If you’ve been craving a witchy, cozy read that doubles as a hug, The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna absolutely delivers. It’s warm tea, soft cardigans, and a nudge toward self-acceptance all at once. The story follows Mika Moon, a solitary witch who’s spent her life hiding her magic and herself, until she takes a suspiciously perfect job at Nowhere House tutoring three young witches who need help. That’s where the real enchantment starts: the slow knitting of a chosen family, the tug-of-war between fear and belonging, and yes, a grumpy-meets-sunshine romance that you can spot from a mile away but still want to cheer for.
The vibe
This book is cozy to its core: think found family, gentle humor, fenced gardens, and potion jars labeled with intention. The thematic throughline is about finding yourself and accepting the messy parts. It also brushes against family conflict—what it means to be “raised” by someone who kept their distance—and how community can become the home you didn’t know you were searching for.
Main characters you’ll care about
- Mika Moon: Our potion-savvy FMC, equal parts tender and wary. Watching her collect ingredients in nature and brew with purpose is such a joy—those scenes sparkle.
- Jamie Kelly: The resident grump and Nowhere House librarian. Protective, principled, emotionally guarded. The chemistry with Mika is obvious early, and while the beats are predictable, the payoff still lands.
- The girls—Rosetta, Terracotta, and Altamira: Sharp, funny, and each working through their own histories. Terracotta’s prickliness reads like abandonment armor, which mirrors Mika’s own scars.
- Ian & Ken: A retired actor and his steady husband, both caretakers who ground the household’s chaos with love.
- Lucie: Housekeeper, heart-keeper, resident “let’s make things right” energy.
- Lillian: The globe-trotting witch whose estate shelters the children.
- Primrose: The severe matriarch of Britain’s witches who “raised” Mika at arm’s length via nannies. There’s a late-book turn with Primrose that I didn’t see coming, and I liked how Mandanna resolves it without cheapening the emotions.
What worked
- Witchcraft with intention: Potion scenes aren’t just aesthetic; they’re emotional architecture. The ingredients and intentions add texture to Mika’s growth.
- Chosen family: The household at Nowhere House feels lived-in and lovingly eccentric. You watch a community choose each other in real time.
- Character mirrors: Terracotta’s “don’t need you” shell reflects Mika’s learned self-protection, so their thaw earns your tears.
What didn’t (a little)
- The romance roadmap: Grumpy-guards-his-heart meets sunshine-witch is telegraphed early. You’ll likely predict most beats. For me, the charm outweighed the certainty.
Author spotlight
Sangu Mandanna is a British-Indian author based in Norwich, known for stories that blend magic with heart. Her work includes the middle-grade Kiki Kallira duology and the YA Celestial Trilogy. The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches became a Goodreads Choice Award finalist and a modern favorite among cozy-fantasy readers.
Need-to-know details
- Setting: Contemporary England, mostly at the secretly warded Nowhere House.
- Content notes: Orphanhood, emotional neglect, fear of abandonment; handled with a gentle hand.
- Tropes: Found family, grumpy/sunshine, “hired under false pretenses,” mentor who might not know best.
- Best for: Readers who loved The House in the Cerulean Sea, fans of low-stakes magic with high-stakes feelings, anyone in the mood for something kind.
The scrink.com take
I had a great time. It’s witchy and cozy, brimming with self-discovery and acceptance, and anchored by a houseful of people who keep choosing one another. Some turns are obvious—Mika and Jamie’s slow melt is basically neon—but that predictability feels more like comfort than flaw. And that Primrose twist? Nicely executed.
Verdict: 4 out of 5 bookmarks. Brew a cup, curl up, and give it a whirl.
A song to go along with this book
I’d pair it with “the lakes” by Taylor Swift. It has that soft, cottagecore hush that fits Nowhere House, the theme of retreating to a safe place, and the ache of wanting a circle that truly sees you.
