If you love regency romance but want it more ✨magical✨you might like this one. I liked the premise of this, magical tailor and magical prince? Yes please. I want all the magic. But I felt the author lacked an explanation for the magic. I wish I knew more about it. I didn’t find myself connecting to the characters or the romance. This is upper YA cause there is some smexy time happenings.. but a lot of times felt lower YA with character interactions and dialogue. I liked the side characters ok, and i liked that the women were friendly and not made into enemies. I did find myself questioning why was the low tailor hanging out with royalty all the time? That seemed weird. I just felt like the plot didn’t really know where it was going. Maybe this would have worked better with an extra pov. I don’t know. I have mixed feelings. But I really loved the magic.

This book just wasn’t for me. Not sure if it was timing or that it was more teen/YA, there also was a lot going on and the characters got lost for me. I did enjoy the LGBTQ rep and notes on the not-so-great parts of our current society.

Thank you for this advanced copy! I so enjoyed this book. It was sweet & easy to read. A perfect blend of magic and romance. I really enjoyed both of the main characters and cared for them throughout the book. It's something I've recommended many times since reading & will continue to recommend. Well done!

*I received a free ARC of this ebook from the publisher.*

Although I had high hopes for this book, I struggled to maintain my interest in it, mostly because of the characters. The idea was good, but I grew weary of the book pretty quickly and was impatient to finish it and move on to something more enjoyable. Unpopular opinion, but it's mine and I'll own it.

I don't recall if there was any real explanation of the magic system in this book, though I don't believe there was. Some people had magic, but the majority did not. Royals from various nations possessed magic (like the Carmines, Princess Sofia, King Felipe, and the Infanta Rosa), as did some divine-blooded Machlish (like Niamh). Were there even any others? Why royalty and some Machlish? And why does Niamh's magic take such a toll on her life while nobody else's seems to have any consequence? I feel like the magic element could and should have been explored more since it was such an integral part of Niamh's life in particular, but it wasn't.

My enjoyment of a book greatly depends on how much the characters draw me in. I found Niamh (18) to be somewhat weak willed (except occasionally when she suddenly wasn't), self martyring, and mopey. Yes, she as kind and talented, but overall, she was bland. Kit (19) was one of the least likable love interests I've ever read. He wasn't just grumpy--he was a sullen jerk to pretty much everyone, including Niamh, and I could never figure out what exactly attracted her to him. Add to that his habit of smoking pipes and cigars, which is absolutely repulsive. His best quality: He faithfully tends to his mother's greenhouse full of plants. Sinclair seemed like a good friend until he didn't. Rosa was closed off and bored. Miriam was a people pleaser. Jack was probably the most believable character of anyone, though he wasn't exactly likable, either. My favorite character was probably Sofia, who was smarter than she seemed and subtly contained her frustration and feelings of impotence throughout the book. I would have liked to see more of her.

After finishing this book, I saw one reader describe this as a "fantastic stealth read for a teen" because the description and cover give no indication that it contains LGB characters. So for anyone who doesn't want to be surprised, here's your heads up: All of the main characters fit into that category in some way. That said, with the exception of two characters in one brief scene, it's something that's only mentioned rather than displayed. In fact, in the cases of Kit and Niamh, it doesn't even feel relevant to the story; it comes across more as something that was included in order to check off a box. That's not my type of book, so I wouldn't have requested it from NetGalley had I known. (Skewer me if you wish--I also am not a big fan of biographies, literary fiction, most horror, or graphic novels. It's just not my thing. Everyone has their own preferences.)

Note: Some swearing, but probably 8-10 f words. One sex scene that's easy to skip but still more info than necessary. All main characters are LGB, even though the main couple is a MF relationship.

DNF at 16%

I fear Allison Saft's writing isn't for me. The main character felt very mid-00s "clumsy is a quirky personality trait" and multiple times said she was naive or head in the clouds or stupid. The court intrigue didn't hold up for me. The love interest lost me at the line “Kit raked his eyes across her face with the cruel fascination of a child watching an overturned turtle struggle.” and that was where I decided to DNF.

4 Stars!
This was a bit more of a slow burn than I initially expected. In time, however, I fell in love with the story and particularly with Niamh and her journey.

Arriving into a world of complex political intrigue that includes classism, racism, family secrets, and hidden attractions, Niamh at first seems so out of her depth I was worried she may not make it out unscathed. I really enjoyed how her story unfolded although at times it did feel that components of the this book were a bit borrowed from contemporary culture. In the end, however, Niamh’s path is distinctly her own. More than just romance, Niamh finds lifelong friends on her way to her (possible) happily ever after.

While this is my honest review of this book, I was gifted a copy of the book, free of charge, in exchange for my review. I am thankful to Net Galley, Allison Saft and Wednesday Books for the opportunity to read this book.

#ChronicIllnessRep
#MagicalRomance
#FantasyRomance
#IrishBasedFantasy
#CelticBasedFantasy
#AFragileEnchantment

Thank you, NetGalley for the privilege to read this enchanting ARC.

One thing about me, I love an enemies to lovers trope. Another thing about me, I love a duel.

A Fragile Enchantment is a romantasy standalone novel set in a fictional world of magic and charm. Niamh is a seamstress, sailed in from a faraway land, to create the wedding attire for the meanest, yet most beautiful, man she has ever met, Kit Carmine. While Kit is nothing but thorns and cold shoulders to everyone he meets, he seems to have a soft side for sweet Niamh. Niamh has spent her entire life making the people around her happy, at the expense of her own fragile happiness, until she meets Kit; Niamh tosses with the idea that maybe a life lived only for others, isn’t a life well lived at all.

I really, really enjoyed this book. I am Niamh and she is me. I felt her dissonance in every thought about what would it mean if she for once chose her own happiness at the expense of someone else’s. Would that make her a bad person? Would that make her less lovable? I spent the entire time I was reading this rooting for her to choose herself, and after a while I realized that maybe this is one of those books that is making me think about my own life’s patterns as well.

This story is really fun and flirty and has very pretty imagery. I would recommend this novel to any romantasy lover and especially enemies to lovers, lovers. Also the bonus trope of forbidden romance is always welcome.

The only reason this book is losing a star from me is that it started off pretty slow and at times was repetitive. Overall, I was excited to see what was going to happen next and my heart was definitely skipping while reading the banter.

Though I had a bit of a hard time getting into this one at the beginning, I did end up enjoying the story! There was a little bit of worldbuilding and creation of the magic system, but it was not overwhelming. The magic itself was interesting, but I wish we had gotten more detail on what it meant to have magic and why the magic behaved in the way that it did in particular bloodlines. I felt as if the magic was kind of a side detail in places, rather than something significant about the story and setting.

The romance and several of the plot reveals were definite highlights for me, and a reason why I got really hooked on the story after the initial introduction to the world and characters. All of Saft's characters were relatable and felt like they had depth as they worked through their particular motivations and traumas. Many of them were mature for their young age, but not without merit (and not unbelievably so).

Overall, I had a harder time connecting with the world and characters at the beginning of the story, but I really enjoyed the romance and plot aspects in the second half of the book. This story is full of eloquent writing, lots of longing, and just the right amount of mushy feelings to make you fall even more in love with the characters.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Ok, I loved this book! It was so charming and everything I adore about cozy fantasy. The stakes were low enough, the romance was THERE AND HITTING, the side characters were well-developed, and the found family was everything. I'm new to Allison Saft's books but this will not be the last time I read her!

What a lovely new fantasy story. Romantic and fun to read, I enjoyed this book, even though it took me a while to pick up this one from my shelf. I will be looking for more from Allison Saft! Thank you netgalley for this arc in exchange for my honest opinion.

In support of the SMP boycott, I will be withholding my review of this title until SMP speaks out. If the boycott is resolved, I will update with a full review.

“She wanted more than she'd ever allowed herself to want. The good, the bad, and everything in between: all of life and its ten thousand ways to cut you. All of the things she’d never envisioned for herself. To grow old. To be hurt. To fall in love.”~

On the surface, ‘A Fragile Enchantment’ had many great things going for it. It was a magical setting with many captivating scenes and immaculately detailed depictions.

However, these things also seemed to detract from the story at times. The very wordy/lengthy descriptions were sometimes filler that slowed the plot progression. Some were confusing such as a “bruise in the shape of Kit’s elbow.” I get the implication, but it doesn’t seem to be a good way to suggest character actions. I also found the magic to be used as a crutch in the storyline. The spells and enchantments were very vague about how/when the magic impacted the characters and their actions.

I was unsure about the characters and their true intentions/morals. I couldn’t find myself feeling an attachment to any of them or even an investment in the romance between Kit and Niamh. I love a broody “only soft for her” MMC, but this one never was truly nice to the FMC. We were told of their romance and that they were intimate, but every quote/conversation felt lacking of love or true lust.

*As a side note, it bothered me while reading that Kit is described with “hair, the near-black of damp earth,” but is depicted with light colored hair. A small detail, but as a visual reader, it irked me that my mental image of him couldn’t match the character art on the cover.

I definitely would give this author a try again, perhaps this story was just not the right one for me. Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an ebook arc.

3.75 stars for me! Loved the characters and the story, but not all of the circumstances felt real or plausible (like how Niamh is consistently going to social events even though she has a mountain of work). Definitely an enjoyable read though! Very cute idea, unique magic system, and a good ending.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Another AMAZING book by Allison Saft!! I'm so happy I can always count on her for fantasy standalones. This book was just magical, sweet, and so fun. I loved it from start to finish.

Niamh and Kit are just the epitome of pining and longing and it was the perfect angsty little relationship. The magic system was admittedly underdeveloped and so was a lot of other aspects, but I can’t get enough of the relationship. I know this would be a perfect fit for a lot of teen readers that are willing to try fantasy without wanting to get overwhelmed with incredibly layered and complex world building.

I think this was a fun read. I Think the world was not the clearest and the characters were fun. I think this story was very tradtional historcal romance with magic twist. I lked the story but the characters are not that memeorable and the story felt like it could have been paced better but i would def read more books set in this world!!

There are a lot of things to like about this book.

The social commentary is very intriguing while being set in a fantastical historical backdrop.

I appreciated that the author chose to write the main character in a way that reflects her knowledge of her profession. She thinks with the mind of a seamstress and that is carried very well throughout the story.

The tension and banter is really great as well!

This was my first romantic fantasy book, and I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this dreamy book! I was so truly captivated by this fantasy world that was well-described that I felt as though I lived there. The writing was fantastic and whimsical. There was magic, and mythology and magic woven all throughout this story. Beautiful writing, well-developed characters, and magical love made this a masterpiece.

Thanks Netgalley and St Martin’s Press for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

2.5 stars

I didn't expect this book to essentially be a Harry and Irish Meghan Markle fanfic. I didn't dislike the writing, but I found it difficult to get invested in the two main leads- the romance in particular. The author definitely put in work with developing the character concepts, but I think there was room to make them more interesting to read about.

It feels like Niamh's illness was treated as an afterthought by the book. Also, for Avaland to be a fantasy England and their colonization of other countries to be a main issue throughout the narrative, there is oddly little (to none, if I wasn't too observant?) mention of countries outside of fantasy Europe. Even with that element of the worldbuilding aside, where are the characters of color?

The cover is beautiful, I always love to see Kelly Chong/afterblossom's art. I just wish the book itself wasn't so bland. It's not egregiously horrible, but it's not a book I would reread.

Thank you Netgalley for an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review. I enjoyed this story a lot! It was a quick read and it was really nice it was a standalone! I loved Niamh and Kit so much and their arc through the story. The side characters were great and the magic system was really cool. It was a very satisfying conclusion and I felt like all the ends were tied up.