What a sweet and captivating YA fantasy/romance! It has all the meat of an adult fantasy but with that touch of innocence that makes reading YA so delightful. Niamh (have no idea how to pronounce her name - in fact many terms are impossible to pronounce unless one is very well versed in what looks to be something Celtic) is a gifted seamstress who can sew emotions into her creations. This unique ability caught the eye of the crown prince and he has hired her to make the clothing for his younger brother’s wedding. She is thrilled because this opportunity could provide a way for her impoverished family to finally have some stability. The problem is, she is from a starving country that was conquered, then neglected by the very royal family who are requesting her services. Subsequently, she is a young woman with the weight of her world riding on her shoulders. This premise allows for more than a light-hearted, easy escape and gives the story much depth as we read.

Kit (Christopher) is the prince whose marriage is eminent. Sadly, it is a union he despises but is unable to get out of, making him surly at best, caustic at worst. So, when he sees the young Machlish woman who is tasked to make everyone beautiful, his ire and temper knows no bounds. As time progresses, however, both Kit and Niamh grow to understand each other more and a strong friendship is formed.

From this premise the story embarks on all kinds of twists and turns that keep the reader completely engrossed and turning the pages! There are secrets and deceptions galore while the characters unravel the reasons behind everything that is keeping Niamh’s people impoverished and why Kit’s marriage is so important. I did struggle with the big “betrayal” because there really shouldn’t have been one. The act was so small for Niamh that it seemed silly to cause such heartache and devastation because of it. Yet, all the final conflicts and climax revolve around it.

Still, the emotions and feelings behind the characters are so well written that any reader will undoubtably laugh, cry, and keep reading until that final page is turned. Then, cross their fingers in hopes another book in this fabulous world is in the making!

This book was such an interesting read. It’s a historical/fantasy fiction romance which, in my opinion seemed like it was loosely based on the Irish/English conflict and potato famine and economical troubles that Ireland had. The setting and the fact that fantasy, royalty, political strife, and romance was thrown in the mix makes this a very enticing read.

This book is written in the FMC, Niamh who is a gifted seamstress who can embroider emotion and memories from magic she inherited into all the garments she makes. Niamh’s goal is to work so that her family does not experience any further hardship due to the economic distress occurring in Machland. Her talents became so well regarded that she was invited to be the royal tailor for the prince of Avaland’s wedding.

Despite Niamhs family’s protest, Niamh sets sail to Avaland to take the job of a lifetime. Upon arriving, Niamh gets immediately introduced to the Prince Regent once arrives to the palace, and then meets the groom to be, Kit Carmine, who not only is he incredibly attractive, but an abrasive and difficult individual. Kit is being used as a political pawn of his brother and forced to marry for political reasons. As Niamh and Kit get more acquainted, friendship and something else starts blossoming between them, which could lead to calamity. This is especially the case because there is an anonymous writer who has been publishing royal gossip and could expose their fledgling romance.

REVIEW: 5/5
SPICE: 1/5
LOL: 2/5 – the banter was excellent!
EMO: 1/5

I this book you will find:
-Grumpy / sunshine trope
-Political intrigue
-Enemies to lovers
-Forbidden love
-Bridgerton with magic with you squint
-Chronic health issues
- LGBTQ rep

I highly recommend this book. It was incredibly engaging, the aspect of political intrigue and forbidden love within a royal setting had me devouring this book.

I want to thank NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for providing me with this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

A Fragile Enchantment was a sweet, lovely book about love, duty, and putting oneself first. I thoroughly enjoyed it!

Niamh and Kit are so adorable, and I love their friends as well. They all complement each other so wonderfully, and I loved seeing not only the romantic dynamic between our two leads but also their blossoming friendships as well.

I think that the balance of romance and political intrigue was done quite well! That can be a struggle for me with historical romance, but Saft did a great job. She also balanced the obvious inspirations of Ireland, England, and Spain with the fantastical worldbuilding of Machland, Avaland, and Castilia. I could easily tell where she found her inspiration, but I could also tell that she took that history and made it her own. I wish there had been a bit more separation of the real-world history and the fantasy world of the book, but that is my personal preference.

I will say that some of the plot points felt either not quite resolved or resolved too quickly, but otherwise, this was so lovely and I can’t wait to read more from Allison Saft. 4 stars

I will post my review on Instagram between Dec 19 and Jan 2, and will post my review on Amazon on publication day.

woof, this is a fantasy romance book of my dreams!

This has it all: slow burn romance, layered and deep characters, breathtakingly romantic writing, magic not beholden or caught up in rules, historical flare, enemies to lovers that makes sense, everyone is bi or queer, pretty clothes, familial trauma and repair, found family, incredible exploration and self awareness of trauma and introspection, and clear communication.

ALSO HE IS SHORT!!! I stan short or average height romantic leads, this was refreshing. Still taller than Niamh but it makes a difference to see a shorter man described.

I'd describe this like Jane Austen meets Studio Ghibli. He has Darcy vibes and she's Lizzie-meets-Emma. Absolutely recommended for Margaret Rogerson fans of Sorcery of Thorns. It's dramatic but cozy at the same time.

A cute, wholesome tale of magic and romance wherein up and coming tailor Niamh is summoned to design the wedding wardrobe of Avaland's prince. Despite knowing of the strong prejudice against her people, Niamh seizes the chance to earn a golden commission for her family, spread word of her designs, and maybe reconnect with an old friend in the bustling city of Sootham. Clumsiness, protests, and an ornery prince are not part of the plan, which most certainly doesn't include getting close to said prince either...

In classic Saft style, the story sheds light on historic socio-economic tensions, while also featuring a colorful pseudo-historic setting, glimmers of magic intertwined with everyday life, and beautiful turns of phrase. The language makes the setting, with all the appropriate reticules and curricles and matches of croquet, although the characters speak in a more modern way. I generally didn't mind (sometimes I did). Also a few plot points unfortunately fizzle into nothing, including the consequences of Niamh's magic. But overall it's a quick, charming read that explores the value of self worth and the toxic side of protective sacrifice. Recommend for YA readers who like characters first, plot/setting second.

A closing thought - I generally related to the entire cast of characters as beleaguered children ("You'll figure it out someday, sweetie. I'm rooting for you. Have a peppermint"), but in one place at least I found Prince Kit very relatable. When asked about clothing design preferences, he retorts, "What is so difficult for you to understand? I don't want people to look at me at all." And yeah, I feel that.

Big thanks to this book for keeping me company in the airport this week, and thanks to Netgalley for the ARC

I throughly enjoyed this book from the first page to the last. I loved the the unique storyline that this author wrote. The story about how Niamh and Kit come together in preparation for his wedding, and explore how people from two different worlds can have so much in common. I loved how she was a magical dressmaker and that her emotions were sewn into all the garments that she created. I very much liked who even though the book was a love story it was also about loving yourself and self acceptance of the good things that come your way.

For fans of Bridgerton, Pride and Prejudice, and Divine Rivals, A Fragile Enchantment by Allison Saft includes regency era societal norms but in a fantastical new world with all new mythology, politics, and magic. The enemies to friends to lovers movement that occurs between Niamh and Kit will keep you on your toes the entire time because...Kit is a prince and engaged in an arranged marriage, while Niamh is the tailor hired for the wedding, which causes a lot of trouble.
You'll also be kept on your toes because there is a gossip columnist on the loose who not inly gossips but promotes political causes. While the author leads us to believe our primary suspect is the culprit, the rug is drawn out from beneath us once the real Lovelace (the author of the column) is revealed.
The romance, magic, and war is similar to Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross BUT it is still much different and more light, fun, and frivolous feeling! We also have a strong and dependable FMC, who is trying to support her family and her magical craft even during these tumultuous times.
The secrets, the tension between Kit and Niamh, the drama, the plot twists, and more will drag you into the world of A Fragile Enchantment! Thank you so much to Wednesday books for giving me access to a free e-ARC and the opportunity to read this book before release day because I am not sure I could have waited any longer!💖

In this romantic fantasy of manners from New York Times bestselling author Allison Saft, a magical dressmaker commissioned for a royal wedding finds herself embroiled in scandal when a gossip columnist draws attention to her undeniable chemistry with the groom.

This was such a sweet little romantic fantasy. I really enjoyed the world-building, the characters, the overall plot. Allison Saft is a terrific writer.

The world building. The politics. The magic. The names! I love this book so much, I just wish there was more of it! A perfect blend of fantasy with real life political turmoil. I do wish the ending wasn't so abrupt and gave more detail, but it's hard to argue with a HEA.

Such a touching and lovely ode to loving yourself and not sacrificing your happiness.
In this story, Niamh starts off her journey nervous but ready to sacrifice herself to ensure the wellbeing of her family. Even if such taste would hasten her demise. She soon comes to learn that not even nobility escapes the hardship that she faces. Burden to shoulder everything to protect those you love. Putting up a front to not get hurt but also having a core kindness to those you love.

This book is heartwarming, whimsical, and utterly delightful.
When a book can make me tear up as much as this book did, it is an automatic five stars for me!

I highlighted so many passages from this book that is so searingly true and hits hard to home that I can not help but be endeared. Kit is like a grumpy bear but the heart of a teddybear. How much he cares for Niamh made me swoon. Actions over words ladies!!

Definitely a story I highly recommend.
I cannot wait for a physical copy.

Thank you netgalley for this early copy for my honest subjective opinion.

I adored this book. It was so fun to read and full of laughter. The banter between the love interests was my favorite part. I can see this series being the next Netflix sensation!

A Fragile Enchantment is so delightful! The character interactions are so fun and lovely. The romance between the main character and the love interest is full of banter and yearning. There is a bisexual MC as well as other gay and bisexual characters. A Fragile Enchantment is a historical romance that will have you swooning. Truly a romance for the ages.

*I received an advanced copy for review.*

A Fragile Enchantment has:
-commoner x royal
-social columnist a la Lady Whistledown
-lots of magic
-gorgeous settings and costumes
-a rather tactiturn prince who isn't quite so surly with his girl
-magical clothes

I have SO MANY FEELINGS about A Fragile Enchantment. Gah.

First of all, I will freely admit that I was drawn to this book by the cover. If Kelly Chong (afterblossom) does the cover, I want to read it. But this book is so much MORE than that.

AFE is like...if the gorgeous setting of Bridgerton met the pining of Cassandra Clare and they had a whimsical,(slightly) less angsty baby. (There's definitely angst, but not the self-loathing sort a la Cassie Clare.) Not only does it have some of the most beautiful prose I've read in a while, but it has the vibes of historical romance AND fantasy, all while delicately presenting us with a fictionalized version of Ireland-England relations of the time period.

Niamh is a Machlish tailor whose magical abilities imbue her sewing with memories and feelings. When she is invited to be the seamstress for the Avalish royal wedding, she views it as an opportunity to provide for her aging mother and grandmother, rather than going to work for the former enemy. Once there, she meets the infuriating prince, Kit, who happens to be gorgeous. He also happens to be the groom. Niamh finds herself drawn into the Season as she begins working with the prince and his betrothed. Along the way, she gains the attention of the scandal columnist who may be closer than she realizes. And somehow, despite her best efforts, she falls in love with the infuriating prince.

A Fragile Enchantment will be in my top reads of the year for sure!

Huge thanks to Netgalley, Allison Saft, and Wednesday Books for the ARC!

This book was utterly delightful, an absolute treat to read.

Although this is a fictional world there are clear parallels to be drawn between the British rule of Ireland, the Great Famine and Irish Independence. Personally, I thought it lent a lot of depth to the story without committing too much time to reviewing the history of the nations. It was easy to grasp the conflict as the backdrop to this romantic fantasy novel.

While a certain suspension of disbelief is required to buy into Niamh’s unfettered access to the royals and her shockingly bold behaviour given her station and background, I still loved this book so much.

Once you let that go, you get a beautiful tale of unlikely ally ship, turned forbidden love in the face of duty, and the ultimate refusal of many of our characters to walk away from happiness despite the costs.

This a book for the hopeless romantic in all of us.

The part that wants someone to burn for us.

The part that wants someone to accept us thorns and all.

The part that wants someone to fight for and fight for you regardless of the cost.

This book also featured queer and chronic illness rep. I only wish there had been more exploration of Niamh’s illness. Although I understand that walking the line between acknowledging its impact but not letting it define her and her love story.

4.5/5 stars

If Allison Saft isn't an auto-buy author for you, what are you doing?!

I've been a fan of Saft's since Down Comes the Night, and with each of her books, I wonder how she could possibly do it again. With A Fragile Enchantment, she's done it a third time. Her books are pure magic, full of raw emotion and beautiful settings. I was, once again, swept away by her writing and character work.

Niamh and Kit, as well as the rest of the crew, are written so vividly it's hard to believe they aren't real. Saft incorporates mental health, LGBTQ+, chronic illness, and more into these characters, bringing them to life and making them so relatable to readers. The character's backstories all served them well, enriching the characters and showing their growth throughout the story.

As always, as I'm a sucker for love. And when a midnight rain boy meets a sunshine girl, my heart exploded. Really, at first I didn't think I was going to like Kit, but the more I knew of him and saw of him, the more I felt like Niamh might have been on to something.

I also loved the mix of magic with a Lady Whistledown-esque anonymous scandal writer who was fighting for justice more than fighting for gossip.

I highly recommend this, and all of Saft's works, for your TBR!

This romantic Regency-inspired fantasy novel reminded me of the books I loved as a kid by Shannon Hale or Gail Carson Levine. The story follows a dressmaker named Niamh who travels to Avaland by request of the king. Despite her country’s complicated history with Avaland, Niamh can’t refuse this incredible opportunity to display her work and take care of her family, so she enters the palace and begins embroidering magical wedding garments for the prince, Kit Carmine. Kit is the grumpy to Niamh’s sunshine, but I never fully came around to liking him by the end of the book, and that’s a big disappointment for me because I really liked the magic and world building in this YA fantasy.

I was really hoping to like this. The cover is gorgeous, the synopsis sounded amazing, but I was left disappointed.

First off, I really struggle with books where I have to read about 1/3 of it before it gets interesting.

I found I could never really care about the couple. I wanted more magic.

Overall, the writing isn’t terrible, but the story drags and I never could care about anything. Parts of it felt like fantasy stories I’ve read before

A Fragile Enchantment is a spellbinding story that takes place in a Regency England-inspired fantasy world where love, magic, court intrigue, and scandal intertwine. From the very first page, I was immersed in the story, which follows Niamh Ó Conchobhair, a magical dressmaker with a unique ability to infuse emotions and memories into her work, though this very gift is also the source of her impending doom.

When Niamh agrees to design the wardrobe for a royal wedding in the kingdom of Avaland, it propels her into a world she’s never known, and it gives her the opportunity to help her family. However, Avaland turns out to be far from the fairytale she imagined, with social unrest brewing, and a reluctant groom, Kit Carmine, who is being used as a political pawn. Niamh won my heart with her unwavering determination to secure a better future for her family and her unflappable drive. She’s a fantastic protagonist!

Niamh’s magical talent is fascinating, and I love the scenes where others experience her magic, especially the brooding Kit Carmine. Ugh, I adore him so much!! Kit appears prickly and abrasive at first, and it’s clear he’s unhappy with his situation. His reluctant journey to the altar reveals so much about his character, his honor, and his sense of duty. I couldn’t help but root for him throughout the story because underneath his curmudgeonly demeanor is a deep and complex and likable man who is very different than he professes to be. And his magical ability is amazing! It’s totally the one I’d want to have if I lived in this world.

Other characters are equally interesting and complex. Kit’s friend Sinclair is fabulous, and I love the friendship he develops with Niamh. Rosa, Kit’s intended, is a mystery that I wanted to solve, and her maid is delightful. I also was really intrigued by Jack, Kit’s brother, because he definitely acted like he had something to hide! Though they are secondary characters in the novel, they are all pivotal to the plot and add so much depth to the story with their varied pasts, goals, relationships, and responsibilities. I found myself as invested in their stories as I was with Niamh and Kit’s, and when Niamh is blackmailed because of her growing feelings for Kit, I definitely wondered if one of them, or someone close to one of them, was involved. It was an intriguing mystery, with a surprising revelation that kept me riveted.

Of course, for me, the heart of this story lies in the swoon-worthy romance between Kit and Niamh. They have my whole heart!! This pair has incredible chemistry, and I just adored their enemies-to-lovers, grumpy/sunshine romance. And the way they pine for each other as they slowly become closer and closer – Swoon!!!! The sparks between them are palpable, and their banter is brilliant. I love how their forbidden love blooms in the most delightful and unexpected ways.

The story also weaves layers of social and political tension that simmer just below the surface of the glittering court life, highlighting the effects of colonialism, the struggles for workers’ rights, and the quest for equality. The unrest among the working class and the growing disparities in society added even more dimension to the story, making it not just a romance but a powerful commentary on the challenges that real-world societies have faced throughout history. I’m always so impressed with the author’s ability to infuse depth and substance into her work, creating a story that is not only captivating but also thought-provoking and relevant.

Like all of my reviews of Saft’s books, I could go on and on. There’s so much I want to say about the characters, plot, and storytelling. I just love the author’s immersive writing style. In A Fragile Enchantment, Saft has masterfully crafted a love story that is both tender and profound, characters that you can’t help but fall in love with, a magical world so enchanting it’s impossible to forget, and messages that resonate in fantasy and reality.

Special thanks to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.

I love this author but I will not be reviewing or recommending any SMP books until the publisher acknowledges and apologizes for the racist actions of their employee

A Fragile Enchantment is my first foray into Allison Saft's work. A Far Wilder Magic has been on my TBR for what feels like forever -- maybe now that I've dipped my toes into the water, so to speak, I'll finally get around to reading that book. BUT REGARDLESS -- I really enjoyed A Fragile Enchantment. It felt very low stakes throughout the whole book, which is exactly what I needed. I've been having a hard time reading anything lately -- the world is awful, I have a toddler, I'm pregnant with baby #2 -- there's a lot going on. But A Fragile Enchantment hit at just the right time for me. It's relatively easy to follow, written very simply without being boring, and has characters that make you feel for them.

All in all, it's a great read for anyone looking for an entry level fantasy romance. The spice level is almost nonexistent, but there are two scenes where something gets started, but we don't really see all the way to the end. It's a mostly fade to black, basically. Not my PREFERRED type of romance, but the rest of the story made up for that particular lack.

This seems to be based on the Irish potato famine, and Britain's involvement in it. It's all in a different world, but the way things are described, and the placeholder country names definitely seem to point this way.

Niamh is our main character (you pronounce this name as Neev) and honestly? She's okay. She just kinda blends into the background a lot of the time. Her personality is mostly 'clumsy' and 'interfering'. But you do grow to like her as the book goes on. Her love interest is Kit, a scandalous prince. This is mostly enemies to lovers. Or Dislike to Lovers, I should say. They aren't really enemies, ever. Kit's just an asshole for a good part of the book until you realize he's hiding some trauma.

Anyway, I enjoyed this. I think it will do well, but I can see parts where people are going to complain. But for me, this is a solid four stars!