Published 22nd January 2026 by Viking.
From the cover of the book:
There are 100 things wrong with Meredith Schwarzwelder. At least.#1 He has an absurd name.
#3 He's an irredeemable eccentric who flirts with everyone in his path.
#35 He cries at anything.
#50 He talks to mice, or imagines he does.
For David Carew, keeping track of these things is the only way he's managed to remain living with him for as long as he has.
But when magic starts to seep in from the Midnight Wood and a dark being emerges with a sinister plan involving Meredith, David decides that it’s time to leave the cottage, and his roommate, behind. Then Meredith’s brother gets engaged to the daughter of David’s boss, and he sees the perfect opportunity to advance his career and make his escape.
With wedding bells sounding and the dangers of the Midnight Wood encroaching, David realizes there’s much more hiding beneath the surface of his roommate’s seemingly carefree charm, and that perhaps his own exasperation carries more fondness than he’d like to admit.
There are 100 things wrong with Meredith Schwarzwelder. And David's starting to like them all...
***********
On the edge of Midnight Wood lies Midnight Cottage home to unlikely roommates David Carew, Meredith Schwarzwelder, a rhinestone bedecked Chihuahua called Bianca - and a varied selection of 'third' tenants who only stay fleetingly. The presence of enchanted flora and fauna on the doorstep of the cottage might be enough to scare their short-lived roommates away, but for David, the cause is mostly down to Meredith's chaotic life-style.
Keeping track of the ways in which Meredith infuriates him sustains David in his exasperated moments, and he has compiled a list of at least a hundred so far. It is a miracle he has managed to live with him in the same house for so long.
When the mood within the house takes a turn, driven by unsettling happenings in the wood, and the looming presence of a family wedding that has Meredith on edge, David decides it is time to make a move away from the cottage and his roommate. But as darkness creeps over them, he finds he cannot bring himself to leave. Perhaps the hundred reasons that Meredith vexes him, might actually be the reasons he wants to stay...
Through this whimsical tale McCollum weaves a heartfelt queer love story between two very different characters - sensible, down to earth accountant David, and his eccentric tattooist roommate Meredith. The story unfurls through the perspective of David, who has somehow lived with Meredith for several years, despite all the ways in which he drives him to distraction, and who introduces you to the very peculiar surroundings in which they live, and the wonderful cast of characters (of magical and non-magical kinds).
The list of one hundred ways that are particularly irksome to David drop steadily into the story to great comic effect as the roommates negotiate ever-changing fellow tenants; the disturbing chain of events within the wood that draw them into danger; and the relatable drama that arises around the impending wedding between Meredith's brother and the daughter of David's employer (who David is very keen to impress). Not to mention the absurd situations that arise from their interactions with their landlord Mr Bednarek; their near neighbour, the witch Mrs Jupiter; a band of disgruntled Neo-Nazis; and a whole host of creatures (wonderful and down-right scary) that reveal themselves over the course of the story.
I really enjoyed how McCollum spins such an immersive tale about a fairy tale world, and blends this so delightfully with oodles of lovely stuff about romance, being seen, identity, stereotypes, dysfunction, trauma, friendship, found family... and of course, queer love. Emotions run heart-stirringly high, and the transformation of the relationship between David and Meredith is powerfully poignant (expect spice!). Humour is used on point, and I adored the message of finding the courage to be true to yourself.
This charming story is beautifully written, and it made me laugh and cry on the way to its lovely sparkly ending.
Into the Midnight Wood is available to buy now in hardcover, ebook and audio formats.
Thank you to Viking for sending me a copy of this book in return for an honest review.
About the author:
Alexandra McCollum grew up in rural northeast Ohio and now lives in Nevada with their husband and dog. Among other jobs, they’ve worked in a bakery in Austria, managed a coffee shop in Ohio, and taught high school in Las Vegas. When not writing, they can be found studying languages and exploring local coffeehouses in search of the perfect americano.
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