Format: ebook
Release Date: August 23rd, 2022
Age: Adult
Genre: Paranormal – Contemporary – Romance
Goodreads
Rating: 5/5 Stars
Thank you to Hodder & Stoughton for providing me a copy of this book via NetGalley!
I’m going to start off by saying I absolutely freaking loved this. It’s described as warm and uplifting, and it really achieves both of those beautifully. It’s the kind of book you want to read when you’re searching for the warm and fuzzy feeling. At its core, it’s about a found family coming together, and how a young woman learns there’s more to life than magic.
Mika is a witch, but it’s been drilled into her since she was a child that to keep them all safe, they must keep themselves secret. So Mika moves from place to place, never lingering too long, never fully settling down. But when a message arrives requesting she travel to Nowhere House, and teach three young witches, Mika is intrigued, and soon finds herself wrapped up in the lives of Nowhere House’s occupants.
This is a very sweet story that combines magic and romance, and shows how we really aren’t all islands. In Nowhere House, Mika not only finds a family for herself, she is able to truly imagine a better world if not for her, then for her charges. As she teaches the girls, she finds herself warming up to the grumpy librarian who would do anything to protect his family, and doesn’t trust the newcomer. She also has to contend with one of her charges taking the lead from said librarian, and announcing her plans to get rid of Mika directly to her face.
I loved Mandanna’s twist on magic, too, and the way we really get to understand how it works, through the way Mika teaches the children. But through this, too, we also start to understand the other characters more, as Mika realises exactly why she has been hidden like she has, and how difficult it is to care for a young witch. It’s apparent as the book goes on how fond she grows of the children, and it’s really hard as a reader not to fall for them and the other occupants, as well.
Together, they form a wonderful found family, a group completely dedicated to each other and willing to do whatever it takes to protect one another. Seeing Mika and her guardian’s relationship unfold was another aspect I really loved, especially as she’s built up to be a bit of an antagonist, but is so much more than that.
Mika was a wonderful character, who easily identifies the difference between ‘nice’ and ‘kind’, and grows so much throughout the novel. As do the other characters, and Mandanna makes this growth an utter pleasure to read.
Honestly, if you want something truly sweet and heart-warming, with a nice dose of magic, The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches will be right up your street.
Reading Challenge
The Disney Reading Challenge
Prompt: The Rescuers – Rescue Aid Society – a book with a society/club
Progress: 10/40 Completed
Unwrapping Words 