this book was so perfect for the fall season! the vibes and how atmospheric it was … AMAZING. cannot recommend enough

This was everything my Halloween loving heart wanted after seeing the cover. It’s a book that pushes the boundaries of the cozy fantasy genre while giving us vibes reminiscent of Hades and Persephone. It felt like a love letter to all those that wait for the first hint of cool crisp air, changing leaves and grew up wishing they had magical powers. I mean just look at the gorgeous cover. I loved everything about this book especially both main characters. I really enjoyed how the MMC went full on cat dad with the FMC’s familiar. I also found the dynamic and growth between the main characters to be incredibly well done. Matthew challenged Kate in ways that forced her to rethink her outlook and what she thought she knew of witchcraft. I also thought the pacing was well done and enjoyed the countdown to Halloween. There were plenty of revelations and twists to keep me interested in the story. As someone who doesn’t read a lot of standalone fantasy books, I felt that Kinney did an excellent job taking the story from start to finish without feeling like the story was lacking in some way. I had both the ebook and audiobook. I loved Abigail Reno’s narration and felt it fit the overall vibe of the story well. I don’t think you could go wrong either way, but I really enjoyed the audio. If you’re a lover of Halloween, I would highly recommend checking this book out.

I’ll start by saying this was a DNF for me at about the 50% point. I actually think the cover, title and description do a pretty large disservice to the book as I was expecting a story with a darker vibe, and this was pretty light and read like a Halloween Hallmark movie.

I think those looking for a lighthearted cozy holiday read will enjoy this story and the narrator did a good job bringing it to life on the audio book as well.

A very witchy story but also very focused on food, which was kind of fun to read at the start of fall. Loved the enemies to lovers to enemies…to lovers between the FMC and MMc and loved how answers slowly unfolded throughout the book. Great read.

This was more of a cozy story. Reading this will make you hungry! The story was engaging and kept me wanting to know more. I look forward to see what the author does next. This is a very strong debut.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this audiobook.
I honestly thought this one of the most interesting magic systems I have ever read. I hope the author decides to turn this into a series.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. And this book scream witchy fall, just look at that cover! This book was a little bit of a slow burn for me. But once I hit about 30% in, I flew through it. It was the perfect amount of witchy, charming, and romance I needed to get me into the fall season.

I was a fair bit into this book before I realized this was a Hades and Persephone vibe. I tend to find them bland or just generally lacking. And I don't know if it was the plot or the narrator but I was really invested in this one.

As a the debut novel, I thought this did a really great job of perpetuating the plot without adding unnecessary plot devices. There weren't a lot of side characters but there was still enough to keep it interesting and the journey flowed.

I really liked the main character's relationship and how it kind of evolved and flourished. I don't know if this is meant to be a standalone. I'm hoping for a duology but if I don't get any more story I am satisfied (which I think is a real talent).

Thank you so much to the author, netgalley and Dreamscape Audio for this opportunity.

I cannot.believe this is a first time author. This is absolutely one of my favorite books this year. I also want to say I enjoyed the narration very much. I thought it was very well done. Hecate is a hedge witch and has never had any choice. Her mom passed away and she is grieving. Matthew is a shadow witch and has had come to help her. Matthew is a very interesting character and has a lot of development throughout. Hecate grows so much throughout the story and the romance was beautiful. Highly recommend

Thank you Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for providing me with an audiobook arc of this book.This is a great witchy book to cozy up with for the fall season. I enjoyed the plot, the secrets, the twists, and the characters. We all, of course, know the real star of the book is Merlin. I wish that there was more background on the main villain as I feel like they were just kind of thrown in there, but overall, a fun read.

Delightfully entertaining Autumn 🍂 Read

Just finishing up this Cozy atmospheric love note 📝 to spooky season. I absolutely loved this audiobook, devoured it in one day. The narrator Abigail Reno painted a cinematic story that kept me hooked. Wallis Kinney truly captured the essence of all things Fall and Halloween in this a witchy tale. Set to be published Oct 8, 2024. 🍁🍂🎃

Thank you @netgalley and @dreamscape_media for an arc of this audiobook in exchange for my honest

ADarkandSecretMagic #WallisKinney @NetGalley #witch #paranormal #magicalrealism #Halloween #Samhain #romance #rituals #truelove #soulmates @alcovepress

This was a really fun fall read. I enjoyed the magic and the small town fall vibes. If you're looking for a magical fall read, this one is a definite win. The romance was very fade to black, which can be a good thing or a bad thing depending on your preference as a reader. I liked the plot quite a bit. I did not predict every twist and turn, and I was pleasantly surprised by the culmination of the story. The vibe is definitely right if you are looking for a witchy fall read!

🧹🍂 ARC REVIEW🍂🧹

A Dark and Secret Magic by Wallis Kinney
4.5/5 ⭐

This book felt like that first sip of hot cider on a windy fall day. ☕ This story welcomes you into a witch's cottage as she navigates love, life, and confronting family secrets.

Please read if you like:
🍁 A hedge witch preparing for the Samhain/Halloween celebration 🎃
🍁 Morally gray warlocks 🩶 🪄
🍁 Dark family mysteries coming to light 😱
🍁 Deliciously described autumn food 🤤 🥧
🍁 Black cats named Merlin 🐈‍⬛

A big thank you to Netgalley and Dreamscape Media for providing an advanced copy of this wonderful book ❤️

#ADarkandSecretMagic #NetGalley #bookreview #bookrecommendations #bookstagram #books #booklover #bookworm #bookstagrammer #reading #bookish #bookaddict #booknerd

Such a cozy, autumnal story! Perfect for the lead-up to Halloween 🎃 🍂 I really liked the character dynamics, and the setting. Definitely a fun, light-hearted, cozy read.

I think the author really nailed the vibes and setting of this book. There could have been more development of the magic system and how things worked. But overall, I think this is an ideal autumnal read.

4.25 ⭐️

5⭐ because the vibes were ✨ immaculate ✨.

This is just such a perfect, cozy spooky season read. I listened to the audiobook and the narrator was fantastic, she really had the perfect cadence and tone- super easy to listen to.

Hecate and Matthew are both enjoying, likable main characters. Their relationship is a little "insta-love-y", but I can't deduct any points there. It worked, and who doesn't love a protective MMC? 😍

It just really captured everything I could want for a cozy, witchy read. The nods to Persephone and Hades were great. I can see a lot of people really enjoying this one!!!

Thank you, NetGalley, for the ALC. My opinions are my own 💕

A Dark and Secret Magic
by Wallis Kinney
narrated by Abigail Reno

Thank you so much partner @dreamscape_media @alcovepress @netgalley for the gifted audiobook.

what sold me 👇🏽

“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.”

“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.”

🍂 My thoughts:
This is one of my favorite witchy books of the year!! I listened to the audiobook in one sitting and it’s everything I love about autumn. There was something ridiculously cozy and magical that made me nostalgic for all autumns past. The narrator did a fantastic job with this story and truly transported me straight into the book. I would really like to get my hands on a physical copy so that I can read it again. It’s one of those stories that’ll you’ll want to go back to over and over again and it’s sure to become a comfort read for me. I loved Hecate’s story and hearing about her family relationships and of course with Matthew and how that plays out. This story captivated me in a way that left me completely enchanted. To say this book is perfect for autumn would be an understatement. I mean… just look at this cover… it is absolutely magical! A Dark and Secret Magic is out 10/8/24!!

Happy reading 📖 🍂✨🎃

A Dark and Secret Magic by Wallis Kinney is perfect for a Halloween read, or any time of year if you love spooky year round like I do. This was a cozy fantasy set in the fall that follows a witch as she uncovers family and coven secrets at a big turning point in her life. One thing I absolutely loved was having an older fmc. It was a refreshing change from the usual teenage or young adult protagonists. The plot was cozy and interesting but did drag at some points. The magic was fun and whimsical. And Abigail Reno did a wonderful job narrating the audiobook. The romance was swoon worthy. A Dark and Secret Magic is definitely worth adding to your fall tbr.

Thank you to the publishers and netgalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

Hecate Goodwin was cast into the role of her coven's hedge witch at birth, and upon her 33rd birthday must renounce all other magicks in order to focus on her craft. But when an old childhood friend comes seeking sanctuary, and her sisters request she host the Samhain celebration, it throws her carefully curated world into chaos.