Scan barcode
staceylynn's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
elizabethnicole's review against another edition
I have such conflicting thoughts on this novel honestly. I decided to read it since I've been on such a Little Women kick lately but it's so different than I really expected. It sort of kept some of the heart of the novel that I love so much but ultimately, so much was changed that it didn't live up to what I was expecting. Which is a bad thing but also a good thing I guess. I'll figure out my rating later. Maybe 3 stars? maybe 2. I don't know.
thephdivabooks's review against another edition
4.0
Inspired by Little Women, Virginia Kantra’s Meg & Jo is a modern take on the classic novel many of us grew up loving. Charming, nostalgic, and fun!
Given the large differences in daily life and gender dynamics that 150 years will bring, Meg & Jo feels fresh and different. If you haven’t read Little Women, you’ll still enjoy this book. It works as a standalone. In fact if it weren’t for the names of the sisters being so iconic to the original book, I’m not sure I would have picked up on this being a reimagining of Little Women, in part due to the way Kantra splits up the stories into a focus on Meg and Jo in this book, and a focus on Beth and Amy in the sequel.
In this retelling, Meg is a stay-at-home mom to toddler twins, and let’s just say she has her hands full. Meg married her love John and gave up her career to be a full-time mom, but she’s not sure she’s happy. Meanwhile Jo sought independence, moving to New York City and working as a prep cook at a fancy NYC restaurant and running her own food blog. Jo’s life may sound like it is going well, but an affair with her tattooed boss at the restaurant threatens to topple her life. Is there a future for Jo and her Michelin-star chef boyfriend? Especially when Jo is keeping a few secrets from him.
When Meg & Jo’s mother falls ill, Meg and Jo set their troubles aside to return home and care for their mother, younger sisters Amy and Beth, and keep the family farm running. And their North Carolina farm isn’t just a return to family, it also means a return to a few other troubles they thought were long left behind.
I personally liked that this was a reimagining of these characters in modern times with modern issues, rather than a straight retelling of the original story. I felt that the characters were true to their inspiration, but we saw them facing the same sorts of challenges that women today face. Jo struggles with balancing love, career ambitions, and concerns over her chosen career paths, while Meg struggles with how to support her husband and family and be true to herself. I went into the book most interested in Jo as a character, but found I really enjoyed the reimagined, modern Meg. Her story really shines and felt relatable.
Full of laughs and great moments, this book delivered on it’s promises!
Given the large differences in daily life and gender dynamics that 150 years will bring, Meg & Jo feels fresh and different. If you haven’t read Little Women, you’ll still enjoy this book. It works as a standalone. In fact if it weren’t for the names of the sisters being so iconic to the original book, I’m not sure I would have picked up on this being a reimagining of Little Women, in part due to the way Kantra splits up the stories into a focus on Meg and Jo in this book, and a focus on Beth and Amy in the sequel.
In this retelling, Meg is a stay-at-home mom to toddler twins, and let’s just say she has her hands full. Meg married her love John and gave up her career to be a full-time mom, but she’s not sure she’s happy. Meanwhile Jo sought independence, moving to New York City and working as a prep cook at a fancy NYC restaurant and running her own food blog. Jo’s life may sound like it is going well, but an affair with her tattooed boss at the restaurant threatens to topple her life. Is there a future for Jo and her Michelin-star chef boyfriend? Especially when Jo is keeping a few secrets from him.
When Meg & Jo’s mother falls ill, Meg and Jo set their troubles aside to return home and care for their mother, younger sisters Amy and Beth, and keep the family farm running. And their North Carolina farm isn’t just a return to family, it also means a return to a few other troubles they thought were long left behind.
I personally liked that this was a reimagining of these characters in modern times with modern issues, rather than a straight retelling of the original story. I felt that the characters were true to their inspiration, but we saw them facing the same sorts of challenges that women today face. Jo struggles with balancing love, career ambitions, and concerns over her chosen career paths, while Meg struggles with how to support her husband and family and be true to herself. I went into the book most interested in Jo as a character, but found I really enjoyed the reimagined, modern Meg. Her story really shines and felt relatable.
Full of laughs and great moments, this book delivered on it’s promises!
almacd's review against another edition
3.0
I have a love/hate relationship with this book. My favorite character from Little Women is Jo, but here... I couldn't stand her. I liked Meg's story more. And have to say I fell in love with John. My biggest issue is how disfunctional the family was, specially with the daddy issues. In the original they were really close, but in this book I didn't feel that (in my opinion) . Also the way some storylines where handled didn't make sense to me. It could work in the original setting of Little Women, but NOT in modern times.
networklvrs's review against another edition
2.0
this book was cute! it’s not something that was mind blowing or life changing but it was something light and fluffy to set my mind straight :)
rsuray's review against another edition
4.0
For the most part, I found "Meg & Jo" to be a very well-done, modern adaptation of "Little Women." It's definitely more of a light, beach read. However, it's obvious that Kantra not only has ample knowledge of "Little Women" itself but also Alcott and her personal life, the latter of which was a very welcome and creative addition. For example, Kantra's focus on Abby March's marital issues is not something found in "Little Women," but those familiar with Alcott's childhood will understand the reference. I actually thought Meg's story was stronger than Jo's--I was super impressed with Kantra's ability to pull Meg's traditional storyline from "Little Women" into a modern light with a modern struggle. I will say, I'm knocking this down to 4 stars because I was NOT impressed with the ending. The "surprise" didn't make any sense in regard to the plot and theming... does anyone disagree? And I didn't love the marriage proposal...it didn't seem to fit with the way the modern characters were being interpreted. Regardless, I will definitely be reading "Beth & Amy" when it releases in the future...part of Amy's storyline was included as an epilogue, and I'm already intrigued!
marshmallowbooks's review against another edition
medium-paced
4.0
What if the March sisters’ story took place now instead of then? This was a very satisfying contemporary retelling.
Meg and Jo are [obviously] featured in this book, with alternating points of view. The sisters are older and the book covers less time than in the original, but it does not disappoint. Their personalities and situations are familiar and well captured, even with a few adjustments to complete the transformation into modern day.
Don’t worry: Beth, Amy, Marmee, and their father show up too! Not to mention Laurie (called Trey), Mr. Lawrence, plus some of the friends, like Sally Gardiner and Ned Moffat.
Meg and Jo are [obviously] featured in this book, with alternating points of view. The sisters are older and the book covers less time than in the original, but it does not disappoint. Their personalities and situations are familiar and well captured, even with a few adjustments to complete the transformation into modern day.
Don’t worry: Beth, Amy, Marmee, and their father show up too! Not to mention Laurie (called Trey), Mr. Lawrence, plus some of the friends, like Sally Gardiner and Ned Moffat.
katreads100's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.75
sydneynicole's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
kristenlovesbooks's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
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? It's complicated
4.0