Goodreads says, "A widow twice-over, Etheldreda is now saddled with the care of her two children, a priggish stepdaughter, and a razor-taloned peregrine falcon. Her entire life has become a ruse, just like the manor hall they live grand and ornate on the exterior, but crumbling, brick by brick, inside. Fierce in the face of her misfortune, Ethel clings to her family’s respectability, the lifeboat that will float her daughters straight into the secure banks of marriage.
When a royal ball offers the chance to secure the future she desperately desires, Etheldreda must risk her secrets, pride, and limited resources in pursuit of an invitation for her daughters—only to see her hopes fulfilled by the wrong one. As an engagement to the heir of the kingdom unfolds with unnerving speed, she discovers a sordid secret hidden in the depths of the royal family, forcing her to choose between the security she’s sought for years and the wellbeing of the feckless 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 fairytale. It is a battle cry for a mother’s love for her daughters, and a celebration of women everywhere who make their own fortunes.
Lady Tremaine is now twice widowed and finds herself in charge of her two daughters and her sullen stepdaughter, who has never liked her. Her estate is in shambles, money is tight, and it's on her to make sure her daughters find a way to survive and end up with strong marriages. She has even taken it upon herself to hunt for food with her beloved falcon in order to provide for her family. When she hears about a royal ball with the prince looking for a suitable match, she thinks this is her chance. But when push comes to shove, it is only Elin, her stepdaughter, who gets an invitation. As time passes, though, they realize that the Royal family and Prince Charming aren't who they cracked up to be, and maybe this isn't a good match for Elin. Ultimately, Lady Tremaine by Rachel Hochhauser turns the Cinderella fairy tale on its head by giving the stepmother a chance to be understood; she is more than just a wicked stepmother. It's a fun reimagining of a classic tale and will have readers rooting for the stepmother in no time.
I love reimagined fairy tales, especially those that focus on misunderstood or lesser-known characters. There is so much more to the "Wicked" stepmother concept, and I find it fascinating to explore Lady Tremaine's character. Hocchauser's portrayal of her was wonderful, showcasing her development as not only a feminist figure but also as a caring mother who wants the best for her daughters. I enjoyed Lady Tremaine and recommend it to fans of fairy tale reimaginings.
Goodreads says, "Adam and Jules have been married for twenty-five years when they discover a time machine in their shed - can it bring back their romantic spark? Or will it unravel everything? Written by a real-life couple who fell in love while writing their bestselling debut novel twenty-five years ago. One couple. One past. A million tomorrows.
Meet Adam and Jules. Married for nearly twenty-five years and stuck in a rut, their future looks, well, boring.
Then Adam stumbles across a box of old mixtapes he and Jules made for each other when they were young and falling in love. He dusts off his vintage stereo, inserts one of the cassettes, presses play … and the unbelievable happens.
With the power to travel back in time, he and Jules can revisit pivotal moments in their pasts. Is this the key to getting their sparkle back? They embark on an epic hunt through the multiverse for their perfect love story. But as they visit the past and recapture the headiness of falling in love, they realize that traveling across time could be as dangerous as it is addictive, because the temptation to change just a few small things is irresistible. As the ripple effects spiral out of control, can they find a way back to their messy and imperfect, yet glorious, real life? Or will they lose each other forever?
I love a good time travel story, so I appreciated that aspect of You & Me and You & Me and You & Me. I went back and forth between reading the novel and listening to the audiobook, and I have to say that the audio was done very well; it hooked me much more than the actual novel did. I also enjoyed all the '90s nostalgia and the music—one of my favorite elements of the book. However, I didn't care for the repetition; it felt very much like Sliding Doors. I was frustrated with Jules and Adam when they hid important things from each other. While this hasn't been my favorite romance read this year, fans of second-chance romances and time travel will likely appreciate it.
Have you read either of these books? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.
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