This was my first book from Allison Saft, and unfortunately it just fell a bit flat for me. The writing was good, and quite whimsical which I did enjoy.

I just think the execution was a bit too young for me, and some characters made choices that confused me, and made me shake my head.

All that being said, I do believe that lots of people will enjoy this!! Especially fans of cozy fantasies. Also the cover is stunning!

A Fragile Enchantment ends up being more than just a whimsical, magical regency romance. At its heart, this is a story about people struggling with duty and self-sacrifice, and all of the themes were tied in beautifully. As a lighthearted yet surprisingly poignant standalone fantasy romance, it's just quite lovingly crafted.

And if you like your Mr. Darcy-type awkward broody LIs, this one's for you.

5/5 stars

This book was so charming. This is a romantasy book, featuring tense political intrigue, a swoony-worthy forbidden romance, and beautiful gowns. The characters and plotline were unique and the fantasy world was dynamic and captivating. Think Bridgerton, but with magic and intense politics. There is even a character reminiscent of Lady Whistledown. Allison Saft also incorporates representation of mental health issues, chronic illness, and LGBTQ communities, and highlights challenges faced by marginalized communities.

read if you love:
Enemies to friends to lovers
Forbidden romance
political intrigue
fantasy worlds
magic
chronic illness rep
mental health rep

allison saft is a talented vibes curator but good god everyone in this book is annoying af. really putting the Y in YA to the test here!!

Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy of a FRAGILE ENCHANTMENT by Allison Saft. I always love Saft's books. Her lyrical writing style, beautifully done emotional arcs, and heart-wrenching romances are consistent every time. This book did take me a little bit to get into for whatever reason. Possibly Niamh felt a little less compelling as a character. But by the second half I was fully invested in Niamh and Kit and the high stakes keeping them apart. I thought the blood-tied magic was cool. It was Regency-inspired but didn't quite have the same vibe as most Regency books I've read in the past. I still liked it though. Overall, I enjoyed myself and Saft can do no wrong in my book.

A Fragile Enchantment had the potential to be really interesting. But in the end, I was bored.

A little too much instalove, a little too much boring political intrigue, and not enough relationship development.

I liked that Niamh had a chronic illness, and that Kit had his own struggles. But I didn’t understand what brought them together. I think it was a case of too much going on for me.

Thanks but I tried. Thank you to Wednesday Books for the review copy.

final rating: 4.5/5!!!

this book single-handedly took me out of my reading slump. i should’ve known; enemies to lovers will always have a grip on me. the romance was simply magical—delicious and leaving me wanting more. a fragile enchantment this book was, on my mind and my soul. i definitely will not be forgetting about it for a very long time <3

**Review will be posted on my site and socials on release week!**

I’LL CALL IT ENCHANTING.

The first half of this one took me a bit to grasp. For a standalone fantasy I thought some of the world building wasn’t as complete as I was hoping for and I didn’t quite follow everything that was happening.

What I did love from the beginning (and throughout) was the fashion content. I loved all of Niamh’s magical sewing and seeing how she wove her thoughts and feelings into real life pieces. And I did like Niamh and Kit as the main characters. The second half really showed off their chemistry and I do admit to being smitten with them by the end. I will also mention, this is NOT young adult in regards to romantic content (though writing style wise it does feel younger YA?).

I did like how most of the story was wrapped up by the end. And I really enjoyed the soft moments between Kit and Niamh. This absolutely has Bridgerton vibes with the drama and scandal and a few other things in between. Combining this was the fantasy world was fun and ultimately I did like this book a lot.

Overall audience notes:

NA Fantasy Romance
Language: low
Romance: 1 vague open; 1 fade to black
Violence: moderate

I enjoy stories that revolve around royalty, fantasy and royalty, and I also really like when characters are seamstresses or can make clothing with magical threads and other fun magical supplies. I was absolutely enthralled with this book from the moment I read the blurb, and it didn't disappoint!

I wanted to like this book especially since it had so many great reviews. But I just couldn’t stay engaged. I forced myself to keep reading hoping it would get better. I cannot pin point one thing I did not like, but it was several things.

I truly enjoyed this romantic fantasy. Niamh is a magical seamstress employed to create a wedding wardrobe for Prince Kit. Her Macklish background is considered inferior to the wealthier Avaland people who now surround her. Niamh, however, is on a mission to support her family, even if she has to deal with the surly Kit.

This was a very entertaining read. Both main characters were bisexual, but it wasn't a major plot point, just a part of the story. There was a definite fun “Bridgerton” air about the book.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press, Wednesday Books for this complimentary ARC. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

A Fragile Enchantment is a whimsical regency-inspired romantic fantasy about a magical dressmaker and a surly prince sworn to marry another.

I absolutely loved Niamh as a main character because she is so strong willed and has overcome many challenges to become the revered dressmaker she is now. Niamh also suffers from a chronic illness and I really appreciated this addition to her character because I was really able to empathize with her struggle to find balance between living her life and being afraid of her future.

Niamh arrives at the castle to make the prince’s garments for his upcoming wedding. Kit is the typical grumpy man with a soft spot for only her, which is always a trope I always love. Due to the forbidden nature of their relationship, there is so much angst and yearning and I ATE IT UP. AND THEY’RE BOTH BISEXUALS!! I absolutely love seeing queer people in regency stories because it adds interesting layers to the historical genre. I am so glad that this story didn’t go “the other woman” route because what happened isn’t super predictable.

I really enjoyed my time reading this and I recommend it to anyone who loves magic and regency romance. Perfect for Half A Soul and Bridgerton lovers.

This book was an absolute delight to read. I went in with high expectations for a fantastic fantasy romance set against the backdrop of political intrigue and was rewarded with a sweet story that touched on the effects of colonization, the aftereffects of rebellions, classism, prejudice, and more. Plus, almost all of the core characters are gay or bi, though those exact terms are never used.

Niamh and Kit by themselves would be an interesting story to read about, with their initially antagonistic relationship and attempts to understand each other. But the overall tale is enhanced by also focusing on the interactions and relationships the two have with their friends. Friendship and loyalty both play major roles in the story, and having that broader focus goes a long way to fully developing both Niamh and Kit's characters. These friendships help to better establish and define the conflicts and choices made by all involved.

All of this is set against a backdrop of political unrest and machinations. Niamh is part of the Macklish, a group of people who have historically been mistreated and dominated by the wealthy and aggressive Avaland. While the Macklish are pushing for better representation in Avaland and being ignored, the Regent is trying to make alliances with other nations and is using his brother Kit as a pawn through marriage.

Because neither the description nor the cover give away that there are LGBTQIA+ characters in this story, it would make a fantastic stealth read for a teen. But it would also be enjoyed by young folks who enjoy weightier romances and unique fantasy worlds.

This book was absolutely whimsical. Very Bridgerton meets Cinderella of a sorts, and I absolutely loved it. Kit and Niamh were so fun, with their banter and Niamh’s unfailing ability to put her heart into everyone and everything.

A Fragile Enchantment was a cute, fun read with political undertones and a sweet almost enemies to lovers sort of vibe.

4.5 rounded to 5 Stars! The perfect blend of magic and romance. I read this in one sitting because the story kept me engrossed and smiling with delight throughout! A royal romance, with politics, and LGBT+ representation in the side characters. A Bridgerton-esque tale woven with quippy banter and a moody, broody love interest. What an enchanting tale!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this tale!

🌹Spoiler-Free Review
🌹A Fragile Enchantment by Allison Saft
🌹YA, Fantasy, Romance

With the perfect mix of fantasy & regency-esque romance, A Fragile Enchantment by Allison Saft is a warm & enchanting tale to read.

Niamh Ó Conchobhair is a dressmaker with an ability to imbue garments with magic. In an effort to make a name for herself & care for her family, Niamh leaves her homeland & takes a job in the kingdom of Avaland as a clothing designer for a royal wedding. While trying to prove her skills & impress the royals, Niamh struggles with how to honor her commitment to her new employer while navigating unexpected unrest & relationships within the kingdom.

Saft’s novel has a dynamic plot that interweaves scandal & political discord with subplots about family obligation, desire, and free will. It is impressive for a standalone novel to cover so much in an organized & impactful way. The tensions between Machland & Avaland are reminiscent of relations between Ireland & Britain during the 1800’s. This story prompted me to revisit what I already knew about that period of time, research more, and gain new perspectives.

The story is perfectfully perfumed with just the right amount of fantasy. It does not have an overwhelming world or magic system, but it is enough to allow the reader to engage in a healthy amount of escapism in the midst of heavier themes. With that said, at times I was intrigued by the specific types of generational magic that the characters possessed, and I did crave further expansion on it.

The characters & relationships in A Fragile Enchantment have great depth to them. The physical scenes may fade to black, but Saft writes such a meaningful & emotionally intense romance that it would be hard to find a reader unsatisfied.

Overall, this is a moving story that addresses important themes such as socioeconomic stereotypes & systems of class, breaking cycles of childhood trauma, and the challenge of balancing duty & loyalty to one’s family versus self. There is also representation for those living with chronic illness & for the LGBTQIA+ community.

Thank you so much to NetGalley & Allison Saft for allowing me the opportunity to read this novel in advance.

🌹TW: Discussions of emotional and physical abuse, Discussions of colonialism, Death of a parent (off page), Alcoholism, Homophobia
🌹Tropes: Forced Proximity, Forbidden Romance, Grumpy/Sunshine, and Enemies to Lovers.

Thank you to St Martins Press and NetGalley for the ARC of this book.

I will happily leave a review for this when the racist remarks by one of their employees is addressed. I want to support the author, but also want to know they don’t support this behavior.

While I would love to provide accurate feedback on this title, it is unfortunately published under Wednesday books, which I am actively boycotting. Wednesday/St. Martin's Press has yet to acknowledge their employees' incredibly racist and Islamaphobic propaganda posted online, and I refuse to promote, review, or provide feedback on their titles until they do.

Okay. Let's just start with the whole vibe of this book, making me feel good in a comforting, blissful, perfect romance way... yet, also with plenty of friction between not only the characters but the different pieces to this world. Honestly, this was simply divine.

I love a good romance, and I especially love enemies-to-lovers. This kind-hearted main character, Niamh, has beautiful magic that gives her the ability to stitch her emotions into gowns, men's jackets, handkerchiefs, you name it. She is hired as a Machlander in the palace of Avaland, which until recently controlled her country, basically running it into the ground. This is where the politics of the story, this world, primarily arises. However, when she meets Kit, the soon to be married prince, things get all sorts of thorny and soft quite quickly.

I loved this so much. This is a humorous and romantic story that will be perfect to brighten anyone's day!

Out January 2, 2024!

Thank you, Netgalley and Publisher, for this Arc!

** thanks to NetGalley and Wednesday books for the ARC and chance to read and review **

✨ look for it January 2, 2024 ✨

A slow burn, enemies to lovers story that is like a magical version of Bridgerton! I thought the characters were all dynamic and it was cool that everyone had different magic. A book is so much better when they have good chemistry!! It does take about 5 to 6 chapters to get into the story but then after that you’re hooked! ✨

(My only “critique” is that it’s only from FMC POV and in my opinion I think it would’ve had more depth with duel POV)