While the story itself is cute, it never really built up into anything other than that. Its a fun read, a bit long in some parts and I did not feel like there was much chemistry between the main characters. The world building was intriguing, and I appreciated the limits on the magic system. I felt like there wasn't much of a solution in the end though and felt that it was left open ended.

DNF

I've moved away from YA but I can occasionally be convinced to pick up a YA fantasy, although I am still a hard sell on them. A Fragile Enchantment seemed like a story that I could really enjoy but the writing didn't work for me. I also felt like the characters and the way the plot moved was too one-dimensional and fell flat for me.

Not a story for me, but others may enjoy it better.

I enjoyed this - just not as much as I was expecting to. It was pretty and easy to get lost in, but I just felt underwhelmed. I'll continue to read whatever Allison Saft writes because ultimately I enjoy them, I just wish I had enjoyed this more.

I'm new to romantic fantasy and I think I need to read more to know how I feel about it. I love fantasy and I love romance. My favorite fantasy use to be the big epic ones but lately I've been loving cozy fantasies, which I think has gotten me ready for romantasy.

I enjoyed all the characters, though I did sometimes feel like Niamh's clumsiness was so dramatic. I also think fans of Bridgerton will enjoy the angle of the anonymous gossip columnist.

I would definitely read more by this author because I genuinely had a good time reading this one, even if it wasn't perfect.

Content warning: homophobia (challenged), alcoholism

Oh my gosh, this book is the absolute cutest cozy fantasy romance ever, and I am head over heels in LOVE with every single second of it!

Imagine the magic of Bridgerton but with a twist! The FMC is a dressmaker who can weave emotions into her gorgeous creations. How cool is that?!

But the real sparkle of the book is the swoon-worthy relationship between Nia and Kit. They start off on the wrong foot, but as they get to know each other, they begin to truly understand one another and, yes, they fall in love! But here's the juicy part—Kit is betrothed to another woman. The tension, the struggle, the secrets, and the fear of being caught—GIMMIE MORE.

I ended up receiving the Fairyloot special edition later on and now cherish it as a true piece of art!


Such a CUTE & FUN romantasy read.

3.5 rounded up

I enjoyed my time with this one, but I did expect a little bit more. I thought the magic would be more of a focus point and it really wasn't - it was more about Kit and his impending marriage to save the kingdom. That being said, I really did enjoy the characters and the romance. It was sweet and it held my attention.

I do think there was lost potential in here though - Lovelace had the potential to be the next Lady Whistledown and even that was pushed aside to just talk more about how Kit needed to prep for his marriage. When it finally came to the big reveal, it didn't mean much because not enough had been done with Lovelace. Sigh.

I must say - I did like the steam in here though. There was some good romantic tension built up so it was exciting when they finally got together. And it's my personal preference of steam - some build up, some detail, then fade to black. Sorry, you smut-loving fans, probably won't be enough for you. But for others like me, it hits the spot.

This romantic fantasy weaves magic and emotion, with a bit of mystery and intrigue. Strong Bridgerton vibes with a drastic class system and a gossip publication airing out dirty laundry.

Sincere thanks to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

Sadly, this book started out interesting but lost steam once I stopped caring about our main couple and their romance. Simply not for me — it was very meh for the whole second half, had predictable plot twists, an instalove-esque romance, and had me skimming the last third.

It starts off as a thinly veiled European fantasy world, with our protagonist, Niamh, traveling from the famine-ravaged Machland (aka Ireland) to Aveland (aka England) to be the seamstress for the upcoming royal wedding with the princess of fantasy Spain. In this pseudo-Europe, certain families have magic bloodlines that allow them to perform certain tricks — such as controlling plants, telling the future, or being able to weave emotions into clothing, like Niamh can.

The plot itself is very basic: "commoner comes to a palace, falls in love with a royal whose above her station, and finds belonging and love." Ok barf. Nothing revolutionary there. The author tries to add in some political complexity, with a whole workers strike on behalf of the Machlish who are being treated unfairly, but it never really delves too deeply into that class commentary. That plotline feels flat, and only serves as a weird side plot to show "look, our protagonists are good guys because they care about workers rights!" Nothing surprised me and the twists were predictable.

As for the romance, it just wasn't my cup of tea. It's a "hate to love" where the dark, brooding prince is slightly mean to our self-sacrificing, outspoken haroine and "oh no, they hate each other!" Of course, she discovers his snark just covers his wounded self, and ta-da, they fall in love. Predictable. What I couldn't handle was how quickly things progressed once they were friends – y'all have known each other for a month and now you're getting married? Please.

Overall, this book just lost steam for me once it started to focus on the romance rather than the magic or court politics, and I got really bored during the second half. A different audience may really enjoy this book, so check it out if it intrigues you.

Absolutely fabulous. The twists in this book were handled stunningly and it was very easy to get and stay engaged in the story told. The characters were vibrant and well developed.

I would love to review this book but I am withholding my review in light of the SMP Boycott, and will wait to post until SMP takes action and the boycott ends.

thank you to netgalley for the advanced reading copy. I really enjoyed this and will be getting copies for my shop.

A Fragile Enchantment by Allison Saft. Pub Date: January 2, 2024. Rating: 3 stars. In this magical/fantasy romance, a young woman is set to be a dressmaker for a royal family. There is a royal wedding and she brings magic to her creations that involve emotional responses. Through her journey of being the dressmaker, she gets close to the groom and an unlikely friendship blooms. Rumors are spread, tensions run high and chemistry sizzles between these two. I really enjoyed the setting of this novel and found this fantasy romance to be tasteful and whimsical. For someone who does not read a lot of fantasy romance, this was just enough of the genre for me to enjoy. Thanks to #netgalley and #stmartinspress for this e-arc in exchange for my honest review. #afragileenchantment

"A Fragile Enchantment" by Allison Saft is a spellbinding tale that masterfully intertwines romance, magic, and political intrigue. The story follows its protagonist through a world rich with enchantments and delicate balances of power. Saft's writing is lyrical and immersive, drawing readers into a realm where every emotion feels heightened and every decision carries weight. The characters are well-developed, with complex motivations that keep you invested in their journeys. The plot is both intricate and captivating, offering twists that keep you on the edge of your seat. Overall, "A Fragile Enchantment" is a beautifully crafted novel that enchants from start to finish, making it a must-read for fans of fantasy and romance alike.

Gorgeous writing, beautiful setting, and filled with romance and intrigue.

A Fragile Enchantment is one of my new favorite books! I love that there's a mix of Irish lore in this sweeping novel that is escapism at its finest. Niamh is a dressmaker, and has the power to stitch emotion into fabric. While we know that this magic is lethal to Niamh, she's determined to use her gift to leave something for her family.

What follows is a fantastical story of romance, mystery, and takes the best parts of modern and historical storytelling and wraps it up with a bow.

Such a wonderful charming read! This was my first Allison Saft book and will definitely not be my last. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. A Fragile Enchantment is a fantasy romance book that really gave me Bridgerton vibes. On the plus side it did have some queer rep via mcs and side characters. Speaking of characters, all the characters were absolutely lovely and super likable. The writing was simply beautiful! Also loved the grumpy/sunshine trope that was in the book. Such a wonderful read!

My feedback is being withheld in compliance with the St. Martin's press boycott. #SpeakUpSMP Check out readersforaccountability on Instagram for more information.

Thank you to the publisher for the copy.

I went it thinking I’d love this one. The cover is so cute and the tropes are some of my favorite. But honestly this was a little slow for me. The characters were underwhelming personality wise. I will say that I did enjoy the Bridgerton vibes that it had. The ending was kind of dumb… I didn’t like that no issues were resolved.

I want to start off by saying the cover of this book is absolutely beautiful!! I just love the way Niamah and Kit look! I have to admit though, I didn’t enjoy ‘A Fragile Enchantment’ as much as I thought I would. I didn’t connect to the characters or the world, and I felt like the plot was nonexistent for the majority of the book. However, the writing was beautiful; it actually reminded me a lot of Jane Austen’s. While this book wasn’t my cup of tea, I believe there are plenty of people out there who would fall in love with ‘A Fragile Enchantment.’

Thank you so much to Netgalley and the author, Allison Saft, for providing me with an e-arc of this book!!

This was good story. Not great, but good. I struggled a bit and I know this is a classic case of, “it’s not you, it’s me,” since everyone I know that read it, loved it.

"A Fragile Enchantment" by Allison Saft transports me to a richly imagined fantasy world, blending romance, intrigue, and magic in a Regency England-inspired setting. While the premise holds promise and the author's prose is elegant, the execution must be more fully captivating.

Niamh Ó Conchobhair, with her unique ability to weave emotions and memories into fabric, is a compelling protagonist with a poignant dilemma. Her determination to secure a better future for her family despite her impending fate adds depth to her character and sets the stage for an engaging narrative. However, the exploration of Niamh's magical abilities, such as her emotional weaving, feels underdeveloped. For instance, we only see her use this ability once in a minor conflict, leaving the reader craving more insight into this intriguing aspect of the story.

While initially intriguing, the romance between Niamh and Kit Carmine lacks the emotional depth and chemistry to sweep me off my feet. Kit's characterization as a prickly and begrudging groom offers an interesting dynamic, but his transformation from reluctant participant to potential love interest feels rushed and somewhat forced. The budding relationship between Niamh and Kit is overshadowed by the political intrigue and mystery surrounding the royal family, leaving their romance somewhat secondary.

Saft's world-building is not just vivid but also incredibly immersive. It captures the atmosphere of a Regency England-inspired society with its lavish balls, elegant parties, and simmering unrest among the working class. The juxtaposition of glamour and unrest adds layers to the story, creating a compelling backdrop for the unfolding drama. However, the pacing sometimes feels uneven, with moments of slow exposition interspersed with bursts of action that may leave the reader wanting more consistency in the narrative flow.

While "A Fragile Enchantment" offers an intriguing blend of romance, magic, and political intrigue, it ultimately falls short of fully realizing its potential. The characters, particularly Niamh and Kit, are engaging, and their interactions are a highlight of the book. The setting is immersive, capturing the atmosphere of a Regency England-inspired society with its lavish balls, elegant parties, and simmering unrest among the working class. The premise is promising, but the execution needs more depth and polish to captivate the reader fully. Nonetheless, fantasy romance fans may still enjoy this sweeping tale of love and betrayal in a world where magic and politics collide.