Wow. A Fragile Echantment is a beautiful follow up for Allison Saft. I was completely swept up in the prose and romance. Saft was already someone I had on my radar after her debut but this one really solidified the level of her writing skills and ability to capture an audience. Highly recommended.

4.5/5

I am such a huge fan of Allison Saft’s writing style. It is lyrical and cozy and silly which made A Fragile Enchantment such a quick and fun read.

I don’t usually gravitate towards Regency Romance books, but knowing it would incorporate Fantasy, and being such a fan of Saft’s work, I knew this was a perfect time to give it another try. And she did not disappoint. If you like Bridgerton-esque books with a magical backdrop, look no further.

Niamh is an impoverish seamstress who gets the job of a lifetime when she is offered to create the Prince’s entire wardrobe for the “Season” leading up to his wedding. The Prince, Christopher (Kit), however, is a grumpy unwilling participant in the arranged marriage and makes Niamh’s job very hard.

Niamh’s life is limited due to a “generational magical disease” and this job is the last hope she has to providing for her family. So she works even harder to try to get Kit to cooperate. But as they spend more time together, she sees he’s not as prickly as he makes himself out to be. With the Season in full swing, Niamh has to navigate not only court etiquette and the politics behind the marriage, but also her burgeoning attraction to Kit. (The slow burn is unreal and so satisfying.)

But this is why Niamh is the perfect FMC. Despite everything she has been through and is going through, she is resilient and kind and a little naive but so true to herself while continuously growing and learning to be better.

Saft hits on a lot of very big themes with not only her beautiful world building, but also with each character we are introduced to. Every character is so well thought out and has a purpose spotlighting things like LGBTQ issues, alcoholism, chronic illness, race, status, and politics.

I think the only critique I would have of this book is that the fantasy of it all is just in the background. As in, it exists and some people have it, but there’s not really much backstory. I guess I just wanted more of it.

Regardless, it was a whimsical tale with so much underneath the YA surface that will stay with me for a long time.

Thank you to NetGalley, Wednesday Books, Allison Saft for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. *All opinions are my own. I will be posting to IG closer to the publication date*

A huge thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and Allison Saft for the eARC.

Tropes:
* grumpy x sunshine
* (soft) enemies to lovers
* forbidden love

If you loved Bridgerton, you’re in for a treat with A Fragile Enchantment.

When Naimh Ó Conchobhair is summoned to Avaland to create a wedding ensemble for the groom to be, Prince Christopher “Kit” Carmine, she leaps at the opportunity of a lifetime. Leaving her blight-torn home behind, she embarks on an adventure in the world of royal gossip and politics.

I’m not sure what I’ll do without my precious, clumsy Niamh and my sweet, grumpy Kit’s love story. I wish there was an epilogue. I need just a little more of their love story.

This book was an absolute delight with a cast of deeply flawed, beautiful characters that all found a family in each other. I enjoyed the real world ties to the conflict between England and Ireland, the blight, and the way the Irish were treated in the aftermath.

I wish there was an appendix with pronunciations of the Irish names and words. I also wish that the magic system had been explained better, it was very vague.

Some additional comments:
I noticed quite a few typos (6) which I'm hoping will be caught before publication.

A Fragile Enchantment is an adorable romantic fantasy that leans much further into the romance plot line than the fantasy. It would be a great introduction to fantasy for those who typically read romance and want to branch out slightly.
It follows Niamh, a seamstress with the magic to embroider enchantments into clothing after she is hired for the royal wedding. She struggles to adapt to court, having grown up as a commoner on a nearby island that the crown has oppressed for generations. The politics take a B plot role in this book and largely act as a reason she cannot be with the prince,

I went in blind to this book and this author and had a great time. This book is perfect for fans of Bridgerton and The Cruel Prince. A fun historical romance with some magic, LGBTQIA representation, and lore thrown in. The relationship between Niamh and Kit is beautifully developed. I highly recommend.

Romantic fantasy fans will devour this tale of a dressmaker gifted with magic and chosen to design the wedding wardrobe for the royal family of Avaland. But things go awry when she and the groom, unhappily forced to wed, become close. Enchanting!

In a realm where love knows no boundaries, A Fragile Enchantment weaves an irresistible tale of forbidden passion and regal allure. Allison Saft’s skillful storytelling transports readers to a world of opulence and intrigue, where the fiery connection between the forbidden lovers, one a prince, sparks against the backdrop of duty and tradition. With captivating storytelling and palpable chemistry, this novel delves deep into the complexities of love's defiance, leaving readers spellbound from the first page to the last. A must-read for those who crave a love story that transcends the boundaries of society and station.

If it’s one thing I’ll fall for every time- it’s a period drama with a sunshine/grump trope. This fit the bill!


Thanks to NetGalley for an arc in exchange for my review!

This was so lovely. I loved the world, the characters, and the relationship between the two mains. It really is a fantasy version of Bridgerton, which is a perfect fit for what I was looking for.

Bridgerton meets Belladonna. Social and political machinations with a weaving of simple craft and elemental magic and a big heaping handful of gentle romance. It was a tenderhearted reminder to be kind to yourself; to love yourself like you love others; to know your own limits and not push beyond them.

Wow! This was such a good story which was an incredible mirror to my own life and emotions. I particularly enjoyed seeing the magical elements of the emotions of fashion, how what we wear can represent how we feel and how we want others to see us. I also loved the anglicization of Irish names represented in the character interactions.

Thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the ARC and the opportunity to read and review this title.

A soft romantic Regency fantasy like no other.

Thank you Netgalley and Wednesday Books for letting me read and review an early copy of A Fragile Enchantment!

This book was exactly what I needed.

As I age out of YA, sometimes the tropes and writing can all start to sound similar. But Allison Saft writes with such whimsy and life that her books always stand out from the rest. This story follows a dressmaker, Niamh, who can knit emotions into clothing. After she receives an invitation from the court to create a magical wedding outfit for the cold-hearted younger prince, a tangle of politics and romantic escapades ensues. Kit is a Thinker and treats any positive emotion like a fly in his cereal. His character is so fun to analyze and pairs hilariously with Niamh, a stubborn optimist. Both our protagonist and our love interest are bi, which was really nice to read. Their dynamic is very antagonistic but with clear attraction.

If you enjoy Regency romance mixed with fantasy elements, I think you'll enjoy this as much as I did. Allison Saft has become one of my auto-buy authors, and I definitely recommend keeping an eye out for this one next year!


**I will be posting more reviews on my TikTok and IG closer to release date.

This book was my first of Allison Saft's, and now I will definitely be reading more! This book was a very sweet romance, which is not my usual genre but it surprised me. Very rich, lush scenery and beautiful writing. There were a lot of social issues present but fit very well into the story; chronic illness, alcoholism, classism and LGBTQ issues, all set amongst an obvious allegory for British and Irish relations in the 19th century. There is a lot going on in this book but all the elements are combined seamlessly. I know I will definitely be able to recommend this one to readers at my store.

Small Business BookTok ARC Reviews: “A Fragile Enchantment” by Allison Saft

Note: This ARC was given to me for free by the author and I am reviewing this book voluntarily.

Niamh Ó Conchobhair, a seamstress with a magical gift, is assigned by the prince of Avaland to come up with the most elaborate attire for his brother, Kit Carmine, in time for his arranged marriage to the daughter of a neighboring kingdom. Wanting to provide for her family before she dies from her mysterious illness, she jumps at the chance to work at the kingdom. But when Niamh and Kit begin to fall for each other and tension starts to grow within the kingdom due to rising classism and prejudice, things start to get complicated. Can our two lovers stop the political corruption taking place within the kingdom,stop the wedding, and find their happily ever after before Niamh draws her last breath?

This was certainly a fascinating read, effectively combining Regency with Fantasy Romance while also trying to incorporate Chronic Illness Representation. The world-building was not only effective, but incorporated serious commentary on historical and real world issues such as prejudice, classism, and generational trauma through the tension of the fictional groups presented: The Alvish, (The oppressors), and the Maclish, (The oppressed). The cast of this powerful book spoke just as much volumes as the world-building as each character represents an interesting role in the themes of Systematic Oppression vs Revolution.

Niamh, the magical seamstress and main protagonist of this story, represented the reluctant hero who at first believed she had to submit to the oppression due to the trauma her people have faced and her need to people please in order to survive before she discovers her true calling and begins to fight for what her heart wants, what her people want, and how she wants to live the remainder of her life. Kit represents the descendant of the oppressors who, by informing himself and gradually breaking away from family expectations, becomes an ally who attempts to fix the mistakes of his family. Lovelace represents the activist figurehead that resorts to covert, nonviolent protests in an attempt to fight for the rights of the Alvish people. Jack, Kit's brother represents the descendants of the oppressed who are traumatized by their ancestors to the point that they, whether intentional or not, repeat the harmful, oppressive behavior of their family members before them.

When it comes to disability representation in books, I take how said disabilities are presented very seriously. After reading this book, I believe Allison Saft took a great deal of care to try and  incorporate Chronic Illness representation appropriately, and she succeeded! When incorporating disability, there are certain things to consider:

- A disabled character should be defined by more than just their disability.

- Avoid the moral model of disability, or the trope that a disability should be treated as a magical curse. The disability should exist for existence's sake.

- Disabled characters shouldn't be pitied or treated differently because of their disabilities.

- A disabled character shouldn't have to resort to being a tragic or comedic plot device to a non disabled character.

- A disabled character shouldn't suddenly have a magic cure-all or be instantly killed off in order to strengthen a non-disabled character.

Ms. Saft, it appears you've done your research and you've created a character that will make disabled readers feel seen and respected, and for that, I salute you! If you're looking for a phenomenal Fantasy/Regency Romance with a wholesome love story, strong disability representation, and a powerful message, don't miss out on this book when it hits online and in-store shelves on January 23rd, 2024!


Rating: 5/5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

- Tropes to Expect: Enemies-to-Lovers, Forbidden Romance, Secrets and Lies, Kingdom in Conflict, Magical Realism, Opposites Attract, and Arranged Marriage Narrative.

- Trigger Warnings: Classism, Mentions and Implications of War and Colonization, Trauma, Discussions of Dying, and Family Conflicts.

As dazzling and atmospheric as the enchantments woven into the heart of this story, Allison Saft’s latest is a lovely, whimsical tale about the dueling forces we all face when caught between duty and desire.

I found it pretty unputdownable, despite some of the more unlikeable aspects — i.e. personality traits fueling plot lines for certain characters that aren’t really ever explained or explored, and a scattered ending that would benefit from less complications.

What makes up for all of that is the world’s greatest protagonist, who is selfless and kind in all the ways that matter, and the author’s lush prose, which vividly illustrates the story’s magical blooms that sprout from emotions and cloaks that help a wearer blend into the background. Saft’s writing feels impossibly tangible, with every word ascending right off of each page.

*Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for a review.*

This was alright! I always feel like Allison Saft's work is good but never great and this one just hit below that. I found the book jumping from thing to thing without any real development or explanation and wasn't a huge fan of the characters.

While this wasn't my cup of tea, I'm sure many would find it to their taste. I'm definitely in the minority of the ARC readers.

For me, from the get-go, Niamh and Kit lacked chemistry. They slowly got some over the course of the book, thankfully, but even then I had a hard time being overly invested in their relationship. I honestly was confused as to why either of them were attracted to each other at first. And when they were creating more sparks, it was mostly because they were making out. The “don't say another word about her” scene was good, though probably just because I am a sucker for that kind of thing. Also, I skipped the sex scene, but it seemed like it was pretty long and fairly graphic from what I garnered from skipping pages quickly.

I guessed two of the major “omg” moments. Since I am notoriously bad at guessing supposed mysteries/secrets, this should tell you they were blatantly obvious.

Only one of the main (ish) side characters in this is straight. We have two bi, two lesbian, one gay. At least none of them were just the token gay character and had some personality outside of their sexual preferences.

I wish we would have gotten a bit more on Niamh's deathly illness/dying from magic. It did shape some of her personality and actions, but it still felt underwhelming for how important it was to her life.

Not the book for me.

This was a great historical romantic fantasy. Very immersive and full of tropes I love such as forbidden romance. I have other Allison Saft titles that are also great. The cover is gorgeous too!

“Your existence alone is enough. And if you believe you’ve made no difference at all to anyone, you’re even more clueless than I thought”

Niamh is a young seamstress who has the ability to weave enchants of emotions into whatever she makes. She is brought to the capital of a neighboring land to create garments for an upcoming royal wedding. Along the way, she discovers what it means to want and to go after it, makes unlikely friends, and sets into motion something so much bigger than she is.

I absolutely LOVED this book! This regency era romantasy is so cozy and wraps you into it right away. I never wanted to put it down. Very much a grumpy x sunshine trope done well as it isn’t always my favorite trope (too much brooding really is too much). The story keeps you enthralled up until the last line. It ends with hope for the future of the characters and feels complete.

There really is nothing I disliked about the book except for the fact I wish there was more. Niamh, Kit, and Sinclair are just the best little trio. Also, I like how there really isn’t a villain, just some antagonists to sort of get in the way or just do things that make you want to smack some sense into them?? Again, just so cozy and light hearted. will read again

5/5

I really enjoyed this book it felt like a fun mix of Bridgerton but as well written and executed as "A River Enchanted" by Rebecca Ross. It took the fun rom-com aspect of being an enemies to lovers romance but made it something much larger by examining a lot of other socio-political issues. Both main characters were well written. I have not read a lot of regency inspired pieces but i thoroughly enjoyed that aspect of the book. I do read a lot of fantasy and I can say that the magic and magical garments elements of the story were well executed and that is was reminded me of a river enchanted. I think this book would also do well with adult audiences that appreciate great YA fiction and this book is on that level. This was my first Allison Saft book so I can into her writing style without any prior knowledge of it and can say I thoroughly enjoyed it. Cannot wait to hype this book up even more prior to launch on social media!

Having read this author's other two books, I knew I was going to go on a magically romantic journey with these characters from the very beginning. Our heroine has such a beautiful and unique magic and soul. I loved her character so much. She has a quiet strength and a big heart. This book was so soft and sweet while still being heart wrenching. It was such a good read.