This book is ideal for readers who enjoy whimsical, character-driven tales blending cozy magical mishaps with heartfelt connections and a touch of romantic tension.

Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Pub for the ARC.

Sera Swan is trying to juggle running an enchanted inn, recover her lost magic, and watch over her unique and quirky found family in this cozy fantasy story.

I absolutely adored this book! It truly lived up to the cozy vibes it promised and I’m jealous that I can’t live this way in real life. I loved the characters with how unique and diverse all of them were, but together, they truly embodied the found family trope that would warm anyone’s heart. Sera found them to be a bit much at times, but what family is absolutely perfect. This magical inn was a place everyone could be themselves and I loved the idea of this magical inn that you can only find if you are meant to (or if the house allows it). It became a safe haven for so many of the people Sera cared about, but throughout the story, she struggles with grief and coming to terms with who she is without her magic.

This is a wonderful cozy read with a quirky found family, an undead rooster, an enchanted inn, a safe space, and a little bit of a magical scavenger hunt. I loved every moment of it!

Sangu Mandanna’s A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping is an utterly enchanting and heartfelt tale that blends cozy fantasy with a deep emotional core. Sera Swan, one of the most powerful witches ever, loses most of her magic when she resurrects her (recently) deceased aunt. Oh and a long-dead rooster. Sera uses any bits of magic she has left in order to keep her family inn humming along. The inn is there for people who need it and it also has a surprise for Sera in Luke Larsen.
Mandanna crafts a warm, whimsical world filled with charm and richly drawn characters—from magical guests with secrets to a brooding love interest with a soft heart. The inn itself becomes a character, pulsing with old magic and memories. The novel balances gentle humor, cozy domestic magic, and poignant themes of grief, growth, and belonging.

*Special thanks to NetGalley and Berkley for this digital e-arc.*

I was late to the party when it came to Sangu Mandanna's The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches but I adored it once I read it so imagine how excited I was to be early to the party for A Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping and it did not disappoint.

A Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping was just as full of warmth and found family as The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches. In this story, Sera is banished without her power to a magical inn after performing forbidden magic and being betrayed by her best friend. After fifteen years at the inn, she has settled into her life but magic has a way of throwing a wrench into things. When a chance to get her magic back arises, Sera jumps at the chance. There are many obstacles to success and a fun cast of characters, including the adorable MMC, Luke. This was satisfying and perfectly timed for the long summer days before fall's reprieve.

Thank you to the publisher for an ARC of this charming book, I had just read The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches and was so happy to get this next installment to read. That said-it's a complete stand alone, if characters come back from the other book, I didn't catch it. It has all the same warm feels with lovely characters who aren't perfect which makes them even more lovable-special shout-out to Roo Roo!

This book was everything I wanted and more.

The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches was one of my top reads last year, and this one is easily a favorite of 2025 already.

I loved Sera so much. She was super relatable, and I really enjoyed watching her grow into herself with the help of her found family. That trope always gets me, and this story handled it in such a warm, genuine way.

And I can’t forget Luke and Poppy (although, who could forget Luke?) I loved the Scottish representation (duuuuh) and Poppy’s situation was handled with a lot of care. There were sweet, cozy moments mixed with tougher emotional ones, and it all came together to tell a really meaningful story about facing your past and realizing what actually brings you joy.

Highly recommend for fans of strong FMCs, grumpy x grumpy romance, magical found families, and of course... undead roosters in sweaters.

Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this title to read and give my honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
I truly loved the other book in this world and was super excited when I heard there would be another. Don't be fooled, though, this book is not a sequel. While it takes place in the same world, the characters are all different and there is no true overlap with them.
Mandanna did a fabulous job of pulling me right into this story. I love her magical theme and how she integrates it with the characters and the plot. She's queen of the cozy fantasy plot for me. She wraps me in her stories and they give me all the good feels.
Sera is such a great character. She's funny and loving and caring. Almost too much. She barely takes care of herself. Which is commendable but also somewhat detrimental. She has lost most of her magic but wants to desperately get it back. As if that would make her a better person. But what she learns along the way is that she is already that amazing person. She surrounds herself with people who love and care for her, even if she doesn't truly let them.
Luke Larson just wants to take care of his autistic sister, Posy, and do his job. But he cannot find a good fit for his sister to be educated in the ways of magic. She doesn't fit into the "normal" box of a witch so it's harder for her to be educated that way. And his parents are no help. They just want her to be "normal" and Luke understands she is not like other witches. He grew up being different and forced into a box and he does not want that for his sister. When he finds Sera's inn, it's not by mistake. The inn allows those who need it to be drawn to it. Luke has no intentions of staying but somehow he does and it turns out to be the best thing for both him and his sister!
I love the found family theme in this book. It shows that blood is not always true to accepting you for who you are. And it shows you can find others to be your family when your own family won't. I love how they all work together to attain the goal of finding out how to bring Sera's magic back. I also love that they all are willing to make the ultimate sacrifice to save each other.
Overall, this book wrapped me up and guided me through so many emotions. I laughed, I teared up, I got nervous, and then I was so happy at the end. Mandanna knows how to write a story that keeps you engaged. I was entertained the entire time. I loved the world building, the character development, and the plot. This book was charming and fun. Highly recommend picking it up and giving it a try!

Thank you so much @berkleypub and @netgalley for the ebook, and @prhaudio for the audiobook!! #prhaudioinfluencer

I read Sangu’s book, The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches, a couple of years ago and I absolutely loved it. It was the perfect fall/cozy/witchy read, so I was beyond excited to read her new one! This one lived up to my expectations, and was another cozy witchy read!! Lots of found family, romances, and spells. The inn was so magical (literally and figuratively), and a place that I would love to visit. I loved all of the characters, main and side, and truly enjoyed their journeys throughout the story! This one is a must to add to your fall TBR!

PS- I also think this cover is adorable, and I’m a bit obsessed 💕🦊

Thank you @berkleyromance and @prhaudio for the finished copy & ALC. ‧₊˚⊹ #berkleypartner #prhaudiopartner

♡ A whimsical and heartwarming book about a sentient magical inn, a resurrected skeletal rooster, and a snarky talking fox.

The plot focuses on Sera’s quest to find the spell that will get her magical powers back. Love interest Luke Larsen [a grumpy historian with an autistic sister] can potentially source the needed ingredients.

My favorite parts of the book were the prose, the atmosphere of magic, and the infinite possibilities of the universe. Also, the cozy inn that pops up whenever it senses someone needs a place to call home.

I did have some issues with the pacing of the book through the middle section when I lost the plot at bit, and I wished the villains less one-dimensional and the ending a bit different.

♡₊˚⊹ There was one open door scene, felt a bit out of place given the sweetness of the rest of the book, but it was very brief.

▶︎ •၊၊||၊|။||။‌‌‌‌‌|• 🎧 I knew I would choose audio format since Samara MacLaren also narrated The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches which I loved!

A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu Mandanna
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Sera used to be one of the most powerful witches in Britain until she over exerted herself and lost most of her magic. Now with the help of a grouchy man, a witch cursed into a fox, a few quirky guests, and a couple of kids, she has a chance to restore her power.
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What I liked:
-The found family trope in this book was excellent. Everyone who found their way to this inn just couldn’t stay away and they all really cared for each other.
-The quest to get Sera’s magic restored really sucked me in. I enjoyed how this plot played out.
-I loved how the story ended.
-I wish I could stay at this inn.
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4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ What an enchanting story! It was cozy yet suspenseful and brimming with heartfelt warmth.

I thought Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches was fantastic, and this one is somehow even better! This is the epitome of found family with a dash of romance against the backdrop of a magical inn. While I was charmed from the start, the introduction of Luke and Posy upgraded the book to utterly delightful. I laughed out loud several times and went on an emotional roller coaster with Sera. The subplot of a Sapphic romance between two side characters was a huge plus too.

All around, an incredible story that I won't soon forget.

Thank you so much to Berkley for the opportunity to read and review!

Diving into one of Sangu Mandanna’s books feels like draping yourself in the coziest of blankets. I absolutely adored her first book and was excited to see what new (mis)adventures she’d cooked up in A Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping. Overall, I enjoyed this story of a magical innkeeper searching to regain her lost powers, and the quirky crew that inhabits her inn. There were definitely some slow parts as the action only picks up towards the end but if you’re searching for a whimsical tale with a heavy focus on found family than this is the book for you!

The main character Sera undergoes quite the transformation. She does a hearty amount of self reflection and discovers the things that bring her joy in life. There is a grief that comes with losing her powerful magic and the mental health aspect of the novel shines a light on this topic with sensitivity and care. I also found it poignant how Mandanna connected Sera’s alienation from the magical Guild to her immigrant experience. Sera’s ability create a solace in the inn was a beautiful representation of the community we should strive to create.

Going off that, my absolute favorite part about the novel was the eccentric cast of side characters. Each members brings a certain levity, warmth, and purpose to the overarching story. I never knew I would care for a mischievous witch cursed as a fox or an undead rooster as much as I did but this book proved that even the silliest of characters has depth and nuance. The autism and queer representations were also tenderly portrayed and pulled at the heartstrings even further. Sangu Mandanna knows how to write stunning iterations of found families and I loved how integral these side characters were to Sera and her journey.

Thank you Berkley and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

If only I could’ve ignored real life and read this, I would’ve finished it in a day! I loved living in Sera’s magical world, with her motley crew of found family and all the love and acceptance that filled the walls of the inn. The story was quirky, cozy, romantic, humorous, reflective- just so many things rolled into one book, and it just made me feel happy.

This book is a cozy fantasy filled with charm, adventure, and a sprinkle of sweet romance. The story follows Sera on a quest to reclaim her magic and break a curse but it is also, about something deeper: finding your self-worth and rediscovering who you are. I enjoyed a lot reading the side characters in this book. They are absolutely adorable, bubbly, supportive, and full of diverse representation. Each one brings something special to Sera’s journey, reminding us that it’s okay to lean on others. You’re never truly alone. There’s also a light touch of romance is super sweet and cute.
This is the kind of story I’d love to read with a warm cup of tea, wrapped in a blanket, curled up in an English cottage.

Sera Swan has been exiled from the magical Guild ever since resurrecting her grandmother and has been waiting years for an opportunity to get her magic back. But without the Guild’s resources Sera has no chance. When a professor sends magical historian and recluse Luke Larsen to the inn with his autistic sister in tow, the two find a magically chaotic home where they are accepted and loved fully as themselves. As Sera and Luke work together on a spell to regain Sera’s magic, feelings deepen between them. Will Sera get her magic back and finally reconcile her past with the Guild? Will Luke and his sister leave the inn and Sera behind?

As a neurodivergent I immediately fell in love with the theme of acceptance in this book. I very much connected to Luke in that he prefers not to be “too much” to others and withdrawing into himself to be socially acceptable. Luke very much prefers his solitude to awkward social situations just like I do. Sera deals with depression and her emotions feel very big sometimes which I also relate to as well. The characters struggle but are so determined and strong. I cannot love this book more!

Sera Swan was one of the most powerful witches until she lost most of her power resurrecting her great aunt Jasmine. She now reluctantly helps her aunt run an enchanted inn. The inn has a way of drawing in people that need it. Sera learns of a way to restore her power but the spell is in a language she doesn't know. One evening, drawn to the inn, handsome but grumpy magical historian Luke Larsen arrives with his sister. Together with the inn's other companions they set out to find a way to restore Sera's powers.

Sangu Mandanna writes the slow burn cozy romances of my dreams. I adored A Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches and have been waiting impatiently for this book to arrive. It is not a sequel but they share a lot of characteristics that I love. The found family aspect of the book was top notch. The inn is filled with fascinating and loving guests. I loved Luke's relationship with his sister. He would do anything for her and to protect her from a world that doesn't take the time to understand her. Sera and Luke had great chemistry and banter. Watching them get to know each other and grow together as a couple was such a joy. Sangu has established herself as an auto buy author for me and I can't wait to see what she does next. I know this will be a book that I come back to in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

i wish there had been more interaction with Sera and the echoes in the house- they could have been a really interesting plot device beyond how they were used, other than that, i thought it was a cozy hallmark-esque book about finding yourself through grief,

4.5 - Sangu Mandanna does it again!! This book felt like a warm hug. I loved being back in one of Sangu's cozy fantasy worlds with witches and magical creatures, a beautiful romance and lots of quirky characters.

As someone who loved The Very Secret Society, I had high hopes for this one and it thankfully didn't let me down!! A Witch's Guide follows Sera Swan, who was exiled from the her Guild and lost all her magic when she was younger, after resurrecting her great aunt from the dead. Now, Sera runs a magical inn that attracts people who need a shelter and place hide from the world. But Sera may have discovered the key to getting her magic back... Enter Luke, a magical historian, who may be the one to unlock the secrets of the spell and help Sera restore her magic.

This book had ALL the representation and I LOVED it!! Disability rep, mental health rep, neurodivergent rep, racial diversity, you name it. And it all felt so genuine to each character. Luke had a little sister Posy, who is autistic, that he is the primary caregiver for, and the way she just blossomed at the Inn, once she was able to be free and creative and cared for by others, was just so wonderful. I loved Sera and Luke;s relationship, it was so wholesome. I most of all loved the little found family that was created by those who came to the Inn and ended up staying, because they needed a place to be seen and feel loved. The perfect cozy romantasy to read this summer!!

Thanks to Berkley Romance for the free book!!

SANGU MANDANNA! She has done it again, and this book was worth the wait!!!
Can I just live in these books? Because seriously, I feel like I would find the Batty Hole Inn the perfect place to spend a weekend or two! Barring the undead rooster would give me some space (sorry, Roo Roo).

In all seriousness, A Witch's Guid to Magical Innkeeping is perfect for fans of cozy fantasy, with a dash of romance, and all of the witchy vibes. I cannot wait for the rest of the world to fall in love with Sera and her crew!

Thank you, NetGallley and Berkley, for an ARC of A Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping. Pub Date: July 15, 2025

There’s something so charming, almost intoxicating, about the way this book blends the practical with the mystical. A Witch’s Magical Guide to Innkeeping is exactly what I’ve been craving—a guide that feels like sitting at the kitchen table of a well-worn inn, tea in hand, with someone older and wiser leaning in to share secrets they’ve collected over decades.

From the very first chapter, I felt like I’d stepped into a lantern-lit world where every corner of the inn hums with intention. The author doesn’t just talk about running an inn; she weaves in folklore, herbal correspondences, and seasonal practices in a way that makes you want to tear up your daily routine and rebuild it with a little more magic. I could smell the beeswax polish and mugwort bundles as she described preparing a guest room for protection and restful dreams. There’s something deeply human about that—this idea that hospitality itself can be an act of spellwork.

I loved how she balances the mystical with the mundane. There are sections on cleaning and organizing, but they’re layered with ritual—sweeping away stagnant energy as you sweep the floor, adding intention to every little act of upkeep. It’s like a quiet reclamation of the domestic arts, and I found myself dog-earing so many pages I had to stop and get sticky notes.

One of my favorite parts was how she honors the concept of home as a living, breathing spirit. She speaks about the land your inn stands on, the stories embedded in its walls, and how to work with those energies rather than over them. There are blessings and charms tucked between recipes and practical advice, and it never feels gimmicky, it feels lived-in, tried, and true.

If you’re the type of person who finds comfort in old wood floors, moonlight through kitchen windows, and the idea of crafting protection spells with cinnamon and salt while bread rises in the oven, this book will speak to you. It’s not just a guide to innkeeping—it’s an invitation to see your space, whether you run an actual inn or not, as sacred ground.

I came away from this book inspired, already scribbling ideas in my grimoire about how to make my own home feel more like a hearth for weary souls. It’s whimsical, practical, and quietly powerful—the kind of book you return to again and again, like a favorite key tucked in your pocket.