Until the Clock Strikes Midnight

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.

Also by Alechia Dow
Just a Pinch of Magic

Binding Type: Hardcover
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Published: 02/03/2026
ISBN: 9781250375773
Pages: 320
Weight: 1.00lbs
Size: 7.62h x 5.12w x 1.00d

Review Citations: Publishers Weekly 11/17/2025
School Library Journal 12/01/2025 pg. 72
Kirkus Reviews 12/01/2025