Absolutely obsessed just like I was with the last one. The level of plot to cozy elements to romance is such a great mix.

Sangu is quickly becoming a new favorite and autobuy author for me.

Is this the end of Sera's story? Say it isn't so!

Disregarding my outburst, I very much enjoyed this installment; and if this is the last one then I'll bid this series a bittersweet adieu (I'll miss you, Roo-Roo!). Just like the first book, this one was funny with enough heartfelt moments to balance the sass, and a good amount of intrigue to keep the plot moving.

This series is the very definition of cozy fantasy. It's a magical, warm blanket that feels safe, comforting, and hopeful. The HEA is not just romantic, the happy part is the characters that can make the biggest difference did the right thing, the Good won over the Bad and boy, did the Bad ate shiznit. Something I wish to see in real life esp now where Hope and Good is most needed.

Thank you, Sangu Mandanna, I needed this.

I didn’t know how much I needed a cozy, magical story about grief, healing, and found family until this book wrapped itself around me like a warm quilt. A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping is whimsical in the best way—soft around the edges but full of quiet, emotional gut punches. It’s the kind of story that sneaks up on you, layered with charm and comfort but also unexpectedly deep.
Sera is such a relatable protagonist—not because she’s powerful (she isn’t anymore) or flawless (far from it), but because she’s trying. Trying to forgive herself, trying to build a life from the ruins of her past, trying to believe she still deserves joy. The magical inn is a brilliant metaphor—it shows up when people need it, just like she tries to show up for the people she loves, even when she’s running on empty.

The cast of side characters is honestly where the book shines brightest. Every single one of them feels distinct and intentional—quirky, yes, but never cartoonish. They’re all carrying something tender or heavy, and it made the “found family” aspect feel earned and not just thrown in for vibes. Roo-Roo deserves his own novella. Just saying.

I also have to shout out the mental health rep—it felt honest without being heavy-handed. Sera’s struggle with burnout and shame was painfully real, and watching her slowly let people in, slowly let herself hope again... yeah. That hit.

The romance? A+ slow burn. Luke is the kind of grump who doesn’t try to be charming and accidentally ends up being very charming anyway. I liked that their connection was built through trust, shared goals, and the tiniest glimmers of softness. It wasn’t rushed, and it didn’t overshadow the core of the story—it felt like a reward.

“And yet, for some reason, it felt like that was exactly where they were supposed to be. Life this was a thing that had, somehow, become important. Like his lonely and her lonely fit perfectly into the empty spaces at the other side, saying nothing, asking nothing, just keeping each other company…. Their fairy-tale peculiarities side by side with the quiet ordinary things they dreamed of. Their unwavering hope for future hand in hand with the desolation of their pasts”

This is a character-driven story, so if you're looking for big battles or dramatic plot twists, this won’t be your thing. But if you want something quiet and emotionally rich with a big heart and a lot of cozy magic, it’s a perfect pick. I’ll definitely be rereading this one in the fall, mug in hand, blanket over my lap, fully ready to cry again.4.5 stars—because while it didn’t change my life, it gently reminded me what a beautiful thing it is to be known and still loved. And that’s more than enough. Also, I went to Scotland this year and every book suddenly references Scotland - I must go back. Thanks to Berkley Pub and PRH audio for the advanced audio and physical copy

This was just the coziest, loveliest, breath of fresh air of a book. The characters were so lovable (Nicholas has my undying fealty) and real - they had flaws that in no way stopped my loving them to pieces.

I loved the magic system throughout, and while it wasn’t really a high stakes plot, I deeply cared about how it would be resolved. Sera and Luke’s love story and the yearning was perfection.

Everything this author writes is magic.

I received this book via Berkley’s Influence Hub for Underrepresented Voices and I’m so thankful. What an amazing story. I loved every minute of this magical and special world. I never wanted it to end. Set in Britain where people with magical powers live secretly among humans we have Sera who runs a special inn. This inn is magical and is a beacon to those who need a safe place to rest. It keeps away those who wish to do harm and it provides what the guests need. Sera was once one of the most powerful witches in the world but she lost her power through a sacrificial spell and she lives now in the remnant. I love Sera. I would stand in front of a moving car for her. This woman is grumpy with a heart of gold. She loves so much and wants to be the “gargoyle protecting her castle.” Her inn is a home with a motley crew of random but lovable characters. I loved the found family here and loved how odd all of them were. The story takes you through her attempt to get her power back, keep her family together, and dance around her feelings for Luke. (Luke is a tall also grumpy magical male who is probably autistic and also has a heart of gold.)

This book was so beautifully written. I have paragraphs highlighted where she describes the holidays or fields or moments so lovingly and with such detail that I could taste and feel it. I felt like I was drifting along on a gentle breeze and exploring this magical world. I want to make everyone read this book. It has like the tiniest bit of spice. Almost akin to a closed door but like a peek in. The romance was still so sweet. It is diverse. Has queer rep. Addresses racism. Very witty and precious. There is a saucy animal sidekick that talks. So many cups of tea. I loved it.

Sera Swan was raised by her great-aunt Jasmine when her parents flaked out. She also was the most powerful witch of her generation before she gave away all her magic to resurrect Aunt Jasmine. Exiled from the magical Guild she helps Aunt Jasmine run an inn in Lancashire. A magical inn with very quirky guests. Guests that are well on their way to becoming family.

Why I started this book: Feel in love with [book:The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches|60018635] and so I stalked Netgalley, eagerly awaiting Mandanna's next ARC.

Why I finished it: Charming, cozy and wonderful. This book is about found family, understanding and accepting the choices you made in a moment and rediscovering hope. It was a long hug of encouragement and just what I wanted it to be.

This book felt like a warm hug! Sangu Mandanna has done it again, crafting a completely charming and cozy story that is also so inclusive. And I totally want to live in a magical inn now!

The found family is everything, and I love how every single character experienced growth or positive transformation that was helped along by the love and acceptance of each other. The romance is more of a subplot, it's almost like a magical lit fic book! That said, I definitely loved the romance and the love interest was exquisite.

I enjoyed it a lot. I'm a bit mixed about the ending, while I understand it and it makes sense in a way, I also didn't love it. I will definitely be thinking about this one for a long time!

Sangu Mandanna does it again. Dare I say her sophomore novel is even better than her first?

The characters that she writes are so beautifully three dimensional and flawed; you love them, you feel for them, you root for them. This book had absolutely everything I wanted. From a magical talking fox, to a relationship I was so excited for, I found this book absolutely enchanting.

Mandanna is a master of crafting a story that is both beautiful and important, but also hilarious and funny. There are the very real issues of classism, racism, and discrimination that are discussed throughout the book, but there’s also a skeleton rooster to lighten the mood. I also appreciate Mandanna’s sprinkling of the f word throughout the book. A well placed f*ck is something we all need once in a while.

I also loved the way that Sera found her way throughout the story. Her sacrifices were so noble and also so realistic. I was thrilled to see her realize that the most important thing wasn’t her magic, but her family.

I will read absolutely anything Sangu Mandanna writes and I cannot wait to see what she writes next!

If you love a good romantic fantasy this is the one for you! I really enjoyed the tension between these two characters. I thought it was such a cute setting.

I really enjoyed this book and I'm so grateful for the opportunity to read a physical arc of this title through the berkley influencer hub for underrepresented voices. it was full of magic, whimsical vibes, and the best romance subplot. the found family was literally everything and i LOVED the fact she fmc was indian. i dont even think she was hindu too?!! yayy, like diversity makes a book 10x better. the family dynamics were sweet and the writing style was flowly. i'd definitely be interested in reading more by sangu and would recommend this to everyone!! there is a bit of spice near the end, maybe 1 chapter but not super descriptive.

A delightfully heartwarming tale of second chances. This has similar vibes to the author's previous bestseller, The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches. which I highly recommend. Sera runs an inn with her great-aunt after being exiled from the magical community as a teenager. While attempting to find a spell to restore her magical powers, a handsome magical historian named Luke shows up at the inn. There's a hilarious cast of loveable side characters, This story of self-discovery, found family, and second chances was a delight to read. Put this on your TBR for a time when you need a heartwarming story that can make you both laugh and cry.

this was such a perfect, cozy read to get ready for fall! i loved sera and her magical, whimsy inn so much! this reminded me of gilmore girls at times, but make it witchy. this series has done found family so well, which happens to be one of my favorite tropes! in both book 1 and a witch’s guide to magical innkeeping, the characters chosen families are truly what make these books so impactful and add to the coziness. this has a great grief representation, sera loses her magic and feels so lost without it. she was so relatable and while i (obviously) do not have magic, can relate to the loss of something that makes you, you. this book has great banter and has you smiling to yourself while reading. luke was so sweet and i loved him & posy so much. this book has a wonderful autism representation that was done so well. definitely keep an eye out for this when it releases july 15th!

I absolutely loved A Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches, so I have been dying to read this one!! It didn't disappoint!
I love the quirky characters Mandanna creates. I always want to join their found families. They make me so happy!
I LOVE the autism rep with Posy.
Sera does so much for everyone and I love that she and the Inn kind of look out for each other!
When Luke and Posy show up at the Inn, they fit right in and I had high hopes for Luke and Sera! Will they?!? You'll have to read to find out!!
Will Sera find a way to get her magic back? Will Clemmie have her curse broken? Will Matilda's garden continue to grow weird vegetables together out of season?!?
This book was a warm hug and I am jealous that everyone else gets to read it for the first time!!!

Huge thanks to Berkley and NetGalley for this arc!

Now this is how you do found-family. I thought the first book in this series would be hard to top, but this one takes the cake. Though both books are set in the same world, they feel refreshingly different. I found myself relating more to Sera: grumpy but soft, quietly struggling with bouts of depression after losing her magic. Watching her rebuild her self-confidence in the face of constant doubt and dismissal was incredibly moving.

And then there's Luke. I far preferred him to the love interest in the first book. Similarly guarded and a bit standoffish, Luke resonated with me deeply—especially in the way he quietly pulls away from people, convinced he’s unwanted, choosing to leave before he can be hurt. The autism rep in both him and his little sister was thoughtfully done and added so much depth.

That said, my love for this book wasn’t just about how much I related to it. Yes, the characters are absolutely lovable (I feel fiercely protective of them), but it’s also the humor, the heart, the delightfully chaotic magic system, and the thoughtful commentary on xenophobia—particularly as it relates to being a POC navigating long-standing institutions or academic spaces—that make this story stand out.

I’ll admit, a small part of me found the ending with the Guild Council a little too neat or idealistic. But the story never shies away from the weight of depression and grief, which grounds even the more hopeful moments. Besides, that's why we all gravitate towards cozy books, isn't it? It's an escape.

If you loved the first book, or if you're simply in the mood to curl up with a warm and magical read, this is a must!

For fans of Harry Potter that have grown up but still want some magical fiction in their live. The trials and tribulations of having magical power, misusing it to save someone you love and losing your magic and what comes next.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (4.5 stars)
What an utterly charming, cozy, and enchanting read! Sangu Mandanna has a real gift for creating warm, lived-in fantasy worlds you want to linger in forever.
This book is exactly what it promises: part witchy guidebook, part healing story, and 100% heart. It follows the protagonist, recently adrift and grieving, who takes over her grandmother’s magical inn. It is full of found family, gentle humor, folklore-inspired magic, and deliciously vivid atmosphere. The inn is practically a character itself, and I loved every sentient, moody, magical moment.
What I appreciated most was the blend of whimsy and real emotional depth. Grief, family expectations, and self-discovery all play out thoughtfully, while the magic stays cozy and inviting rather than dark or foreboding.
As an Indian author, Mandanna also weaves in cultural touches that felt personal and authentic, making the book stand out in a genre that can often feel very Eurocentric. It is such a delight to read more South Asian representation in fantasy!
Highly recommend for fans of cozy fantasy, cottagecore, witchy vibes, and anyone who loves books that feel like a warm hug on a rainy day.
Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for the ARC!

After reading The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches, Sangu Mandanna has been on my radar. When I saw she had a new book releasing I just had to get my hands on it!

The Witch's guide to magical Innkeeping is a cozy read that follows Sara who tries to run her magical inn after being exiled from the magical society she was part of. She betrayed some big rules and ended up without magic and with a completely different life.

This life turns out to bring her the best found family and a quirky chicken. Although there are some challenges she has to face, she has a great group of people helping her figure everything out.

The writing is so humorous, the characters are so distinct and well rounded. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I think I would have preferred to read this book in late Fall as there is mention of snow but it is witchy.

This book is a whimsical ,cozy story that is steeped in magical realism, where found family takes center stage. Heartwarming themes like second chances, self-love, acceptance, and quiet kindness, are front and center. It's comforting like a warm cup of tea on a rainy day, curled up with a good book.

The representation is beautifully done—thoughtful and authentic without ever feeling forced. Disability, fat, and LGBTQ+ characters are portrayed with care, depth, and respect, making their stories feel not just included, but essential. Every relationship—romantic, platonic, and familial—unfolds gently, blossoming into something truly beautiful.

If you’re looking for a witchy, heart-filled story that reads like a cozy Hallmark movie with a magical twist, this book is the perfect pick.

This is a wonderful cozy fantasy book. All the main characters are unique, beautifully written, and lovable. I thoroughly enjoyed the story from start to finish and was invested in not only Sera but everyone at the inn.

This was such a sweet, cozy, magical realism/slow burn romance. I love when the side characters are just as lovable and fun as the main characters and this is 100% the case for this story! The magical aspect in this one is so fun and I loved the mysterious process of Sera getting her magic back and all the twists and turns along the way.