This book...frustrated me, and I'm not sure how much of it was the book or my preconceived notions that I brought to the book. I started it on a day when I was really grumpy (not great), put it down half way through, and finished it a week later. Take this review with a grain of salt.

A Fragile Enchantment is billed as a fantasy regency a la Bridgerton where a seamstress that can enchant clothing is hired to make the wedding ensemble for the prince. Niamh is Machlish (fantasy Irish) and Kit is Avlish (fantasy English). Because the author took real world parallels and a broad historical time frame (Regency/England's colonial period) to create her fantasy world, I expected certain historical accuracies that were not present. A character wears socks where they would have worn stockings. Characters say "wow" and "yeah." The Prince Regent, Kit's brother, is referred to throughout the whole book as Jack and all the other characters call him Jack. He is personally doing staff payroll. His wife, Princess Sofia, is snubbed by Society Nobles. Niamh is hired help but just casually hangs out with the prince and his buddy and the prince's fiance. This could entirely just be me having read a lot of historical romances and expecting something more along the lines of what was the class rules of the period instead of what is clearly fantasy.

But also what I wanted from the book--cool sewing magic, a fairytale meet cute, more about Niamh's family and mystery illness--just wasn't present. I wish I could have seen a version of this book where Kit was not the prince of fantasy England, but just a noble. I wonder if it would have worked better if we had his POV as well. This book does have a lot to say about the tensions between the English and the Irish during this period, There are a lot of big emotions on the part of Niamh. It just wasn't what I wanted from the book, and I really couldn't say how much of my dissatisfaction was me and how much was the book. Take this review with a grain of salt because I know a lot of people really will like it.

Niamh Ó Conchobhair has the rare magical ability to stitch emotions and memories into clothing. To her amazement, word has gotten out about her abilities, and she is summoned to the neighboring kingdom of Avaland to sew the wardrobe for the upcoming royal wedding of the prince.

The groom-to-be, Christopher (Kit) Carmine, is clearly unhappy about the political match made for him by his brother Jack, the Regent. He is surly and abrasive and takes it out on Niamh. But they also have an immediate attraction (opposed by each of them of course), and become friends (with a simmering chemistry) as Niamh’s wardrobe work continues.

Niamh discovers to her surprise that there is a great deal of unrest in Avaland, especially about the status of the people from her own country, who are looked down upon and poorly used in Avaland. An anonymous columnist with the pseudonym Lovelace (Ala Lady Whistledown in Bridgerton) is fanning the flames amid details of gossip about the elites.

Rosa, the intended bride, arrives and also is fitted by Niamh, who becomes privy to Rosa’s secrets as well.

And there are a few more stories of love and heartbreak, involving Kit’s brother Jack and his arranged-marriage wife, and Kit’s best friend Sinclair, shunned for being gay. Moreover, Niamh is not the only one who has a bit of magic, and it gets employed in ways both destructive and enchanting.

In the end, all the intrigue, romance, and magic resolve in satisfying and not entirely expected ways, while also addressing important issues of identify, fairness, and justice.

An entertaining read.

This book is beautifully written that I might just cry!! It is such a gorgeous and beautiful romantic fantasy and that too written by one of my favourite author!! I both adore and love it

This book is a fantasy Bridgerton, complete with a Lady Whistledown type of gossip column, but entwined with magic this time. If you also love stories about dressmakers working for high society, then you'll doubly love this one. This is also a slow burn enemies to lovers filled with political intrigue.

This book comes at royalty and high society from a modern perspective with a focus on the struggles of the working class and the problems they face when the crown doesn't listen or care about them. Niamh is also a commoner struggling to navigate her new job dressing a prince while navigating court. This causes interesting tension and friction as she gets closer to Kit and struggles with the way the crown has treated her own people as unrest simmers.

A special thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press & Wednesday Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this book! If you are fans of Bridgerton and magic, you should check it out! I think it would be a perfect book to read this fall!

This book was very tedious to read - everything from the plot to the characters felt forced and clunky. No depth to anything. I really wanted to like this based on the premise by it just wasn’t for me.

Bridgerton but with magic! I enjoyed this book! The romance and the banter was good! I laughed and swooned! Definitely lookout for this in 2024!

A cute fantasy romance with elements of a novel of manners. Grumpy/sunshine pairing.

In this pseudo-regency story, a tailor with the ability to weave enchantments into her work falls in love with the prince whose wedding outfits she’s been hired to make.

Overall, A Fragile Enchantment was a pretty standard whimsical fantasy romance. Some things that I appreciated about it that felt more unique, however, were the political landscape (seemingly inspired by the history of conflict between England and Ireland) as well as the chronic illness representation. As someone who experiences chronic pain and fatigue, I thought the way the main character experienced (and worry about) those was true-to-life, while also matching the book’s setting.

With that said, some of the book’s representation, including a few lgbt+ characters felt a bit self-congratulatory. Nothing extreme enough to take away the enjoyment of the novel, but something I personally found to be noticeable. Because of that, some scenes didn’t feel quite authentic.

This book feels very Bridgerton meets Half a Soul—there’s even a Lady Whistledown-like anonymous gossip column.

Overall, I teeter between a 3 and 3.5 star. For those who are fans of lighthearted YA fantasy in particular, I’d round up a star.


Content warning for alcohol abuse.

First off, thank you to Netgalley for providing me with this arc in exchange for an honest review! This was one of my most anticipated reads of 2024 and was delighted to receive it early. Ever since I picked up A Far Wilder Magic, Alison Saft has become one of my favorite authors.

I give AFE four stars. I think my favorite parts about it were the representations of LGBTQIA characters; it makes me more excited for her sapphic adult debut! Saft does a great job of creating complex characters with flaws and her prose pops off the page, visceral and beautiful. I also thought the magical powers of the two love interests were very original; a tailor who sews emotions into her clothes? Growing flowers that drip with gold? Never heard of it, and I loved it. AFE is very reminiscent of the Bridgerton-style novel, with its duels, forbidden romances, anonymous scandal sheet, arranged marriages, etc, so I would recommend it to those who enjoy regency romance. The reason for my not giving it a full five stars is that I feel the kingdoms were underexplored; what's different about the Avlish? Are we supposed to imagine it as a version of the British Empire? And with that, were the Machlish a version of the Irish? The setting didn't stand out to me, but I stuck around for the romance and the intrigue. My last complaint is that Niamh herself sometimes leaned y/n or Bella Swan-esque with her shortness and clumsiness; characteristics for the female mc I'm tired of seeing. It did even it out for me that Kit was described as short as well. If he had been tremendously tall I'm not sure I could have tolerated it. Still, I admired her bravery and didn't mind being in her head for this book. Thank you again to Netgalley and Wednesday books!

What a gorgeous historical fantasy romance -- I loved the unique magic system especially, with Niamh and her magic hands, as well as the Bridgerton-esque elements and the grumpy-sunshine dynamic. I also really loved Niamh's relationship with Rosa and watching their bond develop throughout the story. Love everything by this author, and this did not disappoint!

Thank you to Netgalley and Wednesday Books for an advanced copy for review. All opinions are my own.

Magical dressmaker Niamh is commissioned to make the clothes for a royal wedding amid the backdrop of fantasy Regency England in the years after the Irish Potato Famine. Niamh must navigate court politics and her growing feelings for the prince. When a gossip column threatens to expose the chemistry between them, Niamh is forced to become a spy against the people employing her.

The good: What an enchanting read! I loved the slow-burn chemistry between the two characters. The side characters were well-developed overall and I enjoyed seeing them. The magical system was fun and easy to understand. I also enjoyed the chronic illness angle to the book, as well as it's look at mental health and sibling relationships.

The meh: This felt very young to me, with very basic writing. I also felt like the story was a little unbelievable, because why would royals and nobles hang out with a random tailor so much? It also slowed down a lot in the middle to 3/4 area. The dialogue at times felt a little bit cringey as well.

The verdict: You'll like this if you enjoy magical powers, slow burn, enemies to lovers, forbidden romance, YA, and political intrigue.

Storygraph review to be posted 8/13 and Instagram post will be made upon publication.

I loved this so very much. It gave me the feeling of watching Bridgerton, except with magic! Royalty, scandal, political drama, this book gave it all. The writing is so very beautiful and whimsical. I was totally transported into the world that was created. Niamh reminds me of myself, someone who sacrifices for the people they love. The story between Niamh and Kit was utterly beautiful. I cannot recommend this book enough.

Thank you NetGalley for this INCREDIBLE ARC. I think this may be my favorite ARC I’ve ever received.

A fragile enchantment follows commoner and enchanted dress maker Niamh as she moves to the palace to make the royals the best of the best for the upcoming bc wedding season. Instead she meets the prince - Kit - who brings out her sass and edginess.

Through friendships (my favorites being her friendship with Sinclair and Rosa), love, and magic - this is an extremely cozy fantasy that made me feel alive. The writing was so visually appealing and I felt like I was within the story. This is a book that people will cuddle up next to the fire and read. It made me feel warm. The world building was extremely unique and I loved every second inside it. I can’t recommend this book for the feelings it gave alone!

My one critique was there was a touch of disability/ chronic illness rep with how Niamhs magic impacts her health. I thought the author could have explored this aspect better.

Either way - I 100% recommend buying this book when it comes out in January 2024!

The second I saw that I got approved for the arc I let out a slight scream. I was kicking my feet in the air, I was crying, I was on the edge of my seat this book had me going through every emotion imaginable. A Fragile Enchantment by Allison Saft has made it into my top romance books of all time.

Following Niamh a seamstress with the ability to infuse clothing with emotion and feeling and Kit is the prince who is being dragged to the alter. When I say Kit is the definition of 'prickly to everyone except sometimes her' I mean it. I loved reading about his character so much. He has me kicking my feet in the air and squeaking. I really appreciated how Saft wrote Kit's personality it was very different then most ways male love interest are written. We love a man who gets super flustered and red in the face.

If you like:
-Enemies to lovers
-Sunshine x Grumpy
-Whimsical romance
-Slow burn

Then you should pick up this book! Thank you NetGalley for the arc!

Trigger Warning for: Mentions of alcohol abuse, mentions of homophobia and homophobia related trauma

F*ck me, I guess.

This is my first time reading an Allison Saft novel; I met her once at the LA Festival of Books. She has a way with words, crafting magic and pictures seemingly effortlessly and each thought weaving perfectly with the next. It took me longer than I'd like to admit to have sat down with one of her books, and a Fragile Enchantment did not disappoint.

The romance is the center of this novel, slow churning and chugging through picture-perfect descriptions and effortless threads of magic. I was blow away by each line, falling quickly in love with the world. I found Niamh to be very relatable, the diligent daughter of a working class family, who is taking every opportunity out of the preservation of her family.

"Bringing shame to her family was the very last thing Niamh wanted to do," and DAMN is she fighting an uphill battle. The drama and the glitter of the royal court is as beautiful as it is volatile, dangerous, and uncharted territory for out protag.

Then we met Avaland, and the longing choked me. Stole my breath. The tension built between these characters felt so forbidden, so painful, and I relished every moment. Saft created flawed characters in a beautiful world, like faded gems on a intricate royal crown, who are learning to shine for themselves.

"It felt like a dream, a fairytale." And that's all I ever wanted.

Lets just say, at this point, I'm *more* than looking forward to reading anything else she puts out.

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.