Allison Saft never disappoints! This book was just as good as Down Goes the Night. I loved the characters, the setting, the romance. All of it!

The only thing more fragile than the enchantment was the king's ego.

Niamh is a seamstress with the ability to weave enchantments into her creations, but her gift is also a curse. When she is commissioned to make the clothes for the royal wedding, she must overcome gossip columnists, royal secrets, and her own mortality, all with the help of a prince who harbors his own secrets.

Pros: I really liked the magic system in this book. It was very unique and I would have liked to see it explored even more. I also liked the duality of Lovelace the gossip columnist and enjoyed that big reveal.

Cons: I didn't feel much of a connection to most of the characters and would've liked them to be more fleshed out. While there were big plot points, I would've liked to feel more engaged.

Overall, this was an intriguing concept with a unique magic system that left me wanting more. I would recommend this book for fans of Bridgerton and fantasy.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with an advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest opinions.

🧵🧵🧵🧷
3.5/5 enchanted threads (rounded up)

AUUUUGH I’m so upset I didn’t like this very much, because I LOVE Saft’s other books 💔 I think my biggest problem was the main characters. I didn’t really like them, and I didn’t buy their romance. And I HATE that I feel that way 😭😭😭 BUT, this one, like Saft’s other books, is incredibly atmospheric and magical. She does a great job at creating unique, whimsical worlds, and I liked the fairytale aspect of this one. I won’t reread it, but I am incredibly grateful to NetGalley for the ARC 🫶 And trust I will be reading Saft’s next book, because hopefully I’ll like it more than this one lol

I have avoided writing my review of A Fragile Enchantment for a while, not because I didn’t love this book, but because I love it so much that I wasn’t ready to part with it yet. Of course it will always be there for me, ready to sweep me away whenever I need an escape, but I’ll never get to experience this beautiful book for the first time ever again. I recently discovered Saft’s books while searching for standalone YA fantasy - I was looking for books but I found treasure. A Fragile Enchantment is a stunning story of love of all kinds, against all odds. It inspires words like longing, wistful, hopeful, & dreamy. I smiled, I laughed, & I definitely cried more than once. In my mind, this story is a period piece produced by Focus Features, right alongside Pride & Prejudice (2005) & Emma (2020).

A Fragile Enchantment is a story of found family & good trouble. It’s a story that reminds the reader of all the ways that we are human & complicated & well beyond a simple binary of good & bad. To put it simply, this book is like a love letter to all our faults that makes us beautifully human.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press/Wednesday Books & NetGalley for sending me an advanced digital copy of this book for review. (No…seriously…THANK YOU.) All thoughts & opinions expressed are my own.

This was a really cute enemies to lovers story. I thought that the setting and characters were unique and compelling, and I enjoyed/understood the magic system well. Overall, this isn't anything out of this world crazy but it is a fun, pretty lighthearted story that was really enjoyable to read!

This was my first time reading an Allison Saft book, and I have come out the other side a complete fan!

The blurb alone caught my interest. This is a lovely romantic fantasy set in a society with regency vibes. It has fun cozy worldbuilding for the magic system and political factions, and I never felt overwhelmed with all the lore and information you gradually pick up as a reader.

The first half of the book is a slow burn, enemies-to-lovers, with SO MUCH pining. The second half spirals into hurt/comfort, mystery and political intrigue, with a satisfying love-conquers-all kinda ending. The plot twists were somewhat predictable, but that fell in line with the cozy vibes of the book.

I was extremely surprised and so happy to see how queer several characters were! Both main characters are bi, with many more queer side characters. There is also mentions of past-alcoholism for a character, and how that's affected them in the current day, which I thought was tastefully done.

I highly recommend this book!

What a cute and cozy romance fantasy read! It was a full of all my favourite tropes - enemies to lovers, grumpy vs. sunshine, forbidden romance, royal politics, found family, and magic.

What I loved about this book:
- Niamh was such a sweetheart character and Kit was perfectly grumpy and sarcastic.
- The chapter following the "rain storm" was just perfection and had my heart swooning.
- It was refreshing to read a character like Niamh who had a big heart and the best intentions, but who lacked finesse in her scheme executions lol. It added some humour and fun to the storyline. She felt so real in how she approached things instead of turning into some devious mastermind the second she joins the court like character's in other books.
- Interesting and unique magic abilities for the main characters of the story.
- Sinclair was such a fun character! When he was first introduced I was worried about a love triangle, but he was the perfect comedic addition to the story.

What I didn't love about this book:
- The world building took a bit of a backseat in this book to focus on the plot and character exploration. I found myself a bit lost with the conflicts between kingdoms and some of the royal drama due to this.
- I was happy with the book conclusion, but wish there had been an epilogue or something to tie up all the loose ends. Especially related to Niamh's illness. I feel like this wasn't fully explained or wrapped up.
- I definitely prefer dual POV in romance books, especially the enemies to lovers since it really gives the reader the perspective of when the hate turns to love. In this book, I felt like the romance was a bit one sided at times since we didn't get to delve into Kit's inner thoughts and only got to really set Niamh do the fighting for them. And a POV from Kit this would've been a trip I'm sure with all his quirks and sass.
- The third act break-up was weak in my opinion and this is just a pet peeve of mine.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC!

<i>a fragile enchantment</i> is my third allison saft book in four days, which alone says a lot since i'm not necessarily in a reading slump, but i feel like i was going towards one. i like that saft's characters are almost always just idiots who are trying to do the right thing. in this one's case, it's trying to do the right thing policy wise, but there's also trying to do the right thing relationship wise and i just wanted to read about people finally do the selfish thing to be happy for once.

I am grateful to netgalley for letting me review this book - but unfortunately, it was not for me.
Any comparison to Bridgerton is supremely misguided, there is none of the charm, wit, and passion in A Fragile Enchantment that there is in the beloved series. To begin with the writing is very, very young YA, with short, simple sentences, and there is no subtlety or complexity to anyone's thoughts or actions. I liked the idea of the magic system but I would say that is just about the only thing I enjoyed. The setting is an AU of Britain and Ireland, with the same resentment that has existed historically between the two lands, and I wished that the author had made more of an effort with world building - either make it Britain and Ireland with magic, or do more than just change a few names but leave everything familiar.
The main characters are both incredibly dull - Niamh is so uninteresting that I would have been fine if she went back to her little village life and was never heard from again. Kit was boring and rude, and the relationship between them comes out of nowhere.
The problem might be that there is too many bits and pieces going on and none of them get developed enough - let's see, there is some LGBTQ+ thrown in, problems between the Avlish (British) and the Machlish (Irish), Lady Whistled- I mean, Lovelace and the Tattler, the blackmail plot, magic that affects the health of the heroine, class tensions, and a large, Bridgerton-esque cast that makes for too much covered in too shallow a manner.
This is an excellent first draft of a story - even if geared toward a very young YA audience, it should have gone through several rounds of editing in order to be a better story.

This was a cute enemies to lovers! Unique and quirky. I really enjoyed this book but I didn’t love it as much as I hoped I would. I definitely recommend this if you’re looking for something with a fun magic system that’s a bit more light hearted!

"A Fragile Enchantment" by Allison Saft is a captivating romantic fantasy of manners that transports readers to a beautifully crafted world filled with magic, intrigue, and love. Set against the backdrop of a Regency England-inspired setting, this novel weaves together elements of enchantment, political intrigue, and forbidden romance to create a story that is both immersive and enchanting.

The protagonist, Niamh Ó Conchobhair, is a talented dressmaker who possesses the rare ability to weave emotions and memories into fabric. Her magical gift, however, comes with a heavy price—her own life. Determined to secure a better future for her family, Niamh seizes the opportunity to design the wardrobe for a royal wedding in the neighboring kingdom of Avaland. What follows is a tale of unexpected friendship and burgeoning romance with Kit Carmine, the groom of the royal wedding.

Saft's writing is exquisite, capturing the essence of a bygone era while infusing it with magical elements that create a unique and enchanting atmosphere. The chemistry between Niamh and Kit is palpable, and their evolving relationship is portrayed with depth and sensitivity. The novel beautifully explores themes of societal class divide, political maneuvering, and the sacrifices individuals make for their loved ones.

As Niamh and Kit navigate the complexities of their feelings and the secrets that surround the royal family, readers are treated to a story filled with twists, turns, and moments of emotional resonance. The mysterious gossip columnist adds an element of suspense and intrigue, keeping the reader engaged until the very end.

"A Fragile Enchantment" is not only a romance, but also a tale of empowerment and resilience. Niamh's determination to create a better life for her family, even in the face of her own mortality, is inspiring and adds a layer of depth to her character. The world-building is rich and immersive, allowing readers to fully immerse themselves in the world of Avaland.

Overall, "A Fragile Enchantment" is a beautifully written and enthralling novel that combines elements of fantasy, romance, and political intrigue. Allison Saft's storytelling prowess shines through in this captivating tale, making it a delightful read for fans of historical fantasy and romantic fiction alike.

Thank you netgalley for an ARC of this book!

I really tried to get into this book because the synopsis made it seem right up my alley. Unfortunately it was really slow paced for me and I did not connect with the characters at all.
I think this book definitely could be for some people, but it wasn’t for me.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

This is a really charming book! I loved the writing and the magic system, enjoyed the characters and the romance was really cute (and the side couple, that i wish i had more of them!). There was not much i really disliked about it (mostly just some actions of some characters at the end) but i feel like there was still something missing for me to truly feel attached to the story. Maybe i just didnt read it at the right moment.

Overall, it was a fun read that i would recommend to anyone who likes a cozy romantic fantasy. And i will definitely pick other books from the author! Really looking foward her next release.

It was a cozy and sweet romance. Kit and niamh have a slow but steady chemistry, and though I admit I expected rose the princess to be in love with someone the fact that it was her hand maiden was a sweet twist.
To me rose was the perfect romantic rival for this story you don’t meet many romantic rivals who do not care about the same man they’re competing about

Review: A Fragile Entanglement
Author: Allison Saft

Rating: ⭐️⭐️ ⭐️ 3/5

This was a truly beautiful story. It was captivating, and lovely.
I would describe this as Bridgeton with magic. The only thing I struggle with was I felt like it was a little to long, and yet the ending wrapped up a little to quickly.
I loved Niamh and Kits romance, I thought it was emotional and engaging- but the stories that surrounded it lacked the same draw.

All things considered- I did enjoy this book and I thought it was truly beautiful in many ways.

A Fragile Enchantment is everything I never knew I needed but now can't live without. The romantic tension of Bridgerton meets whimsical, unique magic in this swoon-worthy story about a young woman who is desperate to save her family -- even at the cost of her own happiness. While I absolutely adored the romance and high-society setting in this, what really resonated with me was the deeper emotional themes of self-discovery and self-love in this book.

I'm 10000% convinced I will never ever ever dislike a book written by Allison Saft, and I can't wait to read her future work!

I loved the drama this book brought. I loved the almost fork in the road situation where it's either do what's in your brain or in your heart. I loved the ending though.

Allison Saft is an instant buy/read for me. While this book was very good, it was not one of my favorites from her.

To start, Saft is excellent at creating amazing and unique magical worlds. It almost makes me sad that her books are standalone because they’re so enticing I want to read about all the angles of the magic system and political strife. She also creates incredibly deep, unapologetic and flawed characters. While I felt the character Kit was much like this and true to his brooding, I was sad to feel that Niamh felt generic and cookie-cutter for a female lead in a fantasy.

In fact, the entire book felt simpler. Most of Saft’s books are complex and almost cinematic in the writing. Whereas this one, the writing felt much simpler and breezy. Not saying that’s a bad thing, just not what I typically expect from an Allison Saft book.

Overall, my main complaint is with the ending. After Saft built up all these gripping storylines, it felt like we breezed past the issues a little too easily to reach a conclusion. There were even some conflicts that didn’t even seem addressed at the end.
However, I still enjoyed my time and will be recommending it to others.

I really enjoyed A Far Wilder Magic, so I was looking forward to this one! My favorite part is definitely Niamh as the main character. I love how she's feminine and caring yet strong. Her magic is such an interesting ability, and it’s fun to read about. Princess Rosa is also a character that really intrigued me, and I like the way Saft characterized her. I also like the Ireland vs England inspired conflict/worldbuilding, though I wish Saft had put a little more of a fantasy spin on it.

Unfortunately, I just really don’t like Kit as a character or a love interest, which kept me from really enjoying the romance aspect. I usually like the stern characters that actually have a heart of gold, but I didn't really see Kit's heart of gold. He’s just so cold and rude that when he had rare glimpses of good, it just didn't make up for it for me. I felt like I was being told, "He's actually kind!" all the time without ever actually seeing it. I know so many people loved this book, but because I couldn't get behind the romance, it was just okay for me.

Netgalley gave me a digital copy of this book (thanks guys!) so here are my thoughts on it:

Wasn't really my jam tbh. Very romance-led, not as many fantasy elements as I had hoped for. That said, I didn't want to give this book a one star rating only due to it not matching my personal tastes and it did have some good aspects that I enjoyed.

What I liked:
The setting and magic system- pretty cool and interesting to read about. I wished there was actually more of the magic enveloped in the story and more/better explanation about the war with Machland. Plus, she had such a cool type of magic, threading literal feelings/memories into clothes, i was kind of hoping for some other unique types of magic but was kind of let down. A map would have been helpful too. The setting felt very Jane Austen to me which was cool but also felt inconsistent at times with the way they spoke. Like sometimes they sounded very posh and formal and others a bit too modern to match. I was worried this was gonna feel like a pride and prejudice redo kind of deal but it felt very different and fresh; I think the magic and political elements definitely helped.

Infanta Rosa- I think she was the only character I truly liked. She was funny but actually smart and I just like hearing her point of view through her dialogue.

What was eh:
the characters- maybe it was just me but I wasn't a huge fan of any of them. Like Niahm (I probably spelled it wrong I'm soooorry) was fine but made a lot of dumb choices. And Kit was just...I don't know, kind of boring. He was grumpy and moody at first and then gets totally mushy but it still felt boring. Too sudden, I think. Maybe I'm just a sucker for the super slow build romances that take like three books to develop but i just wasn't feeling it with this one. To be fair, I did dip out of this one early, it got a little too risque for my taste (heads up for others who aren't into reading that stuff either: there's at least one explicit scenes, im not sure if there's more or to what degree because I stopped reading but I read up to around 70% of the book before it got there) so that was also disappointing for me too. I guess I thought it would be safer in that route due to the setting and vibe I got from the description but oh well.

Anyways, overall I just didn't feel totally connected with the characters and found the romance between the two mcs to be bland.