A Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping
Sangu Mandanna
by LeAnna Ehrsam
After Ursula Cambridge realizes her life has become a series of invisible moments, a mysterious invitation whisks her and her loyal Irish Wolfhound, Casper, away to the enigmatic Lost Souls House in Salem, Massachusetts. Surrounded by a town cloaked in history and a graveyard filled with restless spirits, Ursula discovers that her arrival is no mere coincidence. Alongside four new friends, she stumbles into the world of practical magic, where a night of tequila and mischief leads to hexes that actually stick.
As Ursula attempts to carve out a new identity, she clashes with the town’s most notorious bachelor—a grumpy, rugged recluse who has sworn off romance. Despite his prickly exterior, an unexpected bond with his vulnerable teenage niece draws Ursula deeper into his orbit and the secrets he guards. When a modern-day witch hunt threatens the harmony of her newfound community, Ursula must navigate political intrigue and dark, buried mysteries.
Caught between a burgeoning magical legacy and the magnetic tension of an unlikely attraction, she fights to protect the people she loves. In this whimsical journey of self-discovery, Ursula learns that sometimes, the most powerful magic is the strength found in sisterhood and the courage to finally be seen.
Lauren GnapiPerfect fall witchy read any woman in her 30s will relate to!
"This story was magical realism at its finest! The world we are immersed into is rooted in reality while also pulling us into a place where we discover real magic all around us, even though it isn’t logical it just IS. There is a magic house, a spooky graveyard, a garden that has a mind of its own, and so much more. And while this book is perfect for your fall tbr and gives us all the witchy Practical Magic vibes we could hope for, it is also a story about the profound impact of female relationships. The theme of sisterhood, and building your circle of friends (a coven if you will) really hits you to the core. As a woman in her 30’s, I personally resonated with Ursula so much. It speaks so honestly and truthfully to the deep rooted need for connection that we crave in our female friendships,and the importance of it. The story also has themes of a modern day witch hunt. While Ursula is finding herself in a new house in a new town, she is uncovering old secrets. One that has very serious ramifications for their present which is rooted in their past. But don’t underestimate a woman who knows her power (and maybe had too much tequila). And when that woman has the support of a group of true friends? Well, that’s when the magic really happens… We also get a very swoony romance plot with the cursed town grump. While this is not a super spicy book, the tension has some HEAT! You know books where you are feral for just a kiss?! Yeah 😏 We get a bit of hate at first sight, a touch of forbidden romance, a sprinkle of she needs his help, and some undeniable chemistry. It makes the perfect recipe. This book is going to be the new feel good fall book I will want to relive over and over again! ["
November 7, 2024 Verified Purchase
MichelleAn unexpected delightful read.
"This was a delightful read! I loved the characters and the mystery around the central character. The build of tension was well paced. It was a good combination of light reading and engrossing. Looking forward to reading the next enstallment in the series. ["
May 12, 2026 Verified Purchase
Shannon SnyderCozy and Relatable.
"So entertaining...I just love how I could picture the house and property while going through the story. Love the theme of friendships from a mature woman's perspective. ["
March 30, 2026 Verified Purchase
Rachel20/10 recommend. Series review: not a simple “feel good” series
"Note, this is a SERIES REVIEW ——- I read the first book, then bought all three, looking forward to the next one, and can’t wait for the audiobooks. After reading all 3 books, here are my thoughts. TLDR in one glorious run on sentence: I want witchy friends to get drunk with on ridiculously strong margaritas, eat cake, cast hexes on deserving men in a graveyard, and live in a magical house. I also want animal sidekicks (list not inclusive: a horse sized dog, a cat named tom hanks, and a pregnant raccoon (that scene still pops up in my brain and makes me laugh - book 2). These stories genuinely surprised me. I laughed, I catharticly cried, I cheered, and felt a kind of empathy with the characters I didn’t see coming. This author has transcended the vapid “live, laugh, love” positivity (barf), and brings strong messages that clearly have been hard won through therapy, and for me, get a touch heavy sometimes, but factor in my oppositional defiance and take that with a grain of salt. The deep understanding and the overall message? I’m in. This is a story many will identify with. There’s something that happens when you accumulate enough life experience - when you’ve felt let down by yourself and by life, when that armor locks you in and locks everyone else out, and there is a price to that. But, there is beauty in the breakdown, and in the building of something new. That’s what these stories are about. These women have been bruised but not defeated, and each story follows their walk back into their own lives and power with a lot of help from their friends, and a sprinkle of magic. The messages are positive and empowering, only occasionally making me a touch impatient because I’m the stubborn horse being brought to water. But I genuinely appreciate what the author has to say, and I appreciate the struggles of these women and the strength they share with each other. They take a teenager under their wing, and I love her so much 😭 I demand an HEA in all my books (no matter how dark), and this series delivers. I adore the authenticity of these women and the community they build together. Last important detail - the book boyfriends. Hot, sweet (ok Jensen is a grump but you can totally tell he’s obsessed so I issued him a hall pass) and everything you want at some point in your life. ["
March 4, 2026 Verified Purchase