Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette Children’s Group/Orion Children’s Books for providing me with an eARC of this book.

A Fragile Enchantment follows Niamh, a working class but renowned seamstress, as she travels from her oppressed and blighted homeland to the country of Avaland, where she serves as the official dressmaker for a royal wedding. She becomes embroiled in royal politics and scandal sheets, as well as an attraction to the betrothed Prince Kit.

While I really enjoyed the Bridgerton-eque vibes of this book, I unfortunately found the rest of the book to be lacking. The pacing was very slow, and the plot didn’t interest me enough for me to want to pick up the book. Up until the halfway point, nothing much happens. Then lots of issues are introduced, which felt overwhelming.

I also couldn’t connect to the characters. I found Niamh very bland, and Kit seemed to be overly grumpy and nothing else, almost like he was written to be the “grumpy man who only likes the FMC” type of character. While I do enjoy this trope, I needed more personality from him. I was hoping for a slow burn romance, but Niamh and Kit went from dislike to insta-love far too quickly.

The ending offered no real resolution, and I was left feeling unsatisfied at the lack of closure. Not one for me sadly!

A dreamy, captivating tale, magical and enchanting. I LOVE the regency-inspired setting and the descriptions of the various garments that Niamh creates. I loved the characters, particularly Niamh and getting to see her strength throughout the story, but Kit was my favourite of them all. I loved his grouchiness and prickliness and then to see him slowly open up to Niamh. I think they also had really great chemistry, although I definitely preferred them in the second half of the book to the first. I think I just wish this book had more of the Bridgerton aspect in the Lady Whistledown (or in this case, Lovelace) part - it didn't play as big or as mysterious a role as I hoped it would; I also wish that the worldbuilding had been a little more clear as I wasn't sure how the magic system worked entirely.

3.5 stars, closer to 3 compared to other books I've read recently.

I think my expectations were wrong going into this. Which is a pity as I was very excited.

I had so much fun with this YA fantasy with historical Bridgerton vibes, infused with embroidery magic.

It had a fairytale feeling writing style that captivated me instantly. I really liked her magic, and how she could sew emotions into clothes.

Kit was a good love interest. I liked all the faces we saw to him -- the standoffish front, his kindness under it all and playfulness with his best friend. Niamh was also nice, and I liked how we saw her learn some vital life lessons while meddling with the royals.

The secondary characters were great! They didn't overtake the story, but felt very alive and had their own obstacles. Especially the brotherly duo.

The most fun thing about this was how it was brimming with the best historical tropes. And the best parts of Bridgerton drama as well. It did them well, and made them fun and scandalous, and at times sweet too.

It's not an emotionally deep read, but rather one to pick up when you want something light, enjoyable and well written too.

This book is definitely a romance first and foremost, I felt it lacking for the magical side of things. The romance is very good and very sweet, however i felt slightly misold i was hoping for more enchantment. That being said it’s a goo overall plot and a nice easy to read pace, It had those definitive regency vibes if thats what you want in a book, but again these felt very generic and a bit predictable. I loved the side characters and wish we got more of them from this, and slihglty less of main two. Overall not bad, but nothing amazing.

This fluffy romance has an interesting premise, but falls flat frequently throughout the narrative. There was so much potential in the plot for political intrigue, power struggles, and scandal but all these tensions barely simmer - let alone come to a head - throughout the plot of A Fragile Enchantment. It’s not a bad book! If you’re looking for a cosy, fluffy romance that could fill the Bridgerton void while we all wait for season three - then A Fragile Enchantment could be right up your street,

For me though, as much as I liked the book, this romantasy fell a little flat. Nothing really happened with the plot, the magic system wasn’t explained, and I’m always left a little disappointed by fantasy novels that just seem to dredge up existing mythology and pop some slightly different names on it. All in all, this was a cute book and I enjoyed reading it - but I wouldn’t go out of my way to read a sequel to find out what happens next.

Loved the Bridgerton vibes in this one, it reminded me a lot of Hester as well.

Niamh’s character was fab, loved her development throughout and her relationship with all the side characters - Sinclair in particular. However, not really sure about her illness?

I felt the romance lacked a little in this, it didn’t give the angsty enemies to lovers/forbidden romance I feel that it wanted to. I just found Kit hard to like at all.

However, I loved the guessing on who Lovelace was and really enjoyed the fact it was Sinclair

Beautifully written, this book weaves real history into a magical world, and Allison Saft’s prose is again spellbinding. I absolutely loved the chronic illness and mental health representation in this. The tension and banter and forbidden love made this book absolutely swoon worthy!

Predictable but a cosy, entertaining, read with more depth than others in the same genre.

Thank you to Netgalley and Hachette Children's Group for the e-arc, I requested this book because it fit in with a lot of other books I've been reading lately, and I really like the idea of the embroidery magic and the likening to Bridgerton (which I've never read, and only watched in passing for the clothes, setting, and cast rather than because I love the storylines). Weirdly, I didn't find myself in a Regency setting as I read this, it felt more generic period drama, than set in those times, which makes sense, because the world is fantasy not England, but I didn't get a sense of regency-style costumes or characterisation really, maybe that's where the comparison with Bridgerton comes in: sumptuous gowns, upper class and royal court, and anachronisms.

What I did find interesting, and set this book a bit above others, is that I found myself liking rather than cringing or rolling my eyes at the relationship between Niamh and Kit, and I also liked the inclusion of the coloniser/colonised people storyline. While only surface level, and with a simplistic take, I like that, as a fantasy romance, there was added substance and discussion of tough themes, and the parallel with England/Ireland but in a 'safe' fantasy setting is an interesting way to continue to discuss, acknowledge, and progress from difficult and damaging periods of our past.

Some aspects could definitely have been examined more closely, and the world and characters fleshed out further, but again, it is a fantasy romance, and leaves room for spin offs, fan art and fiction, so I don't mind too much. One thing that bugged me a little bit though, was that, given Niamh's ability, and that she is adept at it and sought after for it, I would have thought she would have learnt to control her emotions, especially while working to create her clothes, otherwise she might well have had quite a few unhappy customers up until this point, as her feelings get stitched into their wardrobe. (maybe we could have heard about those too, that could have been pretty funny)

I really enjoyed A Fragile Enchantment which is a fantasy romance book with Regency Vibes.
This was one of those books where once you start you can’t put it down. I was able to read it in just under two days!!

I really liked the unique magic which the book had and felt it came across fairly well when it was described but I did want more.

The books follows Niamh, whose talent as a seamstress is hired by royalty to create outfits for a royal wedding. For Niamh can weave emotions and memories into the outfits she creates but these come at a personal cost to her! She only accepts as she feels it’s her duty to her family.
The first meeting with Prince Kit doesn’t go so well between the two. I loved seeing how his character developed throughout the book. His grumpy but you learn why a littler later in the book and then you understand why he like he is.
The forbidden romance between the two soon sparks and it’s not long before the two can hide their feelings.
It’s such a sweet and slow burn between the two and it comes across so well. I enjoyed the other characters in the book too especially Sinclair.

I really enjoyed the authors writing style and felt it had a nice flow to it. The world building was great and I loved how the author was able to get the fairytale, whimsical vibes to come across.

I absolutely love the cover design of this book. I know this book is a standalone but I’d love to read more from this world and learn more of the different types of magic.

Thank you to Netgalley, the Author and the Publisher for an eARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC copy. I very much enjoyed this whimsical fairytale romance. I loved the sprinkling of Mr. Darcy's grumpiness in the male lead and the idea of sewing emotions into clothing was just beauitiful.

This book felt like a cosy cup of hot chocolate on a cold winter's night and I found it very easy to read. I would definitely recommend this book to other fantasy/fairytale readers and look forward to reading more from this author.

A sweet and romantic story full of warmth, longing and magic. I throughly enjoyed getting swept away in this story of forbidden love.

A beautiful regency romance, filled with heart and an unusual magic system.

Niamh is gifted and can weave magic and memories in to fabric... but this magic will eventually kill her.

She is from a land that has gone through war and a people who are seen as different and 'lesser' - The Macleash.

But when the opportunity arrises to change her and her families current poor state - how can she say no?
Whisked off to Avaland- a palace and all the finery that comes with it. She thinks her fate is made, but she has to work with the younger prince Kitt and he doesn't make it so easy for her.

I loved reading this, like a new fairytale come to life. The intertwining of romance, magic, scandal and Bridgerton vibes really kept me hooked. Kit is another firm favourite book boyfriend for me, misunderstood and grumpy as anything. but really a soft boy looking for more in life...

Thank you so much to the publisher @teambkmark for sending me the e arc on netgalley - a firm new favourite and I honestly can't wait to pick it up again. A feel good book that I will always hold dear.

Thank you so much for a copy of this book!

I have a love-hate relationship with 'A Fragile Enchantment.' There were so many enchanted elements to this story and such beautiful stolen moments between the main couple, but it was slow in parts, making me not particularly want to pick up the book at all.

It was very Bridgerton-like, but with added fantasy aspects. The characters were delightful, and the world was very magical.

I like that romance was a main focus and the very light enemies-to-lovers relationship. However, I believe that 'A Fragile Enchantment' should have been written as an adult fantasy rather than a YA.

I feel all mushy and warm after finishing this book 🥰

This is my first Allison Saft book and I will definitely be reading her other books as well!

I enjoyed every single aspect of this book, the characters, the plot, the romance, I cannot fault it whatsoever, I'm so so happy with how the book ended as well. Definitely recommend this if you want to feel all fuzzy and warm at the end!

3.75⭐️ This was a delightfully dreamy fantasy imbued with magic and set in a royal court with all the elegance, and of course scandal (including a Lady Whistledown-esque scandal sheet), of Bridgerton.

It follows Niamh, a working class but famed seamstress who has magic in her veins and can weave this into clothing. Asked to design the wardrobe for an upcoming royal wedding, Niamh believes this is finally a chance to give herself, and her family, a better life. Yet the groom, Prince Kit, is as prickly as the plants he can conjure and control, and is begrudgingly entering into the marriage as a political pawn. As Kit and Niamh get to know eachother, there is an undeniable chemistry, one which could destroy everything if the anonymous ‘Lovelace’ goes through with her threats to reveal all.

Although this was a sweet ya romantasy book, it also has a world that feels real, that isn’t all glittering opulence but also tackles issues of class, discrimination and disabilities such as chronic illness and mental health.

A Fragile Enchantment has:
💙Forbidden Romance
🩷LGBTQ Representation
💙Political Intrigue
🩷Courtly Politics
💙Bridgerton but make it magic vibes
🩷Captivating Characters
💙Grumpy x Sunshine

I enjoyed this story and found it to be an engaging and whimsical read- a standalone fantasy (something which feels quite rare now!) that tied off all its ends.

Thank you to Netgalley and Hachette Children’s Group for the earc🫶🏻

A Fragile Enchantment is a YA fantasy romance set in the Bridgerton-esque fictional setting of Avaland. Protagonist Niamh travels from her homeland of Machland, an oppressed, blighted country to Avaland as the official dressmaker for the royal wedding. From there, Niamh is swept up in royal politics, revolution, scandal sheets and her increasingly unavoidable feelings for the betrothed Prince Kit.

Truthfully, I really struggled to get through this book. The plot felt very stagnant and the pacing slow-going for the majority of the book. It was only within the last quarter of the story that the action picked up and piqued my interest but even then the plot remained basic and there was no moment I found myself absorbed in the story. Any scenes of conflict were resolved far too quickly to have any real effect which added to the inertia and frustration I felt as a reader. However, the brotherly conflict between Jack and Kit worked well and I felt was the most interesting dynamic between any of the characters.

The setting also felt inconsistent and often jarring to me in that the characters’ diction and vernacular were in parts considerably more modern than the environment. They dressed in gowns and waistcoats, had chaperones and rode around town in curricles with antiquated ideas of etiquette and honour yet there were moments where the characters sounded as if they could be walking about in current day.

The characterisation could definitely have been strengthened. Niamh and Kit were the most well-rounded as the two main protagonists but even so, i still felt there wasn’t enough depth to them. A lot of the time it felt like they were repeating themselves in their words and actions over and over which became tiresome. However I will say I really liked the author’s depiction of the love between Niamh and Kit. Niamh’s narrative described it as something “banal” yet solid, unchangeable and significant — a legacy. Often in YA romances love is this great big overwhelming force but in this case I thought it fought against that cliché nicely.

I would like to make a point of praising Allison Saft’s prose. It had a flair and style that I truly enjoyed but the story itself didn’t grab me.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Gorgeous Romantasy with Bridgerton vibes.

This book is beautifully written and I loved the hate to love arc. The prickly prince was entertaining to read and I ADORED the slowburn romance.

The magic is woven (literally) into the story and I thought the FMC's magic was particularly unique.

In all honesty, I am sad that it's a standalone as I would've happily dived into a series with these characters.

Overall this book is dreamy, heartfelt and beautifully magical.

A Fragile Enchantment follows the main character Nimah as she adjusts to life in the royal palace and goes about creating her enchanted garments and attending extravagant court events whilst trying to avoid the prickly and cold prince Kit. There are so many great characters in this book and it's so easy to visualise every facial expression and mannerism thanks to the descriptive details Saft weaves throughout the story. There's found family and friendship as well as understanding for those different from one's self. It's fantasy meets historical fiction and romance in a highly enjoyable read. Alison Saft's writing is lyrical in parts and leaves you captivated by the story. I couldn't put it down and kept wishing the day away so that I could get home and read more. It's become an instant favourite!

Thank you to Hachette and NetGalley for providing me an eARC to review!

While still enjoyable enough, I sadly think this is my least favourite book I've read by Saft. I found it quite predictable and it didn't really fully pull me in to the world or the characters.

I think my favourite part was seeing Niamh work her magic with the embroidery and have her put her emotions into the thread work - it felt like these were the times we really got to see her character in an interesting way. There was also some chronic illness representation with her character - but like the social unrest plot and sadly a lot of this book, it felt very 'tell' rather than 'show', and wasn't really explored in much depth.

The romance also didn't feel quite as interesting as in Saft's other two works - yes they were prickly to each other at the beginning but I didn't fully understand why they were made for each other, apart from that they could argue by parroting hard truths about each other that again felt like the author just telling you what these characters' flaws were rather than letting you figure it out for yourself.

Overall a bit disappointed this didn't fully work for me, but I'm sure it will for a lot of people!