The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches
stardust, sea-inspired frags, and brewing potions by moonlight
Dear Reader,
Happy Halloween witches! Fall is in full swing both in California and Alabama. Apples are being picked and mulled into cider, our cinnamon brooms are sitting by the fireplace–allowing our homes to be filled with sweet seasonal spices. To round out our favorite season, grab your cauldrons, charge your crystals under the full moon, and cleanse your reading space.
Sangu Mandanna’s The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches has just about everything you could wish for in an October read: three kid witches, an absent archaeologist, a retired actor, two caretakers, and a handsome, but prickly librarian (spoilers: that prickly librarian will win you over real quick).
Mika Moon, our bewitching heroine, has spent most of her life alone. She moves from city to city to make sure that no one finds out that she’s actually a witch. Orphaned as a child, she’s used to being on her own, not connecting with anyone except for every three months when it’s safe to meet with the other witches in what she calls The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches.
Mika Moon – Absinthe Boreale by Maison Crivelli
notes: collecting moonbeams, potions, and spoon-feeding bees
Try it first: sample
A hypnotic whisper amongst the northern lights, this fragrance begins with juniper berries, eucalyptus, and mint before settling into serene lavender notes and creamy musks. Like walking in the woods after the first snow of the season, this scent is as cozy as it is icy. Get your tripod and cauldron ready, we’re about to explore what kind of mischief we can get into on that side of witchtok.
For a long time, she hides in plain sight, making witchy videos on the internet (we’re definitely certain she owns witchtok), until one day she receives an unexpected message. The message tips her whole world upside down, which isn’t much considering she was already about to be on the move again for her next location.
The note and the sender take Mika to the Nowhere House. Completely remote, the house and its cast of unique characters live in the middle of nowhere. But to Mika’s delight, the sea is nearby, so at least there’s a chance to enjoy that while she breaks nearly every single rule set by the eldest and most powerful witch, Primrose.
The English Sea - Rose Atlantic by D.S. & Durga
notes: crashing waves, salty air, and cloudy skies
try it before you buy it: sample
This scent opens with notes of rose, lemon, and bergamot. Perfectly crisp, like a fresh breeze on the coast. The citrus begins to dry into notes of salt air, seawater, and grass creating the perfect rosy marine scent that smells like pulling your oversized sweater over your body like a woman in a movie standing on her patio in the cold. It smells like walks with Circe on the windy coast, sand in your toes, and salt in your hair. Like deep feelings while overlooking the vastness of the sea. This fragrance is so versatile you could wear it in the summer for a beach day, or on a moody, chilly day.
As she settles into her life at Nowhere House, the librarian, Jamie Kelly, is skeptical of Mika. He’s cold, prickly, and frankly doesn’t trust her. But she doesn’t blame him. Trust isn’t something Mika does easily either. But he’s also extremely handsome, and as he starts to thaw, the attraction only begins to deepen.
Jamie escaped his home in Ireland when he was 16, and he’s called the people at Nowhere House his family for two decades. He’s settled into his role as the unofficial adoptive dad to three kid witches, Terracotta, Rosetta, and Altamira. But he suddenly can’t stay away from the new witch in the attic. He makes excuses to bring the whiskey up at night and watch her brew potions, he worries about her when he knows he shouldn’t, and yet. . .
Jamie Kelly – Every Storm a Serenade by Illustrated Authors
notes: old library books, seawater, and touching stars
Try it before you buy it: sample
Fresh and woodsy, this fragrance’s star power is the Danish spruce and eucalyptus notes that roll in and out like a rumbling thunderstorm. Much like Jamie, whose grumpy exterior turned heart of gold persona, our favorite aspect of this scent is the subtle sea air that lingers throughout the day. It’s like our friends at Illustrated Authors summoned their own cauldron and bottled up the Baltic Sea. Spray this on your cozy fall sweater and channel the bewitching camaraderie of Mandanna’s centric couple.
Mika and Jamie start spending even more time together, and just like magic – sparks begin to fly. But this isn’t your ordinary rom-com after all. While the relationship begins to burn slowly like the wick on a black flamed candle–the two still have to navigate training the three girls to control their magic, all while trying to keep everything under wraps so that Primrose doesn’t find out. The fate of the Nowhere House and all its inhabitants depend on it.
Nowhere House - By the Fireplace by Maison Martin Margiela
notes: freshly brewed tea, wildflowers, and the cozy feeling of home
try it before you buy it: sample
Warm and cozy, like slipping on your favorite cardigan, this scent opens up with notes of pink pepper, cloves, and orange blossom. As the name suggests, it smells like sitting by the fireplace, a freshly brewed cup of tea warming your hands. It’s got middle notes of chestnuts, wood, and juniper, all the perfect ingredients for preparing for a quaint winter solstice celebration. At the base of this fragrance are notes of balsam, cashmere, and creamy vanilla. It’s the perfect scent for dropping temperatures and pulling on a warm blanket.
Once Mika and Jamie cave to their interest in each other, there’s no going back. This book gives us the slowest slow burn of all time (definitely not the steamiest romance we’ve read), but ultimately the HEA is worth the journey. This book will leave you feeling warm and cozy, inside and out. So grab your witchy book club, and give this one a read as you enjoy the final witching hours of all hallow’s eve. Did you have a favorite book you read this month? Let us know in the comments.
Until next time, find us on Instagram & TikTok.
Scent-cerely,
Cassie & Taylor