A great witchy-fall vibes book to get you in the mood. Hecate “Kate” Goodwin belong to coven of witches, her mother chose her path as a hedge witch unknowingly tying her to dark magic when she made a deal for more power. After her mother passes she learns the truth, just in time for her powers to be stripped as a coven tradition… unleashing darkness. Matthew Cypher, a practitioner of dark magic shows up days before the ceremony to help stop the outcome. How many secrets will be learned, can the dark magic be stopped, will love prevail? The best part, the ending is wrapped up nicely… you aren’t left with a cliffhanger and a year to remember what happened.
Thank you NetGalley & Alcove Press
#netgalley #arc #walliskinney #adarkandsecretmagic #alcovepress
#hedgewitch #witchybooks #witch #fallvibes

A witchy story perfect for spooky season. There’s romance, family, covens. The narrator did a great job, very natural sounding, good voices for other characters. It was easy to listen to sped up if you prefer that.

A Dark and Secret Magic is the perfect read if you want Hades & Persephone witchy vibes. I would also say this would be perfect for fans of A Discovery of Witches.

I enjoyed Kate, her coven and Matthew. I thought all of the relationships were interesting. I liked the romance between Kate & Matthew and found it to be very romantic.

This was cozy with the right amount of magic and drama to keep it from being boring.

Narrator Abigail Reno did a fantastic job bringing the story to life.

Would recommend!

This was so cozy!! I loved it! It felt a bit like a Hades and Persephone retelling (indirectly) with a sprinkle of Practical Magic in a Halloween/Witchy capsule. If I’m a sucker for anything in my stories, it’s mythology and Halloween/Samhain. I really enjoyed the world building (it was very detailed!), the plot, and the characters (there’s a cat!). This did have insta-love vibes (the MMC and the FMC knew each other before this story began, so it’s not unreasonable) and while their love was a subplot, I basked in it, it was wholesome and had me feeling sappy. The pacing was fairly slow, but I didn’t mind it because it added to the whimsical feel of this book. Overall, this was a beautiful cottage-core vibes book, and perfect for an October read!

Release Date: 10/07/24

Thank you Dreamscape Media for providing an ARC via NetGalley!

Hecate Goodwin has always been a hedge witch and believed she had been well-trained in the craft by her mother. Halloween is almost upon her and the coven expects that she will entertain in the traditional manner of her family for the celebration. Everything points to a normal celebration when Matthew Cypher arrives at her door during a storm seeking sanctuary. Matthew was no stranger to Hecate. She first met him years before when he and his father attended an important meeting of witches all over the country. The two spent the evening becoming friends to only find out that Matthew's coven were practitioners of forbidden magic and he had been banished from the area. Now, he is here and Hecate learns that her mother and the coven has been hiding the truth about hedge witch magic her entire life.

As the days move closer to Halloween, Hecate learns that she is in danger of becoming the hedge witch of the Lord Below. She, with Matthew's help tries to save herself both of them in danger. When she learns the depth of her coven's deceit she is left with confusion and fear that she can trust no one. I enjoyed this story and hope there will be a sequel.

I went into this expecting sort of a cozy fantasy and that is not what I got; this book was so much more. A rich and detailed storyline, an intricately crafted world and magic system, and a swoony romance were at the center of this read. It was the perfect book for the start of fall, and now I’m so ready for spooky season.

4.5 stars

ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I just wrapped up a super fun, quick Halloween read that totally got me in the spooky spirit! If you’re trying to embrace all the fall vibes or just need a little autumn magic in your life, this book is for you.

Picture this: a cute small town packed with witches, an epic pumpkin patch, some seriously magical cooking, a little romance, and a cozy cottage right by the woods. Oh, and there’s a black cat named Merlin who was my personal favorite.

I highly recommend listening to the audiobook version of this story; the narrator did a wonderful job bringing this witchy, spooky, cozy world to life.

Seriously, if you're looking for the perfect October read that’s cozy and a bit whimsical, I can’t recommend this enough. Grab your pumpkin spice and dive in on October 8th

_A Dark and Secret Magic_ by Wallis Kinney and read by Abigail Reno is a cozy romantic fantasy read that is atmospheric and magical with sincere narration. Hedge witch Hecate Goodwin lives a mostly solitary life as she approaches her 31st birthday. When former acquaintance and necromancer Matthew Cypher knocks on her door requesting sanctuary, Hecate’s peaceful life is soon changed forever with the reveal of dark family secrets. It’s a great audiobook for cozy fantasy lovers.

4.5⭐️
You are definitely going to want to add this cozy book to your fall TBR. This book was exactly what I was needing to get out of my reading slump.
I loved Hecate so much. She was such a wonderful character full of development. Reading her journey into finding herself and falling in love was beautifully written. Perfect read for Halloween/fall.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Wow this exceeded all my expectations! The premise sounded interesting so I thought I’d give it a try, little did I know I’d love it so much!

It’s both a cosy fantasy while also being full of dark magic. The characters are well developed and interesting! And I LOVED Hecate and Matthew! They were adorable together!

This felt incredibly well rounded from the characters, the magic system all the way to the relationships. Everything was extremely well written!

My one small complaint is I wish this was a bit longer and we got to learn more about her mother and her whole line. Hecate’s position needed a bit more explaining. Along with more about Matthew’s family.

I enjoyed the narrator as well! It was easy to tell when someone was talking vs thinking. She distinguished each character well!

Overall though, a very solid fantasy! I will definitely be reading more by this author!

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

Witches with a mythology angle? Yes please!!

I really enjoyed this, and that was a pleasant surprise. The end even shocked me, when I thought it was over and then a whole new lie was revealed -- so clever. The author carefully walked the line between a guy caring and watching over a woman while not being a creepy stalker. Many popular fantasy and romance novels before this could not accomplish that feat.

The nature elements, the sister relationships, the sense of family betrayal, the types of witches, were really engrossing. The ending was quite well done, and while I could see this turning into a series, it felt absolutely complete and satisfying.

Thanks to Dreamscape Media for the copy of this book!

Hecate, who goes by Kate, is living as a hedge witch in a secluded cottage with only a black cat for company when her older sister, Miranda, reaches out and asks her to host their coven’s annual Halloween gathering. While she's stressing about the pressure from putting this all together, Matthew Cypher shows up and throws even more of a wrench in things.

This was filled with lots of Fall and witchy vibes, and an MMC who is a SHADOW DADDY -- totally unexpected. I love when witchy or fantasy books include old books, so Kate finding an old tome that belonged to her mother was really fun. This had all the elements of a traditonal small-town witch read, with a coven, family drama, secrets, and romance.

This was really well narrated by Abigail Reno!

As a self-professed lover of pumpkin spice, even in August, this book sounded like it was written for me. I couldn’t resist getting the autumn season started with this book, and this is the perfect read for spooky not scary season. The audiobook is fantastic, and it’s narrated by Abigail Reno. All of the characters are voiced so beautifully, and this is the kind of book that I’m glad I was able to get the audiobook version.

This is the kind of cozy fantasy that had me wanting to curl up under a throw blanket with a cup of pumpkin spice tea. Hecate, aka Kate, is her coven’s sole hedge witch, and lives a somewhat hermit-y life. Her cottage is pretty secluded, and most days, her cat Merlin is the only one around. But she likes her existence the way it is—nice, quiet, and peaceful.

The story kicks off with Kate’s solitary existence on the verge of disruption by several things: a cryptic message from a coven elder, a death, a surprising (and really attractive) visitor that she never expects to see again seeks her out for sanctuary, her upcoming birthday and binding ceremony, and the annual coven Halloween party that she’s been recruited to host last minute. As if all that wasn’t enough, she discovers a grimoire that belonged to her recently deceased mother, and it’s full of forbidden dark magic.

To start with, I loved Kate. I wish that she stood up for herself a little more, rather than letting people walk all over her and forgiving their poor treatment of her so easily. But aside from that, I really enjoyed getting to know her. She has a soft spot for adorable crocheted amigirumi (tiny crocheted animals or things like pumpkins), solitude, her cottage, and Merlin. Surprisingly, the one person who doesn’t get forgiven easily is the one who tries the hardest to regain her trust—Matthew, a man from a coven across the country who hurt her a decade ago, and hasn’t been welcome in Ipswich, MA ever since.

As a hedge witch, Kate is responsible for providing sanctuary, and is unable to refuse Matthew, no matter how she feels about him. She’s not happy about having a practitioner of forbidden magic under her roof, but I had to wonder how forbidden this magic is if people in other covens are able to practice it freely. I loved the relationship between Kate and Matthew, watching them rediscover each other and build a whole new connection without secrets. However, I found it a little hard to believe that Matthew was hung up on Kate for a full decade without having any contact with her at all.

But in the world of fluffy, cozy fantasy books like this, the stakes don’t have to be high for the book to be good. Despite all of the questions and conflicts in the story, the plot is a good one, and I really enjoyed the story. The romance developed in a realistic way, and the way that the Goodwin sisters interact also felt believable. There was a really strong Hades and Persephone thread running through the story, but it dovetailed nicely with an emphasis on the Wheel of the Year. By the time I finished this book, I was ready to throw on a hoodie and boots and head to the nearest bonfire with a pumpkin-flavored beverage. Fortunately, the autumn equinox had arrived and we’ve hit the perfect season for more of these stories! This one is recommended if you like cozy fantasy, low-stakes and low-action stories, a sweet enemies to lovers romance, and a plot that is busy enough to hold your attention even in a low-stakes story.

I adored this book! I did listen to the audiobook - but considering pre-ordering the Hardcover… so I have my own copy!!
Hecate Goodwin (known as Kate to those close to her.) has a quiet life as a hedge witch, tucked away in her cozy cottage with her loyal black cat - Merlin. She spends her days foraging the Ipswich forest to gather herbs, tending to her garden, and crafting tinctures to sell at her little apothecary and she’s perfectly content.

But that peace is shattered when her sister, Miranda, asks her to host their coven’s Halloween gathering—which also happens to be Kate’s birthday. To make things even more chaotic, Matthew Cypher, a man from her past with a complicated history in forbidden magic, shows up needing sanctuary. Despite her hesitation, Kate feels a sense of duty to help him.

As she cleaning, and organising (with Matthews help) for the impending visit from her sisters, Kate stumbles upon a mysterious tome filled with dark magic in her late mother’s handwriting. Unsure of whom to trust, she finds herself turning to Matthew, uncovering long-buried secrets along the way.

*A Dark and Secret Magic* is a warm, magical celebration of Halloween and all things witchy.

I absolutely loved this story—it pulled me in right from the start, and I was genuinely sad when it ended. It captured all those cozy, autumnal feelings and made me even more excited for the fall season! Kate’s journey, along with her connection with Matthew, was completely enchanting.

The narration by Abigail Reno was exceptional! I’m quite picky with audiobooks, but she truly brought Kate’s world to life. Her performance made the story even more immersive, and I adored every moment.

I couldn’t get enough of this book and found myself listening at every opportunity. Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media! 🧙🎃🍁📚

If you are looking for a witchy book...this is the book for you. A small town full of witches with individual talents are preparing for Halloween. And like most cozy, witchy books a visitor from Hecate's past has returned. Together they must discover why Hecate's mother chose a particular type of magic skill for her. I will say that at times it is a little too on the nose. Literally almost everything is a reference to some kind of magical culture. But sometimes you want predictable in a cozy book. There is some romance aspect but nothing too corny.

For me, I don't love good vs evil tropes or "battles" and this book does have some of that in it. But it wasn't so overwhelming that I couldn't enjoy the book. I could also see this become a series but I'm not sure that I would read more because I don't love book series.

I loved the atmosphere of the town and Hecate's cottage home. All of the food she made sounded so yummy and cozy.

Perfect book to get you excited for October and Halloween!

I love the title and the book cover is perfect to draw in readers. Thank you to NetGalley, Wallis Kinney, Abigail Reno, and Dreamscape Media for the opportunity to read A Dark and Secret Magic. I have written this review voluntarily.

Thank you for the chance to read this book

This is a delightfully magical book. I wanted something cozy to embrace the fall season, and this book did that.

Fall vibes, cooking, and pumpkins. Family, curses and love.

Such a fun cozy read, I love a cozy witchy book... perfect for the fall. This one should be on everyone's fall TBR this year.

I listened to the audiobook version of this, I thought the narrator was great. Good pacing, great sound quality.

The story line was so fun and original. I loved Hecate, and the sweet and clean slow burn between her and Matthew. The mystery unfolded at a great pace. I love how visual the descriptions were, and it's obvious the author loves food. I think a fun idea would be to make a coordinating cookbook can make their own "Banish" banana bread, etc. Please come find me if you do this...I would love to add this to my already growing collection of book themed cookbooks. ;)

ARC Review: 4.5 stars audiobook

This is the perfect cozy YA Halloween mood read with a hint of spice. Warning: It might put you in a seasonal baking mood!!!!

Convincing you to read it with the details:
-witchy
-fall
-morally grey
-second chance romance
-betrayal
-healing injuries
-countdown
-pumpkin patches
-blood magic
-disappearing ink
-journal
-creepy forest
-slow burn

The fantasy world building was well put together, using different regions with different witch cultures. The FMC could make amazing food with magical properties to do whatever she wants, depending on the spices and INTENTIONS used. Some of the names of things were cheesy, but made too much sense (which made it easier to follow).

I would have liked to see more character development from some of the side characters, but the main characters had feelings, desires, pasts, and futures. I liked how the family was portrayed with very realistic and pompous sisters. I even felt like I knew her lazy and temperamental cat as if it were my own!

I love when a book has a looming event to look forward to, which was Halloween/her BIG “containment” birthday. The countdown had me on the edge of my seat.

My mouth was watering over each of the recipes. I wrote down several so that I can try them out myself! -Example: homemade caramel dipped apples

The noble FMC learns that not everything is black and white like she has always been taught. Will she be able to protect the ones she loves? Who can she trust? Why did her mother take away her right to choose what kind of witch to be?

What a fun, autumn read(listen)!! This was such a cozy story while the mystery still kept me on my toes! The two main characters were delightful and lovable!

I think my only wish was that the stakes felt as high as they technically were. I had a difficult time emotionally immersing myself in this story to the full extent!

I’m not sure if this is slated for a sequel, as it felt pretty “wrapped up” by the end but I would personally love a hades/persephone sequel where our leading lady really gets to know and master her powers!

What a fantastic cozy fall witchy read!

From the cover, to the plot, to the writing to the charters it was all just so well done and spot on for entering this season.

There is romance, magic, family, mystery and a cute cuddly cat what more could you ask for!

I would absolutely recommend this book to others

Thank you to netgalley and dreamscape media for allowing me to read this for an honest review