(2.5 stars) There was nothing inherently wrong with A Dark and Secret Magic, it just wasn’t really my preferred style of “cozy fantasy.” I do put some of the blame on myself for choosing to read this witchy book now, when it was clearly made for spooky season. The writing was okay and the story got better as time when on, but the dialogue was pretty cheesy. Plus there were certain scenes that I couldn’t believe were in the book, like a full grown woman pelting children with candy bars… what???

It just wasn’t my thing, but it also wasn’t completely terrible. The romance had a couple of sweet moments and some of the magic was interesting. There’s a large group of readers this book will really appeal to, but I don’t think I fall in that category.

A great Halloween read! It has amazing fall and spooky vibes while capturing the atmosphere of a cozy town in the same vein as Stars Hollow. Very entertaining story with witches, prophecies, mysteries, and Hades and Persephone dynamics! While I did enjoy reading the story, I was craving more interaction with Hecate and her sisters and thought the family dynamic fell a little short for me. The romance was also sweet but a little simple for my taste, but ultimately I enjoyed this book and would recommend it for lovers of autumn books that are perfect for Halloweentime!

A perfect Halloween read for anyone looking for a cozy, mysterious fantasy story. The characters are fun and the vibes are absolutely perfect for the spooky time of year.

Was this the perfect spooky\ cozy read DURING Halloween? YES YES YES!!! It gave all the spooky\ fall vibes, add in some witchcraft, fall festivals and a beautiful man who is supposed to be the enemy, and you've got a great book!

4 stars! Thank you NetGalley for the arc!

4.25 stars

I absolutely ate this one up! Cozy, witchy, fall vibes with a dash of family drama is my jam and I loved this one so much. I was truthfully more interested in the family drama and witchy vibes than the romance but all in all I highly recommend this one.

A big thank you to NetGalley, Alcove Press, and Wallis Kinney for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review

I picked this one up to read in preparation for spooky season, and it wasn't horrible, but I've read other cozy novels that were far better than this one.

A very typical story of there being a witch who, *gasp*, realizes that the powers she has are not actually really what she thought and there is a darker plot at hand. Hecate and Matthew were fine, but I didn't particularly care about their relationship, nor the rest of the story/plot.

I gave it 3 stars because it was very average, but there wasn't really anything wrong with it either. It was just... there. The cover was cute though, so I do appreciate that (even though I listened to the audiobook version of it).

Not bad, but not a top recommendation from me!

This book was wonderful and very enjoyable. It had amazing fall vibes and was very emotional and magical all at the same time. I would definitely recommend this book, particularly around Halloween.

4.25 ⭐️ for me!! I loved this! A witchy book with some family secrets and a dash of romance? Yes pls 🥹

A Dark and Secret Magic was so cozy but had some dramatic elements that kept me so engaged! I would highly recommend getting ot this one before it gets super wintery, although I think it would be a fun read all year ☺️

Thank you alcovepress & netgalley for my copy of this!

Dark and secret magic was an atmospherically autumn read. The novel follows Hecate, or Kate to her friends, a Hedge witch who thrives in her small cottage with her cat. Different to the other witches in her coven, Kate is trying to cope in her seclusion and life after her mother passed away.
When Matthew, a man from her past, turns up seeking refuge – an indisputable request is thrown with this man in her home. Coping with her upcoming birthday and impending ceremony with Matthew turning up and finding dark magic which is related to her mother, Kate is left frazzled trying to manage all these new obstacles in her life.
Matthew and Kate were enjoyable to read. The mood, the chemistry and the plot was entertaining. I didn’t feel completely captured by the story but it was perfect for the time of year and Kate’s entire life was autumn encompassed.
I’d definitely recommend this to anyone looking for a fun and romantic witchy read with an underlying mystery woven throughout. Thanks for the eARC!

I really enjoyed this book. It was the perfect mixture of suspense and mystery, mixed with a beautiful romance. I loved the very witchy elements in the books, as well watching a once hidden and shy witch recognize her true power. This story had heart, it had power, and it pulled at your heartstrings. Absolutely perfect for Halloween!

If ever there was an October book, this one is it. The cover, the theme, it's all on point.

This one just didn't do it for me, though. The writing is just a little clunky. The setting is cosy, which is nice, but it was so cosy that it became soporific and there were no stakes that I cared about. The heroine was just a bit too perfect for me.

Now this could just be the mood I was in when I picked up the book. This might be perfect for you if you're looking for a comfort read, it just wasn't quite for me.

A hedge witch and necromancer…where do we go wrong with this?!? The perfect cozy fall book for my fellow witchy ladies!

This was so cute! Super major Falloween vibes. If you were a Halloweentown kid growing up, you’ll love this book. The writing was good, vibes were immaculate. 3.5 stars.

THIS COVER. I normally like illustrated covers and I guess this can count as an in between but it's so pleasing to look at. In this story, we follow Hecate and she is living her life as a hedge witch in a cottage with her black cat who is her main source of company. Her sister asks her to host a Halloween function where everything has to be perfect for their coven! Her plans are detailed by someone from her past who needs help. Yes this has all the cozy cottage vibes of your dreams. It’s filled with herbs, there’s so many scenes of baking and recipes and the cats name is Merlin. This is considered a romantasy so of course the romance wasn’t my thing but I enjoyed everything else. It’s a perfect halloween book though it’s not halloween anymore, don’t let that stop you. It’s got spooky forests, cemetery visits, caramel apples, and a black cat. Cozy and dark all in one bundle. Just get the insta love out of there.

I absolutely loved this! It was such a cozy fall read, but it had a really great plot that had me enthralled. I am absolutely hoping there will be a sequel because I would love to have more Matthew and Hecate.

The mystery aspect of this is so well done that it doesn't disrupt the cozy feel but keeps you entertained all the way through.

Links to come.

A cute and cozy fall read! I’m not a fan of romance too much so I’m not sure I’m the target audience but I did enjoy myself! It was great to read as Halloween approached! Thank you for the opportunity to read the ARC!

I enjoyed this book, it reminded me of Practical Magic and I love that movie. I personal think that Hecate characters has a good growth through out the book. I totally did not see the twist the Matthew brings to the table. The relationship between Hecate and Matthew just made me want to smile. The relationship between Hecate and her sister really gave off the true sister relationship. Overall this was a great little Halloween story. I also love that the author add the recipes that she talked about through out the book. I can not wait to try some of them. I loved the atmosphere that this book created for me. so much that I would sit and read it again. I almost hope that there could be another book.

For fans of The Spellshop and The Honey Witch, A Dark and Secret Magic is a transportive and enchanting read, blending cozy everyday moments with spells and a touch of darkness. This is a delightful and quick read that I would recommend to anyone who enjoys fantasy novels featuring witches, cooking, and slow burn romance.

Fantasy
Witches
Forced proximity
Mystery
Secrets
Ancient books
Betrayals
Friends to lovers
Hades & Persephone vibes
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Very entertaining, with good characters, loved the mystery in it and the romance going on..
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Special thanks to Wallis Kinney, Alcove Press Publisher and NetGalley for this arc. The opinions in here are on my own

3 stars!

this was incredibly cute, i thought that the fall vibes were impeccable. hot chocolate, pumpkin carving, being haunted and stalked by the personification of death, cosy little cottages with caramel cookies and candles...
the main characters were also good, they had a lot of page time so we get to know them quite well. the romance was also alright, the sisters a little underdeveloped, and the villain middling.
i found myself doing some skimming of pages towards the end, but the ending was actually satisfactory.