This was truly a charming romance filled with lovable characters!

From the beginning, I was enraptured with Niamh's voice and her magic. She had this calming essence from the moment the book starts that demands to be read. Kit added a flare to the story that had an edge to it. Seeing these two interact and bring out the best in each other was truly the best part of the story.

I also really loved the regency-era type of feel. It really painted the whole picture. However, I did wonder a lot about Avaland and the Machlish. When we were getting backstory between these two lands, it was said that the people who escaped from Avaland colonized Machland, but there was never an explanation about the people already in Machland (unless I missed something).

Moreover, I feel like the story began with many potential subplots that should have been explored, but they were ultimately forgotten. Niamh's friend, for instance, felt like a blip when she was mentioned so much near the beginning. We never hear more about Niamh's family after such a heavy opening chapter. And what saddens me is that those subplots could have been used to further accentuate what Niamh needed to learn.

Regardless, it was a really cute story that really delved deep and brought these characters to life. I wish the ending didn't feel so rushed. I wanted to linger in the world a little more.

“A beautiful ruse, like a glass apple filled with poison. Nothing was going exactly as she’d dreamed it.”~~

As a romance girly who pines for a slow-burn that takes its time to reach a boil—I am writing my review based on those feelings alone. FIRST, I would like to showcase my undying love for regency romance and the absolute JOY it brings me to read the subtle flirting, the obvious flirting, the all-type of flirting, really, especially when it is accompanied by a forbidden romance enemies-to-friends-to lover’s situation. Poor girls who have to work for a living and rich guys? Yeah that’s MY FAVORITE recipe for l-o-v-e.

SECOND, although this book is not insta-love, I would not consider it slow-burn either. The romance is the heart of this novel, so I want to estimate (from my kinda terrible memory) that the pacing from about 25 percent to 50 percent was a little slower for me based on plot alone, i.e., the ROMANCE is always there, your cheeks will be glowing but overall, it took me awhile to get through.
After being pulled in immediately at the start, I was really worried the novel was going to continue to decline as the story progressed, but it most definitely picked up plot-wise after the halfway mark was reached. Honestly, I think it would work so so well as a movie.


THIRD, the fact that this novel was not a slow-burn and that I still found it romantic has impressed me so & for that reason alone, you should not pass it up. Read this book if you love:


❥ Pride & Prejudice/Regency Romance

❥Family Drama

❥Grumpy Male Leads

❥Whimsical fairytales

❥A good laugh—the sense of humor delivered!

❥Are in the mood for a simple yet fresh, enchanting story

Overall Rating: 4.5/5


*Keep a look our for this book(/gorgeous cover), which releases on 1/23/2024! And special thanks to NetGalley for this arc!

This book from Allison Saft was a lovely delight. I really enjoyed the central romance between the two main characters and it kept me up late reading on several nights. I love the proliferation of more fantasy set romances that are fairly soft and cozy, as well as these Bridgerton-esque inspired series, and this is a wonderful addition to that genre.

I loved both main characters, and I especially like that their personality traits can't simply be boiled down to one dominant trait. Both characters are nuanced, and Kit especially is actually unlikable at times, but his actions also make sense in the context of the world and his character.

There were a few loose ends that I didn't feel were completely wrapped up, and a few that just didn't fully make sense to me, but I still overall really enjoyed this story.

A FRAGILE ENCHANCEMENT by Allison Saft is the first in a Young Adult Romantic Fantasy set in a Regency-inspired world. A newly-hired dressmaker who weaves emotions into all she makes finds herself on the edge of scandal when an anonymous gossip columnist notes the chemistry between her and the royal groom. I loved the two main characters, the setting, and the family and friendship dynamics. Before I gush on more, let me share the setup.

Niamh Ó Conchobhair is a poor dress-maker in Marchland who has the ability to infuse her creations with emotions. The more she uses her ability, the closer she draws to death. Wanting to help her family, she accepts the invitation of the royal family of Avaland to be the royal dressmaker for the upcoming nuptuals of the brother of the Prince Regent, Prince Kit.

When she meets him, she's overcome with how beautiful he is... until he speaks and is really blunt and rude. Despite his grumpiness, the sunshine that is Niamh breaks through and the resulting attraction between the two is evident. So evident, in fact, that the gossip columnist, Lovelace, eludes to it. With potential scandal looming -- a scandal that could jeopardize the fragile diplomacy holding off war -- Niamh and Kit must work together and with allies to avert disaster.

What I loved most about this book:
- I'm a fan of anything set in a Regency-like world, so I thoroughly loved the setting. The descriptions of it were so lush.
- The magic in this world was very original. What would it be like to wear something that makes people experience a happy memory? The royal family's magic was also unique, beautiful and terrifying at times.
- The grumpy/sunshine really worked for me
- One lesson from this novel that resonates deeply with me is that shared family trauma is experienced differently for each person, even two people as close as brothers. Jack as the oldest sibling shoulders the burden of leadership on his own due, in part, to his father's expectation, and while he makes many mistakes, I can understand that he was acting motivated by duty and love.
- The supporting cast of characters were enjoyable to meet and to follow on their own mini-arcs: Sinclair, Rosa, Miriam, even the Prince Regent, Jack, and his wife, Sofia.
- The political intrigue was just enough to keep me interested but not so much that I felt it dominated the story.

What didn't work:
- Honestly, I can't think of a single thing that needs improvement. I read this book in less than a week, which for me translates as, "I devoured this book in a week."

A FRAGILE ENCHANTMENT is a pacey, enjoyable read with an original mythology, a swoon-worthy romance, and a strong cast of characters. I highly recommend it. Run, don't walk, to pre-order this fantastic novel! Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, Wednesday Books for providing me with an eARC of this book for my honest feedback.

I loved the story, the world building and meeting the different characters. I felt completely immersed in the story and couldn't stop reading it.

This is my first book by Allison Saft and I enjoyed it. Although regency era isn’t my go to for books, I was very excited to obtain this ARC.

I wanted to read this book for two reasons, the magic and I must admit that cover is pretty! The story started off slow for me. It took about getting halfway through for me to really get into it. The magic I really liked but I wanted more! The chemistry between the main characters was slow building. They had some really beautiful moments together that were tender and full of longing. He is grumpy and she is sunshine :)

The setting, supporting characters and theme of self growth kept this book going for me. The writing, descriptions are lovely and I had no problems building the world.

I am looking forward to reading more books by this author!

A Fragile Enchantment" by Allison Saft is a captivating 4-star read that seamlessly weaves together romance, fantasy, and intrigue in a Regency England-inspired world.

Niamh Ó Conchobhair is a talented dressmaker with a unique magical ability – she can stitch emotions and memories into fabric. But this gift comes with a heavy price; it's the same magic that will eventually claim her life. Determined to secure a better future for her family, Niamh seizes the opportunity to design the wardrobe for a royal wedding in the neighboring kingdom of Avaland.

Avaland, however, is far from the fairy tale she imagined. Social unrest simmers beneath the surface as the working class faces hardships. The groom, Kit Carmine, is a reluctant participant in the wedding, dragged into it for political reasons. Niamh and Kit's unlikely friendship deepens into something more, but their chemistry doesn't go unnoticed. An anonymous gossip columnist threatens to expose their connection, forcing Niamh into a perilous choice between revealing Avaland's secrets and protecting her newfound love.

Allison Saft's world-building is exquisite, transporting readers to a Regency-inspired fantasy realm filled with vivid descriptions and engaging characters. Niamh's magical ability adds a unique and enchanting layer to the story, making it feel both otherworldly and emotionally resonant.

The blossoming romance between Niamh and Kit is beautifully depicted, with moments of tenderness and passion that will tug at your heartstrings. The love story that unfolds amidst political intrigue and societal unrest is both captivating and heartwarming.

As the plot unravels, secrets are revealed, and the rot at the heart of Avaland becomes apparent. The story keeps you guessing and invested in Niamh and Kit's journey. The themes of sacrifice, love, and the pursuit of a better world are woven throughout the narrative, adding depth and emotional resonance.

Thank you to Allison Saft, Wednesday Books, and Netgalley for an ARC of “A Fragile Enchantment”. The following review is my own, honest opinion.

This book’s setting is as intriguing as it is engaging, Ms. Saft sets a wonderful stage for a Bridgerton-esque, fantasy crossover. The story starts with Niamh O’Conchobhair, a young adult seamstress traveling to another country to design opulent coats for Prince Kit Carmine. The magic in this story is somewhat hidden, and feels like a secret that not everyone knows but those lucky ones that do covet preciously. Niamh’s magic is wrapped into every piece of fashion she makes, allowing people to feel, see, and represent their emotions through clothing. I love the magical system that Ms. Saft builds, it is unique and appealing.

Kit Carmine is not the nicest MMC, but he quickly starts to redeem himself from his original curmudgeon persona. I like that the reader has to assume there is more to Kit than his negative, grumpy attitude and it’s their job to figure him out. It gives him an air of mystery that every bad boy, loving girl wants to save.

As the story progresses, the intricate relationship between the FMC and MMC gets more complicated and messy, which honestly I like because there isn’t a clear, predictable path for the two characters to end up together.

The plot of the story is well planned and an enticing read. It was hard to see exactly where the story was going to go, which I found to be a pleasant surprise. Most stories I read have a predictable recipe for their novels. This one had me puzzled on the resolution until the last few pages. The rose and atmosphere of this novel was great. I loved the regency like setting, it reminded me often of Bridgerton. This will be great for fans of the show or books because it has a Pride and Prejudice air to it but also fantastical atmosphere.

This story seemed so disjointed to me. I felt like a lot of things weren’t explained very clearly, and I didn’t feel very connected to the story or characters. The relationship also felt really toxic, and I wasn’t a fan of how temperamental Kit acted.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for letting me read this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

I had such high hopes for this book. Look at that cover! Look at that title and then we had the description.

All that hope was killed. The story just felt like a weird retelling of brigerton but with a bit of magic. From hiding under the table to playing that stick and ball game. My mind kept comparing it to that.

Then it all felt so childish. The characters weren't really delved into with detail and to me the magic really wasn't explained even though it was a cool concept that I would have loved to get more info on. The MC seemed like a wannabe bad boy and the FC had so much potential but with the whole Insta love thing, even when she knew he was engaged, was not for me

I would have loved to know more about the side characters like Rosa and Sofia. They seemed like cool girls who would have interesting stories.

And lastly I would have really loved a map at the start of the book just to help me get into the world building but there was none.

Over all it had potential but fell very short on all fronts besides the book cover because that is still beautiful.

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC

This book was fantastic.

The love felt very soft and I was able to imagine I was watching their love play out in front of my eyes.

I felt that this book was a mix between Cinderella and Romeo and Juliet. It was perfect. Just the right touches of magic, love, friendship, family betrayals, kingdom issues, and so much more.

This book was such a magical enchantment!

Fall in love with this enchanting novel, blossoming with romance and intrigue!

Niamh has spent her life knowing she's going to die early. Yet that doesn't stop her from weaving magic into the gowns she stitches, nor accepting an invitation to be the talyor for a royal wedding. Sunshine personified, she soon realizes she's been hired to sew for the brooding young prince who would rather hide away in his garden than come anywhere near the Season. Kit has grown up beneath the burden of failed expectations. When his brother, the prince regent, summons him to return to Court for his own wedding, he does everything in his power to ignore the event entirely. But the young seamstress the regent hired won't leave him alone, and he can't help but search for the sunshine she brings with her.

A Frangile Enchantment was a breath of fresh air I didn't know I needed. Set in what is essentially magical Regency England, the novel deals with class struggle, generational trauma, and grief set against a whimsical backdrop that shines with wonder. The heavy subject matters explored didn't drag down the story because, for every dark cloud, there was light behind it. I adored Niamh and Kit, for while they were perfect together, they could also stand alone.

It would be too easy to call their dynamic grumpy-sunshine, so I'll instead refer to them as rainstorm and sunshower (cheesy, I know). While Niamh remained bright and loving, her own ghosts were still present, maintaining her complexity and making her feel real. Kit---brooding though he may be---had so many wonderful moments of tenderness that he too wasn't easy to fit into a common trope. Their dynamic was perfect (seriously, I can't wait for others to squeal over the romance too), but it still felt real. I think that's what really set this story apart from other novels in the genre; the characters felt real.

Niamh also dealt with chronic illness and didn't get magically cured. It's so important to see characters who struggle with real issues but to have them be more than their illness. I loved that Niamh wasn't ever limited by her disorder, even as her illness didn't conveniently disappear when it was no longer plot-relevant. Additionally, the entire book dealt with familial expectations and defining happiness by what you are to other people. I loved the conversations surrounding generational trauma and the burden of legacy, especially because they weren't easily solved. The portrayal felt real rather than pretty, which is something I hope to see more of in YA fantasy.

Beyond Niamh and Kit, the supporting cast was just as strong. I adored the casual queer representation, and how friendships developed naturally. Allison Saft is incredible at writing characters who transcend the page, and casual representation is something I hope to see even more of in historical fantasy. As for the plot, it had just enough external conflict to remain interesting, even as the story revolved more around inner turmoil.

My only complaint about A Fragile Enchantment was the scale. Kit is supposed to be a prince, but he would've worked a lot better as a lordling or even a duke. The problems the characters face in the story are small when compared to international conflicts, so if there had been a slightly more limited scale, the novel would have been even more believable.

At the end of the day, I still enjoyed A Fragile Enchantment. Bridgerton fans who love a dash of magic will want to preorder this novel as soon as possible.

Let me just start out by saying I thought this book was a super cute and cozy read. I loved the writing, the characters, the tropes, the magic…I could go on.

This magical book is best described as a fantasy historical fiction with Bridgerton vibes. It follows Niamh, a seamstress with the magical ability to weave emotions And memories into the fabric of her clothing. Because of this she is offered a chance of a lifetime: the commission of a wedding wardrobe for the prince and his bride to be, allowing her to save her family from poverty and a dying land. But soon after meeting the prickly prince Kit, Niamh can’t deny the surprising friendship (not to mention attraction) growing between them.

What follows is a delightfully well written (if not predictable) story filled with scandal sheets reminiscent of Lady Wistledown, political unrest, forbidden romance, unexpected friendship and found family.

I highly recommend it!

Many thanks to the publishers and netgalley for access to the e-arc

A magical regency era romance, filled with forbidden love, scandal, and a charming cast of side characters. Fans of Bridgerton, this book is for you!

Niamh Ó Conchobhair has a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to design and enchant the royal family’s groom and bride for the upcoming wedding. This could secure a chance to set up shop at the wealthy kingdom of Avaland, and make enough money to fund herself and her poor Machlish family. She soon meets prickly Prince Kit Carmine, the reluctant groom who seems to detest everything and causes trouble anywhere he goes. As civil unrest threatens the upper class, and the poor Machlish demand fair treatment and labor, Niamh must come to terms with her feelings and choose to honor herself or her family.

I enjoyed the royal dynamics and charming cast of characters. Sinclair is a personal favorite, I always have a soft spot for the golden retriever best friend. Niamh and Kit’s romance was very cute, even though it was love at first sight, not a personal favorite. The forbidden romance held great tension, and I was very happy to see Rosa’s support, as I hate the cheating trope. I just wish they didn’t rush the last third of the book. The rebellion and Kit’s brother Jack and his politics seemed to muddy the climax instead of add to it. Overall, I enjoyed the dramatics and scandal of a forbidden romance in this regency era story.

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for this ARC.

Very boring. I just couldn't get into it. The cover is gorgeous though, and I'm sure that other readers might like it more than I did. I've read a couple of versions of 'magical dressmaker' in the last few years, and all were more interesting than this one.

I've not read anything by Allison Saft before this one - I 100% judged this book by the cover when I requested the ARC, and I was not disappointed. Niamh has come to the palace to design the garments for the royal wedding. I loved watching the various characters interact and grow - you learn about them along with Niamh as she navigates a completely new world. There are a lot of politics going on in the background- the details are mostly glossed over, you just sort of know it's there and happening. What you do see is mostly related to the treatment of those from the country Niamh comes from - where most are treated as little more than servants that deserve nothing (for no reason than the previous king decided to destroy? I wish we had more context, or maybe he was just mad).

My favorite part of this book was the magic, but I wanted to see MORE. Obviously, we see it quite a bit with Niamh, and occasionally with a couple other characters, but I would have loved to see more of the divine blooded magic. Throw in a Bridgerton-esque anonymous scandal sheet columnist to wreak havoc on the who's who, and it was just a fun, sweet read.

I was introduced to Allison Saft in A Gathering Dark and I really loved their short story, and this cover was so beautiful, I had to pick it up. Romantasy is my favorite genre as well so I had high hopes for this book, and I was not disappointed. The story was delightful and elegant.

A Fragile Enchantment by Allison Saft was delightful. A wonderful and immersive read with atmospheric prose and a unique magic system. I have read ( and thoroughly enjoyed) Saft's previous novel, A Far Wilder Magic, so I was hoping A Fragile Enchantment would capture the same magic. I think it might have even exceeded my expectations. The romance felt earned, the dialogue was snappy, and I couldn't put it down until I reached the last page. All in all, I can't wait for this to hit bookshelves so I can recommend it to my friends. A perfect read for fantasy romance lovers. I can't wait to see what Allison Saft puts out next!

In a world where two races are locked in an age-old feud, Niamh Ó Conchobhair fearlessly pursues her dream of reaching Avaland and securing the coveted role of royal seamstress for Prince Kit Carmine's upcoming wedding. With her family's poverty on the line, Niamh is one of the few remaining skilled craftswomen capable of capturing the royals' attention.

But amidst the looming royal wedding, a unique connection blossoms between Prince Kit and Niamh. Their relationship, while ostensibly a friendship, hints at something more. I absolutely adored the chemistry between them and how their story played out against the backdrop of a complex political landscape.

If you're a fan of historical fantasy with a dash of romance, this book is an absolute must-read! 📚💫

Vibe: Bridgerton (yes, there's even a gossip column!) meets an enchanting fantasy realm. It's a cozy fantasy that makes you just want to hug each character and wish them happiness.

Tropes:
♡Enemies-to-lovers
♡Self-growth
♡Secret Identity - inspired by Bridgerton
♡He Falls First
♡Forbidden love

Thank you Netgalley for the eARC!

It certainly was a delightful, fantastical read. The fantasy element was woven throughout each page and the slow romance/friendships that grew were wonderful to read.

It did take a hot second for me to get into it, but once I was hooked, I devoured this book (instead of doing the statistics homework I really should have been doing... but oh well.) And there are still so many unanswered questions/more I want to see! Niamh runs a shop in the end, but does she enchant every piece she does? How long does she have left until she dies? How do they fix all the political issues? I want to see her family's reactions to her new home and her friends and stuff.

Some things were predictable and others weren't. By the wedding, I had no clue what was going to happen, and that was great. But it ended a little too soon in my opinion; previous things that had been brought up were hurriedly mentioned in the end and did not satisfy my curiosity.

thank you Netgalley for the free ARC