Lady Tremaine

If you think you know the story of the "Wicked Stepmother," think again. In her stunning debut, Rachel Hochhauser takes the glass slipper and shatters it, giving us a gritty, feminist, and deeply moving look at the woman behind the myth: Lady Etheldreda Verity Isolde Tremaine Bramley.

Lady Tremaine isn't just a retelling; it’s a "battle cry for a mother’s love." We meet Ethel, a twice-widowed woman fighting to keep her crumbling manor afloat and her daughters’ futures secure. When a royal ball offers a glimmer of hope, it isn’t a magical fairy godmother who steps in—it’s Ethel’s own razor-sharp wit and survival instincts.

Described as "Bridgerton meets Circe," this book explores the "sordid secrets" of the royal family and the impossible choices a woman must make when the world is built to see her fail. Whether you’re here for the lush historical atmosphere or the complex mother-daughter dynamics, this Reese’s Book Club pick is destined to be your next favorite read.