Reviews

Meg and Jo by Virginia Kantra

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ohemgee's review against another edition

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emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

jo_doth_read's review against another edition

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3.0

I didn't know what I was getting myself into with this book. I like Little Women... A modern retelling, sure! I did not realize that the author is a notable author in the romance genre. Therefore, I had no way of expecting all of the sexual content. It's not like it goes into super crazy detail, but I didn't like it. It was not necessary and really detracted from the storyline/characters. Jo and Eric, for instance, slept/ate together for less than a month. They hooked up for the first time after Thanksgiving and broke up a week before Christmas. There was hardly any indication of them talking in any meaningful way, let alone really getting to know each other. But, we are supposed to believe that they love each other and are ready to get married by the end of the book...?

10thousand_megs's review against another edition

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4.0

An amazing re-imagining of Good Wives, flawlessly adapted to the needs and concerns of twenty-first century life. While there are several departures from original source material, the spirit and sisterhood of the novel is just as compelling as that of Little Women. Oh and also Bhaer is still swoon-worthy. Bhae makes me weak in the knees to read his voice, just as I was when I was a girl dreaming of being Mrs. Professor Bhaer.

essentiallynovel's review against another edition

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2.0

I finally read Little Women last year spring and honestly wondered why in the heck had I not picked it up earlier! I could totally see why it is beloved by many. So naturally, I got curious when a modern retelling released (there’s also Beth & Amy too), but I am saddened to say it just didn’t do it for me. It took a while for me to feel invested and I actually didn’t care much for where the characters were in terms of their individual stories (Jo is a sex-obsessed prep chef and food blogger?) and although I felt Meg’s situation was better portrayed, I don’t know, something lacked. Laurie is renamed Trey and mostly acts like a rich, entitled overgrown boy, which didn’t do much for me at all. Content includes sex (mostly closed door, both premarital and within marriage), profanity, brief alcoholism, and trigger warnings also include separation and unexpected pregnancy.

I wasn’t impressed by this retelling but I will probably read the partner novel, Beth & Amy, although approach it wary. Maybe that one will be better?? I’m only giving this one a half-hearted 2 out of 5. Basically, if you loved Little Women either 1) don’t read this or 2) go in with low expectations.

triciadea's review against another edition

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4.0

I wasn't sure about this one at first. I had just reread Little Women, and I kept thinking NO! These are not the girls I know. But as the story progressed I started to get a feel for the "modern" Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy... and John and Trey (formerly known as Laurie).

hammock_and_read's review against another edition

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4.0

I was worried I wouldn't be able to get into this since I hadn't read Little Women, but I saw the movie. But the story is original and hints of the book/movie. It really is a fun book once you get into it, from the point of view of Meg and Jo. This book is very character driven.

I really did enjoy this modern retelling with new twists and turns, and surprises :) There is HEA, family drama, more drama, growing up, and sisterly love through it all. This was my first book by Kantra and I enjoyed her writing style, the POV way of telling the story, and how she interact the old story with new.