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Synopsis (from Goodreads):
The March sisters—reliable Meg, independent Jo, stylish Amy, and shy Beth—have grown up to pursue their separate dreams. When Jo followed her ambitions to New York City, she never thought her career in journalism would come crashing down, leaving her struggling to stay afloat in a gig economy as a prep cook and secret food blogger.
Meg appears to have the life she always planned—the handsome husband, the adorable toddlers, the house in a charming subdivision. But sometimes getting everything you’ve ever wanted isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.
When their mother’s illness forces the sisters home to North Carolina for the holidays, they’ll rediscover what really matters.
One thing’s for sure—they’ll need the strength of family and the power of sisterhood to remake their lives and reimagine their dreams.
Review:
With the upcoming release of another cinematic version of Little Women, it is fitting that a novel inspired by the Louisa May Alcott classic is coming out as well. Meg & Jo, by Valerie Kantra is not a true retelling of Little Women. But it does have many of the elements of the original. I really enjoyed this book. It was a very modern novel concerning four sisters and their hopes and dreams, and addressed one of the biggest problems with the original piece. But be forewarned, this is not a YA novel.
What I Liked:
Setting:I loved the North Carolina setting and the Jo's New York life. In North Carolina, the family's lives are centered around their farm and small town. Even though several of the girls have moved away, they all are drawn back to their warm memories of their childhoods, and their strong mother, Abby.
Characters:
The personalities of the four sisters remain very similar to those in the original novel. Beth is rather shy, but determined. Amy is a young woman used to men admiring her. Meg is the dutiful daughter. Ever restless, Jo is reaching for the stars. It was fun to see these characters in a modern setting.
I also really liked that the book delved into the relationship between the March parents. I was always troubled that the father was not just out of the picture, but that the women had to fend for themselves. In this story, the father enlists in the military after 9/11. He is always prioritizing his service to others over his obligations to his family. This was infuriating, but also really thought-provoking.
Story:
The story centers on how the girls handle the news that their mother, Abby, is having health issues. Abby is used to being self-reliant, and has trouble accepting help from others. The one who should be helping her is her husband, but he is (as usual) distant and unsupportive. Each sister responds in their own unique way.
Another part of the story revolves around Jo and her attraction to an older man in New York. This mirrors the original book but with more modern (and mature) situations and consequences.
Romance:
I enjoyed the romance in the book and appreciated that the love scenes were not explicit. Even without a blow by blow of the action, the scenes were sexy and fun.
What I Was Mixed About:
Although I loved the characters, everyone was a little too amazingly talented. Jo is a gifted writer, Meg's a super mom, Amy is a Paris designer, while Beth is a rising music star. This was all too much, and made the story less believable.Rating:
Release Date: December 3rd, 2019
Author: Virginia Kantra
Publisher: Berkley Press
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Page Length: 400 Pages
Source: Netgalley
Format: E-Book
Recommendation: A fun, modern novel inspired by Little Women. Very enjoyable.
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