Full of fall nostalgia, witchy lore, and cautious acceptance, this was a great way to start off the fall season! I loved watching her try and figure out what Matthew really wanted, and it was great seeing her go back and forth on it.

Rating: 4 stars
Spice: 🌶️

Tropes:
🎃“Childhood” (they were 21, but it was 10 years ago, so…?) sweethearts
🎃Slow burn
🎃He fell first, and fell harder
🎃Witches and wizards (called “hexans” here)
🎃Perfect Halloween vibes
🎃Cozy cottagecore fantasy
🎃Some tension, but overall low stakes
🎃Some creepy, horror elements
🎃Hades/Persephone myth parallels

“A Dark and Secret Magic is a celebration of the Halloween season and a love letter to anyone who drinks pumpkin spice in August and carries the spirit of a witch inside their heart all year long.”

This book definitely lives up to its intent. It’s an ode to one of the most beautiful times of year, and that love is felt through every word and passage. It’s a very cozy, low-stakes, almost cottagecore fantasy vibe, with some elements of horror woven throughout to keep the stakes at a low simmer and hold the reader’s interest.

Hecate, Kate to her friends, was always going to be a hedge witch at her mother’s insistence, the first in over two hundred years. No one knew why her mother went against their coven’s conventions and picked Kate’s craft for her, but Kate herself is happy with the choice and resonates with it despite the solitude the role calls for. As Halloween draws near, Kate finds herself tasked with hosting their coven’s annual gathering—and almost simultaneously finds an old flame on her doorstep asking for sanctuary. As she slowly encounters more and more secrets of the past that her coven would see buried, she’s forced to confront some dark truths even about herself.

There’s not a whole lot going on in this book, and sometimes that’s exactly what we all need. This functions beautifully as a simple, witchy read for the holiday. The plot is straightforward and interesting enough, the characters lovable and feasibly well-fleshed-out given the brevity of the novel. The romance is adorable, though it’s a tiny bit hard to grasp that after such a short encounter ten years prior, Matthew has held a candle for Kate this entire time?? I also loved the sister side characters. There’s no huge crescendo of a climax or gut-wrenching emotion, instead we just sort of coast through the entire novel floating on those cozy vibes. If that’s what you’re into, you’ll love this like I did.

Thanks to NetGalley and Alcove Press for sending me this eARC in exchange for my honest review!

*Actual rating is 4.75 stars*

A Dark and Secret Magic is a standalone cozy fantasy that is the perfect fall read, as it has peak witchy vibes and Halloween atmosphere. It’s a loose Hades and Persephone retelling, filled with everything I love from my cozy fantasies. The main character Kate is soft yet strong and willful, while the love interest Matthew is a golden retriever man helping her find her true potential and grow as a witch. He could just breath and I would swoon over him. There’s long buried family secrets, sisterly love, and lots of cooking of delicious sounding food (and the recipes are at the end of the book, so extra points there). There’s death and darkness, but it only adds depth and some stakes without taking away the cozy vibes. My biggest complaint is that the book could have been longer, because I just wanted to keep reading about Kate and Matthew. Because reading about them made me happy.

This is the perfect read for the time leading up to Halloween (or whenever you want the Halloween vibes), when you want a nice book to relax with without too much complexity or high stakes. I'm looking forward to the authors next book.

This book is everything and more that I want in a cozy autumn read. It takes you and wraps you up in a soft, warm blanket while it bakes cinnamon and spice cookies in the next room. It snuggles on the couch with every beloved Halloween movie you have ever known while drinking warm apple cider out of your favorite mug. It scoops out all the pumpkin guts for you because it knows they give you the ick, but you still enjoy the carving part. I adored absolutely adored this book.

This book was so cozy and warm and fun! From the first page, it provided those perfect autumn vibes. The magic system was unique and easy to understand and the atmosphere managed to be both cozy at times and creepy at others. I loved the romance and felt like the tension and barricades between them being together were really believable. The recipes in the back were also a charming touch. I would highly recommend this for an October/spooky season read that’s on the lighter side!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a free eARC in exchange for an honest review!
Rating: 4.5/5
A wonderful, engaging read, that had me hooked from the beginning. "A Dark and Secret Magic" is the perfect mix of dark and cozy, with loveable characters and great worldbuilding. The magic system and the societal structure of the witches was really interesting, and the main characters fit into it so perfectly. A great witchy read.

A Dark and Secret Magic follows Kate, a hedge witch who recently finds a grimoire filled with dark, forbidden magic and seemingly belongs to her recently deceased mum. On top of that, a handsome, mysterious man from her past arrives at her door.

This is such a perfect autumn read and just the most perfect cozy fantasy to get me out of my reading slump. The romance in this was quite fast and slightly too quick for it to be believable but still cute nonetheless and I really enjoyed watching them fall in love.

The plot itself was okay, there were definitely a few plot holes and I had more questions at the end than answers. I wish we got to learn more about the other types of witches and other covens etc. but I guess there’s only so much you can fit in a 300 page book.

I also found that the villain in this was too easily defeated and the happy ending was too easily achieved. But I’m not too upset about it as this is more of a cozy autumnal fantasy than some 6-series complicated fantasy series.

Overall, I really enjoyed it. It was such an easy read and captured me straightaway. Definitely took me out of my reading slump and now I want to read more cute autumn books.

A Dark and Secret Magic is such a cozy fun little Halloween read! I loved the magic, the witches, the romance, the mystery, it all felt so cozy and whimsical. I am a huge fan of the goddess Hecate, so I absolutely loved this story being vaguely about her in its own write. My favorite part was actually the recipes at the end! This book was just a lovely read through and through and it truly got me in the spirit of the season.

Rating: 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4 for the autumnal vibe

🍂✨ Cozy cottage in the woods
🎃👻 Samhain and Halloween celebrations
🧙‍♀️🕯 Witches, potions, and magical cooking
🐈‍⬛ Merlin, the black cat companion
🍎🥧 Enchanted recipes like Pass Out Pie and Careful Caramel Apples
🍁🍂 Vibrant fall festivals and Jack-O-Lanterns

A charming autumn read with a touch of mystery and just the right sprinkle of magic, A Dark and Secret Magic is perfect to cozy up with. The book is a loose retelling of the Hades and Persephone myth, (you don’t have to know that tale to enjoy this) so it won't necessarily feel like an all encompassing standalone witch fantasy. It offers a warm mix of witchy fun, ghoulish surprises, and enchanting storytelling.

From the start, the atmosphere wraps you in everything I love about fall. Hecate Goodwin lives in a snug cottage by a forest, with her black cat, Merlin, always nearby. The story opens in the days leading up to Samhain, or Halloween, which also happens to be Hecate’s 31st birthday. (See what I mean? The vibe is vibing.) The description of autumn in the town is perfection—you can practically feel the crunch of fallen leaves underfoot and see the glow of Jack-O-Lanterns lighting up the cool October night. Hecate spends her days preparing for fall festivals, brewing potions, and creating enchanted dishes like Pass Out Pie and Careful Caramel Apples (which btw are recipes included at the end). It’s the kind of world that makes you want to grab a mug of hot cider and settle into the season.

For most of the book, you’ll enjoy a lighthearted, cozy atmosphere full of witches, magical cooking, and autumn celebrations. But as Hecate prepares to turn 31, she finds herself questioning why her path in the coven was chosen for her, unlike other witches who picked their own at age thirteen. Then, a mysterious guest from her past shows up, bringing secrets and suspense into her peaceful world.

As the story nears its end, the pacing speeds up, and the story is quite different. There is action, full of spooky twists, dark magic, tension, and betrayal. While the sudden shift from cozy to eerie might feel a bit jarring, it reflects Hecate’s personal journey of self-discovery. The side characters, including the other witches, could have been fleshed out more, but the book’s focus on Hecate’s growth makes up for it.

Overall, the real magic of A Dark and Secret Magic is in its autumnal charm. It’s full of warm, inviting descriptions of food, scents, colors, and magical moments that feel like the spirit of fall itself. While the end feels a bit different from the rest, the journey to get there is a delightful seasonal escape.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Alcove Press, and Wallis Kenney for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This book is truly the most perfect autumnal read. The vibes are immaculate! It's the perfect combination of cozy, yet dark. This book is like a love letter to witchcraft. It pulled at my witchy heart strings from beginning to end. It filled my heart with joy, it had me screaming and kicking my feet, and of course, it had me in tears. I loved this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Alcove Press for providing me with a digital ARC of this novel!

I've always been a big Halloween person, so naturally, I love witchy, autumnal reads. When I read the description for A Dark and Secret Magic, I knew it was something I wanted to check out. The story follows Hecate, a 30 year-old hedge witch whose magic allows her to provide healing and sanctuary to those who visit her cottage. Still grieving the recent loss of her mother, she receives short notice that she must set up her coven's annual Samhain celebration all on her own; at the same time, a necromancer from her past, Matthew, shows up seeking shelter at her home. Matthew is willing to jump in and help Hecate with all of her Halloween preparations, but while they are digging out her family's decorations, they uncover a hidden book with some dark secrets. Hecate must determine what the book means and why her mother kept it hidden - a mystery which will affect Hecate's magic and possibly even her life itself. The book is full of fall imagery, delicious food, interesting magic, and a sweet romance.

I would say you'll probably enjoy this book the most if you go into it expecting a cozy fall read that's also a reimagining of Hades and Persephone. For me, I appreciate it more if I view it as something similar to a fairy tale or mythology story, rather than a fantasy book on its own. There are a number of plot points that aren't fully developed and don't quite make sense, in the same way that fairy tales can often be confusing with details that aren't always completely explained. If you want to read a fun, spooky story featuring all things related to Halloween, you'll probably have a good time with this. However, if you are looking for a fantasy witch novel with fully developed worldbuilding, you may want to skip this book. I did enjoy reading it, but I also had a few major critiques.

I'll start with the positives. First and foremost, if you're looking for a book with a fantastic fall atmosphere, you will not be disappointed by the vibes in this one! There are so many cute descriptions of Halloween decorations, pumpkin and cinnamon treats, and other autumn-related things. It's executed really well - I could picture Hecate's cottage, her cat, Merlin, and all of her jack-o'-lanterns so clearly. I also enjoyed all of the Halloween-related activities that Hecate and Matthew did together. There's a fall festival, caramel apple making, pumpkin carving, and so much more. This book advertises itself as a celebration of Halloween, and it certainly follows through on that. The warm atmosphere was my favorite part of the novel.

Additionally, I like that the author tried to add a deeper plot to the story. These cozy Halloween books featuring witches have gotten pretty popular in the past few years, and some of them are too light without much of a plot beyond Halloween and witches and cute towns. I appreciated that this novel had a lot more going on. I especially liked the way that each witch practiced a different kind of magic. It was fun to read about book witches, sea witches, etc. I was intrigued by the mystery surrounding Hecate's powers. I also liked that Matthew's intentions were not clear for most of the story - it was fun to dissect his words and actions to try to figure out whether he was being honest.

However, there were also a couple of things that did not work for me. I found the writing to be inconsistent. The beginning of the book was especially clunky. I think it got better as it went along, but even then, the dialogue often felt unnatural. The author had a few words she repeated too frequently, and the tone often shifted unnecessarily (sometimes the characters were overly casual and other times they used more traditional language). This made it hard to grasp the characters and their personalities. I did like how easy to read the writing was, though. Even though there were so many descriptions of food and decorations, I never felt bogged down by purple prose. I just think it could have been more polished and consistent overall, although maybe this will be improved before publication.

Additionally, besides the atmosphere, everything else felt a little underdeveloped to me. All of the characters (except maybe Matthew) were a bit too shallow and one-dimensional. I could never even get a grasp of Hecate's personality, despite the fact that we were in her head the whole time. Similarly, the plot could have been expanded more. Even though I liked that the plot was more complex than that of other books in this genre, I still thought too much happened too quickly, particularly in the second half. It needed more breathing room. I wanted to see Hecate react more to all of the wild information she was discovering. And don't even get me started on the romance - I liked Matthew and I could see chemistry between him and Hecate, but it wasn't believable at all that they would fall in love after just a few days (and an afternoon ten years prior). The book also had one of my pet peeves that often comes up in underdeveloped stories: the characters mostly just meandered back and forth between a couple of set locations, which always makes the setting itself feel vague.

Even with my critiques, though, this novel is still enjoyable if you're looking for a cozy Halloween read. Sometimes, I want a relaxing seasonal book that I can read in an afternoon and not think too much about. This novel is exactly that. It would be perfect for a cold October day with a cup of pumpkin chai tea. I would be open to reading other books by this author in the future, especially since this was just a debut.

2.75 stars, rounded up to 3 stars because it did make me feel all warm and cozy at times.

If you like me are aching for Halloween and cozy spooky fall vibes this book is for you. I adored our MC Kate and her cozy hedge witch cottage. I resonated a lot with her and her story, but damn would I have folded a lot faster when a dark and mysterious hunk from my past showed up. This book was fun, it had great sibling love, romance, and dealt with complicated parental relationships. The all around paranormal witchy spookiness was so well done. Everything flowed and made sense, it was the perfect book to keep me in my summerween feels.

ARC Review: A Dark and Secret Magic by Wallis Kinney

Expected Publication Date: October 8, 2024

My rating: 4.5 stars⭐️

If you’re looking to add a witchy story that is a blend of cozy and dark for Halloween, I recommend this!

Hecate Goodwin, a hedge witch living in a charming cottage with her black cat, enjoys a peaceful life filled with foraging and managing her craft. Her days are simple, centered on helping other witches and wizards with their troubles. But when she stumbles upon a tome of black magic, her serene world is shattered. As a sinister family secret begins to surface, Hecate finds herself thrust into a mystery that forces her to confront the truth about her coven and her own abilities. With the reluctant help of a banished childhood friend—now an enemy, yet fiercely protective of her—Hecate must unravel the dark secrets she's been shielded from since childhood.

The author skillfully weaves together a layered plot, transitioning from the cozy charm of Hecate's daily life to the thrilling adventure of uncovering hidden truths.

I adore Hecate's soft side and her character development as she unravels each mystery. I also love the star-crossed lovers romance aspect to this. Matthew was just dreamy. The allusion of Hades and Persephone was also a lovely touch.

My only wish for this is we could have seen more "interference" of the conflict. While I adored witnessing how Hecate grew and also fall in love with Matthew, I would have loved to see how she would have fended herself from the King but ah, I understand the limits of how a single book could show this.

Overall, well, well done. Will definitely purchase the physical book to add to my collection!

Much love to NetGalley, Alcove Press and Wallis Kenney for the ARC. I leave my review voluntarily :)

I finished this book in 1 sitting! Honestly one of my favourite reads of the year.

This is a beautiful witchy, sacrificing your life for love story.

There is a mysterious past man that rocks up into Hecate life unexpectedly. She finds out truths that have been kept from her about her powers and her coven. She doesn’t know who to believe, or what to believe as her life is thrown upside down.

It’s about the FMC finding herself, accepting betrayals from the people she loves and overcoming her own self doubts and limits.

This book is heart retching but yet empowering is one’s own self confidence and control.

3/5 ⭐️

I felt like I was reading two different books. It started off with the warm cozy fall vibes. It felt a little odd that a witch would celebrate generic Halloween but that’s okay, I like orange and black Halloween like most fall girlies.

What confused me was how the book suddenly felt much more dark towards the end. I guess I forgot it was a very loose Hades and Persephone retelling. I liked the love interest but am not really believing the time it took for them to fall in love.

Unfortunately Kate’s two sisters drove me crazy!!! One seemed like a wishy washy socialite and the other honestly ordered Kate around like she was a servant. The letter she sent demanding she get the entire house ready and just ✨shows up✨ to everything done. It felt so off when they later cared about Kate and what was happening to her.

Overall I did enjoy this book, but I’m not sure if I will continue the series only due to where the end took us. If it stayed more true to being a nice low stakes fall vibes witchy book, I would have probably enjoyed it a little more.

Everything you love about Halloween and spooky season wrapped up in one book! I wanted to live in this world so I could see, touch, taste, and hear everything I was reading about. This truly is an ode to people who thrive during spooky season.

This book is the perfect read for your fall TBR list. It was charming, gripping, romantic, and mysterious all at once and I know this will be a for sure reread during Halloween week.

Blurb: A warm, spellbinding tale about a witch and the secrets her coven has been keeping from her, with echoes of the classic Hades and Persephone story, in the tradition of Practical Magic and Witch of Wild Things.

The gist of this review: I absolutely adored this book. The characters were so beautifully developed and had such realistic and complex feelings. The pacing was perfect and all the plot reveals were so well paced. It wasn't as predictable as I thought it would be, given that it's loosely inspired by Hades and Persephone, so I appreciated the originality in how Wallis Kinney approached their story. Though there were some moments that the writing was a little confusing, it never took away from the intriguing mystery.

The magic system in this book was clear and understandable, and I loved how many unique types of magic could be practiced in these covens. (I would love to be a book witch please! If you know, you know). With the story being set the week of Halloween, the aesthetic of the setting seeped through the pages. The written imagery was gorgeous and I swear I could smell the pumpkin spice and feel the warmth of the fireplace.

There were themes of grief and family/community secrets, and it added a well-balanced depth and darkness to the story that I feel developed so well in the plot towards the end. Everything felt like it tied together seamlessly and when it all fell into place, I felt all of Hecate's grief and rage for not knowing what was truly happening her whole life.

Overall, I think this book could be an essential for a cozy fall reader! If you like a good witchy, magical mystery that has emotional depth, this book is for you!

RELEASE DATE: October 8th, 2024

A Dark and Secret Magic is a cozy modern fantasy. The cover of this book had me hooked right in, and I saved it to read on a wet rainy day on the couch with a hot cup of tea.
The magic system in this book feels very soft and nostalgic, I love a witchy book, and this has plenty of mystery and magic, oh and romance of course!
I really enjoyed the world building in this book, the character development and side characters were fantastic!
Thank you to Net Galley, Alcove Press and Wallis Kinney for the ARC of A Dark and Secret Magic in exchange for my honest review!

Anyone who loves Charmed and cozy fall mysteries will absolutely love this book. A little dash of mystery, a whole lot of magic, the perfect book to snuggle up in your favorite blanket while sipping on your first Pumpkin Spice Latte of the season.

This was what warm cozy witchy book dreams are made of. I was so absorbed in the lives of every character we were introduced to and if you’re a Practical Magic or even just an Alice Hoffman fan do yourself a favor and grab a copy of this. I am OBSESSED.