A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping, by Sangu Mandanna

An enchanting novel about a witch who has a second chance to get her magical powers—and her life—back on track, from the national bestselling author of The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches.

Sera Swan was once one of the most powerful witches in Britain. Then she resurrected her great-aunt Jasmine from the (very recently) dead, lost most of her magic, befriended a semi-villainous talking fox, and was exiled from her magical Guild. Now she (slightly reluctantly and just a bit grumpily) helps Aunt Jasmine run an inn in Lancashire, where she deals with her quirky guests' shenanigans, tries to keep the talking fox in check, and longs for the magical future she lost.

When she learns about an old spellbook that holds the secret to restoring her power, she turns to Luke Larsen, a gorgeous historian who might just be able to help her unlock the book’s mysteries. Luke, who has his own reasons for staying at the inn, never planned on getting involved in the madcap goings-on around him and definitely had no intention of letting certain grumpy innkeepers past his icy walls, so no one is more surprised than he is when he not only agrees to help, but also finds himself thawing.

Running an inn, reclaiming lost magic, and staying one step ahead of the watchful Guild is a lot for anyone, but Sera is about to discover that she doesn’t have to do it alone... and that the weird, wonderful family she’s made might be the best magic of all.

I received a review copy of this book from the publisher.

Cozy, heartwarming, and enchanting

What a lovely, warm hug of a book! Cozy, heartwarming, and enchanting (but never saccharine or twee), A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping centers around found family, love, acceptance, healing, and the strength of rebuilding yourself after disaster. Sera and her inn build a loving, supportive community out of a collection of misfits: a disparate group of individuals who for varying reasons don’t fit into or weren’t accepted by their own families or communities. The quirky magic of the inn is indeed captivating, but it’s nothing to the magic of the diverse, caring people in it—particularly Sera Swan, whose courage and fierce love stayed with me long after I had closed the book.

The cast is quirky, often funny, and utterly delightful. The publisher’s synopsis describes the plot well, so I won’t repeat that here. Mandanna’s writing is wonderful and perfectly suited to the moment, whether she is describing the view from the inn’s roof, a rain of apple-blossom tea, or Sera’s experience of her magic.

Read this one snuggled up in a cozy blanket, with a steaming cup of tea and a warm cinnamon bun close at hand. You’ll be glad you did.

Note: I mentioned it briefly above, but if it matters to you (as it does to me), the cast of characters is wonderfully diverse in a number of ways, all written with respect and love.

Challenges: COYER 2025: Out to Lunch; NetGalley & Edelweiss Challenge 2025

Reading this book contributed to these challenges:

• COYER 2025: Out to Lunch
• Netgalley & Edelweiss Reading Challenge 2025

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