Delightful! Allison Saft continues to be an auto-buy and auto-read author for me. I am not usually a fan of regency romances, and I think marketing this as similar to Bridgerton but with magic is a disservice to a book that is so much better and deeper than that. This brings me to my next point: I absolutely love the way Allison Saft explores heavier and more serious themes with nuance and respect, while also including enough humor and feel-good moments to give readers a break form the heaviness. The dynamic between our two main characters was so charming. The female main character will resonate with anyone who puts too much pressure on themselves and takes on m ore responsibility than they need to because they love so deeply. Our male main character was so grumpy in the funniest way - even when he tries to be nice, he's still grumpy - and getting to know him was so much fun. No one does character arcs, interpersonal relationships, and world building like Saft does, and I highly recommend all of her books.

This is my first book by this author. While I don’t read a lot of fantasy, I found this book to be a delightful read!

Allison Saft's work is...okay. Overall, I enjoyed the read, but I was left wanting more numerous times. I also felt like I had read this book before. Niamh Ó Conchobhair, the main character, is not given much depth. I constantly wanted to know more about her beyond a mystery illness and her drive to please her mother and grandmother. The supporting characters are alright, but again rather shallowly presented. The family and political drama unfold around Niamh, and all ends right with the world---
The setting was believable, the magic system mentioned but expected to just be accepted by readers, and the pace is a bit slow at times. All of these things together just mean that it took me a long time to get through this one, but this doesn't necessarily mean I didn't enjoy it.
If you like sweet, very Bridgerton-esque reads then this one is for you!

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for the dARC of this work in exchange for my honest review.

What a sweet and captivating YA fantasy/romance! It has all the meat of an adult fantasy but with that touch of innocence that makes reading YA so delightful. Niamh (have no idea how to pronounce her name - in fact many terms are impossible to pronounce unless one is very well versed in what looks to be something Celtic) is a gifted seamstress who can sew emotions into her creations. This unique ability caught the eye of the crown prince and he has hired her to make the clothing for his younger brother’s wedding. She is thrilled because this opportunity could provide a way for her impoverished family to finally have some stability. The problem is, she is from a starving country that was conquered, then neglected by the very royal family who are requesting her services. Subsequently, she is a young woman with the weight of her world riding on her shoulders. This premise allows for more than a light-hearted, easy escape and gives the story much depth as we read.

Kit (Christopher) is the prince whose marriage is eminent. Sadly, it is a union he despises but is unable to get out of, making him surly at best, caustic at worst. So, when he sees the young Machlish woman who is tasked to make everyone beautiful, his ire and temper knows no bounds. As time progresses, however, both Kit and Niamh grow to understand each other more and a strong friendship is formed.

From this premise the story embarks on all kinds of twists and turns that keep the reader completely engrossed and turning the pages! There are secrets and deceptions galore while the characters unravel the reasons behind everything that is keeping Niamh’s people impoverished and why Kit’s marriage is so important. I did struggle with the big “betrayal” because there really shouldn’t have been one. The act was so small for Niamh that it seemed silly to cause such heartache and devastation because of it. Yet, all the final conflicts and climax revolve around it.

Still, the emotions and feelings behind the characters are so well written that any reader will undoubtably laugh, cry, and keep reading until that final page is turned. Then, cross their fingers in hopes another book in this fabulous world is in the making!

4.5⭐️, rounded up

Thank you to NetGalley for the advance copy of this book.

I’m holding my full review of this book until SMP addresses the boycott demands

I received this book as an ARC from Netgalley for my honest review! Thank you Netgalley!

I so fully enjoyed this! The description says fantasy Bridgerton and it absolutely delivered! It so interesting and honestly it was a great ride! There is so much more political intrigue than Bridgerton and her magic is so interesting! This book was so fun and light compared to my normal fantasy reads! I adored these characters and honestly wish there would be more to be able to peek in to their lives again! I highly recommend it!!!

This was such a great read. I was just immediately pulled into this fantasy world. It felt very fairytale like, and I really liked the magic system. I thought it was so interesting, especially how it is tied to a craft at times, like with our main character. I thought it was quite different from anything I've read before, and I just thought it was incredibly interesting. I also liked how this book didn't really overexplain it. The magic just existed in this world, and I quite liked how that was done.
I also thought the plot was really well crafted. It is a more generic YA fantasy plot but I do think it was executed really well. The main focus of the book is the romance, and not the political intrigue, but I do like how it was incorperated into the story, and it felt very natural and real.
Of course, my favourite thing about this book was the romance. It was incredibly well developed. I loved seeing them slowly opening up to each other. They had a lot of really fun, light moments, but they also had a lot of really emotional moments where they get to open up to each other. I also really love how both of them put in such an effort to make sure the other person betters their life, even if it doesn't include themselves. I know, that might not make a whole lot of sense but I'm trying to phrase things without spoilers.
With the romance developement came also a lot of character developement. That's another element of this book I really enjoyed. I do wish it wasn't as closely tied into the romance. I just preffer it when character's want to change because they aren't happy with their lives, not just because the love interest alone sees they are not happy with their lives. Again, I do not know if that makes sense, but I hope you understand my point. However, I do really like the character growth both our main character and her love interest go through throughout this book. I really thought the characters were incredibly interesting and I loved learning more of that throughout the book. So yeah, I wasn't absolutely in love with this book but I did really, really enjoy it, and I highly recommend it.

This book is like wisteria. It grows slowly across a tree, undisturbed, and unmalleable. It’s beautiful to look at and forewarned not to plant near your home. For if you do, it weaves its way into any nook and cranny it can reach. That’s exactly what this story did to me. It crept up and enchanted me to the point where I could not stop smiling. Between Niamh’s soft sweet soul being similar to Cinderella’s sewing mice, to the bitter black coffee personality of Kit, these two fit perfectly together like buttons and their loops on a coat. 🥹 I loved the message of ending our constant sacrifice for those we love, and I highly recommend this one!

After reading the summary of this book, I was really excited to jump into a more cozy romantasy novel. And while the story was much quieter and less intense than the author’s previous novels, I enjoyed seeing a a softer side to her writing. It did feel like there were a lot of subplots going on throughout the story, with Niamh’s illness, Kit’s own demons, and a secret gossip columnist a la Bridgerton running amuck. Some of the plots had a beautiful arc but others seemed to fizzle out without much consequence to the main story. However, the main plot itself was beautiful and made for an exciting and addictive read.

Niamh was an exciting protagonist and I was grateful that the author didn’t alternative points of view in this novel, as I could see how it would have been tempting to do. Instead, we get to know the flawed love interest, Kit, through Niamh’s eyes which I think led me to love his character more than I would have otherwise. Niamh has her own faults as well, and I often said, “Ugh, Niamh, what are you doing?” while reading but I still found her to be lovable and fun.

One of the things this author does most beautifully in her writing is develop realistic and engaging worlds with touches of the real world in them. The plight and culture of Niamh’s home country, Macland, is strongly reminiscent of Ireland and Avaland, the neighboring kingdom she travels to seems to be inspired by England. The magic system weaved into this setting was fairly simplistic but I also haven’t read anything like it recently. It’s a cozy sort of fantasy that doesn’t require too much investment from the reader but still fills them with wonder.

A Fragile Enchantment is the third novel by Allison Saft and the third I’ve had to the pleasure to review. While I was initially surprised to find this story such a different change in tone from her first two dark, brooding stories, I came to enjoy the quiet and sweet style. This book is a great fit for lovers of Bridgerton or contemporary romances who just want a bit of fantasy to spice up their usual reads.

A Fragile Enchantment is magic, fantasy, and intrigue all rolled into one. Niamh is strong and incredibly likable. She doesn't let fear decide what is best for her or for Kit. Her fearlessness makes her an ideal heroine who is willing to fight for all that is good and worthwhile. The scandalous love story allows readers to hope that love will overcome even the most unlikely caste system.

I unfortunately will not be proving a review because of the boycott. Sorry to the author! I typically love books like this (and have read it)

As a huge lover of Saft’s previous work, I was thrilled to pick this up. This is a beautiful and intricately woven story, yet easy to read with characters who are easy to sympathize with. Another atmospheric novel that it’s compulsory to pick up and keep going! The romance plot line in this book was extremely well-done and meaningful, as well. Highly recommend this story is you love Saft’s previous work or if you’re a lover of fantasy and romance!

Allison Saft can do no wrong. I really liked this book, but sadly, I will be withholding the review because of the boycott.

This was a fun, compelling YA fantasy with a great cast of characters. I liked the writing a lot. The magic system was easy to understand for those of us who aren’t high fantasy readers, and the love story was one to root for. I personally enjoy an unlikable character, so Kit was a favorite for me. I was a little confused about some of the political backstory, but that may have been a reader issue, not the story itself. All in all, a fun new YA read.

𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐈𝐅 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐋𝐈𝐊𝐄
🗡 Enemies to Lovers
📜 Gossip Girl/Bridgerton
✨ Magic
🏳‍🌈 LGBTQIA+ Representation

- 𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐈𝐓'𝐒 𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐓
Niamh is the last in her family that has a magical ability and can weave emotions into anything she sews. She is hired by the royal family of a neighboring country and is tasked with making the clothes for the upcoming royal wedding. The plan is to bide her time so that she can make enough to make a better life for her family, but while she is in the capitol, she finds herself entangled in secrets, scandal, and betrayal.

- 𝐌𝐘 𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒
This felt like Bridgerton, but with fantasy elements, and I loved it! The magic system was unique and whimsical and the romance was so sweet. 4/5⭐.

I like this book and will finish it, but wasn't quite right for our book box. There are books you read and enjoy but they don't occupy your mind when you're not reading it, then there are books that you can't stop thinking about even when you've put it down. This is one of the former.

I wanted to love this story because it had so much of what I look for in my books. The written for some reason just felt off. On the lower end of YA and it didn't appeal to me. It is first and foremost a romance so the plot is predictable which isn't a bad thing. I do appreciate that the main character is not a damsel in distress and isn't just trying to be with the prince. It didn't read as grumpyxsunshine trope because it almost felt more insta love. Is it a good cozy read for when you want to be able to predict the end and enjoy the romance? Absolutely! I appreciate that its a standalone and you are satisfied with everything wrapped up in a nice bow. Its definitely a good palette cleanser and I appreciated the chance to read the ARC!

This book is such a delight! I love the marrying of Bridgerton and magic, the use of grumpy sunshine, and the fun dynamics in this motley crew. The relationships forged in this story are so beautiful and the coming of age/personal growth element really touched me. Saft has an enchanting writing style, using words you don’t often see which I appreciate. She also did a great job ramping up the plot and keeping me on edge at the end so I didn't want to put it down during the last 20%. Thank you, Allison, and Wednesday books for getting my hands on this one early!

DNF @ 30%.

I had a hard time connecting with these characters. In addition to the slow start, I decided to stop trying to force myself through for fear of it putting me into a book slump. I was really hoping the story would pick up and I'd start to become interested, because the concept sounds great and something I would be interested in. You get romance and fantasy, albeit young adult, but I was okay with that as long as it was done right. Unfortunately, I feel this is a case of great story, but poor execution.

However, there are several great reviews, so I encourage you to check them out to see if it is something you would possibly enjoy. But, sadly, I didn't find it worth any more of my time.

**Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me an advanced copy of this book and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion. I am posting this review to my Goodreads account immediately and will post it to my Amazon & Instagram accounts upon publication.

If you’re looking for an enchantingly romantic regency fantasy with cosy vibes and a vivid magic system, A Fragile Enchantment is for you!

Niamh is a dressmaker from a family with a gift; some of them are able to stitch memories and magic into their creations. When someone wears one of Niamh’s dresses to Avaland it gets noticed by the Crown Prince, who commissions Niamh to make his brother’s wedding outfit, as well as his bride’s wedding dress. It’s the opportunity of a lifetime, but there are many politics at play, and Niamh soon finds herself embroiled in the royal couple’s lives… and the gossip pages.

I absolutely loved Niamh from the beginning, she has that ‘country mouse’ kind of character arc which allows you to experience the city with her, but her character develops through the narrative in a way that I adored. Seeing her learn to go after what she wants was magical, and it’s something I particularly love seeing in YA fantasy which is likely to be picked up by younger readers.

The way the relationships developed through the story felt organic and believable. Not everyone is always who you think, and everyone has secrets - especially in the upper echelons of regency society.

I enjoyed the way the various plot lines developed and came together through the book; they were fairly simple at the beginning, but as Niamh’s understanding of the city, political climate, and everyone’s struggles develops, there are a number of interconnecting threads which were woven beautifully.

Despite having some fairly heavy themes, A Fragile Enchantment had those cosy, lighthearted vibes which just make me smile, and I genuinely enjoyed and was excited to come back to it each and every time.

Overall, I absolutely adored A Fragile Enchantment and will absolutely read more by Allison Saft in the future.