Another charming, cozy, whimsical, and deeply warm-hearted read from Mandanna, centering on a witch trying to complete a spell that will renew her long-lost powers, the found family that supports her journey while pursuing their own side-quests, and the magical inn that provides a haven for the lost souls who most need it. This is one of those books that puts a smile on the reader’s face with every page, whether through the room that rains tea, the undead rooster who causes no end of chaos while stealing everyone’s hearts, or the inspiring opposition against oppressive systems that are long overdue for overturning. The inn is such a warm, welcoming place to spend time, not just for the characters, but for the reader, and Mandanna’s imagination shines in the details she builds in into her scenes, in a quiet but heartbreaking moment between a man and a ghost, or the one time a knight reluctantly sheds his armour for a battle that can’t be fought with swords. The inn and its innkeeper provide the acceptance and belonging the characters haven’t found elsewhere, and in doing so, they create a home and family that give back a hundred-fold. The characters are delightful. The setting is imaginative and immersive. The sense of community and compassion is embedded in every page. The look at power and corruption all-too-resonant right now. And at just the right moment, there’s a perfect kiss. With many thanks to the Berkley team for granting me an early read of this one, as I’ve been looking forward to it since Mandanna announced it, and it left me smiling ear-to-ear.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for this earc

This book is exactly what it looks like.
It’s an adorable cozy fantasy with magic, found family and a little bit of spice.
I think my favorite part was found family aspect. Because honestly it was absolutely adorable. A Knight, a fox, an undead rooster and bunch of magic people? Sounds like a beginning of a joke.

But honestly, somehow I’d recommend reading this one during holiday season

This book was a delight from start to finish! It was like a warm hug. The descriptions were cozy and inviting.

This book made me feel so much and I loved it

Since chapter one the author know how to catch your attention and by chapter two you already love every single character. This book had everything I love to read, it has romance, it has cozy fantasy, it has found family, it has a strong female main character and all that while feeling like a hug to your heart

Definitely will be one of the favorites of my year and I will be definitely buying it on physical

I can't express how perfect this book was. Sangu Mandanna's first cozy fantasy made me feel like there was some good left in this world and this book did the same. Highly recommend. The characters are charming, the romance is sweet and the found family is everything.

While I enjoyed this sequel, I didn’t love it as much as the first… however it was still a fun romantic romp in a magical world.

Muddled, odd and magical-ish!

This book had all the ingredients I usually love: a magical inn, an exiled witch with a sarcastic streak I did not quite click with, a semi-sinister talking fox, and a brooding magical historian who is absolutely not here for nonsense… until he is. The charm is definitely there, and the setting is pure comfort, with cosy fantasy vibes that make it easy to settle in and stay a while.

While I appreciated the whimsy and warmth, I found myself slightly at odds with the tone. The emotional messages about self-worth, second chances and the magic of simply being yourself are lovely in theory, but they came through so often that it felt more like I was being coached than told a story. Normally, I enjoy that kind of encouragement. It can be comforting and even healing. But I just was not in the right frame of mind for all that positivity this time around. I kept finding myself distracted and thinking about my next, better book. That is never a great sign.

That said, I did make it to the end, though I stayed more out of curiosity than connection. There is a lot of heart in this story, and I can see it being a great fit for readers looking for a soft, hopeful escape with low stakes adventure, quirky charm and found family. It just did not quite work its magic on me.

Thank you to Berkley Publishing and NetGalley for the advanced reading copy. I recommend this to readers looking for cosy fantasy with gentle humour, found family and a touch of whimsy.

This enchanting novel is a cozy fantasy delight, filled with warmth, wit, and just the right touch of magical mischief. Sera Swan is a wonderfully layered protagonist, equal parts grumpy, determined, and unexpectedly vulnerable. Her journey from powerful witch to innkeeper in exile is both humorous and heartfelt, and the Lancashire inn, complete with eccentric guests and a mischievous talking fox, provides a charming and chaotic backdrop. The introduction of Luke Larsen, with his frosty demeanor and reluctant cooperation, adds slow-burn tension and emotional depth that enhances the magic already simmering in every scene.

What truly sets this story apart is its blend of whimsical worldbuilding and grounded emotional stakes. As Sera hunts for a way to restore her powers, she also finds herself reconnecting with a sense of purpose, belonging, and love. The relationships, both romantic and platonic, are rich and meaningful, reminding readers that magic comes in many forms. With humor, heart, and a cast of unforgettable characters, this is a spellbinding tale about second chances, chosen family, and the power of letting others in. It is a perfect read for fans of gentle fantasy with a romantic spark and a strong emotional core.

I feel like a witch for saying this but A Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping was dreadful. I hate writing bad reviews, I know authors put a lot of time, heart, and soul, into the writing of their books, but I found no enjoyment reading this book. As you can see from the many reviews, other reviewers loved it. Not every book is for every reader. I am happy that this book is getting some love -just not from me.

I could not get into this book at all, but I kept going as I enjoyed the authors other book, The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches. I was hoping that I would find this book to be warm, charming, and a fun read. Unfortunately, I did not connect with the characters, the quest to get magic back, the romance, and did not enjoy the 'unique' side characters. I kept reading hoping that this book would get better, but sadly, I never warmed up to this book. It fell flat for me and I was left disappointed.

I cannot recommend this book, but I can recommend one of the author's previous books, The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches. A Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping did not cast its spell on me. We can't love them all. Again, many enjoyed this book so please look for their reviews.

DNF at 70%. I can't believe I kept going with this one as long as I did. This book was simply awful, sloppy writing, unbelievable characters and a plot that was all over the place.

Fortunately this was a buddy read with Norma and Debra - we all felt the same on this one.

I enjoyed the first book, I'm not sure what happened with this one.

2* for the cover and premise and I'm being generous.

I absolutely LOVED this author’s last book, THE VERY SECRET SOCIETY OF IRREGULAR WITCHES, so when I saw she was releasing another book in the cozy fantasy genre I was excited! It’s not even my go-to genre, but I had a feeling she would deliver another wholesome story!

This book definitely had that warm fuzzy feel along with bits of witchy magic and of course some romance. We follow the story of Sera Swan who was once a powerful witch until she cast a certain spell that caused her to lose most of her magic and she was cast out of the Guild. Now she helps run the family inn along with some of her quirky and lovable companions and soon discovers there may be a way for her to regain her power…

Firstly, I adored the setting because hygge was used to describe it and it just seemed to evoke that comforting feeling and like I place I would totally visit if it were real. Like there’s a room that rains tea + other little magical elements! Aside from that, I loved the cast of characters that were stationed at the inn as well because they were so sweet and diverse and it was great seeing all their relationships and little found family.

There is some romance once we meet our love interest, Luke. It may be slightly grumpy x sunshine, but it was fun to see his and Sera’s love slowly unfurl as they each learned and grew in their own ways.

As for the plot itself of Sera getting her magic back, I did also enjoy learning more about the guild and the power it had and then seeing some magical showdowns at the end! Overall it felt like such a nice feel-good book especially if you need a little pick me up!

🪄 Enchanted Inns & Emotional Healing? Yeah, I’m Obsessed.

This book is everything I want when I reach for cozy fantasy—and then some.

A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping is warm, weird, and quietly powerful. Sera Swan, once a powerhouse witch, is now living in magical exile running a barely functional inn with a reanimated aunt, a snarky talking fox, and the best group of lovable weirdos you could ask for. And from the very first page, I wanted to move in.

The setting? Immaculate. This inn feels alive. Every creaky floorboard, every magical hiccup, every scene with Clemmie the semi-villainous fox made me want to wrap myself in a blanket and never leave. This isn’t just vibes—it’s worldbuilding with heart.

And then there’s the story. Yes, there’s romance (and it’s deliciously slow burn), but the core of this book is Sera reclaiming her self-worth. After years of feeling like she’s failed—at magic, at life, at being the “right” kind of witch—she gets a shot at healing. And it’s messy and nonlinear and so human. Watching her go from prickly and self-doubting to brave and soft again? Stunning.

Luke? The stoic magical historian who has no time for nonsense but somehow finds himself deeply tangled in this found family chaos? I ate that right up. His relationship with his sister Posy brought me to tears more than once. Tender masculinity for the win.

What I really appreciated though? The rep. Neurodivergent characters, queerness, disability, and cultural identity—woven in organically and beautifully. It’s not performative. It’s just life, with all its complicated joy and pain.

This isn’t just a story about magic. It’s about burnout. About community. About not needing to be powerful to be worthy. It made me giggle. It made me tear up. And it reminded me that softness and strength can absolutely coexist.

If you loved The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches, Legends & Lattes, or Under the Whispering Door, add this to your TBR immediately.

✨ Heartwarming magic
✨ Chaotic found family
✨ One bed, one spellbook
✨ Slow burn healing romance
✨ Fox with main character energy

This book is an instant favorite. I’d give it six stars if I could.

I felt like this was a worthy sequel--it kept a similar cozy and lighthearted tone but went deeper into the lore of the world.

I completely adore reading any type of cozy fantasy books! It’s literally the cutest read ever. It makes me so happy and cozy at the same time. That’s why everyone needs to read anything that Sangu Mandanna writes. She has literally done it again in writing the cutest cozy fantasy books, A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping.

We get to read about the cutest yet quirky inn that has all ranges of characters that you can ever meet. You may not expect it, but it just makes sense. It’s the cutest found family that Sera Swan has. That’s why Sera is more than determined to get back her magic and keep her inn, aka found family, safe.

You see, Sera was once a powerful witch when she was younger. However, she somewhat lost it when she resurrected her great-aunt, Jasmine, and has been exiled from the magical community for years. Sera is still determined to restore her magic. This is where Luke comes in, well, more like unexpectedly yet kind of expectedly arrives at Sera's enchanted inn.

Luke has more than his share to deal with Sera restoring her magic when he is taking care of his little sister, who is autistic and magical as well. Luke may share a few bits about how to restore Sera powers but won’t fully commit when he thinks about his little sister’s care. Somehow, the enchanted inn has a way of getting Luke more and more comfortable with his situation with his little sister and Sera. It may not be convenient, but it works out well.

Oh, did I tell you that there is a bit of slow romance between Sera and Luke? I may have hinted at it, but it’s not the main focus. It’s more about Sera and Luke finding their way in their moment of lives.

Did I get approved for the ARC of one of my most anticipated releases of the year?
Yup.
Did I squeal when I saw A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping land in my inbox?
Also yup.
Did I devour it in one sitting?
You bet I did.
And did it live up to the sky-high expectations I had?
A million times YES!

Sangu Mandanna has truly done it again. I laughed, I cried, I felt everything—and by the end, I was absolutely drowning in the FEELS. Batty Hole and its weird (in the best possible way) residents completely stole my heart. A snarky semi villainous talking fox, meddling grandmas, a zombie rooster pet, an anxious medieval knight might all sound absolutely bonkers but they absolutely make sense in this quirky, cozy, magical tale of found family. Its a story of healing, and a witch trying to keep both her inn and her heart together while fighting to win back lost magic.

It’s full of charm, warmth, and whimsy, with just enough heartache to make the comfort hit even harder. My heart is full, and I need everyone to add this book to their TBR the second it releases.

Cannot wait to force feed everyone this book the second it releases!!!!

Highly recommend this cozy read! It is a great book that really shows you how to grow from past traumas and the magic in finding your chosen family.

Thanks Netgalley and publisher for the ARC!

Mandanna has delivered yet another magical, cozy fantasy! Whimsical and lovely with just the right amount of stakes.

This book was SO CUTE. I love found family as a theme and quirky side characters are one of my favorite things if done right and these characters were brilliantly written.

The romance is very low key even though there is a spicy scene toward the end, but overall this book was mostly a wonderful story about redemption and restoration. The main character doubts herself for far too long and I love her story arc. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for a fast read with comedy, magic and an overall entertaining story.

Thank you so much to Berkley and Netgalley for sending me an early copy for my honest review!

I read A Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches for review, too, and immediately fell in love with Sangu Mandanna's cozy, tongue-in-cheek humor writing style, the world she built, and every single character that we were introduced to. The Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping is absolutely no different. If you liked book one, you're going to LOVE book two. As far as I can remember (and it's been a minute since I read book one so I might be wrong) but I believe the stories are unrelated, as much as I'd been hoping for a cameo from the first, but in the end, I fell so in love with these characters I didn't even care.

Sera is the most powerful witch in existence, which she puts to good use on a resurrection spell when her beloved aunt unexpectedly drops dead in the garden. The unfortunate side effect, though, is the almost total loss of all of her magic. Fast forward 15 years, and she's still trying to find a way to get it back. But she has the help of a former witch/talking fox, an older woman with a black thumb, a modern knight from a Ren Faire, her young cousin she's taking care of, and the new boarders at the inn--a very hot magical historian and his autistic younger sister, Posy.

I adored this book from beginning to end. It made me sad, made me giggle out loud, and made my jaw drop a few times when I didn't see a twist coming. I'm so excited for everyone to read this book, and I'm going to keep reading everything she writes because it hits every cozy romance vibe I ever wanted.

One of my most anticipated reads for the year and I have finally read it! AHHH! Sangu I just love you! I love the witches and the characters so much! This book was great!