Thank you NetGalley and Alcove Press for this ARC.

This book definitely was a cozy, fall book with all the Halloween themes. I really loved the witchy vibes and the fantasy elements. It felt very reminiscent of a 90s era movie like Hocus Pocus or Practical Magic. I absolutely loved the nostalgia of that.

My only complaint was the romance. It felt exceptionally rushed and not well explained. However again that gave in to the 90s nostalgia as love at first sight is a common theme there.

Overall though I really did love this for the Halloween season and was a good break from the norm of horror for the month. I wish more books like this existed for my favorite holiday.

A Dark and Secret Magic by Wallis Kinney is the perfect read for the fall/ Halloween season. This a perfect witchy book and the romance was adorable. I enjoyed the plot, the secrets, and especially the characters. Overall, it was a fun read and I can’t wait to read more books written by Wallis Kinney. Thank you NetGalley and publisher for giving me this opportunity. I can’t wait to purchase a physical copy because the cover is absolutely stunning.

A Dark and Secret Magic is a cozy fantasy following a hedge witch after her forbidden magic practicing ex shows up at her door and she finds an item of dark magic. This novel takes place during the week leading up to Halloween, and I enjoyed the fall atmosphere of the setting. I loved that the witches had different types of magic. Overall I enjoyed the book, but I felt a little disconnected from the romance and disliked a few of the witches.

I received an ARC and ALC from Alcove Press and Dreamscape Media via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Inside and out, this book is a wonderful addition to any fall TBR! Witchy, cozy and wonderfully written, definitely add this to your list!
Arc via netgalley

My heart is so ridiculously happy and full after reading this book. Obviously the cover and the premise are what initially drew me in but then I started reading and I was captivated, which is not something I've said about a book before. I immediately fell in love with Kate's character and her entire personality. She was such a wholesome, heart-warming witch and I strive to be like her. The romance was fantastic, really no spice and lots of fade to black which I appreciated a lot because I wanted a story more focused on the witchcraft, which is exactly what this was. This book broke my heart a couple of times while reading but the ending brought everything together and mended me. This is a perfect warm, fall, witchy book for October.

Many thanks to Alcove Press for the gifted copy for my honest review!

Full of cozy fall vibes, this witchy tale will sweep you away and into a story of magic, mystery, and romance.

Overall, I loved the autumnal nature of the book! Its charm just made me so giddy and reminded me why I love this time of the year so much. I also really enjoyed seeing our main character grow and develop throughout this read. I loved her little cottage too, and her cat. (How cute is the name Merlin?!)

I also LOVE the recipes at the end and will definitely have to try a few out this season!

3.25/5

*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.*

A cozy and mysterious book about witches, family, and love.

I very much enjoyed this book - I finished it in one sitting. Hecate (aka Kate) is a lovely character. I found her so relatable while also wanting to be a bit more like her. The magic that is in this book is......well, magical, and I loved the setting. Any book that is set in a small town I'm interested in. Ipswich is actually one of my favorite towns to vacation in - it's so cute and it's close to both Boston and Salem. Being familiar with Ipswich made this feel so familiar. Matthew is the perfect book boyfriend and seeing the friendship (and romantic relationship) evolve between him and Kate throughout the book was something that made me so eager to keep reading.

The family ties in this book and the mysteries that surrounded Kate's mother was interesting. There are some themes that I think a lot of people who have lost a loved one can relate to. Learning more about the coven and Kate being named a Hedge Witch had me wanting to learn all of the secrets as quickly as possible. There are some spooky and exciting scenes throughout the book with the ending really amping up the excitement and had me on the edge of my seat.

While this story is cozy, it's also exciting with the best Halloween vibes. This is a perfect book to read in the fall, especially if you love witches.

the author really whipped up the perfect witchy halloween concoction in her cauldron, filled with sprinkles of forbidden magic, a shadow daddy love interest, a loyal black cat named merlin, a fall festival, warty pumpkins, and a dark and evil twist. only complaint is she threw in some insta-love on accident.

✧ 4 stars

thank you to Alcove Press for the arc in exchange for an honest review

Thank you to the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A Dark and Secret Magic is a very sweet and cozy fall read. It. This story has everything cozy you could want for an autumn read. This story fits squarely in the cozy fantasy genre and knows it's audience. There were times were i wanted the story to go a little deeper and say more but I don't think that is what the author intended for this to be. This is a vibe story, read it in October and feel all the feels.

OMG, this was the *ultimate* fall, witchy read! Picture this: cozying up with a blanket, crisp autumn air outside, and diving into a world brimming with magic, curses, and witches. It’s everything you crave for those perfect Fall vibes. This book had it *all*— covens, curses, forbidden magic, and even a slow-burn romance that had me *swooning*! HIGHLY RECOMMEND!! Seriously, it’s made my favorites list for 2024 already!

If you love the mix of Hades and Persephone mythology, **Practical Magic** charm, and just a sprinkle of **Charmed** (because let's be real, Matthew gives major Cole vibes), you *need* to read this.

Hecate Goodwin (Kate) is a hedge witch living in a cozy cottage, spending her days collecting herbs. But, just a week before Halloween—aka her 31st birthday—her sister drops a bomb: Kate’s hosting the coven’s New Year event, a special containment ritual where she’ll give up some of her magic. And if that wasn’t enough to stress her out, a man from her past, Matthew, suddenly shows up seeking sanctuary. It’s been over 10 years since she last saw him, and let’s just say there’s some *serious* tension. Oh, and by the way, Matthew practices *forbidden* shadow magic! 😲

Things get even more mysterious when Kate stumbles upon a spellbound, cursed tome, written in handwriting that suspiciously resembles her late mother’s. With Matthew’s help, she starts unraveling secrets about her magic, her past, and her family that she was never told.

Now, let me just *scream* about the chemistry between Kate and Matthew! The tension, the longing, the sparks flying between them—it’s *electric*! I need more of their story ASAP. This world was so immersive, I could live in it forever. The side characters, especially Kate’s two sisters, were just as fascinating and added so much depth to the story.

It’s fast-paced, with no slow moments to drag you down. The writing? Absolutely gorgeous. I savored *every* word. And don’t even get me started on the food descriptions—there were so many cozy, magical recipes mentioned that I’m convinced we need a cookbook inspired by this story!

Plus, learning about the hedge witch lineage from Hecate’s ancestors was such a cool touch. Overall, this book was pure autumn magic, and I’m already craving more from this world!

Absolute 5 star read! Pick this up before Halloween!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own. Thank you to the publisher, Netgalley, and the author for the opportunity to read this novel.

This isn’t fully a cozy fantasy because of all the action, but it is cozy ish. I still enjoyed the world where she’s able to make magical food and heal people while living in her little cottage.

I like that the ending feels full of hope and that the future will be better.

There is something magical about this book that makes it feel like a safe place to call home.

This is definitely a cozy fall read that is full of references to everything fall from the late 90's to early 00's. The original title of this book This Book Is For October tells you everything you need to know about what you'll find inside. And not only are there sly mentions of references to all of our Halloween favorites, this book is also full of some of our time-honored holiday traditions.

Crafting, pumpkin carving, making caramel apples, decorating, and celebrating the festivities with friends. The food. THE FOOD. Our MC Kate's mother's magic was in her food and she taught her recipes to her Hedge witch daughter. Throughout the book we are given descriptions of the delicious foods as well as watching Kate make them for those she loves most. The back of the book also has a section for recipes and excerpts from Kate's spell book that we can try ourselves!

Add to that a very sweet closed door romance that will have you at baited breath waiting to see how our favorite couple make it through the darkest Samhain of their lives. I love these characters and just the absolute vibe of their world. This book is just one giant fall hug that always sets me right in the middle of my favorite season.

And we can never forget Kate's cat Merlin. He is by far the absolute best cat on the planet. We love him.

This should be on your October TBR list - it has witches, magic, mystery and evolves around Halloween time.

The book itself gives you a cozy feeling to start with. It lures you into the chaos of a coven, with unique magic (hello, a BOOK WITCH?!) and keeps you there until you realize you're in too deep to look back - and ironically just like the main character herself.

There's a lot of emotion in the later part of the book, and I can see where the Persephone and Hades story takes place; and though I am glad it's not another retelling, I do wish to see a short story of their time together after the book.

I thoroughly enjoyed the ride this book was. This 100% will be a reread for me next fall, and I strong recommend others to read it.

Enjoy the little things in life, y'know?

Thank you to Wallis Kinney and NetGalley for an Advanced Reader's Copy of this title!

Hades X Persephone spooky witchy Halloween retelling? Family trauma and community secrets? Recipes included in the back of the book?

If any of this appeals to you as a reader, slam your credit card on the Halloween-bedecked counter because you'll love this book, just in time for the *actual* most wonderful time of the year! I had such a fun time with this book - I think it struck a great balance between witchy elements, a medium-ish build romance (with yearning!), intrigue, and a brush over all the fun and festive things I love about October and Halloween. I felt like I was sinking into a nice soft couch with two snacks and no fewer than four fun little drinks while reading this book, and it was a relief to just sink into this little world and enjoy the immaculate autumnal vibes.

Anyone who needs a little festive sweet treat while avoiding the Christmas decorations already overtaking the Costco should jump right into this delight of a spooky tale. Happy Publication week to Wallis, and can't wait to see what you write next!

I really enjoyed this book. There's secrets and mysteries! I found the characters to be enjoyable and I really liked the storyline. I think this is a perfect read for October/ Spooky season.

Thank you to NetGalley and alcove press for the gifted ebook.

If you’re a lover of all things fall and witchy; this book is literally made for you. It’s the coziest, feel good Fall book with some romance and spookiness sprinkled in.

A Dark and Secret Magic follows Hecate, a hedge witch, as she meets a man who is going to show her the dark side of her powers.

I couldn’t have loved this book anymore. If you’re a fan of fall and all the magic that comes with it, you’re going to adore this one.

I was utterly bewitched by this book! So many things about it stand out to me. There’s a strong sense of place. It feels very “October.” I like that it has a more natural or innate-ability witch aspect than a one that is more focused on spells. I LOVE the chemistry between Kate and Matthew. There’s a lot of mention of recipes, food, and cooking which is right up my alley. We learn about a few different kinds of witches in this world and I would love to read more about them in future books. (I hope there are more books).

One thing I found unbelievable is that Kate, a hedge witch, got to the age of 30 without somehow finding out that there’s more to being a hedge witch than she was led to believe. I would think that she would have done her own research (and have been encouraged to do to) rather than rely on just what her coven teaches her. But this didn’t stop me from loving the book and reading it any chance I could.

Hecate (Kate) Goodwin has curated the perfect life as a hedge witch, living in a secluded cottage in the Ipswich forest. She spends her days foraging herbs, gardening, and creating tinctures to sell at the apothecary she owns. Her evenings are spent with only a black cat for company, an arrangement she quite prefers. Kate’s solitude is thrown into disarray when her older sister, Miranda, reaches out and orders her to host their coven’s annual Halloween gathering. The day marks the beginning of the new year for witches and is also Kate’s birthday. The pressure from her coven to make the evening memorable mounts as the event draws near. To complicate things further, a handsome man from Kate’s past turns up at her cottage, asking for sanctuary. It is Kate’s duty as a hedge witch to honor this request, much to her dismay. Matthew Cypher is no ordinary lost soul–he’s a practitioner of forbidden magic who’s tricked Kate once before, and her guard is up. As she juggles Matthew’s arrival and the preparations for Halloween, Kate comes across an old tome shrouded in dark magic. She is horrified when she realizes the blood-red inscription is written in familiar handwriting: her recently deceased mother’s. Afraid to even touch the dark magic her mother secretly studied, Kate can turn only to Matthew for help. Her idealized memory of her mother begins to distort, and as she and Matthew grow closer, Kate has to reevaluate whom she can really trust.

This book was ok. At times it almost felt like the story was just a basic romance novel and at the last minute a few witchy details were thrown in to make it a book about witches and magic. Overall, this seems more of a cozy fantasy read.

This might be my favorite fall read so far this year.
It has everything you could want: New England fall weather, fall festivities, a cozy warm cottage, hedge magic, a handsome mysterious shadow hexan *COUGHnecromancerCOUGH*, and a cute black cat.

As Kate reaches her 31st birthday and the containment ceremony that will bind her to perform only hedge magic, she’s dealing with hosting the Samhain celebration, the still-fresh grief of her late mother, and some serious coven secrets. But when, Matthew, her old crush from the rival coven, shows up on her doorstep claiming sanctuary, she’s bound by her craft to let him in.
(But he is so obviously hiding something.)

This book was the PERFECT book for October! The vibes were immaculate and made me want to curl up under a blanket and read the whole thing in one sitting. I loved that it was cozy witchy vibes and that there was a sweet romance in it as well. The whole book just brought the coziest vibes and I loved every minute of it!