Welcome to the Inn Where Magic Misbehaves
If you've already read The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches, you'll already be aware that this author has a talent for mixing magic, humor, and heart in just the right amounts. Well, she's done it again! Here, we're transported to a magical inn in Lancashire, England, owned by Sera Swan and her wonderfully eccentric Aunt Jasmine. But this is not simply a charming bed-and-breakfast—it's a refuge for magical misfits, courtesy of a small dose of guardian magic that only accepts those in need.
The residents of this inn are such a delight. There's Clemmie, a witch who's accidentally turned herself into a fox. Matilda, a mushroom-addicted hobbit who has an entire herd of goats (to the eternal annoyance of Sera). Nicholas of Mayfair, a 23-year-old medieval knight from a medieval fair who inexplicably works. And then there's Theo, Sera's 11-year-old cousin who's moved from Reykjavik to find his magic, and Roo-Roo, the zombie rooster Sera brought back from the dead with her aunt (sorry, not sorry). All of these add something fresh and fantastically quirky to the mix, making the ultimate "found family" experience.
Sera herself has a tragic past. A child prodigy in the Guild under ambitious Albert Grey, she lost everything when she broke the rules to save her aunt's life—by using forbidden magic. That act caused her to be betrayed by her best friend Francesca, expelled from the Guild, and lost her magic. She's been leading a quiet life at the inn these past 15 years, contented but still carrying around that burn of what she lost.
And then Francesca appears once more.
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The Curse, the Historian, and the Second Chance
Francesca's arrival sets Sera's world into disarray. She arrives with news of a stolen spellbook from the Guild library—a one that could restore Sera's magic. It seems that perhaps Theo and Clemmie have done Sera a silent favor to assist her in obtaining it. There is a problem, however: the spell is in an ancient language Sera can't read. Enter the laid-back, no-nonsense magical historian Luke Larsen and his diminutive sister, Posy.
Luke is the ultimate "tall, dark, and broody." He tells us he's only staying for a night, but we know the drill. The quirky appeal of the people at the inn and the generosity of those who reside there begin to chip away at his cold reserve. Reluctantly, Luke gets caught up in their lives and in Sera, herself. Their romance is a slow burn, simmering in the background as the central plot is magic, friendship, and self-discovery.
As Sera and Luke collaborate to break the curse and understand the spell, Sera must make some tough decisions. If she desires her magic, she must live with the Guild's hypocrisy and battle players like Albert Grey. But question asks itsel, does she even desire the same life she lost so many years ago?
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Why This Story Works So Well
This book glows because it's not a romance or a fantasy. It's a book about belonging. The author has developed characters that are actual people, even when one of them is a literal zombie rooster. The romance is warm, sometimes cringeworthy, sometimes laugh-out-loud funny, and always heartwarming. The "found family" trope is in its best form here, and it's even more satisfying than the romance (and that's no small achievement, considering how wonderful the romance is).
The representation is also a big win. Posy, Luke's younger sister, is autistic, and her portrayal is respectful and realistic. LGBTQ+ relationships—MM and FF—are also represented in the book, without feeling like token insertions. And Sera herself is a welcome respite from the usual fantasy heroine: half-Indian, half-Icelandic, and cheerfully lacking the overdone "red hair and green eyes" cliché (unless you include Clemmie the red fox ????).
On the cozy-fantasy front, this one nails it. It's all fall vibes, rainy afternoons, cinnamon rolls, and that warm feeling of curling up with a hot cup of something. The crisp writing and witty rapport keep things from ever getting too sappy sweet.
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The Not-So-Perfect Bits (and Final Verdict)
Even though I completely loved this book, I do have two teeny tiny issues. First, there is a short sex scene that didn't particularly fit with the otherwise soft focus of the book. It wasn't written badly, it just felt like it was in the wrong type of romance. Second, the middle of the book slows a bit, and the ending, though happy, has a bittersweet tone to it that left me a little unsatisfied. My reading habit is to indulge in my cozy fantasies snuggled up in a warm soft blanket of closure, and this ending left one corner of that blanket undone.
However, the positives far outweigh the negatives here. The world-building is solid and rich without succumbing to info dumps. The pacing, aside from that mid-book slump, is solid. The characters are endearing, the jokes land, and the emotional blows find their mark. Sera's character growth that learning magic isn't the only thing that defines her, is especially gratifying to witness.
If you like warm fantasy with offbeat characters, a touch of romance, and an emphasis on friendship and found family, then you'll probably love this. It's the kind of book that is like spending the weekend at a somewhat chaotic inn run by people (and animals) that you can't help but adore.
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Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5)
Recommended for: Fans of The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches, or anyone who wants a magical story that's a big hug, with just enough craziness to be fun.