This title was chock full of witchy details! It was a little slow in the beginning, but once I started to get further into the story I couldn't stop! I love the recipes, and the way the protagonist utilizes her green thumb to further her magical plans. It has a good romance element, but I didn't see the darker plot at first - and definitely didn't foresee the ending! Will definitely recommend this title to other readers - perfect for the autumn season!

A solid 3.5 stars debut from author Wallis Kinney.

What I loved:
- the witchy vibes
- Merlin <3
- cozy Halloween atmosphere
- beautiful food descriptions - give me all the pumpkin spice, making me sad I was reading this in 90 degree August and not 50 degree October.

What didn't work for me:
- the first person, present tense narration
- the romance (instalove)
- worldbuilding breadcrumbs.

This cozy book follows Hecate (Kate) Goodwin, a 30-something hedge witch in a small town along the Atlantic Coast of the United States. Still grieving the loss of her mother, she is trying to prepare for upcoming Samhain celebrations and rituals, including a major life-altering decision that will impact how she uses magic for the rest of her life. To her surprise and dismay, Matthew Cypher, a member of a rival group of magic users shows up at her door and Kate is plunged into intrigue and mystery surrounding his sudden appearance, mysterious dreams and uncovering family secrets.

While the book deals with "dark magic", overall much of the action is pretty low stakes. I really enjoyed the way Kinney presents how different witches specialize in different magics, and found some of the specialities unique, such as book witches, who can recall anything theyve ever read, but at the cost of those books or meta-magick witches, who can control and influence other witches magic. That said, I felt like the world building around how the covens were arranged/operated, how different witches decided to specialize and why were not fully explained. It is presented that witches should only practice magic in their given specialities, but at the same time, Kate is constantly using kitchen magic from her mother's book, making the distinctions between these types of witches even more confusing.

The romance just didn't do it for me - I'm really supposed to believe that Kate and Matthew spent one afternoon together 10 years ago, and that is enough to have sparked a devoted romance? Her initial dislike and ire at Matthew when he first show up also feels overdone - yes he kind of lied to her about who he was, but they also only spent a few hours together. I feel like this set up would have worked better if they had actually had some kind of short fling, like over a few weeks or a summer in that past, enough time where those lies/omissions would have actually made a difference. Over the course of the story, the romance is generally sweet, but ultimately unconvincing for me.

Finally, this book is written in first person, present tense, which I found a little awkward, especially at first. While I didn kind of get used to it, I feel like this presentation made everything seem a little too matter of fact, and the story didn't have as much narrative tension. This could entirely be a personal preference, but is worth noting as I don't see many books written this way.

Thank you to Alcove Press/NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is the PERFECT read for anyone wanting to get into the fall season. Or if you are like me want to have fall year round. I absolutely loved this book and I did not want to put it down. If you like witches, Halloween, and magic this book is for you. I loved seeing mention of different types of witches in this story instead of just one or two. Would definitely recommend as a must read.

Thanks to NetGalley and Alcove Press for the early ARC in exchange for my honest review.

If Partical Magic and Hocus Pocus had a baby it would be this book. I enjoyed this book, a lot. I loved all the Halloween elements, the witchcraft, and the plot. I was not expecting the ending at all. To top it off the food recipes at the end were the icing on the cake! I was wanting to eat all the food talked about it the book, and can’t wait to make some of them. And I can’t wait to fill my house with the smells of the stove top simmer.

EPITOMY of spooky season. This book is now one of my favorite cozy fall reads. I loved how the main character was a hedge witch, and the author did a great job using descriptive language to transport us to October with baking and foliage all around. Also quite a cute love story.

This is PERFECT for anyone wanting those cozy, spooky vibes of fall! This is a love letter to Halloween and for those who embrace their magic all year long. I definitely recommend this to anyone who loves a witchy romcom! I was very entertained!

If you’re looking for a book for fall/halloween season with a mature feeling to it then I would recommend this! It’s a warm, cozy witchy read. I really enjoyed it and it had me wanting to get all my Halloween decorations out and drink some apple cider or hot chocolate.

There is no on page spice but the romance was cozy and sweet and I loved seeing the relationship between Matthew and Kate grow and how they were both protective of each other.

I loved all of the characters, especially Merlin. Every witch needs a black cat and he was the perfect addition to this book.

All of the different magic was interesting to read and learn about. If there ever is a second book to this I would love to continue with these characters and learn even more!

The recipes at the end were a really nice touch and its something I’ve not seen done before.

This is a solid 4-5 stars for me! Perfect for anyone who loves fall/witchy vibes and wants a nice cozy read.

Thank you NetGalley and the author for the ARC.

Spooky vibes is the way to go with this book. Made me in the mood for fall!! Definitely recommend to anyone who loves magic and Halloween. :)

“A Dark and Secret Magic” by Wallis Kinney is a book that enchants from the very first pages thanks to its excellent writing style. The author manages to create a magical and engaging atmosphere, making the reading smooth and enjoyable.

The characters are very interesting, especially the protagonist, Hecate Goodwin, a witch who lives in an isolated cottage. Each character is well-defined and has a depth that makes them realistic and fascinating.

The cozy and super autumnal setting is one of the book’s strengths. The story takes place in a small village immersed in nature, with detailed descriptions that evoke the warm and welcoming atmosphere of autumn. It is the perfect book to read with a cup of hot tea and a blanket.

The plot is fascinating and original, with a mix of magic, mystery, and family secrets. The discovery of an ancient tome of dark magic and the connection with Hecate’s deceased mother add an element of suspense that keeps the reader glued to the pages until the end.
“A Dark and Secret Magic” is a must-read for those who love witch stories, autumnal atmospheres, and plots rich in mystery and magic.

Instagram post and StoryGraph review coming soon <3

This book is perfect for a crisp day, a warm blanket and a hot beverage!

It gave me practical magic vibes at times and had tons of magical components, secrets, a little mystery and some action.

The plot was easy to follow and enjoyable as were the characters!

Thank you NetGalley for an ARC!

If you are looking for a book to read with a warm blanket, cup of coffee or hot chocolate on a crisp day this fall- this is the book to pick up.

It has magic, mystery, secrets and some action as well as a sweet love story

It very much gave me practical magic meets Pirates of the Caribbean at Worlds End (all because of one outcome)

Thank you NetGalley for an ARC!

A Dark and Secret Magic is the perfect read for fall lovers!

The story follows Kate, a hedge witch, approaching her 31st birthday and Halloween. She is still grieving the loss of her mother and preparing for the annual festivities when someone from her past shows up seeking sanctuary. Things take a turn when she finds her mother's old tome that is covered in dark magic. Not sure who to trust, Kate is determined to find out more about her mother's past and the secrets her coven has been keeping from her, and Matthew might be the only person who can help her.

This was fun, easy to follow, and well paced. The story has witchy elements, mystery, and a touch of romance. The romance is reminiscent of Hades and Persephone. I do think their connection could have been developed a little more but I still thought it was cute.

If you are in the mood for something quick and fun to get you in the mood for fall/Halloween then add this to your TBR!

At the end of the book the author included recipes mentioned throughout the story. I thought it was a cute touch and I want to try some!

Thank you to Alcove Press for the ARC

A very solid 3.5⭐ for Wallis Kinney's debut! Thank you NetGalley and Alcove Press for the ARC.

Other reviews have raved about the IMMACULATE autumnal vibes of ADaSM, and I'm happy to say this lives up to the hype if you're looking for a novel this coming Halloween. Vibes aside, I'd say the best thing about ADaSM is introducing the different types of magick that witches here practice. I would devour more standalones set in this universe just exploring the powers of a book witch and a sea witch, for one. The conspiracy revolving around protagonist Kate's coven was also well done and resolved very satisfactorily for me,

The romance between Kate and Matthew was sweet but mostly serviceable. Their growing bond that's supposed to be Ride or Die level technically did happen over a few days, after being reconnected from their ONLY first meeting about a decade ago. There just wasn't enough time for it to be as convincing as it could've been. Matthew's countless thoughtful acts were very swoonworthy though; it made me quickly forget how annoying he was when we were introduced to him.

Last thoughts: I do like reading Kinney's prose and am looking forward to more from her. Oh, and less usage of "smirk". It was used often enough that I actually noticed!

I thoroughly enjoyed this story! Kinney is a wordsmith, crafting a warm and intriguing world with cozy magic, family secrets, and long-lost magic. With plenty of cooking, gardening, recipes, and family bonding, the story was cozy, but it also had a good mystery and exciting climax. Kate was a sympathetic and spellbinding character, with relatable flaws and fears, while Matthew was the perfect Darcy-meets-Hades love interest. I’m looking forward to more from Wallis Kinney!

As much as I love Halloween, I’m not typically the person who is excited to see all the decorations in stores in the summertime. I prefer to live in the now and enjoy each season as they naturally progress through the year. That being said, this book made me yearn for crisp autumn days, and making apple cider; it even inspired me to look up crochet patterns for pumpkins. Reading this book felt exactly like watching Hocus Pocus, Practical Magic and all the quintessential Halloween movies. The atmosphere in this book is palpable and by turns enchanting, cheesy, and creepy in all the right parts; with tension, suspense, and a dash of romance! It sucked me into a world I revelled in for the three delightful days it took me to read this (that’s fast for me). It’s set in Ipswitch, Massachusetts and I could visualize the New England autumn perfectly even though I’ve never been there.

The author also paid a lot of attention to the traditional treats of the season and hearty autumnal meals. The descriptions of food were not only delicious-sounding but imbued with magical properties that were whimsical and relevant to the plot. There’s even a list of magical teas and recipes at the end of the book, to add to the fun!

The ideas in this book are creative while simultaneously referencing common themes and motifs of the season; you can feel this author’s deep love for Halloween. The two ideas that I was most enamoured with, and I think most book lovers would be too, are the sentient spell books, and the specialized craft of the ‘Book Witch’. Kate’s spell book or ‘Herbal’ was almost a character of its own and I loved it. Additionally, whenever someone asks me what superpower I’d want, my answer is always: “The speed-reading powers the boy from Halloweentown has”. Except the powers of the Book Witch here are so much more than that and now that’s my new answer!

I don’t want to go into more detail because I think uncovering the small details of how things work in this world is half the fun. The other half was the romance. It’s cute and sweet (not spicy)…but lightly threaded with suspicion. We get glimpses of their past as Kate tries to decide if she can truly trust him, which is in question until the end and makes for an entertaining journey. And for readers, like me, who love the trope of tending to each other’s injuries, you’ll find it here. 🥹

The tension between the rival covens and their differing philosophies surrounding how they practice their craft was so enjoyable for me. The clash around who forbids what kind of magic and who is right or wrong was satisfying to me on every level. I never felt like I needed more or less information at any given point. I was just on the ride, happy to enjoy the brain candy moments but curious to engage in the deeper questions because it’s ultimately a book that considers the lengths you’d go to to protect your family. It’s a book about desperation and corruption and it asks you: would you betray your sacred values if it meant protecting those you love?

It may not be the right season for this book yet but it is perfect for the ‘Summerween’ enthusiasts. I tend to give high ratings to books that deliver what they promise. I feel like A Dark And Secret Magic achieves what it set out to do: celebrate “the traditions and media surrounding American Halloween”, as the author's note claims. While a huge portion of my love of this book stems from the vibes, the plot and the characters were equally engaging; I have no notes. It seems this was just a gush-fest and I’m not sorry about it. 😂

A love letter to autumn indeed!! Seriously, this book felt like if Halloween enveloped you in a hug. The autumnal descriptions ooze off of practically every page. Jack o'lantern, spells, crystals, covens, rituals, herbs, curses, cider, mazes, candy apples, and shadows await you in this spellbinding story. There's slight nods to some of my favorite childhood Halloween movies like Hocus Pocus or Halloweentown. The magic system was well thought out but not too confusing. The pacing was enjoyable. I read this book in under 24 hours because of how much I loved the universe, the plot, and characters. I also adored the descriptions of food. They made me hungry and so excited for all the autumn treats I'm looking forward to... And how cute that there's actual recipes in the back of the book!! My only suggestion is that for the romance the author could've drawn out the falling in love even more. The level of trust and love happened a little too fast for me. Despite that, the romance was still quite cute and wholesome in the end. I will definitely buy a physical copy of this book in October. I look forward to future books by this author.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for this arc. I will post my review immediately to Goodreads and on October 8th to bookseller sites.

So, this book is very much a seasonal read, and if you're reading it in any other season than autumn, you'd better surround yourself with felt pumpkins, a black cat, and at least a chai sprinkled with cinnamon.

I was taken in by its cozy vibes and it held my interest with the mystery surrounding Hecate's mother's dark secret and all the information withheld from Hecate. I love a good mystery and internally shouting, "what the hell is the secret?! Tell me nowwwwww"

I'm a terribly impatient person.

But I read on. And I enjoyed the different magick types and revelations about Hecate's own magick. (The time witch was clearly insane and naturally, I'm jealous af about Ginny's magick.)

Of course, the romantic subplot was adorable.

I didn't love this book but I didn't hate it either. It kept my attention but I wasn't enthralled and none of this is a bad thing.
If you love witches, dark secrets, and of course, Samhain, this is the book for you.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

This was the coziest of books. I loved the setting, the witchy magic, the characters. This book truly gets you in the fall spirit and the story was really interesting. It took me a bit to warm up to Hecate (and I did have a few eye-roll moments), but I was so fond of both her and Matthew by the end of the story! I really hope the author writes a sequel because this duo deserves another adventure.

I also thought that the addition of all of the recipes at the end was a really nice touch. The recipes all appear to be very straightforward which makes them great for book clubs that like to do food themed from the story!

Today, books about witchcraft can be a little odd when what is fantasy for some is reality for others.

The use of magick in this book is very clearly drawing from most modern practitioners' beliefs but of course is hyperbolic in effect and presentation. The different typings of witch are also pretty interesting to see but if there is ever another book in this universe I would love to see a bit more of the world outside the Atlantic Key coven.

The one thing this book absolutely nails is the spooky season energy. It all feels incredibly cozy and made me want it to be fall already.

This is also exhibit A of why I enjoy when author's use elements of retellings without making it a focal point for the narrative as a whole. Not going to go into any details for sake of spoilers of course.

Will definitely reccomend as we approach fall for those inclined to the witchy fiction subgenre that seems to grow exponentially each year.

(Also heck yeah another book with recipes in the back, I will be making the caramel hot cocoa the minute the temperature outside calls for it)

Spellbinding and cosy, this was some good ol' fashioned Samhain fun. Love the Persephone and Hades retelling, the mystery around Kate's Hedge Witchery. The family dynamics felt very honest, with sisters and mothers who don't always see eye to eye but do love each other. This was fun, definitely pick it up for a Halloween treat