“She wanted more than she'd ever allowed herself to want. The good, the bad, and everything in between: all of life and its ten thousand ways to cut you. All of the things she’d never envisioned for herself. To grow old. To be hurt. To fall in love.”~

On the surface, ‘A Fragile Enchantment’ had many great things going for it. It was a magical setting with many captivating scenes and immaculately detailed depictions.

However, these things also seemed to detract from the story at times. The very wordy/lengthy descriptions were sometimes filler that slowed the plot progression. Some were confusing such as a “bruise in the shape of Kit’s elbow.” I get the implication, but it doesn’t seem to be a good way to suggest character actions. I also found the magic to be used as a crutch in the storyline. The spells and enchantments were very vague about how/when the magic impacted the characters and their actions.

I was unsure about the characters and their true intentions/morals. I couldn’t find myself feeling an attachment to any of them or even an investment in the romance between Kit and Niamh. I love a broody “only soft for her” MMC, but this one never was truly nice to the FMC. We were told of their romance and that they were intimate, but every quote/conversation felt lacking of love or true lust.

*As a side note, it bothered me while reading that Kit is described with “hair, the near-black of damp earth,” but is depicted with light colored hair. A small detail, but as a visual reader, it irked me that my mental image of him couldn’t match the character art on the cover.

I definitely would give this author a try again, perhaps this story was just not the right one for me. Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an ebook arc.

3.75 stars for me! Loved the characters and the story, but not all of the circumstances felt real or plausible (like how Niamh is consistently going to social events even though she has a mountain of work). Definitely an enjoyable read though! Very cute idea, unique magic system, and a good ending.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Another AMAZING book by Allison Saft!! I'm so happy I can always count on her for fantasy standalones. This book was just magical, sweet, and so fun. I loved it from start to finish.

Niamh and Kit are just the epitome of pining and longing and it was the perfect angsty little relationship. The magic system was admittedly underdeveloped and so was a lot of other aspects, but I can’t get enough of the relationship. I know this would be a perfect fit for a lot of teen readers that are willing to try fantasy without wanting to get overwhelmed with incredibly layered and complex world building.

I think this was a fun read. I Think the world was not the clearest and the characters were fun. I think this story was very tradtional historcal romance with magic twist. I lked the story but the characters are not that memeorable and the story felt like it could have been paced better but i would def read more books set in this world!!

There are a lot of things to like about this book.

The social commentary is very intriguing while being set in a fantastical historical backdrop.

I appreciated that the author chose to write the main character in a way that reflects her knowledge of her profession. She thinks with the mind of a seamstress and that is carried very well throughout the story.

The tension and banter is really great as well!

This was my first romantic fantasy book, and I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this dreamy book! I was so truly captivated by this fantasy world that was well-described that I felt as though I lived there. The writing was fantastic and whimsical. There was magic, and mythology and magic woven all throughout this story. Beautiful writing, well-developed characters, and magical love made this a masterpiece.

Thanks Netgalley and St Martin’s Press for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

2.5 stars

I didn't expect this book to essentially be a Harry and Irish Meghan Markle fanfic. I didn't dislike the writing, but I found it difficult to get invested in the two main leads- the romance in particular. The author definitely put in work with developing the character concepts, but I think there was room to make them more interesting to read about.

It feels like Niamh's illness was treated as an afterthought by the book. Also, for Avaland to be a fantasy England and their colonization of other countries to be a main issue throughout the narrative, there is oddly little (to none, if I wasn't too observant?) mention of countries outside of fantasy Europe. Even with that element of the worldbuilding aside, where are the characters of color?

The cover is beautiful, I always love to see Kelly Chong/afterblossom's art. I just wish the book itself wasn't so bland. It's not egregiously horrible, but it's not a book I would reread.

Thank you Netgalley for an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review. I enjoyed this story a lot! It was a quick read and it was really nice it was a standalone! I loved Niamh and Kit so much and their arc through the story. The side characters were great and the magic system was really cool. It was a very satisfying conclusion and I felt like all the ends were tied up.

I loved everything about this book! The characters, the magic system, the atmosphere, and the romance all hit perfectly!
I started and finished this book in one sitting, and can't wait to read it all over again. Niamh is a tailor, she can infuse feelings into her garments and when she is asked to fit the prince for his wedding it's a job she can't refuse.
The palace and the royals.. especially the prince are nothing like she thought it would be. Kit is kind of a jerk when she first meets him, but as she gets to not only know Kit, but the politics in the palace things begin to make sense, and as our main characters end up spending more and more time together and the feelings turn to something more.. that had my heart full, and me wanting to swoon.
Kit and Niamh have this adorable romance, full of pricklyness, shyness, and an odd sense of comfort and familiarity. I absolutely loved them together!

I have loved everything I've read by Alison Saft, and I can't wait to read whatever she comes out with next!

This book was such a perfect fairytale and I enjoyed every second of it! The atmosphere was so magical and the idea of seeing magic into clothes is so fun and unique. The FMC was so strong and great to follow. I also loved that this was a standalone. Not as common in fantasy so I would definitely recommend.

A Fragile Enchantment was a very whimsical read, with Bridgerton vibes that made the pages fly by(occasionally). The incorporation of Lovelace made the story have a very comedic backfall that helped with the reading experience. While I can't say I have read anything like this novel before, I did not feel like I would have missed anything if I had just skipped 100 pages. The characters are subtly developed and they kind of became endearing while also not really 'real' feeling. Like I will not think about them after this. The story is very simple and the fantasy elements were in the most basic level. This book felt like a cozy historical romance with magic elements. Perfect to read during winter, since it felt so cozy and fairytale-isc. Will recommend to anyone that wants to just vibe in another world without having to think too hard about the politics and can just focus on more mundane moments of regency life with some riveting actions thrown around.

Not bad at all, but maybe not what I was looking for at the time. This is a book that I would recommend but would not rave about. It fell in an average area of the spectrum of ya historical romantasy. Some may call it bland, some may call it boring, and others of course may call it incredible. You must know your book taste before diving in if you do not wish to be dissapointed.

Also, the cover>>>>> It's so stunning and perfectly encapsulates their romance.

Thank You Netgalley for providing me with an e-arc of this book!

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC!
Niamh is a seamstress with magical powers and she gets hired to tailor for the prince's wedding. This was such a fun and entertaining book I couldn't stop reading it! Imagine bridgerton but with magic.
The banter was top tier I was giggling like a school girl, and all the characters were so involved it gave the story so much more depth. The world itself is so regency vibes that it was a nice break from other books.

The couple of things that brought down the book to 4 stars was that I felt like Niamh at some points felt kind of bland and she was more so an observer in the book than the main character. And some of the resolutions at the end felt too easy, considering how much conflict there was politically in the world and between some of the characters. I would of loved a longer book.
But overall such a great book I would defiantly reread and recommend to everyone!

Allison Saft's "A Fragile Enchantment" is a spellbinding tale that effortlessly weaves together elements of romance, magic, and mystery to create a truly enchanting reading experience.

Set in a lush and vividly imagined world, the story follows the intriguing protagonist, Eliza, as she navigates a world of dark secrets and forbidden desires. As a healer with a unique gift, Eliza finds herself drawn into a web of intrigue when she encounters the enigmatic Nathaniel, a man with secrets of his own. Together, they embark on a journey that will test the boundaries of their love and the strength of their convictions.

What sets "A Fragile Enchantment" apart is its richly drawn characters and lush prose. Saft has a gift for creating complex and compelling characters that leap off the page, from Eliza's fierce determination to Nathaniel's brooding charisma. Each character is imbued with depth and nuance, making them feel like real people grappling with real emotions and dilemmas.

At its core, "A Fragile Enchantment" is a story about the power of love to overcome even the darkest of obstacles. Saft explores themes of sacrifice, redemption, and the nature of true love with grace and sensitivity, crafting a narrative that is as thought-provoking as it is emotionally resonant. As Eliza and Nathaniel's romance unfolds against the backdrop of a world teetering on the brink of chaos, readers will find themselves swept away by the sheer beauty and intensity of their connection.

Filled with twists and turns, magic and mystery, "A Fragile Enchantment" is a true page-turner from start to finish. Saft's exquisite prose and intricate world-building create a sense of immersion that will transport readers to another time and place, leaving them utterly captivated by the story unfolding before them.

Whether you're a fan of fantasy romance or simply looking for a beautifully written and deeply immersive read, "A Fragile Enchantment" is sure to cast its spell on you. Allison Saft has crafted a gem of a novel that will linger in your mind long after you've turned the final page. Highly recommended for anyone in search of a tale that will whisk them away on a magical journey of love and adventure.

A political forced love story is what I was expecting to find here in this book. But instead I found magic, attraction, a tiny bit of mystery and a whole lot of forbidden romance. I wasn't sucked in until about 1/3 of the way into the story, but that isn't to say the first third of the book isn't well written, it just took me a bit to be vested in the story. However once there, I loved every single place this story took me. My first read by Allison Saft and it wont' be the last.

Thank you to NetGalley, Allison Saft, and Wednesday books for allowing me this arc version in exchange for my honest opinion.

🎀If you are in a slump, love slow-burn romance, are yearning for spring, or love regency romance, this IS the book for you. Initially what drew me into this book is the beautiful cover which truly displays the atmosphere and aesthetic of the story and writing within.

🎀Throughout the years I’ve longed for a book that screamed cottagecore and spring and this is it. Allison Saft has a whimsical and lyrical writing style. It reminded me of Stephanie Garber in the way that you can so vividly picture everything without feeling like you’re bogged down with adjectives.

🎀I loved Niamh’s character growth in this story and how it showed that helping others can also help yourself. The people you surround yourself with truly impact you as a person. I thought A Fragile Enchantment had incredible depth to each character and mental health and chronic illness representation.

🎀The romance was of course one of my favorite parts of the story. While some said it was toooo much of a slow burn, I find that for me slow burns make me believe the relationship more as we see them grow individually before they are together. My only complaint with this is I feel there was someee sexual content that I find a little much for this book being YA. If it was categorized as adult I would feel differently

No notes, this was a perfect book. This is, in my opinion, Saft’s best book to date and she has come into her own as a writer. The story, world-building, pacing, characters, and romance were perfect. I already knew she could write great characters, but Niamh was one of my favorites of all time. I hope she continues to write strong, successful, brilliant women who are also empathetic, kind, and gentle. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this book.

I really liked this! The romance was sweet, and I liked the characters, which doesn't surprise me since they are both character types I tend to like (Kit is so Darcy it hurts), but I have been disappointed before. The side characters were also a delight, although I could have used less Jack (sorry, blegh) and more Rosa, Miriam and Sofia. I would 100% read a spinoff about Sinclair (or any of the others, but he seems most likely).

The world-building was pretty standard Regency copy-and-paste with magic, but honestly in this case, I prefer it that way. While I like seeing magic added into the real world and how that affects actual history, I would much rather sympathize with and root for a fictional prince of not-England than a real person who was actually, historically terrible.

I also appreciated that while this was not a queernorm setting, there was still so much casual queerness (including the main characters!). There was a nice balance between "this is not a great setting to be queer" and "but queer kids don't need to be constantly reminded of that in their stories, and queer people everywhere and everywhen have still had lives and happiness in spite of all of that." And I still firmly believe bisexual m/f is much better than straight m/f :)

This was my first Allison Saft, but it will certainly not be my last.

This is mostly romance with a bit of fantasy. I thought it was good, but not amazing. I’m a sucker for some serious swooning or banter and this one was lacking in that even though it was an enjoyable read.
3.5 stars

Allison Saft does it again! ❤️ Intricately woven with a captivating blend of romance and enchantment, this novel effortlessly shines through its unique magic system, notably highlighted by Niamh's mesmerizing abilities. The narrative's Bridgerton-esque elements add a delightful layer, complemented by the nuanced grumpy-sunshine dynamic.. As an ardent admirer of the author's work, this latest creation lived up to expectations, earning a well-deserved 4.5-star rating. The novel's enchanting tale and rich character dynamics left an indelible impression, ensuring a thoroughly enjoyable reading experience. I am very happy I received an arc, and I went ahead and purchased a few special edition copies as well!