March 2024 Standalone BOTM - A Fragile Enchantment, by Allison Saft

[Alaina]

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.

**This BOTM thread will be open until April 5th @ Midnight (in your time zone)**

[Andy]

Looking forward to this later in the month! :)

[Andy]

Chapter 3: (view spoiler)[This reads a bit young, but it seems fun, so I will continue. It seems the story takes a lot of inspiration from history, so I don't see why the author didn't just go with historical fantasy, but, again, I can tolerate it. It has quite a bit of a Bridgerton feel. (hide spoiler)]

[Andy]

Chapter 10: (view spoiler)[The book is entertaining, but not very deep. Her liking him is very "love at first sight", and she is rather childish. She sounds so much like the protagonist of Once Upon a Broken Heart... :( He is childish, too. It's like the book had to follow a script and the author didn't manage to give the character a proper personality to make the script interesting... We even have the gay best friend... Oh, well... It is entertaining enough, and I wonder what the mystery with Jack's behaviour is. (hide spoiler)]

[Ela (Mouse333)]

Chapters 1 - 8

(view spoiler)[ This book is reminding me a bit of The Briar Crown but so far, it’s better.

I’m curious about Kit’s past and I guessed that he was an alcoholic in the past because of the comment about being at Jack’s wedding.

I like Sinclair and I can’t wait to see more of the other characters, like Sofia and Jack.
(hide spoiler)]

[Andy]

Can we comment on the fact that Jack Carmine and Kit Carmine are mob bosses' names, and not princes names, though? Ahahah!!!!

[Ela (Mouse333)]

Andy wrote: “Chapter 10: [spoiler removed]”

I agree that things tend to happen without much development, but it’s fun enough to read. I’m hoping that it will go more in-depth soon, especially with Jack’s reasons.

[Ela (Mouse333)]

Chapters 9 - 16

(view spoiler)[ I’m liking the story, even though the relationships/interactions between Rosa, Sinclair, Miriam, Kit and Niamh seem too developed for how long they’ve known each other.

I’m really curious about Sofia and if the issues aren’t resolved in this book, I’m hoping that she’ll get her own book. Also, could Sofia be Lovelace?
(hide spoiler)]

[Ela (Mouse333)]

Chapters 17 - 24

(view spoiler)[ I was not expecting Sinclair to be Lovelace.

Whereas in most books it doesn’t work for me, I get the tough position Jack is in. Although I don’t like what he’s doing, I can’t wait to see if and how things are going to work out.
(hide spoiler)]

[Andy]

Ela (Mouse333) wrote: "Chapters 9 - 16

I’m liking the story, even though the relationships/interactions between Rosa, Sinclair, Miriam, Kit and Niamh seem too developed for how long they’ve known each other.

I’m real..."

Chapter 16: (view spoiler)[I agree on the relationships. Also... That was fast? I like Sofia, underused character, I wonder if she'll be part of a big reveal... (hide spoiler)]

[Ela (Mouse333)]

Chapters 25 - 33

(view spoiler)[ I liked this book and I wasn't expecting how things worked out at the end.

I would have wanted to see more of the side characters, and their interactions.

Also, Niamh talks about her illness from the start of the book, but by the end it stops being an issue, which I don't understand. The illness was progressing when she started making the wedding clothes (more white in her hair), but when she got to the wedding dress, she used a lot of magic, but nothing really happened.

I would be interested in reading a book about Jack and Sofia because there's still a lot that needs to happen in the kingdom, and I liked Sofia (even though she's not shown much).

On a slightly unrelated note, I don't think the cover matches the story.
(hide spoiler)]

[Ela (Mouse333)]

Andy wrote: "Ela (Mouse333) wrote: "Chapters 9 - 16

[spoiler removed]"

(view spoiler)[ I know! They only just met and already they're acting like they know each other.

Also, I was a bit confused when it came to Kit and Sinclair's relationship - at the beginning they acted like they didn't really like each other, but I think it was in that scene where they were friendly and forgot about their earlier dislike for each other.
(hide spoiler)]

[Andy]

Ela (Mouse333) wrote: "Chapters 17 - 24"

Chapter 24: (view spoiler)[Yes, I was not expecting that either. I don't understand why Kit is so very angry with her? Surely he must have had a notion she must know something? (hide spoiler)]

[Ashlyn]

Just started this one!

[Ela (Mouse333)]

Andy wrote: "Ela (Mouse333) wrote: "Chapters 17 - 24"

Chapter 24: [spoilers removed]"

I agree - (view spoiler)[I thought that Kit's reaction was a bit over the top (hide spoiler)]

[Andy]

Ela (Mouse333) wrote: "Chapters 25 - 33

I liked this book and I wasn't expecting how things worked out at the end.

I would have wanted to see more of the side characters, and their interactions.

Also, Niamh talks a..."

Finished: (view spoiler)[I am not sure what to say... I liked the happy ending, but it was sooo very unrealistic / far-fetched.. It was all a bit too brushed under the carpet / brushed off with a shrug.
I think her illness she was exagerating, from one, Miriam was a healer (unutilsed) and the author never seemed to stick to her own rules in this book...

I am not a fan of any of the book's covers, but the American one is leagues better than the UK one I have, count youraelf lucky! :P (hide spoiler)]

[Andy]

Ashlyn wrote: "Just started this one!"

Yay! Though not sure I precisely recommend it! :P

[Ashlyn]

Well, I’ve already committed, so I’ll just go into the rest with very low expectations 😂

[Jenn]

Chapter 5: (view spoiler)[ i can already see the bridgerton comparisons what with the gossip column ans everything. There was a lot of historical information thrown at us and i feel like im still trying to get a feel for the world and the magic. I do like the thought of her clothing capturing emotions. Thats very original (hide spoiler)]

[Ashlyn]

Chapters 1-6 (view spoiler)[I read a lot of historical romances, so I get where the author is going with this world. I never read Bridgerton that everyone is comparing this too, but it reads very much like a typical young adult historical romance with fantasy thrown in. I do like how the magic is with the clothes and think that’s a super interesting aspect of the book. So far I’m enjoying it! (hide spoiler)]

[Jenn]

Ela (Mouse333) wrote: "Chapters 1 - .."

Sinclair is my favorite character so far and im very intrigued by Sofia

[Jenn]

Chapter 17: (view spoiler)[ ok so what is jack up to? Someone has to be controlling his actions because theres no way he can just be content to turn a blind eye. His entire staff quit! I want to like him but i just dont trust him.

Also that scene where sofia set up tea but nobody wanted to talk to her kind of broke my heart.

And this relationship between Kit and Niamh, not a fan. Sneaking around while hes engaged to someone else - i dont care if it was arranged. And then her getting all upset when sinclair told her she could be kits mistress, like what did you thi k would happen? (hide spoiler)]

[Andy]

Jenn wrote: "Chapter 17"

I did think the same thing about Niamh!

[Jenn]

Andy wrote: "Jenn wrote: "Chapter 17"

I did think the same thing about Niamh!"

Shes both a hopeless romantic and infuriating at the same time haha

[Jenn]

Finished: (view spoiler)[ i feel like that ending was very lack luster. Its almost like the author didnt know how to solve any of the political issues she brought up so just went "heres a wedding and everyone is appeased!". In all honesty, Sofia and Sinclair were the most interesting characters ans Sofia was grossly underused. Not sure what im going to rate this one. I need to sit on it (hide spoiler)]

[Jamie]

I've been going back and forth on this one for a while. The reviews are not very good on it, but I'll give it a shot.

[Ashlyn]

Chapters 7-15 (view spoiler)[Okay, this is losing my interest a bit. It seemed a little fast for her to like him so much. These relationships just don’t make sense. I hope the plot picks up. (hide spoiler)]

[Ela (Mouse333)]

Jenn wrote: "Finished: [spoilers removed]"

I completely agree about Sinclair and Sofia - I really wanted to see more of them

[Ashlyn]

Chapters 16-24 (view spoiler)[Oh so it was St Clair insisted of Sofia. I feel so bad for Kit though. He really wanted to be with her and she was keeping that from him. (hide spoiler)]

[Jamie]

Chapter 1-5: (view spoiler)[Well hello play on Bridgerton, but with a fantasy spin. Not sure how I feel just yet, but I definitely feel like it's very YA at the moment. (hide spoiler)]

[Jamie]

Chapter 6-10: (view spoiler)[I'm not sure what I think just yet. I definitely see way too many things similar to Bridgerton, which honestly is a little irritating. I also find some of this rather immaturish, which I guess maybe I should've expected with this being YA (hide spoiler)]

[Ashlyn]

Finished (view spoiler)[Well I thought it was a very solid four star read until the ending. That seemed very out there for the rest of the book. I’m glad there was a happy ending and wedding though. (hide spoiler)]

[Jamie]

Chapter 11-20: (view spoiler)[I'm starting to struggle a little bit. It's going really slow for me. I feel like we have a lot of filler words to extend the book vs moving the storyline forward. I'm also just going to put out there that I think that Sinclair is Lovelace. (hide spoiler)]

[Andy]

Ashlyn wrote: "Finished [spoilers removed]"

I was on the fence throught,but yes, the ending didn't seem very well thought through.

[Jamie]

Chapter 21 - 33: (view spoiler)[That ending was ridiculous, lol. So over the top I'm not even sure what to say about it all. And I was right about Sinclair. This was not a favorite book of mine that's for sure.
I can understand the low GR rating. (hide spoiler)]

[Jessica]

Chapters 1-7
(view spoiler)[ I'm enjoying this more than I thought I would considering the tepid reactions I've seen. This rebel subplot is interesting and I hope we find out more about it. I figured the chalk drawing would have been tampered with, but that message was darker than I expected. (hide spoiler)]

[Jessica]

Chapter Fourteen
(view spoiler)[ I'm glad she and Sofia are becoming friends, they both need it. I feel like not enough has happened for me to be half way through the book. I'm wondering when this is going to pick up (or if it is going to at all) (hide spoiler)]

[Jessica]

Chapter Twenty
(view spoiler)[ How many hints that the crown is broke will it take for Niamh to consider that that is the problem? This conversation between her and Mariam is so obvious with the doesn't pay his staff and was uncouth about the dowry, and yet neither has even considered it. (hide spoiler)]

[Jessica]

Finished
(view spoiler)[ Not really sure how I felt about that ending. It all worked out way too easily and without any real conflict. (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

I'm hoping to jump into this Friday since I have the physical copy but who knows. I hope you all enjoyed it!

[Alaina]

Today is the LAST day to add comments for BOTM points!