-
Your next favorite book
is waiting.
by Alechia Dow
The Good Place meets the Brandy version of Cinderella in Until the Clock Strikes Midnight, a cozy, romantic fantasy from award-winning author Alechia Dow.
Darling is the most talented―and unusual―Guardian to get a chance at winning the coveted once-in-a-generation Mortal Outcome Council mentorship. Getting the spot would mean having the opportunity to shape the future happiness of all mortal realms―if she succeeds at her first assignment, Lucy Addlesberg. Darling thinks it'll be an easy razzle-dazzle job… until she actually meets Lucy. Her life is a complete mess, from her failing bookshop in her downtrodden village to her doomed flirtation with the princess of Lumina. But if there's one thing Darling's good at, it's a makeover.
Calamity is the most talented―and arrogant―Misfortune of his class. It's his job to save mortals from their own terrible decisions made in the pursuit of the mythical "Happily Ever After." When Calam is granted a shot at the Mortal Outcome Council mentorship, he thinks his dreams are finally coming true. But first, he must pass the test. It should be easy―Lucy Addlesberg has been unfortunate for years. All he has to do is continue her string of bad luck so she can finally come to terms with reality and settle for a safer, more logical path in life. Yet when he arrives, he finds that Lucy has a Guardian assigned to her too―a chipper overachiever who is as colorful as the magic pouring from her glittery wand.
To thwart each other, Darling and Calam insert themselves into Lucy's life posing as a betrothed couple. As they try to guide her down what they each see as the best path for her, they start questioning their roles and ultimately what they truly want for themselves... and if those feelings of loathing they have for each other might actually be something more like love.
"Written in engaging prose, this enchanting cozy fantasy with adult crossover appeal has it all―creative worldbuilding, well-developed characters, and a sweet, swoonworthy romance. ... The story, which captures the essence of Brandy's Cinderella, features refreshingly realistic relationship development―no glass slippers here!―while honoring fairy tales' world-changing magic and emphasizing a message of kindness and care. ... Unmissable." ―Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
"Immortal magical entities feigning romance compete for a coveted mentorship in this fun and frothy 'Cinderella' remix from Dow (A Song of Salvation). ... Calam and Darling's charming alternating first-person POVs combine to deliver a hijinks-forward, vivacious true love story that empathetically portrays mental health challenges." ―Publishers Weekly
"An enchanting, magical twist on a classic fairy tale that deals with real-world issues in a fantasy setting, this is an excellent addition to shelves for lovers of cozy fantasy and diverse storytelling." ―School Library Journal
"Nicely balancing laughter, longing, and hope, this cozy, whimsical fairytale centers on Darling, a determined fairy who believes everyone deserves a happily-ever-after. ... Dow capably blends together varied themes in this multifaceted book that will satisfy fans of both romantic fantasies and emotionally grounded coming-of-age stories in imaginative packages." ―Booklist
"A delightful and unique take on fairy godmothers and finding happily-ever-after! Sweet and joyful, this book is as irresistible as hot chocolate swirled with magic!" ―Sarah Beth Durst, New York Times-bestselling author of The Spellshop
"Until the Clock Strikes Midnight reads like drinking that perfect cup of cocoa: warm, cozy, and entirely mood-lifting. There's no better time than right now to pick up this utterly enchanting book!" ―Jason June, New York Times-bestselling author of Out of the Blue and The Spells We Cast
This information about Until the Clock Strikes Midnight was first featured
in "The BookBrowse Review" - BookBrowse's membership magazine, and in our weekly "Publishing This Week" newsletter. Publication information is for the USA, and (unless stated otherwise) represents the first print edition. The reviews are necessarily limited to those that were available to us ahead of publication. If you are the publisher or author and feel that they do not properly reflect the range of media opinion now available, send us a message with the mainstream reviews that you would like to see added.
Any "Author Information" displayed below reflects the author's biography at the time this particular book was published.
Alechia Dow is a former pastry chef and librarian. She is the author of YA novels The Sound of Stars, The Kindred, A Song of Salvation, and Until the Clock Strikes Midnight, and middle-grade novel Just a Pinch of Magic. When not writing, you can find her having epic dance parties with her daughter, baking, reading, or taking teeny adventures.
If you liked Until the Clock Strikes Midnight, try these:
Madame Sosostris and the Festival for the Brokenhearted
by Ben Okri
Published 2025
In this modern fable with the impish magic of A Midsummer Night's Dream, a masked ball makes two upper-class British couples see each other in a new light.
A wise, enchanting novel about love, power, and our many selves—past and future, public and private—from the Booker Prize–winning author.
by Ann Napolitano
Published 2024
From the New York Times bestselling author of Dear Edward comes a poignant and engrossing family story that asks: Can love make a broken person whole?
by Michael Knight
Published 2018
These stories, told with economy and precision, infused with humor and pathos, excavate brilliantly the latent desires and motivations that drive life forward.
The only real blind person at Christmas-time is he who has not Christmas in his heart.
Click Here to find out who said this, as well as discovering other famous literary quotes!
Can you name the title?
Test your book knowledge with our daily trivia challenge!
Your guide toexceptional books
BookBrowse seeks out and recommends the best in contemporary fiction and nonfiction—books that not only engage and entertain but also deepen our understanding of ourselves and the world around us.
