I’m so very glad to find the same enjoyment in this title as in “The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches”!

I did not immediately gel with the main character, but there is a time jump at chapter three and I adore the older character.

Sympathetic treatment of autism and limb difference.

I would die for everyone in this book an twice for Nicholas. Why do we not have more grumpy x grumpy in romance? I have a need.

i didn't like this one *quite* as much as the first one, but i still absolutely loved it. these books are so cute and heartwarming and they give me hope for the future.

Having already been a fan of Mandanna's work, I was thrilled to be able to read this novel. Once again, I found myself transported to a cozy, witchy mystery - just the literary escapism I needed. Some of the plot lines and elements of this novel were a little deeper and nuanced than in her previous novel, and I was drawn into the mystery from the very first chapter. The romance was also EXCELLENT; I do love a Scot. I think this book would be great for both young adults and adult readers dealing with feelings of not belonging or having something missing in their life. Overall, it was just what the doctor ordered and I look forward to more from Mandanna in the future.

This was so lovely and sweet and cozy. I really really enjoyed it! I loved her first one and was so happy that this one was even better. Can’t wait to see what she does next.

This was SO incredibly special. Sera's journey so heartbreaking, honest and so relatable. I LOVED how she came to terms with her powers and knowing her worth wasn't defined by that. The found family trope in this was outstanding. EVERY single character at that inn was delightful. You got AMAZING representation all throughout, but I especially loved Posy!!

This story was so healing and lovely, I definitely will be recommending!

Thank you so much to Berkley Publishing Group for my ARC!

4/5

This book is like a warm cup of tea with a splash of chaos. Sera Swan used to be a powerful witch, and now she runs a slightly ridiculous, very charming inn with a fox-turned-witch, a zombie rooster, and a handful of other magical oddballs. It's cozy, funny, and packed with found-family vibes.

The world-building is adorable, the characters are loveable disasters, and there’s even a soft little romance tucked in. But fair warning that the plot drifts a lot in the first half and some of the bigger moments, especially at the end, don’t land as hard as they could. A few character arcs also felt a little more "message" than "story."

Still though, if you love magical shenanigans and heartwarming weirdness, it’s worth checking out. Definitely a new favorite comfort read for me!

Thank you to Berkeley for sharing this ARC with me!

When I read The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches in 2024, I was excited to hear that Mandanna was writing another cozy book about witches. I didn’t think I could love a cozy book more; but then I read A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping and fell even more in love with world Mandanna built.

Sera is a witch who once had powers that rivaled even the best witches in the Guild, until she used a resurrection spell when her great aunt died unexpectedly. Exiled from the Guild for using this forbidden spell, she works with her great aunt to maintain an inn with a quirky group of permanent guests that become found family. It’s this same group that ultimately encourages her to find her powers again.

Mandanna brings to life a diverse group of lovable characters who prove it’s better to be your authentic self rather than fitting in with the norms expected of you. As someone who rarely reads romance, I appreciate how Mandanna keeps the romance elements light but present, allowing all plot lines to flourish. While I mostly laughed or smiled visibly throughout most of the book, there were also touching moments that made me tear up. This is such a wonderfully cozy book full of magic, both literally and figuratively.

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC!

This was super cute, I loved the setting and the general premise, as well as the characters and how they grew and changed throughout

For me personally I enjoyed this far more than The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches. I was genuinely surprised and happy that romance was less of a main focus in this story. There was a very diverse cast and though the story took a little time to get into full motion it was an overall good experience. The way in which Sera's self discovery took place was a journey written with a realism in a magical setting. Not all journeys are easy and straightforward. Given what is currently going on in the world I appreciated some of the real world issues that crept into the story and in times like now found family helps us through.

I loved The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches and I loved this book just as much. So cozy, so warm, so magical with just the right amount of conflict and romance (and a tiny sprinkle of spice!). Can’t wait for Sangu Mandanna’s next book. 💛💛 Thank you to NetGalley and Berkeley Publishing for the eARC of this novel.

Sangu Mandanna has done it again! She creates romances that aren't just a journey of love but also self-love and discovery. Sera is such an amazing main character. She's just raw edges sewn together with love and care. Her road of healing was so beautiful to read. She IS the gargoyle protecting the castle and she does too well of a job.

All of Sangu Mandana's characters jump off the pages with life. She dares to ask the question "What if family is a grumpy magic-drained witch, her cozy back from the dead aunt, a lesbian amateur gardener, a himbo knight, an 11-year-old witch, a cursed fox, a chilly history nerd, and his cinnamon roll loving witch sister?" The answer was yes, and I asked how I could join it.

Sera and Luke are so soft with each other. They are caretakers for others. They hold the responsibility close and very tightly. With each other, they can ease their holds and just be. The romance took a bit more of a back seat in this book. I would say Secret Society of Witches was 40% romance and this one is more 20%. I do wish that their relationship was shown 10% more but Sera's self-love journey needed to take up more space.

Delightful! This was just as whimsical and charming as The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches! Sera and Luke were both so prickly and yet, I found myself rooting for both of them the whole time. Sweet story about friendship, second chances and found family. The most wholesome thing I’ve read so far this year!

This novel is an absolute treat; funny, whimsical, and oh-so-heartwarming. I couldn’t get enough of the eccentricity and the perfect blend of magic, mischief, and moments of vulnerability. What really resonated with me, though, was Sera’s journey to rediscover herself, her powers, and her place in the world. This book celebrates found family and the idea that sometimes, the magic we need is right in front of us. If you’re a fan of quirky, magical worlds with lovable characters, a dash of romance, and a lot of heart, this one is an absolute gem. It’s the kind of story that makes you believe in second chances, both in life and love. I’m already looking forward to what the author has in store next!

Sera Swan used to be a magical prodigy. Now she runs a bed and breakfast with her great-aunt Jasmine and a few semi-permanent guests, all of whom are eccentric. A M/F romance emphasizing the importance of found families and accepting people as they are.

The Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping was one of my most anticipated reads of 2025. From the magic-imbued English countryside inn to the eccentric and lovable guests themselves, reading this felt like a warm blanket. While exceptionally cozy, this story had enough plot and purpose to keep me engaged until the very end. You will laugh, you will cry. This coming-of-age story about finding your magic and accepting yourself was truly a treat to read and I can’t wait to own it in print when it is published later this year.

This book gave me everything I needed and nothing I didn’t. It was a warm cup of tea by the fire for the soul. The characters are sweet and compelling. The romance is perfectly paced and believable. The stakes are rather low which solidifies this book as a charming, casual, sweet read focused on character development and relationships.

A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu Mandanna is a cozy, enchanting read filled with charm, warmth, and just the right touch of magic. The setting is beautifully crafted, making the inn feel like a place I’d love to visit, and the characters are delightful, with their relationships adding heart to the story. While the plot moved a bit slowly at times, the overall atmosphere and engaging writing kept me hooked. It’s a lovely, comforting read—perfect for fans of cozy fantasy—earning it a solid four stars.

This was phenomenal. This book is packed with everything that makes reading a joy. The story focuses on found family, second chances, and loving yourself, but also has the most wholesome slow-burn, opposites attract romance burning in the background. The characters of this book are truly amazing. They are all so perfectly quirky and so well developed. They are vivid and original and you simply cannot help but fall in love with all of them. In addition to Mandanna’s evocative characters, this story is rich in world building and truly captivating writing. This story wormed into my heart and filled all the spaces of it with a warm and cozy feeling. There is the perfect amount of humor, love, joy, sadness, and family mixed together to great the perfect recipe for the perfect novel. The way that Mandanna writes to poetically about everyday life and the true magic of the world is truly inspiring. Mandanna has done all of the things right with this book and you would truly be doing yourself a disservice if you did not read it.

What an absolutely magical delight. I teared up so many times because the found family and acceptance in this book is everything you could have possibly asked for. Each one of our characters has felt unwelcome and like who they were wasn’t acceptable in one way or another, and they have all found happiness, safety, and love together. When I read the very secret society of irregular witches I was blown away by the quality of the writing, and this has lived up to those unattainable expectations. Easily another favorite of the year.