This was 100% my cup of tea.

The characters were really nice, consistent, and fleshed out; the situations were believable; the emotions and personal discussions were well handled. The best part about this was honestly the sewing - I love cross-stitching, and have always yearned to be able to make my living doing my sewing. There was something so deeply satisfying to me about reading the descriptions of Niamh's work. It got me all fired up, which is good because I was on the precipice of a dangerous sewing slump. I loved the platonic friendships in this book too - Niamh and Sinclair, Rosa, and Miriam. I liked the dynamic between Jack and Kit. I liked Sofia a lot actually, and I was really hoping to see more of her. She deserves a whole book to herself, honestly.

Sometimes books will include a character's trauma as an integral part of their story, but this book wasn't like that. Niamh turned out to be a bit of an unreliable narrator when it came to her own life, and as the story went on and Kit started calling her out on some of her more destructive tendencies, she (and the reader) came to realize that her relationship with her family was perhaps not always a healthy one. We never got details on it, aside from some suggestions that her grandmother is an extremely judgmental traditionalist, but I find I really appreciated that. Niamh doesn't "reveal" any details, possibly because she doesn't see them all yet, but also (from an authorial perspective) it's not really important that we know them. We see what Kit sees: a woman who works herself to death, giving everything she can in support of her friends, and keeping or asking nothing for herself, to her own eventual detriment. We can assume that the same has been happening her whole life to harmful effect, but that really doesn't matter anymore because it's in Niamh's past.

Jack and Kit's childhood trauma is handled quite differently. We are given a bit more info on their situation, partly because it's still so directly affecting their present troubles, and because what they experienced was a perhaps more clear-cut form of abuse. They are able to look back with no trouble and see that their situation was messed up. I appreciated that they touched (ever so briefly) on the fact that children can live in the same family and have different relationships and experiences with their parents as well - Kit's relationship with his mother was completely different to Jack's, but never is either of their experience invalidated or shown to be "incorrect." Very cool.

Other than all the technical stuff, I say again, this was 100% my cup of tea.
I loved Kit. I loved Niamh. I loved Kit and Niamh. I loved the gentle fantasy vibes. I loved everything with the flowers and the gardens and the rain SPOILER (and the dying girl thing, surprisingly enough. I didn't think I'd like that bit, but I actually really liked it END SPOILER. I loved the magical, empath embroidery! I don't usually care about the fantasy clothes, but this book had the best fantasy clothes I've ever heard of. It was probably the magical empath embroidery, which I loved. I loved the palace vibes! I loved fantasy Ireland and fantasy regency and DID I MENTION THE MAGICAL EMPATH EMBROIDERY? Did I mention that I love Kit and Niamh?? ...???????

The conclusion of Niamh's personal arc is probably my only complaint. It had a very individualistic bent in the end, which makes sense based on her background, but didn't sit right with me. I can relate somewhat to Niamh's self-destructive people pleasing, and maybe my qualm here is just because I have a hang-up on this in real life. Obviously it's not healthy to totally run yourself into the ground, but this is where my concerns arise - it's not "selfish" to make healthy choices for yourself. It's not selfish to sleep and eat and exercise, nor is it selfish to do those things instead of something else you need to. Niamh makes a quick leap from "Kit is telling me I need to rest," to "I should be able to make selfish choices for myself and take what I want from life, my family be damned." Maybe I'm being pedantic and the author is being exaggerative to make a point, but perhaps not. Shouldn't there be some in between?? I don't know if this is an actual complaint so much as the start of some brain musings on my part.

Overall, I definitely recommend this book, and I'll definitely be checking out the author's backlist!

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press, Allison Saft, and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

Allison Saft never disappoints. A Fragile Enchantment is a fun and heartwarming regency inspired fantasy romance. The main characters are complex and compelling, while the side characters also shine. Niamh is a clumsy seamstress who can weave magic into her work. She has been tasked by the royal family to make wedding attire for the young, brooding Prince Kit. Their developing friendship is messy and fun.

I love how Allison Saft is inspired by historical events. Niamh is Maclish, whose plight are inspired by the Irish, and Kit is the Prince of Avalon, inspired by British history and the tumultuous politics between them.

There's a small Bridgerton-esque gossip column plot line, which was also a fun way to weave the story together. It's not a flawless book, but I just had so much fun reading it, it deserves 5 stars!

I HOPE that this book is not the last we see of these characters. Niamh was likeable from the first few pages, smart, talented and infections - this was a hard book to put down. If you're a fan of regency romance novels, like Bridgerton vibes, but want a dabble of fantasy then this is the book for you. The period era style and vocabulary paired with the magical elements was a match made in heaven for me!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC!

I loved the title of this book and the cover is gorgeous! Unfortunately the romance and magic the cover gives did not give me that in the book.

This is such a lovely YA fantasy romamce. The unique story of our heroine making a truseau,for the young prince (our hero) and the historic but also different setting really won me over.

I loved how beautifully descriptive the fantasy world was and how unique and complex every character, including villains was.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing the ARC.

What a delightful read!

This book is a low stakes fantasy story with enough plot and intrigue to keep things interesting, but it is very heavily focused on the developing relationships with the characters. It is primarily driven by the relationship between Naimh and Kit, who are absolutely wonderful characters, but I also found myself drawn to the cast of secondary characters as well. Found family is a very strong theme throughout the story.

If I had any criticism, it would be that there was a distinct lack of exposition surrounding the world they live in. There is a subplot of unrest between the kingdom and other territories it tried to takeover, but it never truly delves into the why behind the continued conflict. There is magic, but how it works is never really explained. Since this book is very character driven, these situations didn't detract too much from the overarching story, but as someone who loves worldbuilding and lore, it felt lacking.

Overall, it was a fun read with compelling characters. I enjoyed it immensely and I find myself wanting more of the characters and their stories.

Niamh has a special skill that must stay subdued and hidden- her emotions become part of each garment she sews. It also depletes some of her life with each stitch. She has been commissioned to go to Avaland and create a wardrobe for the prince and his future bride. Kit Carmine is not at all interested in what she has to offer and is everything rude and brash. Through overheard conversations and interactions with the royal family, she becomes entangled in a web of lies, deceit, and possible ruin.

This is a perfect enemies to lovers trope. It’s impressive the author could make Kit likeable considering where he starts in this one! But it is done well and I enjoyed this story. At times the story trudged along and I skimmed a little, but overall I liked it.

Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This author has really never let me down. She’s such a good writer and now easily one of my favorite YA authors! This book was the perfect mix of the historical, fantasy and romance genres. It felt like Bridgerton meets Spin the Dawn with the regency era setting, the royalty, the political intrigue and the magical dressmaker.
The characters were really a highlight of this one for me. I loved Niamh and Kit each as individuals and together as a couple. Seeing them grow to understand and love one another was so sweet, they were really the perfect balance for each other. They were complex and deep and I found myself caring a lot for them as I was reading. The side characters were a lot of fun too and brought rounded out the story really well.
I really enjoyed learning about the magic in this world and I wish we got to see even more of it. It seemed like there were so many different kinds of magic and we only got to know a few of them.
This was another great book from this author and I can’t wait to see what she writes next!
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

✧.* first off, I'd like to thank netgalley, allison saft, and the publishers for the e-arc!
this is the first book that i have read by allison saft and it was very cosy and cute <3 however, it took some time to get through this because it felt very slow and the plot dragged on at the beginning and in the middle. as a a fantasy reader who prefers more fast-paced and action packed books with a substantial amount of world-building, this felt a little off for me, although that is simply a personal preference.
the setting was dreamy and had a bridgerton-feeling to it! however, i would have liked to learn a little bit more about the side characters. i didn't connect much to the fmc, she didn't capture my attention, and to be honest, she was bland. i would have liked to see more depth and feeling added to her character and kit's (the mmc).
what i cherished most about "a fragile enchantment" happened to be the nostalgia i derived from it. i used to read fairy-tale princess novels like this one often when i was little, so if you're an avid reader of those genres, this book might be the perfect fit for you!
despite my certain quirks, the reason I'm giving this a 3 star rating is that i see the potential and why readers would adore this book. the writing is different from what i'm used to and hopefully i can read more of saft's work in the future!
love always,
mitra ✩

"Allison Saft's 'A Fragile Enchantment' is a cozy fairytale that blends fantasy and romance with a touch of Bridgerton charm. The story revolves around the forbidden love between Kit, a grumpy prince, and Niamh, a magical seamstress from a lower class, adding an interesting twist to the classic grumpy-meets-sunshine trope.

Niamh is a sweet, responsible, and exceptionally loyal character, always putting others before herself. On the other hand, Kit, the ill-tempered prince, conceals a vulnerable side beneath his prickly demeanor, making him a compelling figure. The gradual shift from being adversaries to developing a friendship and eventually blossoming into a romance among these seemingly incompatible characters stands out as a highlight.

Niamh's magical dressmaking introduces a unique and delightful aspect to the narrative. Saft's vivid descriptions of the enchanting fashions, embroidered with magical emotions, transport readers into a captivating world.

While the characters are well-crafted, I wanted more insight into the broader magical world beyond Niamh's magical dressmaking. Nevertheless, 'A Fragile Enchantment' is a beautifully written fantasy, made for those who enjoy a mix of magic, romance, and finely drawn characters.

Special thanks to Netgalley and St Martin’s Press for the ARC.

After finishing A Fragile Enchantment, I have some mixed feelings. It’s a Bridgerton-esque story set in a magical world reminiscent of England, and it even has an anonymous gossip columnist, just like Lady Whistledown in Bridgerton. I thought it was a fun setting, and it was really intriguing how the author mirrored the oppression of the Irish by the British with the fictional Machlish and Avalish. While I thought it was mildly interesting while reading, I rarely felt compelled to read it throughout the day. I liked the two main characters, Niamh and Kit, and Kit was an interesting character with a lot of levels. Niamh has a chronic illness that will eventually kill her one day, and I would’ve liked to see this explored more. You see her struggle with the effects of it, but the origin and true symptoms of the illness are very vague. Her relationship with Kit, while I enjoyed it, seemed a bit rushed as well. Overall, the book was fairly average. It was a great premise and had some exciting moments, but it had the potential for more. If you are looking for a sweet, simple Regency-inspired romantic fantasy book, you might enjoy this, but it wasn’t a life-changing book.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing this eARC.

A Fragile Enchantment is a romantic fantasy which follows magical seamstress Niamh as she falls for the kingdom's brooding prince and works to get at the heart of the injustices in their country.

I thought this was an absolutely delightful read, and just the sort of thing I want out of romantic fantasy. It was cute and fluffy, full of magic and whimsy, though it also held firmly onto those richer themes that I love to see explored in YA fantasy -- here, classism and power balances were at the heart of the books intriguing plot. I thought the characters were pleasant to read about, the world was realized just enough for me to sink into it, and the romance aspect was satisfying without being too overdone. In all, this was a very fun read, and I'm certain it will find an enthusiastic audience like me who can hardly wait for whatever else Allison Saft has in store.

I really enjoyed the creativity of this magic system. It felt grounded, but still intricate and whimsical and that is right in my sweet spot for fantasy. I loved that there was chronic illness and mental health rep that was so well done and so relatable. Naihm was easy to like and root for. I loved her banter with our grumpy, broody hero and i LIVE for a forbidden romance.

Thank you to netgalley and the author for the arc.

A young woman with a unique skill must keep her heart protected from caring. Each time she uses her magic, she shortens her life so feels it's no use to find love only to cause so much pain and grief. When she meets a young man who has never been happy with thhe life planned for him, she may have no choice but to give him her heart.

A unique storyline that stirs up emotions, happy and sad. The characters seem willful, both determined to live as they want, until they meet each other and find that happiness can exist in the midst of turmoil. A lovely romance written by an author who built a new fairt tale of happpily ever after.

This book had a strong start and I was thinking it would be a top read for me at one point but the politics in it started to drive the story more than the romance and I began to check out unfortunately so I won’t be finishing this one after all.

Did I expect to be so entranced by a book about a woman who weaves enchantments into clothes and a grouchy lil prince? No. I thought it would be fine. But it was sooo much better than I expected. You've got Bridgerton meets Cruel Prince. There's magic, arranged marriages, an uprising, secrets, and a lot of cinnamon roll characters who look like they could kill you. Truly, it was a sweet, romantic, interesting time. Some of the best parts were side characters. My only critique is that I think it could have used 50-100 more pages to give us a little more time in the world. The ending wasn't too quick of a wrap-up for my taste, that's not what I mean, but I think overall it could have had just a little extra. More Sofia, more Miriam, and more Infata Rosa perhaps.

Thanks to Netgalley and Wednesday Books for the e-ARC!

I will not be reviewing as SMP has failed to speak out against the racist actions of their employee.

Impoverished Niamh is a talented, magical seamstress, who has the opportunity of a lifetime to design the Prince’s wedding clothes… and any clothing needed prior to that point. Everything she makes is imbued with emotions and memories.

The prince, Kit Carmine, is arrogant and standoffish. He is not happy about being used as a political pawn in his arranged marriage, but will do his duty, nonetheless. But the more time that Niamh and Kit spend together, the closer they become, the more she realizes that his prickliness is just a cover.

Now an anonymous columnist is set to spill secrets, and Niamh is determined to help Kit find the secrets first and put an end to the gossip column. The more they uncover, the deeper the secrets go, and the harder she is falling for Kit.

I really like this regency-esque tale that was a romantic fantasy. I liked how Niamh remained strong in the face of opposition due to the fact of where she came from. Also the fact that she gets Kit to open up and see that there is always a choice to be had, even ones concerning the heart.

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read and review this book.

→ ARC provided via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review;
→ 3.5 stars.

i genuinely have no idea how to rate this book, because on one hand – it’s gotten me out of a reading slump and i did have fun reading it, but on the other – it was predictable, and the pace was a little bit off.

i’m going to start with the positives. the romance was really cute and i absolutely loved niamh and kit together. the banter between them & the angst was good and i think the author did a really great job setting up this relationship and working on their dynamics. i also thought the other side characters were well characterized and i liked some of the friendships we see evolve alongside the main romance. granted, i love broody characters and i’m a sucker for the sunshine x grumpy trope, so that’s a factor in my enjoyment of this book. the plot was okay, but i do think it was a tiny bit weirdly paced. the representation in this book was also quite good, as we have an array of different characters.

the book features a conflict between two nations that wasn’t truly explored much. it’s a light fantasy read, so i understand why that is, but i think it’s only mentioned to further to romance or the plot and then it’s completely disregarded without truly being touched upon in a more serious manner. in the final chapter, this issue is barely mentioned, so essentially, there’s no ending to this plot point. there’s another plot point that i’m not going to spoil, but it’s something to do with the kingdom’s finances, and it’s also completely ignored afterwards, after being a huge deal for a few chapters. niamh’s magic was also mentioned a few times in relation to her health and then never explained, which was kinda annoying. essentially, there are a bunch of plot holes and questions left completely unanswered.

regarding characters, i do think allison saft’s work is amazing. she’s a really good writer when it comes to bringing characters to life, as they each had their own distinctive personalities. there’s also queer rep in the book, which is always a plus. i do have to say that at times, niamh fit a bit too much into the “romantasy FMC” cliché, but it’s forgivable, since it was somewhat consistent with her character.

overall, this is a fun book to read if you’re willing to ignore some of its plot holes and just enjoy a quick story. the characters are nice, the writing is pretty great and i do think the romance was well-crafted. i’m definitely going to check out allison saft’s next works, as i did enjoy this one.

(3.5)

to start off, i was SO excited for this book. when i got the email for it, i squealed. alas, this book fell flat for me a bit.

to start off, the romance was very insta-lovey and i’m not the biggest fan of that. she didn’t really have a reason to like kit at the start except that he was pretty. he was super rude to her countless times and i just kept saying “why do you still like him?”

i also didn’t really understand the plot with the protesters? it felt like it was written to give some tension to the story but there’s never really any explanation as to what exactly they were upset about or why there was an old war in the first place.

now, onto what i did enjoy.

it was cute. this was such a sappy and sweet story that felt super cozy at times. most of the characters were also amazing.

sinclair, miriam, and rosa needed their own povs because i just loved them and their complexity.

overall, this is a very low stakes, low fantasy book that while it didn’t blow me away, does have good elements and it was an enjoyable read