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. :)

Allison Saft has this beautiful poetic prose to her, while also maintaining thought provoking plot advancement, slow-burn romance, and character development. Her books are SO fun to read, and A Fragile Enchantment was no different. Niamh is driven and talented and I loved all of the ways a reader could relate to her through the story. Her motivations were clear and she had this innate confidence that was so refreshing to read in a main character. Gone are the days of poorly written, underdeveloped FMCs (Thank goodness!!!) I loved this story, it’s the perfect crossover of regency era antics and wild magical fantasy. I love the worlds Saft weaves and cannot wait to read more! Once I finished it, I immediately preordered a physical copy for my bookshelf!

tl;dr
A charming fantasy romance with slow burn and a dash of magic.

Thoughts
This book is like a fairy tale. Usually when I say that, I mean it in the "dark, tragic, unsettling" sort of way, but this time I mean it in the "dreamy, beautiful, hopeful ending" sort of way. You've got your self-sacrificing heroine with a heart a gold and magic in her fingertips, a cranky prince surrounded by a wall of thorns (sometimes literally), and a kingdom in peril. The magic system doesn't get much detail, leaving the reader to have to accept that magic is magic, but the rest of the world building is solid - weighted heavily on real world history, including a frank look at colonization, classism, the fact that LGBT people have existed at every point in history. And yet even with all the weight, it remains a dreamy, sometimes cozy read about a gently blossoming romance between two lonely people.

I was super excited for this from the way it was marketed, but overall it sadly fell flat for me. The writing was good, the potential was there, but it lacked in execution.

Technically this isn’t regency romance, since it’s a fantasy world, but it’s basically historic Ireland/England, even down to the class struggle, just vaguely repainted.

And that’s sort of my biggest problem and why I don’t think I connected with it - everything felt too derivative. Like the author didn’t feel like putting in the effort of diving deep to craft something unique or at least a bit more fleshed out.

It’s Bridgerton’s Lady Whistledown renamed to Lovelace. It’s Elizabeth and Darcy’s heated exchange in the rain, but with no buildup. I can tell the author was having a blast, but as a reader nothing felt earned to me.

Don’t get me wrong, I can see a ton of people loving this. As a fanfic I bet this would pop off on views. If you like a collection of scenes that highlight your favorite romance tropes, I think you might like this. But if you need clean plotting, maybe look elsewhere?

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This is a fantastic book by a fantastic author that I unfortunately cannot review until the boycott for St. Martin’s Press and Wednesday Books has ended. I would love for the publisher to truly consider what they’re requesting. I wish the author lots of love.

I really wanted to love this, but it ultimately just fell a little flat for me. I love the characters but I thought the worldbuilding and plotting were not as good as they could have been. I wanted to see more of Rosa and Miriam. There were moments, especially towards the end, where characters made choices that didn't make sense and I couldn't help but roll my eyes. There were certain plot points that almost felt tacked on and deserved more screentime than they got.

This wasn't the best read for me, but I think it will appeal to a lot of other readers!