The Lady Glass by Anneka R. Walker

The Lady Glass
by Anneka R. Walker

ISBN-13: 9781524425234
Paperback: 288 pages
Publisher: Covenant Communications
Released: July 9, 2024

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Theresia Dvorak has nothing left of her parents save her dowry, a priceless crystal vase stolen and sold by her own stepmother. Theresia will do anything to secure what is rightfully hers, even break into a house to search for her vase and assume a false identity. When she gains entrance to a house party and has a memorable run-in with the handsome naval captain Rolland Reese, they agree to help each other. She swore never to trust an Englishman again, but she must work side by side with him if either of them is to achieve their goal.

Rolland's homecoming from the war to recover from an injury changes to trying to protect his father from a death threat. An old friend is hosting a house party and has invited all the suspects as well as Rolland's parents. With the stakes incredibly high, Rolland must root out the killer quickly. He's distracted by the mysterious Theresia, who holds a critical clue to the identity of the murderer.


My Review:
The Lady Glass is a romance set in 1814 in England. It's a Cinderella-based story. It wasn't very realistic as a historical beyond references to historical events. For example, Theresia's wearing a ball gown and slippers, walked a distance across a lawn, somehow climbed a trellis and fell through a window, had an adventure involving a struggle and falling on the floor again. And her dress and hair was still flawless except a small, unnoticeable tear in her dress hem. If only reality was so obliging!

I felt like we were just supposed to accept what we're told about the characters even if it didn't make sense. As someone told Theresia, the vase did her no good if she's dead, yet she's obsessed with getting her vase back because her father made it and it's her dowry. We're just supposed to accept that previously obedient and very proper Theresia repeatedly broke into rooms and recklessly risked her life and reputation in her pursuit of finding her vase. Then, when confronted with her stepmother (while Theresia was with supportive friends), she cowardly ran away with no effort to defend herself. Rolland was more consistent within the story, but his behavior sometimes didn't match what we're told about him.

There was a mystery, but it wasn't the focus of the story. I identified an important clue back when Theresia's stepmother sold the vase. Theresia didn't realize it was important until 95% into the book. I also didn't understand why Theresia didn't mention who the French-speaking man was speaking to or why the seasoned spies didn't ask since they otherwise investigated everyone's connections. Rolland professed concern about his father, but he spent most of his time doing house-party activities while jealously watching over Theresia. Another investigating friend spent all his time flirting. The friend hosting the event did the most investigating but was distracted by his duties as a host. On the other hand, Rolland and Theresia did get to spend a lot of time together trying to find the vase and to overhear and identify the bad guy speaking in French.

There was no sex or bad language. I'd recommend this romance to fans of fairytale retellings.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.