Review of ‘A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping’ by Sangu Mandanna. Discover whimsical world of magical inns, enchanted keys, and found family in Sangu Mandanna’s cozy fantasy, A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping. With its warm setting, inclusive cast, and themes of healing, this novel invites readers into a slower-paced story where magic lingers in every hallway and heartbreak is quietly mended, if only the story itself could keep up with its enchanting setup.
‘A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping’ by Sangu Mandanna is a cozy but confusing fantasy that charms with its vibes more than its plot
Synopsis
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 certainly 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.
Review
When her great-aunt passes away, Sera inherits the impossible: a sentient magical inn full of secrets, guests with peculiar needs, and a legacy she never expected to carry. With no real knowledge of innkeeping, magical or otherwise, Sera stumbles her way through grief, family expectations, and the strange enchantments woven into the fabric of the inn. Alongside a cast of charming and diverse characters, including the mysterious Luke, Sera begins to find her place in a world that demands both heart and magic. But as the inn starts to change in ways Sera can’t control, she must decide what kind of witch and person she wants to be.
Okay, so here’s the thing: I really wanted to love this one. The premise had me instantly intrigued, and the book actually started off strong. I was totally here for the magical inn, the quirky vibes, the promise of a cozy, witchy setting with emotional depth. But somewhere along the way, things got a little murky. The plot began to meander and I just couldn’t quite follow where it was trying to go. I get that cozy fantasy doesn’t always hinge on big dramatic plots, but I still felt like I was missing pieces, especially around the magic system. There were things hinted at that never really got explained, and it left me a bit confused and disconnected.
The characters were… fine. I liked them enough, but I didn’t connect with them the way I’d hoped. Sera, in particular, felt like someone I should’ve loved more, but I never fully clicked with her. I will say, though, the diversity in this cast was genuinely lovely to see. It felt natural and refreshing, and I really appreciated how inclusive the story was in that regard.
The romance between Sera and Luke didn’t quite land for me either. It was there, but I didn’t feel the chemistry or emotional weight behind it. Their connection felt a bit underdeveloped, and I don’t think they’re the kind of couple I’ll be thinking about later.
That said, the worldbuilding, especially the inn itself, was absolutely charming. I adored the warm, cozy atmosphere, the magical little details, and the idea of a sentient inn that holds memories. The setting really did a lot of the heavy lifting in terms of keeping me engaged.
! important info (spoiler): Something important to note, especially if you’re picking this up for the cozy vibes alone: this book does include a sex scene around the 80 to 85 percent mark. While the story is mostly gentle and heartwarming, this moment definitely brings some unexpected spice. It’s not a fade-to-black or light-touch scene, so if you prefer your cozy fantasy without any steam, just be aware going in.
Final thoughts? This was a 3-star read for me. It had such promising ingredients, and I wanted to love it so badly, but something just didn’t fully click. If you’re into cozy, slice-of-life fantasy and are okay with a looser plot, you might enjoy it more than I did. It’s sweet, soft, and beautifully inclusive, I just wish the story had held together as strongly as the vibes.
Rating
6/10
Details
- Trigger warnings: Parental abandonment, child neglect (implied), grief and loss (death of a loved one), anxiety and depression, on-page mental health struggles (including anxiety attacks), medication use, ableism, and a graphic sex scene near the end of the book (around 80–85%)
- Themes: Found family, healing from grief, personal growth, the importance of legacy, and learning to belong in a community
- Representation: Includes a racially diverse cast, LGBTQ+ side characters, a character with a physical disability (club foot), mental health representation (anxiety, depression, medication), and an autistic side character
- Genre: Cozy fantasy (adult)
- Pages: 352
- Publication date: July 15, 2025
- Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton | Hodderscape
- About the author:
Sangu Mandanna was four years old when an elephant chased her down a forest road and she decided to write her first story about it. Seventeen years and many, many manuscripts later, she signed her first book deal. Sangu now lives in Norwich, a city in the east of England, with her husband and kids.
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