As a mega fan of Sangu Mandanna, you know I had to read A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping. And it was everything I wanted and more. This sequel brings the found family feels, the dismantling corruption, and swoons. Keep reading this book review of A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping for my full thoughts.
Summary
Sera Swan used to be 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 Guild. Now she (slightly reluctantly and just a bit grumpily) helps her aunt run an enchanted inn in Lancashire, where she deals with her quirky guests’ shenanigans, tries to keep said talking fox in check, and longs for the future that seems lost to her. But then she finds out about an old spell that could hold the key to restoring her power…
Enter Luke Larsen, handsome and icy magical historian, who arrives on a dark winter evening and might just know how to unlock the spell’s secrets. Luke has absolutely no interest in getting involved in the madcap goings-on of the inn and is definitely not about to let a certain bewitching innkeeper past his walls, so no one is more surprised than he is when he agrees to help Sera with her spell. Worse, he might actually be thawing.
Running an inn, reclaiming lost magic, and staying one step ahead of the watchful Guild is a lot for anyone, but Sera Swan 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

(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping is a story about magic and power. It’s about curses and corruption. But it’s also about found family, second chances, and love. Mandanna does a fabulous job at balancing these elements and delivering a stunning sequel. I loved the characters through and through. We have some truly awful parents here, but some amazing heartwarming found family. It made me feel hopeful and that’s in short supply these days.
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I loved how A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping explores the control of magic, the ethics of power, and when we will take a stand. It also explores how we can become so guarded, we batter the hatches and forget how to feel. And remembering we don’t have to keep our heart at bay can be terrifying. Sometimes belonging is more scary than not belonging. With truly humorous moments, A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping is heartwarming through and through. In many ways, it’s also about expectations. About what happens when we don’t want what we thought anymore. When our expectations are proved different.
I cried at the end this was so good. Find A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping on Goodreads, Storygraph, Amazon, Bookshop.org, Blackwells, & Libro. fm.