In a world where witches and magic are real the “Rules” insist that each witch live alone, not associating with other witches and, of course, making sure to hide their magic. It is a lonely life for them all, only meeting with other witches once every three months for a short period and never in the same place twice. For Mika, an orphan like all other witches, life is lonely - she never stays anywhere longer than 6-7 months and never tells anyone her secret. She creates a series of social media videos pretending to be a witch thinking it will be harmless, no one will believe it is real but then she gets a message that makes it clear that someone does believe she is really a witch and asking for her help in teaching three young witches. Traveling to Nowhere House to see if the request is real she finds an unusual group of people and three young witches, Mika ends up taking the job and breaking the rule that says witches, even children, must always be isolated from other witches. There is an urgent need to teach the children to control their magic as their guardian’s lawyer is coming to check up on them and if they cannot convince him everything is alright the children will be separated and lose their home and the family that has been created. As Mika comes to love the girls and the feeling of belonging somewhere things are coming to a head if they cannot convince the lawyer that everything is alright and the girl’s absent guardian is just on a trip.
This was such a lovely read. The characters are real, diverse and fully developed each with their own wants and fears and secrets. They make good choices and bad choices but always for totally logical and understandable reasons. The story flows along slowly and sweetly as Mika and the girls and the rest of the family learn to trust each other and build bonds. I can’t think of when I have enjoyed a book as much as this one, It is one that I believe will become an annual read. Very highly recommended.

Thank you to Berkeley Publishing Group and NetGalley for the ARC!

The Very Irregular Society of Witches is cozy, sweet, and as magical as the title promises. If, like me, you enjoy found family narratives, POC representation, grumpy x sunshine romances, and the movie Practical Magic, this is the book for you. I loved this novel so much, I would take weeks-long breaks between chapters while reading it because I didn’t want it to end. The characters and the magic come alive on the pages of this story about Mika Moon, a lonely witch who is recruited via social media to become the live-in teacher for three magical orphans at an isolated home known as the Nowhere House. With the children’s benefactor nowhere to be found and a persistent solicitor scheduled to visit in a few months, Mika has a massive task in her hands. But her biggest challenge is to open herself up to love.

Mika is a fantastic and complex protagonist that you cannot help but love and root for. Jamie, the prickly and fatherly librarian at Nowhere House, makes for a fascinating and exciting love interest, complimenting Mika perfectly. All the supporting characters, including Mika’s students, their three caretakers, and Mika’s guardian Primrose all have their moments to shine. The setting adds to the pleasantness of the story and the characters.

I have nothing bad to say about this sweet tale of community-building, self-love, and finding one’s purpose in a hostile world.

I loved this so stinkin much!! I am known to enjoy a witchy romance - but this one had so much heart. The found family aspect of the story made me weep. The romance made me swoon. I absolutely adored this book and will be recommending it to literally everyone. I look forward to reading more from Sangu Mandanna.

An absolutely lovely story of a young witch that finds herself living with a group of quirky, yet endearing characters. Mika is given the opportunity to mentor three orphaned, young witches that have a lot to learn. She finds herself in over her head as these young witches test her patience and skills while challenging all of the “witching rules” that Mika must abide by. There are secrets, a handsome librarian and memories of her own childhood that challenge her in this fast paced story.

This is such a cute, heartwarming story. The characters are written so well and there is such a strong theme of family and the lengths that people will go to protect that family.

4 ⭐️

Thanks to NetGalley for the advances copy in exchange for an honest review.

#TheVerySecretSocietyofIrregularWitches #SanguMandanna #NetGalley

Perfect review for Halloween! I’m not a big fan of spooky stuff, so a cute cozy fantasy book about witches is the perfect seasonal book for me. This has been a year amirite! I think we were all eager to bring in the fall vibes and this book hit in the right way at the right time.

It’s a nice fantasy about Mika, a witch who really hasn’t found a home or friends to call her own. Her abilities have left her isolated, even among other witches. Loneliness is breaking her down, but finding a job helping these three children at Nowhere House gives her a connection to others and to her own talents. It’s a lovely story. A lot of people compare this book to TJ Klune’s novels, and those are real comfort reads for me. If you enjoy his books then you will like reading this one.

The kids are cute, but I’m very picky about kids in books. Sometimes they can be a little too precocious and one of these little’s does tend to strike me that way but it’s not too bad. I enjoyed the book and I am looking forward to any new books from this author.

This book was like snuggling in a warm blanket. It's a perfect fall read. I loved the story and the characters. Will definitely recommend to my patrons.

The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches was the magical and cozy read that I needed this week! I was looking for a comfort read this week and was so happy I let Sangu Mandanna's story sweep me away to an isolated home in England where a witch has been summoned by a grumpy librarian to tutor the three young witches in his care.

Mika Moon knows that it's safest for witches not to mingle. Historically, it's never ended well for them when their magic comes together and draws the attention of non-magical humans. But when she's asked to step in to help three young girls reign in their powers, she can't help but say yes—knowing that the support and care is exactly what she had craved at their age. As she grows closer to them, Mika realizes that witches may be safer in isolation, but that happiness and community are well worth the risk.

Mandanna crafted a truly enchanting found family story—one where each and every character is made happier and more fulfilled when they're together. I loved that Mika was able to give the girls the kind of childhood experience she didn't have, and that working with them helped heal some of the broken parts of her heart as well. And of course I was swooning over the woven in romance with Jamie, the grumpy Irish (!!) librarian who is also learning how to let people in and let himself be loved.

If you're looking for your next fall read and want something that is soft, warm, and magical—you can't go wrong with this one!

╰☆☆ “𝐌𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐥, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐢𝐭 𝐝𝐢𝐝 𝐬𝐨 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐚𝐧 𝐢𝐫𝐤𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐢𝐟 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬 𝐝𝐢𝐝𝐧’𝐭 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐭.” ☆☆╮

THE 411...

When thinking of books that give off cozy warm blanket paired with a cup of hot coco vibes, The Very Secret Society Of Irregular Witches should just magically materialize! quaint and whimsical best describe the setting of Nowhere House where we find a cast of characters that will steal your heart. Mika Moon is a witch who lives a very solitary life in an effort to protect her identity as well as that of the other witches in her network. It’s very rare these witches meet up but when they do, their leader Primrose makes it a point to emphasize their under the radar lifestyle. Mika however has found a clever way to not feel so alone. She streams videos of herself sharing magical elixir/potion making recipes under the guise that it’s all in good fun. Until her videos catch the attention of Ian, an octogenarian retired actor who is desperate to get her assistance. The estate of Nowhere House has been left the charge of three young witches who are in absolute need of guidance and training. Will Mika accept the offer to teach the girls how to control their powers?

WRITING & FINAL THOUGHTS...

Mika Moon is an Indian British witch with a penchant for naming her pets after mythological figures, she was lovely to meet on the page. There’s a lot of loneliness surrounding our MC even though she comes off super warm and kind hearted…not someone you’d take for living in isolation. It’s almost kismet that she’d meet such a loving welcoming bunch, some of who make it their mission to make her feel at home. Ian is dramatic and enchanted by Mika from the start, he very much gives off retired actor vibes. His husband Ken is Japanese and works as the Groundskeeper for the estate, he’s more laid back and serious. Ian and Ken are happily married and in love. Lucie is the plus sized 56 year old Housekeeper who will remind you she’s still young, I LOVED her! Jamie is our 36 year old Irish curmudgeonly love interest. He’s the librarian who is equal parts grumpy and protective over the young witches and also Mika. Altamira, Terracotta, and Rosetta are the young witches we meet with mischievous energy! I can easily see this turned into a movie and I’d buy my ticket on day one. I LOVED the fact that Ian specifically wanted Mika a woman of color to be the one to train these young children of color how to properly wield and control their magical abilities. The potion mixing was a plus, Mika’s Golden Retriever Circe was a plus, and the witty banter/slow burn between Mika and Jamie was *chefs kiss* perfection! this book was MAGIC Book Lovers! ❤

Quick and Dirty⁣
-found family⁣
-witchy score: 4/5⁣
-forced proximity romance⁣
-warm and fuzzy⁣
⁣
Synopsis⁣
Mika Moon just did the unthinkable. She agreed to tutor three underage witches despite the decree that witches should never congregate. The rules, according to her guardian Primrose, are in everyone's best interest since witch's powers can intermingle and draw unwanted attention. But Mika knows what it means to grow up lonely and forgotten, and she doesn't want that for the young witches, who may be separated if they can't learn to control their magic. So, Mika heads to Nowhere House, a remote country estate where she will find her charges, her heart, and her purpose. ⁣
⁣
Musings⁣
I knew this would be a fun witchy read, but I had no idea going in that it would be a sucker punch to the heart. Seriously, this one will leave you feeling all the feels this spooky season, which may not be everyone's cup of tea. But if you enjoy a seasonal read with a touch of romance and a strong helping of self-discovery. This book reminded me of The House in the Cerulean Sea in all the best ways. I loved seeing the young witches come into their own while Mika found herself along the way. And there was plenty of magic to go around, making this one perfect for spooky season! Overall, this one should not be missed if you enjoy T.K. Klune or Steven Rowley.

You don’t really expect the hear the words heartwarming and adorable when talking about witches… but here we are. ⁣
⁣
Mika Moon is a lonely witch. There is fear of being found out, but also, rules state that too many witches in the same place causes too much energy and chaos.⁣
⁣
So, it’s an isolated life, never staying in one place long enough to forge any real connections. That is, until she secretly takes a job as a tutor to three, young, very impressionable witches.⁣
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What she finds is more than she could have every conjured from the strongest of spells. But will her new found happiness be short-lived?⁣
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If you want all the vibes of spooky season, without the frights, but with a hefty dose of warm, witchy wonderfulness - grab this one.⁣
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It’s a magical read in so many ways … and dare I say - it will cast a spell on you

I liked this one better when it was called The House in the Cerulean Sea. I mean really that’s all to be said here. I picked this up for the title and cover alone when it was offered to me and I was planning October-y reads. Sadly, this was a pretty sad copycat of T.J. Klune’s magical releases of late.

The story here involves, you guessed it, a witch who gets recruited to come tutor a trio of children witches in an attempt to teach them how to harness their power. There’s a houseful of other characters – including a handsome sourpuss, natch, but none of which were very developed. I don’t love kids generally (in fiction or in real life) so it really takes some doing to get me to love stories about them (see the aforementioned Klune or The Guncle as recent exceptions to the rule). There was also quite a bit of “potion” talk that basically involved making tea infused with essential oils such as lavender or peppermint rather than any eye of newt or tongue of frog. But the main problem was in the form of . . .

Who said anything about transforming the world? What about just making it a little better? And then a little better? And then a little more, until, one day, maybe long after we’re gone, it has transformed?”

But there isn’t much making of things ANY better as this one wraps up and, despite not being a fan, my dead heart still felt a little bummed out these kids didn’t end up with more than they did in the end. I thought the entire point of this was going to be along the lines of “be the change you wish to see in the world” – but I guess getting laid was really the M.O. *wink*

ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

What a fantastic, smart, and cozy witchy rom-com! I loved every second of this book. Mika is a thirty-something witch trying to find herself and her place in the world. In her world, all witches end up motherless, so she has grown up with a distant caretaker and a rotating cast of nannies. After posting witchy videos online, Ian reaches out to her to come live at Nowhere House and be a witch tutor to three young orphaned witches.

Mika escapes to Nowhere House, a rambling cottage in the English countryside by the sea. There she meets Ian (an eccentric former actor and avid knitter), Ken (Ian's partner and an excellent gardener), Lucie (a warm caretaker), and Jamie (a surly Irish man who is in charge of the library and a love interest) - all fellow caretakers of the three young witches that live there. She also meets the three young witches: Rosetta, Terracotta, and Altamira. She helps them learn how to harness their magic, and overall they have a wonderful and cozy time by the sea. As Mika opens up to this newfound family, she finds herself, love, and a renewed sense of purpose in the world.

This book was warm, charming, cozy, funny, and had just the right amount of romance and witchiness. It's perfect for fans of Jenny Bayliss and anyone looking for a delightful read. It spans the time frame from early fall to the Winter Solstice, so it's appropriate for any time of year, not just spooky season!

Perfect for both the autumn and winter time, this sweet story focuses on Mika Moon, a witch, who's trying to find a place in this world where she can be herself and be accepted. She finds a cozy house, Nowhere House, and all she wanted and more.
If you've loved The House on the Cerulean Sea, you're going to love this one!
It makes you feel so warm and fuzzy inside. I loved the found family element and the grumpy/sunshine trope; all the characters were lovely and the atmosphere was magical.

Thank you Net Galley for the chance to review this book.

If you are looking for a book about found family, a grumpy/sunshine romance that is not very spicy, and has magic look no further. Mika Moon is a witch and a member of the Very Secret Society of Witches. Witches can only meet for a limited amount of time a few times a year, otherwise their magic grows too strong and accidents happen. Also, all witches are orphans because of a curse that made it that when a witch is born her parents die in some way soon after. So Mika has no family, and besides her trusty dog Circe, is quite lonely.

However, one day Mika gets a message on her YouTube page where she pretends to be a witch (while actually being one) to tutor three young witches. While she knows that this is all against the Rules, she takes the job. Mika finds love, family, and a home along the way, while also having to put out a few literal witch fires.

I would love to read more about these characters, maybe one where Mika opens her own potion and tea shop? I need more!

DNF @20%

I'm not feeling this one. The writing style isn't meshing with me, nor are the characters. I'm not at all interested in what's going on. I do understand the need for books like this, and I wouldn't say I dislike the style of warm, feel-good speculative fiction. I did enjoy The House in the Cerulean Sea. But in order for me to go along with a book that has essentially zero conflict, I need to enjoy the characters. The love interest in particular really didn't work for me. He felt incredibly juvenile for a mid-30ish man.

I do appreciate that the lead character is 31 years old. I haven't come across many romances with characters any younger than like 25, maybe 28 if you're lucky. Romance can come at any age!

Am I the only one who wasn’t a fan of this book? It’s possible that I was excited because there were mentions by other readers of a TJ Klune vibe. Quite honestly, the story was just underwhelming, and the characters were forgettable and bland. I’m giving it two stars because the writing style is good, but this wasn’t for me. Maybe you’ll enjoy it though, as I seem to be one of the few who didn’t love it!

Thank you to Netgalley & Publishers for access to an arc copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

this was so cute! it felt almost cozy in atmosphere and i loved the found family aspects of this novel (one of my favourite tropes). will definitely be purchasing this for the collection!

This book was so cute. I really enjoyed it and it was perfect for a happy October read. I look forward to reading more by this author!

Thanks @prhinternational for this ARC!

Mika Moon é uma bruxa de verdade, mas as pessoas que visualizam seus vídeos na internet acham que é tudo truque. Até que um dia ela recebe uma mensagem pedindo para que siga até a Nowhere House e ajude três jovens bruxas a controlar sua magia.

Se Da Magia a Sedução e Casa do Mar Cerúleo tivesse um filho, esse seria o livro. The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches é uma história mágica (trocadilho intencional) sobre abrir seu coração para novas pessoas e encontrar seu lugar no mundo.

Mika é uma protagonista de coração enorme, cheia de amor pra dar e super leal, mas que cresceu junto de tutores e babás e por isso não se permite criar laços definitivos. Já Jamie é um homem com um baita instinto protetor (principalmente em relação às bruxinhas), que também já teve suas decepções na vida. O romance entre os dois é dado de forma sutil. A verdade é que Mika não se apaixona apenas por Jaime, mas por todo mundo naquela casa.

Os secundários são simplesmente TUDO. Rosetta, Terracota e Altamira são três crianças fofas que vão te fazer sorrir, às vezes se estressar um cadinho, mas no fundo são crianças querendo ser crianças normais e que possuem todo esse poder dentro de si. Completando a turma temos Ken, Ian e Lucie, que passam aquela energia de pessoas cuidadosas e carinhosas. Eles são os primeiros a abrirem os braços para Mika e faze-la se sentir em casa.

Um ponto legal na história, além da magia, é a representatividade que ela traz. Mika é dita indiana, Ken é japonês e casado com Ian, as crianças são não-brancas (Rosetta é negra; Terracota é de descendência vietnamita; Altamira, palestina). Mesmo com a narração em terceira pessoa, a escrita da autora é bem gostosinha te inserindo o dia-a-dia mágico dessa turma.

Nos agradecimentos, a autora comenta que começou a escrever o livro já estava com oito meses de isolamento do covid e só queria uma história fofa e romântica sobre magia, família e conexão humana. E você consegue sentir tudo isso em suas palavras, já que Mika acaba encontrando a família que sempre quis.

LIKES:
📝 jaunty, quirky, fun writing!
🇬🇧 set in the UK!
👥 multi-pov
👩🏽 Mika is a kind & caring but lost in life
👨🏻‍🦰 Jamie is a grumpy protective Scottish Librarian
🪄 full of magic!
🔮 with ALL the witchy vibes
🏳️‍🌈 LGBTQIA+ representation
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 explores an eclectic found family
👯‍♀️ + friendship & sisterhood
🆔 + the experience of minority women
👩🏽‍🏫 + the impact of education
🤫 + secrets!!
☀️ grumpy-sunshine
🫂 forced proximity
🔥 slow-burn! (steam level 3/5)
🥹 heartwarming, sweet, & adorable!
🌱 personal growth vibes
🎧 great on audio!
•
DISCLAIMERS:
⚠️ dm me for TW!
❌ not a romance! light fantasy + a love story
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VERDICT: a quirky, fun, & sweet hug-in-book exploring found family, identity, secrets, & personal growth + a slow-burn forced proximity grumpy sunshine romance!