I enjoyed this take on Cinderella, told through the eyes of the "wicked" stepmother. Lady Tremaine is portrayed as a complex woman doing what she can to support her family. Once the story got going, I was fully invested. There were some unexpected twists and turns, and while some of the social commentary felt a bit forced at times, I appreciate the overall message and was invested in seeing how it ended. A great read for fans (YA and adult) of fairy tale retellings that explore the gray areas between good and evil. 4.5/5

I sat down for light refreshment and was served a decadent 5 course meal. Friends, rarely have I been so delighted to find my plate so full.

A really interesting take on the Cinderella story. I felt it was a little long at parts but kept me engaged overall.
Thank you to netgalley for an advanced copy. My opinions are my own.

I could not put this book down! This wonderful twist on a classic fairytale was an addictive read. I found myself absorbed in the world of Lady Tremaine. The story is well-written with visuals that suck you into the tale, rooting for the once scorned villain of the classic "Cinderella". I laughed, I cried, I gasped, I was enthralled.
Thank you St. Martin's Press for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

When I started to read this book, I wasn’t to sure if I was going to like it. However, it soon sucked me in and I enjoyed it completely. Complex characters and a great plot twists. I highly recommend reading this book.

What can I say about “Lady Tremaine” but loved this wonderful book. This is a first time read by new author, Rachel Hochhauser, to this reader. The story was a nice retelling of the Cinderella classic. It was a well-written book that kept my interest from the very start. The author’s delivery of characters, ideals and moments in the chapters made it worthwhile and enjoyable. As you delve deeper into the story, you become absorbed in Ethel’s life and love for her daughters…clearly seen. This was a truly a twist… turning the very familiar Cinderella story where the villain is the evil stepmother into a heartwarming story of a motherly love and survival. An empowerment story that I highly recommend the read.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an eARC of this book via NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Rating: 5/5 Stars
Publishing: March 3, 2026
Pages: 352

Loved loved loved this! I was bound by the jesses, held captive, from the first pages. A fun, quick, must read with well rounded characters, strong females, dashing males, a bit of evil, falconry, apples, lace, gloves, & more. Mothers will never stop choosing what is best for their children with the knowledge known at the moment the decision is made. Love truly knows no limits in this fresh approach to the Cinderella story!

This is my unbiased, honest review. Thank you to NetGalley & St. Martin's Press for an ARC.

An origin story for Cinderella's evil stepmother, Lady Tramaine was wonderful! I love a retelling and this one did not disappoint. In a world where a young woman's fate depends on who she marries, Lady Tramaine, Ethel, shows over and over that the future can turn on a dime. She is willing to do anything to give all of her daughters the best chance at a good life. Looking at the traditional Cinderella from a different prospective, what are the actions of an "evil" stepmother and what are the actions of a warrior mother? I most enjoyed that we get to see all of the different life choices that women could make to secure their futures, from Lady Tramaine herself, to the Queen, to the housemaids that share a life.

Thank you Net Galley and St. Martin Press for this eARC. 4.5 Stars! This book was beautifully written. It would have been a 5 star book, but it did seem to drag a little in the middle.

Review: Lady Tremaine by Rachel Hochhauser
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5)
eARC provided by St. Martin’s Publishing Group via NetGalley

What a fantastic and refreshingly grounded retelling of the Cinderella story. Lady Tremaine takes the familiar tale and strips away the magic to reframe it in a way that feels incredibly real and emotionally complex. Rachel Hochhauser’s portrayal of Ethel (Lady Tremaine) invites deep empathy as we witness the circumstances that shaped her into the stern, often misunderstood figure we think we know.

As a mother myself, with another child on the way, Ethel’s internal struggles resonated with me on a profound level. Her decisions—often made out of fear and fierce love—felt achingly human. One quote in particular struck me deeply:

“As a mother, you must accept that death and its partners — pain and anguish — are coming for your children. Fear is the steady little hiccup that drives you, wakes you in the night, stealing sleep and forcing extra kisses at each goodbye. You hope, beyond all measure, that when death or anguish come for your children, it will be peaceful, late in life, and long after you are gone.”

That line alone will stay with me for a long time.

Interestingly, I found myself more frustrated by Elin (Cinderella) than Ethel—a testament to how successfully Hochhauser challenges our expectations and invites us to consider a different perspective.

Highly recommend this one to anyone who enjoys fairytale retellings with emotional depth, historical realism, and morally gray characters that leave a lasting impression.

This was an engaging and well-written book that kept my interest throughout. The author delivered strong ideas and storytelling, with memorable moments that made it stand out. While there were a few areas that could have been expanded or polished further, overall it was an enjoyable and worthwhile read. I would recommend it to others looking for a thoughtful and rewarding experience.

Hochhauser’s latest is, essentially, a fairy-tale; a reimagining of Cinderella, with a few tweaks! Twice widowed Etheldreda, does have two daughters, it’s true, but they aren’t nasty or unkind. Elin, the step-daughter is the biggest challenge. But Ethel is only trying to get them all settled as any good mother does. Lucy, Ethel’s goshawk is an integral part of events so pay attention to her. Ethel meets Otto, a royal advisor to the queen, when she and Lucy are illegally hunting on royal land—a big no-no.

There aren’t any shoes involved in the tale, other than the ones we suppose everyone to be trudging around in. The prince is very princely, handsome, kind, loving and sometimes a cad. And then there’s Arno, the faithful horse, who trudges on through life as he must.

I was completely absorbed by this, particularly the manner in which it is written because (other than its length) I could imagine it being read out loud. The character backstories are well integrated— the fact that we get histories makes this stand on a much larger stage than does the original fairytale, of course. As an avid reader, for me this is a delightful, fast-paced, two-sitting read where the baddies get their comeuppance and the good guys get some vindication instead of matching shoes. Themes galore abound – mother-daughter relationships, sisters; love; marriage; jealousy; deception; subterfuge; corruption; redemption; – you name it, Hochhauser’s got it! But what are fairytales for if not to promote themes? Recommended in particular to those who love quirky stories featuring heroines with abundant pluck.

I never thought I’d be this into a Cinderella villain retelling, but here we are.
I absolutely devoured this. Her devotion to her children, herself, recognition of flaws and strengths, ability to make things happen, it was all really wonderful. Her journey in fighting for her daughters and their futures, I can’t even begin to describe how good this was.
So, I’m recommending this tale of motherhood.

Wow! Was that ever an unexpected look at the traditional Cinderella story. This telling of the story is from the "wicked" stepmother's point of view. And all I can say is maybe the original author had it all wrong. Definitely a page turner and a very interesting concept. And being a stepmother myself, I really appreciated the different perspective that was given.

I'm a huge Cinderella fan! Sadly, this book felt choppy and underdeveloped. Dialogue felt drab and dull and the story just seemed to drag. I couldn't get into it and couldn't wait for the book to end. Thank you to St. Martin's Press for the copy in exchange for an honest review.

This book was stunning!!! The writing was so incredible and the story was unlike any I’d read before! As a mom myself, the way Ethel described her role as a mother encapsulated it perfectly. I enjoyed the twists and turns in the book and I absolutely LOVED the ending.

What’s it about? A Cinderella retelling but from the point of her cruel stepmother. But what if her stepmother wasn’t cruel but forced into impossible situations and filled with an unending spirit to care for her daughters? And what if Cinderella wasn’t neglected but chose to not partake in her step-family after her father’s passing? And what if Prince Charming isn’t quite as he seems?

This was a fun and well written retelling of Cinderella from the “evil” stepmothers’s point of view. A magical yet dark novel.

A Cinderella story like you’ve never read….Lady Tremaine by Rachel Hochhauser is novel telling the story from the perspective of the stepmother. A different type of Cinderella, a really, really different perspective of Prince Charming, the adult reader will be eager to turn the pages to know what comes next. The ending is so unexpected, I had to read it twice. Four stars for a book that rewrites the fairy tale we all grew up with.

Wow, this book was so much more than I expected in the best way. Going in, I thought I’d be reading a retelling of Cinderella from another perspective, and while that’s true to some extent, it ended up being such a unique and refreshing take.

The writing was beautiful and captivating, and it kept my attention from beginning to end. I especially loved the way the story gave new depth to the characters we thought we already knew. Seeing Lady Tremaine in such a different light was fascinating, and I really enjoyed the way the themes of motherhood and resilience were woven into her story. It made me rethink so much about the original fairytale.

I have no doubt this book is going to be a huge hit, and I will be adding it to our library shelves right away.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Get ready for a dark and gripping retelling of Cinderella, but this time, it’s from the stepmother’s point of view. Instead of being a pure villain, Lady Tremaine is shown as a mother who’s desperate to protect her daughters. The plot twists and turns, revealing shocking truths about the Prince and the royal family. You’ll be left questioning who the real villains are. The writing is sharp and layered, making the stepsisters feel more real than just caricatures. It’s haunting, unsettling, and thought-provoking. This story is about survival, sacrifice, and the blurred lines between villainy and love.