I loved Sangu Mandanna's The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches, so I was excited to pick up the equally-enchanting A Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping.

Sera Swan was born with incredible magic in her veins, rivaling even the powerful Albert Grey, her mentor and head of the magical witches Guild. Then fate steps in when a teenage Sera decides to use a (highly illegal) spell to resurrect her great-aunt Jasmine, a parental figure for her, setting off a series of unfortunate events involving a witch-turned-fox that embodies chaotic evil and Sera's banishment from the Guild — as well as the loss of almost all of her magic.

Now an adult, Sera helps Jasmine manage a magical inn that draws in quirky characters from around the region and provides them with safe haven. She can barely keep things running with the little magic she has left, but hope rises anew when she discovers the existence of an old spell that might be able to restore the power she used to hold.

The key to the spell arrives in the form of grumpy historian Luke, who is drawn into the inn's shenanigans and Sera's attempts to get her magic back — which, of course, is when everything goes awry once again.

Filled with entertaining side characters, heartwarming romance, and quirky magical interludes, I loved this cozy romantasy and would recommend it to those who loved The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst.

As expected, A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping was an absolute gem. I am someone who tends to stay away from cozy fantasy, but the way Sangu incorporates romance and the found family trope into her writing is something so incredibly special.

I was interested in the story almost immediately. The setup immediately gave me Sera’s goal and had me rooting for her the whole time. The characters were a very charming bunch. I love the way Sangu puts these strangers together and how they blend seamlessly into a loving family. They look out for one another and never hesitate to lend a helping hand. There’s also a zombie rooster, which is fun.

After reading The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches, I had high hopes, and Sangu’s writing did not disappoint. She writes the story, characters, and romance so beautifully. The messages in her books are great. That who you are is enough, and you can spend years searching for that one thing you think will complete you, only to realize that you were just as you were supposed to be all along. She also makes it so clear that you should always be yourself, even if people don’t always accept it, including your family.

Overall, this was a solid read that I would 100% recommend. Such a beautiful romance with lovable characters and the perfect touch of magic.

A Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping is a lovely and sweet cozy fantasy, with adorable and well-rounded characters, and a delightful focus on the magnificent magic to be found in simple things - in blooming flowers and unusual farm animals, in everlasting found families and swoon-worthy romances.

*Thank you so much to NetGalley and Berkly for the eARC! These thoughts are mine and mine alone*

Initial thoughts:
I have mixed feelings about this book, so I will try my best to articulate them!

About the book:
Sera is one of the most magical witches of her time, but Sera loses it all when she chooses to resurrect her great Aunt Jasmine when she is fifteen years old. Exiled from the Witch's Guild with barely a trickle of magic left, Sera pours herself into her home - an almost sentient Inn that is kept alive by a wayward spell in her youth. Over time, she collects a random cast of friends and family at the Inn, until one visitor helps her find a spell that can bring her magic back. A knight, a witchy fox, a floating girl, and a undead rooster make up the cast of Sera's chosen family as she rediscovers herself and her magic.

Things I enjoyed:
- This book made me FEEL. This is the first book in a while to yank tears from my eyes, which is a testament to Sangu's writing.
- I love the quirky found family Sera surrounded herself with.
- At the Inn, everyone was just themselves! And everyone accepted that! I loved it!
- There was a bit of female rage in this book, and I love me some female rage.
- There were some wonderful atmospheric moments I wish I had the chance to live in!

Room for improvement:
- The first three chapters of this book were a SLOG for me. It was very info-dumpy and soooo many details. It took me three tries to finally get past the third chapter where the story really got rolling.
- I'll keep it spoiler free, but the ending made me angry. Yeah, I get it, too much magic blah blah blah. But once again it's a woman taking care of a man with too much pride and power at the expense of herself.

Overall, this book felt like a roller coaster. A rough start, but an incredible middle. Good tears. An ending that filled me with rage (but that's personal - you might feel differently!). I'm glad I read this book, but it was a different reading experience than I expected.

Of COURSE I knew that Mandanna’s latest cozy fantasy romance wouldn’t do me wrong. Why do you think I put off reading it for so long? (And not just because I inhaled this one in a single day?) That said, I loved that certain themes and tropes have become such a fabulous trend in her work, like found families and houses with their own personality and two people who fill in each other’s gaps. Whatever this author wants to write next, I’m there wholeheartedly.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this edition from the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I love found family stories. This one was very warm and sweet. Loved it. Oh, and the narrator sounds like Tahani in The Good Place... lol

This book was such a lovely surprise. It was my first time reading Sangu Mandanna, and I’m so glad I picked this one up. The world of the inn was cozy but layered with emotional depth, high stakes, and just the right amount of magical whimsy. I enjoyed the character connections, the mystery, and the way inclusivity was woven naturally into the story. There were moments of fun, tension, and heart. Everything I look for in a magical, character-driven read. I’ll be recommending this.

A magical read. It’s somewhat of a crossover between Ghibli studio stories, Over the Garden Wall and Sabrina the Teenage Witch. It’s truly a whimsical world, cozy, yet full of complexities and a whole array of lovable characters. I will surely re-read this in the fall with blankets and some tea. This story will stay with me for months I know it already.

This book was like a warm hug in the winter and just what I needed. I really loved the characters that the author brought to life and the love you could feel between all of them. So magical and I loved every minute.

ALL THE STARS!!!!


This book was perfection. I loved the characters, the inn, the loyalty, the cozy vibes, the magic, the drama, quirkiness, and more. UGH. It was literally perfect.

I can't even describe to you how much I loved the characters, even the undead rooster! Please take me to the inn so that I can experience it for myself.

Also you will swoon for Luke and Sera. Their story was not insta-love. It was sweet to read. Luke was a MMC that made you smile often. Sera was so loyal, caring, and yet so hard on herself. She made everyone feel at home, and even made her home welcoming.

I must say though, that ending made me a touch sad. It ended perfectly with the drama conclusion but how it affected the inn made me sad. Also I loved how it worked out with Luke, Sera, and everyone else....including the other love story. Sigh.

This book was everything.

Powerful, young witch Sera breaks the rules when she resurrects her very dead great aunt that results in Sera being outcast from her fellow witches’ ranks. So along with losing her magical abilities, she’s lost her education, their support, and her best friend. She ends up running an enchanted inn with her beloved great aunt that pops up as a destination only to those weary travelers who need it. One such person, Luke and his younger sister show up. He’s more common sense and by the book, but can’t deny the appeal of the inn nor its positive effect on his autistic sister. It’s running amuck with all sorts of unusual people, with Sera at the helm. During his stay she learns of a way to get her magic back but it involves a little trickery and a lot of trial and error.

These lovable and whimsical characters are utterly enchanting! Consuming Mandanna’s writing is a very calming experience. It’s a soothing balm amidst of all of reality’s chaos. I like her central theme of love and acceptance along with engaging readers in a discussion of broader themes like how power can corrupt and mislead.

Highlights:
* Dual POV, cozy fantasy, romance
* Magic, paranormal, witch lore
* Found family, misfits, acceptance
* Neurodivergent rep, queer rep
* Curses, talking fox

I adore Sera and Luke’s slow burn. They have silly banter that’s simply lovely. Honestly, everyone is delightful and amusing. I’m excited to experience this again with the audiobook at some point. If you want that contented feeling at the end of a novel where you feel your soul has been righted, this is it!

Thank you @berkelyromance for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I'm not typically into this genre or into this type of books, but I can say that I didn't hate it. Thank you Netgalley for this arc.

Perfect!! There was very subtle romance and way more cozy magic. The ending got more high stakes and the found family trope was fantastic. I need more of these characters in my life!

I've taken a few days to write this review, because I really had to sit and think about it. My opinion? Beautiful. This was a beautiful story.

Is it similar to The Secret Society of Irregular Witches? In ways. But in many ways it's entirely different and I think it's important to go into reading it knowing that. Yes, there is magic, quirky characters, a kind, smart fmc, and more. But it's also far more serious than TSSOIW and tackles many topics including racism, familial abuse, the treatment of neurodivergent people, and more.

🎧: The audiobook was fantastic. I really enjoyed Samara MacLaren's narration of this book and really felt her as Sera. I also loved how she brought the other characters to life!

Read If You Like:
-Magic
-Books about personal growth
-Found Family
-Zombie chickens
-LGTBQIA+ stories
-Neurodivergent rep
-South Asian rep

My one issue with this book was the ending. I know Sangu had a reason for it ending like that and felt it was the best way, but I hate it. I'm sorry. There HAD to be another way and I was just quite sad.

Overall I really enjoyed the book (despite the ending) and will recommend it to my followers due to all of it's strengths!

Grumpy sunshine, magical inns, talking animals? Yes please. This book was delightfully whimsical and so much fun to read. It'll be the perfect addition to any fall or spooky season book lover's tbr list.

This book was so cozy, comforting, and magical.

Sera is a witch who made a mistake and was outcasted by her fellow witches and lost her powers. Now shes trying to find a way to get them back. I really liked how determined she is and how strong she is. She slowly rediscovers herself and it was so satisfying.

I also LOVED the found family in this book. I loved the whole message of choosing your family. And also Luke!!! I loved him so much. Hes my new fav book bf

This was a downright lovely read. I liked the cast of characters and their care for each other. I was especially impressed by the portrayal of the autistic child in the book. They show her as smart, but also recognize that because of her difficulties with communication, it's easy for her to become underestimated and for others to dismiss her. The humor in this was also fun, with a nice, dry British flavor to the wit.

The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches is one of my all time favorite reads and I didn’t think another novel could come close to how that one made me feel. I am so happy to be wrong! To say I had high hopes for this one is an understatement, but it completely delivered. Sangu Mandanna has such a way with words and I don’t think I have read any other books that evoke such a strong sense of comfort and warmth. They’re honestly like a hug for your soul.

The audiobook narration by Samara MacLean was fantastic! She hit all the emotional highs and lows so perfectly. Her voice and performance matched the tone and vibe of the book wonderfully.

A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping was such a heartfelt and tender novel. It was so incredibly moving and beautifully written. I went back multiple times to read/listen to passages again and highlighted so much! I loved how the author handled the topics of family, belonging, and friendship. Chapters 19-21 were probably my favorites of the book thanks to the discussions about being seen, being comfortable in your own skin, and embracing your truest self. There are so many wonderful secondary characters in this one too and seeing them all bloom and grow was so satisfying. I loved that the book came full circle in the end and I was smiling as I turned the last page. A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping was like a warm cup of tea/coffee, slowly warming me from the inside out. A wonderful novel from start to finish!

Audiobook Review
Overall 5 stars
Performance 5 stars
Story 5 stars

CW: depression, suicidal ideation, strained relationship with parents, banishment, parental
abandonment, near death of loved one, bullying, emotional abuse

*I voluntarily read and listened to a review copy of this book*

My first read by Sangu Mandanna—and definitely not my last! 😍

This book has me craving fall weather and a rewatch of Practical Magic! 🍂

In A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping, we follow Sera Swan, a powerful witch who lost her magic at fifteen years old after bringing her great-aunt back from the dead! Unfortunately, her spell who brought back her loved one left her facing consequences and essentially exiled. She also happens to befriend a fox named Clemmie, who is definitely a character!

Fast forward fifteen years, we see how Sera has been adapting to life without magic, essentially running the inn her aunt managed when she was younger. One day, Sera discovers she might have the ability to restore her powers—and trust me when I say, it’s not going to be easy! With the help of Luke Larsen, a historian who may or may not have been reluctant to stay at the inn, Sera just might be able to get her magic back!

The found family in this book was truly beautiful! I adored Sera and how fiercely she fights for the people she loves!

Thank you so much to Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC!

♡ thank you to Sangu Mandanna and Berkley for an ARC of this book♡

5/5 ⭐️

this isn't my typical genre of books but i'm so glad i decided to take a chance with this! this book was magical, romantic and very well written. this is the kind of book that makes you wish you were in their world!!

📖 plot & pace: the idea of this book was IMMACULATE, the loss of sarah's magic not only sets the stage for an amazing book but then there's also the mini side plots, like clemy's curse and posey/luke that add SO much to the story! this story was so perfectly layered, keeping the reader hooked the entire time.

👥 characters: i loved so many of these characters! there was the typical villain of course (albert) but even his character was well developed. everyone played an important role in this book and meshed together so well!

🤩 tropes: cozy fantasy/romantasy, found family, loss/redemption, grumpy x grumpy

i loved the diversity and inclusiveness Mandanna added to the story. this was a perfectly written book that i'll have on my mind for a LONG time!