No Skim Zone

A review of The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna

Summary

Mika Moon is a lovable YouTube witch by day and a real witch by night, carefully balancing secrecy with her growing online audience. Her life takes a turn when she’s invited to tutor three young witches who desperately need guidance only for her to discover the job is far messier than advertised. Add in Jamie, a gruff, brooding man who both clashes with and intrigues her, and Mika finds herself pulled into a household she never expected.

Rating

Middle Shelf Good: warm, cozy, and full of charm, but not quite a personal favorite.

Initial Reaction

This book is cozy to its core. It’s the kind of story you pick up with a cup of tea when you want something low stakes and comforting no stress, no emotional overwhelm, just soft vibes and magic.

3 Things I Liked

1. Mika Moon is instantly lovable  The combination of YouTube witch and actual witch gives her a fun personality that’s easy to root for.
2. The cast is warm and genuinely charming  Ian especially brings joy to the story through his antics, even when they don’t go as planned.
3. The overall vibe is pure comfort  Low stakes, sweetness, and gentle magic make this an ideal cozy read when you need something light.

3 Things I Didn’t Like

1. The pacing of the romance feels rushed  Mika and Jamie go from barely tolerating each other to sharing drinks without enough development in between.
2. The chemistry never fully gels I wanted to watch them slowly fall in love, but the story skips too many emotional beats.
3. Missed opportunity for deeper character connection With a slower burn, the romance could have been the emotional centerpiece. Instead, it feels like it jumped ahead of itself.

Who Should Read This?

Readers looking for warmth, coziness, found-family dynamics, and light magic. If you want something gentle and feel-good, this hits the mark.

Who Should Skip It?

Anyone who needs a well-developed, slow-burn romance or higher-stakes plotting. If rushed relationships frustrate you, this will stand out.

Final Thoughts

This is a charming, comfortable read with lovable characters and soft magical vibes. The romance didn’t land for me, but the coziness did. Overall, it’s a 2 out of 5 good for the right mood, especially if you want something warm and low pressure.