Normally my interest of witch book is toward the darker side or gothic theme. That's why The Very Secret Society of Irrelevant Witches is surprises me alot. I jumped blind into this book, without any expectation since this is my first read from author but I instantly hooked. I like the writing style, funny with healthy dosage of cursewords and give us deeper strong message along the way.

I switched between the book and audiobook version and I must said the narrator did her job very well. The pronounce is clear and the accent is cute and suited Mika character so well. The intonation is good and enjoyable to listen.

First of all I love the characters, expecially Mika. She is worming her way to my heart through the story. Her personal struggling, her kindness to other characters and her natural interactions with kids are make me fallin harder for her. Other characters are unique and compliment the story aswell. The romance is slow burn, sweet at beginning and steamer in the end.
The storyline itself is light and for me give warm vibes afterfeeling. Oh I wishes for more magical stuff exposes, but mostly only become props for more grander plots in story such as growing with personal baggage, misfit family, and capabilities to accept loves as general not only romantic type. I This book looks calm and sweet at beginning but not lack with twists and turn too.
Fall is coming and this heartwarming witch book will become perfect companion for the season.

Thank you Netgalley and Hodder & Stoughton for provided me with this copy and audiobook. I am truly grateful and my thoughts are my own.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a free eARC in exchange for an honest review!

Firstly, let me say how wholesome this book was. Mika is a Witch who has been isolated her whole life, when presented with a new opportunity to teach three young witches how to control their magic, she takes the job and consequently, her life is changed forever.
This book is filled with so many cinnamon roll characters! I loved learning about all of them especially the girls and their cute personalities. Mika is an immensely interesting character, with her potions (these are described beautifully!), and her dog Circe. And Jamie, the perfect love interest who just wants to keep his family together. His chemistry with Mika was so adorable to read!

Not only does this book bring up how important family is, but it also brings up race and how women of colour navigate spaces when marginalized. My experience reading this book was only increased by the audiobook. While I was listening to it, it felt as if the book came to life!

This book is perfect for someone wanting a cozy witchy book to pick up! All that's left to say is that the inhabitants of nowhere house have my heart!!

This is a brilliant book with a marvelous and heartfelt storyline, kind and touching characters and a lot of goodness.
I love everything about this book! I love Mika and the girls and all the other people living in Nowhere house. I love the romance. I love the feelings this book brought me and the goodness it has. It’s emotional and beautiful and the storyline is surprising. There are definite plot twists along the way and certain things I definitely did not expect.
Most of all, this is a book about found family, beautiful magic and love and I’m so honored to have read it

I really enjoyed the narrator. They made the book alive and I especially loved the different accents they gave for the different characters. There voice had warmth in it and it truly gave me comfort through my headphones.

The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches is a heartwarming and humorous story which follows a witch called Mika Moon who feels somewhat isolated from other witches. The witches meet on the third Thursday of every third month, they cannot connect more for fear it will attract too much magic. Mika is used to being alone, but longs for somewhere she feels she belongs and can be herself and she therefore jumps at the chance to travel to Nowhere House to tutor three young witches. This is a very endearing character driven story, about family and friendships. It’s well written and it coasts along at a easy, gentle pace.

The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches was my first audio ARC and it was a very pleasant experience indeed. The narration is good and the characters are brought to life and made completely individual by the narrator. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this book, it’s a charming and magical read and the perfect palate cleanser between more demanding and weighty novels. Readers who enjoy dark witchy tales, may find this one a little too sugar-coated. However, if you prefer a light fantasy which is fun, entertaining and sprinkled with magic and romance you will thoroughly enjoy this one.

Thank you so much to the publisher for my first audio ARC.

This book feels like curling up with a warm drink and a cozy blanket by the window as the rain outside is hitting the sill. It is, without a doubt, soft, and wholesome, and heartwarming, and feels like a warm and comforting hug. So many readers are bound to find it an absolute treat. It made my heart so,so happy.
The narrator's voice really brought this story to life and was so wonderful that I could even suspend my disbelief at the Belfast accent.

This was such a fun read! I adored reading this and it’s definitely one that I will come back to. I’d probably say this is a good bridge between YA & adult in the sense that it’s quite light and easy to read, even if you don’t read a lot of fantasy. I enjoyed the setting and overall, it was such a heartwarming, feel good book for me.

I loved the setting and the characters are fun and the romance was sweet. I did see one of the plot twists kinda coming but it wasn’t something I was bothered by. I enjoyed the plot we got and I only wish it was a bit longer because I wanted more of Nowhere House. I hope we get to follow another witch in this world because I loved the premise and I’m really intrigued by it. So I would happily read more!


As a note, I flipped between the ebook and audiobook and they’re both great.

Overall, I do recommend this if you need a feel good book and it’s definitely one that I would like to return at some point.

This book is like a warm cozy blanket that you can wrap around yourself whenever you need it. There’s anything you need to hear: that you value, no matter your race, your gender, your sexuality.. you deserve to be loved for who you are.

Mika is a witch and witches are not allowed to stay together because they may draw too much attention. So Mika has never really had a family and the people who discovered her secret only tried to use her. But when she is appointed to teach to 3 little witches in a house full of people that truly love them, she starts to wonder if a new way of living is possible. There will always be people that are more nice than kind, that put on a smile just as a façade but that do not really mean it, but if you find your people, the ones that really care about you, that’s what’s worth fight for. If you loved The House in the Cerulean Sea, this book will steal your heart.

I had the pleasure to listen to the audiobook thanks to NetGalley and it was really enjoyable!

Tropes:
Grumpy/sunshine
Found family
Magic lessons✨
Mysterious house

My thoughts:
This was just a joy to read. It was really cozy, cute and magical. Mika was a lovely main character who never really felt like she fit in, and finally got the chance to belong somewhere. With three rambunctious children in the story there was plenty of hijinks, and I loved how the magic manifested for them! The magic system itself was well explained, but still left some mystery to not take away from the magical feel of it.
The romantic plot was cute, but It’s more of a subplot so don’t expect it to be the focus of the story.

If you’re looking for a more feelgood witchy read, this is highly recommended!

Audio narration:

The narration of this book was pleasant and the narrators voice fit the character and the tone of the book. I don’t really feel like it added anything special though, so you’re not missing anything by choosing another format.

The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches is beautifully written and reading it gives you a warm cosy feeling that wraps you up in the softest hug!

31 year old Mika Moon has spent most of her life without family or friends and her being a witch sets her apart from humans. Raised mostly by nannies and under the guidance of head witch Primrose she's forced to live within the rules of the witchdom, one of which states no contact with other witches except from a scheduled annually meeting. Never staying in one place for very long and not getting too attached to anyone or anywhere (apart from her dog Circe) is how she keeps her heart safely tucked away. After she receives a curious invitation to school 3 young children in magic, she sets off to a mysterious place called Nowhere House. This is the start of Mika's journey of self-discovery about herself, her magic and where she finds out that within this eccentric family there just might be a place for her. There's smiles and laughter, there's heartbreak and tears, there's soft and sweet magical moments set against the navigation of being considered different by others and most of the characters share this common thread for a variety reasons.

While Mika is untrusting at first, she still has a heart of gold and will fiercely defend those she cares about. I loved how her magic is linked to the earth and nature, and that she brews magical teas and potions infused with a little stardust and the like. I loved her and grumpy Jamie's slow burn romance and oh did I mention that there's some spicy moments in this book too :)

It's beautifully written and reading it gives you a warm cosy feeling that wraps you up in the softest hug! It's brimming with earthy magic, diverse and inclusive characters who each have something special about them that feel like home;- from main witch Mika Moon, to mr grumpy sunshine Librarian Jamie, to the adorable 3 young witches Rosetta, Terracotta and Altamira who charmed their way into my heart and made me laugh at times, Ken and his husband Ian, house-keeper Lucy and the whole household at Nowhere House 💕

The audiobook captured the magic of this book and gave me an immersive enchanting reading experience.

Loved it!

I was given the audiobook by Hodder & Stoughton to review but also pre-ordered after reading it.

Delightful story, very engaging characters. Narrator has great expression, various accents being used. Lovely storyline, kept me entertained and engaged my attention.

I really enjoyed this audiobook. Mika Moon is a witch and an orphan - as all witches are. She's led a lonely life, unable to fit in with 'normal' humans and forbidden from spending too much time with other witches she is forced to move from place to place with no real roots. Until she is called to look after three young witches who need help mastering and controlling their powers.

Mika quickly bonds with not only the three young witches, but also the other inhabitants of the house, including the quiet and brooding Jamie who seems to resent her being there, but gradually opens up and warms to Mika's presence. The budding romance between Mika and Jamie is a slow burn but well worth the wait,

The character building is delightful and believable, and this is a feel-good paranormal tale that will keep you hooked until the very last chapter.

Sometimes family is a lonely witch, a grumpy librarian, two gay grandads, a motherly spinster, and three chaotic (and murderous) children.

The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches is a story of family, belonging, faith, moving on - and magic. This book was an incredible vibe from start to finish, featuring some of my absolute favourite tropes and some twists I fully did not see coming. The romance is tender and realistic, the characters are well-rounded, lovely, and have an incredibly lively dynamic between each other. The magic system was original and had some really cool elements while still begin a soft but logical system.

Mandanna perfectly walks the balance between cosy fantasy story, and somewhat deeper exploration of trauma and how to recover/move on from a lifetime of experience. I wanted to curl up under a blanket beside a fire with a large mug of tea - that’s exactly what reading this book felt like.

The voice actress of the audiobook has incredible range and an engaging narrative voice, with a good balance of emotion and acting to exposition.

Overall, a fun and quick read for those who want a cosy fantasy as we head into the autumn!

5/5

Ugh, I can’t even begin to tell you how much I loved this one - witches without all the scary stuff, romance, and a big heartwarming makeshift family?! Sold sold and sold.

I think the blurb covers most of it, but it really can’t do justice to how much of a joy this book is! Every character is a total gem who you’re bound to fall for, but Mika is especially wonderful - funny, spirited, and just desperate for the family she’s never had. Jamie is like her polar opposite - grumpy, pessimistic, unsociable but with a total heart of gold underneath. Obviously watching the romance blossom between them is lovely, and I’m always a fan of enemies to lovers/opposites attract so this was a no brainer. Plus I listened to a lot on audio and Jamie has quite the sexy accent so that helps 🤷‍♀️

But most importantly it’s a gorgeous story of loneliness and finding your people - it shows what a difference having a little community around can make to a person, and demonstrates the age old adage of the importance of working together as the three young witches realise how much stronger their magic is together.

Whilst it’s definitely a super cute, upbeat story, it’s also surprisingly wise - there were so many lightbulb moments whilst reading this (nice vs kind, DUH), and I think it really encourages kindness and putting others first. An absolute gem of a novel which will leave you with a big smile on your face.

Wiches are not supposed to live together or so they have been told. When Mika is asked to help with three orphaned witches at Nowhere House she begins to question her own isolation.
With the help of a bad tempered librarian Mika learns that everyone including witches need others in their lives and it can be possible.
This is a lovely feel good story with a slight enemies to lovers troupe this is a great read.

Magic, found family, humour, a bit of romance, some young children with magic they aren't quite in control of, a mystery ... this book has all of these and mixes them together in a lovely way. I had both the audiobook (great narrator!) and the eBook version of this, and I enjoyed swapping between them.

Its a story about finding your place in the world and your family and where you belong and it's a heart warming read, despite the occasional glimpses of Mika's lonely childhood. Mika doesn't just have magic setting her apart, there's also her race, just as Ian and Ken with their relationship and Primrose with her childhood trauma. These issues are touched on gently and not at all in a preachy way. But it's unfortunately true, it can be very hard to be different, in whatever way that is. And this book acknowledges that, while showing that despite that Mika can find a happy home for herself and be herself and be loved.

Overall I found this an uplifting read and will definitely look for more by this author.

In a world where all the witches lead solitary lives, Mika Moon longs for company. She never understood the rules that required her to hide her magic and stay away from other witches. Mika scandalised her community by creating a witchy social media profile, where she could at least share her love for magic with strangers. Convinced that all her followers consider her a cheat, she was shocked when a genuine plea for help appeared in her mailbox. Somewhere in Norfolk, three young witches raised by loving but helpless guardians desperately need lessons in controlling their developing powers...⁠
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I loved this book. From the first words, I enjoyed the witty writing style and the cosy atmosphere. Do not expect epic battles or spectacular spells from this position. It is a relatively slow but emotional and heart-warming read. In the world created by Mandanna, witches exist in solitude, as by some mysterious spell or curse, they are all orphaned at a young age. Raised by nurses and teachers, Mika learned early not to get attached to places and people. Entering Nowhere House, she meets a set of quirky inhabitants that gradually earn her trust and love.⁠
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The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches is a great fantasy read, but I would recommend it even to those who avoid magical stories. It is pretty down-to-earth, to be honest. It focuses on the characters, their pasts and longings. The central theme is the importance of friendship, family and the sense of belonging. I found it to be a surprising mixture of heart-warming and heart-breaking. I believe that in our increasingly crazy modern world, we all need beautiful stories like this one.

4.5 stars for this gorgeous, mesmerising witchy read!

Honestly, I adored this book! It was an absolutely pleasure to read - lovely, witchy warm hug/ comfort read. The story is wonderful and full of cuteness and laughter yet deals with some important issues and emotions. There is warmth, diversity, and humor fused into a world of magical realism. The perfect combination of romance, thrill and suspense. I thoroughly enjoyed it!

The narrator was fab and story brilliant and beautiful.
Thank you for my advanced copy and audiobook.

This book is special its loving and cozy and full of understanding and talking. Its full of hwaling generational trauma, loving people despite themselves. Making new traditions to override the old. 🌻

✨In a world where a broomstick can be a hatchback and a cup of tea more lucky than you think. Where witches live among people. Where people live among witches.

Mika Moon is unmoored. Her life as a witch. Enjoying magic by herself. Growing up by herself. She knows how to be by herself. The rent on her flat is nearly up, and she is not going back to her childhood home and the ghosts that haunt it. 🪐

The thing is witches are lonely. They are cursed to be orphans and safer away from other witches. Mika loves magic, she is magic, but she has to keep it secret. She has to keep herself secret. She shares bits here and there. A witchcraft instagram page, with recommendations for incense. Teas shared with her neighbour that do more than warm you up. She shares herself in a thousand little Mika is thrust into a world of love and chaos and rule breaking.

This book is just so adorable - like an absolutely perfect low stakes low urban fantasy with a sprinkling of romance. The lit reference, the Austen references. The ardent love. It’s all too perfect. Right down to the cozy bookshop and attic bedroom. With the windows open even in winter🐌

A brilliant witches tale for the modern day. I was really invested in Mika and the girls, each character is well rounded and believable. Funny, heartwarming and sad in places; this is such and entertaining read, I really couldn’t wait for what happened next!



The narrator was amazing, all the characters had their own voicing style which was convincing and well spoken.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for providing me with an arc of this book. I absolutely loved this, the world-building, characters and plot were all brilliant and I think anyone who liked the House of the Cerulean Sea will also love this!