Jo March was always the smart one. The bookish one. The one with big plans. But after finding herself laid off from her job as a journalist (last in, first out, she's told), she's stuck working long hours in a New York restaurant while secretly penning a restaurant blog. Meanwhile, Meg, the one who always wanted to be a stay at home mom, is finding herself a bit bored by the prospect. With the holidays approaching, the March matriarch has been working through pain that eventually leads to an emergency hospital visit. And while Joe had been planning to spend Thanksgiving alone, in the city, she's dropping everything to head back to Bunyan, North Carolina and help. It'll be the first time all four sisters are home for the holidays for a while. It'll also be just the thing they all need to remember how important family is to them all.
What could be more appropriate holiday reading than a modern-day take on Little Women?!
It seems like Little Women is having a moment right now. There are big and little screen adaptations coming up. And Virginia Kantra has written a pitch perfect twist on the classic tale. It's heart warming as all get out and incredible charming. Plus, I hear it's actually the first of at least a planned duology (Beth & Amy is up next!).
I love Jo, of course. I work in publishing, I feel like everyone in the industry probably most closely identifies with Jo. And I love the fact that she's working in food! That's like all my favorite things :)
Jo is still trying to find her footing. Trying to establish herself. And fighting the uncertainty that comes along with all of that. And she's doing her best to escape the limitations she thinks her hometown places on people. Of course, fate intervenes and she finds her way reluctantly home anyway.
Oh, and there's a fun romance aspect to her story that I adore!
Meg on the other hand has gotten what she wants out of life and is, unfortunately, starting to reevaluate that. I think this is especially touching because it seems to be a very real struggle that I think a lot of moms have and that is comparing themselves to their own mothers. Expecting that they should be the same as their own mom and struggling with the idea that maybe, even if that's what they thought they wanted, their mom's life isn't the right fit for them. Meg gave up her job for her family, committing to staying home full time like her own mother. But even early on, it seems that Meg is straining against this expectation of herself.
Many readers might be asking what the deal is with Beth and Amy, though. They're there, but, as mentioned above, it appears they'll be getting their own follow up story. So don't worry! We'll get more of them to come :)
There are lots of little things I love about this book and some of them are actually big changes from the original. Which I'm totally ok with! Kantra has remained true to the spirit of the classic but has made it all her own!
Meg & Jo is a true delight! Perfect for fans of Little Women or anyone just looking for a feel good family drama!
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