I absolutely loved A Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches and the wonderfully cosy, found family that Sangu Mandanna had created with Nowhere House. I have to say, Sangu has done it again, with Batty Hole Inn and the absolutely fabulous cast of characters that feature in A Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping.

After resurrecting her great-aunt, Sera Swan loses her magic and is exiled from the Guild. Sera runs the Batty Hole Inn, a safe haven in Lancashire for folks to find when they need it most. Current guests include a talking fox, a knight and a gardener who doesn't belive in an organised garden. When Sera finds a spell that could help her regain her magic, all sorts of shenanigans ensue, as it also coincides with the arrival of Luke, a guild librarian (who might just be able to help Sera with the spell).

Much like A Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches, the cast in this are fabulous. There were plenty of moments that had me laughing out loud, and plenty of moments that were heartwarming and gentle reminders that things can and will get better. I love a found family trope and this book is such a good example of it and all of the reasons why I love it so much. This is a cast that has each other's backs, even if they don't always understand what's going on (which again, leads to some fun moments!) These characters are all so soft and I loved them all.

There were also moments that felt a bit sharper, especially the ones in which Sera and Malik contemplate an existence that doesn't always look kindly on them and excludes them more often than not - it was these that hit a bit harder and made my heart ache for Sera. I loved how there was an acknowledgement of this and the fact that Sera defies it.

This is one of those books that just worked for me in so many ways and honestly, the kind of book I need right now. Much like Batty Hole Inn and Nowhere House, A Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping is a beautifully cosy and safe space and one that I know I will come back to again. I absolutely loved this and I am hoping there will be more books in this vein.

What a wonderfully heartwarming and sassy story! I was a big fan of the author‘s previous book so I was stokes when I was approved for an arc. A Witch‘s Guide to Magical Innkeeping has the same cosy vibe as its predecessor and even though it tackles some difficult topics, it was an easy and beautiful read.

Sera Swan was one of the most powerful witches in England. Or at least she was, until fifteen years before she nearly drained all her magic reserves to bring her aunt Jesmine back to life, being exiled from the Witches' Guild for performing forbidden magic. Now she finds herself running a magical inn with its eclectic inhabitants and living with the void left by her magic, made of stars and galaxies.

Sera is stubborn and grumpy on the surface, but if you pay attention you can see small cracks in her mask that reveal a person full of pain and loss, with a big heart who only wants to protect the people she cares about. Her constant companions are emptiness, mourning, loss, despair and that overwhelming feeling of being alone with one's own mind that only the loss of a part of oneself can make you feel. But throughout the book Sera realises that it is OK to ask for help and that you can be magical even without magic.

Luke, on the other hand, is all edges and cold-hearted, but to see him gradually change and melt when he finds people who accept him completely for who he is was really precious.

Perhaps it is because of the protagonists' need to be seen beyond their barriers and edges that their relationship develops slowly and naturally, making them perfect for each other.

I had loved The Very Secret Society of the Irregular Witches, but I loved this book even more. This read was exactly like living in Batty Inn: a journey full of life, sometimes chaotic, sometimes magical, with just the right balance of serious and funny moments, that welcomes you like a warm embrace and makes you feel accepted with all your strengths, flaws and quirks.

4.5 ⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher Hodder & Stoughton for allowing me to read this beautiful arc.

After reading Sangu’s ‘The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches’ I just knew that I would love her other work and boy did this not disappoint.

‘A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping’ is a beautifully written story with the heart of the story being found family and how magic can be found in the everyday.

Every single character was an absolute delight and added to the depth of this story. It was so much more than a witch lost her power and she is trying to get it back. It was whimsical, cosy, the biggest warm hug on a cold day where you can help but smile throughout.

I will be highly recommending this book to all.

This was an enjoyable and easy to read story, full of pure escapism and some cute characters - with more than a bit of sass!

Sera was one of the most powerful witches, until she used that magic to resurrect her great aunt and found her powers vanished. So she's settled in to life at the Inn, keeping under the radar but always itching to get her magic back and that might be closer to her grip than she thinks.

I loved seeing how the characters evolved throughout this book - there's lots of quirky goings on and dilemmas to face and any book with a talking fox and a zombie chicken has to be embraced!! Cosy, romantic and magical - a lovely mix!!

This was such a lovely read. The cosiest, most heartfelt story with some absolutely incredible characters that steal your heart! If you’re a fan of books like Rewitched and The House on the Cerulean Sea, you’re going to really love this one!

Although the ‘witch loses her power and has to search within herself to restore it’ story has been done many a time, this story felt very special. Sera is a very likeable FMC and I felt very protective of her from the moment she came onto page.

Luke and Sera are so well matched and their love is the beautiful, understated kind that I love to read about. I love the grumpy x grumpy set up and these two interacting was hilarious at times. Bickering constantly until they slowly began to soften for each other - perfection.

The cast of characters in this really reminded me of something out of a TJ Klune book. So quirky and funny but equally sweet and endearing. I absolutely loved them all and I know that I’ll be thinking of them for months to come.

There are some gorgeous messages in this story about found family, finding your inner magic and how it can feel to finally believe you fit in somewhere when can make you feel like you don’t belong. I think at some point we’ve all been like Sera, sat on our kitchen floors with the weight of the world on our shoulders. There were some really profound moments this that I found to be so beautiful ❤️

If you’re looking for a cosy read for when you need a bit of a pick me up, I couldn’t recommend this book more!

This was a magical, heartwarming and beautifully funny love story and for me is Sangu’s best book so far. It is a fun filled fantasy with original characters and a strong story line that makes you root for a good outcome.

It was quick and easy to read as I felt I was sucked in straight from the start and whilst it dealt with heavy topics such as belonging, grief, hatred and judgement it was done in such a way that it felt light and heart warming and not a hard challenge to get through.

A superbly crafted fantasy adventure full of cosy thrills, romance, intrigue and adventure than you've ever seen - but in the best way possible.

A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping was a wonderful celebration of coziness and the importance of found family.

It was the found family aspect that really drew me to this book and I thought that the author handled it really well and it made to novel feel that it had a warmth to it that made it a comforting read. This was only compounded by the slow burn romance which I felt was paced well.

This book has a certain depth to it that comes,I think, from the author’s ability to weave bigger themes and issues into her writing, such as the search for a sense of belonging.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend it if you want a well written, cosy, magical story. Thank you to the author and to Netgalley.

The author of The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches returns with another enchanting story that feels like a warm hug when you need it most. What starts as Sera and Luke’s sweet opposites-attract romance quickly becomes something richer, a story about choosing the people who truly see you over those who only value what you can do for them.
Sera Swan’s story hits right in the heart. Fifteen years ago, she was the Guild’s star student until she broke their most sacred rule: she used forbidden magic to bring back her beloved aunt Jasmine. The fact that she accidentally resurrected a zombie rooster along the way perfectly captures how messy and beautiful love-driven choices can be. Her exile from the Guild represents that crushing moment when the institutions we’ve devoted ourselves to show their true colors.
The magical inn’s residents are absolutely delightful. There’s Clemmie, who somehow got herself stuck in a fox’s body, Matilda with her mushroom obsession and beloved goats, and young Theo, who traveled from Reykjavik just to be somewhere he can practice magic freely. These wonderfully eccentric characters prove that the best families are often the ones we choose, not the ones we’re born into.
Luke Larsen starts as the typical closed-off academic, all sharp edges and cool professionalism. Watching him gradually soften as he encounters genuine warmth and acceptance feels incredibly satisfying. His transformation reminds us how healing it can be when someone looks past our walls and sees who we really are underneath.
The mystery of Sera’s stolen spellbook drives the plot, but the real magic happens in quieter moments. When characters choose loyalty over ambition, when they risk vulnerability for connection, when they discover that belonging matters more than being powerful.
What makes this book special is its understanding that true magic isn’t about grand gestures or ancient spells. It’s found in the daily choice to show up for the people who matter, in creating spaces where everyone can be authentically themselves, and in believing that our perceived failures might actually lead us exactly where we need to be.
It’s the kind of story that leaves you feeling hopeful about human nature and grateful for the chosen families in your own life.

✨A Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping✨

Swipe for blurb👉🏼

⭐⭐⭐⭐
What. A. Book. This was everything I had hoped for🥰 Cosy, magic, loveable characters, small town vibes. I loved The Very Secret Society for Irregular Witches by the same author, Sangu Mandanna, and actually have this preordered so was so excited to be accepted to read this on netgalley.

Sera was such a kind hearted, beautiful main character and I loved getting to know her. And Luke😍 what an incredible book boyfriend. He has such a big heart and was just so loveable, it also helped that he was Scottish🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 All of the side characters were so fun and the fun, love, and chaos just jumped off the page💖

This is the perfect autumnal, cosy witchy read. It's a great blend of witchy plot, found family, and romance and I'd definitely recommend it! ✨

A Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping has been one of my most anticipated releases since I loved The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches when I read it a few years ago. I'm so glad that I ended up loving this book too.

Sera is such a strong character and I loved getting to know her. She is much more reserved than Mika from TVSSOIW because of her losing her magic at a young age. I felt so attached to Sera as this book went on and we find out more of her struggles. Her mental anguish over her life not turning out the way she thought and her describing her feelings of having had the world at her fingertips when she was younger but is now feeling stuck in her thirties is something that I feel a lot of people can relate to.

I loved the themes of this book and how deep and introspective it feels when reading it. Sera's struggles are the centre point of this book and while the book does have some dark moments, there is also a lot of hopefulness in this book especially from the other characters that live with Sera. I loved all of them, they all had depth to them and each one had a big presence in the Inn.

I liked the romance and how Sera and Luke knew each other from when they were younger. Luke is another interesting character as we see him struggle with trying to do right by his sister who has autism. I loved Luke and Posy's brother/sister relationship dynamic and liked how easily they fit with the rest of the characters that live in the Inn and the found family they all created together.

Overall I loved A Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping. On the surface it feels like such a heart warming cosy magical book, and it is, but at the same time it also deals with darker topics like depression. I loved Sera and felt very attached to her, the other characters were intriguing and I loved the found family vibes of this book. The themes of this book were poignant and emotional and I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a magical read.


(I was sent a NETGALLEY ARC of this book to review)

Thank you to Netgalley and Hodder & Stoughton for the eArc.

A Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping is perfect for readers looking for a cozy and uplifting story.


After loving Mandanna's first book, The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches, I had very high hopes for A Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping. And whilst this was a very cute and cosy read, I have mixed thoughts and feelings after finishing it

The good:

I was expecting this to be an interconnected standalone set in the same world as Irregular Witches but was pleasantly surprised to find this was it's own world. I loved the characters and their relationships. All the found family vibes to be found! There's humour on every page and the story is full of warmth whimsy. Running a magical inn is now the dream job! The romance also wasn't insta-love, Sera and Luke built a genuine connection as the story progressed.

What didn't work for me: the overarching tone/messages of the story were too "in your face". The emotional message of love yourself and encouragement of self-worth are beautiful things to convey but I felt like they were shoved down my throat rather than blending into the story naturally. Of course many readers will really connect with this! The sex scene also felt unnecessary/forced. It seems like authors nowadays feel they have to/are told to put in a spice scene, even when it doesn't fit the tone of the book.

Overall, a cute, cosy read that will no doubt be an absolute hit with readers! There's so much heart and charm and quirky but loveable characters.

Sera Swan used to be one of the most powerful witches in Britain. Until she brought her great aunt Jasmine back from the dead, lost most of her power and was exiled from the Guild. Now, she runs an enchanted inn filled with an eclectic mix of characters and dreams about the future she could have had. When she discovers an ancient spell that could restore her powers it becomes clear that perhaps all is not lost after all.
I had a thoroughly enjoyable time with this. It was heartwarming and cosy, fantastic and magical.

There was a real mix of characters and I loved them all (well except those you’re not supposed to like). Sera was so relatable (despite her magical background) and such a lovely character to spend time with. Despite the hardships she faced, she truly did her best and this was so clear in the way everyone spoke about and responded to her. I wouldn’t necessarily say the side characters were particularly complex, but they were such a fun cast and you could really see the care they had for Sera in their interactions with her. The found family aspect was a real highlight and I loved how the different personalities gelled into one big found family. Luke was also such a good guy and I loved how he advocated for his younger sister. While there were miscommunications and a few difficulties thrown in, it was really good to see two genuinely nice people get to know and fall for each other without any major romantic drama.

I also really liked the growth we saw in Sera through the story of her missing magic. I think the time jump may have been slightly too much as we skip forward fifteen years after the first couple of chapters. While Sera has grown and is clearly a very responsible individual, her responses to the lost magic storyline at times felt a bit immature and like she was still stuck in her teenage mindset. Having said that, her ‘nemesis’ also didn’t come across as particularly mature so perhaps this worked. By the end, I do think we’ve seen real development in Sera in relation to her magic and I appreciated the message being conveyed.

I can’t say that this was the most believable thing I’ve ever read, but all of the elements combined gave me a fun, humorous, and yet cosy read that I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend for someone looking for a hug in a book.

With thanks to Hodderscape and NetGalley for the chance to read and review this eARC ahead of publication.

Last year, I absolutely loved "The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches", so I couldn’t wait to dive into Mandanna’s new cozy fantasy - and by the way, I really enjoyed it as well.
Her writing style is simply beautiful: magical, full of detail, witty, and so easy to read.
I could picture the inn so vividly: that hygge, homey feeling, the scent of cinnamon rolls in the air, jackets, papers, wellies, tea everywhere. I loved how they all gathered in the kitchen, shared meals, and spent their evenings together in the living room - each doing their own thing, but still wanting to be near one another. I fell more and more in love with all of them. Whether it was our grumps Sera and Luke, the kids Theo, Alex, and Posey, Jasmine and Mathilda who kept exchanging those longing, love-struck glances, or Clemmie, Nicholas, and the zombie chicken that brought even more loving chaos into their lives - and of course Sera’s other friends, Malik and Elliott.
I absolutely loved this found family, and I also really appreciated how Mandanna wove in other important themes like mental health, depression, getting back up when life knocks you down, reinventing yourself, belonging, rascism and classicism, fear of loss, and that it’s never too late to change, to fall in love, to start over, to stand up for yourself.
I also really liked that there was just the tiniest bit of closed-door spice. At times I was honestly worried the story might be ruined by too much spice because that simply wouldn’t have fit this cozy, whimsical vibe at all.
I’m deducting a few points for some weaknesses in the worldbuilding, especially when it comes to the magic system. Sometimes it felt a little too convenient when the story needed it to work, but at other times it didn’t quite make sense, which was a bit inconsistent. That’s also why the very end didn’t fully work for me... Sue me, but I just prefer a properly happy ending in cozy fantasy - not bittersweet.
4/5☆ from me, but definitely a rec!

What a warm and cosy book. Perfect vibes, characters and plot. I highly recommend this cosy fantasy. My first by this author and it will not be my last.

✶ PRE-READING ✶
Cosy fantasy with a magical inn and a burnt-out protagonist? Yes, please. I expected something warm, slightly chaotic, and emotionally satisfying - plus the added bonus of a reluctant hero arc, one of my favourites.

✶ POST-READING ✶
As I thought... The inn setting was bursting with charm: guests who keep secrets in suitcases, spells that run amok, and the kind of emotional messiness that makes a place feel like home. Sera’s dry humour and slow-burning vulnerability gave the story real heart, and I adored the found-family dynamic with Jasmine and the staff. The web of relationships between the characters was wonderful to trace and watch blossom and grow.

It surprised me by... ...how manic the pacing felt in places. Sera is always juggling twelve things at once, and while it fits her character, it occasionally made the story feel breathless - like cosy fantasy with a double espresso shot. That said, the book had sneaky emotional depth beneath all the chaos, especially in how it explored grief, letting go, and the fear of being unnecessary. And the romance? Delightfully awkward but grounded.

✦ RECOMMENDATIONS ✦
Book Recommendation: Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett – for another prickly academic heroine who’s reluctantly drawn into magical mischief and unexpected connection.


TV or Movie Recommendation: The House in Fata Morgana (visual novel) or The Magicians (TV series) – the former for the melancholy magic in a house full of secrets, the latter for the chaotic, clever energy and snarky trauma bonding.

This was a super cosy witchy romance read about found family and a magical inn. It was a heartwarming story and I loved it.

A wonderful cosy fantasy that is like a hug in a book. I really enjoyed it and it’s something very different to my usual reads. Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for my arc

After loving The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches, I was really excited to read this, and it did not disappoint.

First of all, I really loved the setting of the Batty Hole Inn: full of life, sometimes a little messy, sometimes magical, and with just the right balance between humour, heart, and serious moments. But what drew me in the most was the chaotic mix of loud and loveable characters. It’s exactly the kind of found family story I love, where each person brings their own quirks and baggage, but they all somehow fit perfectly together.

I loved Sera as a main character. She’s one of those grumpy, stubborn characters who underneath it all just wants to protect and care for the people around her. The story does a great job exploring her loss of magic and how it affects her identity and sense of purpose. Luke’s POV brought extra depth to the story, especially his struggles as a caretaker for his autistic sister and his complicated relationship with the Guild. The romance between Sera and Luke felt very genuine, a proper slow burn, emotionally mature and with a real sense of two broken people finding comfort and trust in each other.

I also really enjoyed the smaller character moments throughout the book, from Posy and Theo’s sweet friendship to the clever magical details about how witches use their powers. Each character added something unique to the story, and their interactions felt natural and fun to read. I also appreciated how topics like depression, autism, and mental health were handled with care, without feeling too heavy.

Overall, this is a cosy fantasy with heart, humour, magic, and a strong found-family focus. It delivers exactly what it promises, a hopeful, comforting read with characters you can root for and a setting you’ll want to revisit. Highly recommended if you enjoy whimsical magic, slow-burn romance, and character-driven stories with emotional depth.

Thank you to Netgalley and Hodder & Stoughton for the opportunity to read this book. All opinions are my own.