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jennrittenhouse's review against another edition
1.0
There's writing a "retelling" of a classic story and then there's "let's write a Hallmark story about 4 sisters and their names will be the only thing we keep from the original. We'll also make all the characters we loved in the original suck." Just write a new book, don't call it a retelling.
genthebookworm's review against another edition
3.0
I ended up enjoying the modern tale of family, work, love, and siblinghood but I struggled when comparing it to Little Women itself. For me, this story was entertaining as a stand-alone contemporary fiction novel, but it just didn’t work with its goal of retelling of Little Women.
A lot of this is just coming from my own personal preferences but I struggled to connect and didn’t love the changes to the storyline that happened. I also fully admit that I have rarely enjoyed a retelling(I am talking to you, Eligible, by Curtis Sittenfeld!), so maybe I am just not a good candidate for these types of novels! I do have to say, I admire anyone that takes on the retelling of a classic and I enjoyed Virginia Kantra’s writing style very much.
So the book was totally fine…I liked some of the characters more than others (which often happens for me with family life fiction) but I just didn’t love this because of what I was hoping it would be.
A lot of this is just coming from my own personal preferences but I struggled to connect and didn’t love the changes to the storyline that happened. I also fully admit that I have rarely enjoyed a retelling(I am talking to you, Eligible, by Curtis Sittenfeld!), so maybe I am just not a good candidate for these types of novels! I do have to say, I admire anyone that takes on the retelling of a classic and I enjoyed Virginia Kantra’s writing style very much.
So the book was totally fine…I liked some of the characters more than others (which often happens for me with family life fiction) but I just didn’t love this because of what I was hoping it would be.
kelly_inthe419's review against another edition
4.0
First, I have to admit that I've never read Little Women. I'm not sure if that matters as Meg & Jo worked perfectly fine as a stands alone. In fact, I wonder I if not having read it is better because I didn't know what might happen to both Meg and her sister Jo, or their family.
This is a modern retelling of the Louisa May Alcott classic and it follows two of the March sisters as they navigate personal relationships and family struggles. I definitely thought Jo's story was more modern as a down and out writer in NYC struggling to get by working in 5 star restaurant and as a food blogger. When she becomes involved with the restaurant's owner and head chef, the fireworks fly.
Meg on the other hand is a stay at home mom with twins and uncertain where her relationship with her husband is headed. I could definitely relate to Meg's feelings that she had to do everything for everyone herself. It isn't always possible but you only learn that hard way. When the sisters' mother, Abby, becomes ill and then needs surgery, Meg is further burdened with the family farm operations and finances.
I enjoyed Meg and Jo's relationship, which felt close and believable. I would have liked to have seen more of Amy and Beth who played minor roles here, but are getting their own book next year. Some of the male characters however were less real or likable. Of all of them, Chef Eric was definitely the best. He treated Jo with respect and love and tried to let her work things out on her own. This was enjoyable story of family coming together and working through some difficult times. I would definitely recommend it and can't wait to read what's in store for Amy and Beth.
I received the eBook ARC of Meg & Jo from NetGalley and Berkeley Publishing for the chance to read and review honestly. Thank you!
This is a modern retelling of the Louisa May Alcott classic and it follows two of the March sisters as they navigate personal relationships and family struggles. I definitely thought Jo's story was more modern as a down and out writer in NYC struggling to get by working in 5 star restaurant and as a food blogger. When she becomes involved with the restaurant's owner and head chef, the fireworks fly.
Meg on the other hand is a stay at home mom with twins and uncertain where her relationship with her husband is headed. I could definitely relate to Meg's feelings that she had to do everything for everyone herself. It isn't always possible but you only learn that hard way. When the sisters' mother, Abby, becomes ill and then needs surgery, Meg is further burdened with the family farm operations and finances.
I enjoyed Meg and Jo's relationship, which felt close and believable. I would have liked to have seen more of Amy and Beth who played minor roles here, but are getting their own book next year. Some of the male characters however were less real or likable. Of all of them, Chef Eric was definitely the best. He treated Jo with respect and love and tried to let her work things out on her own. This was enjoyable story of family coming together and working through some difficult times. I would definitely recommend it and can't wait to read what's in store for Amy and Beth.
I received the eBook ARC of Meg & Jo from NetGalley and Berkeley Publishing for the chance to read and review honestly. Thank you!
mindthebook's review against another edition
3.0
Vad händer om vi placerar 1800-talssystrarna March i vår tid. Amy har internship på Louis Vuitton och whatsappar från Paris. Meg är småbarnsförälder och jobbar på bank. Beth är på turné och trendar även på YouTube... ganska roligt, non? Den stora besvikelsen är Jos moderna öde, matbloggare. Önskar att hon kunde fått en mindre kvinnligt kodad och mindre traditionell syssla. Varför inte t.ex. skateboardbloggare.
Minus för all ovidkommande dialog, inklusive transkriberat barnspråk - det är verkligen inte gulligt. Särskilt sista tredjedelen är full av romcom-troper.
Såg att det så klart finns en andra bok, Beth & Amy. Kommer jag att läsa den? Antagligen.
Minus för all ovidkommande dialog, inklusive transkriberat barnspråk - det är verkligen inte gulligt. Särskilt sista tredjedelen är full av romcom-troper.
Såg att det så klart finns en andra bok, Beth & Amy. Kommer jag att läsa den? Antagligen.
dufflepud_hop's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
5.0
lmwrites's review against another edition
4.0
I will always love a good Little Women inspired story, and this one lives up to the original. I love a modern setting giving a fresh spin on things, but still keeping the core of the characters true to Alcott's writing. Already checked out the next book from my library!
ohemgee's review against another edition
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
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
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
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.
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.