This was an interesting concept. Niamh is a magical clothing maker, hired by the interim king to dress his younger brother for his upcoming wedding and events. Kit, the younger brother, is different but also magical. He has been away from the kingdom for some time and is being forced into a marriage for politics. Niamh is very emotional, clutzy, and always in her own head. Kit is self-loathing and in a way this book read like an ememies to lovers but more.

There was a political side to the story between Kit and the King, and the fiance coming in as well. There was racism of the court and essentially this was a class crossing friendship that turns to more.

There was a lot to break down here - the romance, the politics, the racism, the past of the kingdom that lends to events 'today'. The king is keeping secrets and so are Kit and his Fiance. This book tried to throw it all at the reader - maybe too much, too fast. there was character rep, which I liked, the setting was just OK, I wanted more backstory about past times and the current political view, that said the overall story was good.

I liked that Niamh's magic is fed by her emotions, I liked how emotional she was and that was not only her, but part of her work. That said, I wanted more about her illness that she brings up a few times but details were lacking.

Overall, this was a light, romantic, swoony read. The other parts of the story were interesting but not fleshed out enough really.
(Review will post on 12/20)

Niamh is a magical seamstress who has been hired by the Crown Prince to outfit his brother for his wedding. But when she meets the troubled Prince, it quickly becomes clear that they have a connection that could ruin everything...

This book is really beautifully written. I enjoyed the world building and Saft's writing style really just brings everything to life. However, it did feel a little like not enough happened in the book. The plot wasn't particularly interesting, and that made it harder to connect with the book. A real shame!

Thank you to the publisher for providing a copy for review

A Fragile Enchantment was a great read and really warmed up my heart with how sweet the whole story is.

First off, the cover is beautiful and instantly drew me to this book, and Saft's writing style is a beautiful connection between book and reader.

I LOVED the chemistry between Kit and Niamh! By the end, I really felt like these two were meant for each other despite all the odds against them. Kit was also such a layered character and Niamh was just THE definition of wholesome. Even the friendships were so well written, I loved reading every interaction with the core-gang.

I think the worldbuilding should've been expanded a littleeee bit, as it all sounded so interesting but wasn't super fleshed out. However, certain aspects like the class divide was well-done and thought provoking and felt relevant to what we experience today.

Thank you to Netgalley and St Martin’s Press for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review

An absolute delight. As soon as I see a new release from Allison Saft, I autobuy! She has me fully entwined with her magical storytelling full of heartwarming intruque, and easy-to-get-lost-in cozy curl-up fantasy books.

I have come to enjoy Allison Saft's writing and I was especially excited to receive an ARC for this regency-inspired story. The weaving of history and culture in Saft's writing always impresses me as I find it a difficult task, but moreso than this element, the characters are so compelling. I feel strong affection and attachment for everyone! Niamh and Kit hold a special place in my heart, their hearts heavily guarded and so laid open to see. The messages of love and being seen by someone really resonated with me in this book and I cannot wait to get my own copy.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A charming grumpy-meets-sunshine, commoner/royal love story that feels like Bridgerton meets Pride & Predjudice with wistful magic. Full of angst, relationships in turmoil amongst friends, family and lovers, forbidden romance and friends that become family this was a sweet story that was a cozy to snuggle up with.

Oh WOW! Where do I begin? A Fragile Enchantment is a true delight. I am a huge fan of Saft’s other novels, but this just cemented her as my number one, go-to YA author. Her writing is gorgeous and her settings are lush but her characters…her characters are truly what always shine through.

Starting with our leads, Niamh is a clumsy, caretaking, radiant angel and I love her. Her magical ability to weave emotions into fabric is only one of the many reasons she is so special and the other reasons are far less supernatural but no less extraordinary. Witnessing her growth in discovering her worth beyond what she can do for others was such a gift. I loved reading about this hopeless romantic fall in love, not only with Kit but also with her friends.

Kit, on the other hand, is grumpy, often disgruntled, and prefers his garden as company more than people. But he is also caring, attentive, and protective of those he loves and I ADORE him. You can see him falling in love with Niamh through little gestures and I think that was probably my favorite part of the whole book--the subtle intimacy between the characters.

In a romance, it is easy for the side characters to fall into the background and only exist to help the main couple get together. In A Fragile Enchantment, that was not the case. Rosa, Miriam, Jack, Sinclair, and Sofia were interesting, sympathetic, and fleshed out characters that I loved reading about just as much (Rosa was my particular favorite).

Beyond the characters, the plot had me biting my nails in anticipation and stress towards the end, and I’m not ashamed to admit I even shed a few tears. The writing was just as beautiful as I have come to expect from Saft and the entire novel is just as stunning on the inside as that gorgeous cover is on the outside.

Fantasy Romance is having a bit of a moment right now, and I don’t think you can do better than Allison Saft. If you haven’t picked up any of her books yet, this is a wonderful place to start.
A Fragile Enchantment is out January 2, 2024. I cannot recommend it enough!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

"A Fragile Enchantment: A Captivating Tale of Love and Intrigue"

In her remarkable novel, "A Fragile Enchantment," Allison Saft weaves a tapestry of romance, fantasy, and political upheaval that will leave readers spellbound. Drawing inspiration from beloved series like Bridgerton, Saft delves into a world where love defies boundaries, and the pursuit of truth is fraught with danger.

The story revolves around Niamh, a gifted dressmaker with a touch of magic in her hands. Despite her own health struggles and the weight of caring for her sick parents, Niamh's selflessness shines through as she navigates a politically tense society. Enter Kit Carmen, a prince whose disposition is initially as prickly as thorns. But Niamh's resilience and talent capture his attention, leading to a compelling journey from enemies to lovers.

Saft's masterful storytelling immerses readers in a realm reminiscent of the regency era, complete with all its opulence and societal restrictions. Through Niamh's eyes, we witness the complexities of relationships, including a growing affection for Princess Rosa, the intended bride of the man she loves. The author deftly explores LGBTQ representation, shedding light on the struggles faced by marginalized communities within this world.

With a captivating supporting cast, each with their own fascinating backgrounds and captivating personalities, Saft breathes life into her story. Princess Rosa emerges as a beacon of determination, challenging the constraints imposed upon her by her royal status. Through the seamless blending of enchanting elements and the harsh realities of politics, Saft creates a fantasy realm that feels both magical and palpably real.

"A Fragile Enchantment" not only transports readers to a world teeming with fantasy and romance but also allows them to reflect on real-world issues. The divide between the working class and the monarchy cleverly mirrors our own society's struggles with inequality. Saft's exploration of sacrifice, loyalty, and the search for truth sparks profound introspection and invites conversations about societal norms.

The central theme of forbidden love between Niamh and Kit adds layers of complexity and passion to the story, ensuring an emotionally charged experience that lingers in the reader's mind long after the final page.

Allison Saft's writing style is a revelation, skillfully conveying the characters' emotions and establishing a powerful bond between reader and story. With its captivating blend of romance, fantasy, and political intrigue, "A Fragile Enchantment" guarantees an immersive reading experience from start to finish.

I wholeheartedly recommend "A Fragile Enchantment" to those seeking a captivating and thought-provoking journey into a world of magic, love, and political upheaval. Saft's mesmerizing tale leaves an indelible mark and will undoubtedly leave readers eagerly anticipating her future works. So grab a copy, settle into your favorite reading nook, and prepare to be enchanted by this remarkable novel. Happy reading!
These are my honest opinions, thank you NetGally, the author, and publishers for this ARC.

Ugh, every Allison Saft book feels so different and yet so amazing. I loved the vibes here and the focus on the romance.

There's a lot of regency vibes here, it definitely gives Bridgerton. There's balls and royalty. Some court politics, civil unrest, and at the center of it a seamstress who just wants to make a better life for her family.

What impressed me the most is how subdued, yet elevated the conflicts are. Niamh is a foreigner in the kingdom of Avaland. She can't hide her accent, therefore she can't hide her nationality. A generation before she was born her country and Avaland were in a horrible war. She deals with the conflict of her family being concerned that she would care to go serve the royal family that destroyed their country and then getting there and finding friends amongst people her own age.

Instead of being recruited for the resistance, she rejects them. Instead of a tyrannical king, she's got a royal that is trying to hold the pieces of his country together after his father's ruthless reign, instead of finding a catty woman on the other side of a love triangle she finds a princess who understands the practicalities of loving a prince. All were refreshing things to find in a story. There were many chances for the author to make this a coming of rage story, about a girl from a scorned country out for revenge, but that isn't the story being told here. It's more straightforward and soft.

As an American, I appreciate the mix of nationalities in the story. The realities of living as each one, from multiple characters. I live in a country that has a lot of mixed pride this way and it was nice to see it in a fantasy world.

I'd recommend this one for fans of the prose style found in Marie Rutkoski's work, or Rebecca Ross's. There's a lush whimsicalness to the world and the heart that is transforming in the story.

Thanks to Wednesday and Netgalley for the ARC. It did not disappoint!

This is not at all what I thought it would be yet I'm not disappointed. I think I found a new favorite author.

Niamh is a lovable and kind female main character who reminds you of what it was to be young and naive of the world around you. Her sunny disposition balances the moody and glum Prince Kit very well.

The story gives off a vibe of Carnival Row meets Bridgerton. It has slight spice to it which is just enough to make you want more. The depth of the characters and the rich history of the world Saft has created made this a fun weekend read!

A big thanks to NetGalley and Wednesday books for gifting me an eARC of my anticipated read of 2024, in exchange for an honest review.

Allison Saft is hands down one of my many new favorite authors.

A Fragile Enchantment by Allison Saft is a YA fantasy novel, set in a kingdom where a prince is set off to marry, and commissions a magical tailor to make him an outfit. But everything goes awry when a gossip column starts to write about how they're madly in love. Niamh Ó Conchobhair has never let herself long for more. The magic in her blood that lets her stitch emotions and memories into fabric is the same magic that will eventually kill her. Determined to spend the little time she has left guaranteeing a better life for her family, Niamh jumps at the chance to design the wardrobe for a royal wedding in the neighboring kingdom of Avaland. But Avaland is far from the fairytale that she imagined. While young nobles attend candlelit balls and elegant garden parties, unrest brews amid the working class. The groom himself, Kit Carmine, is prickly, abrasive, and begrudgingly being dragged to the altar as a political pawn. But when Niamh and Kit grow closer, an unlikely friendship blossoms into something more—until an anonymous gossip columnist starts buzzing about their chemistry, promising to leave them alone only if Niamh helps to uncover the royal family’s secrets. The rot at the heart of Avaland runs deep, but exposing it could risk a future she never let herself dream of, and a love she never thought possible.

I loved Saft's Down Comes the Night (as it remains to be one of my favorite books of all time) and her A Far Wilder Magic. I loved this one to bits, because even though it removed most of the angst Saft typically includes. It instead gave the reader fluff and absolute adorableness. I was a little confused on the overall world building, but I was all for the romance between Niamh and Kit. And that ending just made me swoon. Don't be surprised if you catch me re-reading this one when it's fully published.

I will post my review publicly when SMP/Wednesday Books meets the demands of the Boycott. Please address the hard your employee has caused. This employee not only was spewing the most vile, racist, vitriol on their public platforms but has also seemingly been exhibiting racist behavior in the work place. They are partly in charge of marketing/sending out ARCs to readers and seem to have a pattern of not sending ANY requested ARCs to certain Brown and Muslim readers.

Brimming with longing, indeed. This novel made me swoon, blush, giggle, and kick my feet like a school girl. Everything about this story, the atmosphere, characters, prose, plot, etc., made me feel alive.
I will continue to live in this story for the next few days and dream of Kit Carmine. I highly recommend Saft’s work.

I had so much fun with this book - Allison Saft continues to impress. I really enjoyed the characters and their motivations. Niamh knows she isn't making the most popular choice but she does it for the betterment of her family, which in turn leads her to experience things she wouldn't have been able to back home. Overall it was such a fun, engaging read that it felt like it flew by and left me wanting more. I wish the world and magic system had been fleshed out a bit more - it's basically regency history in a fantasy setting which I enjoy but I feel like a little more could have gone into it to make it stand out a bit more.

This book was SPECTACULAR! Definitely a must-read for fans of hit series like Bridgerton and A Court of Thorns and Roses. Saft has perfected the balance between romance, tension, and lush worldbuilding.

Niamh isn't royal, but she does have a little magic in her blood which allows her to sew emotions and memories into the beautiful clothes she creates, and is also making her life shorter with each stitch. Her talent gets her invited into the world of royalty as the official wardrobe designer for the kingdom of Avaland. Sure, these are the people who colonized her lands and are oppressing her people, but this is an opportunity she can't say no to. This one job will ensure she can take care of her mother and grandmother for the rest of her short life and beyond.

Niamh isn't prepared for the handsome, prickly prince whose wedding she is dressing. She isn't prepared for the flamboyant and kind best friend of said prince. She isn't at all prepared for the vibrant, tough future bride. Her experience will test who she is and who she wants to be and build relationships she never intended. Set against political unrest and a gossip columnist who seems to know everything happening in Avaland, romance seems unlikely, but might bloom despite it all.

Part a fantastical romance and part a magical (literally and figuratively) journey into friendship and love, A Fragile Enchantment is the perfect read for lovers of fantasy romance and a little mystery. The only think stopping me from giving this book 5 stars is the feeling that it forgot it's plot a few times. The title of the story is tied to the fact that Niamh is dying due to her magic and won't live long, but this isn't really the major plot point you think it's going to be. In fact, it gets kind of lost entirely. Secondly, queerness is centered in this book through a few characters, which I love, but Niamh herself mentions being interested in girls back home, but then becomes interested in Kit. No shade to a bi/pan queen, but it just kind of took me by surprise that the author went out of her way to let us know that Niamh is into girls, never mentions an interest in boys, then falls for Kit. Then, once she realizes she's into Kit, her attraction to girls is never mentioned again. If there's going to be a bi/pan queen, serve that bisexuality up proudly!

Overall a sweet, fun read, but just a few things that made the story feel a little too loose for my tastes.

A delightful and mystical read. Very well written.
Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Cozy fantasy + Bridgerton vibes!? With a grumpy/sunshine romance!? Say less! The writing was beautiful and I loved reading about the main character using her magic (magical seamstress). This also had some queer rep (bi!!) in it that I wasn’t expecting and I loved it! My main complaint is that this book was trying to do too many things. There is an aspect of this book that has to do with the main character’s hair and I didn’t feel like I fully understood what was going on with it. Also throughout the book, beings called “the fair ones” are mentioned fairly often, but they played no role in the plot. There was really no point in mention them. Other than that, I really enjoyed this one and am excited to read more from this author!

Thank you netgalley for the ARC!
I implore the publisher, Wednesday books and St. Martin’s Press to address the racist employee they have yet to make a comment about. Until then, I will not be posting about this book.
3.5 stars— my first regency era read and i enjoyed it! this book is magical, lighthearted and very romantic. i thought it was cool that it didn’t shy away from talking about things like colonialism and class disparity, although i’m not sure if media like Bridgerton also does. the reason it’s not quite a 4 star for me is that it feels a little too optimistic, especially when considering this is basically about an irish woman and a british royal. i would recommend this to anyone looking for a low-stakes whimsical fantasy romance. :)