A Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu Mandanna book review

Sera Swan was once one of Britain's most powerful witches until she resurrected her great-aunt Jasmine from the dead, lost most of her magic, and was exiled from her Guild. Now, fifteen years later, she reluctantly runs an enchanted inn in Lancashire with Jasmine. The inn exists only for those who need it most, and over time, a quirky found family has gathered there: Clemmie, a witch trapped in a fox's body; Matilda, a mushroom enthusiast; young Theo; and Roo-Roo, a zombie rooster Sera accidentally resurrected. When Sera learns of an ancient spell that could restore her lost powers, she discovers it's written in a language she cannot read. Enter Luke Larsen, a handsome but reserved magical historian who arrives at the inn and reluctantly agrees to help. As Luke and Sera work together to unlock the spell's secrets, Luke begins to thaw, and Sera discovers that reclaiming her power means confronting the Guild's corruption and learning that the found family she's built might be the greatest magic of all.

🧙‍♀️✨ I Loved It! I bought this book on vacation and it's the Hodderscape edition with a beautiful cover! 💚 The Lancashire inn feels like a living, breathing character itself; cozy and magical in equal measure. Sera is wonderfully complex: grumpy, determined, and fiercely protective of those she loves, while Luke's gradual transformation from icy to tender is genuinely swoon-worthy. The found family trope is executed beautifully here; every character feels essential and deeply loved. 🏡 I also appreciated that this isn't just a cute cozy fantasy, it tackles real themes like racism, colonialism, mental health, and systemic oppression woven seamlessly into the warmth. The romance develops gradually and naturally, which felt earned rather than rushed. The grumpy-x-grumpy dynamic between Sera and Luke, combined with the external conflict requiring them to work together, made for incredibly satisfying tension. 🌟 This book did a great job blending comfort with substance, and I found myself emotionally invested in every character, especially the delightful Roo-Roo and Nicholas. A definite must-read! 📚✨