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modernmatilda's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This whole book has my whole heart. It reminded me a lot of The House in the Cerulean Sea; grump-sunshine, outsider coming to a magical home to mentor kiddos with magic powers (this time it's three witches), and a heartfelt ending that was gorgeously Hallmark worthy. I was surprised it took place more around the Winter Solstice/winter than Halloween/fall, but I ended up loving it even more for that. I cannot recommend this book enough and I think it's one of those great "crowd pleasures" that just about anyone would enjoy. Lighthearted, fantastic mental health rep, diverse, lovely, romantic (the sex scene is an 11/10) and super adorable, and just overall a perfect book.
Content Warnings
Minor: Child abuse, Death of parent, Abandonment, Alcohol, Emotional abuse, and Murder
bookishflower's review
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Cosy fantasy meets 'The Holiday' in this wonderfully witchy rom-com!
- Grumpy x Sunshine
- Found family
- Funny
- I-hate-everyone-but-you
- Cosy autumnal vibes
- Queer and POC rep
Thank you Hodder and Stoughton, and NetGalley for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review!
'Mika Moon has always been taught to keep a low profile as one of the few witches left in Britain. She never had any problem not drawing attention to herself until one day someone sees her 'pretend' witch videos online and invites her to teach three young witches magic at the intriguing Nowhere House. The only problem? It's forbidden and the prickly (but frustratingly attractive) librarian, Jamie, is determined to see Mika as a threat to the children and family's way of life at every turn. But just as Mika begins to open her heart to belonging anywhere again, a danger threatens to tear apart her new home. Mika must now decided if she should run away or risk it all to help the found family she didn't know she was looking for'.
This was the cosy autumnal palate cleanser I needed. If you want a book that feels like a cup of tea, rain on the window and warm blanket cuddles with a dash of magic, The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches is the book for you.
The romance didn't feel forced but natural and comforting despite their respective trauma, had good communication and all the found family feels. The girls were so sweet and acted like children which was lovely to see. (I might have a particular soft spot for Rosetta!). I'd also happily talk theatre and knit flamingo pink scarves with Ian, bake with Lucie, and garden with long-suffering Ken, I love them!
The writing was funny and warm, with a witty narrative voice. This was a wonderfully cosy romance and found family story. Pick this up on the 23rd August in time for the beginning of autumn!
- Grumpy x Sunshine
- Found family
- Funny
- I-hate-everyone-but-you
- Cosy autumnal vibes
- Queer and POC rep
Thank you Hodder and Stoughton, and NetGalley for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review!
'Mika Moon has always been taught to keep a low profile as one of the few witches left in Britain. She never had any problem not drawing attention to herself until one day someone sees her 'pretend' witch videos online and invites her to teach three young witches magic at the intriguing Nowhere House. The only problem? It's forbidden and the prickly (but frustratingly attractive) librarian, Jamie, is determined to see Mika as a threat to the children and family's way of life at every turn. But just as Mika begins to open her heart to belonging anywhere again, a danger threatens to tear apart her new home. Mika must now decided if she should run away or risk it all to help the found family she didn't know she was looking for'.
This was the cosy autumnal palate cleanser I needed. If you want a book that feels like a cup of tea, rain on the window and warm blanket cuddles with a dash of magic, The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches is the book for you.
The romance didn't feel forced but natural and comforting despite their respective trauma, had good communication and all the found family feels. The girls were so sweet and acted like children which was lovely to see. (I might have a particular soft spot for Rosetta!). I'd also happily talk theatre and knit flamingo pink scarves with Ian, bake with Lucie, and garden with long-suffering Ken, I love them!
The writing was funny and warm, with a witty narrative voice. This was a wonderfully cosy romance and found family story. Pick this up on the 23rd August in time for the beginning of autumn!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment and Xenophobia
Moderate: Child abuse, Death, Racism, and Sexual content
Minor: Alcohol and Death of parent
purplepenning's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
Author Sangu Mandanna set out to write a "warm, cozy, romantic story about magic and family. A story that was, above all things, about love and human connection." She did just exactly that.
Pick this one up if you're looking for a unique, funny, heartwarming comfort read with witches galore (a studious young orphan, a murderously protective younger orphan, a high-spirited youngest orphan, lonely practitioners, an imperious elder), a mysterious absentee benefactor, a sweet housekeeper, an impish retired actor, a steady gardener, a golden-coated golden-hearted retriever, a floating koi pond, a sexy scowling growling librarian, and magic sprinkled like stardust throughout a found-family story.
Pick this one up if you're looking for a unique, funny, heartwarming comfort read with witches galore (a studious young orphan, a murderously protective younger orphan, a high-spirited youngest orphan, lonely practitioners, an imperious elder), a mysterious absentee benefactor, a sweet housekeeper, an impish retired actor, a steady gardener, a golden-coated golden-hearted retriever, a floating koi pond, a sexy scowling growling librarian, and magic sprinkled like stardust throughout a found-family story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment
Moderate: Cursing, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Alcohol, Bullying, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Racism, Violence, and Xenophobia
Minor: Confinement, Blood, and Grief
skudiklier's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I absolutely adored this book. I mean, really. It's got witches. It's got found family. It's got enemies to lovers. It's got queer grandpas. It's got cute little kids. It's got plot twists. What more could you ask for from a book, honestly.
Also--you know that feeling you get when you're deep into a good story, or maybe you've already finished it, and you find yourself wanting to go back to that world and those characters? You could be doing anything and then suddenly you have this weird urge that maybe you can't place for a minute, until you go, oh, I just want to go back to reading/watching that.
I get that a lot, but in most cases it's not until I'm a good ways into the story, unless I'm rereading a childhood favorite or something like that. What's weird about The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches is that I started feeling that way almost right from the beginning. I was barely into the book, and still would feel myself drawn to the characters. I didn't have a lot of time to read it at first, so I made my way through the first third the book pretty slowly, and it was surprisingly hard to not just drop everything and read it all so I could stay in the story.
By midway through, I sort of did drop everything to finish it. I couldn't help it. And agh, I just, I loved it so much. I have no idea if the author plans to write sequels, but I hope she does, just because I feel like I could spend so much longer in this world and with these characters, and never have enough.
Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group and Netgalley for the chance to read and review this ARC.
Also--you know that feeling you get when you're deep into a good story, or maybe you've already finished it, and you find yourself wanting to go back to that world and those characters? You could be doing anything and then suddenly you have this weird urge that maybe you can't place for a minute, until you go, oh, I just want to go back to reading/watching that.
I get that a lot, but in most cases it's not until I'm a good ways into the story, unless I'm rereading a childhood favorite or something like that. What's weird about The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches is that I started feeling that way almost right from the beginning. I was barely into the book, and still would feel myself drawn to the characters. I didn't have a lot of time to read it at first, so I made my way through the first third the book pretty slowly, and it was surprisingly hard to not just drop everything and read it all so I could stay in the story.
By midway through, I sort of did drop everything to finish it. I couldn't help it. And agh, I just, I loved it so much. I have no idea if the author plans to write sequels, but I hope she does, just because I feel like I could spend so much longer in this world and with these characters, and never have enough.
Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group and Netgalley for the chance to read and review this ARC.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Xenophobia
Moderate: Cursing, Death, Sexual content, Abandonment, Alcohol, Bullying, Child abuse, and Racism
Minor: Murder, Abortion, Homophobia, and Death of parent
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