Into the Midnight Wood by Alexandra McCollum
Fantasy Romance
Published on January 13, 2026 by Dutton

Reviewed by Kate

Into the Midnight Wood is billed as a whimsical fantasy romance and I believe it lives up to that expectation. There are some moments that aren’t so lighthearted but overall it’s a lovely story about two people getting to know each other and themselves better. 

I’m going to be honest that this review has been difficult for me to write because on one hand, I really enjoyed this book. It was a perfect book for me. I love the combination of a flighty character with a straightlaced one, and watching the romance of them both moving toward the middle. I love a book that kind of meanders a little and has a bit of the slice of life feeling (this does not entirely have that but it does have notes of that which I liked!). 

However, there are some things that may annoy other readers. For example, the world building. Is it our world with magic? It felt so fantastical but then David would go to his very normal accounting job and meet with real estate agents. There was also a lot of plot in the first half of the book. There’s the storyline of Meredith’s family wedding, there’s David’s gala he’s planning, his wanting to get in good with the boss, and this makes the book feel like a very slow burn, because the actual crux of the story, what is happening in the Midnight Wood, does not happen until much later in the book. So if you are looking for a book where the action happens immediately – this is not it. 

Additionally, the description of the book does call it “cozy” and while I don’t disagree that to some extent it is cozy, there are (as I mentioned) some moments that are not lighthearted, and readers who are looking for a wholly cozy book may be disappointed. 

But there is so much to enjoy! One of the aspects I really liked about the book was how David’s list of things that are “wrong” about Meredith could have been solely played for laughs, and is certainly amusing at times, but in the end it has an actual impact on the plot and the character. It felt like the list and the results caused some self-reflection in David that showed excellent growth. Since the story was told only from David’s point of view, it was interesting seeing David’s interior monologue and how he grows throughout the book. I also loved the found family aspect, especially as the reader specifically sees how awful Meredith’s family is, so it’s even more rewarding to see Meredith and David build their found family around them. 

Overall, Into the Midnight Wood was a lovely romance that dealt with some heavy topics but was a sweet read. I would recommend this for readers who enjoyed Yield Under Great Persuasion by Alexandra Rowland, or who like a slow burn fantasy romance. 

Content notes, taken from the author’s website: family estrangement, grief, bigotry in various forms, and mental health challenges.

Grade: B+