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meripm's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
ashleysills's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was such a magical, cozy love story. Imagine the angst, strong characters, and Regency social structure from Pride and Prejudice mixed with ancient magic, royalty, political intrigue, and found family. While it didn’t quite hit five stars for me, it was an enchanting read from start to finish.
THE REPRESENTATION
All main and primary supporting characters are part of the LGBTQ+ community. Niamh, the FMC, has a chronic illness and a few characters have mental health struggles.
THE CHARACTERS
Overall I loved the characters! Both their strengths and weaknesses felt real and relatable, and I loved the way their experiences + flaws shaped the way they interacted with each other.
THE PARTS I LOVED AND DIDN’T LOVE
I loved Saft’s prose and her ability to paint a picture without overusing words. I loved the magic system, but be aware that it was touched on very little. I loved the romance between Niamh and Kit. The banter, the tension, the way they helped each other be better versions of themselves! *chef’s kiss*
Parts I didn’t love include the spice level (described below) and some confusing characters decisions/logic near the end. This didn’t ruin the story for me though!
THE THEMES
The main themes included social injustice/oppression (less seamless, but still well-done) and ones tied to the main characters’ personal belief systems and flaws. If you like a good character arc, you’ll probably enjoy this book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Blood, Alcohol, Classism, and Death of parent
⚠️ Loss of a parent, minor injuries/blood, some swearing, alcohol/smoking 🌶️ One fade-to-black scene with vague descriptions, one open-door scene with more explicit descriptions, but still mild. Several passionate kisses with thoughts of wanting more, not explicitmybookthrone's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism and Colonisation
Moderate: Addiction and Alcoholism
Minor: Sexual content, Alcohol, and Abandonment
littleflowerly's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Chronic illness, and Sexual content
Moderate: Homophobia and Alcoholism
Minor: Violence and War
abi_j's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
The climactic moment was disappointing. Wasn't crazy about the main love interest. Or the LGB agenda. The stars I do give the book are for absolutely gorgeous prose and the concept of the embroidery magic, which I loved.tak_everlasting's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, and Sexual content
librarycutie's review against another edition
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
A Fragile Enchantment is a Bridgerton inspired romantic fantasy set in Regency England about a magical dressmaker commissioned to tailor a royal wedding. This sounded so promising and I was so excited for this book, but it unfortunately disappointed me.
firstly, the characters. to be blunt, I didn't like them. they were so boring and childish and didn't have any favorable qualities. I liked the side characters more, Sofie and Rosa specifically. if Sofie wasn't married to Jack, I would've loved to see their romance, but I could not stand him. Niamh was okay, I wanted to know more about her silver hair and the backstory more, we barely know her. I feel like all we got to know was Kit. Kit was tolerable at most, he was grumpy and had a rough past from the death of his mother and his upbringing with his father and his lack of parental guidance... but the only time I liked him was when he was around Niamh. even then, it was mediocre at best. he barely showed affection and when he did acted as if it was the hardest thing ever. just.... red flag, and not the good kind.
secondly, the story and magic. this is where I was confused a lot. their magic wasn't entirely explained in depth, so It puzzled me but I ended up giving up trying to understand. I just know Niamh can sew emotions or magic into clothes and Kit has flower power basically. the plot was boring and confusing, its all about a scandal sheet bringing down the Royals because of their racism towards Machlish (aka Irish). the author tried to make it political and important but it just didn't play out very well, the instant and boring romance took priority in the story.
"Is this a dream?"
"I don't know. Let me kiss you util dawn, and I suppose we'll find out."
lastly, there is one scene where the romance gets more PG-13 and had me a bit shocked considering this is supposed to be YA, I would be upset if my kids at 12 or 13 were reading this and found out there's a detailed sex scene on page. YA should stay closed door, it for literal kids under 17!
**thank you Netgalley for an arc
firstly, the characters. to be blunt, I didn't like them. they were so boring and childish and didn't have any favorable qualities. I liked the side characters more, Sofie and Rosa specifically. if Sofie wasn't married to Jack, I would've loved to see their romance, but I could not stand him. Niamh was okay, I wanted to know more about her silver hair and the backstory more, we barely know her. I feel like all we got to know was Kit. Kit was tolerable at most, he was grumpy and had a rough past from the death of his mother and his upbringing with his father and his lack of parental guidance... but the only time I liked him was when he was around Niamh. even then, it was mediocre at best. he barely showed affection and when he did acted as if it was the hardest thing ever. just.... red flag, and not the good kind.
secondly, the story and magic. this is where I was confused a lot. their magic wasn't entirely explained in depth, so It puzzled me but I ended up giving up trying to understand. I just know Niamh can sew emotions or magic into clothes and Kit has flower power basically. the plot was boring and confusing, its all about a scandal sheet bringing down the Royals because of their racism towards Machlish (aka Irish). the author tried to make it political and important but it just didn't play out very well, the instant and boring romance took priority in the story.
"Is this a dream?"
"I don't know. Let me kiss you util dawn, and I suppose we'll find out."
lastly, there is one scene where the romance gets more PG-13 and had me a bit shocked considering this is supposed to be YA, I would be upset if my kids at 12 or 13 were reading this and found out there's a detailed sex scene on page. YA should stay closed door, it for literal kids under 17!
**thank you Netgalley for an arc
Content Warnings
Minor: Cursing, Alcohol, and Sexual content
spelledlikesleigh's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Classism, Racism, and Chronic illness
Minor: Alcoholism and Sexual content
hdabru's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This was really cute. I didn’t find it as atmospheric as A Far Wilder Magic or as riveting as Down Comes the Night but it was a fun romp, with interesting characters and sweet romance. I liked Neamh and the complexity of all the characters. But there were details I found lacking and plot points that seemed to meander. My favorite thing about the book, though, was the undercurrent running through multiple characters about how prior generations can really mess us up and we alter our lives based on their expectations. Neamh’s tendency toward people pleasing and shrinking herself to not inconvenience others was particularly relatable. But all of them needed in some way to grow beyond their parents, and that’s a fantastic message for readers of any age.
Thank you Netgalley and Wednesday books for the ARC.
Thank you Netgalley and Wednesday books for the ARC.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Chronic illness, Cursing, and Alcoholism
Minor: Sexual content
bookboxbabe's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
*thank you netgalley and the publisher for sending me an arc copy in exchange for an honest review*
to start off, i was SO excited for this book. when i got the email for it, i squealed. alas, this book fell flat for me a bit.
to start off, the romance was very insta-lovey and i’m not the biggest fan of that. she didn’t really have a reason to like kit at the start except that he was pretty. he was super rude to her countless times and i just kept saying “why do you still like him?”
i also didn’t really understand the plot with the protesters? it felt like it was written to give some tension to the story but there’s never really any explanation as to what exactly they were upset about or why there was an old war in the first place.
now, onto what i did enjoy.
it was cute. this was such a sappy and sweet story that felt super cozy at times. most of the characters were also amazing.
sinclair, miriam, and rosa needed their own povs because i just loved them and their complexity.
overall, this is a very low stakes, low fantasy book that while it didn’t blow me away, does have good elements and it was an enjoyable read
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Racism, Homophobia, Biphobia, and Lesbophobia