A Fragile Enchantment

by Allison Saft

She startled, banging her hip against the railing. “Oww…” The pain faded quickly enough when she fixed her gaze on the city rising from the sea. Mist trailed off the coast, as white and gauzy as a bridal veil, and the barest thread of sunlight illuminated the jagged skyline. Niamh curled her fingers around the railing, practically vibrating with anticipation. It was all she could do to keep herself from swimming the rest of the way to shore.

I hope the rest of the writing isn’t as horrifically cliche as this

He peered down his nose at her with cold blue eyes, and at last, with the utmost condescension, he asked, “Miss Niamh O’Connor?” Clearly, he’d expected someone different. Niamh fought every instinct she had to smooth down her hair or adjust her skirts. Four days at sea, she was certain, had not been kind to her. She offered him her most winning smile. “That’s me.”

Ugh this is so fanficly bad

She’d hoped for a better life here. But a better life, she realized now, came with a thousand smaller hardships.

The only good line I’ve read so far. And I’ve read half the book :/

One shouldn’t have to bear one’s burdens alone.” Niamh took both of his hands in hers. “I’m very glad you told me. And for what little it’s worth, I would be honored to consider your suit.” His eyes shone with gratitude. “Ah, Miss O’Connor, I will break your heart in the end.” “And I shall hate you bitterly for it,” she replied warmly.

Past the tree line, the grounds of Woodville Hall grew wild and untamed. Out ahead of her, a field of pale lavender shivered in a sudden gust of wind. Niamh hiked up her skirts and waded in. With every step, the cloying scent of lavender and petrichor wafted up from the earth below. Her shoes sank deeper into the mud as she approached an old wrought-iron gate.

Every single page is like this. It’s so dang tiring to read 😭😭😭😭