Book Review: Lady in Waiting by Susan Meissner

Lady in Waiting is written by Susan Meissner the author of Shape of Mercy. It is a 336 page novel published by Waterbrook Press. The book also includes a Reader's Guide with 12 discussion questions for a more in depth study of the book.

Jane Lindsay, an antique dealer who has been happily married for 22 years (or so she thought) is absolutely stunned when her husband packs his bag one day and walks out the door. While she is trying to continue to live her life without knowing if she even has a marriage any more, she finds a very old ring in the spine of a very old Prayer Book. Inside the band is a Latin inscription and a name, Jane. Jane feels an instant connection to the owner of the ring and begins searching out who it could have belonged to. During the search to find more about the mystery ring, she may just be able to find out a little more about herself.

In the 16th century, Lucy Day becomes dressmaker and friend to Lady Jane Grey. Lady Jane Grey is a young, innocent woman whose life seems to be controlled by a political and religious climate that is full of danger. These circumstances in her life threaten to destroy her chance at her one true love and the pursuit of her own interests. Are her choices her own to make?

This is a book about choices. On the surface it may seem like each Jane's lives were determined by other people and the choices they let those others make for them. Throughout the book it becomes clear that each woman had much more influence over their lives than even they imagined and their lives ultimately come down to the choices they themselves make, not ones that others make for them.

A very interesting story about two women with similarities hundreds of years apart. The transition between the two women's stories was very easy to follow along. The story is based on some truths about Lady Jane Grey's real life. The author's descriptions of the time periods and characters made the story very easy to relate to. You find yourself involved in the character's lives and rooting for them even as you are afraid it won't end the way you want it to. A very gripping story from beginning to end.

I received a complimentary copy of Lady in Waiting from Waterbrook Multnomah in order to write a fair and honest review. I received no other compensation.