Sangu Mandanna brings warmth, diversity, and humor to a magical realism novel with romance, danger, and suspense. The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches is one of my favorite books of 2022. Witch Mika Moon has been taught that she needs to hide her magic and stay away from other witches to avoid drawing attention to their magic. As an orphan raised by a stranger, she’s used to being alone and following most of the rules. However, she is a bit of a rebel. She posts videos online pretending to be a witch and assuming no one will believe it.

However, someone does. They message her, asking her to come to Nowhere House to teach three young witches how to control their magic. Breaking the rules she’s grown up with, Mika accepts and gets involved with the odd assortment at the house. There’s the absent archaeologist, the retired actor, the librarian, the housekeeper, the gardener, and three witches ranging in age from seven to ten. Mika learns that there are secrets, and soon, danger and suspense come into play.

Mika has a great personality. She is likeable and relatable. Her loneliness and lack of connection to others is palpable. I loved her sense of humor. The other main characters have great depth as well. The author does a great job of showing readers each character’s feelings as well as their unspoken thoughts. Terracotta, the middle child, was fantastic, but all three children had distinctive personalities. It was fascinating to watch them discover new aspects of themselves. These unique characters made the book much more enthralling to read.

This is a wonderfully executed story with extraordinary and diverse characters and a setting that came alive. The writing and dialogue flow well. The chemistry between Mika and Jamie creates an added layer to the storyline. There are unpredictable moments in the story that provide some unexpected twists at the end of the novel. I did not want this book to end. My only quibble is that I wanted more suspense in the novel. Themes include loneliness, lack of belonging, friendship, connections, love, community, trust, and family.

Overall, this is a warm, uplifting and feel-good novel that brought me a lot of reading joy. It captivated me from beginning to end. If you like charming and heartwarming stories with humor, romance, secrets, and some danger, then this is definitely a book to check out. I’m looking forward to reading more by this author.

Berkley Publishing Group and Sangu Mandanna provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. This is my honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way. Publication date is currently set for August 23, 2022. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.

This book is simply delightful and I am so happy this was the kickoff to my witchy reads!
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Mika Moon knows the rules of witches. She needs to stay to herself and not mingle with other witches or their magic will set each other off. She’s been alone the majority of her life and to combat some loneliness she posts videos online of herself “pretending” to be a witch and attracts the attention of the inhabitants of Nowhere House who needs help with their three young charges.
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Mika becomes caught up in their lives and finds the one thing she didn’t expect to find, a family. This book is charming and an interesting take on a witchy tale.
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Huge thank you @prhaudio @berkleypub @berittalksbooks @thephdivabooks @dg_reads and @netgalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

I’ve read several of this author’s YA releases, so when I heard she was coming out with an adult romance – and then saw THAT COVER – I was desperate to read it. Add in a slow burn grumpy/sunshine romance? Pure comfort. It’s the book equivalent of sitting by a crackling fire with a hot drink on a rainy day, all warm and cozy under a blanket with a book close by. It’s also got so many found family feels that my heart felt like it was bursting.

“An absent archaeologist, a housekeeper, a librarian, a gardener, a retired actor, and three unlikely witches. As backstories went, it was one of the weirdest Mika had ever heard.”


Mika was raised by Persimmon, the leader of the witch group in England, to believe that spending time with other witches was too dangerous. Magic naturally collects around a witch and too much magic in one place could lead to unintended effects – and their discovery. Instead, they make do by meeting for a few hours every three months. Mika chafes at this restriction and the loneliness it causes and, in order to share some of her love of magic, she has an online witchy channel where she does obviously fake magic. When someone messages her offering her a position teaching magic to three young witches, she’s hesitant, but agrees. Nowhere House and its residents are nothing like what she expected, but one thing is clear: her charges need to learn to take care of their magic, and fast.

“This is either going to be the miracle you hoped for or it’s going to be an absolute fucking disaster.”


Mika is the heart of the story. Raised by a revolving door of sometimes abusive and always emotionally aloof nannies and caretakers, no one would be surprised if she was cold and cynical. Instead, she’s a warm ray of sunshine incarnate who quickly charms most of the house’s residents. Each one of them has their own backstory, role and reaction to Mika and before she knows it Mika’s been folded into one of the most charming found families I’ve ever read. Jamie is the house’s librarian, but more importantly, he’s the most protective of the girls. It’s no wonder he stays suspicious of Mika! In true stern and grumpy fashion he’s flummoxed and annoyed by Mika’s relentless cheerfulness. The three girls – Rosetta, Terracotta and Altamira – are absolute agents of chaos and I loved them, even when one or more of them was threatening to murder Mika (especially then?). Mika’s unphased by most of it, and shows a depth of empathy towards them, and the other occupants, that was so tender that it made me deeply emotional.

There’s a romance between Mika and Jamie that runs through the story. It’s very slowburn due to, well, a boatload of trauma on both sides. Mika’s spent her whole life teaching herself not to care, moving constantly and never able to share her full magical self except for a few measly hours a year. Jamie’s gruffness and lack of social niceties are frankly refreshing for someone who’s never been particularly good at them. The sense of home and family she finds at Nowhere House is overwhelming and frankly frightening, and what she starts to feel for Jamie? Even worse. Jamie’s distrust melts away as he watches Mika interact with the girls and the feelings underneath slowly sneak up on him. There’s even a nice hand clenching easter egg for us P&P movie fans! Add in some meddling from the other residents and you’ve got everything to make a ridiculously sweet romance.

“Nowhere House was shifting in Mika’s mind. The new Nowhere House was messier than the first, a place made up of fractured pieces that, somehow, had come together to make something whole and wonderful.”


The worlbuilding is lovely. The magic is described with enough Mika’s particular speciality is potions and teas, mixed with various plants and other more esoteric items like moonshine and stardust. Mika’s love of her magic is so joyful and transcendent that I couldn’t help smiling. It’s a bit bittersweet, though, too, as part of its attraction to her is that it’s something that’s always with her, even at her most lonely. Much like Mika’s magic, the story is hopeful, not in an epic way, but more of an everyday way; that making life better for all of them doesn’t require a seismic change but a gradual one. The writing is simply lovely as well, sprinkling humor and devastatingly insightful bits throughout. I highlighted so many passages that the word count of all those quotes was triple the size of this review! There’s a lot going on, but the book skillfully handles several big topics. Of course there the issue of family, of the ways families of origin can hurt people and the ways found families can heal. There’s the difference between being “nice” and being “kind.” And, most importantly, the difference between loving and being loved.

Now – with the caveat again that I’m a White American woman – it’s not surprising that a book that covers dealing with family trauma also deals with colonialism. Due to a curse, all witches are orphans. Mika was originally from Southern India and was raised in England by a White woman – or rather the nannies she hired. Mika’s three young charges are Palestinian, Black and Vietnamese, plucked out of their countries after their parents’ deaths by another White woman who leaves them in the care of mostly-White adults (one is Japanese). They’re given new names, and in at least one case the child was old enough to have already known her birth name. The girls’ daily caretakers are not unaware of the problems with this, though they’re a bit clueless how to handle it. At one point, Mika tells some of them, with an amazing lack of acerbity, that while she’s been hired to teach them to become Witches in Society, she can’t teach them to become BIPOC Women in Society since she’s not from any of their cultures. So while all of this was done with good intentions, well, so was colonialism. It’s a bit like Mika’s explanation of the differences between “nice” and “kind.” I mean, it is true that they’re saving them, so that’s nice – they were all orphaned and without question it made sense for a witch to take care of them until they mastered their magic. But is it kind to remove them completely from their cultures? I don’t know, and it was something I chewed over while reading the book.

“I can’t transform the world, Jamie. The world’s too big and too messy and too stubborn.”
“Who said anything about transforming the world?” He shrugged. “What about just making it a little better? And then a little better? And then a little more, until, one day, maybe long after we’re gone, it has transformed? You deserve more than what you’re allowing yourself to have.”


Overall, this was a magical story about found family and love. I’ve already preordered the physical book and an ebook because I immediately knew this would be a comfort read I’d come back to over and over. I have no idea what the author plans to write next, but I am desperately hoping she writes more adult romance!

I received an advance review copy of this book from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

<i>“Holy Grail?”

Mika shrugged, sheepish. “Well, it is. To be loved and accepted exactly as we are? Isn’t that the thing we’re all searching for?”

“Maybe,” Jamie said, almost to himself, “but we don’t always know it when we’ve found it.” </i>

This book is a perfect cozy fantasy read! It’s packed full of magic, charm and features the most adorable and funny characters. It has so many lessons and really teaches you so, so much. It’s diverse, romantic in tone and so enjoyable.

<i>Thank you so much to Berkley and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review </i>

4.25/5⭐️

The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches is a delightful read. There is romance, quirky antics of children, and the personal growth as Mika learns to accept who she is and embrace her magical powers. This was a quick, page-turning story that you will not want to put down.

This is the most wonderful, cozy, lovely, magical romantic story. I specifically say romantic story because I wouldn't categorize it as solely romance or solely women's fiction. It's a mix of the two: with a beautiful romance building on the side of a woman finding herself.

Mika Moon is a witch, but witches are still in hiding - only meeting with the small group they are aware of in the UK a few times a year. Witches have to stay alone and apart, something Mika is used to, in order to stay in hiding and not attract attention. But when Mika ends up teaching magic to three young witches to help them learn their powers, she becomes involved with a beautiful found family that changes the course of her life.

Mika is amazing. She is so sweet and kind. She loves with her whole heart but leaves before she can get hurt. She is at her best when she is vulnerable and witchy. Her relationship to the rest of the household is wonderful to read because you know it's a family that she never had and always wanted. The three girls: Rosetta, Terracotta, Altamira I ADORED. They each had their own little personality and their own relationship with Mika. Lastly, you can't review this book and not write about Jamie: surly, growly, grumpy Jamie. Seeing him open his heart to Mika, and then get her back when he messed up, was perfect romance goodness. This book is a MUST READ and the highest of reviews come from me.

Lastly, I will say that Sangu added so much great diversity in this book: racial and sexual orientation. There are queer characters (and old queers which LOVED!!!), the three girls are all different races and ethnicities, and Mika is Indian. But the best part was that Sangu made it not just an add on. They were fully fleshed out, not there just for diversity but clear identities. I especially loved when Rosetta meets another Black witch ("Mika didn't know what it must feel like to be ten years old and to discover the existence of a beautiful Black with like Belinda, but she imagined it was quite possibly one of the top three experiences of Rosetta's life") and when Mika talks about how she wouldn't teach the girls how to be a woman of color "just because she was a witch and just because she had brown skin, it did not mean she had answers to all the questions the girls would inevitably have about their own identities."

The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna will be one of my top reads of this year. It's witchy, cozy, the perfect fall read.

Once in a while you’ll come across a book that burrows deep into the crevices of your heart. It’s a rare and special moment especially when you’re a big reader but I cherish it every single time. The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches is that book for me. Sangu Mandanna wrote a warm, cozy, uplifting, and intensely romantic story that is going into my “forever faves” list. 🙂

My experience reading The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches was equivalent to me doing my favorite activity: cozying up by a warm fire with a delicious cup of tea and a scrumptious pastry on a beautiful winter evening. It’s a wholesome story that’s burgeoning with love and kindness. There’s a gentleness to this story that would make even the grumpiest of reader smile like a goofball. I know, I know. I’m beginning to sound overly cheesy, but that’s exactly how this book made me act.

We’ve got a truly stellar cast in this book. Each and every character is unbelievably endearing. The story is helmed by Mika, a witch with a social media platform. Mika has led somewhat of a solitary and secretive life as the rules state that witches shouldn’t co-mingle as it could draw attention to their power. She’s lonely and feels rootless. When one of her followers messages her with an opportunity to teach three young witches in a mysterious remote home known as Nowhere House, she’s at first incredulous, but decides to check it out anyways. At Nowhere House, she finds a quirky group of people taking care of three chaotic little witches who have no idea how to control their powers.

Part of the charmingness of The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches comes from the warmness that Mika exudes. She’s so lovely and genuine, you’ll want to be her friend because she’s actually sunshine and stardust in human form. You’ll also root for her to find her people in her lonely world. She finds that with her found-family in Nowhere House. It’s heartwarming to see how easily her life becomes intertwined with theirs, in a way that feels natural. Though there’s some reluctance on some people’s parts, most of them embrace her with the love she deserved. There’s this sense of “oh they belong together” the minute she shows up on their doorstep and that feeling never goes away. There’s something remarkable about a group of lonely people finding solace and companionship with each other, and gosh, did this found family crack my ice-cold heart. I loved their bond so much.

I also wholeheartedly embraced the romance in The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches – what a surprise! We all know that I turn rabid when a book has a stoic grumpy love interest paired with a vivacious sunshine-y character. Jamie and Mika dished out just that in a swoon-worthy slow-burn package. Jamie, the resident librarian and protective guardian, is very closed-off at first with Mika, but he finds himself slowly melting alongside the reader as the story progresses. Honestly, who could blame him? I too fell in love with Mika! Just know that you’ll find a tender and very satisfying romance within the pages of this book. I guarantee you’ll ship these two as much as I did.

If I were to describe the vibes of this book, it would be cozy witchy cottagecore. I loved the witchiness (??) of the book – you’ll find potions, spells, levitations, enchantments and more. I found that the way the magical elements were weaved into the story to be effortless and easy to digest. There’s just the right amount of world-building to leave you with an understanding of the world that the characters inhabit. I haven’t spoken about the three young witches, but just know that Rosetta, Altamira, and Terracotta provide a whole lot of chaos, entertainment, and just a tad bit of drama. 😉 Oh, and the rest of the cast is meddlesome and provide lots of light humor!

Sangu Mandanna’s writing is also the cherry on this delicious cake. There’s a whimsical and poetic quality to her prose that had me, at certain times, gasping at its quiet beauty. The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches is THE BOOK of the year for me. Please be sure to read it. I can guarantee that you too, like me, will fall for every character and leave the book wishing that you too could live at Nowhere House. 🙂

Sweet, whimsical, magical fun, with delightful characters and a slow-burn romance too! I enjoyed the younger characters' wide-eyed amazement at the magical possibilities they encounter, and the main character herself is lovely and charming. Quite a fun read!

I was unprepared for how much I would enjoy the book. It warmed my heart and when I finished the book, it felt like I had received a nice hug. The book is about found family, love, and kindness. Mika is 31 and alone. She longs for a place where she can just be herself. NoWhere house has a secret. Three orphaned young witches are growing up there hidden from the world. Remarkably, Mika has been asked to come and teach them how to control their magic.
The caretakers of Nowhere house need Mika's help and though she doesn't realize it at first, she needs them as well. I enjoyed spending time at Nowhere house and getting to know everyone who lives there. Jaime, our romantic lead, has also had a rough time growing up. Nowhere house is his home and he doesn't want anything to upset the idyllic life they have there. This is a very sweet romance that I will probably read again.

Thank you Netgalley and Berkley Publishing for the eArc. This is my honest review.

This was a book that I picked up totally without pretensions, it seemed like a very cute and cozy read and that was exactly what I needed. The story follows Mika, a thirty-one-year-old witch living in Britain. She is part of The Very Secret Society of Witches, a sort of social gathering for witches to exchange spells and socialize a bit, but that's it since it's too dangerous if too many witches are together. After being raised by nannies and tutors she is very lonely but has learned to navigate the world by staying short periods of time in each place and not creating connections.

Enter the most amazing found family ever. Mika is hired as a tutor for three young witches to help them learn to control their magic. Raising the children are a couple of amazing people (it really takes a village), the adorable elderly gay couple, the charming cook, and... Jaime. The librarian who constantly scowls and would do anything to protect the three girls. Mika will find a home with these people and in this home, and I just simply adored reading about her journey.

The chapters flew by with amazing speed, the writing was fluid, cozy, and quirky and kept me engaged at all times. I just couldn't get enough of this book! Each time I sat down to read I would devour it and still crave for more. I adored everything about this story, and I'll admit, I am a sucker for the found family trope, it is one of my favorites! And The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches delivered it so well! The characters are very three-dimensional, and everyone has unique personalities and tastes, including the three adorable little girls!

The whole atmosphere and coziness of this book were unmatched. Some people mentioned that this reminded them of The House in the Cerulean Sea, and although I didn't finish reading that book I can totally see where the comparison comes from, so if you liked that book, you really must pick up The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches!

This book was like a warm hug, something you don't ever want to end. It is a story about finding your place in the world, yes with found families, but also with romance! Although it is not the main focus of the story I really loved the romance and the interactions between the MC and LI. They were so different but complemented each other really well. Also if you're wondering this book does feature a sex scene! It's not super smutty, it certainly matches the whole vibe of the book of being cute that you sort of forget that you're reading an adult book and then someone suddenly says fuck or something like that. That was funny when it happened.

It was also very satisfying that there really wasn't an invented-super-chaotic fight to make everything crumble, as it goes for romance books and dramas alike. I don't really have much patience for that trope and it is something that when it does happen really puts me off while reading a book. I am so glad this one avoided that, which proves that this is just the most wholesome book ever!

I was debating whether to favorite this one and yes I do feel like it is a favorite. In some ways, I love it and find it perfect, and in others, I just wish it were longer because I just couldn't get enough of this story and I think that is an achievement in itself. Basically, this is such a feel-good book, and I feel so happy to have picked it up. I recommend this for someone looking for a light, funny, entertaining, and wholesome read. You won't be disappointed.

I received a complimentary advanced copy of THE VERY SECRET SOCIETY OF IRREGULAR WITCHES by Sangu Mandanna. Thank you to Berkley Publishing and PRH Audio for the chance to provide an honest review.

THE VERY SECRET SOCIETY OF IRREGULAR WITCHES is set in Britain where witches are real but are in hiding. Because a gathering of witches is sure to attract attention, witches are forbidden from gathering for more than brief meetings. Child witches are even more dangerous without having control over their magic, so they are removed from their families and kept isolated on their own. Mika Moon is a witch who has grown up in this system.

Mika’s one rebellion against remaining totally secret is an online account where she acts as a pretend witch posting real magic. She assumes that this is a safe endeavor, but her real magical status is spotted and she gets an invitation to Nowhere House. There she finds that there are three young witches under the care of several non-magical adults. Their mother has warded the house to hide their presence there, but the childrens’ caretakers know they need more help to guide them in the safe use of their magic. Three magical children in one house is unheard of, but they are determined to keep the family together and hope Mika can step in to help.

This book was a really fun and magical read. I found the magical system and the rules against gathering to be very interesting. I loved that Mika could find ways to stretch her wings a bit even as she still had to fly under the radar. Given her isolated upbringing, I could certainly see why she was both shocked by the situation at Nowhere House but also fully drawn to helping the young witches and those caring for them.

I absolutely love a found family trope in books and this was a big strength in this story. There is a romance as well with the somewhat grumpy caretaker with a big heart, but I really enjoyed that this was just one element of the story instead of the sole focus.

Heading towards fall, this is a perfect light witchy read for those looking for spooky season books without the spooky!

When I was sent an ARC of The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches I had it on my maybe TBR but I did see some friends loving it. So when I was in the mood for an easygoing read, I picked up this book and not only was I entertained throughout but I was also subjected to a hell lot of emotions and attachment to the characters.

The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches is about Mika Moon who gets roped into teaching three young witches to learn and control their magic at a mysterious house called Nowhere House. Enter the unique residents and a handsome librarian, Mika, who has spent her life alone as an orphan and a witch, is tangled up with their lives and the emotions the place and the people evoke in her.

of misfits finding their home

I've made this known so many times but found family is a trope that will always have me tearing up!! There's a special comfort in knowing these outcast, isolated characters end up belonging somewhere, finding their home together and The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches absolutely serves on this front. There's a sweet romance, sister bonds, forming of new bonds as well as celebration of the existing ones.

The recipe for this fun and magical book consist of a retired actor (Ian), a housekeeper (Lucie), a gardener (Ken), three lovely little witches (Rosetta, Altamira and Teracotta), a grumpy librarian (Jamie) and a whole lot of secrets and drama. As a girl who has had minimum social interactions and experiences due to being a witch and in turn, different from the society, it was so heartwarming to see Mika warm up to the people of Nowhere House and develop a relationship with the three girls who are witches just like her and who make her realise the importance of being surrounded by loved ones. I loved every character and the role they played in the book, because with the way they were written, you can actually imagine them in their element.

Oh and also, I adore the dog companion, Circe.

a feel good, cozy fantasy

As much as I love a complexly crafted fantasy, I found myself also enjoying the engaging and relaxing nature of this book. It's not heavy on the worldbuilding, just the existence of witches and how the magical world blends with the real one. This whimsical and comforting style of telling a fantasy story reminded me of how watching a Studio Ghibli film feels. The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches perfectly visualises the cottage-core setting and combines it with witty potions, loveable characters and the right kind of plot twists to give us this charming book.

Mika's emotional arc

I laughed, I cried and went through a whole spectrum of emotions through Mika's character and I found myself empathising with how she acted based on her feelings. She's such a pleasing character and I loved knowing about her witchy magic and the fierceness of her golden heart. All the emotions attached to Mika growing inevitably close to the new family, her constant reminders to herself that she can't stay in this place forever and still being pulled in by the love and comfort she feels around them is well written. I felt deeply for her when her past loneliness surfaced and rooted for her to find her own happy corner where she can truly be herself. As she yearned for.

grumpy x sunshine!

The romance between Mika and Jamie fits with the storyline really well, not taking away the attention from the emotions at hand but also served to be important for Mika's character development. I did see a lot of tropes incorporated throughout the story but they all worked to bring out the best in the novel. And as a huge lover of grumpy-sunshine trope I soon found myself invested in their banter and subsequent understanding of each other. Plus Jamie is such a swoon worthy character, a brooding librarian with endless love for the girls, which makes the build up for the romance all the more engrossing!

The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches genuinely uplifted my mood as I read it. I enjoyed all the little moments and messages it brought forward. If you're looking for a very easy and light-hearted read I'd definitely recommend this tender story of magic, an eccentric family with a lot of love and the themes of home and being seen for who you are.

As a fan of Sangu Mandanna's books - both A Spark of White Fire and Kiki Kallira Breaks a Kingdom - I knew I had to read The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches. And my obsession has only reached new heights. Mandanna's adult release is cozy fantasy to the core. Contracted through social media to become a magical tutor for a trio of kids (living under the radar of the local magical society), Mika is in for a trip. But there she discovers secrets about their powers, but also must re-discover her self. And what she thought about her powers and the (magical) world.

While the action and the tension - shhh spoilers - certainly kept me reading until past my bedtime, the characters and themes won me over. I absolutely loved every single character (barring one perhaps). There's not only quirkiness and personality, but heart in each one of them. In their comments and hobbies, but also in the ways they open up to each other. Showing their fears and utterly human doubts. Can you tell how obsessed I am with The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches?

If you are looking for a book that has it all it is right here. This Grumpy Sunshine/ found family story left me all warm and fuzzy from beginning to end. Before I even finished I had my physical copy set for pre-order.
Quick Spoiler Free Run Down: Mika the ever lonely young witch accepts an unconventional offer and in doing so she finds herself in the mix with a family full of its own quirks. Secrets, secrets, and more secrets surround all the characters and of course one by one they all come out. The story highlights several points of view while focusing heavily on the importance of interpersonal relationships.

Things I loved:
The mentions of intersectionality and personal identities
ALL the witchy vibes and the pure whimsical description of the magic.
"'Does it make it more or less magical if I tell you that, scientifically speaking, we're all made of stardust?' He didn't even hesitate, raising his eyes to meet hers. 'More. Definitely more.'"

Huge thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for providing an Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for my honest review

Give me witchy romances or give me death. Okay, maybe not death, but seriously this reminds me of all the fun things I love in paranormal romances especially witchy ones.

This is some fantastically cute contemporary witchy fiction. It delivers on cozy, sweet moments - found family is the best family vibes, fairy wine, magical greenhouses, and a cuddly loyal dog to start. (Oh, and the cute librarian.) But it also addresses serious topics - the lengths people will go to protect their family and the courage needed to not just survive but also thrive in a world that sees you as different or other.

Mika Moon's journey from a vagabond life style to realizing her desire to stay in the one place that feels like home to her (and having to bare her vulnerable heart to accept that home) was wonderful. I think she is the most fleshed out character in the story. And while the side characters serve their purpose and are quite cute (please, Ian and Ken's backstory next!), they're not as strongly developed to match Mika's storyline.

As cute and fluffy as this novel is, I'm glad that some twists and darker elements surprised me at the end. The stakes seemed very low until more information was introduced and connections were made. There's also so much future potential with the witchy worldbuilding. I hope that the groundwork laid here will be developed into other stories about more of the witches.

5 stars — Wow. I don’t think I knew I needed this book, but I 100% needed this book. It didn’t even have the most prominent romance, but what I got more than satisfied me! There was just something magical, in so many senses of the word, in this story and these characters. It made me feel HAPPY. Sure, lots of other emotions as well, but predominantly HAPPY.

If you know me and read my reviews, you know that I am all about the characters. I know people love reading for different reasons, and there are different elements that are most important to them. For me, it has to have characters I can connect with and love. And this book had them in spades. Which is not to say they need to be perfect — in fact, I prefer my characters flawed. It makes them more real, you know?

Mika was an eminently loveable heroine to follow. While there are chunks of the story in other POVs on occasion, the majority of the story is Mika’s to tell. She’s got this beautiful sunshiney exterior that covers up damage from a childhood of neglect and loneliness. She got to me. She was full of spunk and sass, she was quirky and odd, and she had a beautiful heart that she was afraid to let out of its cage. But seeing her fly? So worth it.

The girls were everything. The sass was so strong, I laughed out loud on more than one occasion. And probably snorted. And my heart ached for them. They were each so unique, and I loved them all.

Jamie was the perfect grumpy cinnamon roll hero. He had his moments of frustrating me, but his heart was always in the right place. And he had his own demons to fight.

Ian, Ken and Lucie were the perfect background secondary cast of characters that you just want to be real. They round out the story and take it from great to awesome. Primrose was a challenge, but I do love me a complicated character like her. And Circe was the goodest good dog.

I loved the magical world — I really enjoy these contemporary fantasies where I truly can believe that it’s real, and that magic is hiding in the world we live in. I also appreciated thinking about how it would work in our world, and the inherent dangers that would exist if it was real. I called one of the twists in the story, but it didn’t take away from it whatsoever.

Basically, I was hooked from start to finish, and sad that I couldn’t just gobble it up in one sitting.

This is what I would call a cosy witchy romance story. It was utterly lovely, and I loved every second of it! The plot was great, the characters lovable and the romance positively swoon-worthy. Can highly recommend!

A delightful and warm-hearted fantasy romance that will suck readers in and make them never want to leave! Mandanna's worldbuilding is exquisite, and I would love to spend more time in her magical world.

I loved this found family story that is told through multiple pov’s. There’s plenty of character development and an interesting plot. The romance is a slooooow burn with lots of scowls and smiles and swoons. Mika receives a mysterious request to help tutor three young witches. The only problem is that witches are a secret and most are underground. As she sets off on her new adventure, we’re introduced to a wonderful family and lots of hilarious magically adventures ensue.