I procrastinated over reading this book. I made the mistake of reading other reviews which left me thinking I was embarking on a Hallmark version of an American Halloween. That's not how the blurb reads and definitely does not do the book justice. This is a fairytale.

There is so much more to this book than just a nod to Halloween. It is more classical fairytale mixed with witchy magick. It reminded me of reading Labyrinth or old fairy tales.

It's an excellent read. I loved it.

Thank you for the ARC.

Big thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for allowing me to receive an ARC version of A Dark and Secret Magic!

Absolutely fantastic read by a debut author! I can tell that Wallis Kinney spent a significant time developing a fantasy world. The author had created details and an organized story line that kept me intrigued with the book. Additionally, the truth that came out at the end was unexpected and reminded me how well the story line was put together to support information such as that. I will definitely be following Wallis Kinney and cannot wait for another amazing read from this author! Thank you so much!

Charming fall read. Wasn't amazing but perfect for a crisp October day with a cup of tea if you aren't looking for something super deep.

Wallis Kinney's "A Dark and Secret Magic" is a bewitching and enchanting tale that captures the heart and soul of the Halloween season. Hecate "Kate" Goodwin, a hedge witch living in serene solitude, finds her life turned upside down when her coven and a mysterious figure from her past converge upon her secluded cottage. The story masterfully intertwines the warmth of a cozy fantasy with the thrilling tension of family secrets and dark magic. Kinney's prose is mesmerizing, bringing to life the enchanting world of Ipswich forest, the rituals of the coven, and the complex relationships between characters. The novel is a delightful blend of romance, mystery, and witchcraft that will captivate readers from start to finish. Perfect for those who cherish the spooky season of October and the magic of witch lore. A must-read that will leave you spellbound and yearning for more.

Actual rating: 3,5 stars

One thing I absolutely adored in A Dark and Secret Magic was the autumnal atmosphere. It was full of food, scents, colours, and activities that had me yearning for my favourite season. The magic system was very well written, I particularly liked all the mystery surrounding the main character’s magic and the magical recipes (the inclusion of some of these recipes at the end of the book was a very nice touch).

On the other hand, however, the story just wasn’t as compelling. I struggled to stay interested in the intrigue and was hoping for a more enthralling plot. The pace, slowed down by unnecessary scenes, also didn’t help keep my interest for most of the book. The characters lacked depth and were all rather forgettable. To summarize, A Dark and Secret Magic was perfectly cosy and witchy set in a perfect cottage core setting but lacked an engaging plot and compelling characters.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

‘a dark and secret magic’ is the perfect fall book. the vibes are simultaneously cosy and sinister in the best way. i thought that it was interesting to have a fantasy book about witches be set in modern day america and the magic system was very unique. the romance aspect (in my romantasy loving perspective) enriched the story, with some quotes from matthew that almost made me squeal from the cuteness. the cottage and the setting itself were just so cosy, and i loved that there were some recipes included at the end from the story. i would highly recommend reading ‘a dark and secret magic’ in october when it comes out, as it would be a great halloween book!

A Dark and Secret Magic follows witch Hecate (Kate) Goodwin in the week leading up to her 31st birthday on Samhain. Dealing with the death of her mother, the thought of seeing her sisters, the reappearance of someone from her past, and some major revelations about her craft makes for a tumultuous week.

This book has definite cozy vibes with enough action and suspense to keep you entertained. There is a slow burn romance which has a hint of a Hades and Persephone retelling to it. It has been nice reading it at the end of Autumn here in the Southern Hemisphere and has added to the vibe.

The author is incredibly detailed with their descriptions which, for the most part, is really good but there are a few areas where they seem excessive.

Overall I really enjoyed this story and rate it 3.5 stars (rounded up).

Thank you to NetGalley Alcove Press and Wallis Kinney for giving me the chance to read and review this book.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an early copy of this book go read and review. All thoughts are my own.

This was such a cute and cozy witch book with just a tad bit of evil. This was super fast paced and held my attention. I will say that the falling inlove happened super quick but it was cute nonetheless.

Merlin was my favorite character obviously but all the characters were likable. I do wish there had been a little more back history but that’s just me.

3 stars!

I absolutely loved A Dark and Secret Magic, it is absolutely for Halloween fans and the perfect spooky season read! I love how the author sets up such an atmosphere of Halloween and eerie fall vibes surrounded by witches and jack o lanterns, Halloween decorations, food traditions and of course a cat named Merlin. Our main character Hecate (Kate) is such a lovable and strong female lead just trying to find her way into her own magic and finding out what's best for her. Along comes an old flame Matthew and he leads her into an adventure of finding her true self and uncovering the secrets of her own coven, The Atlantic Key as well as digging into her mother's dark and secret past. This was definitely a cozy cottagecore fall read with lots of magic and nostalgic Halloween vibes. The ending was so perfect and it made my heart happy.

Title: A Dark and Secret Magic
Author: Wallis Kinney
Genre: Cozy Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance

Hedge witch Hecate "Kate" Goodwin has been having a tough time since her late mother's passing.

A kitchen witch & one of the Atlantic Key's coven elders, she left Kate and her sisters: older sea witch Miranda, a kind of twisted Ariel with her red curls, and younger Celeste, a divination witch.

Like all the fellow witches & hexen, they chose their path at thirteen years old.
ALL. Except Hecate.

Since her birth on Samhain (Halloween, Oct 31st - Kate, my fellow Scorpio), her mother chose for her the hedge witch's path, an heresy. Hecate never discovered why.

But things, especially secrets, can't be buried forever. And with her thirty-first birthday approaching & the Containment Ritual set, in which a witch willingly chooses to give up some of her powers, her mother's legacy starts to bring up dark truths.

And with elder Margaret Halliwell's strange death and Matthew Cypher's arrival in Ipswich, a shadow hexen (necromancer) and heir to rival coven Pacific Gate, it's a fact that her life is starting to rot.

Because he's the same man with whom Kate has had a tumultous past. He claims he's here to protect here.

But it's an omen, and factually true, that The King Below is coming, and he won't stop to claim what he thinks is his.

Or better, who.

...

Debut author Wallis Kinney has produced a spellbinding cozy (and also dark) tale, relying on witches' lore to create a lush book. It's natural that this book is meant to be read in October, in full spooky season mode, and especially in the week before Halloween, which also marks the very same start of the zodiac' Scorpio Season.

Yeah, I think I'm a little bit unreliable on this, because I'm a Scorpio myself (er, double, both Sun & Moon) and this is my favourite year period.

Kinney's prose felt magnetic and stimulated my senses to imagine Goodwin Manor, its cottage, the near village, the witches' ritual. It's pretty great because English is not my primary language (in fact, it's Italian, its roots far away from English)... & yet the author made me feel all of this.

And made me feel for the characters. I fell in total synchrony with Kate and in total symphony with Matthew. Their path was so different yet so similar, bounded by their past or by other people.

I liked having some glimpses of Kate's sisters, Siren Miranda & Bubbly Celeste, and I'm secretly hoping for a spin-off on each of the Goodwins. Not so secretly, ups.

More pages into I fell in love with the setting, with every character - slightly rotten or not (yes, Sybil & Winifred, I'm talking about you, old hags!).. and after even more pages I start to see hints to Hades & Persephone lore, and yes, I start to dread the ending.

This book made me feel so much. I could say that it's a little bittersweet in some parts, but hey, this is the life. And even the sour can't compare to the cozy heat of famly, friends.

And love.
Amor vincit omnia.

Rating: ★★★★.5

...

I want to thank Alcove Press for the ARC kindly offered via Netgalley. I'm not bound to the publishing house, to the author and/or any other person related. My opinion is only based on my honest thoughts and feelings.

Anais by The Bookish Scorpio

4.5 🌟Thanks NetGalley for the ARC of this book.
I think this book might be the perfect description of a cozy fantasy with a little twist of darkness.
I found the main character, Hecate, to be so real. Her doubts, fears, confusion. And I have no words for Matthew, the perfect man.
The book was so much fun to read, from time to time I was literally giggling.
I think the ending was 🤩

3.5⭐

Well if this isn’t a perfect read for autumn!

Hecate is a hedge witch, living what I’d call my dream life - a cozy cottage and a black cat called Merlin to keep her company. She loves her little routine and spends her days gardening, cooking and making potions to sell at her little apothecary.
Kate’s peace gets disturbed when her older sister contacts her asking to host their coven’s annual Halloween gathering. Not only that, just before that’s supposed to happen, a man from her past unexpectedly shows up at her door seeking sanctuary.

This book oozes coziness. The little cottage, the all-woman witch coven, the halloween preparations, the small town vibes, the food! I really liked how cooking was incorporated into the story and I loved the idea of featuring the recipes at the end of the book.
There is nothing too complex about it, the stakes didn’t feel too high and if I’m being honest I didn’t care THAT much about the main couple but I still liked them, the story and twists were also quite solid. Reading this felt like watching a cozy, autumn-y, small town Hallmark romance. I do wish Hecate had a little more character to her, she felt a bit bland at times for a main character, but it didn’t disturb my enjoyment of the book nonetheless.

If you’re in a mood for something quick, fun and easy with Halloween and Witchy vibes then this the book you’re looking for!

Thank you to Alcove Press and Netgalley for sending me an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really loved this! Everything I could want in a witch story.

The FMC was great and a good single POV for the book. She of course has a wonderful cat familiar (who thankfully never comes to harm) and a lovely cottage. The food all sounded really great, too. I appreciated all the great female characters, sisters, friends, and family friends, and their relationships.

The romance isn't the main plot and is a trope that isn't typically my favorite but it works really well with the rest of the story.

The magic system is classic witch spell books and potions in the form of food, so you don't have to learn too much to understand what's going on but the different types of magic are unique enough to still be fun. The story is set during Halloween and all around has great cozy fall vibes.

Anyone who likes a fall witch read will like this. I would definitely read more books in this world and anything else the author writes.

Thank you Alcove for the arc!

This was such a refreshing read!

I’ve ready a lot of long winded fantasies lately and this was such a great palate cleanser, still filled with fantastical elements!

I’ll be re-reading this book every Halloween season!

Hecate is a witch destined to live on the outside as predetermined prior to her birth. With that she finds her happiness in the solitude of her cottage with her cat Merlin.

It all changes when a stranger from her past appears at her door along with her mother’s hidden grimoire.

This book had great world building, really good explanation of the inside works of the coven, and fun banter.

This was an amazing and quick read that has me ready for fall in August!

Thank you to Alcove Press and Netgalley for sending me an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

I've been on a cozy fantsay/cozy romance kick, and because I love spooky season, A Dark and Secret Magic seemed right up my alley!

Though the vibes were perfectly witchy and the spooky small town vibes were on point, the overall story lacked a bit originality. I don't mind predictability, as it is a staple of the genre, but I was waiting for that extra sparkle, if that makes sense!
I also wish there had been a bit more showing rather than telling, We were given a ton of information right off the bat, and it could have come to the surface more organically.

The ''it's always been you'' romance didn't hit as hard as I would have liked, but Kate and Matthew's banter was fun!

All in all, I'd recommend this book to those looking to get ready for spooky season, and who can't give up a side of romance!

What did I find in A Dark and Secret Magic? Hades and Persephone meets Practical Magic, secrets of a coven, and our fearless hedgewitch, Kate, thrust into the middle of a centuries-old secret, all set against the backdrop of Halloween and Samhain in Massachusetts. And let's not forget Matthew, the forbidden hexan that has come back into her life, bringing with him the darkness of his family's practice.

This book thrust me into all the Halloween vibes, making me wish it was fall! Wallis Kinney's writing is atmospheric and catching, and the tale she weaves is dark, mysterious, and utterly unique from other similar books I've read in the past. I loved the unique coven of witches we meet in Ipswitch, and the exploration of so many different types of magic and spell-casting Wallis explores with our various characters. I also enjoyed Kate's slow uncovering of her mother's secrets, exploration of her power and her sweet relationship with Matthew.

Overall, I would have liked to explore more of Kate and Matthew's relationship. I would have also enjoyed spending more time with Kate and her sisters, and seen those relationships more fleshed out. I also want to see more of her coven and the different styles of magic. This book didn't feel rushed, the pacing was perfect, I would have just liked more of it!

This is gonna be the PERFECT autumn read! The cover just screams cozy and the writing delivers just that!
I feel like with a lot of these “cozy books” they can become a bit bland after a while but this one has a good spooky to cozy ratio.

The only thing I had a little problem with was the romance aspect of the story. Hecate and Matthew met briefly 10 years ago and during that short visit Matthew supposedly fell in love and stayed in love with her for 10 years!? I also cringed a little at how protective he was but other than that they were cute!

𝙈𝙖𝙣𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙠𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙉𝙚𝙩𝙜𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙮 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝘼𝙡𝙘𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙥𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙡𝙚𝙩𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙢𝙚 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙗𝙤𝙤𝙠 𝙞𝙣 𝙚𝙭𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙖𝙣 𝙝𝙤𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙬!

This book truly left an impression on me with its unique storytelling approach and distinctively portrayed characters. It's a suitable book for the Halloween season.

I LOVED this book, it was the perfect Halloween, spooky vibes kinda book. That alone brought me so much joy. This will definitely be a cozy reread for me in the fall!

Spooky season perfection. This is everything I didn't realise I needed and I'll definitely be re-reading this again later in the year for cosy vibes and all of my favourite things in the world blended into a book.