★ "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

 

"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

 

"A sparkling fairy-tale remix, Until the Clock Strikes Midnight brims with sly humor, swoony romance, and enough glitter to light up a kingdom. Between bookshop magic and razor-sharp banter, Alechia Dow crafts a world where queer love stories bloom in the unlikeliest places, and midnight kisses linger long after the clock has struck. Witty, tender, and delightfully chaotic, this is proof that happily-ever-afters can be messy, magical, and worth every risk." —Aiden Thomas, New York Times-bestselling author of Cemetery Boys

 

"Cozy and whimsical, romantic and emotional, Until the Clock Strikes Midnight introduces a bipolar heroine that could never be too much for me and her grouchy competitor in a story that feels like a warm hug or a really good cup of hot chocolate. Alechia Dow shines as brightly as Darling with her latest book!" —Kamilah Cole, Lodestar & Lambda Award finalist and bestselling author of the Divine Traitors duology

 

"Alechia Dow weaves achingly relatable characters into the most whimsical of settings, reminding all of us—no matter how wounded—that a happily ever after is never out of reach." —Sonora Reyes, National Book Award finalist and bestselling author of The Lesbiana’s Guide to Catholic School

 

"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

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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.