4.25 stars

I absolutely ate this one up! Cozy, witchy, fall vibes with a dash of family drama is my jam and I loved this one so much. I was truthfully more interested in the family drama and witchy vibes than the romance but all in all I highly recommend this one.

A big thank you to NetGalley, Alcove Press, and Wallis Kinney for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review

I picked this one up to read in preparation for spooky season, and it wasn't horrible, but I've read other cozy novels that were far better than this one.

A very typical story of there being a witch who, *gasp*, realizes that the powers she has are not actually really what she thought and there is a darker plot at hand. Hecate and Matthew were fine, but I didn't particularly care about their relationship, nor the rest of the story/plot.

I gave it 3 stars because it was very average, but there wasn't really anything wrong with it either. It was just... there. The cover was cute though, so I do appreciate that (even though I listened to the audiobook version of it).

Not bad, but not a top recommendation from me!

This book was wonderful and very enjoyable. It had amazing fall vibes and was very emotional and magical all at the same time. I would definitely recommend this book, particularly around Halloween.

4.25 ⭐️ for me!! I loved this! A witchy book with some family secrets and a dash of romance? Yes pls 🥹

A Dark and Secret Magic was so cozy but had some dramatic elements that kept me so engaged! I would highly recommend getting ot this one before it gets super wintery, although I think it would be a fun read all year ☺️

Thank you alcovepress & netgalley for my copy of this!

Dark and secret magic was an atmospherically autumn read. The novel follows Hecate, or Kate to her friends, a Hedge witch who thrives in her small cottage with her cat. Different to the other witches in her coven, Kate is trying to cope in her seclusion and life after her mother passed away.
When Matthew, a man from her past, turns up seeking refuge – an indisputable request is thrown with this man in her home. Coping with her upcoming birthday and impending ceremony with Matthew turning up and finding dark magic which is related to her mother, Kate is left frazzled trying to manage all these new obstacles in her life.
Matthew and Kate were enjoyable to read. The mood, the chemistry and the plot was entertaining. I didn’t feel completely captured by the story but it was perfect for the time of year and Kate’s entire life was autumn encompassed.
I’d definitely recommend this to anyone looking for a fun and romantic witchy read with an underlying mystery woven throughout. Thanks for the eARC!

I really enjoyed this book. It was the perfect mixture of suspense and mystery, mixed with a beautiful romance. I loved the very witchy elements in the books, as well watching a once hidden and shy witch recognize her true power. This story had heart, it had power, and it pulled at your heartstrings. Absolutely perfect for Halloween!

If ever there was an October book, this one is it. The cover, the theme, it's all on point.

This one just didn't do it for me, though. The writing is just a little clunky. The setting is cosy, which is nice, but it was so cosy that it became soporific and there were no stakes that I cared about. The heroine was just a bit too perfect for me.

Now this could just be the mood I was in when I picked up the book. This might be perfect for you if you're looking for a comfort read, it just wasn't quite for me.

A hedge witch and necromancer…where do we go wrong with this?!? The perfect cozy fall book for my fellow witchy ladies!

This was so cute! Super major Falloween vibes. If you were a Halloweentown kid growing up, you’ll love this book. The writing was good, vibes were immaculate. 3.5 stars.

THIS COVER. I normally like illustrated covers and I guess this can count as an in between but it's so pleasing to look at. In this story, we follow Hecate and she is living her life as a hedge witch in a cottage with her black cat who is her main source of company. Her sister asks her to host a Halloween function where everything has to be perfect for their coven! Her plans are detailed by someone from her past who needs help. Yes this has all the cozy cottage vibes of your dreams. It’s filled with herbs, there’s so many scenes of baking and recipes and the cats name is Merlin. This is considered a romantasy so of course the romance wasn’t my thing but I enjoyed everything else. It’s a perfect halloween book though it’s not halloween anymore, don’t let that stop you. It’s got spooky forests, cemetery visits, caramel apples, and a black cat. Cozy and dark all in one bundle. Just get the insta love out of there.

I absolutely loved this! It was such a cozy fall read, but it had a really great plot that had me enthralled. I am absolutely hoping there will be a sequel because I would love to have more Matthew and Hecate.

The mystery aspect of this is so well done that it doesn't disrupt the cozy feel but keeps you entertained all the way through.

Links to come.

A cute and cozy fall read! I’m not a fan of romance too much so I’m not sure I’m the target audience but I did enjoy myself! It was great to read as Halloween approached! Thank you for the opportunity to read the ARC!

I enjoyed this book, it reminded me of Practical Magic and I love that movie. I personal think that Hecate characters has a good growth through out the book. I totally did not see the twist the Matthew brings to the table. The relationship between Hecate and Matthew just made me want to smile. The relationship between Hecate and her sister really gave off the true sister relationship. Overall this was a great little Halloween story. I also love that the author add the recipes that she talked about through out the book. I can not wait to try some of them. I loved the atmosphere that this book created for me. so much that I would sit and read it again. I almost hope that there could be another book.

For fans of The Spellshop and The Honey Witch, A Dark and Secret Magic is a transportive and enchanting read, blending cozy everyday moments with spells and a touch of darkness. This is a delightful and quick read that I would recommend to anyone who enjoys fantasy novels featuring witches, cooking, and slow burn romance.

Fantasy
Witches
Forced proximity
Mystery
Secrets
Ancient books
Betrayals
Friends to lovers
Hades & Persephone vibes
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Very entertaining, with good characters, loved the mystery in it and the romance going on..
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Special thanks to Wallis Kinney, Alcove Press Publisher and NetGalley for this arc. The opinions in here are on my own

3 stars!

this was incredibly cute, i thought that the fall vibes were impeccable. hot chocolate, pumpkin carving, being haunted and stalked by the personification of death, cosy little cottages with caramel cookies and candles...
the main characters were also good, they had a lot of page time so we get to know them quite well. the romance was also alright, the sisters a little underdeveloped, and the villain middling.
i found myself doing some skimming of pages towards the end, but the ending was actually satisfactory.

I really enjoyed this book! It was the perfect mixture of cozy Halloween vibes with high stakes. I really liked the family secrets and mystery behind the mmc. I would definitely read more from this author!

I absolutely loved this book so much!! It was such a good witch-y read. Parts that I really enjoyed in this book:
-the herbal magic
-the cozyness
-the liminal line between life and death
-the mystery

I also love Merlin. He was one of my fave parts. Also, I love how necromancy was incorporated into this book. The romance was also sublime! I was invested in this story.

A Dark and Secret Magic

Thank you @netgalley , @crookedlanebooks and @alcovepress for the free digital copy!

Let me just say: if witches, dark magic, and “fated” mates, read this immediately this fall.

A dark and secret magic is a perfect seasonal read. While has some romance, I would say the plot is the driving factor for the love of this book. Following hedge witch Hecate Goodwin as she prepares for her coven’s Halloween celebration as well as her birthday, a blast from the past shows up on her doorstep out of the blue. While Kate is navigating planning the celebration, preparing for her birthday, and providing shelter for the wayward but handsome Matthew, she also begins to learn more about her past, her destiny, and the secrets that bind both together.

I liked the approach to magic in this story. The whole book takes place in the span on 10 days, but there’s a lot that happens and fits in during that time. It was interesting to see Kate come to terms with the secrets she uncovers- the way the stories are woven and the ends are tied was very satisfying. While on the surface it’s a story about family and the lengths people would go to save the ones they love, but deeper than that, it’s about letting fear influence decision that cause repercussions for generations.

The romance was lovely- there was very little (if any) spice, but it wasn’t exactly wholesome either. It did have a “fated” mates vibe, and the way it ended was the only way I feel it could have. I would highly recommend if you’re looking for a romance/contemporary fiction hybrid book with interesting family dynamics, magic, and set in the one place witches would thrive- Ipswich, MA.

This is a pitch-perfect autumnal successor to 'Practical Magic,' and the writing style and narrative voice are equally cozy and as immersive as a warm blanket and cup of tea.