Book Description 

Twice-widowed, Lady Etheldreda Verity Isolde Tremaine Bramley is solely responsible for her two children, a priggish stepdaughter, a razor-taloned peregrine falcon, and a crumbling manor. Fierce and determined, Ethel clings to the respectability her deceased husband’s title affords her, hoping it will secure her daughters’ future through marriage.

When a royal ball offers the chance to change everything, Ethel risks her pride in pursuit of an invitation for all three of her daughters—only to see her hopes fulfilled by the wrong one. As an engagement to the future king unfolds, Ethel discovers a sordid secret hidden in the depths of the royal family, forcing her to choose between the security she craves and the wellbeing of the stepdaughter who has rebuffed her at every turn.

As if Bridgerton met Circe, and exhilarating to its core, Lady Tremaine reimagines the myth of the evil stepmother at the heart of the world’s most famous fairy tale. It is a battle cry for a mother’s love for her daughters, and a celebration of women everywhere who make their own fortunes.

My Review 

This book immediately piqued my interest because it reminded me of an adult version of those YA books where the fairytale villains get to tell their side of the story. In short, that’s exactly what this is, but I want to reiterate that this is an adult fiction title and not a YA title. 

The titular Lady Tremaine is a lot easier to sympathize with than I expected. Ethel has suffered several losses over the course of her life and happiness remains only a distant memory. She sees the prince’s ball as an opportunity for her daughters to find the happiness that always eluded her. 

But of course, the prince is only interested in Ethel’s stepdaughter. 

The plot deviates from the source material at this point, as the simple happily ever after we expect fails to materialize. I can’t say anything more except this new spin is riveting and quite unexpected. I loved (most of) the new characters and thought everything was very cleverly done. 

Speaking of the source material… Ethel is not particularly wicked and tries very hard to forge a connection with her stepdaughter, who rigidly adheres to an outdated book of maxims and does not pull her weight even though the manor house is falling apart. Literally.. Oh, and the girl is prone to fainting too. Nevertheless, Ethel tries her best to provide for all three of her daughters. 

I would absolutely recommend Lady Tremaine. I liked this book more than I expected. This would make a great movie or limited series. This is an amazing debut and I’m looking forward to reading more from Hochhauser in the future.  

I received a digital ARC of this book from St. Martin’s/NetGalley/