I am always so excited when I see a new book from Allison Saft. I have been an avid fan since her first book. This book was another beautiful fairytale romance that had so much to love from start to finish.

This is a novel about love and what we are willing to do for it. Niamh has a beautiful magic: she can weave magic into the gorgeous clothes that she creates. As a talented tailor, she is contracted by the royal family to create clothes for the upcoming wedding of the prince. This is a big opportunity to help her family, which is always her primary concern. The first time she meets the prince, Kit, she is underwhelmed, because he's a jerk, but as Niamh gets to know him, she realizes there's a lot more to him than she initially thought. As she is swept into palace intrigue and drama, she realizes that she has never put her self first, and her own happiness has never been her own priority--and now is the time to finally take charge of her life and fight for what she really believes in.

This was a beautiful, romantic story with drama and mystery. There was a lot of heart and some truly heart-pounding romantic moments. Allison Saft wrote another incredible novel.

I have realized that I have outgrown YA Romantasy set in a Regency setting. This is at NO fault of the authors which is why my review is a little skewed.

I really don't want to post anything negative about this book because I feel it would just be my own personal feelings on how I view regency style books.

I feel if you like Regency Romance, you like Bridgerton, you want to dive into a unique YA Romantasy, I would strongly suggest picking this up because you will probably love it!

This book was a balm to my soul! I enjoyed the romance so much, and the ending was perfect for this book. I would say though, that it is ideal for the upper YA crowd, just because there was one intimate scene in the book. I would say 16+ for sure.
Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

didn't quite live up to my love for Down Comes the Night, but still a solid romantasy from Allison Saft!!! I did love the vibes of this book!!!

I really wanted more from this one. I felt like it started off really strong and then gradually fell flat. The plot and characters had promise but weren't fleshed out by the end. I wanted more from the romance as well. I love a good slow burn but there is a limit on the amount of time it takes to get there and this one just went a bit too long.

Overall, the vibe is good but the story and romance was lacking for me. It could have been my mood or the fact that I had high expectations given the hype but it just didn't do much for me.

The audio was well developed and the narration good. I would recommend it for those who prefer to listen.

Niamh has been hired to be the seamstress for the royal wedding.
Determined to change the life for her and her family, she is determined to create the best wedding costumes, even if it kills her.

Kit, the reluctant groom, seems to be determined to make Niamh's life difficult. But against her better judgement even Niamh can't deny the chemistry she feels with the regent prince.

Unfortunately this chemistry has not gone unnoticed by others in the king's court, and Kit and Niamh might find themselves called out in a "lady Whistledown-esq" article if Niamh refuses to help the elusive and mysterious writer take down the royal family.

This book had a great premise and I was so excited to read it, but the execution left a lot to be desired.
It felt like nothing really happened throughout the book, and I didn't really understand the big "reveal", it just seemed like regular politics to me, not something so monumental it would take out the royal family.
I found the magic aspect interesting but underdeveloped.
Niamh's 'illness' was interesting, but also didn't go anywhere.
The ending left a lot to be desired with no update on some of the characters.

I was all for this forbidden love romantacy, but in the end it wasn't for me.

Niamh Ó Conchobhair is born with a magic in her blood with which she can imbue the clothes she makes with emotions and memories. This magic also draws death ever nearer. Having no hope for her own future, she accepts the invitation to produce the wardrobe for a royal wedding in a neighboring land and provide enough for her mother and grandmother to live out their days at ease.

A far cry from her humble home in Machland, Avaland is not the perfect, fantastical land she expected. The class disparity is coming to a head, the engaged royal couple is comprised of two unhappy pawns, and an anonymous gossip columnist keeps stirring the pot. Oh, and Niamh and the prince, Kit, strike up a friendship that has the potential for more...if she wasn't dying and he wasn't engaged.

The ties to Regency England in this YA fantasy are strong and with it come a lot of the usual plotlines and tensions we see in Regency romance. If you can't get enough of that, this book will satisfy. The magic was interesting but didn't add much to the plot itself. It did however strengthen the imagery and stakes for characters as it tended to be linked with emotions.

All of the main characters had visible growth throughout the book, which is quite the feat as there are a lot of them! Each was pushed and challenged and forced to reckon with themselves. Niamh's arrival seems to break down a lot of the walls that had been built around each of them as she doesn't fall into the norms of the nobility she find herself surrounded by.

If you love Regency era fiction with romance, intrigue, wisps of magic, and the disruption of nobility, you will likely enjoy this book!

I love the way Allison Saft writes. This was such an atmospheric book, and I liked the descriptions throughout. It’s a stunning read visually; however, I wanted a little more out of the plot.

My first thought is progression of the story is a bit oddly paced. For example, we see characters do and start things that don’t get mentioned again until much later. This disrupts other events and elements in the story and makes them look more like an afterthought than intended. The disruption causes an almost event-based plot that means some aspects get dragged out until some big event is supposed to happen, followed by everything happening in a rush.

While the characters are likable and fun, the rush to have them learn, accomplish, and experience what they need to leaves more to be desired out of the political intrigue and Lovelace letters/column. They feel the most like afterthoughts in the story since they’re not addressed nor appear often enough to have them feel really necessary to the story.

The magic was gorgeous and reading about the romance was so cute, so the ending does redeem the book, and it is reminiscent of several exceptional classics in the writing and some elements. Almost everything is tied up and readers are given what they want from the book.

Ultimately, I liked it and would recommend it, though. It’s cute and fairly straightforward. Perfect for fans of Pride and Prejudice or Bridgerton.

Buckle up Bridgerton fans, this one's for you. What a fun, cozy, enchanting little read. I knew I would like this book the moment I saw the cover. Allison Saft's writing is enchanting and engaging and her characters feel so real. I loved the relationship dynamic of this book and found both of the main characters to be so charming. I also loved the vivid descriptions and attention to detail because that made this such a sensory experience. I desperately need more books like this please!

<i>I received a copy of this story from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.</i>

3.5 stars

There's so much potential hiding behind this gorgeous cover and intriguing title! Colonialism, classism, disability, economic tensions, childhood trauma, duty and honor are all big topics that this story could've explored in an accessible way. Unfortunately, very little of it comes to fruition. It's like the bones of a queer YA romance were draped with buzzy ideas to seem current and relatable.

First, the magic system seems haphazard. It isn't fully realized or explored, so it comes off as convenient. I loved that Niamh's magic has a physical toll but it hardly mattered to the story. Kit's magic is also interesting but these things weren't expanded upon.

Second, the tension between Niamh's people and the Avlish felt shallow. It was hard to accept Niamh's attitude towards all things Avlish. And Jack and Kit's behavior just struck me as nonsensical.

Third, the relationships didn't really make sense. They were hard to believe. I could kind of see how Niamh and Kit fall for each other but it felt really forced. And the ending was blind wish fulfillment! Nothing was solved or embarked upon. Nothing changed!

I also had issues with the pacing. It's not a long book but it sure feels like it is. It dragged on and on and on. I was invested enough to see where it would go but I was glad to finish it.

I do love how queer it is! That part made me so happy.

If you're looking for a fluffy, low-stakes romantasy, this checks those boxes nicely. But if you're looking for more substance, look elsewhere.

4.5. This was such a lovely little romantic read. Allison Saft has SUCH GOOD PROSE. It's just so very romantic and full of longing glances that are very Austenian. (Is that a word? It is now.) I loved every character, the stakes, the magic, the things being said about colonialism and rising against oppression, and the difficulty of being on the margins. The slow change of a grumpy, prickly, broken man to someone with hope, willing to bare his soul - delicious.

I'd like to have known a little bit more about the magic. I get the sense of how it works, so it isn't confusing, but there's very little history given, including about the curse on Niamh. We didn't need a whole info dump, but just a little more would have been nice to really round out the world. But overall it was a very enjoyable read, and Saft is an instant read for me.

This was such a fun read! I appreciate that Saft throws the reader into the world without explaining too much. The reader figures things out as they read.

Niamh is a tailor who has magical blood that allows her to imbue magic into the clothes she creates. Her designs allow the wearer to feel whatever emotion Niamh has willed into the thread and fabric. She is summoned from Machland to Avaland to design wedding clothes for the younger prince and his betrothed. She becomes friends with the prickly prince, Kit, and romance blossoms. However, political unrest and secrets make this a more layered romantsy. There was a lot of depth to this story which I enjoyed.

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

Allison Saft's A Fragile Enchantment is a magical romance that takes you to a world where love defies expectations. Niamh, a dressmaker who can sew magic into clothes, gets the chance of a lifetime to work on a royal wedding in Avaland. But instead of a fairytale, she finds herself in the middle of scandals and secrets, especially when she and the groom, Kit, unexpectedly fall for each other.

The book shines with its magical setting, intriguing plot, and heartfelt romance. Niamh and Kit’s story is more than just love; it's about finding courage and fighting for what's right. Saft’s writing is beautiful, making every scene vivid and every emotion felt. A Fragile Enchantment is perfect for anyone who loves fantasy, romance, and stories about overcoming obstacles for love."

I was drawn to this book by the pretty cover and the premise. The rise of cozy fantasy has been interesting. They have all the fun of a fantasy world with a less intense plot. This book captures that perfectly with a mostly romantic plot, with some mystery and political intrigue. There were some higher stakes, but they don't really feel that way. The star of the book is Niamh, a magical seamstress, who is invited to create the clothes for the Prince and his fiance for their wedding. But, it is not a simple thing. Niamh wants this job to send back money to her mother and grandmother, even though the royal family is responsible for the destruction of her people, most of which who now live in poverty. While it is not a subject I am terribly familiar with it seemed to be loosely paralleling the history between Ireland and Britain. Then once she arrives she becomes entangled with the engaged Prince who has a troubled past and does not want to marry his fiance. Overall enjoyed the book and it had a very sweet ending. There was some representation for chronic illness, though it is never named. Will be recommending to my students and purchasing for our collection. (Thank You to Wednesday Books and Negalley for the ARC)

Whimsical and enchanting - this book was a fresh take on a classic fairytale type of story. I loved the rich history and lore of the geography. The characters were so relatable and rich, nobody was 2 dimensional or straight forward and that is something I really appreciate. Overall a really fun read!

Niamh has magic that allows her to enchant her embroidered garments with feelings and memories. This allows her to get a position as a dressmaker for the crown price of Avalon. She is interested in letting her talents be known so that eventually she can open her own shop while continuing to provide for her family back home. Prince Kit has no interest in her garments or anything having to do with the court until Niamh starts to discover secrets that only bring them closer.

This sweet, historical romance made me an instant lover of Allison Saft's writing. This is my first book of hers and I couldn't have loved it more. The characters are rich and well-developed! For a YA story, this had a mature tone to it that I appreciate as an older reader. I will definitely be recommending this book!

If you loved season two of Bridgerton then you will love this book! It follows a young dressmaker hired to make wedding outfits for the betrotheds and may lose her heart int he process! This is an extremely atmospheric and I loved every moment of it.

Just know that this book is slow-paced as is the romance in this book.

A wonderful read that feels reminiscent of a fairy tale.

A Fragile Enchantment is a YA story about a magical seamstress, Niamh Ó Conchobhair, who is hired to create the wedding attire for a prince, Kit Carmine’s arranged marriage. Niamh is a Machlish, a group who have been conquered and are servants or poor families who are not appreciated by the ruling nobles. Some of them have magic, Niamh being one of them. Kit doesn't want to marry the princess that has been selected for him, but his brother insists he must to save Avaland. There is unrest brewing among the Machlish and rebellion seems imminent. The problem is, Kit has fallen in love with Niamh. Will they be able to be together, or must Kit marry to save the kingdom?

I love the term Romantasy, as that is what this book is. It takes Regency England with all it's pomp and circumstance, young nobles making their debuts into society with candlelit balls and elegant garden parties, as well as the excitement of a Royal Wedding and throws it into a fantasy world with magic. I liked Niamh's character from the get go. She was a strong, independent woman who was just trying to make a living for her family. She was kind, caring, loyal and smart. She gets caught up in the rebelling when she is caught in a compromising position, but tries to do what is right. Kit was aggravating at the beginning. He was a prince, but didn't bother to find out what was going on in their kingdom. He wanted what he wanted, but eventually comes around. With secrets, corruption, sneaking around, magic that is not controlled, love and more, this story pulled me in and had me smiling at the end when everyone does the right thing and there is happiness all around.

Summary:

Niamh is a talented seamstress – made all the more notable thanks to her magic. Her magic enables her to infuse emotions into her creations. Needless to say, the kingdom is all aflutter about it. This is good because Niamh has to ensure her family is cared for.

You see, Avaland may be a place of magic (for some), but it is far from a perfect land. Classism and prejudice are tearing the people apart. Niamh's people are often considered at the bottom of this system. So when given the chance to create beautiful clothing for the royal family themselves...well it may just be the chance she (and her people) needs.

Review:

Oh wow. Allison Saft has done it again. She's created another enchanting fantasy (sorry, couldn't resist). Moreover, A Fragile Enchantment has strong political elements, a grumpy/sunshine romance, and much more. It's pretty perfect.

I saw that A Fragile Enchantment was being marketed as a blend between A Sorcery of Thorns and Bridgerton. I haven't watched the latter (forgive me!), but I did adore A Sorcery of Thorns. The overall aesthetic is pretty accurate, so if you're looking for something to help fill that book-shaped void, this is the book for you.

Basically, A Fragile Enchantment is a cozy fantasy. That said, I was fascinated by the magical system at play. I would love to see more books set in this world, if only so I could see different magic users and their abilities. The romance is sweet (if a bit predictable), the situation is complex (royalty always is), and the characters are brilliant.

Highlights:
Historical Fantasy
Romance
Politics
Grumpy/Sunshine Romance