Once Upon A Midnight Walk

by Tetyana Walker

A new thrilling story by Tetyana Walker, author of the Freckled Fate Trilogy.

For fans of Pride and Prejudice & Peaky Blinders.

"In a kingdom where the sun never sets, and only men are born with magic, Agnes Peregreene had to grow up entirely too soon.

After her mother’s death, Agnes devoted her life to caring for her younger sister. Bound by a vow she refused to break, she ensured no price was too great for Solomia’s well-being. But when Solomia is betrothed to a known wife-killer, Agnes is forced to confront the reality of her own powerlessness.

Before Agnes can find a way to save her sister, she is handed a death sentence of her own.

Desperate to buy time, she strikes a frantic bargain with the Aclanian king—she will venture into Nocturna, the realm of ever-night, and retrieve a long-lost talisman in exchange for her life and her sister’s freedom.

Lost in a realm unlike any other, Agnes must rely on her cunning mind to survive. Determined to return home successful, she sets on a path of discovery, unraveling secrets that a mysterious and wealthy man named Odeon Nox has spent years trying to keep buried.

Secrets that come with a price neither one of them is prepared to pay."

Step into this standalone romantic fantasy, set between a realm of sunlight and castles, and a world of night and cities rivaling 1920s New York!

Tropes

· Forced partnership

· Strong and cunning heroine

· Slow burn romance

· Enemies to lovers

· Angst and tension with historical romance undertones

· A LOT of banter

Every choice has a price, and every heart hides a secret.

Genres: Fantasy

474 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 24, 2026

About the author

Tetyana was born and raised in Kyiv, Ukraine. In 2012, she moved to Utah, USA to attend Ensign college and pursue a degree in business. She is now a proud wife and a mother with a successful career in software sales.

Tetyana has had a strong passion for reading ever since she was a kid. But her world completely changed when she read the Harry Potter series at the age of 8 and discovered the world of fantasy. She hasn’t looked back since. Now, as a self-published fantasy-romance author, Tetyana looks forward to helping other authors on their journey. She named her publishing company after a tiny rural Ukrainian village in Kyivska Oblast’ where she spent her summers growing up. With no internet or cell service or even indoor plumbing, Tetyana spent her summer days helping her grandparents take care of their small farm while spending any free time outside reading. “Bakumovka stands for more than a small village to me. It stands for a place of peace and magic. A place where imagination runs wild and free. A place of comfort and love.” Tetyana says.

Reviews

[Imani · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cried by the end.

Honestly, I debated DNF this book multiple times cause it wasn’t my usual main characters but I’m a firm believer the end of the book makes or breaks it and I was crying by the end! Can’t wait to see what this author does next.

[Nattie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am not the type of reviewer who is going to give you a synopsis of the story and all the tropes. I don’t think that’s what a review should do. A review should tell you the merits of the writing and the story.

Full disclosure, I went into this book with low expectations. Not because I don’t enjoy Walker’s work. I loved the Freckled Fate Trilogy.  But because, lately, I’ve been in such a slump, everything just feels the same. While it’s sometimes comforting to settle into a good trope and to always know what is coming next, it does get tedious. I am happy to say that I should’ve known better.

This book went well beyond my expectations. I loved every second of it. I couldn’t put it down. It had a wonderful charisma that kept me engaged and a little nervous. You could really see the Pride and Prejudice influence without it feeling like a rip-off. The characters felt genuine, and the story felt authentic. I love a dual perspective story, especially when both characters are given equal(ish) weight. I also didn’t hate either character, which happens far too often. Both were interesting. Both had some flaws and both experienced growth by the end.

I sometimes get irritated with books over 500 pages because they feel like 300 page story that is stretched and strained to make it seem weighty and important. This book did not have that problem. I also love that it’s a standalone, with plans to expand the world through the other characters within the universe.

The illustrations were adorable! I loved having the visuals mixed in. It was such a nice touch.

That’s not to say the book was flawless. There were a few minor pacing issues; I felt like the ending was both rushed and too slow. I still had some lingering questions, which might be addressed in the next book. BUT it was absolutely worth it. I would happily re-read it and recommend it to anyone I know!

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

(3.5 stars) The second half of the book was wonderfully engrossing and had me fully invested and eager to read. Unfortunately the first half, though it started strong, stalled a bit for me with the pacing.

The writing is often beautiful and paints a vivid picture, but there are a few instances of things being worded funny, which does pull you out of the story. On that note, the word utter, in some variation (uttered, utterly, etc.) is used repeatedly. That caught my attention and pulled me out of the story.

Anges reminded me of Finn, from her other series, in the sometimes petulant way she spoke, which I didn’t love. But Agnes has a quiet strength about her and an impressive work ethic, so she did win me over in the end.

“…disappears and alongside him, a piece of her heart, leaving in his wake a broken piece of something that was whole before.”
“A price she was willing to pay,” Agnes countered.
“Just because she was willing doesn’t mean he was worthy of the cause.”

I received an advance review copy for free and am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Heather Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a standalone Romantasy book with two worlds that had been apart for years. Agnes just wants to protect her sister and live but unfortunately things don’t go as she expects. Mr. Nox is an interesting character who is more than he seems. Their worlds collide when Agnes is sent to retrieve something for the King. She needs to find it to save her friend and sister. They work together to find this object and this proves very difficult. She is good at researching too. I thought the characters were interesting, even the side characters. I would love to read more with those characters. The story does drag some in the middle, but it picks up again. It has magic, separate worlds, romance, and a mystery to solve. A good read for anyone who likes Romantasy and needs a standalone book.

[Ivana · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are looking for a beautiful romantasy standalone read with no cliffhangers then this is the book for you!! 10/10 must read for anyone who loves a romantasy with historical undertones!

Agnes is an older sister who throws herself into dangerous situations to save her little sister from a life of misery, in doing so she is transported into a new world and constantly thrown together with the very grumpy, and handsome, Mr. Nox.

The burn is SLOW and they truly cannot stand one another. Which makes the banter and angst unreal!! These two are constantly verbally throwing down and I just could not get enough!

So yes, add this to your TBR and binge it immediately!!!!

[Amanda W · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg, I loved this so much! I truly had no idea where the story was heading, but wow, the romance completely swept me away. The banter was flawless, and the yearning? Absolutely EVERYTHING.

What I loved most was that they fell in love without relying on overwhelming sexual tension. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good spicy romance, but sometimes it feels like the characters are more consumed by lust than actually knowing each other. This felt different. Their connection was built on admiration, respect, and this undeniable pull toward one another that felt so genuine and heartfelt.

This was a great standalone and I will read whatever she writes! She’s amazing!❤️❤️❤️

❤️ Magic kingdoms
❤️ Found family
❤️ First Born sister
❤️ He falls first
🍏 No spice ( bonus spice scene .25🌶️)

[Megan Warner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC copy of Once Upon a Midnight Walk, and thoroughly enjoyed reading it. This is a standalone romantasy, with historical Pride and Prejudice vibes. There is also mystery and adventure. This book also includes lots of angst, tension, and banter. The main female and male characters verbally attack each other in such a proper, respectable way, it'll have you grinning. The yearning had my chest aching, and I really felt for these characters.
P.S. If you have not read The Freckled Fate Series, also by Tetyana Walker, go read it now! It is a dark romantasy trilogy, and is soooo good.

[Sally Rees · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant!! Another tour de force from this young author. What impressed me again was her prose. First, English is her second language, so the intricately woven dialogs between her characters is so impressive.

But even if English were her first language, she captures so much emotion from bitterness to that love that pulls your heart out from your chest.

This book is completely different from her first series, The Freckled Fate. The language has that same almost poetic quality, but the stories are so different that it is hard to believe they are written by the same author.

A must read for all those whose duty weighs heavy on their soul.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful standalone romantasy. I just finished this slow burn, and oh, my heart is so full. The yearning and mystery kept me engaged throughout. The historical elements, character development, and banter between Agnes and Odeon and between Odeon and Jasper were so well done. The author’s first trilogy, The Freckled Fate series, is also one of my favorites, so I cannot wait to read what Tetyana Walker does next.

[Nikki La · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Once Upon Midnight Walk* is a romantasy that braids two worlds separated by a perilous void into a single, aching story about love, courage, and chosen family. Jasper’s chaotic loyalty and banter with the ever mysterious Mr. Nox constantly steal the spotlight, balancing tension with Agnes, the undisputed champion of wit and knowledge, grounds the story with razor‑sharp intelligence and heart, making the stakes feel both epic and deeply, wonderfully personal.

[kiely · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Love pulls me, and through it, I call you from the darkness”

So thankful to have received an ARC… I genuinely enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone wanting a slow-burn romantic fantasy set in a modern-ish time.

Everything from the characters, settings with historical undertones, and even the folklore drew me in.

Tetyana has solidified her stance as an auto-buy author!

[Ashleigh Carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a delightful read. This felt cozy, although the stakes are high. The slooooooow burn, the loveable characters, the motivations... I love Agnes so much. She's admirable and brave, and all she wants is to save her friend and her sister. She travels into the unknown and unravels a mystery so long in the making. I want an Agnes. I want to be Agnes!

[Barbara Hessler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful story of lost family and women strong and determined to save her sister. She denied her own love till the very end for her family. No sword fighting or waring thrones only in the end do u discover a lost king and he gives up everything to be happy and find love

[Manuela · Rating 5 out of 5]

I went in blind reading this book and I'm really happy I did. I love the pride and prejudice elements that the author added into the story. It was very Elizabeth & Mr. Darcy coded which I am not complaining about one bit! This is a slow burn and there is so much yearning... Loved it!

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully written. Reminiscent of a classic romance novel.

The way these two characters absolutely tore each other apart but in a completely respectable way using very proper grammar had me giggling to myself. The FMC is bold and stubborn and speaks her mind unconditionally. She is very hard to dislike unless you are the MMC (who ends up falling in love with her too eventually).

I highly recommend anything written by this author and cannot wait for her next book.