I absolutely loved this witchy cozy atmospheric book! I rated it 5/5 stars and finished it in like 2 days. This story has all the elements I’m looking for: cozy vibes, an awesome magic system, romance and a mystery throughout. I particularly loved the cooking/ baking descriptions that really brought the scenes to life- I could practically smell the cooking.
I loved that the FMC is 30 and was much more relatable than most of the 19 year old FMCs I’m used to reading about in the witchy/ fantasy genre.
I would highly recommend this book for anybody who enjoys fantasy/ witchy books!
Thanks netgalley for allowing me to be arc reader for this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc of A Dark and Secret Magic!

I LOVED this book!

-This book is interesting because I would consider it to have elements of cozy fantasy but there is far more plot than in the average cozy fantasy. I felt the author did a fantastic job weaving in the cozy elements (like the cooking and book magic, Merlin the black cat, and the apothecary) with the heavier parts of the plot (like the rivalry between the Atlantic Key and Pacific Gate, the King Below, her mother's deception, the romance, death magic, and the troubled relationship with her sisters).
-I liked the different types of magic (book magic, hearth magic, necromancy, hedge craft, magic using sea glass and tarot cards). I do wish we learned a bit more about how the coven worked and the relationships between witches within the coven.
-Hecate was a relatable character and I liked the insight into how her job was to take care of those around her but she still struggled heavily with anxiety and loneliness.
-I really appreciated how soft the romance was. There is a lot of aggressive enemies to lovers in fantasy books and while there was an enemies to lovers aspect in this, they were very sweet and protective of each other. They both showed such thoughtfulness and I was rooting for them the whole time. I was so excited for Hecate to have someone that appreciated her so much after how much everyone else took her for granted. And Matthew seemed like he also needed something soft and loving after his struggles with the king below.

Overall, this wasn't the best book I've ever read in my life. But the vibes were immaculate and I felt like the book was giving me a hug while I was reading it. I gave this book 5 stars and I'm adding it to my list of comfort reads. Also! It was such a cute touch from the author to put the recipes at the end of the book!

(highly recommend reading during the fall or on a rainy day!)

This was a good atmospheric read perfect for the autumn season. I wish the plot and characters were a bit stronger, but I enjoyed the magic and Halloween vibes. There was a lot of telling and not showing throughout this story, I would have liked to have seen the magic through the character's actions rather than it being info dumped on how each thing works. If you're looking for a short cozy read check this one out!

Thank you so much Alcove Press and Netgalley for this ARC.

A Dark and Secret Magic were such an warm and magical read. Totally Practical Magic vibes.
The perfect story in the fall and I want to read it again when the fall season is here.

A warm cozy hug of an book which is great for readers who enjoy witchy and magical stories.

And the cover is so beautiful 😍

Wallis Kinney's A Dark and Secret Magic is about a witch that learns of her past and determines what will become of her future, all while an unexpected man from a decade ago comes seeking refuge in her home.

The premise of the novel was very promising.  While it definitely delivered on the title (dark magic abounds), there were some spots that were sorely lacking. Let's recap my favorite way, shall we?

The Commendable:
🍂 The magic system was well written and consistent. I personally like more complicated systems but the level of depth of the magic system fits the depth of the book overall.

🍂 The atmosphere was very detailed and a major chunk of the book. It was fall-themed and had all the autumn related activities , items, etc. (I know I'm in the wrong season for it but that's why if you love everything fall-related, you should definitely pick it up then.)

🍂 The darkness of the magic and what it meant for Hecate, the main character, was well crafted and scary. I was afraid for her and didn't want her to meet the villain at all.

The Not -So-Commendable:
🍁 The characters were all so flat, felt very one dimensional, and made me sad because I craved a good book with not just a good plot line but also memorable characters. And unfortunately, neither Hecate nor the man from the past had any particular quality or complexity about them.

🍁 Some parts of the book felt unnecessary and could have been removed. If certain actions or activities do nothing for the main characters or change the outcome of the story, why include it, you know?

🍂 For the first half of the novel, nothing was happening. And then things were happening but still not as enthralling as I expected or hoped for. The setting remained the same three places, the characters were interchangeable, and I expected more from other characters and didn't get anything from them.

Overall, a 🌟🌟🌟💫/5

If you're looking for something advertised as Practical Magic like, then this is the closest you'll get out of the recent new releases I've read. It was good and entertaining. Some parts were a little too witchy (I don't know what I mean like that at all, maybe that it gets too much of the details of it all instead of just the story, like a lore drop felt a little strange), it wasn't that big a deal but my lack of ability to explain it makes it seem much more that way.

Hecate Goodwin is a mostly solitary witch whose magical expertise is in healing and aid. When Matthew Cypher, a hexan from a rival coven, shows up unexpectedly at her door, her duty is to provide him shelter. This throws a wrench into her birthday plans as she is to turn 31 on Halloween in a few days time. On told of this, she finds a tome written in her recently departed mother's hand which appears to hold dark magic.

This was a wonderful and cosy read that put me in the mood for fall. Despite the plot sounding complex, the author seamlessly wove together all of the elements in a practical way. It felt like a witchy re-telling of Persephone and Hades which was a joy to read. The world-building and story-telling was immersive and really evoked the magic of Halloween-time.

A warm hug on a crisp Autumn day, this book was stunning. The perfect cozy fall fantasy, full of twists, intricate world-building, forbidden love, and the simple beauty of Octobers.

3.5 stars

A Dark and Secret Magic by Wallis Kinney would be perfect to read in October. It has all of the lovely things about fall: cool nights, cozy sweaters, beautiful colors, warm drinks, and witchy vibes.

The magic elements and world-building were natural and made sense. There was enough tension with the romantic interest to keep it interesting, and I enjoyed the Persephone-esque plot. Although it veered a bit dark at points, it was overall very cozy. The relationship between the sisters was done well and Matthew, the love interest, fit in well.

The pacing was a bit off, it dragged a bit in a few parts. It didn’t help that I was reading this when it was sunny and about 1000 degrees outside, so that may have also been a factor.

Over all, this was a well-written, enjoyable read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Alcove press for the digital ARC.

This story gave the perfect fall, cozy, witchy vibes! I really adore Hecate and Mathew’s relationship. The world building was special and magical. This book made me feel comfy and like it was already Halloween 🎃 I can’t wait to purchase a physical copy and I definitely recommend this to all my cozy fall loving people!

A huge thank you to Wallis Kinney, Netgalley, and Alcove Press for the ARC copy of A Dark and Secret Magic!

A Dark and Secret Magic is the best book I have read in a while! It is well written and has everything I enjoy in a good story: magic, witches, mystery, romance, and characters I can be invested in. I adore the cover. At first glance of this beautiful cover, I knew this was going to be a good book for me! I will be purchasing a copy when the book is published and may re-read around Halloween. This is the perfect read to get you in the cozy Halloween mindset.

Hectate and Matthew are fantastic characters. I enjoyed their relationship immensley as well as liked each character individually. Kinney did well with her character development as well as her world building. I could imagine the manor, Hectate's cottage, and the town of Ipswich.

I didn't want the story to end. I can't imagine a more perfect ending. While I'm sure this book is a stand alone book, I would love to read more of Hectate and Matthew's story together. I am hopeful this isn't the end of their story.

I am looking forward to reading more from Kinney. Perhaps in the future, we will have the stories of Hectate's sisters, Miranda and Celeste! I will be recommending and reviewing A Dark and Secret Magic on Amazon and Goodreads. I highly recommend this book to be added to your to read pile as soon as it is made available to purchase!

A Dark and Secret Magic follows Hecate Goodwin as her sister asks her to host the annual Halloween party. This book is a story of magic and family secrets with a little romance thrown in. There is a fun little twist in this book to keep you on your toes. Sadly, this book didn't really seem to keep me enchanted in any way. I only got through it in a day because I was excited to start my next book. Despite my critique, if you want a cozy Halloween read, it's not bad at all!

This quick and enjoyable read was a delightful escape, populated with well-written characters that felt fun and engaging throughout the story. The author's engaging prose and witty dialogue made for a captivating experience that left me wanting more. The fast-paced plot kept me hooked from beginning to end, and the satisfying conclusion left me with a warm and fuzzy feeling.

Plot: 4 stars
Characters: 3 stars
Execution: 3 stars
Romance: 3 stars

I was honestly very intrigued by the plot and blurb and really excited for the Halloween vibes in July. It’s a very cute and easy read but fell a bit flat in the actual story. A little lackluster in the events and the characters felt underdeveloped. I definitely feel they have the possibility of being much more and I was highly interested in the mystery of the book and what Hecate’s mother is hiding but… the relationship between her and Mathew felt too easy. Awkward and even a bit forced.

I like the idea behind all the different witches and covens. But I’m on the edge about the magic food, especially with those types of names. Part of me thinks it’s cute and another part feels it’s too childish. The writing was at times lovely and at others rather flat and the dialogue many times felt odd and unnatural. Too much telling and not enough showing. And I feel the idea it’s based on Hades and Persephone is… not quite right. Or at least very loosely based off that because I certainly didn’t feel it that much in here.

More than anything though, I like the possibilities enough that come October, I’d love to read the fully edited version and see the changes and improvements. So I give this a hopeful four stars because I can see what it’s capable of becoming.

₊ ⊹”you are the only person i’ve met who improves the silence.”₊ ⊹

*:･ﾟmy thoughts┊ well this was just the cutest thing!

this book was the perfect mix of a classic hallmark fall movie setting, paired with the complex female relationships within a family and a coven that resembles the movie <i>practical magic</i>, and a sweet love story that mirrors the myth of hades and persephone (without all the bad aspects.)

i really enjoyed my time reading this! i’ve been in such the fall mood since the end of june, and i’ve been desperately seeking out all media i can consume right now that helps appease that feeling. this was the perfect book for me to pick up, and i’m so thankful i received an arc of this!

hecate’s character was so soft yet willful, and seeing her grow into herself and her magic throughout this journey was so special! she felt like such a real character. i also adored matthew, how he’d been thinking about hecate for ten years since their first brief meeting. his wry humor and protectiveness over hecate made me swoon! they were a match made in heaven, for sure. the softness of the romance had me feeling so giddy; all of the little moments were so perfectly well done.

the plot was really fun to navigate, too! it did take me a moment to get into the book, but man. once i was in, i was in. there’s a bit of a mystery within the plot concerning hecate’s mother and the illusive king below, and it was really interesting seeing how everything unraveled at the end! i also loved how the end of the book features recipes to all the delicious-sounding food and drinks throughout the book; i will for sure be making that hot chocolate recipe when it starts getting colder!

i really enjoyed this book, and i will definitely be picking up a physical copy when it’s published! this is the perfect fall time read, especially if you’re looking for something not too complex and that gives you all the good warm feelings that are much needed in the fall time!

huge thank you netgalley and alcove press for providing me with an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review! ᡣ𐭩

This book gave me Practical Magic type vibes. I enjoyed reading it, and found myself unable to put it down at times. I love that the FMC was older, and she was very relatable. I also enjoyed the take on the different types of magic, and how each witch did their magic.

Thank you to NetGalley and Alcove Press for the e-ARC!

read this if you like:
- Cozy fantasy
- Witches and magic
- Halloween vibes
- Mystery and romance

A fantastic choice for a fall read, particularly during the Halloween season! The Halloween atmosphere and food descriptions are impeccable, capturing the spirit perfectly. It's also less than 300 pages, making it a great fast read if you like cozy fantasy.

I really enjoyed reading "A Dark and Secret Magic." The book contains mystery, witches, and a touch of romance, which made it quite a thrilling read. Spending time with the main character on their magical journey was truly enjoyable, and the forbidden romance added an exciting element to the story. However, I was hoping for a bit more intensity in the romantic aspect.

Overall, it was an absolutely great read, and I would recommend it to anyone who loves a blend of mystery and romance in a magical setting!

*Thank you so much to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the chance to review an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.*

I loved this book! It is the perfect book to get anyone into the spooky season. It has a witch vibe with romance and pumpkins to keep your Halloween heart happy. I did find it a little slow for the first couple chapters, but after getting over that hump I could not put it down! I also loved how it ended, great read for the autumn season!

I absolutely loved everything about this beautifully written book. A Dark and Secret Magic bottled all of the things that make October special to me.

Hecate (Kate) is a hedge witch and is getting ready to celebrate Samhain (New Year) and her 31st birthday on Halloween. Days before Matthew, a hexan from another coven, shows up on her doorstep seeking sanctuary. As it gets closer to Halloween Kate begins to experience strange things and discovers her mother's secret journal. Matthew helps Kate discover what secrets the journal holds and what it means to Kate and her future in the coven.

It was a fun, cozy story that had me ready to celebrate Halloween. It's a must if you love stories about witches, sisterhood and a dash of romance. The recipes in this book sound amazing and I was thrilled to see that they were included at the end of the book.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC!!

3.5*
Firstly, I love the cover! Parts of this book really had me in the mood for Halloween decorations and foods! Pumpkin and apple spices! Yum.
Unfortunately for me the story just didn't have me very excited. This was a cosy little read with cute witchy elements but for me it lacked context. I wanted a bit more power and magic!! More wow moments! This did however tick boxes for a slower,easier read that may be great for the younger audience.

Many thanks to the Author and Publisher through Netgalley for an ARC.