Goodreads Users Name an Unsurprising Book as the No. 1 Historical Fiction Favorite From March 2026

It’s not always easy to pick a favorite release in a month. After all, there are hundreds of books published, and they cover so many different genres. It’s a little easier to work through the list when a group of people all make it clear that one book in particular is a standout.

In March 2026, there was one book that stood out. More Goodreads users either completed or added Lady Tremaine by Rachel Hochhauser to their “Want to Read” list more out of any other book released during the month.

‘Lady Tremaine’ Was Reese’s Book Club’s March Pick

The hype around the novel wasn’t all that surprising when you consider it became March’s pick for Reese’s Book Club. Many turn to Reese Witherspoon to see what she’s reading and recommends, as it helps to cut out some of the noise and the risk of the books that are published.

On top of that, the novel spoke volumes to people in love with fairy tales and Disney classics. Just how evil are the evil characters in these stories? They have their own tales and their own experiences.

We can look at Once Upon a Time to see how the lines can blur. The Evil Queen, Regina, turns out to be not quite as evil as she has always been made out to be. Her need for revenge is because she’s hurt, and hurt people hurt people. Lady Tremaine in Cinderella has her own backstory, and it’s one that Hochhauser tells with style.

A Story Worth the Hype

This isn’t just a story from a different perspective that brings hype purely for that. It’s a story that is worth the time, with Goodreads users who have read it giving it an average of 4.27 stars out of 5. Sure, there are a few 1-star reviews, but the majority of users rate it either 4- or 5-stars (at 42% and 43%, respectively).

The story is one that offers historical realism, despite it being about a woman from a fictional fairytale. This creates gothic drama, with each of the characters being morally complex. After all, even the fairest princess in the world isn’t perfect! So, it’s not surprising that Lady Tremaine has become the top pick from the month, and it’s definitely one you’ll want to put on your list.