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teabrewer's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-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
3.0
I chose this book because I needed a cozy lighthearted romance for a stressful week that was to come. This book was, mostly, cozy, lighthearted and romantic. The kids were funny, the love interest is a grumpy, but good, person who is raising these kids. It talked about some interesting topics like the difference between being nice and being good, the different ways people deal with trauma, particularly parental negligence, and feeling alone in the world. There was no gender essentialism and consent is very respected throughout the book, and not only in romantic situations, so it escaped my most common pet peeves in this genre. I liked the magic system. Magic is palpable and a bit personified and witches have actual conversations with it to use magic. It also interacts back with the witches. I know it has become a more common thing in this kind of book but seeing the casual representation of a lesbic couple made me happy and they felt like very natural characters. I also liked seeing an older gay couple, it is good to be reminded queer people can be alive and happy for that long. That being said, there were a few things I didn't like in this book. Ian trying to force Mika and Jamie's relationship felt, well, forced. The references to witchcore and TikTok at the beginning of the book felt out-of-touch. The main characters were all only a step away from stereotypes, and although that's not always necessarily a bad thing, in some cases it took me away from the book. Ian was the biggest offender but they all had dialogue that made me grimace at least once. The forest make out scene was cute and full of want but the sex scene in the house was clunky and weird. It felt more like a list of actions than someone's perspective. It also felt a bit out of place in the context of this book. The sudden "we buried a dead body in the garden" felt extremely out of place, like the author had planned that at first but forgot about it while writing the book and had to cram it in there somehow afterwards. And the "secret identical twin" twist just after that felt like a lazy, cliché band-aid, especially since before it appeared the plot was going in a way more interesting and relevant direction. I don't understand why that was included, there was no hole to be covered. A plot-hole was actually created because of it and had to be addressed with an even lazier excuse, that is the pictures with Lilian in them always being blurry. Lastly, what was, for me, the biggest elephant in the room: Maybe I'm expecting too much of a cozy lighthearted romance, and maybe having read Babel by R.F. Kuang recently affected my expectations and tolerance for this specifically.But it was a choice to include how the children, and the main character, were taken from their birth countries. How they were stripped of their original names raised by white people while completely isolated from anyone from their original cultures. How there were other witch societies in those countries and Primrose and Lillian had contact with them but still did all that. I don't understand why make that choice if you never planned to address the subject properly. With these last 4 topics, The Super Secret Society of Irregular Witches' problem is that it bites more than it could ever swallow being what it is. It didn't have to have a spicy scene, a "mystery" or to mention xenophobia and colonialism, but it did and couldn't do them all and the actual plot of the book at once.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Death, Child abuse, Physical abuse, Death of parent, Xenophobia, Racism, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, and Emotional abuse
diazona's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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
3.75
I found this book quite enjoyable for a story where not very much actually happens. I mean, of course there are things that happen, there wouldn't be a story to tell otherwise, but it's driven more by developments in the characters' thoughts and feelings rather than the events that occur. You get the feeling that most of the events could have not happened, or been left out of the story, and it wouldn't really make a difference.
There are a couple of pretty neat plot twists toward the end. They definitely make the last quarter or so very interesting indeed, I just don't think it's enough to make me forget about the lack of things happening during the first three quarters.
Normally a story without meaningful events is not one I'm going to be very interested in, but I think what saves this one is the rich character development. All the main characters have distinct and consistent personalities (except for gruff Jamie who shows an unexpectedly soft side at some point in the middle), they feel realistic and relatable, and most of all they're nice. These are the kinds of people I wish I could have as friends and family. So it didn't take very far into the book before I started caring about them and getting invested in their successes and failures. According to the afterword, the author was inspired to write this story as a reaction to the loneliness of the pandemic, and in that sense, mission accomplished.
All in all, it's a good book. I wouldn't put it on my list of all-time favorites, and it's not one that I see myself coming back to read and reread regularly, but any time I'm in the mood for something heartwarming and comforting, I'll be glad to have this on my (virtual) shelf.
There are a couple of pretty neat plot twists toward the end. They definitely make the last quarter or so very interesting indeed, I just don't think it's enough to make me forget about the lack of things happening during the first three quarters.
Normally a story without meaningful events is not one I'm going to be very interested in, but I think what saves this one is the rich character development. All the main characters have distinct and consistent personalities (except for gruff Jamie who shows an unexpectedly soft side at some point in the middle), they feel realistic and relatable, and most of all they're nice. These are the kinds of people I wish I could have as friends and family. So it didn't take very far into the book before I started caring about them and getting invested in their successes and failures. According to the afterword, the author was inspired to write this story as a reaction to the loneliness of the pandemic, and in that sense, mission accomplished.
All in all, it's a good book. I wouldn't put it on my list of all-time favorites, and it's not one that I see myself coming back to read and reread regularly, but any time I'm in the mood for something heartwarming and comforting, I'll be glad to have this on my (virtual) shelf.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Abandonment and Cursing
Minor: Vomit, Murder, Death, Alcohol, Confinement, and Death of parent
johannaplatt's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-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
3.75
A fun quick standalone fantasy novel with a sprinkling of romance. Found all the characters to be very endearing (would like Iain to be my pal please), story was tight and enjoyed the magic system. It's no epic fantasy, but sometimes you want a single book rather than a 12 volume series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death of parent, Alcohol, and Child abuse
ribbonquest's review against another edition
lighthearted
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
The exploration of magic and witch culture is interesting. Every witch is orphaned soon after they're born and intercountry witch adoptions seem to be very common - there are four in this cast alone! Rich white witches adopting and neglecting dark skinned babies from around the world isn't really explored, which is a shame.
The three children are cute and remind me of the girls from Despicable Me. The oldest is a bookworm, the middle child is rebellious and aggressive, and the youngest is adorable and mimics the swearing of adults around her. The adult cast is varied as well.
I found the romance itself very typical and dull. It's your typical grumpy/sunshine dynamic. Spice level = Yes
The three children are cute and remind me of the girls from Despicable Me. The oldest is a bookworm, the middle child is rebellious and aggressive, and the youngest is adorable and mimics the swearing of adults around her. The adult cast is varied as well.
I found the romance itself very typical and dull. It's your typical grumpy/sunshine dynamic. Spice level = Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death of parent, Alcohol, Abandonment, and Sexual content
Moderate: Child abuse and Racism
Minor: Homophobia
maeverose's review against another edition
5.0
I love this so much
I feel so stupid for ever thinking I wasn’t interested in this book. I don’t tend to like romance genre books, so I found it so refreshing that this completely subverts all the tropes I hate in romance. They actually communicate. I could cry. The third act conflict is a completely understandable conflict and is resolved quickly. There’s absolutely zero pettiness between the love interests. And it has tropes I like! Grumpy / sunshine!! Semi-dislike to love!!! I’m actually screaming internally. This was so good.
It’s definitely cozy fantasy, but it does have stakes and plot (which I personally prefer). It’s very much a comfort book.
I loved all the characters, they all had distinct personalities and quirks. They’re the found family I wish I had. Jamie was my type of love interest. Wouldn’t mind one of those for myself thank you.
It’s also really funny, and I don’t often find funny books to be funny. But the humor worked for me in this.
My only very minor not very serious complaint is I wish it was just a tad steamier… but I’ll take what I can get.
I had a stupid smile on my face the whole time reading this (except for when I was crying). If you like romance books, witchy books, or cozy fantasy, please read this. I don’t even tend to like any of those things, hence why I wasn’t interested initially, but this is now one of my favorite books. I need to go buy a copy.
I feel so stupid for ever thinking I wasn’t interested in this book. I don’t tend to like romance genre books, so I found it so refreshing that this completely subverts all the tropes I hate in romance. They actually communicate. I could cry. The third act conflict is a completely understandable conflict and is resolved quickly. There’s absolutely zero pettiness between the love interests. And it has tropes I like! Grumpy / sunshine!! Semi-dislike to love!!! I’m actually screaming internally. This was so good.
It’s definitely cozy fantasy, but it does have stakes and plot (which I personally prefer). It’s very much a comfort book.
I loved all the characters, they all had distinct personalities and quirks. They’re the found family I wish I had. Jamie was my type of love interest. Wouldn’t mind one of those for myself thank you.
It’s also really funny, and I don’t often find funny books to be funny. But the humor worked for me in this.
My only very minor not very serious complaint is I wish it was just a tad steamier… but I’ll take what I can get.
I had a stupid smile on my face the whole time reading this (except for when I was crying). If you like romance books, witchy books, or cozy fantasy, please read this. I don’t even tend to like any of those things, hence why I wasn’t interested initially, but this is now one of my favorite books. I need to go buy a copy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Death
Moderate: Bullying, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Death of parent, and Cursing
Minor: Homophobia, Body horror, and Racism
Plot twist spoiler, but kept vague:singalana's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
I badly wanted to like this book, but it fell a bit short for me.
The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches is a fantasy novel about Mika Moon - a witch who has been taught not to attract any attention to herself. Until she attracts attention and is invited to a strange household to teach three small girls - all of whom are witches as well. Mika has to teach the girls how to control their magic, and while she does that, she gets to know the unconventional family living in Nowhere House.
I’m unfamiliar with the author’s previous work, but she has some interesting ideas, so it might be worth checking out. The cover art is absolutely stunning, and the typesetting was very pleasing to read. The magic in this book is charming and earthy, but there's one bit that felt a bit strange to me and needed more explanation.
Now, on to the characters: Mika Moon, our protagonist, is a loner out of necessity. She is the sunshine in this sunshine vs. grumpy romantic trope. The grump of the story is Jamie, the Nowhere House’s librarian. Other characters include Ian - a meddling ball of elderly energy, and his spouse, Ken. Then there is the housekeeper, Lucie, and finally, the three little witches: Altamira, Rosetta and Terracotta. It’s hard to describe the characters because it feels like they’ve been written with one defining characteristic, and that’s it.
The story itself feels quite low-stakes. It’s more about the vibes: the found family and the sunshine versus the grump. There are a few twists at the end, one of which I guessed, but I didn’t mind. You don’t pick up a cosy book to be sucker-punched with unexpected plot twists. The tension feels slightly lacklustre, and I wonder if the book could have maybe even done without it? Or could it have been better to focus entirely on the relationships within the Nowhere House?
Then there’s the romance. I didn’t quite feel the attraction, but I wasn’t opposed to it either. The book is not very spicy. Again, it’s mostly vibes. There are some sweet and romantic moments, but maybe if the story's focus had been a little bit different, the romance would have had more time to grow and be more convincing. It’s a charming book that has its moments, but to me, it needs something more. bit
Content Warnings
Minor: Cursing, Abandonment, Alcohol, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, and Sexual content
rwsmith's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
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
truly, i could not put this book down. it just got better and better the more i read. a wonderful and heartwarming story.
i loved the worldbuilding of the magic - just as you expect, and it aligns with all the familiar fairy tales, but with a touch of uniqueness to this fictional world.
the romance was also SO GOOD. ive never been into the romance genre, and i wouldnt say this is necessarily a romance novel, but the romantic plot was incredibly well done - relatable, funny, emotional, perfectly paced, and incredibly satisfying.
the representation in this book is lovely as well. the different races of the characters are simply stated, but the differences between each are acknowledged and deemed important at the same time.
anyone who loves love, magic, and silliness - and a happy ending - should give this book a read.
i loved the worldbuilding of the magic - just as you expect, and it aligns with all the familiar fairy tales, but with a touch of uniqueness to this fictional world.
the romance was also SO GOOD. ive never been into the romance genre, and i wouldnt say this is necessarily a romance novel, but the romantic plot was incredibly well done - relatable, funny, emotional, perfectly paced, and incredibly satisfying.
the representation in this book is lovely as well. the different races of the characters are simply stated, but the differences between each are acknowledged and deemed important at the same time.
anyone who loves love, magic, and silliness - and a happy ending - should give this book a read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Alcohol, Cursing, Emotional abuse, and Gaslighting
Minor: Alcoholism, Bullying, Homophobia, Grief, and Sexual content
violetends'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
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was as warm and lovely as I had anticipated from all the reviews I had previously read. I am so happy to have access to all these cozy stories and be able to indulge the cold winter months that I am spending still healing from a longer illness with these types of narratives. This was is intricately crafted, with each character being lovely in their own way. And honestly, I am so very much here for a grumpy-sunshine romance arc! Especially if it happens in a found family setting.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Abandonment, and Death of parent
Moderate: Alcohol
thehobbitbarbie's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
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
4.0
This book has been on my fall TBR since it published, and it absolutely delivered on the promise of a cozy fall read! This is such a feel-good book with a lovely English setting and a charming cast of characters. At times, it does suffer from having too many characters, but each of them is so lovely and feels so fully realized that it's hard to stay mad about it.
My biggest complaint is that this book, like so many new adult romance novels, makes great use of tropes, but still seems embarrassed by them. When I pick up a romance novel like this, I expect and want to see tropes. When a book points out how ridiculous its tropes are, it completely rips me out of the world and makes me feel like I'm being ridiculed for enjoying it. Romance novelists, it's okay to be a little corny! That's why we're here!
Soap box aside, this is a fantastic cozy fantasy that will give you all the warm fuzzies to carry you from fall into the cold, dark winter months.
My biggest complaint is that this book, like so many new adult romance novels, makes great use of tropes, but still seems embarrassed by them. When I pick up a romance novel like this, I expect and want to see tropes. When a book points out how ridiculous its tropes are, it completely rips me out of the world and makes me feel like I'm being ridiculed for enjoying it. Romance novelists, it's okay to be a little corny! That's why we're here!
Soap box aside, this is a fantastic cozy fantasy that will give you all the warm fuzzies to carry you from fall into the cold, dark winter months.
Content Warnings
Minor: Homophobia, Racism, Abandonment, and Alcohol
lunep's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Alcohol, Cursing, and Death
Moderate: Death of parent, Child abuse, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Grief, Murder, Bullying, Physical abuse, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Misogyny, Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Emotional abuse, Xenophobia, Forced institutionalization, Racism, Abandonment, and Classism