A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping was a charming and whimsical read filled with humor, heart, and just the right amount of magic. Sera Swan was a wonderfully grumpy yet lovable protagonist, and her journey of self-discovery and second chances was both engaging and heartwarming.
The setting of the enchanted inn was pure magic, brimming with quirky guests, a mischievous talking fox, and the cozy chaos of found family. The slow-burn romance between Sera and Luke was delightful—his icy demeanor melting against her fiery spirit made for a compelling dynamic.
While the plot meandered at times, the warmth of the story and its enchanting atmosphere more than made up for it. Fans of cozy fantasy and heartfelt, magical adventures will adore this book.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

I've been looking forward to this title for a while! What a delightful read. I need a Roo-Roo in my life and would love to visit the house and all it's characters. It was a great story and the character development was just right. I look forward to more by this author!

This was fun and SO real! I love the idea that we've all lost a little of our magic in life, and especially as adults! This was a fun way to bring that perspective back. <3

I really enjoyed this book — every character felt real and like they could pop out of the pages any minute. I love a cast of eclectic side characters so much. Sera and Luke have my entire heart. I almost wish we got to see a bit more of their relationship progress, but overall I loved this book. My only complaint would be the “FMC loses her powers at the end of the book” trope. It’s done differently, and admittedly much better, here, but it’s still a trope I strongly dislike. However, it didn’t take away from the magic of this book.

A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping is a delightful, cozy fantasy filled with humor, heart, and a cast of quirky, unforgettable characters. Sera Swan, once a powerful witch, now runs the Batty Hole Inn after a forbidden act of magic stripped her of her powers. Alongside her resurrected Aunt Jasmine, a fox-turned-witch, a mushroom-loving guest, a wannabe knight, her mischievous cousin Theo, and the ever-iconic zombie rooster Roo-Roo, Sera has made a life for herself.

This book shines in its whimsical world-building and its themes of found family, second chances, and self-acceptance. The inn itself is enchanting, and the antics of its residents make for a warm and often laugh-out-loud reading experience. The slow-burn romance between Sera and Luke Larsen adds an extra layer of charm, though it remains more of a subplot to the novel’s larger themes.

That said, the pacing felt uneven at times. The first half meandered, and while the cozy, slice-of-life moments were enjoyable, I expected more emphasis on the plot development which felt a little absent initially. Some plot elements—particularly the ending—felt a bit underwhelming. Additionally, while the book does a great job of tackling deeper themes like immigration, bigotry, and societal acceptance, there were moments where certain character arcs felt more like political statements than organic parts of the story.

Overall, this is a heartwarming and magical read that will appeal to fans of cozy fantasy, found families, and whimsical adventures. While it didn’t completely capture the same magic as The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches, which was a 5 star read for me, it’s still a charming tale worth picking up—especially if you dream of running an enchanted inn filled with misfit magic. Find this on shelves July 15!

Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for the complimentary eARC. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I loved this light, uplifting, quirky and unashamedly magic book, just as I did her previous book “The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches.” Sera Swan is a young and powerful witch who resurrects her recently dead great aunt (a big no-no) and is stripped of her magic and guild membership. Reduced to managing the highly and eccentrically enchanted Inn, she tries to find her magic again with the help of an oddball collection of Inn denizens — a scheming witch trapped in a fox body, a geriatric oddball and part time Hobbit, a would-be knight in somewhat shiny armor, some undead rooster bones to name a few. It’s really about family, doing the right thing even when it hurts, understanding your own vulnerabilities and shifting life goals. I was very impressed with that last bit — there aren’t many real happy ever afters in the world, but by understanding what is actually important you can be awfully darn happy (A Rolling Stones song comes to mind…)

*Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review*

I think Sangu Mandanna's books should be prescribed as antidepressants, because dangggggg. They're cozy warm hugs that give you just the biggest squeeze right before you close the back cover.

I really identified with Sera. At some point, we all feel like we've lost our magic. (Though in Sera's case of course, it's a bit more literal.) But of course, I also saw myself in Luke: the black cat librarian just trying learn a bunch of things. The cast of characters is charming as always, though I really loved Clemmie, Posy, and Matilda most of all. It's a great mix of fantasy, romance, and mystery as we unravel the spell that could restore Sera's magic. I love a riddle, sue me!

I hope that we get to keep reading books in this magical universe, but I'm happy to reread these while we wait.

It pains me so much to say this, but this just didn't hit for me as much as I was hoping that it would. The Very Secret Society for Irregular Witches is truly one of my favorite books from the last year, and I expected to find that same connection in this novel. I think that I just went in with too high expectations. I thought there would be more...innkeeping? I thought the heart with the the found family aspect was there, but I just didn't feel as attached to the characters as I hoped. It had some really fun big set pieces- the ball, the cozy inn, and more. But I think at the end of the day, there are going to be other books I read this year that moved me more. I'm really disappointed this was my experience, because I feel for the author that this release has been pushed so many times and it's building a lot of unexpected anticipation. For what it's worth, I think that other folks will find this to be a perfect match. It just wasn't for me!

This was a beautiful story of love and loss, found families, and hardship. Sera saved her great aunt from death and in doing so loses most of her magic. Through the story she struggles with losing this huge piece of herself, while fighting to get it back, and thankfully she had help along the way. The quirky people that find themselves at her inn made one of the cutest found families I’ve ever seen. I loved this story so much Sangu definitely writes with her whole heart and I’m so greatful I got to read this!!

How do I gain magical powers to transport myself into this story because I never wanted it to end

This book gives cozy meets intriguing plot and magic with a sprinkle of romance. Sangu has a way of writing and weaving a story that the minute you open her books you are immediately sucked in.

I loved Sera, low key want a mummified rooster as a pet also and would love to stumble upon her magical inn to meet amazing people, sit around her table for toast and tea and plot mischief.

This was one of my favorite books of the year and I need more


Thank you NetGalley, Berkeley and Sangu for the opportunity to read an advanced copy

A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping was an absolute delight. I devoured it in the most heartwarming, cozy sort of way. Whimsical, charming, and hilarious, it was more than I could’ve hoped for.

I walked into A Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping already a big fan of Sangu Mandanna.  I was very excited to read this book and it definitely delivered everything I was expecting.  This book as a little bit of everything, including lots of love and magic! We follow Sera Swan from the moment she lost her magic resurrecting her great-aunt Jasmine as a young witch and then today while helping run their enchanted inn.  One day she learns of an old spell that could help restore her magic and along with Luke, a magical historian, she goes about finding what she needs to make the spell. There is hope that she can restore what was taken from her and maybe find love along the way.  This is a fun, heartwarming story and a great addition to anyone's library.  I highly recommend.

I have been waiting so eagerly for this book for so long! Thankfully, it was worth the wait! At first I was a little thrown that we were in a totally different reality from Irregular Witches, but honestly I think I loved this version of UK witches even more? Either way it was all there - the cozy adorable whimsical moments perfectly balanced with nuanced emotional arcs and character growth, and even some spice. This is how I wish every "cozy fantasy" book could be - entirely cozy but not at the expense of the plot. I really hope Mandanna keeps writing adult books!

I loved the author's first book, so I jumped at the chance to read this one. "A Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping" by Sangu Mandanna is a heartwarming, cozy fantasy about a witch discovering what truly matters in life.

Sera Swan used to be one of the most powerful witches in Britain—until she resurrected her great-aunt Jasmine from death. That act cost her her magic and got her exiled from the Guild. Now, alongside her great-aunt, she runs the Batty Hole Inn, a whimsical magical inn that attracts an eclectic mix of guests: Matilda, who adores mushrooms; Nicholas of Mayfair, who enjoys dressing as a knight; her 11-year-old cousin Theo; a talking fox; and, of course, Roo-Roo—a zombie rooster.

Sera grumpily seems to be accepting her fate, but then she stumbles upon an old spell that might just restore her powers. The plot thickens when Luke Larsen, a handsome but icy magical historian, arrives at the inn with his autistic sister. He might be the key to unlocking the spell’s secrets. Throw in a curse, shenanigans, and eccentric characters, and you have all the ingredients for a delightful, whimsical tale.

Overall, I enjoyed the book. Once I got past the slow start, the story really took off. I loved that the fantasy was set in the real world—seeing a witch with a cell phone and a car was a nice touch. I could have done without the profanity, though—they felt unnecessary. Beneath the lighthearted magic, the book explores themes of hate, anger, bigotry, immigration, belonging, societal acceptance, found family, and second chances. It also features neurodivergent and LGBTQ+ representation, as well as a slow-burn romance.

The world-building is just as intriguing as its inhabitants. The book is packed with unforgettable characters and meaningful messages. I appreciated the wit and humor—it made me often smile, and I’d love to be a guest at that inn. The characters all have distinct quirks and personalities, even the secondary ones.

That said, I felt that one minor character was included just to make a point (politically biased and distorted at that). The oversimplified take on his history further pulled me out of the story. It didn’t really have a place in a fantasy, nor did it add anything meaningful to the book. Ironically, he felt like an outsider in England, but given that he was gay, he would have likely faced even greater challenges in his culture.

As for the ending—it wasn’t anything to write home about. It made sense in its own way, but it wasn’t the resolution I expected or hoped for. That said, it was still a fun read, and I enjoyed most of it. I’d rate it 3.5 out of 5 stars, rounded up to 4. I’d recommend it to cozy fantasy lovers who enjoy comfort reads with strong heroines, magic, and whimsical characters.

* Thank you NetGalley and (publisher) for the opportunity to read this arc. All opinions are my own.

Feeling really sad because I had such high hopes for this. This one had all the cute cozy vibes that I think we expect from Sangu but it just kind of fell flat for me. I hold TVSSOlW so close to my heart so l was really anticipating I would leave this book feeling the same.

It wasn't a bad book by any means, but it just didn't really hit for me. I didn't feel really invested in the romantic or magical story line, and although I laughed out loud and had my moments for the found familyness it just didn't deliver exactly how I thought it would.

But a sweet book, with sweet people who I'm really happy for. Except for Sera's ending. That genuinely upset me.

Thank you to NetGalley for the e-Arc in exchange for an honest review!

Mandanna brings you into a cosy, magical world filled with love, acceptance and clumsy knights!

Sera, our protagonist, is such a well rounded character and her character development throughout the book is so strong and lovely!

I loved that all the characters were very human, no one was perfect and some of them I found so frustrating but understandable. I will say the ending did bring in one of my least favourite tropes, so that dropped the rating a bit for me but overall, a lovely, cosy easy read!

📖 Book Review 📖 At forty, I still cannot figure out at what point I need a light jacket, let alone what the ideal weather for resurrecting people from the dead…so I’ll keep the magic in delightful books like this for now! After using her powers to bring her dead aunt back to life, up-and-coming newbie, Sera, is banned from the magical world. Life in exile is a little less than glamorous but Sera does the best she can running a quaint little inn with her aunt and an amalgamation of magical misfits, including the zombie chicken. Life has a funny way of offering second chances. The arrival of some old familiar faces and the chance to earn magic back breathes new energy, bringing a hopeful awakening for Sera. A Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping is a truly delightful cozy read full of humor, life lessons (no need to be witchy), and a love story that hits all of the right notes.

I was anticipating this book so highly- and it did not disappoint! Take me to The Batty Hole Inn!

Quirky and delightful side characters abound, with plenty of sweet and diverse representation amongst them. Whimsy, wonder, and the power of finding people who love you as you are and not what you can do. It was sweet, comforting, and nothing but delight.

Also, Luke 🥰

Sera Swan's story in A Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping is a whimsical, heartwarming adventure full of magic, humor, and found family. After losing most of her powers, Sera helps run an enchanted inn with her quirky relatives and an ever-present talking fox. When a mysterious spell appears to offer the chance to reclaim her lost magic, Sera’s world is turned upside down—especially when a stoic historian named Luke arrives to help.

Sangu Mandanna’s writing is light and charming, with a perfect balance of humor, romance, and magical intrigue. The chemistry between Sera and Luke builds delightfully, while the inn and its eccentric guests bring a cozy, almost fairy-tale-like atmosphere to the story. The plot is cozy yet adventurous, and the themes of second chances and the importance of family make it a feel-good read. A lovely escape for fans of magical rom-coms!

I thought this was going to be a sequel to the Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches so at first I was disappointed because I loved the characters in that book and wanted their story to continue. HOWEVER, A Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping did not disappoint at all! I met a whole new cast of characters that I adore.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!