This is such a lovely YA fantasy romamce. The unique story of our heroine making a truseau,for the young prince (our hero) and the historic but also different setting really won me over.

I loved how beautifully descriptive the fantasy world was and how unique and complex every character, including villains was.

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

What a delightful read!

This book is a low stakes fantasy story with enough plot and intrigue to keep things interesting, but it is very heavily focused on the developing relationships with the characters. It is primarily driven by the relationship between Naimh and Kit, who are absolutely wonderful characters, but I also found myself drawn to the cast of secondary characters as well. Found family is a very strong theme throughout the story.

If I had any criticism, it would be that there was a distinct lack of exposition surrounding the world they live in. There is a subplot of unrest between the kingdom and other territories it tried to takeover, but it never truly delves into the why behind the continued conflict. There is magic, but how it works is never really explained. Since this book is very character driven, these situations didn't detract too much from the overarching story, but as someone who loves worldbuilding and lore, it felt lacking.

Overall, it was a fun read with compelling characters. I enjoyed it immensely and I find myself wanting more of the characters and their stories.

Niamh has a special skill that must stay subdued and hidden- her emotions become part of each garment she sews. It also depletes some of her life with each stitch. She has been commissioned to go to Avaland and create a wardrobe for the prince and his future bride. Kit Carmine is not at all interested in what she has to offer and is everything rude and brash. Through overheard conversations and interactions with the royal family, she becomes entangled in a web of lies, deceit, and possible ruin.

This is a perfect enemies to lovers trope. It’s impressive the author could make Kit likeable considering where he starts in this one! But it is done well and I enjoyed this story. At times the story trudged along and I skimmed a little, but overall I liked it.

Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This author has really never let me down. She’s such a good writer and now easily one of my favorite YA authors! This book was the perfect mix of the historical, fantasy and romance genres. It felt like Bridgerton meets Spin the Dawn with the regency era setting, the royalty, the political intrigue and the magical dressmaker.
The characters were really a highlight of this one for me. I loved Niamh and Kit each as individuals and together as a couple. Seeing them grow to understand and love one another was so sweet, they were really the perfect balance for each other. They were complex and deep and I found myself caring a lot for them as I was reading. The side characters were a lot of fun too and brought rounded out the story really well.
I really enjoyed learning about the magic in this world and I wish we got to see even more of it. It seemed like there were so many different kinds of magic and we only got to know a few of them.
This was another great book from this author and I can’t wait to see what she writes next!
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

✧.* first off, I'd like to thank netgalley, allison saft, and the publishers for the e-arc!
this is the first book that i have read by allison saft and it was very cosy and cute <3 however, it took some time to get through this because it felt very slow and the plot dragged on at the beginning and in the middle. as a a fantasy reader who prefers more fast-paced and action packed books with a substantial amount of world-building, this felt a little off for me, although that is simply a personal preference.
the setting was dreamy and had a bridgerton-feeling to it! however, i would have liked to learn a little bit more about the side characters. i didn't connect much to the fmc, she didn't capture my attention, and to be honest, she was bland. i would have liked to see more depth and feeling added to her character and kit's (the mmc).
what i cherished most about "a fragile enchantment" happened to be the nostalgia i derived from it. i used to read fairy-tale princess novels like this one often when i was little, so if you're an avid reader of those genres, this book might be the perfect fit for you!
despite my certain quirks, the reason I'm giving this a 3 star rating is that i see the potential and why readers would adore this book. the writing is different from what i'm used to and hopefully i can read more of saft's work in the future!
love always,
mitra ✩

"Allison Saft's 'A Fragile Enchantment' is a cozy fairytale that blends fantasy and romance with a touch of Bridgerton charm. The story revolves around the forbidden love between Kit, a grumpy prince, and Niamh, a magical seamstress from a lower class, adding an interesting twist to the classic grumpy-meets-sunshine trope.

Niamh is a sweet, responsible, and exceptionally loyal character, always putting others before herself. On the other hand, Kit, the ill-tempered prince, conceals a vulnerable side beneath his prickly demeanor, making him a compelling figure. The gradual shift from being adversaries to developing a friendship and eventually blossoming into a romance among these seemingly incompatible characters stands out as a highlight.

Niamh's magical dressmaking introduces a unique and delightful aspect to the narrative. Saft's vivid descriptions of the enchanting fashions, embroidered with magical emotions, transport readers into a captivating world.

While the characters are well-crafted, I wanted more insight into the broader magical world beyond Niamh's magical dressmaking. Nevertheless, 'A Fragile Enchantment' is a beautifully written fantasy, made for those who enjoy a mix of magic, romance, and finely drawn characters.

Special thanks to Netgalley and St Martin’s Press for the ARC.

After finishing A Fragile Enchantment, I have some mixed feelings. It’s a Bridgerton-esque story set in a magical world reminiscent of England, and it even has an anonymous gossip columnist, just like Lady Whistledown in Bridgerton. I thought it was a fun setting, and it was really intriguing how the author mirrored the oppression of the Irish by the British with the fictional Machlish and Avalish. While I thought it was mildly interesting while reading, I rarely felt compelled to read it throughout the day. I liked the two main characters, Niamh and Kit, and Kit was an interesting character with a lot of levels. Niamh has a chronic illness that will eventually kill her one day, and I would’ve liked to see this explored more. You see her struggle with the effects of it, but the origin and true symptoms of the illness are very vague. Her relationship with Kit, while I enjoyed it, seemed a bit rushed as well. Overall, the book was fairly average. It was a great premise and had some exciting moments, but it had the potential for more. If you are looking for a sweet, simple Regency-inspired romantic fantasy book, you might enjoy this, but it wasn’t a life-changing book.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing this eARC.

A Fragile Enchantment is a romantic fantasy which follows magical seamstress Niamh as she falls for the kingdom's brooding prince and works to get at the heart of the injustices in their country.

I thought this was an absolutely delightful read, and just the sort of thing I want out of romantic fantasy. It was cute and fluffy, full of magic and whimsy, though it also held firmly onto those richer themes that I love to see explored in YA fantasy -- here, classism and power balances were at the heart of the books intriguing plot. I thought the characters were pleasant to read about, the world was realized just enough for me to sink into it, and the romance aspect was satisfying without being too overdone. In all, this was a very fun read, and I'm certain it will find an enthusiastic audience like me who can hardly wait for whatever else Allison Saft has in store.

I really enjoyed the creativity of this magic system. It felt grounded, but still intricate and whimsical and that is right in my sweet spot for fantasy. I loved that there was chronic illness and mental health rep that was so well done and so relatable. Naihm was easy to like and root for. I loved her banter with our grumpy, broody hero and i LIVE for a forbidden romance.

Thank you to netgalley and the author for the arc.

A young woman with a unique skill must keep her heart protected from caring. Each time she uses her magic, she shortens her life so feels it's no use to find love only to cause so much pain and grief. When she meets a young man who has never been happy with thhe life planned for him, she may have no choice but to give him her heart.

A unique storyline that stirs up emotions, happy and sad. The characters seem willful, both determined to live as they want, until they meet each other and find that happiness can exist in the midst of turmoil. A lovely romance written by an author who built a new fairt tale of happpily ever after.

This book had a strong start and I was thinking it would be a top read for me at one point but the politics in it started to drive the story more than the romance and I began to check out unfortunately so I won’t be finishing this one after all.

Did I expect to be so entranced by a book about a woman who weaves enchantments into clothes and a grouchy lil prince? No. I thought it would be fine. But it was sooo much better than I expected. You've got Bridgerton meets Cruel Prince. There's magic, arranged marriages, an uprising, secrets, and a lot of cinnamon roll characters who look like they could kill you. Truly, it was a sweet, romantic, interesting time. Some of the best parts were side characters. My only critique is that I think it could have used 50-100 more pages to give us a little more time in the world. The ending wasn't too quick of a wrap-up for my taste, that's not what I mean, but I think overall it could have had just a little extra. More Sofia, more Miriam, and more Infata Rosa perhaps.

Thanks to Netgalley and Wednesday Books for the e-ARC!

I will not be reviewing as SMP has failed to speak out against the racist actions of their employee.

Impoverished Niamh is a talented, magical seamstress, who has the opportunity of a lifetime to design the Prince’s wedding clothes… and any clothing needed prior to that point. Everything she makes is imbued with emotions and memories.

The prince, Kit Carmine, is arrogant and standoffish. He is not happy about being used as a political pawn in his arranged marriage, but will do his duty, nonetheless. But the more time that Niamh and Kit spend together, the closer they become, the more she realizes that his prickliness is just a cover.

Now an anonymous columnist is set to spill secrets, and Niamh is determined to help Kit find the secrets first and put an end to the gossip column. The more they uncover, the deeper the secrets go, and the harder she is falling for Kit.

I really like this regency-esque tale that was a romantic fantasy. I liked how Niamh remained strong in the face of opposition due to the fact of where she came from. Also the fact that she gets Kit to open up and see that there is always a choice to be had, even ones concerning the heart.

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read and review this book.

→ ARC provided via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review;
→ 3.5 stars.

i genuinely have no idea how to rate this book, because on one hand – it’s gotten me out of a reading slump and i did have fun reading it, but on the other – it was predictable, and the pace was a little bit off.

i’m going to start with the positives. the romance was really cute and i absolutely loved niamh and kit together. the banter between them & the angst was good and i think the author did a really great job setting up this relationship and working on their dynamics. i also thought the other side characters were well characterized and i liked some of the friendships we see evolve alongside the main romance. granted, i love broody characters and i’m a sucker for the sunshine x grumpy trope, so that’s a factor in my enjoyment of this book. the plot was okay, but i do think it was a tiny bit weirdly paced. the representation in this book was also quite good, as we have an array of different characters.

the book features a conflict between two nations that wasn’t truly explored much. it’s a light fantasy read, so i understand why that is, but i think it’s only mentioned to further to romance or the plot and then it’s completely disregarded without truly being touched upon in a more serious manner. in the final chapter, this issue is barely mentioned, so essentially, there’s no ending to this plot point. there’s another plot point that i’m not going to spoil, but it’s something to do with the kingdom’s finances, and it’s also completely ignored afterwards, after being a huge deal for a few chapters. niamh’s magic was also mentioned a few times in relation to her health and then never explained, which was kinda annoying. essentially, there are a bunch of plot holes and questions left completely unanswered.

regarding characters, i do think allison saft’s work is amazing. she’s a really good writer when it comes to bringing characters to life, as they each had their own distinctive personalities. there’s also queer rep in the book, which is always a plus. i do have to say that at times, niamh fit a bit too much into the “romantasy FMC” cliché, but it’s forgivable, since it was somewhat consistent with her character.

overall, this is a fun book to read if you’re willing to ignore some of its plot holes and just enjoy a quick story. the characters are nice, the writing is pretty great and i do think the romance was well-crafted. i’m definitely going to check out allison saft’s next works, as i did enjoy this one.

(3.5)

to start off, i was SO excited for this book. when i got the email for it, i squealed. alas, this book fell flat for me a bit.

to start off, the romance was very insta-lovey and i’m not the biggest fan of that. she didn’t really have a reason to like kit at the start except that he was pretty. he was super rude to her countless times and i just kept saying “why do you still like him?”

i also didn’t really understand the plot with the protesters? it felt like it was written to give some tension to the story but there’s never really any explanation as to what exactly they were upset about or why there was an old war in the first place.

now, onto what i did enjoy.

it was cute. this was such a sappy and sweet story that felt super cozy at times. most of the characters were also amazing.

sinclair, miriam, and rosa needed their own povs because i just loved them and their complexity.

overall, this is a very low stakes, low fantasy book that while it didn’t blow me away, does have good elements and it was an enjoyable read

🧵✨thank you NetGalley and the publisher for giving me an ARC in exchange for an honest review

I enjoyed this book a lot more than I originally thought I would! It was a very good book to start off 2024 with.

It takes place in a world inspired by several European countries: England, Ireland, and Spain. I don’t know enough about European history to know if the events that take place in the novel were based on real life events or not, but either way, I really liked the worldbuilding of this book.

The book follows Niamh, a magical dressmaker who can weave emotions into her works, as she gets the opportunity to make the outfits for the upcoming royal wedding. As Niamh gets to know the prince more and more, their friendship turns into something more… until a journalist finds out and Niamh has to spy on the royal family for them.

I loved Niamh’s magic!! It was definitely unique and unlike anything I’d seen before. I wish that the princes’, Kit and Jack, magic would have been explored a little more. It was stated that they were really powerful, but it wasn’t shown too often.

The romance and friendships were the focal point of this novel. It was great, and I’m glad everyone was happy at the end of the book!

The only flaw with this novel is that I wish there were more fantasy elements. It entirely felt like a romance that just happened to take place in a different universe instead of being a historical romance. I did really enjoy this book, it just wasn’t what I expected for a book marketed as fantasy.

I really recommend this book!!!! It was amazing and a unique read :)

A Fragile Enchantment by Allison Saft was such an enchanting and entertaining read. This is definitely one of those books that transports you and makes you forget everything around you. It’s well written and the characters feel flushed out. It’s a beautiful romantic fantasy book that I know will be loved by many just as I loved it. I will be recommending this book to anyone who’s looking for a beautiful romantic read.

I love a good fantasy + regency historical kind of book and I think this one definitely delivered on that piece of the premise. I have also recently realized that I find sewing related magic to be a fun magic system to read about. The society gossip papers is a trope in historicals that I also find entertaining when included. I overall enjoyed the dynamic between Kit and Niamhe. And liked following her friendships she built with the side characters. The non romantic plot was also pretty engaging as well.

This will be a popular one amongst my high school fantasy readers! Such a dreamy romance. I got major Bridgerton vibes, and I loved the enemies to lovers trope.