The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches Book Review

I've had this darling book sitting in my TBR for far too long. Here in the middle of "spooky season," a cozy witch romance is totally my vibe.

Coming fresh off of reading my latest witch book, this sweet story was so easy to jump right into.

Our heroine, Mika Moon, is hired on as a nanny to three young witches who need training in their powers. A quirky cast of characters are ready to greet her at the manor and romance is just around the corner.

What could have been saccharine sweet is actually balanced by cheeky humor and just a dash of salty language which helps keep it feeling less Mary Poppins and more Sally Owens from Practical Magic.

Curious if this book is for you? Check out my full review below.

If this is your first time reading one of my reviews, you may want to check out how I score my reads with this scale guide here.

Summary of The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches

As one of the few witches in Britain, Mika Moon knows she has to hide her magic, keep her head down, and stay away from other witches so their powers don’t mingle and draw attention. And as an orphan who lost her parents at a young age and was raised by strangers, she’s used to being alone and she follows the rules...with one exception: an online account, where she posts videos "pretending" to be a witch. She thinks no one will take it seriously.

But someone does. An unexpected message arrives, begging her to travel to the remote and mysterious Nowhere House to teach three young witches how to control their magic. It breaks all of the rules, but Mika goes anyway, and is immediately tangled up in the lives and secrets of not only her three charges, but also an absent archaeologist, a retired actor, two long-suffering caretakers, and…Jamie. The handsome and prickly librarian of Nowhere House would do anything to protect the children, and as far as he’s concerned, a stranger like Mika is a threat. An irritatingly appealing threat.

As Mika begins to find her place at Nowhere House, the thought of belonging somewhere begins to feel like a real possibility. But magic isn't the only danger in the world, and when peril comes knocking at their door, Mika will need to decide whether to risk everything to protect a found family she didn’t know she was looking for....

Book Stats

Published: August 23, 2022
Pages: 352
Genre: Witch Romances, Romantic Fantasy
Get Your Copy: Paperback | Kindle | Audiobook
FORMAT I READ: I started this book on audio via Everand and the British accent added SO much to the story. I switched over to my Kindle copy once all the characters started getting introduced because I needed to keep them straight.

What I Liked

Here's what I would tell my best friend about the book:

1. Cozy Romance: This is a perfect cozy book to read in October. While it has a witch theme, it isn't scary or violent. It's a gentle magic story very similar to The Ex Hex.
2. Found Family: I love the quirky cast of characters that inhabit the manor. The theme of found family is much stronger than the romantic plot. It was so sweet watching how they all interact and became closer.
3. Mika Moon: I adored Mika, I found her to be witty, clever, and kind with just a touch of sass. She was so easy to root for.
4. Gentle Magic: Potions and spells are referenced but nothing was gory or wicked. Mika makes teas using herbs, flowers, and stardust. No one is harmed by magic.
5. English Countryside Setting: I am a total sucker for books set in England. Especially when the audiobook narrator has that lovely accent.

What I Didn't Like

Every reader needs something different from a book. What I may not have preferred may be your favorite part.

I needed a lot of suspension of belief for this story. It's a book about witches, so of course, but the romance arc wasn't as strong as other things I've read recently and there is a big climatic scene at the end that felt rushed and unbelievable. I always give spoiler-free reviews, so I won't say more than that.

Romantic Tropes

The Very Secret Society of Witches is a grumpy-sunshine romance. You can read more about romance subgenres here.

It takes advantage of several romantic tropes including: second chance romance, forced proximity, and found family.

Overall Score

⭐⭐⭐⭐

I give The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches four stars on my star rating scale. The ending did not ruin the book for me but it did reduce it by 1 star. It was otherwise a very lovely read that I truly enjoyed this month.

Pour yourself a hot apple cider and grab a blanket, this book demands a cozy reading session for sure.

Similar Books You'd Enjoy

If you enjoyed The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches, you might also like reading:

Practical Magic Book Review

Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries Book Review

Assistant to the Villain Book Review

20 Best Witchy Books You Need to Read