This book is like the perfect hug. It is full of warmth, found family and let's us know that magic can be found in the every day.

I loved Sera as a main character, and the others who lived at the inn with her- the Inn itself was delightful and I'd love to visit if it was real!

This book is a hot chocolate on a cold winter's day, a balm for the soul and a reminder that we can do hard things and find the community around us.

I highly recommend this book to everyone, and many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-arc of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Mandanna has done it again. I could not put this book down and finished it in a day. I loved the found family elements in this book, the zombie chicken was a delight. Everything about this book was cosy and whimsical and just pure brilliance! I cannot wait to reread this and I would 100% recommend this!

Sangu Mandanna’s A Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping delivers the perfect blend of cozy fantasy, heartwarming romance, and whimsical charm. Fans of her previous work, The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches, will appreciate the same enchanting, character-driven storytelling in this latest book. It’s a delightful read for those seeking a light, magical escape with a touch of humor and a focus on found family.

The story follows Sera Swan, a witch who lost her magical abilities after a rebellious act to resurrect her great-aunt, Jasmine. Now, years later, Sera runs a magical inn with her aunt, quietly trying to regain her powers. When a mysterious historian named Luke Larsen arrives, their interactions spark a slow-burn romance and a shared mission to unlock a magical spell that could restore Sera’s magic. While the romance is sweet, the heart of the story lies in the rich, quirky world Mandanna has built around the inn and its inhabitants.

One of the book’s biggest strengths is its delightful cast of characters. Sera’s eccentric aunt Jasmine, the fox-turned-witch Clemmie, the lovable Matilda, and other quirky guests add plenty of personality and charm to the story. The inn feels like a true home for these misfits, each with their own unique traits that make them unforgettable. The book also includes great representation, featuring diverse characters, including those with autism and disabilities, which adds depth and authenticity to the story.

The whimsical setting and the sense of found family really make the book stand out. The dynamic between Sera and Luke, though slow-burn, is engaging, and readers will enjoy the growing tension between them. There’s a lot of sweetness in how their relationship evolves from reluctant allies to something deeper. Luke’s grumpy-but-soft side is a charming counterpart to Sera’s more determined and kind-hearted nature.

That being said, the pacing can feel a bit uneven at times. The first half of the book moves more slowly, as Sera and Luke get to know each other and navigate the inn’s magical happenings. However, when the plot picks up in the second half, things feel a little rushed. Some key moments in the plot’s resolution could have been fleshed out more, but the message of reclaiming power and embracing your chosen family is still meaningful and heartfelt.

While the world-building and magical system could have been more detailed, the focus on character relationships and emotional growth makes up for it. The whimsical magic is fun, but the heart of the book lies in the connections Sera builds with the people around her.

In the end, A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping is a charming and cozy read filled with humor, heart, and just the right amount of magic. It’s perfect for readers looking for a feel-good, uplifting story about love, second chances, and creating your own family. While a little more depth in the worldbuilding would have been nice, the warmth and charm of the story will likely keep readers enchanted from start to finish.

I'm deep in my cozy fantasy era, and this author's first book was one of the reasons that I got hooked.
A Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping again brings forth the magic.
Sera has made a mistake as a teenager - one that came from a caring heart - and now has lost most of her magic. But what she finds turns out to be much bigger: a found family. Actually, the inn finds the family, or even more precise, a spell put on the inn.

There is an overly opinionated witch in the body of a fox, a resurrected great-aunt, a teenage boy witch, an aspiring hobbit in the body of a sweet elderly woman and a modern-day knight. And Roo-Roo the zombie rooster. And soon, Luke.
I wanna say if you loved The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches and The House in the Cerulean Sea, then you will devour this book. As did I.

Get your magical cozy infusion with this book.

4,5/5 stars

Thank you @netgalley and @hodderbooks for the eARC!

#TheWitchsGuideToMagicalInnkeeping #Netgalley #Bookstagram

What a wonderful story! Full of magic (obviously!), fun, humour, love (of all kinds), and family (both related and found). Sera is one of the most powerful witches, until one day, in her teens, her great Aunt, Jasmine, dies in the garden and Sera resurrects her using a forbidden spell. Unfortunately, it costs Sera most of her magic and exile from the magical Guild. After 15 years continuing to run her Inn with Jasmine, she's accumulated a collection of unusual long-term guests, who are as much a family to her as Jasmine is. She also discovers a spell to restore her magic ... which is in a language she can't read! What follows is a tale of discovery, finding out who her true friends are, finding romantic love, and standing up to the one person who always put her down. I absolutely loved it!
Thanks to Netgalley, Hodder & Stoughton, and Sangu Mandanna for the free ARC. All opinions are my own.

This was perfect, even better than the first one. The found family, the swoonworthy romance, the pace and writing, the characters, i loved it. Also extra points for including a palestinian side character

5 full stars,
I have not loved a book as much as I do this one in a very long time.
It's creative, original, witty, heart wrenching just everything you want in a book. I'm hooked! Done. If you haven't read it yet, you're seriously missing out. I'm obsessed with the ease of flow and how the author has succeeded in making me invested in the outcome but also the journey to get there. I'm not just waiting to see how it ends, instead, I want to know every step and more.

Thankyou netgalley for giving me this early look at my new favourite book.

This was everything. If you love the found family trope you are gonna love this book.

I loved The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches so I didnt hesitate to request the arc of this author when I saw it and oh, this was even better than I was expecting. It's cozy, magical and heartwarming. I loved all the characters, specially Roo-Roo (A zombie rooster accidentally resurrected by Sera 😅).

It was such a cozy and fun read and can't wait to read more books of this author.

I highly recommend this book!

Thank you to NetGalley and Hodder and Stoughton for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I jumped on this when it popped up, I adored The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches. Sandu writes cosy fantasy so well and this is just a warm hug of a book. The book covers serious themes such as mental health issues, covers neurodiversity with grace and care. The characters are well written and well developed. I loved the magical system in the story.
Batty Hole is a charming inn, I only wish it was real!

Sangu Mandanna writes the ultimate cozy fantasies! Just like The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches this story is cozy and heartwarming while also tackling mental health and healing in a really beautiful way.
I also loved the autism and neurodiversity representation in this and am so happy that this is a consistent theme in the author’s books. We need so much more of this!
All the characters are endearing and really grew on me during the story. I’d love nothing more than to find myself at the Batty Hole Inn one day!

Thanks so much to Netgalley and the Publisher for the chance to review the eARC!

This paranormal romcom really touched my heart. One of the main reasons is because I related so much to Luke, the MMC who takes care of his autistic sister Posy. I saw a lot of myself and my situation with my autistic brother in Luke and Posy's relationship, so seeing the story develop and be able to see Luke and Posy find their place to belong was really beautiful.

I absolutely breezed through this book today. I laughed out loud repeatedly and cried twice. Between the romance and the found family element, it was so cute and heartwarming, and just what I needed!

Disclaimer: I received an Advance Reader Copy from NetGalley, but this is my voluntary and honest review.

Such a heartwarming story of found family and second chances. I was hoping for another novel of chockablock with witchy cosiness, carefully created characters, laugh out loud moments, and a robust magic system. This book did not disappoint at all! I truly adored the galaxy imagery for Ser's magic as well!

5/5 ⭐️

Thank you NetGalley and publishers for the ARC of this book.

Honestly, I don’t have cohesive thoughts about this story other than I absolutely adored it.
All characters are lovingly fleshed out and handled with so much care, the prose is delightful and the plot more than engaging (although I was expecting for it to tie in with TVSSOIW, but I’m not upset that was not the case!).
Sangu is impeccable with the found family trope and she will forever be on my automatic buy author list (and this particular title has obviously been preordered for months).

A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping follows Sera, a magical prodigy who loses her magic when she resurrects her great-aunt and is exiled from her Guild, as she navigates running a magical inn with interesting inhabitants. This book is a standalone.

The writing style throughout this book takes you on a magical and emotional journey getting to know the characters and the inn in which they find themselves inexplicably drawn to. Mandanna’s writing style is one to be admired and it’s one I will always love no matter what she writes.

The characters throughout the book are fantastic. They each have their own intricate lives which you gradually get to know throughout the book and you find yourself growing overly attached to them. They are incredibly detailed and I felt the same emotions as they did throughout the book - when they were happy, I was happy, when they were outraged, I was outraged and when they were sad, I was exceptionally sad. The best part about them though was their interactions and conversations with one another - you could tell all of these characters loved one another dearly and therefore you couldn’t help loving them in return.

The plot itself was soft and gentle yet persistent - much like the main character. Whilst there was a main goal for the characters throughout the book, it was nice to see that it did not take over the whole story and instead allowed the reader to learn a greater lesson.

The romance was to die for. I enjoyed the romance from Mandanna’s other book but this romance was even better than that (the other is also incredibly good). The slow burn of the character’s affections and attractions to one another was delectable and it made me very emotional - I cried happy tears. I cannot put into words how much I adored it.

Overall, this book would be a phenomenal read for those who like cosy stories with a hint of fantasy, magic and romance.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for allowing me to read this book in exchange for a review.

Sangu Mandanna is a gift, and this book is something really special. Sera Swan went from being the most powerful witch in an age to having only a tiny bit of magic after she resurrected her Auntie as a teenager. Broken and a little bit lost, Sera now runs an Inn that takes in the people who need it most.

This is a beautiful story of found family, and is achingly lovely. There are some moments that are joyful, and some that are bittersweet, but I adored every one of them and wish the book wasn't over!

I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

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 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!!

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 ⚠️

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.

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 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

✨5 stars!!!✨

I read The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches back in 2023, loved it, and ever since then I have been patiently waiting for this author’s next publication. So when I saw that I got approved an ARC I was over the moon.

That being said, I loved this book so much. Maybe even more than the other one *dramatic gasp* I can’t believe it either!

The book begins with a 15 year old Sera Swan resurrecting her recently deceased Great Auntie Jasmine. As the spell is such a massive feat, Sera’s magic ends up depleted, and as the spell is against Guild’s rules, the Guild’s authoritarian Chancellor Albert Grey decides to exile Sera. The rest of the plot occurs 15 years later as Sera and an array of characters staying at the inn try to find the ingredients required to complete the spell to gain her magical powers back.

If there’s one thing Sangu Mandanna is going to deliver on every time, it’s the impeccable found family aspect of her books, and this one was perfect. I loved every quirky character within the found family and they each brought something to the story!

I loved how the inn only appeared to people in need of a safe place to stay due to a spell Sera put on the inn when she had her magic 15 years ago. Also the fact that this book was set in the North-West of England which is where I’m from.

I loved this so much and would definitely recommend. I’m already looking forward to re-reading this which is something I rarely do.

I received an ARC from the publishers via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!

The Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping is the kind of cozy fantasy I love. It has an actual story, heart, and just the right touch of magic and emotional depth.

Sera, the main character, is charming and relatable, and the inn she runs is the kind of place you want to live in. The romance is sweet without taking over the plot, and there’s even a lovely little side romance that made me smile.

The magic system is whimsical but well-thought-out, and the writing is full of that dry British humor I love.

This is cozy fantasy done right — warm, witty, and just a little weird in the best way. Highly recommend!

5/5 stars! Did I read this entire book in one sitting? Yes I did. Did I laugh and tear up in equal measure? Yep. I loved Sangu's first book and was ready for the coziness, found family, and romantic energy in this book...and boy did I find it. I will read anything this author writes. Add in a naughty fox and I was hooked!

“the very secret society of irregular witches” was one of my favourite reads of last year and sangu mandanna has done it again. This book is absolute perfection, five stars is not enough.
If you love cosy fantasy, or even if you don’t… this is the most adorable, wholesome read.
Following witch Sera who loses her magic after resurrecting her great aunt (and a zombie chicken) and her family of misfits in there quest to provide a refuge for anyone in need whilst trying to figure out how to get the magic to return. Throw in a little romance, a bad guy and an ex friendship and you have a story which rivals The house on the cerulean sea.

Thanks to NetGalley for the arc of this one!

No one who likes books can escape the fact that cosy fantasy is a definite thing at the moment. And why not? In tough times we all want to hunker down with the literary equivalent of a cinnamon bun and a fleecy blanket. What is less acknowledged is that a lot of cosy fantasy is just, well, dull. Long descriptions of making tea do not an interesting book make, even if the person making tea is an ogress or a warrior with supernatual strength. Luckily for the cosy fantasy genre there is also some fantastic writing, and with A Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping Sangu Mandanna cements her place at the top. How? By not forgetting that a book needs great characterisation, real conflict- plot and emotional - oodles of sexual tension, a sense of community and real peril. And that's exactly what we get here.
Sera was the greatest witch of her generation until, while still a teenager, she performed a spell so big she lost most of her magic. Now, fifteen years later, she still yearns for all she lost. Unfortunately she was also exiled from the magic Guild, and no one is allowed to help her try to find a way to repair herself. Instead she runs an Inn still protected by a spell she cast many years before, a spell which means only people who really need sanctuary can find their way there. Cue a motley selection of permanant guests including a witch who turned herself into a fox and an aspiring knight. And then two more guests arrive, Luke, a Guild member who feels like an outsider and his small sister, both in more need of sanctuary than Luke knows - and he may just be the person to help Sera find out how she can get her magic back.
Funny, sweet, sexy and tense, this is the perfect book for a lazy Sunday afternoon. Highly recommended.

The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches was one of my favourite reads of 2023, so I have been eagerly awaiting Sangu Mandanna's next cosy romance. A Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping was absolutely worth the wait! It is a perfect blend of magic, found family, and romance.

From the first page, the setting and the descriptive writing made me feel nostalgic and cosy. Mandanna has a magical way with words that transported me right into the page. I also started rooting for the characters from the first page, too.

My favourite aspect of the book was the strong found family theme. I loved following the residents of the inn as they learned how much they mean to each other. It was truly heartwarming. The interactions between the characters also led to many funny moments. I loved the chaos of Roo-Roo!

This story would be perfect for cosy fantasy fans and fans of The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches.

This book felt like home and a warm hug. The diverse representation, the cozy inn set in Lancashire, which made my northern heart so happy and of course the found family trope we all love and adore - Sangu Mandanna can do no wrong.

Sera is exiled and running on little magic to power up her magical inn, where the most eccentric and unique characters reside. She enlists the help of Luke, a wizard historian who reluctantly helps Sera find the ingredients for a spell to resurrect her magic.

Luke’s caring nature towards his autistic sister Posy, was so heartwarming to read about. His grumpy but protective nature of the ones he loves adds to the coziness of this book. Plus, the slow burn between him and Sera was perfect. Their interactions had me giggling alongside their vulnerability with each other and it led to such a healthy loving relationship between the two.

All of the side characters were so original and added to the chaotic yet cozy atmosphere of the Inn, and this is definitely a book which does the found family trope justice. If you’re looking for a whimsical romance with a diverse range of characters, with great queer, disability, Indian representation - then this one is for you.

This book had beautiful prose and I loved the vivid world Mandanna has created. I appreciate the way she addressed racism, prejudice and classism which made sense in this magical world, as in the sub genre of cozy fantasy, it’s rare for books to be anything but fluff!

The ending made me slightly sad/ disappointed, but it fit with the plot and theme of this book. I loved the plot and writing so much, that I didn’t feel like knocking off a star because of it.

Honestly I can’t wait for this book to be released as I’ll be purchasing a copy and rereading straight away. Thank you to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for providing me with an e-ARC.

I loved it. The book's message for me is essentially that everyday simple pleasures of life can be so beautiful and magical, even if you have lost abilities you once had. In Sera's case, she loses most of her magic (in chapter 1!) after casting a huge spell that drains her, and spends her time grieving the loss and fighting to get it back. But as she is fighting, she is learning about all the important, wonderful things she still has. As someone who has been in chronic pain for a few years, that message spoke a lot to me and was really beautiful. Sometimes people tell me to "just accept" that this is my life, and I don't think that's right. I liked seeing a character learn to love her current life, but who still fought for her abilities back. 💛 For me that's the key, love the days I'm in for what I do have, but keep fighting for better, pain-free days too. 💛 It was also so witty and had me giggling out loud!!

Wow! This book did not disappoint. With The Very Secret Society of Witches being one of my favourite books of last year and probably my favourite cosy fantasy of all time, I was nervous going into this because my expectations were high!

Different characters and setting but the same cosy, magical, and eccentric vibes. Such a comfort read that also has substance. The story was well paced and I fell in love with all of the characters in the inn. I have tried to list favourites but I honestly can’t, I loved them all! They were all so unique without being cliche or unnatural.

There was a romance that was present but didn’t take over the book, which I really appreciate. It was very cute, as were all of the relationships in this book. For me the found family aspect is much more impactful and beautiful. Sera was also an excellent main character and I loved reading about her journey.

I think I will be rereading this book very often and it is definitely a new favourite that I will be recommending to everyone!

I absolutely loved The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches so I was incredibly excited to dive into this one and so happy that it didn’t disappoint! Sangu Mandanna has such a gift for writing cosy magical stories that are full of warmth, heart and emotional depth.

In this story we follow Sera, a highly powered witch who as a teen made the decision to save the life of her great-aunt Jasmine which unknowingly meant she sacrificed her magic. The way that she came to terms with her new normal, by creating a magical inn which then became a sanctuary for others was so heartfelt. This was a real story of self-discovery, finding and accepting yourself, and opening your heart to new people. It was also ultimately about how a chosen family is bound by love, not blood.

The supporting cast of characters was absolutely wonderful. Each person had a distinct personality, and their dynamics felt so real and layered. I adored the found family aspect, everyone had their own journey of loss, abandonment, or rejection by their biological families, and they all found comfort and belonging in one another. The love and acceptance they showed, whether it was for Nicholas and his eccentricities, or Posy and her specific needs, felt entirely genuine and never performative. The representation in terms of age, ethnicity, health, and background was diverse, but it never felt like a checklist, it felt authentic and honest.

The romance was also sweet and added a gentle layer of emotional connection that never overpowered the central themes of healing, acceptance, and home.

Mandanna’s writing is magical in the most comforting of ways, and I just fell in love with these characters and this world. I closed the book feeling like I’d been wrapped in a warm hug and honestly, what more could you want from a cosy fantasy? 5 stars!

Title: A Witches guide to magical inn keeping by
Rating: 4 1/2⭐️/5⭐️

Let me start this by saying “the very secret society of irregular witches” is one of my absolute favorite books ever, so I went into this with high expectations, and ur delivered!

Starting of strong
The characters:
Perfection, they were varied and layered and I instantly fell in love with everyone.
Some side characters maybe didn’t get as much depth as they descended simply due to there being quite a few of them but they were still well done and each had their own individual personality and it was just a perfectly adorable “found family” sort of situation between them all.

The relationships:
Were beautiful and filled me with happiness and warmth. That’s the best way I can put it. I think Mandanna excels at writing relationships and characters and she does it beaufitully.
My only teeny tiny complaint is, that I think there wasn’t enough tension and bound up between Luke and Sera but overall that was still a satisfying and beautiful romance story.

The setting:
I’m a sucker for anything with a sentient house and this definitely fit the bill. It could have had a bit more page time in my opinion BUT that’s a very personal opinion.
The Inn is a beautiful, magical and whimsical space that fit the story perfectly and I enjoyed it tremendously! Honestly I didn’t even need any actual plot I was just happy being there with everyone.

Which brings us to the next point, the plot:
Eh it was there it was fun but don’t go into this expecting anything major plot wise.
It’s a cute little story about finding your home and believing in yourself. And it was perfect in achieving that.
My only issue was the ending (don’t worry I wont spoil it), it’s also the only reason why this book didn’t get 5 stars for me. I just dislike these types of endings and I get it, it made sense for the big message and morale of the book but personally I just can’t stand this specific type of ending scenario.

Lastly the writing:
The writing is beautifully lyrical and full of whimsy, with a strong emotional core. That said, the book’s message about finding magic in the ordinary and embracing yourself just as you are was sometimes laid on a little thick. Which isn’t anything bad per se but at times it felt just a bit too on the nose.

Overall:
What can I say? I inhaled this book in less than 24 hours and now I’m sad it’s over.
It was beautiful and cozy and felt like a warm hug.
I would highly recommend this to anyone who likes cozy fantasy, cottage-core, rom-coms and the found family trope.

10/10

This was one of my most awaited books of the year - and the joy and excitement I felt when I received the advanced copy is hard to describe. I was so worried that the magic from the first book would be too difficult to recreate, but I can wholeheartedly share that this story was just as amazing!

I think the author’s superpower is her ability to create a story full of warmth, heart, and genuine magic. I adore the found‑family trope when it’s done right - in this book we have such a diverse mix of characters, all living together under one charming roof. If that's not enough to charm you, there's a zombie chicken, a talking fox, slightly scary villain, and a whole load of love, acceptance, and kindness.

I giggled, I cried, I laughed out loud, and even swore at some of the characters - so, if you love magic, chaos, and all the perfect vibes, you might adore this book as much as I did.

I can't wait to re-read it again in July, once it is fully out in the world!

4.75/5 ⭐

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an eARC in exchange for my honest review.