Sangu Mandanna has done it once again! After reading The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches, I was both hopeful and just a tad bit skeptical that she'd be able to once again give me that cozy, heartwarming feeling while simultaneously hitting me directly in my deepest of emotions. I'm not sure why I ever doubted. This book was magical--and that's not just because of the magic within the plot.

This is my not so formal petition that we dub Mandanna the queen of the found family trope. I genuinely don't think anyone will ever do it better. She managed to create characters that were both wildly unique and inherently relatable. As I was reading, I couldn't help but feel like I was a member of the chaotic family at the inn. I could imagine myself sitting at the table with all of them, laughing while enjoying a cup of tea and a cinnamon roll. We fall in love with all of the characters (well, almost all) in spite of, and maybe even because of, their flaws.

Speaking of love... hello, Luke Larsen! Can we all agree that's just an extremely attractive name first and foremost? The banter between Sera and Luke was simply top tier, and I appreciated the slow, but natural progression of their relationship. Mandanna created a couple who were each other's perfect complements,

This one had me barking out laughs while I read in bed and crying on my couch as I found myself relating to the fears and doubts buried beneath the surface. This book is going on my auto-recommend list and Mandanna has cemented her spot on my auto-buy list with this one.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! The inn and all its inhabitants were a wonderful ride. I especially enjoyed the ending and everything not always going back to just perfectly fine. The touches on the FMCs depression and how she dealt with it and continues to work on herself was a great addition to the story. Every character was unique and had a specific place in the inn and all the goings on. Definitely a great cozy witchy read!

The number of times I smiled or outright laughed while reading this book, it’s truly uncountable because it felt like it happened at least every other page. While there are plenty of actual jokes, the real joy lies in how Mandanna incorporates humor and happiness into the dialogue and characters’ actions. The cast is such a hodgepodge of misfits that somehow all fit together in the inn perfectly, which is reflected in lines like, “It seemed at first glance like ridiculous theatre, unnecessary and a bit silly, but at the heart of it, weren’t they just a handful of people trying to be good to one another?”

And while Mandanna manages to keep things light, that doesn’t mean this book doesn’t deal with deep topics and emotions. It is ultimately a cozy fantasy novel, but all the characters face plenty of strife along the way, and none more so than Sera with her struggles with her magic. “She could feel that where that infinite sky had cradled her magic before, keeping it safe, it was now full of exit wounds that were quietly, relentlessly bleeding stardust.” The motif of stars used to represent Sera’s magic was so well done, and I liked how others’ magic was represented with different metaphors, too. While each character gets their own arc, Sera’s in particular was satisfying and so well done.

While I received an advanced reader copy, I think it is high praise that I am glad that I had already preordered the audiobook for this book and will happily revisit it in the future, especially when needing to feel like being wrapped in a big warm hug by a cozy piece of literature. I’ll also be buying a physical copy to add to my library of favorite books.

Many thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely loved The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches, so I was really looking forward to reading A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping. It was such a delight! The story starts off a bit slow, but I quickly became invested in the plot. Sera is a lovable and empathetic main character. The themes of found family, rediscovering your power and confidence, healing, and hope really stood out. I adored the supporting characters and their subplots which added depth and kept the story moving. While the romance between Sera and Luke was underwhelming, it didn’t take away from my overall enjoyment. The ending was sweet and satisfying. I still prefer The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches, but I’d definitely recommend picking this one up if you enjoy magical realism!

I loved the first book I read by this author so I came into this with sky high expectations. It also didn't help that while I listened to the first book and read this one so that might have changed my experience.

I found this book to have a rocky beginning. It felt like I was starting a sequel but it isn't a sequel so I felt a bit like I was starting on the back foot. As well, because I was scrambling to figure out who was who and what was what it took longer to get invested in the story. I've been a bit scrambled lately which is causing a little bit of a reading slump so this very easily could have been mood.

Once I got into the story I did enjoy it. Sera is a fun character who is clearly trying to do her best in a bit of a crazy situation. Clemmie, the fox, is more than a handful and the other characters added some entertainment. I think I'll try a reread of this on audio as I think I would have enjoyed it more in that format and it would have made the slow start easier to get through.

I absolutely loved this! It was so sweet, quirky, and lovable.

The magic of the inn and how it draws people who need it but also rains tea in one room randomly was just undeniably fun. The best part were all the side characters and the banter with our grumpy innkeeper who is truly a softie.

The pacing of the story was good and kept me drawn in while the love interest was one you immediately started to see coming but rooted for.

This author is new to me but this felt so genuine and unique that I can't wait to read other books by her!

I loved The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches, so I was really excited for this book. This story definitely gave cozy energy. While I enjoyed the quirky characters and the found family aspect of the book, I found myself having a hard time getting into it. Things felt slow, and I often put it down. I didn't get invested until the end when there was a bit of action, where the guild comes together to oust the old "evil" head of the guild who was doing shiesty things, and give Sera her magic back but other than that, it just fell a little flat.

Read if you like a cozy magical realism story with a focus on found family and a little romance subplot. Thanks to the publisher for the ARC in return for an honest review. This book releases 7/15

Let's talk about "A Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping" by Sangu Mandanna.

I absolutely adore quirky, fun, found family, cozy fantasies and this one topped it right off for me. Overly heartwarming, pulling at your feels, and giving you the pom-poms to help you cheer on our FMC Sera Swan as she aims to find a way to get her magic back that she once had before. Of course the romance between her and Luke (our stoic MMC) was exceptionally sweet and endearing.

As one of the most powerful witch of her time, Sera had it all - until the unthinkable happened, and her life literally went upside down. The stars that once glittered bright, had faded and did not come back. Fast forward fifteen years, and she's in charge of the family inn, running the day to day, and welcoming those that have lost their way and are needing a shining beacon. Although Sera is still reeling at her loss of magic, she's not once stopped searching for a way to get it back. The inn in itself is magic - pulling and welcoming people from all over - a lost knight, a retired dance teacher embracing her golden years, and a fox - who has a knack for getting in trouble.

With a little help, well maybe a LOT of help from her family and guests, Sera is tossed back into her old world in search of her lost magic. When an old classmate arrives on her doorstep, she's finally got the will and information needed to succeed in endeavor. A heartfelt love story takes place, threading itself through the comedy of the home, and makes this read one to be recommended.

Thank you to NetGalley, Berkley Publishing, and Sangu Mandanna for allowing me to review for my open and honest feedback.

✨ Witchy Vibes
✨ Cozy Fantasy
✨ Low Stakes
✨ Found Family
✨ Animal Familiars
✨ Diverse Representation
✨ He Falls First

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🔥.5
Series: Standalone

I’ve been awaiting A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping for going on two years now after the release date was pushed back to 2025. This is a sweet, cozy fantasy perfect for the folks who also loved The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches or generally like the found family trope.
A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping follows Sera Swan, a witch who had tremendous power right up until she resurrected her aunt Jasmine from the dead. You see, that type of power expenditure damaged her capacity for magic and she’s been operating on mere scraps of her former power ever since. Not to mention she was also exiled from the Guild for performing an illegal spell (the resurrection) so she can’t even access the library to research a possible cure for her stymied magic. In the last fifteen years Sera has taken over much of the operations of the inn she runs alongside her aunt and has also taken in Theo, a young relative with magical talent. There are also two longtime residents of the inn, Matilda (a vibrant older woman) and Nicholas (a young man who lives the life of a knight), and Roo-Roo a rooster that Sera accidentally resurrected alongside her aunt.
Much of the book focuses on Sera trying to find a way to get her magic back once she finally finds a spell that could restore her power. The spell is simple but has three ingredients that prove to be difficult to get. During all this a magical historian named Luke arrives with his young autistic sister Posy as they try to find new accommodations. Luke and Posy end up staying quite a bit longer than they initially intended and Luke proves to be helpful in translating the restoration spell. This is a found family book with a dash of romance, so you can probably see where this goes.
A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping was a charming, heartwarming story that was somewhat predictable but ultimately I didn’t mind because this is about the vibes. It’s nice to know there’s a happy ending coming for our characters even if they’ve had some ups and downs. I didn’t enjoy this quite as much as I did A Very Secret Society for Irregular Witches but this was certainly a nice cozy story that would be perfect for the fall or winter months, which is when the story takes place.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.25
🌶️🌶️

Just like how the magical inn shows itself to people who need it, I read this one at the perfect time—after reading a couple of heavier books and I needed a bit of cozy whimsy.

As with her first book, the romance simmers in the background, until it bubbles over at the perfect time. Luke and Sera are delightful and I love how they complement each other. They have similarly absent parents, but cope in different ways— one isolates themselves and keeps one foot out the door and the other collects new family members to protect.

The found family of it all is perfect and I love the central message of the book is about the magic of embracing who you are and finding your place in this world.

If you loved A Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches, you’ll like this one too. The vibes were similar and both felt like a warm hug.

Read if you like:
- Cozy Fantasy
- Found Family
- Witches
- Grumpy x Grumpy
- Autism Rep

The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches was one of my top favourite reads of 2022, and like many other readers, I’ve been waiting (im)patiently for A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping ever since.

I knew early on that this book was worth the wait. The story and the characters sucked me in and stole my heart. It was a beautifully-written tale about the power of love, perseverance, found family, and finding your home and the people and place you belong with. It made me laugh, cry, and swoon. I can’t remember the last time I loved a group of characters as much as I loved the wonderfully quirky, lovable misfits who lived at the inn. I also loved the slow build-up of the romance between Sera and Luke and rooted for them to find a way to make things work.

A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping is charming, whimsical, heartwarming, and cozy. I’ll definitely be getting a physical copy to add to my Favourites Shelf right next to The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches.

This was an absolutely delightful and whimsical cozy fantasy! Sera Swan, the "gargoyle of the castle" - but actually a witch and innkeeper at the Batty Hole Inn, has lost her magic. Turns out resurrecting your aunt is illegal and calls for exile, in addition to being such a powerful spell that she used up her extraordinary abilities. Her inn, however, continues to be a light in the darkness to only those who need it. Grumpy as she may be, and haunted at times by ghosts of her past, Sera manages to welcome her nephew Theo, gardener Matilda, Sir Nicholas the knight, Clemmie the witch turned fox, Roo-Roo the zombie chicken, and historian Luke with his sister Posy. Sera doesn't try to change them, even when the world (and Guild) would seek to. I loved this found family at the inn. Luke and Sera's romance was both subtle and all consuming, and their acceptance of each other's imperfections was beautiful. I loved the magic, the enchanting setting, and the assurance that who you are is enough.

This book just wrapped me in a warm and cozy hug. I loved it so much. The setting, the characters, the plot, did I mention the coziness? The descriptions in this book were so lovely. It really reminded me of L.M. Montgomery’s writing and how rich & beautiful her descriptions are. This book was a wonderful getaway during these stressful times.

Thank you to Berkley Publishing and NetGalley for my complimentary copy of A Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed this cozy magical book about second chances.

"There is always a little magic in the heart of a person who loves it"

Sera used her witch powers to cast a powerful restorative spell and now she's paid the price.
Cast out from the witch's guild, she's currently living with a lovable cast of characters in the aptly named Batty Hole Inn. But someone at the Guild needs her help, and Sera is about to embark on a new magical journey.

This is the perfect read if you love
witches
magic
found family
quirky characters

First off, thank you sooo much to NetGalley and Berkeley Publishing Group for providing me with this ARC!! This was really cute, very cozy as I expected it to be like Sangu Mandanna’s writing. But I found that this was a little bit of a repetitive plot where the witch loses her powers, and they have to find a way to get her powers back. It’s been done before, but it was still enjoyable. But I also found myself not really as invested in the main characters love story. I was much more interested in the side characters romance and the other characters in the book added a comic relief and found family trope was very strong in this book as well. But I also think this was pushed to be a romance book, and it kinda felt to me that some of the parts the sexual comments were a little out of place to me. Now I love these themes in books don’t get me wrong, but in this it turned me off a little to the main characters romance when they were using swear words quite a lot in scenes that I felt it was a little misplaced. 3.85 stars not quite a 4 for me. Other than that I still enjoy her writing and it’s a fun read.

Absolutely loved this book. I'm a sucker for a found family situation and these characters were so well developed and crafted that I felt like I was apart of their little world. I also really enjoyed the humor injected throughout. Overall it was warm and fuzzy while still having some solid romantic tension between the main characters. So excited to read more from this author!

A Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping is a charming, whimsical, cozy, joyous story of finding magic in the places you least expect it.

Sera Swan was such a relatable character, and while I enjoyed the romance and the story, it was Sera that kept me turning the pages. The romance was a perfect slow burn. It was wonderful to watch their romance bloom.

Be still, my beating heart. The found family in this one was tremendous. Between the mouthy little fox, the mushroom-loving Matilda, the endlessly loving aunt, the cosplaying knight, and the grumpy historian and his magical little sister. They were utter perfection.

Samara MacLaren's narration of the audiobook was fantastic.

If every cozy book were written with this much heart, it would be all I would read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for a gifted ALC and ARC in exchange for an honest review.

If you loved The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches, you will LOVE this one too! Exact same cozy vibes with some new witchy friends.

Sera performs an illegal resurrection spell bringing her great aunt back to life and in doing so loses the majority of her magic and her place in the guild. She spends the following years helping her aunt run their enchanted inn, creating a safe space for the people who need it most. With the help of a sneaky little fox, Sera gets her hands on a spell that will restore her magic but theres a problem. Its written in a language she cant read. Cue Luke, the grumpy historian who specializes in language. Will Sera get her magic back? Guess you'll have to read to find out :)

These characters are really just the best. They are quirky, funny and all good natured. I want to meet them in real life and give them a hug. In fact, thats exactly what this book feels like, a giant warm hug from your favorite person in the world. Sera is a dream with a heart of gold, always protecting the ones closest to her. Luke is a secret softy taking care of his nine year old sister named Posy who is on the autism spectrum. I want to thank the author for writing such a special character. Posy is a brilliant bright light and these characters do absolutely nothing to try to make her conform to societal expectations. They accept her as she is and let her shine. This made my heart smile as I think sometimes people are forced to be something they are not and that just shouldn't be how things work.

A Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping is sweet, uplifting and a total delight!

Thanks so much to @berkleypub @berkleyromance for the free book!

I enjoyed my first book by Sangu Mandanna! A Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping has a heroine after my own heart! Sera Swan lost her magic 15 years ago after bringing her great aunt back from the dead. She already was an outcast because of her heritage, and the magical guild prefers to promote the same ten all-White families to positions of power. So as Sera's power had one rival at the time, using a resurrection spell goes against the rules, and her mentor (and best friend's father) is all too happy to exile Sera and remove the one person who may be more powerful than himself.

This story is about found family, and I loved how the magical inn only shows itself to those who need it and are welcome, which means there's a human man who is most comfortable wearing knight armor, an older woman who can't garden but Sera secretly keeps the vegetables alive, a talking fox who is a cursed witch that gave Sera the resurrection spell, and Sera's witch nephew, and her human great aunt. The newest additions are witches Luke and his autistic sister Posy, who are sent to the inn after Posy's latest levitation exploits at her school get her sent away.

While Sera has been without her magic for 15 years, she finally gets a break when her former best friend lets her take photos of a stolen spell that can help her regain her magic, and break the fox's curse. It's also a slooooooooowwwww burn romance between her and Luke, who has never felt like he fit in, and since Posy can't hide her magic like she's been told to, Luke is always on the move to protect Posy and himself from rejection.

The banter among all the characters was so good! Sera is a grump (rightly so) but has a deep affection for everyone she takes care of. I did want more romance between her and Luke, and for the climax of the book to happen faster, but it did add to the suspense of when Sera would get her magic back and how that would play out against her former mentor and the villain of the story. There are moments where Sera is dealing with depression and as she's lost a huge part of herself, it makes sense that it's addressed and shows up in ways throughout the story. I appreciated that she talks about getting professional help and medication to manage her depression, and even when she gets her magic back, it;'s still there under the surface.
This definitely made me want to go back and read the first book in the series. I'm looking forward to what Sangu writes next!

Amazing found family story! The magical Inn and the caretaker Sera who's loving and strong protecting those she sees in her charge and finding what she actually needs. This story is so sweet and entertaining. The dual POV between Sera and Luke makes the slow burn romance so much more fun seeing both perspectives and how to navigate their feelings. The side characters are diverse and bring so much more depth to the story. The story had "chosen one" vibes as the story plays along and the plot is very much there. This romance does well like her other books bringing everyone together and developing a great relationship between plot and characters. Like her other books this is a clean romance and has tension and build up and great communication between adults.