What a perfect cozy fantasy story! This book is full of love, found family, self acceptance and all the cute whimsical vibes that Mandanna also captured in her first novel. Sera has struggled with her self worth since her parents left her with her aunt at their inn, and is working to get back her magic after resurrecting her Aunt. Luke is trying to navigate parenting his sister Posy who is on the spectrum and magical. When they come to the inn, the quirky cast of characters quickly warm their way into his cold and protective heart. Watching these two fall for each other was a joy but I was even more giddy and fully of warm fuzzies when the found family accepts that they are indeed a family. We don’t have to accept the parents we are born to and can make our own deep connections. This story also discusses mental health and depression, prejudice against immigrants, power dynamics, and familial obligations. I highly recommend it and am so happy that Mandanna has gifted us with her magical storytelling.

A heartwarming story about found family, love and loss. Sera, one of the most powerful witches of her time, gave up her magic to save her great aunt. Fast-forward 15 years, and they are running a whimsical inn full of outcasts. Enter Luke, a grumpy witch trying to find a place to accept his quirky sister. While this is a love story, I wouldn’t call it a romance - it’s much more about finding purpose and finding your way. It was a quick and cozy read. Four stars. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

This book is perfect for anyone who grew up watching and loving Sabrina the Teenage Witch except in this book their home is a magical inn and instead of a bewitched cat who was once human its a fox. This book had a good plot that kept me engaged and interested and also had good character development, I loved all the characters including the side characters and I really loved how even the main character's grandma was finally able to find true love. This book is great for anyone who's looking for a good book that will bring them the same comfort a nice cup of hot ginger tea does on rainy day.

Something I kind of wished the author explored a bit more though is the role of racism in the book which was mentioned but it felt rushed. Other than that, this is a great cozy fantasy read that is a perfect blend of nostalgia, slow burn romance, and cozy fantasy. It will definitely be a personal staff pick that I will be excitedly recommending to customers!

I adored A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping. As someone who fell in love with The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches, I had high hopes for this one—and it delivered in the most charming, magical way.

The story follows Sera Swan, a once-powerful witch who lost most of her magic after a well-intentioned resurrection spell went sideways (yes, there’s a talking fox and a zombie rooster involved). Now exiled from the Guild, she helps run a whimsical inn in Lancashire with her eccentric great-aunt and a cast of lovable misfits. When a mysterious spell surfaces that might restore her powers, Sera teams up with Luke Larsen, a brooding magical historian who’s as reluctant as he is intriguing.

This book is cozy, funny, and full of heart. The inn itself feels like a character, and the found-family dynamic is just so warm and satisfying. Sera is witty, determined, and deeply human, and watching her rediscover her strength—both magical and emotional—was a joy.

I have such mixed feelings about this book. Nothing was inherently bad, but the story just felt disjointed which left me a little confused about certain parts, and wanting more, but also glad when it was done.

The good: FOUND FAMILY! One of my all time favorite tropes and Sangu did it perfectly. No true ill will to biological family, but clearly not as important as those who choose you every time.
Nicholas. Oh Nicholas, I would die for him.
Mindset around Posy. I appreciate the emphasis on how she’s perfect how she is and shouldn’t have to change. And I think the caregiver aspect of her was also handled well.
The inn was a cute backdrop for a story with all its magic quirks.
The growth of Sera. I loved how everyone helped her figure out the spell, and once she really believed in herself and forgave her younger self is when she could finish the spell.

The not so good: the romance. It felt out of place. Like the one more open door scene (which still was mild and didn’t detract from the whole story) kind of came out of left field. It all felt forced and just a box to check to make sure this had a romance. Just unnecessary.
Some characters felt like only plot devices and were forgotten about after their arc. I feel like we didn’t really get any proper resolution to Posy. She felt like a huge focus the first half and then kind of disappeared. Matilda was just a name the first half of the book and then became important.
The pacing. The first half the book was a struggle. It felt so slow and beyond just being a cozy read. Nothing was compelling me to continue. It did pick up around 50% but then as mentioned earlier the romance felt like it came out of no where and the Posy storyline just disappeared. This book felt like a couple of half ideas thrown together and just left me disappointed.

What a charming and cozy read! The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches was one of my favorite reads from last year, and I have been highly anticipating reading this one since then.

You have Sera who was once a very powerful witch - but when she was 15 years old she cast a spell that went wrong when trying to resurrect her Aunt Jasmine. Now 15 years later, she is without magic and running an enchanted inn that also serves as a home for a variety of magical characters with nowhere else to go. I loved the found family aspect between the characters and the way Luke and Sera are so protective of those they care about (as well as each other), and the slow burn build romance between the two.

Sangu Mandanna does a wonderful job creating these whimsical worlds and characters who steal your heart.

Although I didn't connect with this story and characters as much as The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches, I still really loved this book. Some parts did feel a bit dragged out, but it was an enjoyable read. I will say that I was a bit disappointed in the ending of the book and wished more for Sera after everything she went through.

Thank you to Net Galley and Berkley for a chance to read an eARC of this book :)

A great follow up novel for Sangu Mandanna, The Witch’s guide to magical innkeeping introduces a cast of characters you instantly love and a home you want to be part of. Mandanna once again weaves a magical story complete with a romance that puts the importance of a healthy relationship and steady love on full display.

I loved this soooo much. After I thoroughly enjoyed The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches some years ago, I have been dying to get my hands on this one. This book felt like a warm hug. It gave some The House in the Cerulean Sea vibes for me, with this inn being a secret magical home for misfits who don’t belong anywhere else, resulting in the most hilarious and heartwarming found family I’ve read in a while.

Our FMC, Sera, is a previously powerful witch who lost her magic when she resurrected her dead aunt. Our MMC, Luke, is a magical librarian and caretaker of his younger autistic magical sister. The romance was slow burn and so sweet. I found myself enjoying every second of this book, and am looking forward to the chance to do a reread.

Thank you so much to Berkley Pub for an ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Thank you Netgalley, Berkley, and Sangu Mandanna for sending me this advanced review copy for free. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This was a really fun, funny, and lighthearted read.

All the characters were interesting and diverse, and it's one big chaotic found family by the end. The worldbuilding was great, and I would love to see another book so we can explore the Guild and magical elements even more. The slow burn romance between Luke and Sera was really sweet too.

Hands down my favorite character was Roo Roo the undead chicken. That little bird was hilarious!

Unfortunately the end didn't really feel like it fit the characters very well. It was a bit of a letdown for me. It wasn't bad, but not what I expected out of the various characters.

Overall it was still an enjoyable cozy read.

I love a good witchy, whimsical and heartwarming book filled with cinnamon buns, a zombie rooster (he’s right there on the cover of the book!), lots of tea, a cast of charmingly unique characters and a nod to the Wizard of Oz and TARDIS. Let’s not forget the sly fox and the ever valiant and loyal Knight! This book is brimming with found family and second chances. I also appreciate that the FMC is in her 30s, it's refreshing to read about the adventures of someone not in their 20s.

This story is very heartfelt. It’s like looking in the mirror when you feel like the whole world is on your shoulders and you can’t seem to hear others when they’re telling you that you don’t have to carry the weight alone. The FMC struggles with that weight throughout the book. It is beautifully written and the self acceptance she comes to find is heartwarming and had me teary eyed.

I loved Mandanna’s previous book, The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches, and knew right from seeing the cover that I would love this book as well.

Many thanks to Sangu Mandanna, NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for the advanced reading copy in exchange for my honest review.

Originally posted on FYA's blog on 7/14/25

Cover Story: Duplicated

The colors are cheerful and soothing and it brings to mind exactly what this is: a story about a woman and her inn. The colors are totally different, but it almost feels a bit TOO similar to Sangu’s first book in this “universe”.

The Deal:

As a teen, Sera Swan was on track to surpass one of the most powerful witches in England when her aunt Jasmine dropped dead in the garden. Faced with a future alone and guided by a tricksy fox, Sera did the unthinkable and brought Jasmine back to life at the expense of almost all her magical abilities. Her mentor, Albert Grey, the most powerful witch she would’ve surpassed and, thus, the man who secretly couldn’t stand her, banished Sera from the magical Guild for her transgression, denying her access to the one spell that could potentially restore her magic.

Fifteen years later, Sera and Jasmine run their home as an inn for lost souls, using what tiny magic Sera has left to keep the chill out and the eaves from leaking TOO much. Sera has never stopped trying to find a way to access the Guild’s archives to find that spell, so when it unexpectedly falls into her lap, she plans to do everything she can to decode the ingredients, including accepting the help from prickly Guild witch, Luke Larsen.

BFF Charm: Best Witches

Sera is kind to everyone but herself, and although she’d gladly do it again, she had no idea what she was giving up when she used too much of her power to resurrect dead aunt Jasmine. She mourns the loss of her potential and the comfort of the stars (what she saw when she interacted with her magic), and it’s kept her in this kind of frozen state of being. She enjoys the safe haven of their inn while chafing at the cost of the upkeep, which would be nil if she could use her magic to fix a roof or keep the fires magically going all night long. I’d gladly be her friend, as her inn sounds like a great place to relax and rest up.

Swoonworthy Scale: 5

I do love me a Scotsman, and Luke is a smart, grumpy witch historian who takes care of his autistic younger sister, Posy (also a witch), when his non-magical parents got too embarrassed by her behavior. I mean! The two are initially at odds, but in a fairly gentle sort of sense, and really the biggest thing keeping them apart are their personal hang-ups with feeling abandoned by their families. The book gets a little spicy but in general it’s more of a wholesome, slowly falling in love while you read together by the fire kind of burn.

Talky Talk: Curled Up By The Fire

Sangu’s writing is like receiving a warm hug. There are problems for the characters and old hurts and complications, but there’s a through-line of care and coziness and humanity that prevails, and you know that things are going to turn out for the best, whatever that may be. This was the perfect book to read on an eight-hour plane ride (though I probably should’ve put it down to get more than 1 hour of sleep). It’s not the kind of story that will stick with you for months, but it’s a nice break from reality and gives you cozy without being treacly.

Bonus Factor: Witches

Like Sangu’s The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches, this book takes place in the same modern-day England where witches are very present but secretive about their abilities with non-magical folk. They’re run by a group of the most influential witches called the Guild, which we learn more about in this novel. It’s not a sequel, but rather set in the same world, which gives the story a lot more room to play. I liked this version of magic as a kind of elemental energy you tap into, like the Force, versus being something coming from wholly within you.

Bonus Factor: Found Family

A loyal and protective found family is always an instant win for me. There’s something special about the family you choose despite having no discernible ties. Sera inadvertently placed a spell on the inn when she was younger that only allows those who desperately need to stay to find them, so while most are random travelers, they HAVE amassed a group of semi-permanent residents, like Sera’s young, witchy cousin from Iceland, a young man who cosplays as a knight (both IRL and at a Medieval-Times-like job), and an meddling older woman who may have the hots for Aunt Jasmine.

Bonus Factor: Loyal Pets(ish)

Clemmie is a witch who got cursed and turned into a fox, and she initially showed up years ago hoping Sera’s powerful abilities would help break her free. As she’s mostly to blame for Sera’s banishment (she was the one who showed Sera how to save Jasmine), she stays to help Sera find the spell to get her magic and eventually help Clemmie. Sometimes she acts more fox than woman.

Then there’s Roo-Roo, the un-dead skeleton of a rooster that Sera accidentally animated back to life when she touched the ground while resurrecting Jasmine. Give me ALL the lovably weird pets, the weirder the better!

Relationship Status: Book Me A Room

I would give a lot to stay at a cutesy cottage in the countryside of England filled with magic and cozy mayhem, Book, so thank you for letting me rent a room, giving me a cuppa by the fire, and letting me in on the action.

FTC Full Disclosure: I received my free review copy from Berkley. I received neither money nor peanut butter cups in exchange for this review. A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping is available now.

WOW did I love this book!! I guess I am becoming a sucker for the found family trope, but this book was exactly what I needed!! First of all, Sera is a total girl boss. We love her. I also just love how the author was able to make very not real things seem totally normal. Why wouldn’t they care for a bones chicken? Yeah of course use magic to fix the inn a bit!!! It was just beautifully done, SO funny, incredible characters, and a sweet ending.

A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu Mandanna
Rating: 5 stars
Pub date: 7/15

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Berkley Romance for my advanced copy!

If you're in the mood for something magical, cozy, and full of heart, A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping is an absolute delight. Sangu Mandanna is back with another warm and whimsical story, and this one is packed with quirky characters, found family feels, and just the right amount of slow-burn romance.

The story follows Sera Swan, a once-powerful witch who lost most of her magic after doing something wildly illegal but deeply emotional: bringing her aunt back from the dead (along with a zombie rooster. Now, she’s helping her eccentric aunt run a magical inn in the middle of nowhere and mostly just trying to keep things from falling apart.

Enter Luke Larsen, a broody magical historian who’s supposed to be staying for just one night. But of course, he sticks around. And even though he insists he wants nothing to do with the inn’s chaos, he slowly starts falling for both the place and Sera herself.

While the romance is cute and satisfying, it’s the inn’s oddball crew, like a fox-turned-witch and a goat-loving mushroom enthusiast, that really steal the show. It’s cozy fantasy at its finest, with plenty of laughs, heartwarming moments, and a reminder that sometimes the best kind of magic is the people around you.

Highly recommend for fans of warm, witchy vibes and stories about second chances.

While I’ve had Mandanna’s The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches on my TBR for some time, A Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping was my first experience with her writing and I was truly blown away. It was funny (like, actually funny) and gave me all the warm, fuzzy feelings I haven’t felt from a book in a long time.
The highlights for me include Roo-roo the zombie chicken, the whimsy of the inn itself, and of course, the people inside it. Sera is both hilarious and caring, and her love for her found family radiates on and off the page. Her journey throughout the book is a joy to follow, never feeling too high-stakes in a way that might pull you out of the cozy atmosphere.
The romance between Sera and Luke was perhaps my favorite part. While it’s not the central plot, the glimpses we get tell the story of a sweet, slow-burn kind of love that felt genuine and well-earned.
The supporting cast helps whisk you away to the British countryside for a much-needed cozy escape. I especially want to highlight the way Posy is written with love, care, and a deep understanding of her autism. She’s portrayed as a fully realized character, never reduced to stereotypes, and quickly became one of my favorites.
The only low point for me was Clemmie’s character. I understand how she was meant to fit into Sera’s greater story arc, but to me, she came across as selfish and lacking in redeeming qualities. Clemmie’s character aside, I really think this book is one that can find it’s cozy little space not only on your shelves, but also in your heart. 4.5/5 stars.

Can an author really write two of your favorite books ever? Yes. This book was worth the wait.

This book is fully of witty banter, serious life conversations, and a hilarious cast of misfits.

15 years after breaking witch rules, Sera is living at her magical inn, magicless and surrounded by an interesting bunch of people. There her great aunt who she resurrected, Matilda who can’t get a plant alive for the life of her, her mischievous witch nephew, Clemmie another outlaw stuck as a fox, and Nicholas who might actually think he’s a knight.

After Theo tries to help - Sera is thrust back into the world of witches. Luke and his sister Posy end up at the inn and together they try to bring back her magic, fight the patriarchy, and build a foundation family - maybe discovering that love is the most powerful magic along the way.

If you loved a very secret society of irregular witches, I can guarantee you that you will love this laugh out loud, adorable, quirky, beautiful book.

Found family. Magic. A quirky cast of characters. Cozy fantasy.

I absolutely loved this one. Loved the story. Loved seeing Sera work to get her magic back. Loved seeing Luke and his sister find a home at the inn. Loved the other quirky residents - how they interacted with each other. This was cozy and light but also touched on some deeper topics (mental health, belonging in your city).

Definitely recommend this one.

Thanks PRH Audio for the early audiobook.

Thank you to NetGalley for a free copy in exchange for an honest review!

As a big fan of Mandanna's previous cozy fantasy, I had high hopes for A Witch's Guide to Magical Inkeeping and it met that goal! Sera was a delightfully grumpy and caring protagonist, with a big heart and lots of regrets. I enjoyed her perspective and found her character arc rewarding. I thought the familial relationships were so sweet and welcoming. Sera and Luke also had great romantic chemistry and I enjoyed how much they valued each other and each others' family.

I was shocked that this was set in a different world than Irregular Witches. It took me a few chapters to fully process they were different worlds and it was a little jarring, considering the same author, and the similarities in genre, cover, and title.

The main conflict was interesting and the magic system asked a lot of interesting questions about the world!

I am excited to see what Mandanna has planned next! Highly recommended to those who like cozy fantasy and fantasy with lots of romance.

A Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu Mandanna was such a cozy, feel-good read. I love stories with magic, but what really pulled me in here was the warm, welcoming vibe of the inn and the community around it. It’s the kind of book that feels like a soft escape, which honestly was exactly what I needed.

The main character was super easy to root for. She’s figuring out her magic, running this quirky inn, and trying to hold everything together while dealing with grief and family drama. I liked that it wasn’t all light and fluffy. There were real emotions in there, but the story still felt comforting and full of heart.

If you like cozy fantasy with found family, a little bit of romance, and a magical setting that feels like somewhere you’d actually want to visit, this book is such a good pick. It left me in a better mood and totally made me wish magical inns were real.

A Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping is found family at it finest. This story follows Sera Swan, a once-powerful witch trying to regain her magic while juggling the running of a slightly dilapidated inn and a host of quirky long term guests, including a smart-mouthed fox, a young knight, two well intentioned meddlers, two child witches, a handsome magical historian and a reincarnated rooster. When Sera was 15 years old, she lost most of her once in a generation power resurrecting her beloved aunt from a sudden heart attack, and was exiled from magical society to boot. Now, some 15 years later, she is still using the power she has left to take care of those around her. Even her quest to regain her magic is at least partially motivated by the aforementioned fox's need to have a curse broken. Sera is a grump, but she is an undoubtably charming one. The entire cast of characters are so quirky and endearing that you can't help but root for them. I loved absolutely everything about it. The romance was present and sweet but it didn't overpower the rest of the story in any way, which I adored. There are plenty of laugh out loud funny moments, mixed with more subtle humor, and beautiful, emotional lines that really tug at the heart strings. There was also a little love letter to winter snuck in the middle that I deeply appreciated, as a fellow lover of the cold and snow. Similarly to Sangu Mandanna's other work, The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches, a Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping feels like being wrapped in a warm blanket and parked in front of a warm fire with a cup of tea on a cold night. I have no doubt I will be returning to the characters and this world many times in the future.

DNF at 73%. I feel so torn, because I adored The Secret Society of Irregular Witches, and this was one of my anticipated books of the year, what with the many delays in publishing. But this book just dragged, and the characters just didn’t sparkle for me like the ones in the previous book…they were rather bland actually.