Book Review: A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping
Author: Sangu Mandanna
Publisher: Hodderscape 2025
Genre: Adult Fiction
Pages: 334
Date Read: Aug ‘26
Main Characters:
Sera Swan (A witch who has lost her powers)
Luke Larsen (A magical historian who works at the Magical Guild)
Clemmie (A witch trapped in the body of a talking fox)
Aunt Jasmine (Sera’s Great Aunt who helps to run the Inn)
Blurb:
Once, Sera Swan was one of the most powerful witches in Britain. Then she resurrected her great-aunt Jasmine from the (very recently) dead, lost most of her powers, befriended a semi-villainous talking fox, and was exiled from her Guild. Now she helps Jasmine run an enchanted inn in Lancashire, where she deals with their quirky guests' shenanigans and longs for a future that seems lost. Until she finds about an old spell that could restore her power . . .
Enter Luke Larsen, handsome magical historian, who might have the key to unlocking the spell's secrets. Luke has no interest in the inn's madcap goings-on, and is even less interested in letting a certain bewitching innkeeper past his walls. So no one is more surprised than he is when he agrees to help.
Running an inn, reclaiming lost power, and staying one step ahead of the watchful Guild is a lot for anyone, but Sera is about to discover she doesn't have to do alone - and that love might be the best magic of all.
My review:
I borrowed this book from my local library. It was one of their staff ‘top picks’, and I had heard a lot of good things about this book from influencers online. That said I really hoped that I wouldn’t end up disappointed as I have been in the past with books that have been over hyped. I can say with some certainty that I wasn’t! Despite the beginning of the book feeling a little tedious with setting the scene and introducing the characters, by the end it left me with such a warm wholesome feeling that I just wanted to read more. First off, the book is incredibly inclusive. There are characters of different race, characters with disabilities, characters who are neurodiverse and conversations that touch on generational differences and cultural shifts. All of this wrapped up in a book about magic, witchcraft, love and finding your true inner strength. What is not to love? I also appreciated the fact that the witch’s ‘animal sidekick’ if you will, was a fox instead of the traditional cat stereotype. The book also gives a brilliant example and warning of what can happen when people let power get to their heads. Especially when they then use that power to try and coerce and control others. I am reminded of a quote I once saw that read, “When there’s a witch, there’s a way!” There is certainly no stopping Sera Swan with or without her magical ability.
Star rating: 5
