Normally YA doesn’t appeal to me but this was really sweet. Loved the magic system! I really enjoyed the combination of fantasy and historical romance. I look forward to reading more in the genre and more by this author as well!

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

I loved Saft's debut "Down Comes the Night' and was really excited to read this one! Unfortunately the plot fell a little short, and I would have liked to get a bit more from this novel, but it was still a fun read.

i had such high hopes for this, but ultimately it did not live up to my expectations. the romance was too fast for me, but overall it was cute. the plot, however, was all over the place.

3.5 stars Saft makes a first-love romance work, somewhat. In this story, the MFC and the MMC fall for each other instantly, but they also have time to get to know each other. I thought the story needed more time to flesh out the characters and make the love real. By the end of this book, all I could see was the main couple hating each other in the future. I see it as the world Saft built for this needed more time for this story to feel complete, as it does not.

Cute, but slow and the characters were a bit flat… hoping her next book is better I’m really excited for that 🙏 yeah hope her writing has gotten better fr

I absolutely adored this book. It had me feeling like I was watching Bridgerton, but with a magical twist! It had everything you could want in a book—royalty, scandal, political drama, and more. The writing was simply beautiful and whimsical, transporting me completely to the world created in the book. Niamh reminded me of myself—someone who sacrifices for the people they love. The story between Niamh and Kit was utterly captivating. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good romantic fantasy.

I wanted to like this more than I did. I have enjoyed Allison Shaft's previous works, and was excited to read a new YA romantic fantasy, but this just didn't really do it for me. I wasn't immersed in the story or the world and I struggled with the characters and the decisions they were making. This book just wasn't really for me.

"A Fragile Enchantment" by Allison Saft is a beautifully written novel that offers a gentle escape into a world of magic and romance. The author's lyrical prose and vivid descriptions make the book a pleasure to read, and the enchanting world-building adds a layer of charm to the story.

The characters in the novel are well-crafted, each with their unique personalities and motivations. The protagonist's journey is engaging, and readers will find themselves rooting for her as she navigates the complexities of love and self-discovery. The romantic elements are sweet and tender, adding a touch of warmth to the narrative.

However, the pacing of the story can feel a bit slow at times, and some readers may find certain plot points predictable. While the book's focus on character development is commendable, it occasionally comes at the expense of the overall plot's momentum. This can make the reading experience somewhat uneven, with moments of brilliance interspersed with slower sections.

Overall, "A Fragile Enchantment" is a charming and enjoyable read that will appeal to fans of magical realism and romantic tales. While it may not be a perfect novel, it has enough heart and beauty to make it worth a read.

4! I was fully prepared for this book to wreck me, and A Fragile Enchantment by Allison Saft did not disappoint. This story had me feeling everything and has officially earned a spot as one of my all-time favorite romances.

The book follows Niamh, a seamstress with the rare ability to weave emotions into fabric, who is summoned to the capital to create garments for a royal wedding. There, she meets Kit—the sharp-tongued, reluctant prince being forced to the altar. And when I say Kit is prickly to everyone except sometimes her, I mean it. His character had me grinning and kicking my feet. Saft writes him in a way that feels so refreshing—he gets flustered, BLUSHES, and isn’t afraid to show how deeply he feels. The grumpy x sunshine dynamic (which isn’t always my favorite) worked perfectly here, and the slow-burn romance was painfully good, which is always my favorite.

It’s cozy, atmospheric, and completely swept me away. I also loved that there wasn’t a true villain—just flawed, complicated characters making frustrating choices that had me wanting to shake some sense into them. My only complaint? I wish there was more. I wasn’t ready to say goodbye to Niamh, Kit, and Sinclair.

Thank you to NetGalley and St.Martin's Press for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was an interesting fantasy novel with an interesting magic system. I want to know more about the different magic the people have and how it manifests. There were definite Bridgerton vibes which was really fun and I loved all the gossip columns. I enjoyed the forbidden love that occurred and was swept away by it.

So so cute!!!!! The characters were well fleshed out and the writing style was very easy to get through. Allison Saft always writes the sweetest romances ever, I’m so happy I was able to read this

A solid, enjoyable read with a lot to like. The characters were engaging, and the plot, while familiar, was well-executed. I appreciated the steady pacing and the occasional surprises along the way. It may not have been groundbreaking, but it’s a book I’d happily recommend for a relaxing and entertaining experience.

Niamh was the last of her line with the magic to sew enchantments and feelings into garments. Somehow, the prince regent of Avaland commissioned her to do the bridal vestaments for his younger brother, Prince Christopher (Kit). Her grandmother is against this idea as the Avlish ruined her people’s land in the last war they had with them and she feels its betrayal. But Niamh knows this is her best chance to make the money needed for her mother and grandmother to be comfortable without working to the bone on their old age.
However, when she gets to Avaland, she realizes that the Machlish are seen as second class citizens and are well on their way to an uprising in the city. The prince she is meant to create wedding garments for is rude and uncooperative. This Season is not panning out how she dreamed it would.
Due to her curiosity and impertinence and terrible ideas, she finds that there is more than meets the eye with Prince Kit and against her better judgement develops a friendship with him. Or could it be more? With only a few days until the wedding, political unrest, and the High Society looking down on her at every turn, could Niamh find a home for herself in Avaland? Or will she be sent away in disgrace to meet her grandmother’s I told you so?

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This was a slow burn enemies to lovers that felt believable. Sometimes there’s a massive shift and the ‘enemy’ suddenly discovers a heart. This story is not like that. It takes a while and Kit doesn’t actually change his personality through the whole story which I found refreshing.
The female main character is always helping others to her own detriment. And that is something I think a lot of women struggle with, myself included. So it was nice to see that played out on the page.
There were a few times where she did things I thought were dumb and seemed a little out of character for her. Other than that, I really enjoyed the book and how it twisted politics, gossip, and romance into the plot. I would be interested to read more about Princess Rosa as her character wasn’t flushed out but was also intriguing.

Thanks to the author and Netgalley for the ARC.

First and foremost that you to both Allison Saft and St Martins press for a copy of A Fragile Enchantment. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

At first I didn't know if I would like this book. It was slow to me and slightly dry, but I'm so thankful I kept pushing through because I ended up loving this story. Its a beautiful story that's so enchanting in the end. It has a blend of fantasy merging with Bridgerton.

I adored Niamh and her story. She was a joy to follow along with and you really felt for her. She has the weight of the world on her shoulders and she's honestly just trying to survive in life. Niamh is going through life trying to be a well known seamstress to help her and her family live a comfortable life. Kit was the perfect counter partner to her. Bad attitude, sour mood, Kit is grumpy to a T. When Niamh and him but heads I live for the drama that is caused. He's also mysterious which keeps you engrossed cause you just want to know everything that is going on with him.

This book has it all, cinderella style story line, YA enemies to lovers with fantasy added into it. Its a win all around for me. My biggest take away Wass the character development for both Niamh and Kit, that always makes or breaks a book for me, and it made the book for me.

I enjoyed this in the end and can't wait to read more of Allisons work!

This book has been on my Netgalley for a bit and I haven’t picked it up. I haven’t been into romance in a minute, so I’m not the right person to review it anymore.

This book was beautifully written. I loved the world and the characters. You could feel the magic through the pages and were rooting for the characters. A good, light read. I saw people say fans of bridgerton would enjoy, and I would definitely agree.

Allison Saft is by far and away one of my favorite authors of all time due to her understated beautiful style of writing, the characters she creates, and the deep, heartfelt stories she builds. I was very very excited to receive this book…

But this one did not work for me no matter how hard I tried to immerse myself. Even after finishing I could hardly remember anything to write because my mind never really connected - I’m so sorry as I feel like I’ve built a good relationship with this company for the most part over the years but I will have to let you down this time because I just have nothing to really say about this one.

I’m so sorry and thank you for the opportunity, regardless of the outcome.

allison !! saft !! this book was created for those who can’t get enough of historical/period dramas (downton abbey, dickinson, pride & prejudice, bridgerton, etc). it takes immense craft to write characters that not only do we grow to love deeply, but also to develop a romance you can’t help but love. 4/5 stars — thank you netgalley!

Saft's prose is elegant, and the concept of infusing emotions into clothing adds a unique and enchanting element to the narrative. The depiction of the court's opulence and the intricate details of the fashion design process are vividly portrayed, enhancing the immersive quality of the setting.

However, the pacing of the story is uneven at times, with certain plot developments feeling either rushed or overly drawn out. Additionally, while the romantic elements are central to the narrative, some character relationships could benefit from deeper development to enhance emotional resonance.

A very fun regency read. It started a little slow but was very enjoyable otherwise. Wish there was a bit more world building.