Link to review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5657821557?book_show_action=false

An ARC of this novel was presented to me from Netgalley, the Author, and the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. My review is my own opinion and was not influenced by anyone.

If you are in charge of purchasing for your library, or any other shelf, purchase this book! This is a young adult fantasy with a dash of romance (no worries, nothing too X-rated) and a ton of politics, family drama, hints of social divide, and a very small ode to Bridgerton. This is a great novel that will appeal to young adult readers as well as your average reader who just wants a really good story.

Niamh is a wonderful designed/seamstress who weaves bits of her own magic into her garments. She's trying to support her family and wants to move on to bigger and better things, and the opportunity comes when she's asked to dress the wedding party in the neighboring kingdom. Sure, the two groups of people in these kingdoms don't get along, but Niamh is not worried about this. She's a bouncing, bubbling, happy person -- you know the kind.

So, it makes sense that she stumbles (yeah, she's constantly tripping and falling over) into Kit's life. Who is Kit? He's the duke, the second prince of the kingdom, the broody (yet gorgeous) grump that no one can really understand because he's such a grouch. But not Niamh... she begins to feel an instant connection to him and it is very clear that they're meant to be. The only problem: he's set to wed a princess from a foreign land and unite another group of kingdoms.

Yeah, there's lots of politics for a YA novel, but in a way that is pretty captivating. There is also a Bridgerton theme... a random mystery writer keeps discussing the politics of the kingdom. By the time you figure out who this is, it makes perfect sense. But it is very fun to go down that side-plot.

Now, if you think, well, what else is unique about this one? Can I just throw in that there are LGBT secondary characters that are pretty worthwhile?! I know they're not the "main characters" but they really do thoughtfully add to the overall story, the plot, and the general feeling of this book. I'd be happy to read a story entirely devoted to Sinclair, for example.

My favorite line.... "No good came from loving fragile things."

My only criticisms (because no book is ever perfect... well... mostly):
1) There are some moments where the story gets dense and lags here and there. You will notice, because you'll be thinking, less politics, more Kit and Niamh.

2) I know everyone is different, but the fact that Kit is a smoker kind of turned me off to him just a tiny, tiny bit. I don't enjoy smoker mouth. But hey, this is definitely a unique characteristic, and one that I haven't seen recently in YAL. Also... Niamh likes it, and that's what matters.

3) I am never going to like Jack. Even when you're supposed to like him, there's just something about him that rubs me the wrong way.

4) If we were going to tell Rosa's identity story, we needed a bit more. It seems like her revelation comes out of nowhere, but at the same time, you kind of see it coming. There's just a few paragraphs somewhere missing that fully flesh out this character. But, she's a great character!!

So again, 4 amazing stars. Please purchase this if you're remotely interested, because it truly is great. I think this will speak to many YAL readers, especially those who love fantasy and romance combined in the same genre.

I love Allison Saft. Down Comes the Night is a personal fav. I enjoyed this and found it very sweet, but it was maybe a little too sweet though. I found it a little try hard at times, it just wasn't really working for me. Still love Allison Saft, and I did enjoy this overall. But it's not her best.

5/5 stars
Recommended if you like: magic, chronically ill rep, Regency era, forbidden romance, LGBTQ+ rep

This review has been posted to Goodreads as of 7/5 and will be posted to my review blog 7/12 and to Instagram on 7/16.

I really like art-related magic and don't think it's used enough in fantasy. In this book, Niamh has the ability to imbue her clothing and embroidery creations with actual feelings and memories. On some occasions, she's also able to add additional magic to her clothing. I really enjoyed this aspect of the book and seeing the things Niamh created with her art and magic. I think I would've liked seeing a bit more of it, but we do get a decent amount.

The world the book takes place in has "divine blooded" people of all classes who posses magical gifts, such as Niamh's embroidery magic and the royal family's ability to control plants, but this magic tends to diminish over generations. Naturally, noble families with divine blood do their very best to marry other divinely blooded families in order to keep their magic strong. I thought this was a very seamless way to integrate magic and beliefs about magical abilities into a society that's already stratified by class. It felt like a very realistic outcome of what would happen if, historically, noble families did have magic.

I also liked the hints of history in the book. The real-world counterparts of the different countries are fairly obvious (Machland = Ireland, Avaland = England, Castilia = Spain, etc.), and a lot of the political relations between them are historically accurate (not entirely, but enough of them). At the same time, this feels like a distinct world with its own political goings-on.

Niamh has grown up in Machland and spent her life as a seamstress and practicing her family's magic. Desperate to give her mom and grandmother a better life, Niamh takes the invitation to Avaland despite the troubled history between the two countries, her grandmother's thoughts on the matter, and the risk to her own health (Niamh has a chronic joint? condition). She's determined and loyal and a bit self-sacrificing, risking both her happiness and her health to try and provide her family with this better chance. I liked Niamh's spunk and loyalty, and it makes her a good friend and defender.

While she wasn't alive when the conflict was going on, Niamh has seen the consequences of it her whole life, and isn't afraid to make her stance known. She likes the royal family (mostly), but struggles to reconcile what she sees of their actions with how they are in a more private setting and is continuously frustrated with their decision not to act. Niamh definitely pushes at the boundaries of things, but she is good at getting people to see different perspectives.

Sinclair is a semi-disgraced lord's son and Niamh's first friend in Avaland. He's a humorous character who shares Niamh's loyalty and frustration with the current status quo. I liked their interactions and the lightness Sinclair brings to scenes. He's also a veritable fount of information about court and helps guide Niamh through the intricacies of Avaland's aristocracy.

Kit is the younger of the two princes and is prickly all around. He is downright mean at times, though Niamh often doesn't let him get away with it, but for the most part he's just prickly. Underneath is all he's got a heart of gold and can be just as loyal to his friends as Niamh and Sinclair are. Really, he just kind of needs to learn better emotional regulation and he'd probably be fine, lol. I do like Kit and enjoy his character and (most) of his interactions with the others.

Princess Rosa is Kit's betrothed and is a bit of a Wednesday Addams character, preferring rainy days and black clothing, among other things. She isn't all that interested in getting married but knows it's her political duty and she comes across as relatively unaffected by most things. Her lady's maid/best friend is Miriam, who's disposition is a lot sunnier. Miriam and Niamh make quick sort-of friends, and Miriam is steadfastly dedicated to Rosa.

Jack is the prince regent and is kind of slippery to pin down. He's outwardly kind to Niamh, but he won't listen to the Machland workers' demands, and he's cagey about a lot of things. Sofia, princess and Jack's wife, also doesn't get a ton of page time, but she seems nice, if lonely.

The anonymous gossip columnist, Lovelace, was the main mystery of the story. Each Season they publish a rag detailing the mistakes and juicy gossip of the aristocracy, ranging from romantic mishaps to political opinions. Everyone reads the column and what's written there can greatly harm someone's chances of success. Niamh, Kit, and Sinclair are all targeted at various points by Lovelace, though Jack is the most frequent target overall and the column often comments on his political inaction. The mystery of who Lovelace was was actually a difficult one to figure out. There were a lot of really good options to pick from and I was genuinely surprised when I found out who they were.

Overall, I definitely recommend this book if you're looking for a light, Regency-era fantasy. I enjoyed the characters and their relationships, and reading about Niamh's magic. Lovelace was a fun little addition to the story that added some tension on top of the politics.

I had high hopes for this novel and started out strong. But, as I read more, I grew disenchanted with both the characters and the worldbuilding. The protagonist started to grate on my nerves a third of the way through and I stopped caring about the main romance.

As for the worldbuilding, my knowledge of European history worked against my enjoyment. It’s clear that the plot was inspired by the relationship between Ireland and England during the Great Hunger. I initially thought “Oh, how neat!” because I love Irish history. However, as I read more it was clear that they just changed the names of the countries to be more *fantasy* and nothing else. It didn’t feel unique and I grew bored. I started skimming halfway through just so I could get the book over with.

I’m incredibly sad that I didn’t enjoy A Fragile Enchantment more. I don’t think it is a bad book; it just wasn’t the book for me. Thanks to Netgalley and Wednesday Books for providing me an e-galley in exchange for an honest review

5/5
I laughed, I cried, I swooned. Allison Saft has brought me the fantasy historical romance of my dreams. Tender and intimate, with a magic that envelops you like a perfectly tailored jacket. A Fragile Enchantment lifts its thorny exterior to uncover a plethora of hidden blooms from its vivid characters to its emotion fraught regency setting. This is the romance of the year and its exploration of addiction, loneliness, and legacy is sure to leave its mark on readers of any age.

Absolutely perfect for fans of historical romance, the dynamics of Bridgerton, or those looking to delve more into the genre!

Full review to come on my blog!

"Her heart beat. Her lungs swelled with air. Life was here, right in front of her."

Thank you to Netgalley for the digital advanced reader copy!

A whimsical and cozy standalone fantasy, Allison Saft's newest book (01.30.2024) just about perfectly balances elements of fantasy, romance, magic, political intrigue, and oppression and family - both in pacing and emphasis. Complete with representation not dissimilar to her 2022 release (A Far Wilder Magic): a briefly implied Jewish Spanish woman, and a handful of queer characters, all shimmer like the divine-blooded under the spotlight in this novel, diving into the relationship between what appears to be a magical version of Ireland and Great Britain.

A Fragile Enchantment heavily explores themes of what it means to live, to truly experience life

as well as a romance that, at first, appears to be quite unexpected, despite the cover art. With a dazzling thread of strongly structured plot, threaded through the needle that is Allison Saft's enchanting writing style used to sew together the fabric of every detail, every romantic scene, every gesture, Saft guides the reader through the resulting story full of life, love, longing, and yearning, that is just as magical, just as heartbreaking and just as powerful as any single garment that Niamh Ó Conchobhair could sew by hand, imbuing the novel with all the emotions and care that were so meticulously described as the result of Niamh's own magical craft.

Ebook received for free through NetGalley

I absolutely adored this story, the characters, the land, and everything else. I wouldn’t mind a second book to follow along for longer. Thanks for the read.

Sooo, read this if you need another Kate-and-Anthony story from Bridgerton.

Brimming with magic, yearning, and some of the most enchanting descriptions of clothing I've read, A FRAGILE ENCHANTMENT is the book of the season. Niamh is a divine-blooded seamstress tasked with designing a prince and his begrudgingly-betrothed fiancée's wedding outfits. She arrives in Avaland hoping to make her family's future brighter, but with no expectations for herself; except, perhaps, to stay out of trouble.

Prince Christopher "Kit" Carmine might as well be the definition of trouble. Brooding, bitter, and more than a little belligerent towards Niamh, the two should have no reason to like one another. But as the wedding grows closer, both political and emotional secrets will be revealed.

In other words, read this book if you enjoy:
✨ grumpy x sunshine
✨ politics & romance brought into one
✨ enchanted dresses
✨ a stunning, well-developed cast of characters
✨ slow-burn

The only reason I didn't give this book five stars is that I felt like some aspects of court politics went underdeveloped. There's a lot of strain and plot development put on the political relationship between the Maclish and Avaland, yet it seems as if the kingdom of Avaland has a lot more serious matters at hand than just the feelings of the Maclish. Aside from the main character being Maclish and the horrors that the King subjected the Maclish people to, I'm shocked that specific issue had taken center stage, especially by the book's end.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I want to extend my deepest thanks to NetGalley, Allison Saft, and St. Martin's Press in exchange for an honest review.

after rating saft's debut a 5-star, i went into this thinking i'd love it, but i think i'm just in over my head with this genre. i liked the idea & enjoyed the uniqueness in niamh's magic, and also in kit & jacks. but i don't personally enjoy regency romance & found some of the recurring themes/tropes to be a little annoying ('he can't love me, i'm just a lowly common girl whoa is me,' 'i'm so silly and ridiculous, i don't deserve anything,' etc). the lack of consonants and continuted talk of manners and 'how one should behave' was just unnatural to me as someone who finds so much empowerment in the exact opposite; people, women especially, acting boldly and authentically. there was no real emotional pull, just surface-level mentions of things that told the reader they should feel rather than why.

i liked rosa & sofia as characters, but that's really it, and as side characters they were rather unexplored. with what little we got, they were jaded and interesting, and had an endearing quality in the internal conflict they felt handling their troubles. i feel like each character was meant to have that sort of depth, & why it was successful in rosa & sofia but not kit, jack, niamh, or sinclair was because the lack of/shallow exploration can be overlooked for them as side characters, unlike the two mcs & the “antagonist” + “confidante”. additionally, i believe this book was marketed as the gossip column blackmailing niamh into unearthing the royal family’s secrets but that just didn’t really happen at all. lovelace left her alone for the most part aside from petty, vague social class digs that only she recognized because it was anonymous. there was no anticipation in the scene

i sort of liked kit in the beginning, when there was still a lot of potential and mystery in him as a character, but i found the romance to be underwhelming. i kept waiting for the book to start. i was never really immersed. i did like the greenhouse scene though. (i did like the greenhouse scene though; it more effectively touched on the whimsy, personality, & longing of these two opposing characters, their values, & how they could begin to intertwine).

i wanted to see myself in niamh as someone who feels everything so deeply, but she didn't resonate with me. i don't find the abnegation and imposed selflessness of niamh endearing, & we never really saw how she cared about her family, her work, her culture, etc. i didn't care for sinclair or jack, who felt more like bland aids in the mcs’ journeys than characters themselves. i also wasn't invested in the worldbuilding in avlish or machlish history, and <spoiler>after kit realized he liked niamh, he lost his charm and was less a character than a love interest, as unfair as that may be to say considering that's literally what he is lol. just that he lost all other aspects in his infatuation with niamh, who at times just came across as ordinary (yet treated the opposite) and self-deprecating. </spoiler> as for niamh’s health, while being a cool, casual reflection of people with disabilities’ conflicting feelings with life & their bodies, it was pretty glossed-over. it never really came up or was acknowledged outside of niamh’s own thoughts, and even then it was scarce. i did really appreciate the idea & subtle bi rep though.

i think usually there are other pulls that resonate with me regardless of shortcomings (plot makes up for characters, writing makes up for plot, etc), but i didn’t find any here. for returning readers of this genre, this book might be absolutely enrapturing, but it just wasn't my thing. i really appreciate the ARC though <3

also, i came across what i believe to be typos on pages 40, 52, 197, 233, & 246. there may have been a couple others as well, but i dismissed them under the notion i may just not understand the grammar of certain sentences lol.

two quotes that stuck out to me:
<spoiler>"Perhaps she didn't know the bite of cruelty herself, but she recognized the shape of the scars it left behind." (45)</spoiler>
<spoiler>"You have a way of drawing things out of people, of bringing what they wish to keep hidden into the light. . . . I believe that is your true gift, not your sewing." (164)</spoiler>

Allison Saft crafts a Regency England-inspired fantasy world, reminiscent of Bridgerton, with her new book, “A Fragile Enchantment.” With a love story as devastatingly romantic as Kate and Anthony’s, readers will be enchanted with protagonist Niamh and her spell-binding creations in this YA fantasy romance.

Niamh, a popular seamstress/dressmaker who imbues enchantments in all of her wares, is hired by the Prince Regent and commissioned to complete wedding wear for his younger brother, the groom, Prince Kit Carmine, and his betrothed, Infanta Rosa. Niamh quickly finds herself getting acquainted with court politics, as tensions are brought to a head between Machlish staff and the Prince Regent, who is desperately hiding something from his brother and the rest of the court. Niamh is propositioned by Lovelace, an anonymous gossip rag writer (again, reminiscent of Lady Whistledown) to help uncover the intentions of the Prince Regent and groom. Amidst the broiling pressures of an impending conflict between Machlish workers and the Crown, Niamh finds herself drawn to Prince Kit, despite her efforts to stay away.

Saft crafts a bewitching novel that delivers on tropes romance readers crave: enemies to lovers, grumpy/sunshine, and forbidden love. Saft’s lyrical writing adds an additional layer of whimsy to this tale, that it’s difficult not to get swept away in this story of longing and intrigue. (Niamh’s final creation - the groom’s wedding cloak - and all of her intentions that were weaved into it had me misty-eyed!) The author also expertly intertwines themes of mental health, addiction, systemic oppression, and familial trauma, while never losing focus of the love story between Niamh and her prince.

“A Fragile Enchantment” is a must-read for Bridgerton fans and romance readers alike who are looking for a heart-felt, magical tale about love overruling duty.

[Thank you to NetGalley & Wednesday Books for the e-ARC of “A Fragile Enchantment” by Allison Saft, in exchange for my honest review.]

Simply put, Allison Saft's third novel is yet another wonderful read.

While Niamh and Kit remain at forefront, their trials unfold against the backdrops of a unique magic system and intricate world building. Furthermore, strong secondary characters and multi-faceted relationships between characters helped to ground the novel even more. With twists and turns that both delight and keep the reader guessing, A FRAGILE ENCHANTMENT blends the tropes and genre conventions of Regency romance and YA fantasy to craft a truly enjoyable, heartfelt story. Five stars.

Thank you Netgalley for providing me with an eARC.

What a fun easy read! I loved the couple and their whimsical magic. My favourite character was Sinclair though, He stole every scene he was in and deserves a spin off a la Bridgerton!

A sweet, Austen-esque romance with some fun magical hints and best of all, chronic pain representation! While I wasn’t as attached to these characters as I was to the last Allison Saft book I read, I can see a lot of people enjoying this, particularly fans of Bridgerton.

I think this had such an interesting premise but I don't think it was executed as good as it should've been. The details and world building were whimsical but Niamh and the other characters felt a bit stiff and the magic system felt wooden. Most things didn't feel fleshed out and it made it hard to enjoy. A very low 3 star.

allison saft!!!

this book was one of my most anticipated reads, and rightfully so! this is truly my dream historical romance. the story is so intimate and lovely, and like always, allison saft and created a world with magic that is warm and delicate!!

Absolutely delightful! The politics, the romance, and the fantasy are intricately woven to create a charming story about loving not only others, but yourself as well. The prose was elegant, but read quickly and easily. I finished this in a single night---I couldn't put it down.

Allison Saft knows exactly how to do young adult longing. It's honestly maddening how well she does it.

Niamh is a dressmaker with magical abilities, and Kit is the prince who is about to get married to someone he doesn't know. Niamh is hired to make both the bride's gown and Kit's suit, and although Kit is grumpy, they fall in love and it is adorable.

Now, A Far Wilder Magic was one of my FAVORITE reads of last year, so could not wait to get my hands on this as I fully expected this to be a 5 star read for me. Unfortunately, where it fell down was that the world building is just too close to actual historical events with the serial numbers filed off, and those real world events are too traumatic to be the backdrop of a YA fantasy romance.

Niamh is clearly meant to be Irish, Kit is English, his bride-to-be is Spanish (she even speak actual Spanish in the novel), and the princess's lady in waiting is a Sephardic Jew. Kit's older brother is a regent in place of a mad king (i.e. the actual Regency period), and Niamh's home has just gotten over "the Blight", which yes, is the Potato Famine. I just don't see an Irish commoner being gung ho about marrying an English prince immediately post potato famine. Maybe I'm overthinking it, but the parallels were *too* obvious to ignore and it totally pulled me out of the world.

That being said, I loved the romance. I also loved the disability rep in Niamh, and the respectful treatment of alcoholism in the book. I think if you can set aside the very obvious historicalness of this and just focus on the magic and the romance, I think you'll love it too.

Thank you for the ARC, Wednesday Books and NetGalley!

The cover on this book is stunning and is what drew me to it immediately. The story is pretty standard, with YA writing and a basic plot. There's nothing surprising in the book, and I found myself skimming it often.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. 🩷
A Fragile Enchantment is a Bridgerton-esqe historical fiction love story with added elements of magic. The main character is so easy to love and it makes her forbidden love story so endearing. It had a tasteful amount of romance, witty banter, friendship that left a feel-good aura through the pages. The challenges the characters faced made this more than just a predictable love story. This really ticked all the boxes for me and I loved the magical elements to add another layer of intrigue to an already cool plot. I kept waiting for a line or section that would make it seem cringey or break my immersion but that never happened! If you love enemies-lovers, grumpy sunshine, and political intrigue tropes, this is for you!

This sweet YA romance almost brings me to a Bridgerton style world. It’s fun and light hearted with a A simple touch of magic.
The only downside for me was the scandal that brings the pair together.

Other than that the book is a great read!