

Fragile is the story of Devon Manning, a woman who was dealt a really lousy hand early in life. After her parents died, she went to live with an aunt who married a man who sexually abused her. After he went to jail, her aunt kicked her out and Devon, alrea...more Rating 4.5 / 5

Such an emotional book! This was a total roller coaster ride to read. The heroine really tugs at your heartstrings. I was sucked into the story right from the beginning. And the suspense plot adds a really nice aspect to the book.

Fragile is the story of Devon Manning, a woman who was dealt a really lousy hand early in life. After her parents died, she went to live with an aunt who married a man who sexually abused her. After he went to jail, her aunt kicked her out and Devon, already hooked on drugs, took to the streets. Thankfully, she was rescued by a social worked and later adopted by two loving parents. Now, Devon is a social worker hoping to make a different in people's lives like someone did for her. But she's never really gotten over the scars of her past. She's never been able to have a relationship with a man because of what happened to her. Then she meets Luke Rafferty, a doctor at a local hospital.

There's a sizzling chemistry between to the two, but Devon is afraid to try a relationship. Luke is patient with her and Devon eventually gives in. Things are going well when they realize someone is stalking Devon. A brutal attack leaves Devon in pieces and Luke devastated. As much as they love each other, some things may be too hard to get past.

Talk about tragic heroines! This book certainly had one! If I were Devon, I'd be wondering why the hell this bad stuff was always happening to me. Author Shiloh Walker did a really amazing job writing her character. The emotions are so real and palpable. I was almost in tears more than once over what Devon went through. It's such a sad story...but yet also uplifting because Devon persevered and got her happy ending.

The suspense part of the story added a nice dimension to the story. It doesn't truly come into play until maybe halfway through, but when it does, it adds some excellent tension to the story. And what happened in the last chunk of the book...whew! That was definitely tense! And a bit creepy with what was really going on with Devon. Shiloh Walker did a great job with this part of the book, as well.

This was just an all-around really solid book. I'm really glad I decided to pick it up after reading a couple of the reviews here on GR. I'm not really sure why I'm not giving it a full five stars. As much as I loved it, I didn't absolute LOVE it...if that makes sense. I think maybe it was the ending. For me, there was very slight unsettled feel to it for some reason. But even so, this was a great, emotional romance/romantic suspense and I'd definitely recommend it to my romance reader friends.(less)

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Feb 07, 2009 Kathrynn rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Romantic Suspense (hot) Readers

Recommended to Kathrynn by: Julie (jjmachshev) Anderson

Shelves: romance-suspense, own, 2009, hot, theme-abused_heroine, theme-child_abuse, theme-former_military, reviewed

Thoroughly enjoyed this nicely written, romantic suspense set in Kentucky and I hope there will be a sequel...

Luke was a wonderful character, former Special Forces, now doctor and how he slowly managed to get under Devin's skin was very touching. Devin was a 26 year-old social worker with an awful lot of bad history on her plate. She and Luke ran into each other at the hospital from time-to-time...

The story started out kind of slow, building up the necessary history about Luke and his twin brot...more

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Apr 05, 2009 Shawna rated it 5 of 5 stars

Recommended to Shawna by: Kim, Isis, & Auntee's reviews

Shelves: romantic-suspense, shiloh-walker-jc-daniels, made-me-cry, 2009-reads, hero-im-gaga-over, hero-beta, heroine-abused-traumatic-past-rape, hero-i-wanna-marry, favorites, i-read-no-longer-own-sold-swapped, brothers-sisters-cousins-family, angsty-dark-heavy-lotsa-drama, doctor-or-nurse-in-the-house-shrink, 4-to-5-stars, hero-too-yummy-perfect-to-be-true

4 ½ stars – Romantic Suspense

Fragile is an emotional roller coaster ride of a book with equal parts romance and suspense. The hero Luke is an ex Army Ranger turned ER doctor with some emotional and physical battle scars who falls fast and hard for social worker Devon, who has a very tortured past and some seriously deep emotional scars of her own. Luke has to overcome her resistance, emotional barriers, and slowly gain her trust in order to have a relationship with her. I was impressed with Walk...more 4 ½ stars – Romantic Suspense

Fragile is an emotional roller coaster ride of a book with equal parts romance and suspense. The hero Luke is an ex Army Ranger turned ER doctor with some emotional and physical battle scars who falls fast and hard for social worker Devon, who has a very tortured past and some seriously deep emotional scars of her own. Luke has to overcome her resistance, emotional barriers, and slowly gain her trust in order to have a relationship with her. I was impressed with Walker’s thorough depiction of both the hero and heroine to where you really felt their emotions, feelings, and struggles. I really enjoyed the realistic pace and timing of the romantic progression between Luke and Devon. So often in romance novels, the H/H jump into bed right away and declare their love mere moments/days after hooking up. Although Luke does develop strong feelings for Devon from the very beginning, he takes the time to court and date her and lets her set the speed for their physical relationship. Luke allows Devon to reveal her painful secrets to him when she’s ready, never pushing her, and his patience is heartwarming. When they finally do confess their feelings for each other, it’s much more satisfying because it’s realistic and hard-won.

Devon is a heroine to love. She’s suffered unspeakable pain and abuse, but is a survivor in every way who instead of wallowing in her past and grief channels it into helping kids as a dedicated social worker. Luke is an absolute dreamboat of a hero; he’s sexy, romantic, patient, tender, protective, caring, and nurturing. I went totally gaga over him! He’s right up there with Elec from Erin McCarthy’s Flat-Out Sexy in terms of sheer male scrumptiousness.

The stalker/romantic suspense element of the story is terrifying and gut-wrenching, especially since Devon has already experienced so much hurt and fear in her life. I felt like damn, hasn’t she already been through enough?! It was really hard to get through some of it, hence the emotional roller coaster.

My only real issue with the story was the ending, which I thought was too abrupt. After enduring so much turmoil and drama, I wanted some closure, more of an HEA, and an epilogue would have been icing on the cake. Because of that, I dropped my rating from 5 to 4 ½ stars (even though GR doesn’t have official half-star ratings). Overall, Fragile is a great romantic suspense read...4 ½ (almost 5) stars!(less)

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Mar 22, 2009 Miss Kim rated it 4 of 5 stars

Recommended to Miss Kim by: Kathyrnn, Auntee, JJ, Isys, Melissab....

Shelves: 2009

This is definatly not a 'feel good romance'. I had read some reviews about this one, but wasn't fully prepared for heartwrenching stuff that happens throughout the heroines life. The suspense is very good, and I thought I knew who the bad guy was and I was suprised when it was revealed. It got rough for me when the herione is traumatized near the end, and she pushes the hero away and he is broken over it. I was just so sad for him. I felt the end was not a full HEA for some reason. I think that'...more

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Feb 14, 2009 MelissaB rated it 4 of 5 stars

Recommended to MelissaB by: Auntee

Shelves: 2009-reads, romantic-suspense, abused-heroine, kindle

Some parts were a little dark in this book but the suspense was good and the characters were engaging. The poor heroine had so much bad stuff happen to her that I was worried about her reclaiming a normal life but I think the author made her strong enough to come to terms with it. I like how the hero was able to accept the heroine as she was and was a very patient compassionate man who was willing to give her what she needed to be his lover. Very good book overall.

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Jul 12, 2010 Erotic Horizon added it

The Characters

Devon Manning – Social Worker, a friend to the kids who are living on the edge. The woman who has more to be wary of than most people, but a woman with a huge capacity to forgive.

Luke Rafferty – Son, brother, Army Ranger and Doctor. A man searching for the unknown, a man who is just not sure he will know what he is searching for when he meets her.

The Other Half of Luke – The brother who was always the missing link in Luke's life. The brother who was the other half of himself in eve...more

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Aug 20, 2010 Keri rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: reviewed, romance-contemporary, 2010-read, shiloh-walker

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Shiloh Walker is a new author for me and I have to say that Fragile was a very good read. In some areas it was a little tough because of Devon's horrific background. I won't reveal it here, as it is a huge part of this story. Luke, an ex-Army Ranger, now a doctor, was attracted to Devon immediately. Devon wasn't so convinced that Luke was a complication that she needed in her fragile life right now.

Their romance from the beginning was very strong and hot. The love scenes were very satisfying and...more

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Mar 10, 2011 Leontine rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shiloh Walker, who is a new-to-me author, enters my book realm with the story of ex-Ranger Luke Rafferty and social worker Devon Manning. This author doesn't hold back and from the first page emotionally sucker punched me with the scene of long lost twin brothers who are reunited at the age of eleven. Then I was quickly taken twenty years forward were Luke decided to quit the Rangers, which was another turn point between both brothers to end up another six years later where Luke works in the ER...more Shiloh Walker, who is a new-to-me author, enters my book realm with the story of ex-Ranger Luke Rafferty and social worker Devon Manning. This author doesn't hold back and from the first page emotionally sucker punched me with the scene of long lost twin brothers who are reunited at the age of eleven. Then I was quickly taken twenty years forward were Luke decided to quit the Rangers, which was another turn point between both brothers to end up another six years later where Luke works in the ER of Rudding Memorial Hospital. This is where Luke meets Devon Manning.

From the moment I met Luke Rafferty in this story he has been romancing my heart. He is the kind of man who sticks by you in tough situations, who is nice, loyal, gentle yet with a rough edge. While I thoroughly enjoyed him and while I loved his interaction with Devon, I just like my heroes a little more damaged, darker and tortured. That is why Quinn, his twin brother, pulled every heartstring I have. Opposite of Luke there was Devon Manning, she had a tough childhood before she ended up with her adoptive parents, the Mannings. She is strong and vulnerable, passionate yet also guarded and a driven woman altogether. Devon is the kind of woman with scars on her soul but still has a strength that radiates from within, that is something that captured me and made me like her so.

Shiloh Walker gave life to characters where I say; It was instant attraction, that is what I had with the characters, and they pulled me in to a story that was layered with not only a searing romance, intense dialogues or a mind-boggling good chemistry. It is also the suspense that was effectively intertwined within the romance development which enhanced both aspects of the story. The strength of the plot lay with the faceless nemesis who could attack at any time. Shiloh Walker gave a few signals that danger was on the lure but never the nemesis' POV, she never gave away too many clues which made the tension sky-rocket. I was on a constant edge what would happen next.

The tension factor did not only play on my nerves, it was what it did with Devon and Luke that made me feel it in the first place. Devon had a lot to endure and while the fear was eating away at her there was an inner core of steel that I got to admire. Luke at the other hand witnessed the emotional and physical deterioration of the woman he loved and I could empathize with his anger, his feelings of incompetence not being able to protect. The suspense had twist and turns where Shiloh Walker made me believe one thing and then in the end manages to completely catch me off guard with the actual revealing of the evil mind behind it all.

Over the course of the story the romance grew from the flirtatious falling in love to a deeper, lasting connection with the powerful force of erotic chemistry spicing it up. It is the kind of story which just made me read on and on, unwilling to put the book down, and for me it is a testimony of the incredible writing voice Shiloh Walker possesses. The only reason this book isn't getting a higher rating is purely out of personal preferences in characterization and I'm missing Luke and Quinn's father for some reason. He was such an influence as the boys grew up but he's completely out of the picture in the actual story. Still I know, without a shadow of a doubt, this author will hit my bulls-eye sooner rather than later!

Shiloh Walker holds nothing back and gives the kind of characters who come to matter to a reader, who you experience every high and low with, every angst and joy and who make you ecstatic when they reach a place that is called happily ever after. FRAGILE is undiluted romance suspense that made this author an instant keeper on my shelves. (less)

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Mar 31, 2011 Mojca rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: gr-author, shiloh-walker, e-book, suspense-mystery-adventure-thriller, contemporary-romance, own, part-of-a-series, series-rafferty-twins, bodyguard-military-merc-gov-cop-leo, hb

In my years of reading I haven’t stumbled upon an author that could really beat Shiloh Walker in portraying tortured, abused, scarred, screwed-up characters. She’s a master at that. And even greater a master in making the reader empathize with those characters without their “whining” getting annoying. I know, the sympathy comes natural, but sometimes, sometimes you get the feeling these people are so used to their private pity-party that they don’t want to change. But please, don’t hold this sta...more

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Jul 22, 2012 Michelle rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: own, keeper, erotica, part-of-series

I loved this book. Luke was terrific. Smart and sexy and sweet, while at the same time edgy and tough and protective. Devon was a really likeable heroine, which surprised me because with her background, she could have very easily come across as "woe is me" and she doesn't, at all. The mystery and suspense were almost as prominent in the story as the romance, as well as Devon finding her own strength & learning to trust Luke. I wish I had read this first because it would have made me apprecia...more

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Oct 15, 2012 Dawn rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: contemporary-fiction, mystery-suspense

I picked this up on a whim at the library, with no knowledge of the author, but intrigued by the back cover summary.

Luke, a former Special Ops operative for the United States, has seen his share of horrible things so when a seriously bad leg injury curtails his field career, he decided it's time to join the normal world and begins his second career as a Doctor working in the local hospital ER.

Devon is a social worker who knows the tough places the kids from her cases are in because she came from...more

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Sep 10, 2010 Lynette rated it 5 of 5 stars

Fragile pulled me in from the first page. Luke is the epitome of what a hero should be. I loved, loved, loved him. Luke is what every woman wants, a man who accepts you for who you are, warts and all, and finds you utterly delicious. As far as Devon, I was so glad she wasn't a moron or a doormat and she was worthy of all that devotion.

The emotion between Luke and Devon was off the charts. It definitely met my romance must have criteria where I as the reader must feel that the two lead characters...more

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Mar 24, 2010 Judi rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: rom-suspense

I’m not sure what I expected when I started Fragile, but it sure delivered. I bought this book because twitter was all abuzz with Shiloh Walker’s new release Broken which I wanted to read, but since it was a sequel to Fragile I wanted to read this book first.

You can’t help but feel for both Luke and Devon. They are both flawed characters; each one had many obstacles to overcome to become the people they are today and both are successful in their careers. Their love story built slowly and was ver...more

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Mar 07, 2010 Caitlin Peterson rated it 4 of 5 stars

There was a tweet discussion awhile ago about Broken, Shiloh Walker's newest release. The people involved mentioned that even though it's not technically a series (each book can be a stand alone), Fragile would be the first book if it was. I was browsing the shelves at the library, saw this and instantly pulled it off the shelf and took it home. And devoured it.

The main characters, Luke and Devon, have seen and been through a lot of difficult things in their lives. They both are a bit scarred wh...more

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Jul 17, 2012 Diana rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: contemporary, disability, lendable, rape, revenge, smart-heroine, smexy, suspense

Really enjoyed this book. Kept me going and not wanting to put down. The pace was good. There were times when the change of scenery or characters talking that threw me some, but not too much.

The H/h were great. They complimented each other nicely and had a way of talking through things without a lot of angst. The outside plot that made things move at a fast pace for their romance was good as well. I did think the villian was a different character for what he was. When I thought the book was comi...more

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Jul 14, 2010 Lisa rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: romance

There are some great elements to this book. It's categorized as a romantic suspense but it's unusual for a romantic suspense. It has a more serious note to it. It's not your typical "happy-clap" romance.

I absolutely loved the character development with Luke and Devon. Walker did a fabulous job developing their relationship. There's love, sex, and heartbreak followed by more love, sex and heartbreak. The way their relationship unravels is the most enjoyable part of this book.

Now on to why I thin...more

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Sep 22, 2012 Syahira Sharif rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: adult, crime, drama, contemporary, romance, thriller

Fragile is an adult thriller suspense romance about Devon Manning, a social worker with a troubled childhood and Luke Rafferty, an ex-Ranger who is now a doctor who deals with emergency cases with frequencies in handling child abuses case.

Devon Manning is possibly a great example of a strong female character that I like to read in fiction and had hope others would try to emulate. I really have problems with authors who assume that only female who can kick ass is a strong female, I do like kick a...more

Fragile is an adult thriller suspense romance about Devon Manning, a social worker with a troubled childhood and Luke Rafferty, an ex-Ranger who is now a doctor who deals with emergency cases with frequencies in handling child abuses case.

Devon Manning is possibly a great example of a strong female character that I like to read in fiction and had hope others would try to emulate. I really have problems with authors who assume that only female who can kick ass is a strong female, I do like kick ass character but only if they have soul within them. The definition of 'strong female' itself is actually more about being independant, warrior-like, worthy, loyal, kind, strong-willed and strong-hearted. It can be a single mother with five children, a grandmother who sees her family broken and try to fix it, a sexually abused girl trying to survive the depravity in the world and etc. The point is, its a real quality in people and it exist everywhere around us. In Devon, she had lived through the darkest time in her childhood of rape and drug abuse when she's barely 12 until she found help. As an adult, she did have some problem with trusting in people except for the children she's working with and Luke, but what made her characterization is real was the fact that the author centered her POVs and plot around Devon that made the book intriguingly immersible.

This story is very unconventional in a sense of predictibility under a romance genre. Honestly, its very wrong to assume this book specifically as a romance book.

From the start, the novel uses multiple-POVs like an average mystery thriller format in laying down its plots and characters. Romance is just an additional thing that made both Luke and Devon significantly cohessive to the storyline because both of them directly and indirectly related to the plot progression. The book series touched the ugly part in humanity, particularly with post traumatic events, stalker, child abuses, pedophilia, drug abuses and all sorts. Walker had cleverly imbued such themes in her books almost like JD Robb aka Nora Roberts did with her cross genre series.

Fragile also had several explicit sex scenes but its very misleading to call this book as an erotica because sex is not the major part of this book. But just because a character find sex as emotionally freeing, it doesn't mean the book is purely erotica. I do have issues about the sex in this book which I saw as a filler but as a whole, I don't really have a problem with it since I could skip it and go ahead to the plot.

The major attraction to this book was the plot. There were layers of it like Devon's childhood, her work, the fear she's having at the thought being watched and stalked, the problems with Luke that's related to his old job and Luke's twin brother, Quinn, who himself had a darker childhood abuse. What made the book work for me was in Shiloh Walker's skill of plot handling and she wrote it with such finesse that made the book wholesome as a romance and as a thriller thats eeriely similar to Urban Fantasy without the fantasy part.(less)

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Aug 04, 2009 E. rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: suspense

Luke & Quinn Rafferty are identical twins that spent their first eleven years of childhood separated by more than physical distance. Luke has grown up with a loving father who never mentions his abusive wife that kidnapped their other child. Quinn has been beaten for much of his young life and consequently has been scarred mentally by his experiences. Both brothers end up joining the Rangers but Luke quits after a severe injury to his leg and uses his training as a field medic to help him be...more

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Aug 15, 2010 Sayuri_x rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2010, august-2010, contemp, suspense

I really enjoyed this book which is surprising for me as I usually throw Romantic Suspense book against the wall. I have no tolerance for stupid heroines and people having sex when they are running for thier lives.

That said, this wasn't your usual Rom Suspense. I would class it more as a thriller with romantic elements. I really enjoyed it. I loved how Luke and Devon's relationship was allowed to grow and become solid before it was torn apart.

I enjoyed the suspense part and was completely foole...more

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Mar 15, 2010 Rhapsody rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: abused-heroine, romance, fiction, romance-contemporary

It's a shame that I can't get into this author. All her heroines seem to be physically or sexually abused during their youth and have to then somehow recover from it. I love that theme, but I hate Walker's writing.

Devon was sexually abused by her aunt's husband. She ended up on the foster system, became a drug addict, and eventually pulled herself together and became a social worker. Luke's mother abandoned him at birth, but took Quinn, his twin brother, with her. He was reunited with Quinn year...more It's a shame that I can't get into this author. All her heroines seem to be physically or sexually abused during their youth and have to then somehow recover from it. I love that theme, but I hate Walker's writing.

Devon was sexually abused by her aunt's husband. She ended up on the foster system, became a drug addict, and eventually pulled herself together and became a social worker. Luke's mother abandoned him at birth, but took Quinn, his twin brother, with her. He was reunited with Quinn years later; Quinn, abused by their mother, was closed off and bitter, but the two nevertheless developed a kind of bond. They entered the armed forces together, but when Luke's leg was injured during an operation, he decided to quit and became a doctor. He got to know Devon because she was the social worker who often brought abused or neglected kids to the hospital.

Luke catches Devon alone at a bar and they end up sharing a table and talking. Luke has been interested in her for a while but has never found the right moment to ask her out. She remarks that she's "addicted" to shopping, but when he makes some joke about her addiction, she tenses up and he realizes that she has a history of drugs. His own behavior changes as a result, and she gets extremely defensive in the parking lot when he tries walking her to her car. This is one of the things I despise about Walker's writing. These two barely know each other and have just concluded a kind of pre-date, but the prickly heroine angrily shows the faded scars on her forearms from doing heroine and tells him how she was raped by her uncle and got all messed up and lived on the streets and was addicted to drugs, but now she's clean and how dare he judge her. I'm like, "Wow...way to spill every single one of your dark secrets halfway through your first dinner with the guy..."

The mystery/thriller elements weren't too bad. I was genuinely curious who was responsible for what was going on, and I liked how we as readers were aware that she was being stalked before she was. However, I disliked Devon so much, and was so bored by her romance with Luke, that it was sort of hard to care.

Painful to read. It gets 2 stars rather than 1 because, as I've said, I do like the theme. I just hated the actual book.(less)

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Jul 17, 2010 Marsha rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Adults

When I purchased Fragile I was under the mistaken impression it was a paranormal/mystery/romance. I long ago realized I only read paranormal books because vampires and other monsters aren't real; but people who brutally attack others are too real for me. However, after reading the first 70 pages of Fragile, I realized, I was not reading about the paranormal and the storyline was so well written I found although I was hesitant, I could not put it down! Devon Manning was abused as a teen by someon...more

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Jun 13, 2011 Kerste rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: at-the-library, contemporary-romance, horrifying-realism

Thank Tiffany that I read Book #2 first because it was stellar and if I had read this one first...I would have missed the brilliance because based on this book, I wouldn't have read the second book.

I get Quinn. I don't get Luke. And nothing in this story helped me see him as anything other than a guy who spent far too much time feeling guilty and responsible for sh*t that wasn't his fault. Give it a rest already.

Then there was the whole weird Devon tragedy...or should I say tragedies. How can so...more Thank Tiffany that I read Book #2 first because it was stellar and if I had read this one first...I would have missed the brilliance because based on this book, I wouldn't have read the second book.

I get Quinn. I don't get Luke. And nothing in this story helped me see him as anything other than a guy who spent far too much time feeling guilty and responsible for sh*t that wasn't his fault. Give it a rest already.

Then there was the whole weird Devon tragedy...or should I say tragedies. How can so much bad sh*t happen to one little lady? Holy Hell batman. Yeah, she was strong and a fighter and whatnot, but enough is enough.

Best moment of the book, knowing, just knowing that Quinn would show up and save the day (a moment that NEVER would have happened if I hadn't read book #2 first...in fact, it would have been an anti-moment because Luke had the audacity to suspect his twin of being the culprit, of all things - no matter how they hashed it out after the fact).

Having read the 2nd book, I also knew "who did it", though I didn't know why (and in retrospect, I'm not even sure why the "who dun it" was even mentioned in book #2 since it had no bearing whatsoever on that story line). It threw me off in the middle, but I think I would have been totally annoyed if I hadn't already known who did it because it was an unsolvable issue really. The trail in the book lead much more compellingly to Quinn than the actual perpetrator. But I knew better.

I did get to finally read Quinn's whole bad op gone wrong story though, something that actually did have a bearing on book #2s story line, but wasn't included in book #2. For that, I may end up buying this book as well.

But I will not find myself reading it as often as Broken. This book, while not terribly written, was a disappointment...or maybe it just lived down to my expectations.

Ah well, can't have it all.

There is another tale mentioned in this book about Luke and Quinn with another lady for 3 or 4 days or something, living out their fantasies with her...where's THAT story? Cuz honestly I can't really see it. Quinn just doesn't seem the type, but I'd be willing to try it. And the way it was mentioned in this book makes me think it's a short story out there or something. Gotta find me some more Quinn!(less)

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Aug 31, 2010 Quinn rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: library-book, romantic-suspense

Fragile is the first book I've read by this author, and I really enjoyed her writing style.

I love romantic suspense, even though the romance is often secondary to the suspense. In Fragile, the romance is front and centre, and very satisfying. There were actually times when not much was happening in the way of action, and I was wondering if this wasn't more a contemporary romance than romantic suspense.

Which is not to say I wasn't enjoying it at the time - the romance was beautifully done and Luk...more

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Feb 26, 2012 Kathy rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: action, romance, special-forces, sexy

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Luke and Quinn Rafferty - twins... Luke raised by a loving father on a ranch; Quinn, taken by his drug addict mother from the hospital, and his father could not locate them, abused until at 11 years of age, his mother died and his father was located... and they were united... Quinn, full of anger and fear, and Luke, full of compassion - and there is a connection - and Luke tells him their father doesn't hit (though he did get a spanking when he was 7) and that decent folks do not beat children....more Luke and Quinn Rafferty - twins... Luke raised by a loving father on a ranch; Quinn, taken by his drug addict mother from the hospital, and his father could not locate them, abused until at 11 years of age, his mother died and his father was located... and they were united... Quinn, full of anger and fear, and Luke, full of compassion - and there is a connection - and Luke tells him their father doesn't hit (though he did get a spanking when he was 7) and that decent folks do not beat children. Though the two are connected, Quinn is more able to read and feel Luke's emotions - especially when they are apart.

and 21 years later, they are both serving in special services, Luke more as a medic. It serves them both, but for Quinn it is him. When Luke is injured, he leaves the servcie, emotionally wanting more, and physically not up to par, and he goes to medical school and becomes a doctor, 6 years later working in an emergency room. and for the last 6 months, Luke is finding himself attracted to Devon Manning.

Devon, a social worker, joins some of her clients to the emergency room. But Devon has her own history... parents died when young, sent to a selfish aunt, who spent the insurance money, then married a rich man who began to sexually abuse devon.. until at the age of 13, a social worker becomes involved with her and she confides to her what is happening... and when convicted her aunt kicks her out of the house... she lives on the streets, steals, does drugs, and another social worker finds her 2 years later - a drug addict, and helps her connecting her to a couple who adopt her...

And they start out slow, and build... their first semi date, she somewhat jokes about being an addict (to shoes, and whatnot), but sees the truth and starts to withdraw a bit... and when she realizes it, she gets pissed off and tells him off, about not judging what he knows nothing about, and that it was in the past... a week later, and after apologies, they go out on their first official date - and the kissing is quie passionate, but when he pushes a bit further, he correctly reads her reaction and backs off - and gently works her way into her life... and when they finally make love she assures him she is not fragile.

Then behind the scenes she has two men stalkingher - one who wants to hurt Luke through Devon, and one who wants to hurt Devon. Luke is unable to keep her safe, in spite of his best efforts. the one who wants to hurt her is the father of a child beater she is helping - and he strangles her a few times to the point of passing out, and then her other stalker kills him - though as there is no evidence of him, and she doesn't recall, the police believe she killed him in self defense.

Then the other stalker, the CO of Luke and Quinn's unit, who blames Luke for the death and dissolution of their unit, starts to drug Devon when Luke is at work, and planting terrible dreams of Luke who was not Luke toughing her roughly, and when she wakes, there is some evidence that someone was there (her tshirt removed, etc.) and she feels she is going crazy... she asks Luke for some space, and immediately is missing him... then his CO gets even crazier... and Luke starts to suspect his brother Quinn (connecting her dreams, her fear, and sense of wrongnessJ)... and he rushes to her.. the CO wants to tie & drug him, and have him watch as he rapes Devon - and Devon can feel that Quinn has his back - and fights the CO & with Quinn's help, subdues him... and Devon is taken to the hospital, and poked and prodded as they try to determine the extent of her trauma... and Luke is feeling guilty (again) for not protecting her - and Quinn is the voice of reason, though he admits he is straddling the edge himself... and Quinn pushes him into Devon's room, startling her - and as he starts to leave, she reaches out to him, and he goes to her, and she feels safe in his arms...

and when home the nextg day, she insists that Quinn come over - and she greets him as her husband's brother... and Luke is forced to admit why he kept them apart (not wanting Quinn's judgemental tendacies to hurt her) but Quinn is trusting of his brother... ahhhh(less)

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Feb 24, 2011 Kyami rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: alpha-male, romantic-suspense-thriller

I originally bought and read Broken first; then I found out later there was a sort of precursor with Fragile. For me this was not one of her better books. The storyline was okay and I was definitely thrown a curve ball with the plot; what I thought was going to be oh so predictable became the unpredictable. When I finished the book I felt like I just stepped off a roller coaster ride of emotions. It was very refreshing to see the man fall in love first. Reading about Luke's point of view was a w...more

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Feb 27, 2009 Stephanie rated it 2 of 5 stars

This book was just okay for me. Even though I loved Luke and Devon, I just thought there was too much tragedy heaped on to one couple. I was a very dark book for me, and maybe that is not my frame of mind right now.
I am going to keep this book and read it again later.

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Mar 24, 2012 Snowtulip rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: rom

Pleasantly surprised. I picked this up at a used book story a while back and thought I'd dwindle my tbr pile down, but didn't think I'd have a lot of interest since my reading habits have changed.

I enjoyed the way the story unfolded and the depth that we get to know Devon and Luke. The author completely conveyed the misery of life that Devon and Luke were going through and I just felt completely heartbroken. The story kept throwing me for a loop and there was a certain darkness that came across...more

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Romance or erotica?	3	24	Jan 21, 2013 04:23am
Shiloh Walker's HUNTER'S NEED Just Released!	1	6	Dec 02, 2009 04:36am
Excerpt from FRAGILE	1	11	Feb 02, 2009 09:16pm

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Fragile (Rafferty #1)

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