What can I say about Into the Midnight Wood except that I LOVED this book. I’m not exaggerating to say it’s one of my favourite reads of 2025, and I’ll be looking to add a hard copy to my bookshelf.
The story is told from the point of view of David Carew, a somewhat serious, seemingly ambitious, but forgettable man who is annoyed by his housemate, Meredith Schwarzwelder, for various reasons which he begins to list from the very first page of the book.
Meredith on the other hand was flighty, and eccentric , but even early on there were times that it seemed like he was putting on an act to hide his inner feelings. As the story went on, it became clear that Meredith had some pretty tough things to deal with throughout his life, and one couldn’t help but feel sorry for the way people treated him.
I am a huge fan of old movies, and the interactions between David and Meredith brought to mind on of my favourite movies, Bringing Up Baby, and the way the characters played by Katherine Hepburn and Cary Grant related to each other. Meredith’s carefree nature wound up David in the same way that Katherine Hepburn’s character had Cary Grant’s character’s head spinning in the movie, and yet it was clear in both cases that the characters had feelings for each other.
While much of the book is fairly lighthearted, there is a darker undertone, and a sense of menace that comes from the mention of the nearby Midnight Wood. As we get to know the characters, it becomes clear that Meredith is highly emotionally damaged from his past, and David is oblivious (sometimes consciously so) to what is right in front of him.
Into the Midnight Wood is a fantastical, magical, queer romance that had me on an emotional rollercoaster, laughing one moment and near tears the next. It was an unexpected delight, and I almost wish I could experience reading it for the first time again, it was such a wonderful read. I have preordered a hard copy of this book to add to my bookshelves, I loved it so much.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Life, Tea, and Everything 