I did indeed read this book in one sitting and it was delightful!

Absolutely loved the Inn as a setting and the entire ensemble of characters were fantastic.

This book was about chosen family, love and acceptance and it just really moved me. I did indeed cry on a sunbed in Spain and I have no regrets.

An absolutely wonderful sweet (and a little bittersweet) story about a family brought together, not by blood, but by love and acceptance of those who may not fit the status quo of normality but shine in their differences coming to live at a very special inn that is also wonderful but not perfect (Just a bit odd like how it rains apple tea every Saturday in a certain room!). From Sera who lost most of her magic bringing her aunt Jasmin back from the dead (and a certain rooster who is awesome!) to Clemmie, a human cursed to fox form, or Nicholas a knight in shining armor (always ready to rescue or protect anyone in need). This story has funny shenanigans (I mean you get a fox and a helpful kid and suddenly a library is broken into!) or a goat getting loose in the garden but you also have to good messages about how people have their own quirks that may not fit into the "norm" and also down with the awful people set in their ways, prejudiced against "different" people! There is sweetness and love and people who stand with each other in the darkest of times. I did love the journey Luke took while at the inn, showing that his sister wouldn't have to go through the same trials he did. And also Sera's hunt for how to get her magic back and also how not to let the past pull her down and how a little magic can go a long way and how some things are greater than having tons of magic.

This was a blast to read, even if the ending was bittersweet (yes it was good but also hurt!). I would love to be able to go to the Batty Hole Inn and see all these wonderful people and such a grand place to live.

Where her previous book was one of my favourites, this one 'only' gets 3 stars for me. I definitely enjoyed it, but I felt like something was missing. That extra spark, that little extra to make me go WOW! And I hate that, as this was such an anticipated release of mine! However, that isn't to say I didn't like it because I absolutely did! And I would die for Luke.

A perfect cosy witchy time, I loved this just as much as the first book and would love to see more of these.

Gosh, The Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping was such a fun and cosy read.

While mostly lighthearted, the experience of reading the book felt healing, the story brimming with respect, empathy, and a celebration of what makes us unique. Sera’s loss of magic, dormant but still protective, felt like a metaphor for the times in life we lose our sense of self. Interwoven throughout the story were gentle themes of found family, self acceptance and resilience. I particularly enjoyed the grumpy-grumpy dynamic of Sera and Luke!

I enjoyed the magic system which felt rich, but simple enough to drive the story without overcomplicating it. The imagery was beautiful throughout, and I especially loved Sera’s galaxy behind her eyes. The inn was quaint, quirky, and felt quintessentially British in the best way. I loved that only part of this was due to magic with the rest coming from its endearing and irrepressible inhabitants.

Overall, the reading experience felt like warm sunshine - I read this book with a smile on my face. I’d recommend to anyone who enjoyed The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches, or is looking for a cosy, fairly low conflict, and heartfelt fantasy.

Thank you to the publisher for the advance copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

How I’ve missed the authors writing & cosy vibes this book was just as good as VSSOIW, If you like found family second chance grumpy x grumpy cosy vibes emotional turmoil then add this to your autumn TBR!!

This story hits the ground running – I had to check to ensure that it didn’t somehow continue a sideplot from the previous book. It doesn’t, but I enjoy books where I’m swept into the story – particularly if it creates a strong bonding moment with a sympathetic protagonist. And that’s exactly what happens here. Far too young, Sera is confronted with the dead body of her beloved aunt and takes the decision to resurrect her.

Mandanna’s tone is on the lighter side, without diminishing or disrespecting the gravity of the situation. After all, in moments of absolute crisis, there are frequently farcical aspects that occur. I loved the fact that Sera also manages to resurrect a much-loved family pet rooster, Roo-Roo. However, unlike Aunt Jasamine, Roo-Roo has been in the ground for a fair amount of time – so only his skeleton survives.

While this fantasy tale provides much-needed escapism – like most of the better stories, there are all sorts of themes that also apply to those of us who are not magically endowed (thank goodness!). What happens within families when a child doesn’t fit social norms, for instance. What makes a happy household. How do we find who we’re meant to be if a defining talent or gift is abruptly cut off – we regularly read stories of elite sportsmen and women whose careers are cut short due to injury or a serious condition. Artists, writers and musicians burn out. This is the situation confronting Sera.

I really liked the fact that Mandanna doesn’t sugar-coat Sera’s grief and anger at what happened to her magic. That there are times when she wonders if she’d known that she would lose her magic – whether she’d bring her Aunt Jasamine back to life. And no – I didn’t recoil in shock, because it seems a very realistic reaction.

This is a tale of found families. Where the idea of love and acceptance, along with mountains of cinnamon rolls, can help traumatised children to begin to heal. There is also villainy and betrayal to stop this collapsing into a sentimental mess, which I appreciated as I don’t much like sentimentality treacling my feel-good fantasy tales. As for the inn only ever being available for guests that truly need what it has to offer due to one of Sera’s magical spells – I really liked that dynamic. And the fact that without a regular injection of magic, entropy would take over and the inn would become too expensive to keep going. The romantic plotline was nicely entertaining as spiky Luke and snappy Sera produced some lovely, sarcastic banter that had me chuckling as they teamed up to face a variety of challenges.

All in all, this was a solid delight which I blew through far too quickly. Recommended for fans of feel-good fantasy that isn’t too sickly sweet, despite the cinnamon rolls. While I obtained an arc of The Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping from the publishers via Netgalley, the opinions I have expressed are unbiased and my own.
9/10

A Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping is a delightful cozy fantasy that perfectly balances whimsy with genuine heart. This story follows Sera Swan, a formerly powerful witch now running an enchanted inn after losing most of her magic in a resurrection mishap.

I truly loved the ensemble cast of quirky inn guests, each on their own journey of growth and self-discovery. Luke, the icy magical historian who slowly thaws as he helps Sera unlock an ancient spell, is particularly compelling—especially his protective relationship with his sister Posy and the way he's felt he had to mask his true self. The romance unfolds naturally alongside themes of found family and belonging.

Mandanna excels at creating inclusive, diverse characters while thoughtfully addressing discrimination they've faced. The magical inn itself becomes almost a character, with its enchanted atmosphere and the way it brings people together. This is comfort reading at its finest—a story about second chances, the power of chosen family, and discovering that sometimes the magic we think we've lost has just transformed into something different.

Perfect for anyone seeking a heartwarming escape with substance and humor.

Thank you to NetGalley & Hodder & Stoughton for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book by Sangu Mandanna. It is perfect for the upcoming autumn / winter season. I ended up buying the audio which I found a good listen, the narrator is very good. It is perhaps not as good as 'the very secret society of witches' but still very enjoyable, and I will listen to it again. Living in Lancashire it is wonderful to hear local place names within a book, The pace of the book is quite gentle.

I really like Sangu Mandanna and I hope she writes more witchy books.

Did I predict most of the ending of this book from the beginning? Yes, 100%. Did it have any impact on my enjoyment of this book? Absolutely not!

The standout thing from Sangu Mandanna's first book was the incredible sense of found family in the novel, and if possible, she has nailed that even more in this book.

I love the little nuances of each of the characters and their flaws. I adore their relationships. Sera and Luke was telegraphed from the start, but it didn't feel rushed or forced, it felt very genuine.

The magic of the inn was so clever, and seeing Sera confront and love her ghosts in the end was everything. I didn't see the final twist coming (although looking back, the signs were there), but it was a beautifully fitting end.

I have been reading a ton of cozy fantasy / romance lately so when I heard of this one, I ran to NetGalley to pick it up. I had not heard from this author previously, although The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches is now on my radar.

These characters were really sweet over all. From the start they had my heart and I really felt for our FMC. I totally get why she is the way she is and I just love how candid she can be! Not your typical spitfire female lead that you see in a lot of fantasy, she had her own way and I really liked her.

I didn't connect as much with or MMC but poppy was just a dear. I am a mother of an autistic child and it really resonated with me. I loved it.

Overall I would give this a 3.5 but I did run to grab a copy from Goldsboro because I think I will re read it in the future. It was overall well done, not as cozy as I imagined but overall I am happy with it.

After falling in love with The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches, I couldn't wait to dive into Sera's story.

Mandanna returns with the same character-driven, enchanting world full of found family and second chances.

I thoroughly enjoyed a grumpy x grumpy pairing too!

I was expecting to love this book because I rated The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches as 5 stars, but unfortunately, A Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping just didn't feel the same to me.

The found family trope was done very well, there's a big mix of eclectic characters - Roo Roo the chicken was obviously my favourite! I enjoyed how accepting the group was, it really felt like the inn was home to them all.

The plot dragged, the first section was pretty good but then the middle seemed to slow right down and there was no urgency. I've read lots of cosy fantasy books but this didn't even feel particularly cosy. I felt that the plot and characters needed more depth; I couldn't connect with them well enough.

Ok I absolutely loved this. It had been a while since I read The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches and I was so excited to read more from Sangu. I was not disappointed.

AWGTMI had the same whimsical writing, with beautiful prose and lovable character. From the slightly wild Nicholas to grumpy yet wild Clemmie, this story was filled with so many diverse characters that you just can't help but love.

The plot, whilst simple, was executed perfectly and I was kept hooked from the beginning.

What I love most about this, and with any of Sangu's work, is the underlying moral of the story and the diversity that appears. From the importance of accepting people exactly as they are, to the consequences of one person holding so much power, Sangu tackles topics of today in a subtle yet brilliant and important way.

I lapped this book up and I'm sad it's over.

A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping follows Sera Swan, who was one of the most powerful witches in Britain. After she resurrected her great-aunt Jasmine from the dead, Sera lost most of her powers and was exiled from her Guild. Now she helps Jasmine run an enchanted inn in Lancashire, longing for a future that seems lost. That is, until she discovers an old spell that could restore her power, and a handsome magical historian who might have the key to unlocking the spell’s secrets magically finds his way to the inn.

I sometimes find cosy fantasy books to be a little too sickly sweet and lacking in plot, but I really enjoyed Sangu Mandanna’s latest magical book! While the cosy vibes were certainly there, the humour, profanity (I love a swear!) and ` teensy amount of steam (this is not a spicy book by any means) meant that it was not too sweet for me. The pacing was great, and I enjoyed the plot of Sera attempting to regain her magic.

The characters were all fantastic. As well as Sera and grumpy historian Luke, we have adorable great-aunt Jasmine, a semi-villainous talking fox, an undead rooster, an eccentric gardener, two small children, and a twenty-something cosplaying as a knight. The relationships between the inn’s inhabitants were delightful, and I loved how many forms of love there were within the pages of this book. Found family is one of my favourite tropes, and it worked so beautifully here.

There was great neurodivergent, LGBTQ+ and mental health representation, and Mandanna did a great job of tackling some difficult topics without making the book feel too heavy.

While I sort of wish the ending had happened slightly differently, the ending chosen did fit the messaging and themes of the book. I did tear up a little, and I missed the characters as soon as I read the final page.

I’d definitely recommend this book to anyone wanting a funny, witchy read with low-stakes and loveable, quirky characters. I can’t wait to read whatever is next from this author!

Thank you to NetGalley and Hodderscape for providing me with an eARC. All opinions are my own.

When I think about cozy fantasy romance, Sangu Mandanna is just THE author that comes to mind immediately. I loved "The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches", and now I loved "A Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping". Once again the major theme is found family, and once again the found family aspect, to me, trumped the romance.
Not to say that I didn't like the romance between Sera and Luke - they were adorable! But Mandanna simply excels at building these weird little families out of the weirdest little characters and I love it.
Yes, the characters are a bit out there and at times clicheed, and yes their character arcs are incredibly predictable. Yes, once again there is barely any plot and what is there is mostly forgettable (and while I liked the overall themes I just really hated one aspect of the ending, because I hate this kind of ending in mostly every book I read even knowing why it's there). And yes, the pacing has its issues - very apparent for example when one character betrays the group then has their redemption in the span of like, five pages or so.
But you know what? I just don't care. I don't read cozy fantasy for the intriguing plotlines and high stakes, I read them for the vibes, for the happiness, for the feelings. I leave Mandanna's books with a smile on my face and a warm feeling in my belly, and that's exactly what I need sometimes.
4 easy stars, noone is surprised.

Wait. A second book that hits just as good as the first, shocking.

Absolutely loved this one, even single character was funny and quirky and somehow meshed so well together and made the best little found family that will go to bat for each other.
The villain of the book was a touch characature ish. And was overly written but it worked and helps sucks you imp to the book and makes the eventual downfall more enjoyable, while the book was fast paced and witty I did find it somewhat predictable and saw the twist coming pretty early. But still highly recommend.

5 stars
Content warning: prejudice, classism, historical parental abandonment, emotional neglect, trauma from upbringing

Thank you to the author and publisher via NetGalley for a digital copy to review. All thoughts are my own.

Sometimes, you just need the warmest hug from a book, and A Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping enveloped me in its wholesome embrace and took me on a journey of acceptance, found family, and sacrifice for those you love when it matters the most. I appreciated the characters the most from this tale. They're rich in loss and love, and the way the inhabitants of the inn created just as much magic, if not more, in the way they cared for one another was truly beautiful to read about.

I liked how Sera's magic after burning out was used for mundane things like keeping the rooms warm or ensuring produce grew well to hide the gardener's woeful attempts, to fixing leaks in the roof or keeping unwanted people out. This magic felt more powerful than the lost powers Sera once utilised because it helped those around her in small but significant ways every day. It wasn't showy or greedy, like those within the witch's guild, because it was used for practical reasons that were (mostly) harmless. The comparison between those who had spurned Sera, Clemmie, and Posy from the guild and those who had access to guild magic, secrets, and history was well done, and it helped round the story to Sera and the inn family's favour. Add in the delightful slow-burn romance and the genuine care for those who had been seen as misfits or disruptive by their own families and peers, and you have the cosiest little place to enjoy reading about.

Of course, Sera is trying to get her magic back, but the real success of the story is how she uses that outcome and how important finding a place where you belong, around those who are chaotic yet irrevocably yours, matters more than any powerful magical guild in the world. I loved the gentle way Mandanna embraced difference and rejected the norm by showing how having your own individual spark is better than shining in a sea of others the same, especially with Luke and Posy's stories. The book has powerful moments of discussion without darkening the storyline too far, and it makes you want to champion for every character and ensure they all get their happily ever after. I love softly powerful stories like this, and appreciate that this second book I've read by the author offered escape from the harsh realities of the world inside a whimsical delight. I have enjoyed Mandanna's last two releases for providing such warmth to the soul, and I hope to read more stories like this from the author in the future.

Just as cute as the first one. Loved the vibes. Bit of a slow start but good once you get into it thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for allowing me to read this arc in exchange of my honest review

Thanks to NetGalley and Hodderscape for the ARC

3.5 stars

A Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping is a cozy fantasy, stuffed to the brim with found family and fun escapades, with a sprinkling of romance.

The story follows Sera Swan, a powerful witch who loses almost all her magic during the casting of an illegal resurrection spell to save her aunt when she is 15. Exiled from the world of magic by the guild, we jump forward 15 years to a 30-year-old Sera, who manages a magical inn with her Auntie. They are surrounded by a bunch of outcasts they have picked up along the way, who come to stay at the inn and never leave. It is this found family that is the heart of the novel. While we follow Sera’s quest to regain her magic, we also have micro journeys for each of the inn's residents as they find their place in the world.

I adored The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches, and while I enjoyed A Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping, it did not quite hit the same. While it has the same charming, cozy fantasy vibe, it did not quite hit right. There were perhaps too many characters, each with an important story, so you couldn’t really fall in love with any in particular. The book started out great, falls a little flat in the middle and picks up again towards the end.

The ending is going to be marmite. I personally was disappointed with the ending, but I can see the message it was trying to get across. And this might be the biggest problem with the book: everything is a message, an important social issue, and rather than trusting her readers to get the point she is trying to make, Sangu bashes them over the head with it multiple times to ensure you really don’t miss it.

That being said, Sangu is great at writing an engaging story that keeps you reading right to the end.