Out of all the gaslamp and regency-adjacent fantasies I’ve ever read, A Fragile Enchantment easily tops the list. Its delicate politics, Whistledown-like gossip column, and romance intertwined with magic and thorns make for an unputdownable story.

Want a perfect night in this new year? A Fragile Enchantment, a cup of tea, and a cozy blanket will definitely do the trick.

Goodreads / Amazon / Audible

Synopsis:

In this romantic fantasy of manners from New York Times bestselling author Allison Saft, a magical dressmaker commissioned for a royal wedding finds herself embroiled in scandal when a gossip columnist draws attention to her undeniable chemistry with the groom.

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 book was incredible. Absolutely amazing. If you buy one new release this month, I’d make it this one.

There’s an incredibly complicated prince, a lovely seamstress with unique magical powers, and a diverse supporting cast of characters. There are political machinations, kingdom politics, and threats of revolution. On top of all this, there’s an interesting set of magical powers at play. The main character has magic with thread and can evoke emotions and memories with her designs. While the romance is central to the story, there’s so much more to A Fragile Enchantment.

Tropes:

I loved that A Fragile Enchantment adopted many of the themes prevalent in Austen’s writing and modern regency romances; however, it didn’t use many of the tropes we see so frequently in fantasy. There is no shiny bow that ties every loose end up nicely. There are no easy solutions in this book. The ending is hard-fought by all involved. While there is a happily-ever-after, it feels incredibly realistic.

Audiobook:

I highly recommend the audiobook for A Fragile Enchantment. With names like Niamh Ó Conchobhair, I was thankful for the audiobook so my brain wasn’t constantly glitching at each difficult name. The narrator, Fran Burgoyne, was incredible. Not only did she do wonderfully with Niamh’s voice, but she also nailed every single supporting character’s voice, including Kit, Rosa, Sinclair, and Jack. This audiobook was an absolute joy to listen to, and I’m so glad I picked up that format.

Final Thoughts:

A Fragile Enchantment is unbelievably beautiful. It is soft, delicate, and full of fierce longing. I loved this book immensely and hope the author pursues sequels or additional standalone books in this world.

Rating: 5/5! What a way to ring in the new year!

Similar Reads:

Thanks to the Macmillan Audio for an advanced review copy of the book! All thoughts above are my own.