Thank you to Netgalley for an early digital copy if this book.
I absolutely loved The very secret society of irregular witches so I was really excited about this book. I knew I would enjoy just by reading the plot.
It is a 4 star for me, only reason why it isn’t a 5 is because the ending made me feel a bit sad and conflicted?
But I still very much recommend it and I will be getting a physical copy for sure when it is released.

I’m so sad about how this book ended, because this was really shaping up to be a five-star read for me. But with the way it stands, and with what takes place in the conclusion of this otherwise lovely story, my opinion has changed massively.

That said, let me talk about all the positives I enjoyed, and that made me love a solid three-quarters of this book:

The premise was interesting. After Mandanna’s first novel in this series - where a witch finally found community after being barred from finding it for most of her life - it was refreshing to now learn about witches who work more closely with the Guild, an organization for high-ranking, powerful witches and scholars. Seeing how those witches in that section of the world operated was fascinating. I loved that the FMC, Sera, was a formerly supremely gifted witch, and that she lost her powers due to an insurrection spell that saved her great-aunt. That backstory was super compelling.

I also really enjoyed the cast of characters. They were wacky, lovable, layered, and so fun. I felt completely taken in as I was reading, and the magical inn felt like a character in itself - so detailed, so wonderful, so magical.

The found family vibes were through the roof, and the cozy fantasy was cozy fantasy-ing hard.

I also appreciated that the book acknowledged institutional racism, class issues, and general bigotry. Not in a heavy-handed way, but matter-of-factly. I related to that in a lot of ways.

The romance with Luke, a scholarly wizard from Sera’s past, was cute, too, though I’d say it wasn’t particularly notable. I kind of wish it had been more developed, because it just felt a little… hollow? Not bad, just not super interesting. It didn’t add a ton, overall.

Now, onto the parts that sort of spoiled the read for me: some stuff felt a bit corny, and the ending really annoyed me.

Re: the corniness. Maybe I’m a miserly, jaded individual, but some of the metaphors (especially the phoenix ones) felt overused and cliché. They didn’t resonate with me. They had that ‘live, laugh, love’ energy - something you’d see written on a cheesy mug. I understood and appreciated what the author was trying to convey about Sera overcoming her trauma and reclaiming herself, but calling herself a phoenix multiple times just felt… meh. Like, okay. It was an overused metaphor that didn’t really help underline the story beat in a meaningful way.

Now, the ending.

There’s a specific trope used in the final chapters that I personally really dislike - especially in a story centered around magic. While I understand the message the author was trying to convey about love, home, and healing beyond what the heroine thought she needed, it just didn’t work for me. I came into this book for a witchy, empowering journey, and the resolution felt like it undercut a lot of what I loved about the main character’s arc. It left me feeling disappointed rather than satisfied

Maybe I’m not mature enough to fully appreciate what was surely meant as a beautiful, real message about life, priorities, and family - but I’ll stand by the fact that I thoroughly disliked the ending and that it marred what was a great reading experience otherwise.




Thank you to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

For about 75% of the book I was a bit conflicted about how to rate it. It's is super cozy and I liked most of the characters, the writing was funny and engaging. The only problem I had was I couldn't really connect with the romance. Generally, I think this is a bit of a general issue with cozy books that rely very heavily on a lot of snark and genuinely funny banter. It's just difficult to really connect with the characters and be invested in the romance, because the humor acts as a bit of a barrier. So, mostly I was thinking that the book itself was good, just maybe not exactly for me. But then the last 25% hit.
Without spoiling the ending, I have to say it absolutely sucked. It completely soured the entire book for me. It felt like I went through the whole journey for nothing and invested in the story just to be let down. It didn't even particularly make sense to me. I didn't think much about the world building before the ending, but because of it, the magical system of the book completely fell apart for me. Just absolutely disappointing and honestly, I was so mad about everything. Because of how much I hated the ending, I don't even really wanna get into the characters. It just feels pointless. I will say though that Clemmie (the witch trapped as a fox) is the absolute worst. In the beginning I thought she'd be a bit of a counterbalance to all loveliness of the other characters by being a bit more selfish and snarky. Then she started annoying me a bit, then I started realizing she genuinely was selfish in big ways. And then she turned into an all out villain. Straight up a bad person. Sure, she does something nice at the end, but like.... Too little too late. Her ending put me over the edge. Just so so disappointing how the entire story turned out, there was so much potential.

I received an advanced copy of this book and voluntarily read and reviewed it. All opinions are my own.

Thank you NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for sending me this ebook. All thoughts are my own.

This was truly a whimsical dream. So beautifully silly and heartfelt. I’m at a bit of a loss as to how to explain just how much I loved this book. There’s such an emphasis on just how magical life and love is. It’s so hopeful that I felt a bit teary, actually.

”Why do you find it so easy to be kind to me and so difficult to be kind to yourself?” Sera is a deeply wonderful and honestly relatable main character. For all her struggles, she remains so loving and kind to those around her. But she’s still headstrong – she’s not an entirely soft/gentle character, which makes her complex and real. I just love her!!! I could have read thousands of pages about her and her life. The romance is not necessarily the focus, but was very sweet. Luke was great as a love interest (not joking, more books need to be about magical handsome historians), and he was brilliant as his own person with problems and history.

The found family in this book was actually perfect. All of the characters added so much, and I loved them dearly. Everyone at the inn was met with such acceptance. It is so heartwarming to read about people who are known and loved as they truly are. Not only this, but this book has such beautifully effective nods to topics such as depression, absent parents, racism, disability, and ablism. It is such a breath of fresh air to have these things so effortlessly featured in a silly and fun witchy book.

"Fifteen years in the company of ghosts and great aunts, foxes and farmers, hobbits and knights and children bursting with light” <3

This was adorable, emotional, sweet, tender and funny. I’m in love with every single character in this book, but particularly the Inn!
There is love in all it’s shapes in this book: familial bonds created between strangers, love blooming at any age, friendship that stands the test of time, and the love of magic.
The ending felt quite bittersweet to me, and I’m still figuring out whether I’m happy with it or not!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Hodderscape for the ARC!

This was an incredibly beautiful, whimsical and heartwarming story with a diverse and unique band of characters. I absolutely loved them, they were the heart of this story.

Sera, a young and powerful witch loses most of her power when she resurrectes her great-aunt, the only family she cares about, from the dead. Exiled and with little power she spends the next fifteen years running her inn. A magical inn who's always there for those who need it. Some of the people who found it, never left it.
But now, there is a chance for her to restore her power, a spell in a language she doesn't know.
Enter Luke, with his adorable sister, a magical historian. He's there to help, albeit reluctantly at first. They, along with the rest of the inn family, will embark on a mission to figure out and find everything she needs for the spell.

The found family aspect of this book is what captured my heart. While the romance blossoming between Sera and Luke was a delightful addition, one I liked very much, it was all the occupants of the inn that were the center of this story. Each of them unique in their own special way, trying to be the truest version of themselves. I really loved the representation. And of course, let's not forget Roo-Roo, he might be my favourite.

The story was so beautifully written, I absolutely loved the setting. I laughed, I cried, I fell in love.

The only thing I didn't like is that one moment at the end. I won't spoil it, but it will never sit right with me when authors do that. I understand the story sometimes warrants it, but I don't have to like it.

This was was my first book from this author, but let me tell you, it will not be my last. Can't recommend it enough!!

An adorably cozy book set around a magical inn, with lovable characters, found family and an undead rooster, what more could you want!

4.5⭐ rounded to 5⭐

Sera Swan, who is a witch has a second chance to get her magical powers and her life back on track...

I really loved the characters - they all had such distinctive personalities and I loved learning more about them, whilst seeing them further develop throughout the story. Even the secondary characters added to the story and were memorable. I loved seeing the disability representation in this book, with Jasmine having a club foot and Posy is autistic. I liked seeing the romance blossom - it felt like it made sense, didn't feel rushed as it was quite slow burn, as well as opposites attract which I ate up. It definitely wasn't the main theme but it worked quite well running alongside the main plot and the most beautiful found family vibes.

I loved learning more about this gorgeous, whimsical world that was an absolute delight to imagine, paired with the most stunning imagery. Sangu is a master of being able to craft the most gorgeous worlds with the most amazing characters that are filled with my favourite trope of all time, found family, that you grow so fondly of and care so deeply for.

The only thing that stopped this book from being a 5⭐ was the last 15%. It felt like a rush to get to the end, which was such a shame. Way too much was happening with not enough time to let the information shared have the impact/moment that it needed, in order for it to have breathing room as it felt like each reveal blended into one. The rest of the story had created such an incredible build up to the end so it was a shame that it didn't deliver in the way I was expecting.

Thank you Hodderscape and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book early, in exchange for an honest review.

⚠️ CWs: death, abandonment, cursing, alcohol use, ableism, animal death; mentions domestic abuse, racism, sexual content, fire, animal cruelty, injury detail ⚠️

Heartwarming and cosy fantasy with found family, a magical inn, and a talking fox.

You had me at talking fox. The strangest of families brought together by need and a magical inn—this is cosy fantasy with a slow-burn romance. Personal journeys aplenty, as each character grows throughout the book, not just the FMC.

I really enjoyed this and raced through it in a day. It was well-paced, funny, and still had its tearjerker moments. I did, however, find the sex scene a little jarring. The story would have been just fine without it. It felt like the author was perhaps a little embarrassed to write it—it lacked realness and turned into an awkward conversation about condoms. That was the only thing that stood out as being out of place.

If you love cosy witchiness, found family, and talking animals with a slightly criminal past, you’ll love this book.

this was the definition of a warm hug!! I absolutely loved getting lost in the pages of this book and feeling at home at Sera's whimsical inn.

the characters were so endearing, the world so magical, and the plot so well thought out that it made for a perfect cozy fantasy. I did wish for the ending to go in a slightly different direction, but the positive and uplifting message it provided was a nice touch.

I highly recommend picking this up when it comes out!!

Thank you to Hodderscape and NetGalley for the ARC!

This book is the epitome of cosy, brimming with whimsical charm, and filled with so much warmth. I was already a fan of Sangu Mandanna from the moment I read her other book, The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches, so I was so excited to be able to read this ARC. This book is like coming home after a long day, and drinking hot chocolate by the fireplace. It's a magical book and I am so grateful I got the chance to read the ARC.

This book follows Sera Swan, who resurrects her dead great-aunt Jasmine (and a rooster, accidentally), loses her magic, and is exiled from the Guild. Sera focuses on running the inn and dealing with the undead rooster (he's named Roo Roo, I feel this is very important!) and Clemmie, a talking fox. Years later, a mysterious historian named Luke appears at the inn and together, they work to get Sera's magic back and deal with the Guild.

The romance is sweet and I adored Luke from the moment he appeared on the page. I loved his interactions with Sera and his determination to do the right thing for his younger sister. I loved his characterisation so much.

Where this book shines, I think, is the side characters. The found family theme running through this book is perfect and all of these people who really needed the inn came together to create their own little family. I loved all of them so much and I would happily read a whole series following each member of the family!

This book had me giggling and kicking my feet and I had such a good time with this. Highly recommend that everyone picks it up for a bit of whimsy and charm.

This book felt like another big warm hug from the author to the readers. The writing style was very fun and descriptive which made for a super immersive experience. The characters were also hilarious and well-written, Sera Swan is me and I am her. I just wanted to dive into the book and join their little crazy family. It was a great story but somehow I did feel like it missed something. I can't really put my finger on what exactly that is. I really enjoyed reading this story but with her other book I was OBSESSED and that wasn't the case with this one, which does not take away the fact that it is a great book nonetheless!

I rated it therefore 3,5 stars! Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced reading copy of this upcoming book! All opinions are mine.

I absolutely loved Sangu Mandanna’s The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches, so I was very excited to receive an ARC of her newest book.

A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping is a warm, lighthearted and beautiful story of found family and looking for magic in the everyday. The cast of characters is absolutely delightful, from warm hearted Sera to her resurrected great aunt, a witch stuck in the body of a fox, a modern-day knight, and an aspiring hobbit, among others.

The romance between Sera and Luke was perfect. They are exactly who the other person needs, and the slow way their relationship develops feels completely natural.

Luke and his sister Posy’s relationship was beautiful, and it was lovely to see them both finally find a place where they were accepted for who they were. I appreciated how the author represented both neurodivergence and mental health in a kind and compassionate way in this story. Both Sera and Theo have some mental health struggles, but it’s expressed that it’s okay to talk about it and seek out help. Despite the book’s overall amusing and lighthearted tone, the author still deals with these heavier topics very well.

This book is perfect if you’re looking for a comforting, cosy fantasy read with a sprinkling of whimsy, magic and cinnamon buns.

I can’t wait to read whatever Sangu Mandanna writes next!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to review this book.

This latest of Mandanna’s stories follows witch Sera Swan as she juggles managing a magical inn and its wonderfully odd assortment of semi-permanent “guests”. (Cue, The Found Family, my kryptonite.) Not only does she juggle this with all the finesse of a slightly overwrought mother hen, she is also constantly grappling with the loss of her magic, expended in an epic spell cast as a teenager, the same spell that saw her exiled from the Guild of Sorcery.
Slightly desperate, as she watches what little magic she has left dwindle, she would do almost anything to get her magic back. Luckily for her, there is a fantastically endearing cast of characters just waiting in the wings to help her, including a slightly reluctant guild historian who has plenty of his own problems, thank you very much, one of which is the autistic sister he is raising as best he can on his own.
The found family in this one is just as delightful as the one in The Very Secret Society Of Irregular Witches, with each character being loved and valued exactly as they come. I LOVE it; plug it into my veins Sangu! Posy and Luke’s relationship is beautiful. As someone with experience with neurodivergent families, it is so nice to see this kind of representation on-page. I absolutely loved watching Sera learn that she does not have to do it all alone, that there are people in her life who want to help her as much as she’s helped them.
I also loved the twist on the grumpy-sunshine trope here -- this one is kind of a grumpy-grumpy dynamic instead!
In all, this one was a super cute read, and Sangu is an auto-buy storyteller for me!

4.5⭐

Such a heartwarming and cosy read, I loved how easy it was to get lost in this book and surround myself with beautiful writing, loveable characters and vivid descriptions throughout and even better a swoon worthy romance. I had the best time reading this book and highly recommend.

A Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping has been one of my most anticipated reads since it was first announced. I have been not so patiently waiting with baited breath to read this book, overwhelmed with excitement to immerse myself in Mandanna's magical writing again, but also slightly nervous that it wouldn't quite live up to my expectations. I am beyond thrilled to say that I was worried for nothing - A Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping is hands down one of the most wonderful books I have ever read. It is an easy 6 stars. Honestly, I would give this book 10 stars if I could.

I am actually struggling a bit to put how much I loved this book into words. Have you ever had the feeling when reading a book that you would just like to jump into the pages and live within the story? That is exactly how I felt when reading this. Mandanna excels at creating a fictional atmosphere that is so magical and welcoming. The little details throughout of the inn, the charmingly whimsical characters, the growth, the romance, the friendships, the magic, the smattering of cinnamon buns throughout - honestly, perfection.

If you enjoy cosy fantasy with romance and whimisical characters, don't waste any time. Make yourself a heart-warming cup of tea, or a coffee with Bailey's if you're feeling a bit more like Sera, grab a cinnamon bun, and dive in.

Perfect for fans of:
- found families
- magic
- cosy cottagecore fantasy
- light romance

My review will be shared on my blog a week before publication.

I listened to the first book The Very Secret Society Of Irregular Witches on audible maybe 2-3 years ago and absolutely loved the cosy Sabrina vibes which I was chasing. This book isn't a 2nd instalment but on the same themes of the Occult which is cosy, wholesome and loving. Sera our main character lost her magic due to burnout 15 years ago when she was a teenager and is presented a way to get it back with the support from the wacky characters staying at the inn. Her love story with Luke and the redemption of herself within the magical world within the guild (their kind of government at authority) was comforting and magical. Loved the inclusion in this book e.g. Posy who is 9 and autistic, Jasmine the spinster aunt with a clubfoot and finding her love at the end, Nicholas the guy in his 20s who thinks he's a knight (that one was a bit strange to me).

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A Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu Mandanna
A Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping
by Sangu Mandanna (Goodreads Author)
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Thanks to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for the arc!

🌟🌟🌟/5

I'm sure Sangu Mandanna's witchy cozy fantasy will become the newest sensation in the subgenre but for me, it was a mixed bag. While some moments stood out, the book overall fell prey to what cozy fantasy is often criticized for.

Here's the good: Found family is one of the very few tropes that I look forward to, and the eclectic characters make this a fun time! All of them add to the story in their own way. This is a book that invites you to experience the magic in everyday moments- literally. I enjoy a low stakes story from time to time and the stakes here are practically non-existent.

There's humor on every page. This book will make you laugh out loud quite often. The vibes were absolutely there. SM did a great job at making me despair about how I don't (and will never get to) live in a magical inn. The romance wasn't half as bad as I thought it'd be. Thankfully, instead of insta-love I got something that was actually quite heartfelt. I really liked the queer, disability, and autism representation. The narrative was engaging enough and I flew through it.

Here's what didn't work for me: The 'messages' the book wanted to give were way too overstated. It was all very....'live laugh love'. Many readers will find it comforting-healing, even- but only if they're in the right state of mind. I just wasn't looking for the 'just be yourself!!!!' and 'you don't need magic to be special!!!' storylines to be shoved down my throat for the billionth time.

The sex scene was completely unnecessary. Yes, it's barely three pages, but those three pages were enough to take me out of the story. All the talk about condoms was SO not needed and stood very much at odds with the rest of the book.

This one's definitely a case of 'it's not you, it's me'. If you love cozy fantasy and are looking for something lighthearted, give this a try!

I absolutely adored The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches and I loved this just as much! It's magical, fun and completely heartwarming with a lovely romance and a great found family. The cast of characters is so great and I loved the inn setting

From the writing style, her characters and how unbelievably funny it was, this book was 10/10 across the board! It has so much life and heart and completely realistic in a way that in a world full of witches, it should be.

The found family aspect was one of my favourite parts of the novel, and how, without spoiling too much, this one place brought them all together and they stayed together despite their peculiarities. Honestly I need everyone to read it, it honestly left me so warm inside. This book felt like a big hug. It managed to talk about sensitive issues while being simultaneously funny where it needed to be. The only critique o have about this book is its pacing from the 70% mark but other than that??? Absolutely loved it! Back to back amazing books by this author. I can’t wait to read more from her!!!