A charming YA fantasy romance standalone in a Regency setting with a touch of whimsical magic and politics.

The world of this book is a thinly veiled Europe. The English, the Irish, the Spanish, etc. It’s YA, so I understand readers might not be overly familiar with the history, but I think it would be better to have either been set in an alternate version of our world, or just make the world completely different/new.

Niamh is a little conventional for a YA fantasy heroine. She’s so petite! And feisty! She says what’s on her mind! But she’s lowborn (gasp). Same goes for Kit, too. He’s mean, but only because he really cares! He’s a prince, but he’s disenchanted about the establishment! However, it is noted that he is short, so that makes him stand out from the collection of very tall YA heroes.

I’m going to call out some content in this book: the smoking. Kit smokes. A lot. He’s a recovering alcoholic, and I understand smoking often comes with the territory, but there’s only one comment about it being a vice. Given this is YA, I think Kit’s incessant smoking could be a little less glamorized.

What I did appreciate was how Niamh’s chronic illness is treated. There is no magical cure; it is just is what it is, and I like how we got to see Niamh’s internal struggle and how Kit reacts to her condition. I think Niamh may have lupus or something similar? It was slightly triggering for me, but I felt seen and took solace in how the book handles it. I hate when fantasy books present a miraculous solution to an illness… we don’t get that in real life.

Side note: there’s a lot of LGBTQIA+ rep here. The main characters are bi, and the side characters are gay.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC! All opinions are my own.

This was such a cute read! All of the characters were developed so tenderly; I could feel the emotion in the writing. Niamh especially stole my heart; she was immensely likable and relatable. The magic system as a whole felt a little underdeveloped, but I absolutely loved Niamh’s magic! It was very unique and truly beautiful.

The romance was very sweet. I thought the grumpy/sunshine trope was done very well, with Kit still being likable despite his foreboding personality. However, there was a lack of communication between Niamh and Kit near the end of the book that annoyed me and made me lose some of my investment in their relationship. Also, I would have liked to see more interactions between the two of them, as their relationship didn’t feel as compelling as I wanted it to. It wasn’t quite insta-love, but I would have liked a little slower pacing of the romantic developments.

The plot: It was okay. I’m not the biggest fan of books where the love interest is engaged to someone else and “scandal” plays a huge part in the plot, but I thought it was still done well. There wasn’t much of a plot in general (which I didn’t really mind, I was here for the romance) until the end of the book, which felt quite rushed and confusing. There was one reveal that surprised me, and then a bunch of things happened that seemed unnecessary. I feel like things could have been resolved better if the characters had just communicated more with each other.

Finally, the writing: it was amazing! I love Allison Saft’s writing so much! It is very atmospheric and flowery without turning into purple prose.

Even though I didn’t love everything in A Fragile Enchantment, I still enjoyed it immensely! It probably would have been closer to a 5 star read for me if I didn’t have A Far Wilder Magic (one of my favorite books of all time written by the same author) to compare it to.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press & Wednesday Books (& Netgalley) for the e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

Allison Saft delivers a truly magical fantasy historical romance. The magic system throughout was very intriguing. The ability to imbue clothing with enchantments seems so marvelous. The story unfolded rather nicely however I felt like the ending was a bit rushed...and certain events seemed unrealistic for how the characters would have acted up until that point. Additionally I have other thoughts about the MC but I won't go into detail as to not spoil the story.

This story shines in its consideration of mental health issues, familial trauma, and systemic oppression. It's gently and purposefully intertwined into the storyline - despite its main focus being the love story. The "Bridgerton" dynamics also made me chuckle. I feel like that could have been developed a little more considering how influential the "Tattler" is on society.

All in all it was a sweet quaint fantasy historical romance. A definite cozy read for the winter season (as it's out in January).

First- Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this prior to release.

I. Loved. This. Book.
Such a cozy, feel good story. I was loving the classic fairytale feel.

Niamh, a dressmaker, is a charming and relatable character who just so happens to fall (both literally and figuratively) for a handsome young prince with a thorny disposition; think Cinderella, but with a twist.
Oh, and Sinclair? 10/10 side character. His wittiness pulled me in right from the start, and who doesn’t love a good instigator?

The storyline was likeable, to the point, and lacked any unnecessary fluff. Would absolutely recommend reading!

Here's the thing: I really wanted to love this book. I was so excited to read it because the ideas Allison Saft weaved together are stunning. Forbidden romance? Magic that can be woven into the fabric of clothing? Royalty and the political intrigue that comes from being in a royal position? Yes, please, I'll have all of that.

Unfortunately, I felt like the execution could have been much better, which is the primary reason for my rating of 2 stars. Throughout the first quarter of the book, the author did make an effort to drop little bits of information, but the world-building attempts mostly felt surface level and shallow. Specifically, there was nothing that emotionally connected me to the descriptions of the Avlish or Machlish people. The Avlish and Machlish are divided and there's strain between them, but there's less about WHAT makes them so divided. Instead, I felt as.a reader I was simply being told, "They don't like each other" but without giving additional context or nuance. I also wished there was a little more sprinkled in about what makes the Avlish and Machlish culture unique to its respective party.

The characters certainly could have also been more nuanced. While reading many of the scenes, the characters involved seemed like caricatures. Sadly, the writing of the main protagonist, Niam, also seemed to suffer from surface level syndrome. For example, she takes the job at the palace to provide for her family, but then there's not really anything written in the book to really emotionally connect you to her purpose. After all, we basically know nothing about her family's traditions, their magic, their memories, etc. How did she become who she is today? What is her family like? Why was this such a big internal motive for her? I felt similarly with the other main character, Kit. We know some facts about him: he’s a recovering alcoholic, he has a strained relationship with his brother. But all of this is explained to the reader in a way that doesn’t make me feel anything. Rather, it's like processing a strict of facts.

Because of this, it’s really hard - in turn - to have a high emotional stake in the plot as a reader.

Lastly, there seemed to be a lot of loose ends to the plot. Political unrest or other scandals are mentioned, and then never come back up again. Overall, there were a lot of plot lines that seemed like false starts - as if there was uncertainty about which of these multiple serious conflicts would actually end up being the main conflict with some kind of satisfying resolution.

With all of that being said, Allison Saft has a way for writing romance scenes that really make my stomach drop with longing. That is the silver lining of this read for me. And again, the idea of this story was beautiful. I just wish it had lived up to those magical, high expectations!

thank you netgalley for the arc !

˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ 5/5 stars ✩࿐

read if you like:
♡ enemies to lovers
♡ grumpy x sunshine
♡ bridgerton, regency inspired setting
♡ forbidden love
♡ an anonymous scandal sheet à la lady whistledown & gossip girl

⁀➷ swathed in sparkling magic, stitched with lulling prose and a darling romance unspooling through its filaments, allison saft has outdone herself with the very fabric of a fragile enchantment, so nimbly tailored to a regency inspired setting. for any bridgerton lovers who have a thirst for something in that vein, look no further and slake yourselves here.

⁀➷ in a stroke of good fortune and thanks to the fruit of her labour as a magical dressmaker, niamh ó conchobhair has been summoned to the neighbouring kingdom avaland’s court to assemble a wardrobe for a royal wedding. needing no encouragement whatsoever, niamh summarily sets off to better the lives of her loved ones - for soon she will no longer be in a position to do so. the same magic coursing through her veins with which she creates these impossible articles of clothing is also eating away at her life-force. now, as she arrives on the shores of avaland, it’s become more than clear to her that for all her imaginings, it is not the romantic oasis she had in mind. rather, civil unrest is bursting at the seams of every street as the cosseted aristocracy while away their time in idle balls and the like. she’s even disenchanted with the man of the hour himself, the groom and second prince kit carmine, who regards her as disdainfully as he does the impending wedding. as the two of them chafe against one another only to then draw together against all odds - they’re quickly mired in suspicions looks thanks to an anonymous scandal sheet which has turned to blackmailing them as well.

⁀➷ sensitive, inexhaustibly sweet niamh feels beholden to her family who suffered through a genocide and then rose up in rebellion to secure a future for posterity. in the face of such wholesale trauma, she feels that her own strife is a mere trifle, thus enduring everything with a grateful, indebted smile on her face. and yet, in spite of niamh’s even-temperedness, the truculent kit brings out a blazing fire in her, as the two of them exchange words as heated as a house-fire. little wonder then, that beneath it all the two of them do get on like a house on fire. as a fierce romantic, niamh’s gaze affords us a cozy prospect of the story to look out upon. her mind was such an uplifting place to take up residence in.

⁀➷ his character piercingly distilled into a second-hand description by sinclair quite early on, kit has been helming a campaign against himself and his own best interests for so long that those around him are casualties in the fog of war. despite his best efforts to lead niamh into believing he cares not a whit for her, his actions, bristling with affection for her, betray him relentlessly - to my great enjoyment. another detail in kit’s composition of note was his shorter stature and spare frame; i’m all for diversity and range in characters so this was a welcome addition!!! he’s like a chocolate cookie posturing as a raisin cookie.

⁀➷ even though i’ve gone on and discussed kit and niamh ad nauseam - it’s not in any way a reflection of my being unenthused with any other facet of the story. on the contrary, it’s all so wonderful i’d probably drone on at such great length it would be suspect and someone might then fall under the misapprehension that i’ve been paid for this. no, the plot itself is equally as captivating as the characters inlaid within it, the pacing accommodates everything perfectly and the writing is finely tuned to the era.

➸ conclusion :
awash with lingering hands, tender looks and charming banter laced with dandelion-seed soft affection, a fragile enchantment leaves me sighing wistfully until its release date when i’ll doubtless be reading it again

Thank you to the Publisher and Netgalley for the arc for this book. This book is a Bridgerton-style Regency romance with fantasy! It was such a fun light-hearted read. This is not the book if you are looking for a complicated plot or sophisticated prose. But, if you just want to de-stress and enjoy some romance that will make you smile this book is great! (also, enemies to lovers trope!)

this was a really good! I liked the characters, and they were super well-developed. the plot was super cool and fun to read, and the writing was also smooth and easy to understand
highly recommend

As an avid reader of romantic fantasy novels, I was immediately drawn to the premise of "A Fragile Enchantment." The promise of a magical world interwoven with a regency-inspired setting and a blossoming romance sounded like the perfect escape. However, after investing a considerable amount of time into the book, I reluctantly decided to abandon it due to several glaring issues that prevented it from living up to its potential.

One of the primary reasons for my dissatisfaction was the juvenile nature of the storytelling. From the beginning, I expected a sophisticated and nuanced exploration of emotions and relationships, but instead, I found myself faced with shallow characterizations and predictable plot developments. The protagonist, Niamh Ó Conchobhair, possessed a fascinating magical ability to stitch emotions and memories into fabric, yet her potential as a complex and multifaceted character was sorely underutilized. Instead, she came across as overly simplistic.

The romantic aspect, which should have been a highlight, also fell flat. The relationship between Niamh and Kit Carmine lacked the necessary depth and chemistry to make it compelling. The interactions between the characters felt forced and lacked authenticity, making it difficult for me to become emotionally invested in their journey.

In conclusion, "A Fragile Enchantment" was a book that ultimately failed to deliver on its promising premise. With juvenile storytelling, underdeveloped characters, and a lackluster exploration of its fantasy world, it left much to be desired. While some readers may appreciate its light-hearted approach to romance, those seeking a more substantial and engaging read may find themselves disappointed.

A magical Regency-inspired with a touch of Bridgerton - style characters, magical world-building with its own mythology, and a touch of scandal to cause the wagging of tongues from the upper-crust ton during one of the most important Seasons within Avaland.

Two years ago, one of the young girls from her homeland had traveled to Avaland to visit a distant family member. Adding one of the balls, the girl wore one of Niamh Ó Conchobhair's creations - "a lovely dress of yellow silk embroidered with metallic thread and enchanted with memories of spring." There the girl would ensnare the most eligible bachelors of the Season. Ever since that moment, the families of Ton sought out her beautiful work with the hopes that their own daughters would follow after the young woman's success in landing their own husbands.

Successful, Niamh finds herself with an invitation to Avaland's royal family. There she has been offered to tailor a suit for the Crown Prince for his wedding. An invitation would surely help her family live a bit more comfortably with even a chance to move both her mother and grandmother to Avaland with her.

But time has begun working against Niamh. Even with her magical blood, there are always consequences to its usage. Much like her grandmother and her mother, her future is grim. Her life expectancy is to be cut short and her own bones are to be near brittle.

Her subject is less than thrilled to have her. The Crown Prince has no desire to be her subject nor does he wish to have anything to do with any marriage. Whenever in the presence of the other, there is a spit of fire that dances between them and neither of them seems to realize that the fire runs even deeper when they are together.

It has been so long since I last read the Bridgerton novels. I was a teenager when they first came out and I was going through my stages of cheesy Regency romances. Now, I haven't picked up those books since and I haven't touched any Regency romances since. So, this has been the first in quite a long time. The characters, the world-building with its history and magic, and the remanence of a beautiful time period long gone have made this book everything that anyone who would love to go back to this time. It was fun. It was wonderful and I enjoyed the characters.


Conclusion:


Come for the romance and stay for the magic and Regency-style story. You won't be disappointed as you are transported into a beautiful world and time period that beckons you with the taste of romance between a tailor and a Crown Prince.


*Disclaimer: Thank you to the author, her publishers, and Netgalley for allowing me to read and review this book. The opinions of this review are mine and mine alone.

This was an absolutely delightful read. I loved the main character, (she is a magical dressmaker! How awesome is that!), the originality of the plot, the wonderful writing, and the burning romance between the two. I could hardly put it down and think this will definitely be a big seller. If you are looking for a great romance that will sweep you off your feet with a dash of fantasy, this is for you!

Oh I was SOO ready to fall in love with this; the cover is stunning! I liked Saft’s Down Comes the Night but didn’t get through Far Wilder Magic. This synopsis convinced me to try her out again because it sounded so lovely.

The beginning was nice and I was actually having a good time for nearly the entire first half of this. Unfortunately, the plot started to become a bit messy and I became annoyed and frustrated. The political plotline seemed uneven and some major threads didn’t really wrap up enough for me. I DID, however, adore Kit and Niamh (although the third act conflict… UGH WHY).

I wish I could’ve rated this higher but alas, the plot was a bit too boring and frustrating for me to enjoy the second half of the book much.

I loved this book so much! I managed to read it in one sitting which is something I don’t usually do!

Allison Saft does it again! Everything about this book was so charming and I was hooked from the beginning. Allison does such a good job with writing words that leap off the page and transport you into the world of the book. There were definitely many moments that caused me extreme anxiety, but I loved how everything wrapped up. If Bridgerton and Studio Ghibli had a baby it would be this book.

I'd like to thank the publisher, NetGalley, and the author for allowing me a chance at reading this book!

I am blessed to have read all of Allison Saft's books as ARCs. She is one of those authors who not only writes really well for YA, but also gives a lot of inner monologue and character development to her writing. AND I AM A SUCKER FOR THAT, 100%. So, with that cover and description, it ticked off so many boxes for me. I had to have it, and I had to read it NOW.

Thankfully, this book is another 4 star read for me. Kit is a very layered hero, and he has an equally matched love interest, Nimah. Nimah is a girl with a mission and she never strays from it.

Now, the reason that I rank it one star less is for a couple of things, which all seemed a bit wrapped up together. Nimah is taking this job to save her family. We also find out the magic is killing her. We also find out there is a hatred between the two clans (Kit's and hers) due to war years ago. We also find out a lot of things that are stemming from Jack's current handling of the kingdom that is causing unrest. I mean, if this is included in the blurb then it's important to the plot, right?

Well, some of it gets wrapped up too fast or never mentioned again and when I finished it, I was like - 'wait, what about this and that' or 'is this still happening'. It made me want to give it three stars because I felt unfulfilled. However, I settled with a 4. Maybe with fanfiction people can embellish these bits and expand upon them. Or maybe there is a future sequel in store?

So, overall: fitting for the YA genre, gorgeous descriptions, lovely romance, but so-so on the political strife / world-building.

Hey. You. Come here. Come closer.

You know how Anthony and Kate in Bridgerton did that thing where they have a prickly beginning but fall in love any way despite their best efforts not to, and everyone but them knows, and then one of them is actively going forward with an unwanted wedding to another person because of 'duty' and what will make the other person happy but they're actually both just idiots?

Yes, that. But with magic. And it's PERFECTION.

Allison Saft has my whole heart and wallet at this point.

I would like to start this review by saying that I had no idea what I was going into when I started this book. I saw pretty cover and I was in for a ride. It was amazing. I loved the build up of the relationship between Niamh and Kit the complexity of their relationships that really got to me. I highly recommend this!

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