Lady in Waiting by Susan Meissner

I’ll admit that I’m a sucker for almost any novel that toggles between a past and present story, especially when that author has navigated that device well in the past. And since Susan Meissner’s The Shape of Mercy is still one of my favorite books, it’s no wonder I snapped up her new one, Lady in Waiting, the moment I saw it. (You, on the other hand, will have to be a lady in waiting until it actually releases in early September!)

Lady in Waiting is the story of waiting, and of choices, in the lives of two very different women: Jane, a 40 something mom living in Manhattan and Lady Jane Grey, the teenager who ruled England for all of 9 days before she was imprisoned and later executed at the order of her cousin, Queen Mary. Jane tells her own story; Lucy Day, dressmaker, tells Lady Jane’s story.

Susan does an amazing job of weaving together universal themes that effortlessly span the gap of almost 500 years as well as capturing the pull that history has on those that love it. So if like me you love not just history in the books but also the unknown history of things, too, you will love this story.

As usual, I’ll stop there since I don’t want to spoil it for you. Instead, I’d like you to experience Lady in Waiting for yourself. And as always, I’d love to discuss when you are finished reading!