Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own. 

 

Book: A Fragile Enchantment 

 

Author: Allison Saft 

 

Book Series: Standalone 

 

Rating: 2/5 

 

Diversity: Gay side character, Bisexual MC, Chronic Illness rep MC, Sapphic side characters 

 

Recommended For...: young adult readers, fantasy, romance, romantasy, historical fiction 

 

Publication Date: January 2, 2024 

 

Genre: YA Fantasy Romance 

 

Age Relevance: 14+ (war, death, language, alcohol consumption, alcoholism, homophobia, classism, romance, drugs, child abuse, anxiety attack, panic attack, poverty) 

 

Explanation of Above: There are mentions of war and death. There is some strong language used. There are scenes of alcohol consumption and mentions of alcoholism. Homophobia is shown and mentioned, especially the parental disownment of a gay secondary character. Classism is shown as well as poverty. Romance is shown throughout the book. There are very vague mentions of drugs. There are mentions of child abuse. There are “on-screen” anxiety and panic attacks. 

 

Publisher: Wednesday Books 

 

Pages: 373 

 

Synopsis: Niamh Ó Conchobhair has never let herself long for more. The magic in her blood that lets her stitch emotions and memories into fabric is the same magic that will eventually kill her. Determined to spend the little time she has left guaranteeing a better life for her family, Niamh jumps at the chance to design the wardrobe for a royal wedding in the neighboring kingdom of Avaland. But Avaland is far from the fairytale that she imagined. While young nobles attend candlelit balls and elegant garden parties, unrest brews amid the working class. The groom himself, Kit Carmine, is prickly, abrasive, and begrudgingly being dragged to the altar as a political pawn. But when Niamh and Kit grow closer, an unlikely friendship blossoms into something more—until an anonymous columnist starts buzzing about their chemistry, promising to leave them alone only if Niamh helps to uncover the royal family’s secrets. The rot at the heart of Avaland runs deep, but exposing it could risk a future she never let herself dream of, and a love she never thought possible. Transporting readers to a Regency England-inspired fantasy world, A Fragile Enchantment is a sweeping romance threaded with intrigue, unforgettable characters, and a love story for the ages. 

 

Review: This was a decent read. I liked the story of it and all of the Bridgerton-like feels of it. The romance was cute and I felt like if the book was worked a bit longer the story would have been really strong. The worldbuilding was good and it only felt like it could get better. 

 

However, I didn’t like this one. I struggled so hard through it and I hope maybe it’s just because I had an e-arc. The structure was a mess and the worldbuilding was lacking. The ending was confusing and unsatisfying. I feel like the author focused more on the romance, which was definitely the stronger point of the book, and completely just sacrificed the story for it. The book could have been so good, but it just left me really disappointed. 

 

Verdict: I wanted more, but didn’t get it. But maybe it’ll leave you satisfied.