Thank you to both Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review a witch's guide to magical inkeeping

A Witch's Guide To Magical Innkeeping is a cosy romantasy about not only finding love but learning to love yourself. We follow Sera, a 30 year old inkeeper and once a prodigal witch with magical power strong enough to rival the strongest witch in the UK until she sacrificed her magic to resurrect her great-aunt Jasmine after she suddenly died 15 years ago (along with her aunts beloved pet rooster) and was exiled from the witches guild. In those 15 years the inn Sera runs with her aunt has been overrun by a cast of quirky guests ranging from the witch trapped in the form of a fox who taught her the illegal resurrection spell, a gallant knight who swore a lifetime of servitude to Sera and now Luke Larsen, a magical historian and Sera's childhood crush she hasn't seen since her exile, who might just have the answer to getting her magic back and opening up her heart.

Sometimes a family is two grumpy witches in their 30s, the kids they took in to protect from their shitty family members, old lady lesbians, a villainous witch trapped in a foxes body who wants take over the guild, and a himbo knight clinking around in his armour and trust me when I say that makes for a truly good story. I absolutely loved A Witch's Guide To Magical Innkeeping from its fun cast of characters, slow burn - heart melting romance, and overall theme of trying to find your place in the world when you're not the person you used to be. I found myself relating to Sera's character arc on a personal level to me, when I was around the age she was when she lost her magic my physical health started declining as my disability worsened and I suddenly wasn't able to do the things I used to do anymore just like how she couldn't call on her magic the same way. I know what its like to have to much sadness, anger and overall grief for the person you used to be, the person you could have been and because of that Sera's journey throughout the book just had such a huge impact on me especially with the added layer of me also being mixed race like she is. I also loved the addition of disabled and queer characters as a queer autistic cane user i loved the addition of Posy and Jasmine and the queer relationships present within the book.

A Witch's Guide To Magical Innkeeping was a cosy, emotional and romantic read I couldnt put down and I think its definitely worth a read

Sangu's books have a unique way and fun way of being inclusive. Her books routinely feature heroines of South Indian decent (like herself), neurodivergent and LGBTQ characters, and a mental health representation.

This is a story of found family, resilience, power struggles, self-acceptance, and sacrifice warped into a hilariously, emotional, witchy, cosy fantasy.

When I tell you I cried my little heart out in bittersweet happiness for the last 1/4 of the book, I'm not even exaggerating.

Oh, and did I mention the MMC is basically Alexander Skarsgard?!? Which is exactly how I pictured him AND Sangu's dream cast pick!!

This was a 10/10 read for me, and I beseech you to read it!!

his was my first book by Sangu Mandanna and definitely won’t be the last. I really loved the cozy magical inn vibe. It felt warm and inviting, like a place you’d want to visit for a weekend getaway.

The found family aspect was one of my favorite parts. The characters are all so different, each with their own quirks and personalities, and they all bring something important to the story. It felt really natural how they came together and supported each other.

There’s humor sprinkled on pretty much every page, which kept the mood light and fun. I especially enjoyed the slow burn romance between Sera and Luke. It wasn’t rushed, and it made their relationship feel genuine.

That said, the ending knocked it down to a 4 star for me. It made sense for the story, but I wished Sera got a better ending as felt like something important was left hanging. Still, it didn’t ruin the book by any means.

Overall, this was a charming and magical read that I’m glad I picked up. I’m looking forward to reading more from Sangu Mandanna in the future.

This book had a very cosy romantic fantasy setting and reminded me almost of Shrek weirdly lol??

I thought the main characters were likeable and the storytelling was nice but ultimately I don’t think it was really for me.

I felt like nothing was really happening throughout the book and I couldn’t really get into it, and ultimately didn’t end up finishing it quite late on in the book (about 80%). By this stage of the book I would’ve hoped for something more; I know it wasn’t advertised as a steamy romantasy but I would’ve liked to have seen a bit more between the two main characters because at times it felt like they were indifferent to one another. I also found some of the side characters a bit annoying.

However, I do appreciate the autism representation!

Nonetheless thank you to the publisher & NetGalley for letting me read this ARC in exchange for an honest review :)

Absolutley LOVED this novel!

We follow Sera, a witch who has lost her magic after she cast a spell when she was a teenager and now runs a lovely B&B with her resurrected aunt, a Rooster that is resurrected way past his expiry date, a wanna be knight, a sarcastic fox and other lovely lodgers! Seriously, this is a highly character driven Cozy story with found family and feel good elements.. I could not put this down until I had finished it. And even then, I wanted to start it all over again. If you enjoy Cozy contemporary fantasy that is easily accessible, immersive and funny, this is the book for you. I highly recommend this to anyone who needs a hug and a good, wholesome, Cozy book with romance subplot.

Thank you Hodder and Stoughton and Netgalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own and I am leaving a review voluntarily.

After loving "The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches," I simply couldn't miss Sangu Mandanna's new book, "A Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping."

This is, to all intents and purposes, a cozy fantasy, yet it's far from slow or lacking in dynamism. Right from the start, we're plunged into Sera's world and her wonderful inn. The book is set almost entirely at "Batty Hole," but I absolutely adored its magical and eccentric atmosphere. It's a place that can only be reached by those truly in need, sustained by the small spells Sera can still cast, and which has become a home for many who initially intended to stay just once.

The setting is very reminiscent of Klune's "Under the Whispering Door" (although it doesn't deal with such heavy themes), and the true strength of this book lies in the bond between the characters. Jasmine, Matilda, Theo, Nicholas... they don't get a huge amount of space, but despite that, they're well-characterized, and each has their own nuances. There's a lot of representation in the book, and at "Batty Hole," discrimination doesn't exist. It's truly an idyllic place. And then, there's a zombie rooster!

The love story between Sera and Luke plays an important role, but it never really overshadows the main plot. They are truly adorable, even if I wouldn't have minded reading more sweet interactions between the two.

At the center of the narrative, however, is always Sera, a wonderful protagonist who, despite experiencing several unpleasant events in her life, has always found a way to get back on her feet. Indeed, "A Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping" is not just a book about magic, but also about rebirth and reclamation.

In conclusion, "A Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping" is a comforting book that aims to rekindle hope in all those who feel a little lost. Despite a few flaws, it's a book you can't help but appreciate because it's an ode to life, love, and family (not by blood).

The world is a mess around us, so if you need a hug in book form, I need you to pick this one up.

Offering the same cosy charm of A Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches, although they aren’t connected, this book manages to still pack the emotional and important punches whilst filling up your tea cup with Apple blossom scented wholesomeness.

I was invested in all of the diverse cast and Sangu Mandanna makes you care about every single one of them. The essential topics dealt with in this book were timely. Both longstanding institutional racism and the resurgence of anti immigration rhetoric can’t be shied away from in our country and this book expertly highlights both. The autism representation in Posy, and I believe Luke’s characters, were a breath of fresh air too.

I couldn’t get enough of this story.

A WITCH'S GUIDE TO MAGICAL INNKEEPING is a cosy, funny fantasy romance.

The inn - and its inhabitants - are a delightful disaster. Matilda's obsession with animals and constant meddling in relationships. Nicholas who wears plate armour and speaks like a chivalric knight from a medieval romance. Clemmie the meddling witch trapped in a fox's body. The undead rooster demanding pets. It's chaos and yet such a loving found family. They made me laugh a lot but also the book makes it so clear how much they love each other.

Although the book does have the stakes of "if Sera has her magic back, she can challenge the tyrannical leader", the focus of the book's stakes are the stakes for the inn and her family. If she has magic, she can repair and strengthen her inn. If she is caught or fails, then she could be punished and her found family broken up. This focus is very typical of cosy family, with smaller stakes and a far more character-centric tale.

The theme of this book felt to be deciding what real magic is. Some of the characters are magical and others' don't, and both have its own complications. Sera has been defined by her magic of lack thereof for so long and I enjoyed watching her come to define herself not by it.

Luke is a nice opposite to her, cool and calm where she is all energy, a lot more deliberate in his actions than spontaneous. I also liked how they so easily fit into companionable silences, like the evenings working in the same room, not touching or talking. It showed how comfortable they were with each other very effectively.

I also loved seeing autistic rep in this book. Posy (Luke's younger sister) is autistic (and Luke felt like an undiagnosed adult too). Luke's a great carer for her, in contrast to many of the others, and he (and the inn's other residents) are determined to create a safe space for her to be herself rather than demand she conforms to societal expectations. It was such a positive depiction of an allistic community being welcoming and holistic in their approach to supporting someone with additional needs.

If I could give this 6 stars I would! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

I laughed, I cried, I gasped, and then I forgave — because this book has that kind of magic. It’s the cosy romantasy of my dreams: warm, whimsical, and quietly powerful in the way it tells a story of second chances, self-trust, and soft magic.

Sera is a witch in her 30s who’s lost her magic and, honestly, a bit of herself — and I felt that. Her journey of rebuilding a life (and an inn!) she didn’t expect to return to was comforting, hopeful, and deeply relatable. I love stories about women finding their way in the messy middle — and this one wraps that journey in a delightfully chaotic magical inn, a found family full of heart, and one very grumpy historian whose slow-burn romance with Sera had me swooning. At least one 🌶️ of heat, and the tension? Chef’s kiss.

The side characters don’t feel like side characters: Jasmine is pure comfort, Nicholas the hilariously dramatic knight, Matilda the unflappable chaos queen, Theo and Posy bring sweet youthful charm, and Clemmie — the witch-turned-fox — adds both wit and wistfulness. Even the villain had depth. I gasped at the betrayal (you know the one) and found myself forgiving — just like Sera — because this story makes you believe in healing, in home, in trying again.

Being on the precipice of 30 myself, I love stories about women in their 30s figuring it out (feels deeply relevant), and this one wrapped it in found family, magical mishaps, and innkeeping mayhem. The world is charming, the banter top-tier, and the magic is equal parts whimsical and warm.

I read it in a single day but I know I’ll carry it with me for a long while yet. Buying a paperback immediately to annotate the hell out of it.

🧹 Cosy romantasy
🏡 Magical innkeeping
🦊 Witch-turned-fox sidekick
📚 Grumpy x grumpy
💖 Second-chance magic
🌶️ Slow burn with heat
🌿 Found family
✨ Chaos, charm, and hope

Thank you to Sangu Mandanna, Hodder & Stoughton, and NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own — and honestly? This one was pure magic.

I LOVE SENGU MANDANNA'S PEN!!!!

I screamed it, now I can go on, I loved his previous work and when he came back with a cozy fantasy that had everything to tell me it would be just as beautiful as its predecessor, I couldn't jump fast enough to get a copy and devour it.

The found family element that I love so much is present with a cast of quirky characters that I couldn't love more.

We have Sera who has committed a great act of rebellion that has had the cost of her losing her magical powers, she went from being a great and powerful witch to running a magical inn where each guest is more peculiar than the last.

As she secretly seeks to regain her powers, she encounters a mysterious magical historian, Luke.

I am 100% on board that I will read everything Sengu writes because I am already in love with her pen.

Infinite thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with this amazing ARC.

I LOVE SENGU MANDANNA'S PEN!!!!

I screamed it, now I can go on, I loved his previous work and when he came back with a cozy fantasy that had everything to tell me it would be just as beautiful as its predecessor, I couldn't jump fast enough to get a copy and devour it.

The found family element that I love so much is present with a cast of quirky characters that I couldn't love more.

We have Sera who has committed a great act of rebellion that has had the cost of her losing her magical powers, she went from being a great and powerful witch to running a magical inn where each guest is more peculiar than the last.

As she secretly seeks to regain her powers, she encounters a mysterious magical historian, Luke.

I am 100% on board that I will read everything Sengu writes because I am already in love with her pen.

Infinite thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with this amazing ARC.

I LOVE SENGU MANDANNA'S PEN!!!!

I screamed it, now I can go on, I loved his previous work and when he came back with a cozy fantasy that had everything to tell me it would be just as beautiful as its predecessor, I couldn't jump fast enough to get a copy and devour it.

The found family element that I love so much is present with a cast of quirky characters that I couldn't love more.

We have Sera who has committed a great act of rebellion that has had the cost of her losing her magical powers, she went from being a great and powerful witch to running a magical inn where each guest is more peculiar than the last.

As she secretly seeks to regain her powers, she encounters a mysterious magical historian, Luke.

I am 100% on board that I will read everything Sengu writes because I am already in love with her pen.

Infinite thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with this amazing ARC.

If you loved The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches, you’ll probably enjoy this too. Sangu Mandanna brings back all the cosy, magical vibes in this light hearted, whimsical paranormal romance.

As an immigrant in the UK, I really connected with the themes of found family and belonging. The story does such a lovely job showing what it feels like to be somewhere new and slowly find your people. I also really liked how naturally the book includes queer, disability, and autism representation. The characters are so quirky and warm, especially the zombie rooster and the sweet cosplay knight. The inn itself is also basically another character. It’s charming and a bit chaotic, and it perfectly reflects the people living there.

While the romance didn’t grab me quite as much as in The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches, I still loved spending time in this world. The main character’s struggle to hide her magic adds tension and depth beneath the cosy surface, reminding us how hard it can be to share our true selves.

If you’re in the mood for something comforting, magical, and full of heart, this is a great pick.

I was so, so excited to read this book! I ADORED The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches and was so happy I was approved for a NetGalley ARC! I might have to get my own copy when it comes out though, for any time I need a pick me up. This book has firmly got a place with its predecessor, and the likes of The House in the Cerulean Sea and Legends and Lattes which had me smiling and so warm throughout.

We meet Sera, a now 30 year old who lost her magic at 15 whilst resurrecting her dead great-aunt… as you do, oh, and at the same time she resurrected a rooster! Now she is constantly searching for a way to replenish her lost magic, whilst trying to run a completely chaotic inn. We meet very eccentric and loveable characters, in this house that feels safe for them and in a place where they can be authentically themselves. I loved this aspect, particularly with Posy - one example where she’s bouncing on a sofa and is told to stop, then suddenly a trampoline is bought the next day. It’s such a lovely way to redirect and I loved how everyone was just accepted as themselves, no matter how grumpy, difficult or temperamental they might happen to be.

This book had me smiling throughout, at the conversations which contained some fabulous phrases, at the descriptions and the characters. I hope there is going to be another book set in this world, because sign me up to read it right now!

Witchy cozy goodness. The start of this book is absolutely captivating and sucks you into this adorably whimsy world of witchcraft. The first chapter is essentially a backstory for the drama and plot, this had me shook! For such a cozy read it did start a little dark but this very quickly balanced out with good use of humour. Throughout the characters are all so lovely and fun, for me it’s always a quirky side character that seems to make me smile and this book gave me several. The found family trope is strong and slow burn romance full of will they won’t they moments. At times the romance was questionable but that’s forgiven with everything else that made me smile. Overall everything you could possibly need from a cozy fantasy. Thank you to the author for a copy. This is a voluntary review of my own thoughts.

Please can I stay at the inn?

This is another cosy and cutesy read from Sangu Mandanna. I absolutely adored the whole cast of characters in this novel. They were all slightly ridiculous but completely endearing. Even though it is a cosy novel, the plot races along from one silly escapade to another. Despite this the ending was surprisingly genuine and heartwarming.

Big Thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for the advanced copy! I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own

'A Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping' is a cozy fantasy, following the footsteps of the author's previous work The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches.

This time, we follow Sera, a witch who lost her magic, as she tries to run an inn filled with quirks and even more quirky characters, while she sets off to try and regain her magic.

The characters, first of all, were indeed interesting and one of a kind, and just right for a cozy fantasy that aimed for inclusivity. Sera, for instance, was a great narrator and character, as she was not overdoing it with her coziness, but was fresh and relatable.

The romance, on the other hand, was so so. I believe my bigest problem with the book was with the pacing, as everything happened too quickly and the time jumps were too many and too often. And the romance suffered from it. Especially the kissing scene was simply out of place. But, the sex scene was betterly timed compared to the irregular witches book, which was something I feared will happen in this book as well.

Having that said, I also think that the ending was rushed and could have been handled with more care. A bit more information on what comes next would have been nice too.


This review has been posted on Goodreads and Storygraph.
Finally, the lore was interesting, bit Harry Potter for me, but well handled never the less.

Gosh, I adored this. It seems we're in a market flooded with cosy romantic fantasy at the moment, so it's difficult for books to stand out in such a crowded space. However, Sangu Mandanna's magical tale of found family, magic and undead chickens does just that.

From the first page, I felt immersed in Sera's magical world and wanted desperately to find my way to her magical inn and spend some time with the loveable cast of characters.

Sera is a fabulous lead character, I love that she's prickly and difficult, while remaining warm and loving. It's not often a writer gets this blend down perfectly. And Luke? The perfect man *chef kiss*.

I'm also 100% a Clemmie fan and would defend her rights and wrongs to anyone.

I loved this and will remain ever hopeful we see more of these characters.

3.5 ⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!

In A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping, a young witch who appears to have lost her magic runs an inn full of magical vibes... and "looks after" a mismatched group of guests who become much more than temporary visitors. As she works to bring her magic back to life, an unexpected arrival eith tied to her past offers a glimpse of a solution. Along the way, magic, friendship and love weave together in a gentle story of healing, belonging, and learning to open up.

I was really excited for this one because I loved the author’s previous book. Did it fully live up to my expectations? Not quite, but I still enjoyed it enough to be glad I picked it up.

What I loved: the fantastic found-family vibes and how the group just clicked despite their differences; the inclusive cast (including a child with autism, a sapphic side romance, and multiple queer supporting characters); and the cozy, magical atmosphere of the inn itself.

What I didn’t love so much: the pacing felt slow and sometimes a bit repetitive. The male lead’s stubborn insistence on leaving dragged on longer than I’d have liked... though I’ll admit, his constant concern for his sister made that trait endearing at times.

I’d recommend this one to readers who enjoy cozy fantasy with strong found-family themes, slow-burn romance (it’s clear it’s going somewhere, but it takes its time), and don’t mind a gentle, slow-developing plot.

After devouring The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches, I added this one to my TBR as soon as I saw it on Goodreads, so naturally I was thrilled to get the ARC, though for various reasons didn't actually get around to reading it until the publication date.

This was another delightful, whimsical, magical, cosy and inclusive story from Mandanna, and I loved it almost as much as the previous book. I think it took a bit longer to get into, and some of the side characters weren't as fleshed out as I would have liked (hence I didn't always understand motivations), but overall it was a treat!

Sera Swan is a witch who lost most of her magic at age 15 when she performed a spell to resurrect her great aunt - the only family she had. Now she's running an unconventional inn that can only be found by people who need it and will appreciate it, which attracts an oddball cast of characters.

Sera gets a chance to reclaim her magic and confront her former mentor-turned-nemesis, and is somewhat reluctantly aided by the handsome, scholarly and slightly reserved Luke Larsen.

I loved loved loved the inn (I want to live there too), loved how cosy and inclusive the story was and the themes of found family. I also thought the romance was well done and not over-the-top or unbelievable.