The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches in r/FantasyRomance Goodreads Group

Jul 16, 2024 Marysia rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: libby, fantasy-all, fantasy-cozy

Source: Borrowed from the library via Libby ebook

I was looking for a sweet, feel-good book after losing my sweet old kitty, so I was happy when my hold came in. And, for the most part, it delivered! I really loved the vibes of the hidden-away house by the sea. As an American, the British cozy stories have a different feel to them with all the pubs and cobblestones and castles that we just don't have here except in fake/corny form, so that's always fun. I didn't know much about the geography of Source: Borrowed from the library via Libby ebook

I was looking for a sweet, feel-good book after losing my sweet old kitty, so I was happy when my hold came in. And, for the most part, it delivered! I really loved the vibes of the hidden-away house by the sea. As an American, the British cozy stories have a different feel to them with all the pubs and cobblestones and castles that we just don't have here except in fake/corny form, so that's always fun. I didn't know much about the geography of the places mentioned, but there was enough context that I didn't feel confused most of the time. Although, 8 hours of driving time is a pretty normal US roadtrip day, lol.

I am a sucker for found families, but am not much of a kid person so I always get a bit nervous about child-centric stories, but I do like seeing kids with powers learn to use and control them, so it ended up being OK. That aspect reminded me a little of Netflix's show Raising Dion, which I also liked (haven't seen season 2 though). I also liked how magic was used in this world, with almost having a mind of its own, and especially all the teas and potions and herbs. I, too, would love to patronize Mika's magical tea and potion shop.

Not everything was great though. There was the unfortunate habit of recapping exciting events after the fact, instead of seeing them as they happened. More concerningly, there was a plot twist about 3/4 in that took the story in a direction I didn't like. It changed the overall tone of the book a lot and I had trouble coming back from that, and felt the ending was a bit rushed. I was also kind of bummed that they never (view spoiler)

This book also felt like it was awkwardly trying to be "adult" by cramming in sex and a bunch of random swearing that actually felt weird and jarring a lot of the time. I don't mind those things if they fit the overall tone of the story but that wasn't the case here. The sex part also bothered me because (view spoiler)

Still rating 4 because my overall feeling is more positive than negative. I also have the next book on my TBR. ...more

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Jul 21, 2025 Claire rated it it was amazing

Shelves: best-of-2025, read-romantasy-pnr-cosy-edition

I expected to like this book, to enjoy some more cosiness and move on.

I did not, however, expect to adore it to the point that I basically inhaled it, and now it’s finished, and I miss it, and I’m sad.

I never learn. 😠

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Aug 16, 2023 Taylor - TheTayloredPage rated it it was amazing

I loved everything about this book. It's adorable, it's cozy, it's charming! There is a sweet grumpy/sunshine romance that made me kick my feet with delight. The conflict feels important but not so high stakes it stressed me out. I laughed, I cried, I re-read certain lines and phrases over and over again because they were well written. I literally have zero complaints! ...more

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Jul 17, 2023 Chelsea rated it really liked it

This was a cozy and comforting as advertised, and I enjoyed it very much. It was also quite a short read, so if you ever have an evening you want to just spend happily cocooned on your sofa, drinking tea and smiling quietly, this would be an ideal book - you will easily devour the whole thing in a sitting. That said, I will say it read more like a romance than a fantasy, not that that is bad. Honestly, as I don’t read full-on romances all that often, I was surprised at how much I enjoyed it.

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