I switched between audio and digital for this one and I found that there was a lot going on in this book. It had the cozy romantic vibes that I loved from the first book by Sangu Mandanna, but I just didn't quite connect with the romance aspect of the book. It read more to me as cozy fiction.

This was my first time reading a Sangu Mandanna book, and it won’t be my last! I don’t read a lot of cozy fantasies, but great ones like this have been helping them grow on me!

A Witch’s Guide To Magical Innkeeping is whimsical, cozy, and so atmospheric! The lovable and complex characters, excellent found family, engaging plot and solid disability representation all made this one stand out for me. I wish I could plan a visit to Batty Hole and meet Roo-Roo myself!

If you’re starting to plan your fall TBR like me, consider this a must read, the fall vibes are strong🍂 I can’t wait to pick up her previous book this fall!

**Thank you to Berkley Romance and NetGalley for providing me a review copy. All opinions are my own.**

Sera Swan is a witch and she used to be the more powerful witch in Britian until she resurrected her great-aunt Jamine from the dead. Now she helps her great-aunt run an inn because she lost most of her powers. I loved Seras humor and wittness with a little dose of grump.

Luke Larson arrives at the inn one night and we come to find out that he may be able to help unlock the spells secrets. Luke is similar to Sera in the grumpy sense so I loved when he decided to try and help her unlock the spell.

One of my favorite tropes in a book is found family. This book touched on that so perfectly! It was my favorite part of the story. Everyone at the inn had brought something special to the story. It truly gave it so much heart.

This whimsical cozy romance with a side of mystery is a must add to your TBR.

Thank you so much to Berkley Romance for a gifted copy!

Truth time: Sera’s last book, The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches is a favourite book of mine, and I was very worried that I wouldn’t love her newest book as much. I’m relieved to say my fears were all for not, as A Witches Guide to Magical Innkeeping has stolen my heart.

Sera excels at writing cozy, soft and magical fantasy romances that explore difficult topics while simultaneously wrapping you in a soft blanket.

We first meet Sera Swan as a child. She’s a very talented young witch who’s being trained by the best of the best at the magic academy. Everything goes awry however, when her great-aunt and the only person who loves her, dies suddenly. Under the guidance of a magical talking fox, she brings her aunt back to life. This results in her losing her magic from the large spell and being exiled from the magical community for attempting magic she should not have.

Fast forward and she is an adult, who is still helping to run her great aunt’s inn. One of her last magic spells before she had lost her magic had ensured that only people who had good intentions and good souls would find the place. Travellers find the inn when they need to. It has led to an interesting selection of individuals, some who have turned from visitors into boarders and family for Sera and her Aunt Jasmine. Sera still feels bitter about the life she feels she lost: her magic would have ensured her a very different life than what she has. She’s never stopped looking for a solution to return her magic. Only when her young cousin, aided by the talking fox, breaks into the academy and steals a book that could help her return her magic, does life suddenly become almost too interesting. Sera discovers that the magical world is going through some strife and changes and that people have reasons to want to see her gain her magic back.

Enter Luke Larsen: he remembers Sera from the academy, but isn’t too sure why he and his sister have need of her inn. Sera and Luke both want to do the right thing and both seem to struggle. Sera remembers Luke from her time at the academy where she had a crush on the older and powerful young wizard. Now, Luke is the one who’s struggling with his feelings for Sera and the family she’s built around her. Luke is used to doing things on his own. His brilliant, but non-magical parents want nothing to do with him, or his magical and autistic sister, Posy, who is very misunderstood by most people. Sera, whose own parents abandoned her for their own adventures, understands that feeling well. While Sera, Jasmine, and the other other quirky cast of characters in the house work on making Luke and Posy feel safe and secure, Sera discovers that Luke is one of the few witches who could help her with the magical spell that could return her magic powers to her.

Throughout their time together, Luke and Sera are the last people to realize they are falling in love. The entire household is cheering for them and hoping they realize that they belong with each other. Their love is soft and warm and supportive. Luke is a terrific lead: he’s strong and powerful and super smart, but also thoughtful and loyal and deeply wants to find his place in the world. He balances out Sera, who all too often acts before she thinks, and doesn’t have a filter. The climax of the book is filled with surprises and a reckoning of good versus evil and a meditation on what absolute power can do to people.

This book is filled with cozy rooms, delicious food and endless cups of tea. I read it during a heat wave and had to crank up the AC, light some candles, brew some tea and wrap myself in a blanket while I read it. Sera has a gift for creating worlds that I just want to spend time in. This is a book you’ll want to return to again and again.

A Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping follows Sera, a young witch who lost most of her power and was exiled after resurrecting her beloved aunt from the dead. Years later, Sera has been using the little magic she has left to run her inn—a warm, welcoming place that only shows itself to those in need. Thanks to her meddling nephew and cursed witch friend, Sera discovers she finally has a chance to get her power back and possibly find love at the same time. The inn is home to a wide cast of quirky and diverse characters (and an adorable zombie rooster) who are the true heart of the story. This funny, heartwarming story thoughtfully touches on mental health, autism awareness, found family, and second chances. Highly recommend if you need something cozy.

I loved Mandanna first book and this one felt just as cozy and romantic. I always love the grumpy/sunshine trope and this did not disappoint. Can't wait for her next title!

LOVED THIS ONE SO MUCH MORE THAN I WAS EXPECTING!
The book was wildly similar to this adorable inn, pure chaos. It made it hard to follow sometimes, but totally rewarding at the end.

It reminded me of the chaos we are currently experiencing politically, and that we need constant reminders that all are welcome.

Brava!

This is the type of book that feels like a warm hug. I thought that the characters were some of my favorites I have read this year. I believe that this is such an excellent book for those who love a good found family. The discussions on self-love and the actions one takes to protect those they love were fantastic. I love this author's works and will be reading whatever they put out next.

Thank you to Berkley Romance for the free book. These opinions are my own. #Berkley #BerkleyPartner

It's tough for me to rate and review this book. It touched me incredibly deeply, and so ultimately, I rated it quite highly. I remain in love with the magical worlds that Sangu Mandanna creates and the safe spaces for found families. But I also put the book down several times after starting. The initial scenes hit me so hard that I could not continue. I always knew I would finish reading the book, but I needed to be in the correct head space.

Sera had been one of the most powerful young witches. But she pushed too hard when resurrecting her aunt, and she lost much of her magic. Her life became a much smaller one, spending years at an inn that became a refuge for people in need.

This is a story about finding oneself and learning priorities. It's about the magic in love and chosen family. And it has so many beautiful themes and takeaways. I enjoyed reading it slowly, at my own pace, and truly experiencing all the emotions of the characters.

4.5 stars rounded up

I loved it! What a cozy, charming, magical book with the most lovable characters. I'm not sure if it was intentional, but I got the feeling there was a subtle political bend to it and to the villain. I loved that too.

My oh my, does Sangu Mandanna know how to write a cozy witchy tale that feels like a big warm hug! I’ll forever be a found family superfan, and some authors are just masters of this lovely trope—Mandanna is definitely one of them.

I loved all the representation in this story. I was a bit nervous about how Posey’s autism would be portrayed, but it felt authentic and respectful. I especially adored how everyone at the inn cherished and accepted her just as she is.

The connection between Sera and Luke was so sweet, and watching them both learn to embrace their true selves, and ultimately their love for each other, was truly magical.

Such a special story and the perfect cozy fall read!

Thank you to Berkley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Wowowowowwww!!! I loved this, it’s gonna be a fav of the year for sure!

I’ve never felt more warm and cozy then I have while reading this book. The author was so descriptive, it felt like I was sitting next to the fires in the Inn, eating cinnamon rolls with everyone.

I loved every character in this book. I couldn't get enough of them. I hope this turns into a series cuz I can’t imagine not ever reading them again! They were diverse in age, race, sexuality and disabilities. Everyone was so lovely to one another and they were all so redeeming besides that bad guy obviously he was an awful person.

Besides the characters, I also loved the way Mandanna talked about magic. The way she described it when Sera was casting spells was so neat! Like it was a galaxy underneath her eye lids. The author just has a way with words and I loved every minute of reading them!

Go pick this book up and read it in November, when it’s the perfect time to read this book!

After reading The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches earlier this year, this was one of the 2025 releases that I was most excited about…and it absolutely lives up to the hype. This one had some more intrigue, more twists and turns than Irregular Witches, but it was still an absolute cuddle of a book, the kind of book that you curl up with on a cranky day that soothes the troubles away. I thought the characters were so endearing, the magic system was very well developed, and the plot was engaging without being overwhelming. I would give it 100 stars if I could. Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publisher for letting me read!

This was a cozy read and is definitely best enjoyed in fall or winter. I liked the found family aspect of the story and characters were sweet. I did find that the story lagged a bit. The story also left a few unanswered questions.

Are you looking for an enjoyable contemporary fantasy with some romance and cozy vibes? Because this is the book you are looking for!

When Sera Swan was a teenager, she was one of the strongest witches in Britain. That is, until she resurrected her great-aunt Jasmine and had her magic stripped. Now she helps Jasmine run an enchanted inn and manages an unusual household of misfits with grace, aplomb, and the slightest bit (okay or maybe some more) exasperation! When Luke Larsen stops to stay with his delightful (and autistic) sister Poppy, he somehow agrees to help Sera retrieve the spell she needs to restore her magic. But the story is in the journey with this madcap crew of wonderful characters that make up a kooky found family.

I really enjoyed this book. I didn't think I was in the mood for it, but then I got sucked in and finished the whole book in no time at all!

Thank you to Net Galley and Berkley Publishing Group for the ARC. All opinions are my own!

Wellll wellll wellll was this one worth the wait🥹🫶✨

I loved The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches back in 2022 and preordered this one back in January 2024 when it first became available. After some pub day pushbacks here we are!! Finally + happily!

This was so so cozy, heartwarming, whimsical, and honestly precious. The found family and the romance were 10/10 no notes🧑‍🍳💋🤌 I mean the banter and the tension I was not expecting!!

Getting second chances, learning what matters most + how to lean on others when you need it, taking back what you deserve, and taking down institutions and people who seek to make those who are different from them or born under poorer circumstances fail👏👏👏

This book felt like a warm hug and a bit of hope🫂 a ray of sunshine in some arguably very dark times, if you will.

“What an incredible, joyful act of resistance it was to simply exist.”

I loved this book so much! I have been so excited to read this ever since reading The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches a few years ago. Sangu Mandanna just has a way of writing that is so cozy and feels like being wrapped in a warm hug. I could truly feel that in this book. The found family aspect was so endearing and I loved seeing everyone find their place at this inn. I also loved Sera and Luke’s relationship. They were both perfectly grumpy and exactly who the other needed. The progression of their relationship was so delightful to read about and seemed so natural. This book also had such great diversity, and so many people will be able to see themselves represented in this story. Overall, this was just such a heartwarming book and I can’t wait to see what comes next from this author! 4.5 stars!

This is such a sweet cozy fantasy. I loved all the characters in here. They were all so unique and so accepting of each other. The fun hunt for magical answers underlying it added to the whimsy. I think this would be an absolutely perfect fall read. The romance was sweet but was not the highlight for me, the found family was. My only note would be at times the somewhat “spicy” talk was slightly jarring in comparison to how the rest of the book was written. It didn’t necessarily detract from the story but I would just mainly skim it because it just didn’t feel like it fit with the rest of what was happening. But overall I really enjoyed and would absolutely recommend!

4/5 stars

Trigger Warnings: emotional abuse, abandonment

By the same author as The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches, this book is filled with cozy vibes, magic, unique characters and a setting that is its own character.

Sera has a lot going on — her magic has disappeared, her aunt died and came back (because Sera saved her therefore giving up her magic), there’s a zombie chicken and a D&D cosplayer at the B&B, and just when you think things couldn’t possibly get worse, a blonde guy shows up with his sister.

This book was good and would be even better if it was read during spooky season. I switched between the audiobook end ebook and the audiobook was really well done. This author has a knack for quirky characters with such a sweet slow burn romance between Sera and Luke. I loved seeing Srea's journey with her magic, family and found friends throughout this book.

Read this book if you like:
-second chance books
-books about magic, fantasy books and whimsical characters
-loveable characters
-fun setting
-found family

A cute cozy fantasy about finding your own power and believing in yourself. A fun mix of found family, slow burn romance(low on the spice) and magic. I really enjoyed all the quirky secondary characters although I wish some of their back stories were a bit more formed. Sangu did a great job making this a cozy warm hearted read where you care about what happens to each character at the end. Recommend to anyone who enjoyed her first novel, TJ Klune or Travis Baldree books.