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Beautiful, Fragile

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From the internationally bestselling author of The Quarantine Station comes Beautiful, Fragile...

We’d hurt each other, my soulmate and me…

Faith James is found on a remote beach in the south of Spain with a head injury and no recollection of how she got there. Recovering in hospital, she is desperate to return to her twenty-five-year-old, single life in Sydney.
But Faith has lost ten years of memories and her world becomes unrecognisable.
Her husband, Will, arrives to collect her, and she is told she has three young children waiting at home in London.
So begins the emotional journey to reclaim the life she's forgotten, learn how to be a wife and mother, and mend a broken marriage. She wants to remember everything…

But are all memories worth fighting for, even the ones that hurt?

378 pages, ebook

Published November 25, 2019

14 people are currently reading
158 people want to read

About the author

Michelle Montebello

13 books221 followers
MICHELLE MONTEBELLO is a writer from Sydney, Australia where she lives with her family.

She is the internationally bestselling author of The Quarantine Station, The Lost Letters of Playfair Street and The Forever Place.

Her books have won numerous accolades. The Quarantine Station won the 2023 International Book Excellence Award while The Lost Letters of Playfair Street won the 2020 ARRA Award for Favourite Historical Romance. The Forever Place was a 2022 ARRA and RWA RuBY Award finalist.

Michelle has been shortlisted three times for ARRA Australian Author of the Year.

For all Michelle’s book news, subscribe to her newsletter at www.michellemontebello.com.au.



Reach out to Michelle on social media:

Facebook: https://bit.ly/2JA6EsB
Instagram: https://bit.ly/2HzdOeP
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2LzG4Aj

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5 stars
96 (56%)
4 stars
52 (30%)
3 stars
15 (8%)
2 stars
5 (2%)
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2 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
Profile Image for Jülie ☼♄ .
534 reviews25 followers
November 20, 2022
A woman is found by a fisherman on a remote beach in the south of Spain, she is lost and staggering, alone, and with no identification. She has a head injury and bruising to her body…with no recollection of who she is or how she got there.
She believes she is single, twenty five year old Faith James, from Sydney Australia…but can that be right?

When she wakes in the hospital she soon discovers that she has in fact lost ten years of memory! She can recall nothing beyond her age of twenty five and living at “home” in Sydney. All she wants to do now is go home to her mum and her sister, but she soon discovers that she has a husband and three children, and lives in London…not Sydney! …And her husband is on his way to pick her up!
Nobody knows or can explain why she was found wandering alone and injured on a secluded beach in Spain, with no identification or memories of going there.

The reader is left anxiously guessing at so many possible scenarios as this woman navigates her way through a maze of emotional inroads as she tries to decipher the moods and reactions of her “husband” and her children, and her friends.

This is so much more than a romantic mystery!
For me, Michelle Montebello has become such a reliable author, one I now know I can trust to read without even checking the blurb.
Each of her books are unique in their own way, and yet they all share a common theme of portraying a depth of human character, with all their flaws and weaknesses, and with all the highs and lows, that very quickly draws the reader in for an immersive reading experience.
She has an uncanny knack for accurately describing those moments that are often indescribable, for taking the reader into the psyche of her characters so that you feel somehow involved or committed to their story.
This book was no different, although the storyline was altogether different from others by this author, it was just as captivating.

I loved it!

5⭐️s from me.
Profile Image for Helen.
2,725 reviews25 followers
November 18, 2019
This is such a beautiful, moving and emotional story I loved it from page one, I loved getting to know Faith and Will and loved sharing their journey, a journey that is about opening up and re-learning a lot for Faith after she is found on a beach in Spain injured and missing ten years of her life, don’t miss this one, truly it is a must read.

Faith wakes up on a lonely beach in Spain, injured and very confused when she gets to the hospital she thinks she is from Sydney and twenty five years old, and it is 2009, it comes as a complete shock to discover it is 2019, with a brain injury and not knowing what has happened to her or why she is in Spain it is really hard on her, when she is told that her husband will be coming from London to pick her up and she learns that she has three children, this begins a very emotional and poignant journey.

When Will is told that his wife has been in an accident in Spain and needs to go to her, he struggles with feelings about what he will find when he gets there, Faith is in a hospital bed she does not know him or remember that they have three children, will she remember why she took off from their home to go to Spain, there are so many questions, will she ever get her memory back, it takes him a bit to realize that the future is what counts and that she is the woman he loves.

Faith has a hard time coping when they get home Will is wary of answering too many of her questions, but one thing is sure that Faith wants her memory back but Will thinks that some things should remain in the past as they find the love that bought them together when they first met. This is such a beautifully written story, MS Montebello has bought Faith and Will and their beautiful family to life on these pages, their talks under the stars are just gorgeous and she had me guessing at what had happened to Faith, I felt their pain, their heartbreak and their joy, there were tears and smile. This is a story that I highly recommend a journey about families love and life, I loved it thank you MS Montebello.
Profile Image for Liz.
3,640 reviews63 followers
November 25, 2019
I was totally captivated by this emotionally charged story about second chances.
Profile Image for A Book Lover's Emporium Book Blog.
2,815 reviews167 followers
November 17, 2019
What a beautifully told story, from the first to the very last page. How I loved the writing of Michelle Montebello, who has written a story of immense struggle and pain, family, love and a second chance when you might think all is lost. This story really touched my heart.

Reading the character of Faith was just so sad with what had happened to her, I felt her pain, her despair and also her fear of meeting her husband and children who she cannot even remember. This woman was strong and determined. I hero-worshipped her in a way because everything she tried to do was scrutinised by everyone.

Will, her husband, I wasn't too sure about at first but I cannot even begin to imagine the frustration he was going through trying to hold a job down and take care of three young children; all the while watching the wife he loves treat him like a stranger. The feelings whilst reading this story were indeed raw and painful at times, but Will was a rock, an amazing man with an abundance of patience that I admired greatly.

This story is a reminder of how life can change in just the blink of an eye. It revolves around the marriage vows, family, love and loss. It shows just how easy love can be snatched away, maybe forever to be lost.

This is a book full of different emotions that pulled me back and forth, with secrets to be told, tissues to be grabbed but also hope that filled my heart. A wonderful story not to be missed, one that I will remember for a long time to come.
Profile Image for Kimberly Anne.
3,167 reviews184 followers
November 27, 2019
Beautiful, Fragile by Michelle Montebello was an unexpected read. Tough it could be classified as a romance; it was so much more. It was a story about second chances, love, family and finding your way. Faith and Will have been married for years and have three beautiful children. Everything seems perfect on the outside but looks can be deceiving.

Why does Faith find herself on an Italian beach, injured and with no memories of the last ten years? Those years include falling in love with her husband and the three children they share. Now she is expected to go back to a life she does not remember with a man who does not seem to love her. What drove her to another country and why does she feel so out of place in the life that everyone tells her is hers?

The faith we meet is vulnerable and lost. We see her trying to acclimate to a live she never remembers. Will seems off and also a bit lost. What happened between them? But is this their second chance? But will getting her memory back change things? Beautiful, Fragile by Michelle Montebello was an emotional story that captivated me from start to finish.

~ Liz

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Profile Image for Indigo.
20 reviews
November 16, 2019
Beautiful, Fragile

Beautiful, Fragile is an exquisitely-told story of hope, and another brilliant novel from the very talented Ms Montebello.

This is a story that explores the intricacies of family, the complexities of marriage and the beauty of our memories. It reminds us to treat them all with love and care because everything could change in the blink of an eye, as it did for Faith.

Be prepared to laugh and cry all at the same time as the author deftly carries you from one extreme to the other. You’ll be reaching for the tissues while clutching your stomach in fits of laughter, all the while thinking, this is exactly like my family!

A beautiful, fragile, heart wrenching, yet heart-warming story that will keep you turning the pages long into the night. I did not hesitate at accepting this ARC as I know Ms Montebello’s stories are always captivating!
2,265 reviews56 followers
November 25, 2019
Beautiful, Fragile is simply beautiful! This book is a stark reminder of how life can change in an instant, and how deep the bonds of love run.

My heart broke for Faith and what she went through. And while I at first didn't like Will, I began to see him in a different light. He was desperately trying to hold his family together (and no small feat, with three children) when his wife had no memory of the life they shared. There is a rollercoaster of emotions in this book, Will and Faith's struggle is raw and painful, as they both realize how beautiful and fragile love is. Will was a rock, a devoted husband and father fighting a losing battle at times, but refused to give up.

As a mom myself, Faith's situation hit me hard. Get some tissues ready when you read this, because you will need them. I received an advanced copy and voluntarily left a review.
9 reviews
November 19, 2019
What a captivating and poignant read!

Beautiful, Fragile is a story about an Australian woman, Faith, who is found wandering a remote Spanish beach with a head injury and no memory of how she got there.

Fast forward a few days and she learns she has lost an entire ten years.

When her husband, Will, arrives to take her back to London and their three young children, Faith understandably is in a panic.

Everyone around her encourages her to go with Will, and so begins her journey to get her forgotten life back.

Beautiful, Fragile was a book I couldn’t put down. It made me laugh and tore my heart out all at the same time. But throughout, I was cheering Faith and her family on because I really did want them to make it through to the other side.

A true love story you’ll find difficult to come back from. An easy 5 stars from me!
Profile Image for Emma.
342 reviews
November 25, 2019
Oh this book. Where to start? When I read the blurb I knew this was going to be one of those books that really tears away at you!
Faith wakes up in hospital, in a foreign country with no recollection of how she got there.
And when her husband, who she has no recollection of comes for her she’s so incredibly confused by how she ended up where she did.
Ok I’ll admit I thought Will was cold at first, but oh my I like Faith began to fall in love with him. This story was so beautiful watching Faith and Will reconnect with each other and fall in love all over again!
This book was so emotional, moving and heartbreaking at times but so full of love. I cannot sing this books praises enough!
I received an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Sheree.
600 reviews
March 2, 2020
This book had me at page 1 & I had many theories going yet, I was still wrong.
The weirdest part is that in someway, I could relate to Faith. I had my right frontal temporal lobe removed in 1996 but at the time, I wasn't told the full details of what was held in that part they took. Your short term memory is one I only learnt about a good 15 years after the surgery. It was interesting to see Faith having someone tell her what happens when you receive a TBI. I could relate on so many things. I still struggle but have found my phone is good to remind me what I need to ask my doctors, what scripts I need & questions for my Neurologist. The author has done her homework with this book & I was so very impressed
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Kathy Wideman.
2,595 reviews42 followers
November 25, 2019
This is the first book by Michelle I have read and I really enjoyed it. It had me hooked right from the start. I felt for Faith and Will. Faith wakes in the hospital in a small town in Spain and can’t remember the last ten years. She has forgotten her husband and children. She can’t remember why she was even in Spain. This book gave me the feels so hard. Faith must decide if remembering everything is worth the pain it may cause. This book is moving and a great read. I look forward to reading more books by Michelle in the future. Great job Michelle.
841 reviews7 followers
November 25, 2019
What a beautifully told story, from the first to the very last page. How I loved the writing of Michelle Montebello, who has written a story of immense struggle and pain, family, love and a second chance when you might think all is lost. This story really touched my heart.

Reading the character of Faith was just so sad with what had happened to her, I felt her pain, her despair and also her fear of meeting her husband and children who she cannot even remember. This woman was strong and determined. I hero-worshipped her in a way because everything she tried to do was scrutinised by everyone.

Will, her husband, I wasn't too sure about at first but I cannot even begin to imagine the frustration he was going through trying to hold a job down and take care of three young children; all the while watching the wife he loves treat him like a stranger. The feelings whilst reading this story were indeed raw and painful at times, but Will was a rock, an amazing man with an abundance of patience that I admired greatly.

This story is a reminder of how life can change in just the blink of an eye. It revolves around the marriage vows, family, love and loss. It shows just how easy love can be snatched away, maybe forever to be lost.

This is a book full of different emotions that pulled me back and forth, with secrets to be told, tissues to be grabbed but also hope that filled my heart. A wonderful story not to be missed, one that I will remember for a long time to come.
7 reviews
November 16, 2019
An exquisite read right to the end! This was a beautifully told story of love, hurt, hope and second chances. I literally wanted to wrap my arms around this family and protect them. My favorite book of the year, without a doubt. Thank you Michelle Montebello. Wow! Just wow!
218 reviews1 follower
January 5, 2020
what a wonderful story -Faith wake up in a Spanish only to find She can't remember the last 10 years when her Husband Will arrives to take her home she finds out she had left him and 3 small children we then go the journey with both Faith and Will as they try to find their way
I found once I started this book I could not put it down until the end
Profile Image for Tanya Nellestein.
Author 19 books83 followers
April 8, 2020
That twist!!!!! I never saw it coming. Fantastically executed. I love this story....beautiful!
2 reviews
January 26, 2020
Enjoyable

Interesting and heart warming along the way. A good story. Would definitely recommend. A few unexpected twists that kept me guessing.
65 reviews1 follower
May 13, 2020
This book was a book I could not put down. Whenever I couldn’t sleep at night it was nothing to read it for 2 hours. Definitely a great read
Profile Image for Len Klumpp.
37 reviews2 followers
December 1, 2019
Beautiful, Fragile

Imagine waking up in a hospital bed, in a foreign Country and having no recollection how you ended up there or anything from the past 10 years. Imagine learning you have a Husband and three kids and trying to reconcile with it all. This is the Journey that Michelle Montebello takes us on. Wonderfully written, I found this book very hard to put down and read it in nearly one sitting. Highly recommend Beautiful, Fragile.🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅
Profile Image for Spunky N Sassy.
5,330 reviews117 followers
December 1, 2019
Spunky N Sassy Rating: 4.0

~~~~~~~~~~Lindsey's ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Review~~~~~~~~~~

A Must Read

This book left me choked up with emotion and made me want more. This book is definitely a must read and will move all kinds of readers.
533 reviews1 follower
February 9, 2021
Well what can I say. Another excellent book by this author. Having now read her three main novels, I can only laud her writings for the great story lines, her research , data and introducing facts and fiction to her books. I highly recommend this writer and look forward to more of her works.
Michele Zito
263 reviews4 followers
June 12, 2020
Beautiful story

I found this a really interesting account of someone losing their memory. Made me realise how important memories are. Loving and well written.
Profile Image for Michelle Montebello.
Author 13 books221 followers
November 16, 2019
Beautiful, Fragile ... Are all memories worth fighting for, even the ones that hurt?

Praise for Beautiful, Fragile:
“An exquisite read right to the end!”

“My favorite book of the year, without a doubt.”

“A true love story you'll find difficult to come back from.”

“A story that explores the intricacies of family, the complexities of marriage and the beauty of our memories.”
64 reviews
August 5, 2021
Loved this book. From the first few pages I was hooked. Great story line and characters. Written beautifully. I love how I always come away with learning something new after reading Michelle’s books. I particularly enjoyed the astronomy aspect and having suffered postnatal depression I found I could feel deeply for Faith. Thank you Michelle for another fabulous book.
323 reviews3 followers
November 15, 2021
A beautiful, heartfelt story about second chances, communication, making memories, mental health, love and family, it is a real page turn that I found very difficult to put down. Don't forget to have a box of tissue close by.
15 reviews
May 14, 2022
A really enjoyable read with a lovely twist that Michelle Montebello is a master at writing.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews

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