The story started out well but Niamh was just a disaster. Her ability to trip over nothing was cute at first but got old real first. She was quite pathetic and the way she created trouble everywhere she went and she'd go like "oh, woe me, because of me..." was not pretty at all.
There was none of the romantic tension I wanted to see and Kit wasn't really as intense as described. It was all just so bland. And I had issues with the side characters too. The writing dragged too much and even the plot was kind of disappointing. The story had so much potential but it turned out to be a major disappointment for me.

I had high hopes for this book after hearing such great things and receiving a copy, especially with its gorgeous cover, but unfortunately it didn’t resonate with me. While the writing was undeniably beautiful, the story fell short in several areas. The pacing was slow, and I struggled to connect with the characters or their journey. Niamh and Kit’s relationship felt immature and toxic, lacking the depth or tension that might have made it compelling. Kit’s unpredictable mood swings, even when attributed to his past trauma, left me more frustrated than sympathetic, and their constant bickering overshadowed any potential chemistry.

The narrative’s reliance on instant attraction also didn’t appeal to me, particularly since the story is told entirely from Niamh’s perspective. Interestingly, I found the supporting characters far more engaging. Rosa and Miriam brought a lively dynamic to the story, and Sofie’s intriguing presence left me wishing for more exploration of her character. I did appreciate how the author portrayed healthy friendships among the female characters, avoiding the overused trope of rivalry.

While this book didn’t work for me personally, I can see why it has found a devoted audience. Its evocative prose and themes may resonate more with readers who enjoy slow-burn stories and intricate emotional dynamics.

eARC was kindly provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

On day I judged a book by its cover and multiple books later I am still loving everything Allison Saft writes.
Niamh's magic was so interesting, Kit was such a lovable grump, and per usual Saft's writing was so lovely.
I had a few issues with parts of the story just not having enough time devoted to them. Maybe a product of being a standalone romantasy.
Thanks to netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read in exchange for an honest review.

A fragile enchantment by Allison Saft is a ya fantasy romance novel that is a standalone. I'm actually happy with this one being a standalone because I wasn't loving it in the beginning but halfway through it picked up with the action pack of this novel.
We follow our main character Niamh who never let herself sit for too long by herself, because she has magic in her blood and that let her seee other people emoitons and memories! How cool is that?!
This is perfect for fans of fairytales because there is a beatufiul castle setting in here with a gaint library as well. We also meet this prince who isn't a fan of Niamh for what she has and they fall in love. I wasn't a huge fan of this book cause of the pacing for it, but still intrugied by this author's other works!(:

A Fragile Enchantment by Allison Saft is a historical fantasy that will sweep you away into a world full of magic, secrets, and political intrigue. I loved the atmosphere and setting! I enjoyed the relationships between the characters (romantic and platonic) and appreciated that this book features queer characters in a regency setting. As a crafter, I also liked the concept of imbuing magic into your work! While it isn't perfect - the plot towards the end felt a little scattered and wrapped up a bit too perfectly - this is definitely a book to pick up for some good old fashioned escapism and if you love flawed but loveable characters!

A Fragile Enchantment has a promising premise, but the pacing and character development fell flat. Not a book I would read again.

I adored this book.

Though it took me a while to be in the right “mood” (due to no fault of the book) when the mood finally hit I devoured this story in greedy gulps.

I loved watching the romance unfold between Niamh and Kit. I was expecting a sweet regency fantasy but didn’t expect the more serious tones to address colonization and mental health challenges. The more serious topics weren’t too heavy but weren’t shied away from which I appreciate. The supporting cast also deserves a mention. There is no real “villain” presented in this book and the author gives the supporting cast their only layers to play with.

I ended up pairing the e-book with the audiobook and would 100% recommend the audio.

Beautiful and romantic. Saft weaves a good "enemies to lover" romance. Absolutely delightful, and I loved the banter. There was just the right amount of tension. And the characters were truly love-able. Gave me "Brighterton" vibes and I loved every second. Will be picking up more of this Author in the future.

A Cinderella love story when a aspiring seamstress leaves all that she knows in hopes of a better life. Main Character, Niamh O’ Conchobhair, born with a gift to imbue magic into the clothing she creates receives a chance to change her fate when she recieves an invitation from the king. Despite knowing the dark history between her people and the kingdom she sees this as her only chance to help the people she loves and sets forth into a kingdom where tensions are rising, trust is a calculating risk, and her biggest foe is an estranged handsome and brooding prince that wants nothing to do with her or her intricate designs. At least that’s what she thinks.


In my opinion, this book would be well liked for the younger side of the demographic. The story itself was interesting though I have some issues with the fact that the kingdom was prejudice about Niamh’s people and their gifts however the royals themselves have special abilities? Also there was a lack of romantic scenes to truly sell me on the passion that they supposedly had for one another. The characters however were very unique with all diverse backgrounds having to overcome separate obstacles that held a heavy weight upon them weather it was dealing with recovery of substance abuse, protesting racial injustice, coming to terms of who you are despite who your family wants you to be, among many others that lead us to bond and recognize a little bit of ourselves in each person. Overall, I would rate it a 3/5 due to the lack of romance, needing better flow of the story and yet still had me needing to know who if anyone was going to get their happily ever after.

*A Fragile Enchantment* by Allison Saft is a beautifully written, atmospheric fantasy that combines mystery, romance, and dark magic. The novel follows a young woman navigating a world where enchantments and betrayal are ever-present, and Saft’s lyrical prose brings the setting to life with vivid detail. The complex characters, particularly the protagonist, are well-developed, grappling with personal growth and difficult choices. While the pacing occasionally feels slow, the intricate world-building and emotional depth more than make up for it. The romantic subplot is captivating, adding an extra layer of tension. A mesmerizing, immersive read that will leave readers wanting more.

This book was super cute. Nothing overly amazing, but a cute quick read. I would recommend this to a friend.

The magic system of this story felt so fun and compelling at first. But after half way through the magic had still not been explained at all which wa s a let down. Except for the fact there are enchanted dresses. The pacing was a bit slow and portions really felt like they were dragging.
Maybe I would have enjoyed this more if I had read it at a different time.

Unfortunately, I could not finish this book. I love Saft's other work, and was so excited about this title, but there was just too much happening for me that pulled at my least favorite parts of her writing--the worldbuilding, the Bridgerton knockoff, the thin fantasy. The prose is beautiful, there's lots for other readers to like, I wanted to love it, and I will absolutely keep reading her work. This just isn't the one for me.

A Fragile Enchantment was such a beautiful and pretty book from start to finish. The cover, the characters, the world and the magic system although that did turn dark for Niamh was all beautiful. I loved her magic, it was super unique and I feel I don't see magic where people usually put feelings into clothing.
The world building also was amazing, I loved learning the past and how it affects the present day, as well as knowing the Machlish vs Avaland issues and why they are important. I loved the descriptions of places and thought that Allison Saft did a good job at describing things.
For the romance, I thought it was cute, but okay. I liked their dynamic sometimes but also always didn't really enjoy how it unfolded at times.
Thank you to Netgalley and St Martins press for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

This book was fun and sweet and easy to read.

It’s a little Bridgerton-esque with the society setting, but still stays exciting and interesting.

The magic system was really creative, in my opinion, and felt original. I liked that different people had different abilities and how they affected everyone differently. My one main complaint was that it wasn’t fleshed out enough- I wanted to know and understand more about it, and it felt a little surface level.

However on the whole, the book worked for me. The romance was sweet and soft and believable, the plot was pretty interesting, and I just had a good time reading it.

Unfortunately this fell flat for me in just about every aspect. I didn't feel much towards the characters and I found the world building to be a bit lacking. I think it had a lot of potential though so I would definitely be willing to give the author another shot!

Hmm, I liked one of Saft's other books but this did not work for me at all. Everything felt flat when it should've felt magical. So much missed potential unfortunately.

Full review and links to social will be posted as soon as possible.

I'd like to thank the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.

I love how the author writes fantasy standalone with a good romance. I have not been disappointed in her books! My favorite is still A Far Wilder Magic because of the moody tone and solid world-building. A Fragile Enchantment has a lighter tone. More of a Bridgerton vibe but with court politics.

I thought this was a fun standalone but it does fall short when it comes to character development. I didn’t feel as connected to our MC. She didn’t have a clear enough personality to me. The best moments are when she is infusing emotion into her client’s clothes. I loved seeing the characters experiencing her magic.

Similar to Kit. One moment he seems to be a broody and grumpy. And then at times, he’s all banter and cheekiness. It felt like the author tried to give him different facets, except he wasn’t coming off as mercurial but underdeveloped.

This book pulled me out of a fantasy reading slump. It’s everything I enjoy: court gossips, political machinations, fancy dresses, romance, and that it’s a standalone. 😊

This was a fun read! I think the premise was really interesting, and the magic system was unique. I enjoyed the characters, as well, (especially the side characters) and thought Saft did a really good job of including character flaws. I rated this 3 stars, though, because while I enjoyed reading the book, I don't think it's necessarily one that will stick with me in the long run or that I'll want to come back to in the future.