I believe I mentioned in my “Spring Book Recs” post that something about spring puts me in the mood for historical romance. A Fragile Enchantment by Allison Saft gives the vibes of a regency era romance within the bonds of an intricately political world of magic.
Niamh has magic in her blood that allows her to stitch emotions and memories into the beautiful garments she makes, but this magic that allows her to provide for her family will also eventually lead to her death. Intent to give her family a better life, she takes the opportunity to design the garments for the wedding of the youngest prince of Avaland, the neighboring kingdom. What Niamh did not expect was to step into the middle of a standoff between the Prince Regent, a gossip columnist, and a strike of the working class. As she tries to unravel the royal families secrets, she finds herself growing closer to the seemingly cold and standoffish groom-to-be, Kit Carmine. Now she must decide if she wants to live for a future she had never hoped to want.
This book is perfect for anyone in a fantasy reading mood that also loves Bridgerton, which means it was perfect for me. One of the things that makes this book interesting is that it’s not advertised as part of a series in any way, but the author did not wrap everything up with a pretty little bow the way you may expect. The political aspect of the story may not have been the main storyline, but it built the world in such a way that I want to know more. There is definitely room for Saft to continue writing in the world, and I kind of hope she does.
There are times when the story feels a bit trope heavy, especially as the inspiration from Bridgerton shines through, but that allows for a cozy feel to the story even when the stakes get a bit higher. If you’re looking to settle in with a not too serious fantasy romance, I certainly would recommend.
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