It is always better to be kind than nice! Mika Moon learns that family can come in many different formats. Love is it that in the air or is it just the magic of gold dust?? What a fun fall read.

The title seemed a little twee until I started reading it and was promptly invested in it, the society, and the protagonist. Distinctive, sweet, and unpredictable in the best way. I really, really enjoyed this every step of the way.

This book was adorable. Warm and charming like a cup of hot chocolate with a sprinkle of magic on a cold night. Will definitely look for this author's other books.

A lovely feel-good book to cheer you up! Some described it as a warm hug, and I totally agree. It was a heart-warming story which will resonate with people who love the found-family trope! A light read for those seeking for it, who also love witchcraft.

My only issue with this book was the writing style, as it often got me confused about the target group. It did sometimes feel so childish that I began to believe it was a YA book, but with the swear words and one spicy scene I was wrong. It does make sense, as she's around children a lot. But the writing style didn't really fit in my opinion. If it had actually been a YA book then it would have been perfect.

Either way, I did find myself enjoying it a lot. There were a few stakes there, but nothing too serious to really scare me. And that's why this book is such a comforting read! It also discussed some trauma and just how shitty the reality often can be, but it was light.

Overall, it was a pretty solid and pleasant read, which I will recommend for the ones who love the found-family trope.

Over & out. -Nora<3

Looking for a charming, witchy read this fall with a perfect grumpy/sunshine love story, found family, and lots of humor? This book is it. Honestly, I'm not sure what I was expecting when I opened The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna, I just saw people saying good things about it so I figured I'd give it a go. I like witches, I like romance, I like quirky book names. Now, having finished it in about a day and a half, I can easily say that this book is a top read of the year for me. I loved every second of it! It was fun, magical, romantic, and really emotional at parts. If, like me, you are a huge sucker for found family in a book, this is a must read.
Mika Moon is a witch but nobody but the few other witches she sees every three months knows that and that's the way it has to be. Or at least, the way she's always been taught it has to be. Too many witches in one place attracts too much magic, too much mischief, and it's safer for them to scatter and keep their power secret. It's a lonely life even if it's safe one, and it's that loneliness that nudges Mika to take up a tutoring job at Nowhere House. Her students -three young witches who are under the care of a loving and eccentric household of people but need a witch to help them navigate their powers. It's also the home of a very handsome and very grumpy librarian named Jamie who likes Mika a whole lot despite himself. But there are secrets at Nowhere House and Mika must learn to reconcile her upbringing and her trauma with the people she has come to love.
It's spectacular. The writing it bright and whimsical and the whole book feels cozy. It's the perfect read going into the fall season and I have every intention of shoving it on everyone I know.
I will say, the romance is very good and satisfying, but it is kind of slow burn, and while there is sex on the page, it's not long or descriptive. It's somewhere between closed door and explicit and usually I don't love that kind of vagueness in my romance, but I think it worked here and fit the tone of the rest of the book.
Highly recommend.

This book is amazingly entertaining. I love the mix of ancient rituals with the modern world. It seems that no matter the era, gossip, rivalry, and love are enduring themes.

The fabulous world-building sets the tone for the entire book. The spells are suited to today’s world, whether simple, functional daily helps or more complex wards to keep a family safe.

The theme of loneliness and found family runs throughout the story. The three small, isolated girls will steal your heart. Mika and Jamie are an engaging young couple who deserve a happy-ever-after. Ian and Ken are just darling as they each complement the other even though they are complete opposites.

There are plenty of plot twists to keep the reader turning the pages. I certainly didn’t see many of them coming, then I was surprised because they made perfect sense.

I highly recommend this tale to everyone that loves a great story with a unique witchy world.

4.5/5 Rounded up for whole star purposes.

Thank you to NetGalley, Sangu Mandanna, and Berkeley/Penguin Random House for providing me with a digital copy of the book and the excerpt.

I'm absolutely loving this flood of witchy romances cropping up.

I wasn't *quite* put under a spell with this one, probably because it mirrored so closely to another book about an isolated person going to a house in the middle of nowhere by the sea with several magical orphans who need protecting and their fierce protectors doing their best to raise them...but I will say that Mandanna has neatly sidestepped a lot of the faults the other-unnamed book had and also addressed being brown in a mostly white country (and also being a brown person plucked/"saved" from their home country by a white savior).

However, this was incredibly cute and very good.

The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches was the perfect cozy tale of witches, magic and love. This was a wholesome and romantic fantasy about a witch, Mika Moon, who is trying to find her place in a world that has not treated her kindly so far and out of nowhere she is invited to work as a tutor to three young witches at a place called Nowhere House. When she arrives she is introduced to an assortment of characters that include the three young witches, a missing witch who owns the house, a grumpy librarian, a retired actor, a housekeeper and a gardener. She is instantly blown away by how much love and magic is inside this house and the family that lives there. As she teaches the young witches she starts to fall in love with not only them but with everyone who lives in Nowhere House.

This magical book was so cozy that it felt the author was just giving me a warm hug while I was reading her book. I absolutely loved the main character Mika Moon who is super lovable and has such a great sense of humor. I love that her gift is potion making or tea making, she has an adorable dog, and her traveling koi pond. It really gave me House in the Cerulean Sea vibes with the charming characters, found family trope, and grumpy/sunshine main couple. I love that the characters are so diverse and that there is LGBTQ+ representation and that that author touches on issues that are still being dealt with in today’s society when it comes to the shaming of certain groups. I found this heartwarming story to be such a fast read that was super satisfying and well written. My favorite parts of this book had to be the many great quirky characters, delightful humor and a wonderfully slow burn romance that was the perfect amount of sweet and steamy. Thank you to Netgalley and Berkley Publishing for the digital copy of this book. I would highly recommend this book if you’re a fan of Practical Magic and House in the Cerulean Sea .

This was a brilliant story. Just a beautiful book. I loved the witchy lore. The romance was captivating and I loved the characters so much.

This is a really cute witchy romantic comedy that includes themes of friendship, vulnerability, loss, hope, family, and found family. A young witch, Mika, is summoned to a home where three young witches are being raised and minded by a young handsome librarian. Her task is to teach them her ways, and keep them from getting into trouble or attracting too much attention so they are split apart from the only home they have ever known. Little does Mika realize at first, but she may never want to leave Nowhere House either, after spending time with the three precocious children and their ridiculously charming father figure. Thank you for the early copy. A charming story for all!

If I could give this one 10 stars I would.

I wholeheartedly adored this book. The coziest, most joyful witchy romance.

I loved the magic system, I loved the main characters, I loved the found family and their meddling.

Highly recommend to anyone looking for the most heartwarming book ever.

This is one of the most brilliant and beautiful book with wonderful witchy lore, an amazing slow burn romance, and the most delightful found family!

Thank you Berkley Publishing and NetGalley for providing an e-arc for an honest review.

If you loved House in the Cerulean Sea then this book is for you. It is such a feel good, warm and fuzzy book and I couldn’t get enough! Of course it has all things that are good; Enemies to Friends to Lovers, Grumpy x Sunshine, Found Family, Witches, Sweet Golden Retrievers, A beautifully diverse cast of characters and a tiny bit of spice. The writing is beautiful and descriptive and brings you into the story. You truly feel as if you are at Nowhere house learning to cast spells with Mika and the girls. You can practically see the beautiful library filled with amazing special editions and a librarian who is not nice but is kind. It makes you want to curl up by the fire in the front room of Nowhere house and swap stories with Ian, Lucie and Ken. Most of all it really made me want an attic room with a balcony.

The story is just as beautiful as the scenery and truly tackles subjects like what it means to be loved, loneliness, chosen family and what one would do for them. If you are looking for a witchy read with a beautiful story filled with love and quirky characters then this is the book for you.

I'm a big fan of found families and this story of 3 young witches coming together hit all the right marks for me. The characters were so vivid and lovable. The romantic aspect was a slow burn but gratifying in the end. Overall, 4/5 for heartwarming feels, found family, found love, and a charming good time.

Fun and quirky, the two words I would use to describe this book. I really enjoyed this mixed up, mashed up family. They come together as a group of misfits and stayed together as a family. Each one of them has something different to offer the three young witches and together they keep them safe, happy, and help them learn to control their powers.

Mika Moon, what a great name for a witch, takes on the job of teaching the young witches. She has no experience, but she understands the feeling of being left alone, of needing guidance, and of wanting to be loved. These were all things she craved growing up and she knows that she can offer that to them along with the knowledge of controlling their magic.

The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches if a fun, quirky, easy read. I love the witches, I love the family, I love the book. I recommend picking up your own copy.

There have been some excellent paranormal romances so far this year and this one is a major standout!! Full of heart, found family and a grumpy cinnamon roll hero (who's an Irish librarian I might add!) - this heartfelt story will make you feel all the feels!

Mika Moon was orphaned at a young age and raised by strangers. One of only a few witches in Britain - she is forced to keep her true identity a secret by Coven decree - but her online 'pretend' magical videos catch the attention of the caregivers for a trio of young witches who turn to Mika for help.

Knowing these precious young witches would be separated if their true natures were revealed, Mika agrees to come to Nowhere House and quickly falls in love with everyone there - including the cantankerous librarian with a secret of his own.

I loved all these characters soooo much!! Plus the slow burn, somewhat enemies to lovers, interracial, forced proximity romance with a few steamy scenes definitely satisfied my romcom loving heart! The real stars though are the young witches and the mischief they get up to.

Highly recommended for fans of The undertaking of Hart and Mercy or The godparent trap. Much thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review! I can't wait to see what's next from this incredibly talented, new-to-me author!

Looking for your next grumpy sunshine? Get this one for your shelf!

Not only, does it have the sweetest grumpy man, it has witchy times and too adorable kid witches too. It also has some great diversity!

I flew through this book! It was a sweet and easy read for me and was perfect to lift my spirits after the more sad memoir I read!

I loved the way the characters and relationships evolved and it was just a wholesome and sweet read. 💕

💕Favorite Quotes💕

“Niceness is all about what we do when other people are looking. Kindness, on the other hand, runs deep. Kindred is what happens when no one is looking.”

“It’s a leap of faith to love people and let yourself be loved. It’s closing your eyes and stepping off a ledge into nothing, and trusting that you’ll fly rather than fall.”

This is a great little book about friendship, love, coming of age and finding the people who will love you for who you really are!!

Mika Moon has led a lonely life. Orphaned as a baby, she was taken in by Primrose Everly, who is, of course, a witch!! Although Mika never really experienced Primrose as a mother figure because she was raised by a series of nannies. As soon as a nanny suspected anything “magical” about Mika, she was quickly replaced.

In this present meeting of witches, Mika is being reprimanded for creating her witchy social media posts. Mika assures her that no one will actually believe she is a witch, as there are others out there posing as witches and the videos are just for fun! Only simple magic tricks are shared.

However not much later Mika receives an email advertising “WITCH WANTED as a tutor for 3 young witches”. Since Mika presently has no job she decides to go to the destination, Nowhere House, and see what this is all about. When she is introduced to the 3 young girls she immediately “could see the unmistakable gold dust motes of magic around them”.

In a nutshell, she accepts the job and we join her as she slowly wins over the others who live at Nowhere House including all 3 little girl witches. Her job is to teach the girls how to contain and use their magic and also how to “reign it in” when they don’t want to be discovered as witches.

The plot of the story is charming, the magic is fun to read about and there is enough here for entertainment and some background on witches in Britain.

I was all ready to recommend this as a YA novel, but there is a sex scene and occasional use of expletives!! Nothing that would bother most adults but just wanted to note this in case it is a trigger for some.

I can recommend this as a fun read with characters that are engaging, colorful and distinct.

I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher, Berkley, through NetGalley. It was my pleasure to read and review this novel.

This is such a cute story! I really enjoyed the magical system, and the way it was introduced throughout the story. The characters are amazing, and they truly bring the reader into the book. I loved this one from start to finish!

The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches was just the book I needed without even realizing it. This book was so heartwarming I just wanted to hug it when I was done. The found family trope is one of my favorites and I would love to be a part of the one we see here.

Mika is a witch, but it has to be kept a secret. No one can know, she can’t talk to other witches except their meetings every month. Mika was raised by strangers after her parents died and really never had a place to call home. I think her journey was my favorite. Throughout this book you see Mika realize that she is also worthy of love and someone who really cares. That was so emotional and beautiful.

Then we get to Nowhere House. This is such an interesting, messy, and very loved home. Every member is unique and maybe a bit quirky, but you feel the love for the three young witches that need help controlling their magic. Everyone wanted the girls stay protected and I loved the moments we had with Mika working on the magic with the girls. These people came together as a family I just wanted to move in.

Also, yes, there is a developing romance, but I loved that it wasn’t the biggest part of the story and also so much about character development. Everything Jamie and Mika needed to process from their childhood they worked on with each other without even knowing it. This seemed very special.

I honestly could keep on talking about this book, but all I really just have to say is please read The Very Secret Society of Witches. It’s one I’ll be thinking about now and in the future.