Lady Tremaine - Rachel Hochhauser

I went into Lady Tremaine thinking I was getting a straight Cinderella retelling from the stepmother’s point of view. What I got was something much deeper, rawer, and more emotional than I expected.

The story follows the familiar bones of Cinderella, but the twists and added layers give it its own personality. Seeing Ethel’s backstory was fascinating. Watching her make moves and counter-moves through life helped me understand her in a way I never expected. There is romance in the story, but the true focus is on how far a mother will go to protect her daughters. That theme ran through every chapter and gave the book so much emotional weight.

The first half of the book was an easy, steady read - detailed, engaging, and beautifully paced. Then the second half brought in elements I never saw coming, and it completely shifted how I viewed the story. Every character added something unique. People you thought were good showed another side, and others you distrusted turned out to be allies. That constant shifting made the story feel alive and kept me turning pages.

I listened to the audiobook, and Bessy was the perfect narrator for this story. Her voice pulls you in and transports you into the world. The elegance and tone of her narration matched the style of the book perfectly and added a level of sophistication that made the experience even better. This was not just a retelling. It was a deeper look at love, survival, and the complicated choices people make for family.

But if joy were a commodity, I'd trade all I have, all that's left of it, for my daughters, Rosie, Matilda