I really enjoyed this book! The plot was engaging and the fall atmosphere—complete with cinnamon rolls and rainy weather—was wonderfully cozy. The writing was witty and descriptive, and I appreciated the inclusive representation, especially of autism and lesbian characters.

The found family theme was heartwarming, and I loved how close the characters were. Sera’s character development was a highlight—gruff at first, but ultimately loyal, caring, and protective. Luke was another favorite—kind, intelligent, and devoted to the people he loves.

Sera and Luke’s relationship had great chemistry and mutual respect. The side characters added charm, and the ending left me smiling. This book felt like a warm cup of tea in autumn—comforting and heartfelt.

This was a super cute, heartwarming cozy fantasy. It just makes you feel good. The stakes were pretty low, but there was still mystery, intrigue, and plot. The romance was sweet and the found family was my favorite part!! I really enjoyed getting to know the characters, their relationships, their magic, and the inn. I didn't find the story to be super memorable or impactful, but I had a great time reading it. I would definitely recommend, especially if you liked her first book. Perfect to get into the fall/ winter mood.

Thanks for the free book @berkleyromance
I received this copy in exchange for an honest review.
A Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu Mandanna
5 stars 🌟
Sera Swan was one of the most powerful witches in Britain until she used a spell to bring her Aunt Jasmine back to life. She used too much power for the spell, leaving Sera with very little magic left. She was then expelled from the Magical Guilde that she was a part of for a good part of her adolescence. She thought there was no hope for her magic, until her cousin stole a book with a spell in another language that could revive her powers. She couldn't read the spell, but Luke, who visits the inn Sera runs can.

I thought that book one was amazing, and this one blew me away! The found family aspect of the book was very well done. Each person who lived in the inn fit into each other's lives like jigsaw pieces. The romance between Sera and Luke was full of longing stares and pining, which is just what I want in a romance book.

In a much anticipated follow up to Mandanna's "The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches," comes the latest in the series "A Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping." In this novel we meet Sera, a extremely *once* powerful witch who now lives her life a chaotic innkeeper. The inn? Open to all who need it, especially those who are a bit outcast. Having lost her power after a resurrection spell, Sera is ready to throw in the towel and accept that she must live her life without her power. But after a grumpy librarian shows up at her in with some much needed abilities, she now realizes that there's a possibility that she could gain what she once lost... all she has to do is complete some seemingly impossible tasks. But hey, as classic cozy fantasies go, along the way she will learn more about herself and what is truly important, as well as fall in love as she does it.

So... *sigh* I wanted to love this book. I absolutely adored Irregular Witches. Sadly though, this book felt incredibly forced. There were so many characters that were not very fleshed out, the pacing felt very slow, there seemed to be so many minority groups represented with little care to their representation, and the genre itself felt a bit off. With the regards to the latter critique, I felt like the author didn't know if she wanted a cozy fantasy or an erotica. I was really disappointed by the inclusion of such detailed sexual content in seemingly cozy situations. I much preferred the first novel which really led with the cozy found family vibe. If the novel focused on self-discovery and found family themes, I think the book would have felt a bit tighter. I am not opposed to sex in books at all, but it just was a bit jarring in this circumstance and it came off more uncomfortable and forced than organic.

Between bizarre magical guests at the magical inn she runs with her aunt, a semi-villainous talking fox, and the ever-looming threat of the Guild—not to mention a magical rival who might just be stronger than her—Sera Swan, a sassy, lovable witch has her hands full.

I adored every minute spent at the magical inn in Lancashire with the charming and quirky group of magical misfits Sangu Mandanna brings to life! She’s so good at creating characters that feel essential—each with their own distinct personality and magical ability that naturally draws them into deep, meaningful connections with one another.

The book also touches on some heavier topics, but Mandanna handles them with such care. She carefully fleshes out loving, imperfect characters and gently hands them to her readers with a few tears and some bursts of laughter.

Thank you so much Berkley + NetGalley for the eARC!

I loved loved loved Sangu Mandanna’s previous book — The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches — so I knew I was in for a treat with this one. Her way with magic and coziness and loveable characters is remarkable, and her voice continues to stand out with this one. This is the perfect type of book to curl up with in need of comfort and hope.

i was so excited for this book, as i loved the sangu mandanna’s previous book, a very secret society of irregular witches. Unfortunately this one did not wow me, and left me rather bored. i had to push myself to finish.

there were elements i enjoyed - mandanna does found family like no other. even though sera was exiled from the guild and has no powers, 15 years later she has an eclectic group of people that live at the inn because they had no other place to go. they built a family together and it was profound and a supportive group. other than that, i wasn’t really rooting for anything. The romance with sera and luke was fine, the quests to get her magic back wasn’t super exciting, and i wasn’t rooting for any of the characters.

writing wasn’t bad and this book was fine, but not something i’ll think about again. i loved the first book, but can’t say i would recommend the second.

How do I say that this book feels like a magic spell cast directly on my soul without being too cheesy?

Berkley has been edging Sangu Mandanna fans for what feels like a lifetime. Highly anticipated after the delightful “The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches”, readers have been waiting (im)patiently for another installment of magical hijinks. It’s me, I’m readers.

“A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping” has had it’s publication date pushed multiple times over the last few years. I fell in love with Mandanna’s writing after only a few pages, and waiting for new words and new characters felt almost unbearable. Authors are human, though, even when their craft feels like it could be a superpower. Mandanna was very transparent on social media about why the publication faced so many delays. Ultimately, her mental and physical health came first, and her writing was managed at a much slower, more realistic pace.

Friends, this story is worth the wait.

Sera Swan & The Batty Hole Inn

Our main character Sera finds herself an unexpected innkeeper after almost all of her magic leaves her. Not only does Sera care for her family and her semi-sentient inn, but somehow she ends up caring for “guests” that come to stay at Batty Hole and don’t seem particularly pressed to leave.

Found family is one of Mandanna’s specialties, and throughout “Magical Innkeeping” you can tell she finds her stride.

The Inn itself is a character, and one that I found myself more and more intrigued by. I kept wanting more glimpses of how it’s magic worked, how it chose to make itself known to guests, and it’s feelings about the family that lived inside of it. The house is special, and one of those things that I wanted a behind-the-curtain knowledge of. Thankfully, readers get a little insight at the end of the novel.

Cozy-ish
Mika Moon, darling protagonist of “The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches” walked so that Sera Swan could run. If Mika is the adorable, endearing woman searching for a family of her own, then Sera is the sassy older sister who wears her attitude like a leather jacket, but secretly loves letting her siblings play dress up.

I expected “Magical Innkeeping” to be soft and soothing and cozy, and don’t get me wrong, it is all of those things. This story, though… it has teeth. These characters, they’ll have you in it’s grip and you won’t be able to escape it. Better yet, you won’t want to. Soon enough you’ll be asking Sera if you can rent a room at Batty Hole Inn, too.

Final Thoughts
There aren’t enough words in my brain to explain just how wonderful “A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping” really is. I am going to be so annoying about recommending this to everyone I know.

Authors don’t owe their readers explanations or information about their personal lives. They’re entitled to their privacy and their personal space. I appreciate when information is shared, because I feel more of a connection with the writer and that they’re connected with me as a reader. I wish Sangu all the best for her mental and physical health, and send her all the positive vibes I can.

If I am being honest with you and myself, I am also greedy, and can’t wait to see what is in store for her next. Please grab your copy of “A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping” and fall in love with Batty Hole Inn and the cast of characters that live there. Berkley needs to know that we want as many stories from Mandanna that we can get.

Heart and humor collide in this charming story centred around an inn full of magical occupants in need of safe harbor, and its innkeeper.  Sera has been stripped of all but a drop of her magical powers for an act deemed unforgivable by the guild.  Entrusted with the inn, she goes about her daily life with an eclectic group of tenants, a zombie rooster, and a witch turned fox.  An opportunity to regain her powers sees her joining forces with a historian, and soon an undeniable connection between them grows.  Both have baggage but with the help of the family they’ve unwittingly found, they’re sure to succeed.  

This book was a cozy read with diverse and genuine characters, imaginative world building and a theme of acceptance from a family you’ve created rather than were born into.  This is one fantasy read you won’t want to miss.

Thank you NetGalley, Sangu Mandanna, and Berkley Publishing for gifting me this eARC!

This was the perfect cozy and magical story with an amazing group of whimsical and diverse characters! There’s drama, magic, unique individuals, found family, a talking fox, and an undead rooster, what more could you want?! Sera’s journey to get her magic back takes her on a personal journey of self reflection and working through the trauma was beautiful to go witness. Luke’s icy self being the protector for himself and his little sister is more valiant than any hero I could imagine. The romance works the best because of the journey the characters go through and is a heartwarming change from the usual fantasy romances. This was an amazing introduction to Sangu’s writing!

Sangu's books are the perfect way to welcome the fall season.

The thing that keeps me coming back to Sangu's work is the immaculate found family representation that she continues to weave throughout her stories. They are bursting with light and love that will give you the power to accomplish anything you set your mind to. The quirky side characters that she crafts are the sole heartbeat of novel and truly have me wanting more!!!

What I loved about this one was Sera's tenacity and the immense caretaking spirit that she imposes on the people that she loves, despite their varying flaws. The juxtaposition of this with her sometimes prickly deposition was such a joy to read.

I truly cannot say enough about the audio of this book! The narrator does a fantastic job of making specific character choices for each side character through their dialect and deepest desires. This set of quirky side characters are the heartbeat of this novel and keep Sera's humanity alive despite losing everything that she is.

A Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping is full of heart and hope that we all need in the timeline we're living in at the moment. The last page had me so emo and touched; I simply adored it so much.

Thank you Berkley Romance and Sangu Bandanna for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

FINALLY! I was so excited to dive back into Sangu Mandanna's cozy, magical world. This, like the first, is much more focused on found family than it is romance. To the point where I wonder if Mandanna should ditch all the romance in the future. Some reviewers have brought up the topic of sex scenes in cozy romance and how it shouldn't be included - I personally am neutral on it, but I do think, like with any sex scenes, the author has to build up to it for the best pay off. I can't really say that was built up here.

Nonetheless, still a fan of this whimsical world. Perfect fall read with plenty of small town inn vibes!

Sangu Mandanna does it again!!!! I am a HUGE fan of The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches, and this book is just as amazing!!
Absolutely wonderfully quirky endearing characters. I couldn't decide which is my favorite because they're all so loveable!. Love the inclusiveness.
The plot and tropes of magic and found family. I love a great found family read, and this doesn't disappoint. I enjoy how the main character describes the internal nature of her magic as constellations of stars.
This was such a cozy feel-good book. I cant wait for Sangu's next one!
A huge thanks to Berkley Publishing Group and Netgalley for this ARC!!

What a lovely, warm hug of a book! Cozy, heartwarming, and enchanting (but never saccharine or twee), A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping centers around found family, love, acceptance, healing, and the strength of rebuilding yourself after disaster. Sera and her inn build a loving, supportive community out of a collection of misfits: a disparate group of individuals who for varying reasons don’t fit into or weren’t accepted by their own families or communities. The quirky magic of the inn is indeed captivating, but it’s nothing to the magic of the diverse, caring people in it—particularly Sera Swan, whose courage and fierce love stayed with me long after I had closed the book.

The cast is quirky, often funny, and utterly delightful. The publisher’s synopsis describes the plot well, so I won’t repeat that here. Mandanna’s writing is wonderful and perfectly suited to the moment, whether she is describing the view from the inn’s roof, a rain of apple-blossom tea, or Sera’s experience of her magic.

Read this one snuggled up in a cozy blanket, with a steaming cup of tea and a warm cinnamon bun close at hand. You’ll be glad you did.

Note: I mentioned it briefly above, but if it matters to you (as it does to me), the cast of characters is wonderfully diverse in a number of ways, all written with respect and love.

Sera Swan, once a prodigious witch, lost her magic after resurrecting her great-aunt Jasmine. Fifteen years later, she's running the eccentric Batty Hole Inn in Lancashire alongside a talking fox, Clemmie, and a lively cast of characters—until Luke Larsen, an icy magical historian, arrives seeking answers about a powerful spell that could restore her powers. Together, they lean on each other while navigating Guild politics and rediscovering belonging.

This was another cozy inn fantasy with witches that I adored. Sera loses her magic at 15 and spends the next 15 years creating a life without it while figuring out a way to get it back. She goes through some very rough emotional times (we see her hitting a point where she realizes she needs therapy) There are themes of depression, found family, and anxiety around not being perfect that are thoughtfully explored.

Oh my, what a DELIGHT!! I loved this soo much, even more than the already amazing first book! This story is so joyful and hopeful and too wonderful to really describe. I adored Sera and especially loved her arc. Luke was a cutie pie and both of them together were adorable. THE FOUND FAMILY OF IT ALL. I loved every single character at the inn and their friendships. There was humor, hijinks, magical duels and spells, yearning, spice, and more! Truly what’s not to love.

Sera Swan was once one of the most powerful witches in Britain—until a slightly questionable resurrection spell left her stripped of most of her magic, exiled from her Guild, and living in semi-reluctant obscurity. Now she helps her eccentric great-aunt run a whimsical enchanted inn in Lancashire, where guests bring their own brand of chaos and a mischievous talking fox keeps life interesting. When a mysterious spell surfaces that could restore her magic, Sera teams up with Luke Larsen, a frosty magical historian who may not be as icy as he seems.

This novel is pure cozy fantasy comfort. Mandanna creates a world filled with charm, warmth, and humor, where magic mingles with friendship, family, and second chances. The inn itself feels like a character—alive, enchanted, and full of secrets. Sera is a relatable heroine: prickly yet vulnerable, flawed yet determined. The slow-burn romance between her and Luke adds a delightful spark without overshadowing the themes of belonging and rediscovery.

At times, the pacing lingers a little too long on the inn’s daily shenanigans, which slightly softens the tension around the central magical quest. Still, the whimsical atmosphere and heartfelt storytelling more than make up for it.

A heartwarming and enchanting read, A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping is perfect for fans of cozy fantasy with a dash of romance, found family, and just the right amount of magical mischief.

4 ⭐️ Thank you Berkley Pub and NetGalley for an earc of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own.

Sera Swan was once one of Britain’s most powerful witches—until resurrecting her great-aunt cost her most of her magic and got her exiled from the Guild. Now she helps run an enchanted inn with her eccentric companions (including a talking fox and a zombie rooster) while longing for what she’s lost. When icy historian Luke Larsen arrives with knowledge of a spell that could restore her powers, Sera finds herself caught between rediscovering magic, keeping ahead of the Guild, and navigating a slow-burn connection she never expected. Along the way, she learns that the found family she’s built may be the truest magic of all.

Found Family has and will always be one of my favorite tropes! With this, the banter that kept me in a giggly mood, and the slight suspenseful nature of this book, I was hooked from the beginning. There was so much character, wit, and charm, making the story as a whole something unforgettable. Sera and Luke’s romance is more subplot but it’s sweet. There is one brief intimate scene, but most of the romance is a big slow-burn filled with banter and hidden longing.

This fantasy was such a fun, entertaining read! The cast is unforgettable, and the inn feels like a place you’ll wish you could actually visit and maybe stay a while.

With its original, diverse cast of characters, captivating magical setting, and quests that keep the pages turning, it’s a story that balances cozy charm with adventure in the best way. If you enjoyed Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree and The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune, this cozy fantasy filled with strong-willed witches, whimsical magic, and wit/banter should definitely be added to your TBR!

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy of A Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping.

I absolutely adored The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches so I couldn't wait to read her follow up! Same world, different characters, similar whimsy. Unfortunately, I didn't enjoy this one quite as much. I loved the setting- magical inn (it rains tea!) protected with a spell that only allows people to find the inn if they need it, full of quirky characters with found family vibes, including a witch trapped in a fox's body, a zombie chicken, a man who wants to be a knight, and a witch who has lost her magic.

I didn't love the actual storyline- big bad witch man, determined to ruin anyone that threatens him, exclusive school that hates outsiders, multiple characters with absolutely horrible parents (sooo many) but I did enjoy Sera slowing working her way through the spell with the help of her friends.

3.5 stars, rounded up to 4, because it was cute, but I did feel like it moved a bit slow and dragged in parts.