The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches is a magical, heart-warming story about finding a family and belongingness. It is funny and entertaining and I was sucked into it. This book reminds me of the same feelings I had with The House in the Cerulean Sea, but laced with more magic.

I loved reading about Mika’s journey of learning how it is to be loved, accepted, and freely be herself. I loved knowing Rosetta, Terracotta, and Altamira, and Jamie, Ian, Ken, and Lucie that together made a perfect family. This book brings you comfort, like a warm hug and reading a book in a cold day with a cup of hot chocolate.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for providing me with an e-arc in exchange for my honest opinions.

Mika Moon is a witch with no connections, living a lonely nomadic life and dreaming of being able to embrace her magic and being wanted by the people around her. When she receives a strange request to teach 3 young witches to control their magic, she becomes entrapped in the weird, found family of Nowhere House and the strays found within.

This book is described as perfect for fans of The House in the Cerulean Sea, and I completely agree. A low fantasy setting complete with found family, healing from past trauma and a sweet romance is key to both books, and I loved Secret Society of Irregular Witches just as much.

The main cast of characters are, in my opinion, the highlight of the book. This incredibly diverse, well-rounded and sympathic cast are lovable and easy to root for, even those we don't spend as much time with all have their charms as well as their flaws, which in many cases will relate to the readers.

The story is entertaining with lots of insight and a nice mystery to it which all. comes together in a satisfyingly feel-good way. A wonderful book for anyone wanting a pleasant, if sometimes very emotional, read! Personally, I can't wait to pick up a physical copy for a reread in the future, and I hope others are encouraged to do the same!

Witchery romance and an endearing story about all forms of love.

Mika Moon is a witch who has lived her life in separation from the rest of the world due to her being different. She was raised by tutors and nannies, moved places every 6 months and never held down a job for very long. Then a mysterious plea for a witch lands in her inbox and she is pulled into the world of the Nowhere House- a world of chaos and bursting with magic.

Of course, she brings her dog, Circe, her pond and koi fish. What witch wouldn’t?

I very much enjoyed this book. It has a nostalgic quality of 90s/00s witch films that centre on relationships and it felt comfy and cosy. The characters are loveable and charismatic. This would be perfect for a fantasy reader who wants something that’s not too heavy. The writing is compelling and it explores enough strong themes to feel like it has a decent enough weight to it. My only issue was that it ended!

Such a fabulous story, I really enjoyed this. The characters were perfect, the occupants of Nowhere House reminded me of The House On The Cerulean Sea and there’s a similar found family dynamic here.
Mika is inspirational, always choosing to focus on being kind and trying to be positive and happy. She truly loves magic, and the magic system is one of my favourite parts. I love the idea of the magic being mischievous and eager to be used, and also the connection with nature makes a lot of sense.
I’d love to read more about these characters, there definitely feels like there’s a lot of potential for a series.

Would have been 5* if it hadn't been for chapter 26. This book had such a wholesome vibe up until that point, and was akin to Legends & Lattes and The House On The Cerulean Sea. But that whole chapter just changed the whole thing, and felt out of sync.

The title of this book was so great, I just had to read it. I was not disappointed!

I really loved this book. I was drawn into the story very quickly, and got attached to the cast of very loveable characters almost immediately that they appeared. The characters were all well portrayed, I felt like they all had their own stories and viewpoints, and that we got to know all of those at Nowhere House pretty well. I honestly loved all of them, but Mika and the children were my favourites I think.

I loved Nowhere House too. It exuded such a sense of home and kindly magic, and felt like another character.

I enjoyed the romance, and I liked the fact that although it’s an important part of the plot, it’s not the only important thing. The rest of the plot was excellent too, one or two little surprises in there as well, which I enjoyed.

Overall, this was a wonderful tale, full of magic, romance, and found family. It has to be one of my favourite books this year.

I was given a free copy of this book, my opinions are my own.

4 solid stars

When my friend Caro messaged me to tell me that "The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches" had a "House in the Cerulean Sea" feel, I requested the eGalley and. ...I can tell that Caro was absolutely right!

So thank you to the publisher @hodderbooks for my copy because I had a great time reading this story!

Why the reference to "The House"?
Because that book has one of my favourite tropes: found family, supported by a charming cast of main and side characters all while happening in a universe where magic is real!
Cherry on top: you even have a grumpy (Jamie)/sunshine (Mika) romantic duo!

The setting of the story:
Mika Moon is a yoing witch of thirty years old who has been raised by Primrose, a very powerful and old witch.
Yet Primrose didn't really raise the orphaned girl as a string of many nannies did the job. Leaving young Mika bereft of love and very lonely.
But in that world, people can't know that witches are real so every time Mika had an outburst of magic, Primerose wipped the nanny's memories clean and hired a new help.

Now an adult, Mika is moving all the time, never trusting anyone to love her back.

And there is also the rule of witches: never gather together, never talk together except once every three months for fear of drawing unwanted attention and endengering them all.

Mika survived but she never lived. And feels very lonely.

But Mika loves magic! And she longs to speak about it. That's why she has the brilliant idea to playact a witch on instagram, preparing potions. No one will believe that she is a real witch on social media!
Or so she thinks.

Until one day, she gets a cryptic message asking to go somewhere.

Curious, and nudged by her magic, she will go to Norwhich, to Nowhere House and her life will change drastically!

Soon enough, Mika will help three little witches, hidden from everyone and from every other witches,to love and control their powers.

That story is utterly charming!
Filled with loveable main characters and adorable if quirky side characters, it will have you smile, shed a tear and swoon in no time!

The girls are adorable, Mika is very easy to connect with, Jamie is the handsome grumpy hero, Ian is the eccentric and buoyant eldest,...

You will be left with a smile on your face!

4.5 stars

If I had to use one word to describe this book, it would be magical. This was really such an adorably whimsical and fun book. I was smiling throughout while reading this. I have been a huge fan of Sangu Mandanna's writing since reading her YA SFF trilogy last year and reading TVSSOIW reminded me of why I am a huge fan of her. A lot of books try to create make a character quirky and fall short, but Mika is nothing like that. Her 'quirkiness' is subtle but really shines throughout the story as she does her magic and brews her potions. I also enjoyed her bonds with the girls, how she connected with Rosetta, Altamira and Terracota in their own unique ways.

Mika and all the residents of Nowhere House had such a fun dynamic with each other and I loved the found family that was formed here. I also adored Jamie and Mika's romance. I am a sucker for grumpy x sunshine books and this was perfect. I loved the subtlety of their romance,

While at certain parts, things felt a little predictable, overall, I think this was a fun read! I am looking forward to owning a physical copy.

2.5 ⭐️
I'm so bummed that I didn’t enjoy and sadly didn’t love this book. I was so excited to read this, it just sounded like the perfect heart-warming story. Unfortunately, I felt that this book was trying too much at being cute and the perfect lovely story. The characters fell bland to me, especially Mika, I just felt like she was too much okay with everything, it made her a bit unrealistic. The romance was also on the no side for me, it had no build - up and I felt no chemistry between the characters. I also wished that the magical element of the story was explored a bit more. This book thus however has a lot of diversity which is an amazing aspect. Many people seem to love this story, but unfortunately, it’s a no for me.

A huge thanks to Hodder & Stoughton for the eArc!

I couldn’t have asked more of this book. Almost immediately, I knew I was going to adore it with all my heart and soul.

Mika is a witch. Except not the kind you’re used to. She’s part of a group of witches who meet on the third Thursday of every third month… and that’s it. Outside of that time, there’s no communication between them for fear of being found and somehow traced back to one another. That’s a lonely life to lead. So when she receives a message on one of her videos saying WITCH WANTED and is offered the job of training 3 young witches to control their magic, she’s tempted. Oh, so tempted. And taking the job will perhaps be the best thing that’s ever happened to her.

I’m not sure I can accurately put into words how much I loved this book. It’s found family. It’s grumpy-sunshine. It’s slow burn, and heartfelt, and broken. Mika is every person who’s ever felt alone, or unworthy, or scared of letting anyone in, and she finds this amazing group of people who pull her into their circle and make it clear that they’re never going to let her go… after they nearly get her killed. Of course.

I’ve seen people compare this to House in the Cerulean Sea, and I can absolutely see why. It has those same found family, hug in a book, cosy blanket vibes, and it’s absolutely a new comfort read for me. I immediately ran to preorder it because there’s an *exclusive epilogue* as a preorder incentive and I will never be able to get enough of Mika and her bizarre, wonderful new family.

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this fascinating book

the society of irregular witches meet up every so often in different secret locations passing on new spells and a general catch up of gossip....there arent many left and no new witches have joined for quite some time

primrose is in charge the one that oversees them all and mica moon is fairly new but these two witches often clash primrose follows the rules to the letter but mica likes to bend

mica has a following of her videos where she pretends to be a witch its all a bit of fun and no real magic is exposed but primrose wants it to stop as mica might out them.....mica cant see the harm but she is about to be found out.....

a request for a witches help summoms mica to nowhere house where she is about to have the shock of her life.....

this a very funny and poignant book of how a family doesnt have to be about blood to bring people together....and the mishaps and confusion that can happen when a bit of magic is involved

loved this book and finished it in a day..... couldnt put it down at all

I really enjoyed this book and was hooked from the very beginning. The world felt so vibrant and alive with magic and the characters were lovable. Its comparable to house in the Cerulean Sea but with a more adult romance. I'd recommend for anyone who enjoys found family and some magic in their books.

I will update the review with a link to our blog closer to publication date.
I'd like to thank the publisher Hodder & Stoughton and Netgalley for providing me with an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review

4.5 Stars

One Liner: So cute! Entertaining, enjoyable, and sweet

Mika Moon is a witch and a part of the secret society that meets once every three months. The rules are simple. Stay low, don’t call attention to your witchy magic, and stay away from other witches.
Mika is used to the rules but yearns to talk about her witching abilities without exposing herself. A social media account seems like a great way to achieve it until she gets an offer to teach three young witches to control and use their magic.
Nowhere House seems to be overflowing with magic, and Mika slowly realizes it is a home she never had. But she and the people of Nowhere House have to deal with a few issues before thinking about the future. Will Mika risk everything to protect a family she recently got to know? What about her future?
The story comes in limited third-person POV of Mika (and Jamie).

My Observations:
The book has diverse characters, and some of them work well (read my note at the end for more but finish the review first).
Some characters are basically tropes, but they still come alive on the page. The kiddos, Rosette (10, black), Terracotta (8, Vietnamese), and Altamira (7, Palestinian), are such little cutie pies! Each of them has a definite personality.
The pacing is steady, though it slips a little in the last part. A lot happens too, but it works out pretty well overall.
Magic is an integral part of the story and blends really well with the setting and atmosphere.
Mika is a lovely character and easy to root for.
The attraction between Jamie and Mika is more of a slow burn and suits the storyline. It is a bit predictable, but that’s what this genre is about. The predictability is comforting.
The book is all cutesy and sweet yet deals with important topics like family, relationships, loneliness, friendships, etc.
The writing style is easy to read. It is lighthearted and filled with enough quirks to make you chuckle.
*****
Note:
I saw some reviewers tagging the book as Indian rep (and a few more relevant tags). Mika is an Indian raised and bought up in Britain by a Britisher. Now Mika is as Indian as Aavakaya is British, which is a big fat zero.
I have no issues with this because the story justifies it. But Mika is not an ‘Indian’ Indian. It didn’t even occur to me that she was Indian despite the hints strewn in the first half. I imagined her more as a mixed-race Britisher at the most.
If the Indian rep is important to you, this book doesn’t deliver in that category. But if you just want a super cute witchy story, you’ll enjoy it a lot more. Forget the rep and imagine Mika any way you want.
*****
To sum up, The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches is a sweet book with loveable characters. It’s a perfect read for a lazy afternoon.
Thank you, NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
*****
P.S: Aavakaya is a spicy raw mango pickle made in Andhra Pradesh (South India).

The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches is an utterly charming book. It’s sweet and funny whilst also laced with longing, secrets, and a heroine I would love to be best friends with.

Mika Moon is a quirky vlogger, embracing the witchcore aesthetic whilst hiding the fact that she actually is a witch. She lives a secretive life, never staying long in any one place, obeying the Rules of witching imposed on her by the imposing yet sort of maternal Primrose, until one day she receives an invitation to move to Norfolk. An invitation headed ‘Witch Wanted’. It’s all too mysterious to ignore, so she packs up her magical teas, her dog and her pond and off she goes.

The story is paced just right, as we are introduced to a family of magnificent characters from the outrageous Ian, to the gorgeous yet guarded Jamie. We follow Mika as she joins their household and gets to know each of these wonderfully diverse people.

A cosy, fantastical adventure with a rising level of urgency, twists which don’t feel forced, and a very tidy wrap up – it’s a perfect autumnal read, to be enjoyed with a steaming mug of tea whilst watching the leaves begin to fall.

Cosy fantasy meets 'The Holiday' in this wonderfully witchy rom-com!

- Grumpy x Sunshine
- Found family
- Funny
- I-hate-everyone-but-you
- Cosy autumnal vibes
- Queer and POC rep

Thank you Hodder and Stoughton, and NetGalley for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review!

'Mika Moon has always been taught to keep a low profile as one of the few witches left in Britain. She never had any problem not drawing attention to herself until one day someone sees her 'pretend' witch videos online and invites her to teach three young witches magic at the intriguing Nowhere House. The only problem? It's forbidden and the prickly (but frustratingly attractive) librarian, Jamie, is determined to see Mika as a threat to the children and family's way of life at every turn. But just as Mika begins to open her heart to belonging anywhere again, a danger threatens to tear apart her new home. Mika must now decided if she should run away or risk it all to help the found family she didn't know she was looking for'.

This was the cosy autumnal palate cleanser I needed. If you want a book that feels like a cup of tea, rain on the window and warm blanket cuddles with a dash of magic, The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches is the book for you.

The romance didn't feel forced but natural and comforting despite their respective trauma, had good communication and all the found family feels. The girls were so sweet and acted like children which was lovely to see. (I might have a particular soft spot for Rosetta!). I'd also happily talk theatre and knit flamingo pink scarves with Ian, bake with Lucie, and garden with long-suffering Ken, I love them!

The writing was funny and warm, with a witty narrative voice. This was a wonderfully cosy romance and found family story. Pick this up on the 23rd August in time for the beginning of autumn!

I really wanted this book to work for me but unfortunately it didn’t.
The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches sounded perfect for me! I was just getting into my Spooky Season as I like to celebrate Halloween really early and Witchy vibes are my favourite.
I didn’t really care for the characters and the romance didn’t do anything for me.
I really liked the magic system, I found it very unique, wish it was explored bit more. The diversity in this book was really good and I’m hoping to see more books like this.
It was well written book and I liked the premise of it but unfortunately it didn’t keep me interested.
I will recommend it to other readers with hope that they will enjoy it a lot more.

This was so wholesome, pure and adorable!

I have a definitely found a new favourite author. Sangu Mandana's writing is so engaging and easy to follow. The atmosphere that she creates of a secluded English Manor house in Norfolk is just the right amount of magical. Having lived and travelled across England for several years, I am intimately familiar with the landscape and reading about it just felt like coming home.

The characters are all adorable. I am a huge fan of found family trope and it was executed with such perfection. Mika is a fantastic main character, she is so vulnerable and unsure of herself at times but at the same time she brings so much joy to everyone around her. She is a loyal friend who everyone needs in their lives. Her relationship with the kids was done so well. It was fun to watch her become their friend and mentor. In fact, I loved how all the various relationship development that we got in this book. They were complex, deep and in some cases quite entertaining.

The romance was so sweet. It was a bit on a predictable side, but at the heart of it this story is a lot about belonging and finding your place and your people in the world. People you will love and care for wholeheartedly and whose love and trust will make you a better version of yourself.

Overall, this was extremely magical and whimsical with so much witchy goodness to it. I'd highly recommend it. A perfect autumn read!

A wonderful combination of grumpy romantic interest, sunshine (although actually hiding sadness) protagonist, plenty of magic without over explanation and the eccentric found family of my dreams. Loved it, easy wholesome read.

4.5 stars
Thank you Netgalley and Hodder & Stoughton for a copy of this ARC. All thoughts are my own.

From the first page, The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches is a delightful read. It felt like stepping into a hug or curling up under your favourite blanket. It's so cosy and whimsical, and I smiled a great deal whilst I read it.

The found family trope is one of my favourite tropes, and I loved how it was utilised in this novel. Mika, having grown up lonely because of being a witch, isn't used to having people to rely on or look out for her. The family she gains in the adults and children at Nowhere House is completely rewarding. She was the missing piece to their puzzle, and even with the angst of the house's secrets, I enjoyed how well Mika fitted into their slice of the world.

The magic used in the novel is whimsical, much as the world is. It's described so delightfully, that I couldn't help but wish for the type of magic in this book to enter my own world (especially some of the teas - they sounded so helpful). With the addition of the children's magic and the wonderful prose, I was truly enchanted.

The sub-romance plot was a good balance in this world. I loved the meddling of the side characters in Mika and Jamie's relationship, and the pacing was perfect. The spice level was just enough to keep in with the rest of the sweet nature of this book, without taking away from it being an adult relationship with adult feelings.

The inhabitants of Nowhere House were so much fun. I loved all the girls, and the caretakers alike. Everyone added their own charm to this world, and it was easy to fall in love with everyone as much as Mika did during her stay.

I adored the conclusion, and how Mika was able to blend her previous ways of being a witch into the way she hoped for in the world. It ends very optimistically and as a reader, I felt fulfilled by how this story closed out.

If you're looking for a delightfully easy read, with autumn/winter cosy vibes, then I urge you to pick this book up. It was such a wonderful read, and I'm going to look out for further works by this author.

Mika Moon lives alone, without family or friends, to keep the secret that she is a witch. All witches are doomed to this life. Only on her YouTube channel does she pretend to be a witch and assumes that no one will see through the show. But Ian recognises the truth behind the façade and turns to Mika. Because Ian has three young witches at home who are supposed to learn to control their magic...

This book was pure sugar. We get to know Mika and realise how sad and alone she is due to her lifestyle. So she takes the chance to teach the three witches to spare them this fate. The three are absolutely adorable, each in their own way: the curious, the protective, the trusting. And with them come many more characters who together make a great found family, not to mention the romance. Each of the characters has not a drop of bad blood and wants only the best for those around them. We have humorous, emotional and sad scenes. Of course, there is also an overarching plot, a problem to be solved. But that is not the focus and was dealt with quite quickly, which didn't bother me. I was there for the found family and the grumpy-sunshine-romance. The book reminded me a lot of The House In The Cerulean Sea and I think people who liked that book will like The Very Secret Society Of Irregular Witches too.