So I had really mixed feeling about this book initially, but I ended liking it more than I thought I would which was a super nice surprise.
Things I liked:
- I loved how this book made the original story of Little Women the story the Jo was writing in this book! I was wondering how the authors would explain the difference between their imagining of Jo and Laurie compared to what really happened in Little Women, and I think this was the most clever way to do it!
- I also love how Jo was based off of Louisa May Alcott herself! I loved the authors note and the historical context in the back of the book explaining the parallel of Jo’s character in this book and the actual author of Little Women herself
- I loved recasting the March family! They are truly such a joy to read about, and I especially loved Megs character arc in this reimagining!
- I really enjoyed seeing how Jo in this book seemed independence as a woman in the 1800s. She was just as strong and independent as she was in Little Women
Things I didn’t like:
- This book, while entertaining, read a lot like fan fiction. The writing was easy enough to read, and there weren’t any spelling or grammatical mistakes like in fan fiction, but the whole premise and execution just felt like fan fiction (which it basically is). I kind of wish the authors were just loosely inspired by the relationships and character dynamics in Little Women and wrote a complete original story with similar elements instead of a reimagining.
- I also felt like some plot points were completely unnecessary, like Marmie and the girls Father’s relationship on the rocks, or the fact that Amy also became dangerously sick
Overall, this was an enjoyable read, but I don’t think I can give it more than three stars given the content in the original Little Women. Amy and Laurie are just endgame, and I truly believe that Jo and Laurie were only meant to be friends.
Favorite Quotes:
“Afraid? Of what?”
“Of love, Jo. Of feeling it. Of giving it. Of getting it.”
“‘Promise me Jo,’ Beth had whispered. ‘Stay here. Stay in the world of the living. Keep the silence away. Promise me, Jo. You must live. You have so much to live for. Keep writing your way back to the light.’”
“Every cell in her body was screaming at her to flee, but every beat of her heart was telling her to stay. And now she knew. She did belong to him, because he belonged to her, and they belonged to each other.”
“Because it was always our story. It just never had the right ending.”
“You have to be brave. You have to make your own way. Your own choices. Just as you always have.”
Things I liked:
- I loved how this book made the original story of Little Women the story the Jo was writing in this book! I was wondering how the authors would explain the difference between their imagining of Jo and Laurie compared to what really happened in Little Women, and I think this was the most clever way to do it!
- I also love how Jo was based off of Louisa May Alcott herself! I loved the authors note and the historical context in the back of the book explaining the parallel of Jo’s character in this book and the actual author of Little Women herself
- I loved recasting the March family! They are truly such a joy to read about, and I especially loved Megs character arc in this reimagining!
- I really enjoyed seeing how Jo in this book seemed independence as a woman in the 1800s. She was just as strong and independent as she was in Little Women
Things I didn’t like:
- This book, while entertaining, read a lot like fan fiction. The writing was easy enough to read, and there weren’t any spelling or grammatical mistakes like in fan fiction, but the whole premise and execution just felt like fan fiction (which it basically is). I kind of wish the authors were just loosely inspired by the relationships and character dynamics in Little Women and wrote a complete original story with similar elements instead of a reimagining.
- I also felt like some plot points were completely unnecessary, like Marmie and the girls Father’s relationship on the rocks, or the fact that Amy also became dangerously sick
Overall, this was an enjoyable read, but I don’t think I can give it more than three stars given the content in the original Little Women. Amy and Laurie are just endgame, and I truly believe that Jo and Laurie were only meant to be friends.
Favorite Quotes:
“Afraid? Of what?”
“Of love, Jo. Of feeling it. Of giving it. Of getting it.”
“‘Promise me Jo,’ Beth had whispered. ‘Stay here. Stay in the world of the living. Keep the silence away. Promise me, Jo. You must live. You have so much to live for. Keep writing your way back to the light.’”
“Every cell in her body was screaming at her to flee, but every beat of her heart was telling her to stay. And now she knew. She did belong to him, because he belonged to her, and they belonged to each other.”
“Because it was always our story. It just never had the right ending.”
“You have to be brave. You have to make your own way. Your own choices. Just as you always have.”