If you love fantasy and you love regency romance novels, this is absolutely for you. I only love one of those things, and I thought the fantasy would say the slow slow slow slow slow burn of this book but it just didn’t. I can’t do regency books.
A couple of dangling plot holes, but otherwise a good story.

Thanks to the author and publishers for the ARC!

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review. The following opinions are my own.

I think I expected a lot more from this and that's on me. I did not like the main characters and their relationship. It was just extremely toxic. If I had known this before reading it I likely would not have picked this up. This was definitely not for me.

This was my first read by this author so I didn’t really have any expectations when I started it.

This story follows Niamh (no idea how that should be pronounced) a young woman with magical abilities (she weaves emotions into clothing) who comes to the King Regent’s palace to make several outfits for the King’s brother Kit, who is engaged to be married.

This is a very low stakes story. It has been described as a fantasy take on Bridgerton (which I have neither read nor watched) but I guess that comes from the politics and gossip. The story was quite instalovey and it didn’t seem that the grumpy Prince would open up that much to Niamh that quickly. It also seemed to take the story quite a while to get going. The pacing was pretty slow. For those who enjoy low stakes fantasies, I’d recommend this one.

This was such a lovely story -- I adored these two characters and watching them fall in love was a delight. The magic system was also very interesting... Niamh's gift is dreamy! I also loved how complicated Kit the MMC seemed to be with his internal battles and how he fought his feelings...gotta love it when the guy falls first... The whole story felt very romantic and angsty... Certainly serving Bridgeton vibes.

Nianh is a dressmaker who can stitch emotions and memories into fabrics. She makes the wardrobe for a royal wedding but she grows close to the groom, Kit. An anoynymous columnist agrees not to expose them only if she helps to uncover more royal family secrets.

I really enjoy the political intrigue and court politics. Reminds me a bit of Bridgerton if Bridgerton has magic. The romance is sweet and I love the ending.

Thanks to the publisher for the arc.

I’m so sad I didn’t love this book as much as Allison Saft's previous one.

A Fragile Enchantment was very long for a book with so little plot. I had the hardest time getting a clear visual sense of the characters and the places despite the extensive descriptions. The pacing of the romance felt off as well: this was supposed to be a slow burn, but Niamh forgave Kit really fast for being extremely rude and hurtful during their first meetings. Their next 'get to know each other' interactions didn’t really progress their romance or their character arcs. And then boom, they were in love. There was a bit of hand wringing about the fact that she was a commoner and he was a prince, but not enough imo considering the consequences of their entanglement.

On a similar note, the discrepancy between Kit and Jack’s royal status and the way they talked and behaved kept jarring me out of the story. For a buttoned-up crown prince inordinately concerned with appearances, Jack began confiding in Niamh awfully quickly. I had a hard time believing that a prince would even know who Niamh was, let alone open his heart to her and tell a common seamstress about his innermost worries, when he’d only known her for a couple of days. The same went for Kit, who fell in insta-love with Niamh and not once balked at their difference in rank and power. Considering the historical realities of common girls who caught the interest of men in power, this wasn’t addressed enough and it made me uncomfortable through the book.

Overall, the novel felt both too long and disjointed, like some plot lines had been tacked on much later: the side plot with Lovelace and the Macklish protests didn’t really bring anything to the story; the romance(s) felt rushed; many side characters lacked a purpose or personality. I thought the magic system was very cool, but regretted that it wasn’t a bigger part of the plot. The same story could have been written without magic if, say, Niamh was ‘just’ the best designer/seamstress in the country. Magic didn’t really have any bearing on the plot.

I will still happily read Allison Saft’s next books when they come out. Her writing is lush and has a lovely gentleness to it. That said, if you’re looking for a place to start in her bibliography, I’d recommend A Far Wilder Magic over this one.

**Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!**

4.5⭐️

This made me laugh, cry, kick my feet in the air. I had an absolutely wonderous time with this novel. The magic that Niamh possesses is so unique and I loved how it was integrated into the plot.

The yearning and longing this book embodied for the romance was so powerful, I could feel it myself. A Fragile Enchantment was a truly magical read and I cannot wait for it to come out so I can buy it.

This novel intrigued me because it combines a regency-inspired atmosphere with a mystical element. The plot follows Niamh, a gifted seamstress who can infuse emotions into her embroidery, as she travels to Avaland to work as the tailor for Prince Christopher and Princess Rosa's royal wedding. She quickly finds herself in the midst of political and emotional turmoil, however, as she falls for the reticent and mysterious prince, who has his own secret.

The author does an excellent job of imagining a vibrant and engaging universe, complete with rich details and history. The magic system is exciting and unique, and I loved how it was blended into Avaland's culture and civilization. Niamh and Christopher's romance was slow-burning and swoon-worthy, with plenty of tension and conflict. The minor characters, particularly Niamh's friends and family, contributed humor and heart to the plot.

I didn't give this book five stars because I thought some portions of the plot were too convenient or predictable. The war between the Machlish and the Avalanders, for example, seemed to be settled too simply, and the villain was neither well-developed nor terrifying. I also wished to see more development and transformation in Christopher's character, who seemed to be mired in self-pity and guilt for the most of the novel.

Overall, this was a delightful and enchanting read, with a charming heroine, a brooding hero, and a magical adventure. I would recommend it to fans of fantasy romance who are looking for a refreshing and engaging story.

If love is real, then Fragile Enchantments is proof. This book either had me giggling or screaming. I loved it. PSA: This is definitely for an older YA audience. It was much spicier than I thought it would be.

My one issue is the length. It took too long for the HEA. It was chapter after chapter of the characters dancing around the inevitable.

I don't trust myself not to spoil everything so I'll leave it at that.

4.5 stars rounded up
my biggest gripe with this book was that i wanted more! a fragile enchantment is a perfectly enjoyable standard-issue romantasy, but i found the premise, setting, and characters so fun and intriguing that i wanted it to be a political/court intrigue novel with a romance sideplot.
niamh is a genuinely sweet mc with unspecified chronic illness/fatigue. i loved the descriptions of her magic and the effects it had on other people. it seems like she gets away with a LOT early on in her stay in sootham which surprised me at first, but does kind of get explained later. kit is so prickly that i was worried i wouldn't end up liking him, but of course the man under the grumpy surface won me (and niamh) over in the end. the real standout was the side characters: i desperately wanted more of infanta rose, miriam, and sinclair. there is plenty of bi, gay, and queer rep that i didn't expect but was pleasantly surprised by. from all the people shouting "bridgerton ripoff", i expected lovelace to play a much bigger role in the plot but their column takes a backseat for a lot of the book.
the worldbuilding was also a lot of fun, and i always love it when magic has a cost. the political situation in sootham leading up to the wedding is balanced on a knife's point between avaland (england), machland (ireland), and castilia (spain), which i enjoyed and even would have liked more of. my only complaint is with the historical context mentioned in the book i would place it in 1884-85 which is...not even close to regency era. being fantasy, it slides by without much issue, but "regency era" is working mostly an aesthetic thing.
thank you netgalley and wednesday books/st. martins for the arc!

Allison, wow!! You developed an entire new fantasy! I loved how by the first two chapters I wasn’t confused by the plot line or new world you created! The push and pull between the characters was sensational!! The plot developed into a shocking conclusion and welcoming ending. Niamh’s character development and point of view solidified my love and recommendation of this book!!

This story had such a dreamy quality to it that I never wanted it to end. It felt like Bridgeton met fantasy in this compelling story about a dressmaker, assigned to make a new wardrobe for the prince, only to find she has undeniable chemistry with the prince - who is about to be married.

A blend of beautiful romance, magic, and scandal - this story was everything I was looking for in a romantasy! It even had a great historical romance feel for those who aren't big fantasy fans.

A commoner and magical dress maker Niamh, is invited to stay at a royal palace to make the royals wedding attire. A life changing opportunity for her and her poor family. This leads to her finding love in the least likely of places. She finds herself and learns how to put herself first while making lifelong friends.

If you like Bridgerton, GrumpyxSunshine, and light fantasy/romantasy this is a book for you! The book gives Bridgerton vibes, but is different enough to not be Bridgerton. There is also good representation in the LGBTQ+ community. And well rounded characters overall.

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read this cute story!

This was a very sweet fantasy romance with major Bridgerton vibes! I am not usually a historical fiction reader but the little additions of fantasy to this book made it super adorable, it's an easy to follow fantasy world that doesn't over complicate the romance plot. The majority of the plot was predictable but that didn't stop me from enjoying it as there were certain details that were very unique, mainly the magical system!

I also loved the royal setting and found the romance very adorable and believable. I do wish more of the side characters were a bit more fleshed out, mainly Sofia and Rosa because they both really intrigued me, however the main characters were all very well-rounded and I loved getting to know Naimh and Kit both as individuals and together!

This book had a very fun, light and whimsical feel to it, it made me smile and left me absolutely loving the little magical world that the author created!!

This story dissolved like cotton candy on my tongue in that excessively sweet, pastel-colored, melt-in-your-mouth way.
A Fragile Enchantment is light-hearted and a touch dramatic, but in that ‘no plot, just vibes’ way that I needed.
I am convinced Miss Saft’s gift is her ability to spin the most decadent atmospheric melodrama into every single scene she writes, because wow. It truly was a fairy tale.
The characters were a delight, though my favorite, by far, was Rosa. I deeply appreciated the Wednesday Addam’s persona she embodied amid all the roses and sunshine and decorum. The ending was satisfactory, if not predictable, but I think that adds to the appeal of this genre of book—you know exactly what you’re getting into and there’s 0% anxiety over what might happen, because it’ll be a happy ending, regardless.
I’m thrilled for what’s next on the horizon for Miss Saft and can’t wait for more from one of my favorite romantacy writers.

Special thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing me with an eARC of this book.

Regency romance and fantasy are the perfect combo in A Fragile Enchantment. Allison Saft delivers a beutiful story that sucked me in from the beginning. This book is a definite must read for cozy fantasy lovers.

This one ended up being just meh for me. I thought I'd highly enjoy it but it just came in at an average rating for me. I found the characters to b on the bland side.

the same magic that allows niamh to make such magical outfits will kill her one day. so, when she’s offered the job of making the attire for the royal wedding’s bride and groom, she wants to focus on her work to ensure she leaves her family secure. however, she begins growing closer to the groom, until she gets hit with a columnist threatening to expose them if she doesn’t reveal the royal family’s secrets.

WE NEED MORE MAGICAL DRESSMAKERS. i can literally only name ONE other book with this aspect which should be a crime. i loved how niamh’s magic was described, both the good and bad parts of it.

i also loved the romance, which is good since this book is pretty romantic. there’s just something about royalty x non royalty🤌

i will definitely be reading more of allison saft’s books!

4.5 stars

It is a gift to possess divine blood, to be blessed to have a magical ability find its way from your ancestors to you, and Niamh is one of the last in her family to have the skill. She is a seamstress, and her garments are extraordinary — each one magically radiating different emotions and memories, stitched from bits of herself. When she receives an offer to design the wardrobe for a royal wedding, in the neighboring country that once controlled her own, she can only accept. It is a job that could provide security for her family, even though each magical item she creates consumes a bit more of herself.

The city and the court, however, are unlike anything she has ever known — not to mention the complicated royal family she finds herself entangled with. There is turmoil in Avaland, not just around the errant Prince Kit and his arranged marriage, but running even deeper in the country's politics and class divides. Niamh finds herself, to her surprise, being drawn ever closer to the young groom-to-be and ever into the mess of power plays at work. 

This is a sweet and engaging romance. 

I adore fairy tales, and this book certainly felt like one at times. It's the story of a selfless girl who finds courage, and understanding, and love. I understood Niamh to her core and grew to love all the characters; my investment in the main relationship grew as the love between our two main characters did. The character dynamics are fun and real, and the relationships, both queer and not, are rich. Not many books recently have been so pleasant for me to read. I was truly contented at the end, in the way that I was eager to pick up something else right away to continue my reading journey. 

(The one thing that pulled me completely out of the story for a bit was the part that was beat-for-beat a scene lifted straight from Pride and Prejudice, which is a lovely trope, but as it was almost word-for-word, I couldn't take it seriously.) 

Truly, though, an enjoyment of a read — something sweet, and magical, and full of charming love with just a little bit of spice. 

Thanks to NetGalley and the editors for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A Fragile Enchantment was the most pleasant surprise. Allison Saft has created a fantastical, historical romance world for a YA audience. She gave such grace to Niamh that I have to go find Saft's other work.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press, Wednesday Books, and NetGalley for providing an eARC for an honest review.