Lady Tremaine by Rachel Hochhauser is a reimagining of Cinderella told from the stepmother’s point of view. This version removes the magical elements and grounds the story in realism. It follows many of the familiar beats of Cinderella, but where the original fairy tale ends, Lady Tremaine is only halfway through. It reminded me of Percival Everett’s James in that way, staying close to the source before branching into something new.
Lady Tremaine is a captivating character. She has been through the ringer with husbands who dismissed her wants and desires. She carries a fierce, protective energy and would sacrifice anything for her daughters, though her stepdaughter is another story.
Elin serves as the Cinderella figure, and her portrayal is where the novel takes its biggest swings. She is pale and delicate, raised to be a proper lady. Any chore is seen as cruel and unusual, something beneath her. She is easily overwhelmed, prone to fainting, stubborn, and keeps her distance from Lady Tremaine.
The book explores different perspectives on feminism, from women who sacrifice everything for their families to those who reject societal expectations and choose to live for themselves. One standout line from the queen captures this perfectly: “All wives are puppets until they learn to master the strings.”
There is a strong emotional core here, full of both heart and heartbreak. The blurb compares the book to Circe meets Bridgerton, which fits well. It is a character study of a traditionally villainous figure, digging into her motivations and emotional life while also examining status, survival, and the pursuit of security.
The novel does an excellent job showing Lady Tremaine’s vulnerability through flashbacks. Early on, it shifts between past and present, building a full picture of her life. It becomes so effective that when she slaps Elin, it feels almost justified in the moment. Elin is difficult to sympathize with. This perspective does not change my overall view of Cinderella, but it does add a new lens to consider the story.
The ending is mostly great. There is one element I think could have been handled better, but overall I loved both the conclusion and the book itself. Lady Tremaine is an impressive debut, and it would not surprise me to see it nominated for Best Debut in the Goodreads Choice Awards, possibly even winning.
Lady Tremaine was selected for Reese Witherspoon’s Book Club.
Lady Tremaine was first published on March 3, 2026 by St. Martin’s Press.
Why did I read Lady Tremaine by Rachel Hochhauser?
The publisher sent me an eARC last year because I loved The Sirens by Emilia Hart. The premise immediately appealed to me, as I am always drawn to fairy tale retellings. It quickly became one of my most anticipated reads of 2026, and I’m glad it lived up to the hype. I received an ARC copy from St. Martin’s Press through NetGalley.
Plot Summary:
Ethel grows up as the brewer’s daughter, and her family does business with the Tremaines, who are fairly well off. As a child, she forms a close bond with a boy named Henry, who teaches her falconry. Over time, her fondness for him deepens into love. However, she comes to understand that marrying someone like Henry is not guaranteed, as he will have wealthier suitors to consider.
Years later, Ethel is living in a once-nice house that is now falling into disrepair. She raises her two daughters, Mathilda and Rose, along with her stepdaughter, Elin. When a royal invitation arrives, only Elin is invited to the ball, despite all the girls being of age. Determined to change her daughters’ futures, Lady Tremaine sets out to manipulate the system by any means necessary to get them in front of the prince. The story is filled with twists and turns.
What I Liked:
The character of Lady Tremaine, or Ethel, is incredibly well developed. She is both strong and vulnerable, and I appreciated her moments of self-reflection and accountability, especially regarding her relationship with Elin.
I liked how many elements of the original Cinderella story remained, even within this more grounded retelling.
Lucy the falcon was a fantastic addition. She reflects Lady Tremaine’s feral edge, and I enjoyed learning about falconry. The training parallels added depth to the story. I like how Lucy is short for Lucifer.
The twists kept me engaged throughout. Just when I thought I knew where the story was heading, it shifted direction and kept me guessing.
There was one romance I predicted early on, but watching it unfold was still satisfying and emotional.
The side characters were well drawn, each with a distinct identity. I never felt confused about who was who.
The queen was a standout character and a strong rival to Lady Tremaine. I would have liked even more scenes between them.
The writing is consistently strong. This is one of the most impressive debuts I have read.
What I Disliked:
The cover does not reflect the strength of the novel. It actually caused me to delay picking the book up.
There is a scene near the end involving two groups in pursuit that felt frustrating. The characters being chased did not seem to have a solid plan, even though they had time to prepare. It felt like an obvious opportunity was missed.
Recommendation:
Lady Tremaine is a fantastic read. It is engaging, emotional, and full of drama. Rachel Hochhauser is a major new talent. I connected deeply with Lady Tremaine and felt the weight of her struggles. The novel strongly emphasizes themes of fairness and agency. It is a powerful reinterpretation of a familiar story, and I highly recommend it.
Rating:
Lady Tremaine by Rachel Hochhauser
5 out of 5 stars
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