Book source ~ NetGalley

Mika Moon is a witch in Britain. A powerful witch. Who has to hide what she is so she ends up moving around a lot. When she gets a mysterious plea for help, she scopes it out and then leaps into a situation that could end up being a disaster or the best thing that ever happened to her.

This book is an absolute delight. I love it. All of it. The writing, the plot, and most of all, the characters. It just flows so smooth and quick that before I knew it I was done. I blew through it and didn’t want to put it down. Then I was sad. For a bit. I want more of this world. Will there be more? I don’t know. But in the meantime I know I’ll be revisiting this story over and over again in the years to come. Especially when I need a happy and fun read. Not that it is all puppies and rainbows (it brings all the feels to the table), but it’s one that is full of joy and hope. With magic. Here *shoves book* - read it!

I love a story that explores female relationships as well as romance. I devoured this book while waiting in line at Disney for a Star Wars ride (the wait was 80 minutes) and I'll be quite honest, it was the perfect pick! It has the grumpy man who falls for the sunshine that has her own dark secrets.

Mika Moon is a witch who was orphaned early, as are most witches, and raised by Primrose Everly, another witch. Mika is lonely because witches are supposed to be solitary creatures. When too many witches come together their power can be detected. Mika is contacted by a family living in Nowhere house to train 3 child witches. This is a good story of people helping others and sometimes bucking tradition to do so. There are a couple of twist and turns but in the end, witches come together to help each other and that's the stream of this book. I liked the characters and the way they grew as the book proceeded. Hope there is a sequel as the children grow.

Witches seem to be all the rage lately, and I've checked out a fair number of them over the last few months. The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches is one of my favorites. This book is absolutely delightful. Don't get me wrong, it does have its moments when it tugs at the heartstrings, but Sangu Mandanna tempers the emotion with well-timed wit, humor, and adventure. This one is a romance, but it's so much more than that. The found family of Nowhere House is so much fun. Each character adds something to the story, and they're all just so lovable. There is a little bit of a mystery and some danger, but mostly, this one just kept me smiling. So, between quirky characters, an enemies-to-lovers romance, 3 precocious little witches, and a fun twist toward the end, Sangu Mandanna has penned one totally engaging story that I could and will read over and over.

I enjoyed this read so much! The story was fun and compelling and completely unique! It reminds me a little bit of practical magic which is probably why I loved it so much. The family dynamics were so entertaining and the general craziness kept me laughing throughout the whole thing!

This story is uplifting, focusing on love and human connection. Mika is a witch who has lived a lonely life. Always feeling “other”, she has moved a lot and never felt safe or loved, even though her guardian, Primrose, a very powerful witch, did care about her. When Mika answers an ad for a witch wanted, she is sure it will be something sinister, but it is actually an invitation to live in a house where three child witches needed guidance. Ian and Ken, a couple, along with the housekeeper Lucie and the tutor Jamie, take responsibility for the girls while their guardian is away. The growing relationship between Jamie and Mika, as well as between Mika and the girls, give hope that even if one is “other”, he or she can find a true family. I really enjoyed this one. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

I very much enjoyed this story! A little late for Halloween with these witchy vibes, but this book wasn't about that at all. This book instead is a warm hug.

This was a story about family, and trust, and magic, and love (not just the romantic kind either). I loved Mika Moon and the three rascals who she set out to teach. All of the characters were beautiful people you know you could find in real life if you looked. I am a suckered for a sunshine and grump romance, and Mika and Jamie were adorable.

I really appreciated all of the different types of connections and relationships that were in this book. Will absolutely reread!

AMAZING!! SO HEARTFELT!!! I loved every character! It gave me The House in the Cerulean Sea vibes!! The found family trope is becoming a new favorite! So beautiful.

Thank you so much to the publisher and NetGalley for sending me an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!

Okay, I adored this. It was every bit of the witchy vibe I wanted to read in October, but with an adorable story and a cute romance attached. I've seen comparisons to the House in the Cerulean Sea, but intended for adults, and while I haven't read that, the plots do seem comparable.

The found family story managed to break my heart and put it back together again so many times, the romance was absolutely precious (but still had its steamy moments!), and the entire plot as a whole just catapulted this book to the top of my fall reads recommendations list if you like any of the things I've mentioned.

Five stars all the way, and I'll go on to read anything this author puts out, for sure. I loved this book so much!

I wanted to love this book so much, but at 60%, I’m struggling to want to finish.

The storytelling is so whimsical and charming and I totally see why people are enjoying this story, but between the plot feeling a bit sluggish and the 3rd person narrative, I’m struggling to get through it. There are few exception where I am able to connect with characters in 3rd person and unfortunately, this one is not it.

I hope to come back to this one another time, because it truly is a cute cozy fall read, but for now, I’ve been picking this up on and off for almost a month and I can’t get myself to want to push through.

In a world where witches and magic are real the “Rules” insist that each witch live alone, not associating with other witches and, of course, making sure to hide their magic. It is a lonely life for them all, only meeting with other witches once every three months for a short period and never in the same place twice. For Mika, an orphan like all other witches, life is lonely - she never stays anywhere longer than 6-7 months and never tells anyone her secret. She creates a series of social media videos pretending to be a witch thinking it will be harmless, no one will believe it is real but then she gets a message that makes it clear that someone does believe she is really a witch and asking for her help in teaching three young witches. Traveling to Nowhere House to see if the request is real she finds an unusual group of people and three young witches, Mika ends up taking the job and breaking the rule that says witches, even children, must always be isolated from other witches. There is an urgent need to teach the children to control their magic as their guardian’s lawyer is coming to check up on them and if they cannot convince him everything is alright the children will be separated and lose their home and the family that has been created. As Mika comes to love the girls and the feeling of belonging somewhere things are coming to a head if they cannot convince the lawyer that everything is alright and the girl’s absent guardian is just on a trip.
This was such a lovely read. The characters are real, diverse and fully developed each with their own wants and fears and secrets. They make good choices and bad choices but always for totally logical and understandable reasons. The story flows along slowly and sweetly as Mika and the girls and the rest of the family learn to trust each other and build bonds. I can’t think of when I have enjoyed a book as much as this one, It is one that I believe will become an annual read. Very highly recommended.

Thank you to Berkeley Publishing Group and NetGalley for the ARC!

The Very Irregular Society of Witches is cozy, sweet, and as magical as the title promises. If, like me, you enjoy found family narratives, POC representation, grumpy x sunshine romances, and the movie Practical Magic, this is the book for you. I loved this novel so much, I would take weeks-long breaks between chapters while reading it because I didn’t want it to end. The characters and the magic come alive on the pages of this story about Mika Moon, a lonely witch who is recruited via social media to become the live-in teacher for three magical orphans at an isolated home known as the Nowhere House. With the children’s benefactor nowhere to be found and a persistent solicitor scheduled to visit in a few months, Mika has a massive task in her hands. But her biggest challenge is to open herself up to love.

Mika is a fantastic and complex protagonist that you cannot help but love and root for. Jamie, the prickly and fatherly librarian at Nowhere House, makes for a fascinating and exciting love interest, complimenting Mika perfectly. All the supporting characters, including Mika’s students, their three caretakers, and Mika’s guardian Primrose all have their moments to shine. The setting adds to the pleasantness of the story and the characters.

I have nothing bad to say about this sweet tale of community-building, self-love, and finding one’s purpose in a hostile world.

I loved this so stinkin much!! I am known to enjoy a witchy romance - but this one had so much heart. The found family aspect of the story made me weep. The romance made me swoon. I absolutely adored this book and will be recommending it to literally everyone. I look forward to reading more from Sangu Mandanna.

An absolutely lovely story of a young witch that finds herself living with a group of quirky, yet endearing characters. Mika is given the opportunity to mentor three orphaned, young witches that have a lot to learn. She finds herself in over her head as these young witches test her patience and skills while challenging all of the “witching rules” that Mika must abide by. There are secrets, a handsome librarian and memories of her own childhood that challenge her in this fast paced story.

This is such a cute, heartwarming story. The characters are written so well and there is such a strong theme of family and the lengths that people will go to protect that family.

4 ⭐️

Thanks to NetGalley for the advances copy in exchange for an honest review.

#TheVerySecretSocietyofIrregularWitches #SanguMandanna #NetGalley

Perfect review for Halloween! I’m not a big fan of spooky stuff, so a cute cozy fantasy book about witches is the perfect seasonal book for me. This has been a year amirite! I think we were all eager to bring in the fall vibes and this book hit in the right way at the right time.

It’s a nice fantasy about Mika, a witch who really hasn’t found a home or friends to call her own. Her abilities have left her isolated, even among other witches. Loneliness is breaking her down, but finding a job helping these three children at Nowhere House gives her a connection to others and to her own talents. It’s a lovely story. A lot of people compare this book to TJ Klune’s novels, and those are real comfort reads for me. If you enjoy his books then you will like reading this one.

The kids are cute, but I’m very picky about kids in books. Sometimes they can be a little too precocious and one of these little’s does tend to strike me that way but it’s not too bad. I enjoyed the book and I am looking forward to any new books from this author.

This book was like snuggling in a warm blanket. It's a perfect fall read. I loved the story and the characters. Will definitely recommend to my patrons.

The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches was the magical and cozy read that I needed this week! I was looking for a comfort read this week and was so happy I let Sangu Mandanna's story sweep me away to an isolated home in England where a witch has been summoned by a grumpy librarian to tutor the three young witches in his care.

Mika Moon knows that it's safest for witches not to mingle. Historically, it's never ended well for them when their magic comes together and draws the attention of non-magical humans. But when she's asked to step in to help three young girls reign in their powers, she can't help but say yes—knowing that the support and care is exactly what she had craved at their age. As she grows closer to them, Mika realizes that witches may be safer in isolation, but that happiness and community are well worth the risk.

Mandanna crafted a truly enchanting found family story—one where each and every character is made happier and more fulfilled when they're together. I loved that Mika was able to give the girls the kind of childhood experience she didn't have, and that working with them helped heal some of the broken parts of her heart as well. And of course I was swooning over the woven in romance with Jamie, the grumpy Irish (!!) librarian who is also learning how to let people in and let himself be loved.

If you're looking for your next fall read and want something that is soft, warm, and magical—you can't go wrong with this one!

╰☆☆ “𝐌𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐥, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐢𝐭 𝐝𝐢𝐝 𝐬𝐨 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐚𝐧 𝐢𝐫𝐤𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐢𝐟 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬 𝐝𝐢𝐝𝐧’𝐭 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐭.” ☆☆╮

THE 411...

When thinking of books that give off cozy warm blanket paired with a cup of hot coco vibes, The Very Secret Society Of Irregular Witches should just magically materialize! quaint and whimsical best describe the setting of Nowhere House where we find a cast of characters that will steal your heart. Mika Moon is a witch who lives a very solitary life in an effort to protect her identity as well as that of the other witches in her network. It’s very rare these witches meet up but when they do, their leader Primrose makes it a point to emphasize their under the radar lifestyle. Mika however has found a clever way to not feel so alone. She streams videos of herself sharing magical elixir/potion making recipes under the guise that it’s all in good fun. Until her videos catch the attention of Ian, an octogenarian retired actor who is desperate to get her assistance. The estate of Nowhere House has been left the charge of three young witches who are in absolute need of guidance and training. Will Mika accept the offer to teach the girls how to control their powers?

WRITING & FINAL THOUGHTS...

Mika Moon is an Indian British witch with a penchant for naming her pets after mythological figures, she was lovely to meet on the page. There’s a lot of loneliness surrounding our MC even though she comes off super warm and kind hearted…not someone you’d take for living in isolation. It’s almost kismet that she’d meet such a loving welcoming bunch, some of who make it their mission to make her feel at home. Ian is dramatic and enchanted by Mika from the start, he very much gives off retired actor vibes. His husband Ken is Japanese and works as the Groundskeeper for the estate, he’s more laid back and serious. Ian and Ken are happily married and in love. Lucie is the plus sized 56 year old Housekeeper who will remind you she’s still young, I LOVED her! Jamie is our 36 year old Irish curmudgeonly love interest. He’s the librarian who is equal parts grumpy and protective over the young witches and also Mika. Altamira, Terracotta, and Rosetta are the young witches we meet with mischievous energy! I can easily see this turned into a movie and I’d buy my ticket on day one. I LOVED the fact that Ian specifically wanted Mika a woman of color to be the one to train these young children of color how to properly wield and control their magical abilities. The potion mixing was a plus, Mika’s Golden Retriever Circe was a plus, and the witty banter/slow burn between Mika and Jamie was *chefs kiss* perfection! this book was MAGIC Book Lovers! ❤

Quick and Dirty⁣
-found family⁣
-witchy score: 4/5⁣
-forced proximity romance⁣
-warm and fuzzy⁣
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Synopsis⁣
Mika Moon just did the unthinkable. She agreed to tutor three underage witches despite the decree that witches should never congregate. The rules, according to her guardian Primrose, are in everyone's best interest since witch's powers can intermingle and draw unwanted attention. But Mika knows what it means to grow up lonely and forgotten, and she doesn't want that for the young witches, who may be separated if they can't learn to control their magic. So, Mika heads to Nowhere House, a remote country estate where she will find her charges, her heart, and her purpose. ⁣
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Musings⁣
I knew this would be a fun witchy read, but I had no idea going in that it would be a sucker punch to the heart. Seriously, this one will leave you feeling all the feels this spooky season, which may not be everyone's cup of tea. But if you enjoy a seasonal read with a touch of romance and a strong helping of self-discovery. This book reminded me of The House in the Cerulean Sea in all the best ways. I loved seeing the young witches come into their own while Mika found herself along the way. And there was plenty of magic to go around, making this one perfect for spooky season! Overall, this one should not be missed if you enjoy T.K. Klune or Steven Rowley.

You don’t really expect the hear the words heartwarming and adorable when talking about witches… but here we are. ⁣
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Mika Moon is a lonely witch. There is fear of being found out, but also, rules state that too many witches in the same place causes too much energy and chaos.⁣
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So, it’s an isolated life, never staying in one place long enough to forge any real connections. That is, until she secretly takes a job as a tutor to three, young, very impressionable witches.⁣
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What she finds is more than she could have every conjured from the strongest of spells. But will her new found happiness be short-lived?⁣
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If you want all the vibes of spooky season, without the frights, but with a hefty dose of warm, witchy wonderfulness - grab this one.⁣
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It’s a magical read in so many ways … and dare I say - it will cast a spell on you