Little Women is one of my all time favorite books, so when I heard about The Other March Sisters, I knew I had to read it. And I’m so glad I did. Delving back into the lives of Meg, Beth and Amy felt like a homecoming, the authors do such a great job of capturing the same atmosphere created by Louisa May Alcott, while giving each sister their own individual voices.

The character growth of the sisters both from the original book and within this story is so nicely done. I loved reading their stories beyond what happened in Little Women and how things transpire to end up where they do.

Overall a wonderfully entertaining read. I think if you’re a fan of Little Women, you will enjoy this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for providing an advanced copy of this book.

The first page opened and brought me Lady Whistledown vibes, and if you know me you know I’m here for it.

The Other March Sisters was an amazing, heart warming read that gives fans of Little Women the opportunity to learn more about sisters, Amy, Meg, and Beth. I loved the fact that the story included LGBTQ representation, had characters I both loved and HATED (I’m leaving this spoiler free, but you know who you are).

The Other March Sister’s made me laugh, think about the society we currently live in, reminded me of my love for art and art history, and I was able to recognize myself in some part of each of the sister’s stories. I never wanted the book to end and at the same time couldn’t read it fast enough. Halfway through the novel I was already adding it to my “books to buy list” and noting on Goodreads it was going to be a 5 star read for me, and it did not disappoint. I will be working on doing a tandem read with Little Women and The Other March Sisters because I’m so excited to read them side by side.

I was so skeptical about reading this book as “”Little Women” is a most-beloved classic for me. I have to say I was pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed it.

It is definitely not going to be for everyone as LGBTQ storylines are very prevalent in the story and I am sure people are going to be up in arms about that.

The only thing I have to say I didn’t like about it was the portrayal of Marmee. I can see why she was portrayed this way as it definitely added more drama to these stories but I don’t think she was that pushy and domineering in the original.

I found the storytelling to be imaginative and not at all take away from my love of the original. I was definitely able to keep the two separate and enjoy my time with these characters extended story.

Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

“Little Women” is one of my all time favorite books, so I was intrigued to read this interpretation of the other March sisters. What I loved about this book:

1. Meg, Beth and Amy’s point of view about their lives, not just Jo’s interpretation. Meg had always been my least favorite of the March sisters, but her story showed her intelligence, strength and determination to make her life mean something. Beth’s story I enjoyed because it made her more “real” and not just the sweet, sickly sister we all adored. Amy, always one of my favorites, became even more so as she embraced her talent and chose herself over family expectations.

2. The authors researched the lives of the real Alcott sisters to create their stories.

There are many controversial topics in this book and some may not like the paths that these beloved characters go down. While I did feel some parts were added for shock value, I respect the authors and their interpretation of the March sisters. “The Other March Sisters” was an enjoyable read.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Interesting to see these authors' interpretation and imagination of the other March sisters. As someone who's always loved Beth compared to the rest, I find this quite enjoyable. Though I have to quite disagree on some parts, like how the mother is painted like some kind of "evil" in this book. Nonetheless, if you are a fan of Little Women and miss the characters, wishing you could see more of the lives they lead, it wouldn't hurt to check this out.

This is my favorite quote,
"Death is haunting ... Grief is both a wide black storm that fills your sky and also a smoky invisible thing that seeps inside you. When it grabs hold, there is little to do but try to ride it out."

Described as a companion to the original classic, this book focuses on the March sisters minus Jo. The plot follows the lives of Meg, Beth and Amy, giving the reader an opportunity to imagine and discover what the sisters life experiences were from another perspective.

A book I wanted to enjoy, but sadly didn’t.

Not sure LMA would have considered this worthy of being a companion read to her much loved classic.

For an author(s) to write for us mere mortals should be celebrated and to give a negative review is hard. However there is little to like in this offering.

The writing is ok, though at times more instructive of what the reader should know rather than story led.

The misrepresentation of the proposal, Meg’s marriage, Amy’s continued declaration of her parents instruction to marry for money to save the family, etc., etc., are difficult to comprehend. No one cares if Jo and Beth are gay, if Laurie is bi, but to pull apart beloved Marmee is a step too far!

Whilst an update to any classic will be received with mixed opinions and can be highly emotive, sometimes a more modern view is welcome. Unfortunately, for me, not in this instance.

I’m sure this will be loved and enjoyed by many. As much as the original? I’m not so sure!

Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Publishing.

This novel offers a refreshing and imaginative take on the characters from Little Women. Each sister has her own struggles and story to tell which make them feel more human and relatable. A delightful read.
Many thanks to Kensington and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

*Thank you to NetGalley & Kensington Publishing for providing a digital copy to review*

I haven’t read Little Woman yet, but I have seen both movie adaptations and the feelings I get from watching them are like a warm hug. This book gave me the same feeling and allows us to get to know Amy, Meg, and Beth more, as told by them and not their sister Jo.

The book is broken up into sections with each giving a snapshot into the lives of the sisters. Amy is traveling around Europe with the goal of finding a husband. Meg is trying to find herself, separate from being just a wife and mother while Beth is trying to find some purpose in her life.

I love seeing their lives through their own eyes. Seeing their worries and desires and each of them finding something that brings great meaning and joy to their lives. Each sister’s story is so heartwarming and we get to see them have some happiness.

If you love Little Woman this is a great addition and just made me want to rewatch the movie adaptations again.

A fantastic nostalgic yet fresh take on Little Women! This novel beautifully reimagines the stories of all of Jo’s sisters, offering a deeper look into their lives and perspectives.

One of the highlights for me was how this book made me fall in love with Meg, Beth, and Amy all over again. The inclusion of diverse representation, including DEI and LGBTQIA+ themes, added depth and modern relevance to the beloved classic.

It’s clear that the authors poured immense love, research, and thought into this project, making it an even richer reading experience. As an older sister myself, Meg’s journey resonated deeply with me. Her struggle with losing herself in motherhood and marriage—only to rediscover her passions—was incredibly moving and relatable.

Overall, The Other March Sisters is a must-read for Little Women fans looking for a fresh yet faithful expansion of the story we know and love.

We all know the story of Jo March, but what about her sisters’ stories? Meg, Beth and Amy were compelling characters in Little Women, but they were secondary.

This new book explores the March family from their points of view, with their own lives, loves and disappointments.

***
Little Women is one of my favorite books, so I was excited to read this re-imagining of the March family.

I was intrigued at the idea of hearing Meg, Beth, and Amy tell their own stories. But as I read, I just couldn’t get into it.

What I liked: the pacing was good and the short chapters kept the story moving. I also liked how Jo and Marmee weren’t portrayed as perfect saints. They had real flaws, and the sisters reacted to their experiences realistically.

What wasn’t for me: the style was self-consciously formal. I understand why it was written that way, it just felt stilted and unnatural. There was a lot of repetition; yes, Amy, we know you feel pressured to marry for money. It honestly felt like lazy characterization.

I DNFed this, so I’m not sure if the story picked up. I might pick this book up again and give it a try at another time.

Check out this book if you’re a die-hard Little Women fan.

The Other March Sisters by Linda Epstein, Ally Malinenko, Liz Parker

Thanks to @netgalley and Kensington Publishing for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I was intrigued when I first saw this on NetGalley, so I had to request it! This book focuses on Jo’s other sisters, Amy, Meg, and Beth, and provides deeper insights into their lives. I did enjoy this book and seeing each of their stories, did we need this? Probably not.

"Little Women" is one of my favourite classic novels. While it doesn't require any additional stories, this particular one enhances the character development of the other sisters. The author did a fantastic job, and her writing is brilliant. If you're looking for something heartwarming and thought-provoking, then this is the story for you!

Thank you to Netgalley for my ARC.

I enjoyed that this was a fresh and unique take on Thr Little Women. It was nice to see the other three sisters through their own lenses rather than just Jo’s biased perspective. The issues they had to deal with were handled well. I did have some issues with the pacing and flow of the writing itself.

While Little Women explores the lives of four sisters, it is Jo’s story and character development that is central. In a The Other March Story story the authors pull at threads that Louisa May Alcott hinted in her characterisation of the sisters. They play with the light and shade of their possible stories, drawing in part from the lives of Louisa May Alcott’s real life sisters.

The speculative aspects of the story were intriguing. Some chafed - I’m not sure I can fully embrace this version of Marmee, and Laurie’s retelling of his falling out felt a leap too far considering the way the original story was otherwise woven through. Others resonated strongly - the commentary on relationships, gender and sexual identity in times when these elements of identity were hidden from view

I dreaded reading Beth’s story, but instead was deeply moved by this bittersweet musing of what her life might have been. Overall this was a thought provoking and nostalgic read, perfect for fans of Little Women looking for a new twist on this timeless original work. 4.5⭐️

Thank you Kensington Publishing for a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed are my own.

Read this if you like:
•Little Women
•Queen love
•Strong female characters

Little Women is one of the only classics I’ve read and enjoyed. It has a special place in my heart. I loved getting to read a retelling inspired story with the background in the other sisters. Meg, Amy & Beth are such wonderful people and I’m glad their stories are being told. This story was beautiful! Thank you Kensington for the eARC!

The Other March Sisters is a bit of an updated retelling of Little Women that focuses on the lives of Meg, Beth, and Amy. The story is set during the time when Jo was in New York working as a governess to give more space to the other sisters of Little Women. The story follows Meg as she struggles with her new marriage and twins, Beth as she tries to cope with her worsening illness, and Amy as she travels across Europe to work on her art and search for a husband. Each of the sister's inner lives is more developed throughout the narrative as well as their relationships with one another. This is also a more modern take on Little Women, with plenty of discussions about social issues.

I think that this will be a good one for fans of Little Women, but who maybe want a bit of an update on the text. There are some changes that are made to the characters that give the story more of a modern feel, so if someone is looking for a faithful adaptation they won't find it here. I enjoyed getting to hear more of the other sisters' stories and I found the writing style to be pretty light and easy to read, although the stories dealt with heavier topics. Some of the changes that were made to the characters I really enjoyed (Meg's story), but some of them felt like they took a little bit too much liberty (Laurie's interpretation of the proposal scene with Jo). I still enjoyed the story overall and while I don't think you need to have read Little Women to enjoy it, it would be good for readers to have some understanding of the original story.

Little Women is all about Jo, but in this book we hear the other March sisters Amy, Meg and Beth, who are trying to find their path in life. Having brought up quite feminist, their mother Marmee sets them on a more conservative path of good marriages or in Beth's case, surviving. All three of them rebel and eventually make bold choices.

I really enjoyed reading this feelgood book. Meg turning her passion into a job. Amy following her gut feeling. And Beth showing she is more than the sweet, docile kid everybody takes her for.

Wahat I love is that the authors are bold in her aspirations and show you the diversity of society, the doubts of a young mother, the things an introvert has to go thrugh when faced with new people...

Thank you Kensington Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC.

Special thank you to #NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for this eARC.

Sure, LITTLE WOMEN is an all-time classic, the March sisters forever leaving an indelible mark on the spirits of many. However, if we leave Jo in New York to pursue her writing passions, it gives the ‘Other’ March Sisters room to explore their own lives for the reader, much to the chagrin of Marmee, their mother.

With Amy travelling Europe, painting and searching for a suitor on her parents’ request, to Meg trying to find footing and belonging while married with young kids, to Beth struggling through the grief of scarlet fever, the trio of Linda Epstein, Ally Malinenko & Liz Parker cast a fun focus on the March sisters as seen through their caring eyes.

To clear the air of triggers, if you are pro-life, this book is not for you. If queerness makes you uncomfortable, this book is not for you. The stories are respectful and mindful of the times but dismisses any notion that THE OTHER MARCH SISTERS has to pander one way or to any other. It is what it is, a fun follow up to LITTLE WOMEN by three talented authors.

My personal favourite story is of Meg’s. Confrontational, political, bold… Meg takes a tough hand and tackles it fearlessly. Amy’s story starts rather rough, and unfortunately she comes across very unlikeable. Amy actually has a second part towards the end of our book (the only sister to get that) and there is a bit of redemption and conclusion that ends her story in a satisfying sense. Beth, well… Beth’s story will be polarizing for many. The struggle with scarlet fever and the idea of Other Beth makes a captivating read. However the over eagerness of Florida (albeit the most polarizing character in the book) mixed with the conclusion that Beth herself does not really have one has her whole ordeal feel aloof.

A fun read overall, one that I feel that anyone who is passionate about LITTLE WOMEN will be entertained. THE OTHER MARCH SISTERS finally give a voice to Mary, Beth and Amy, even if it took over 150 years to do it.

A fresh reimagining of the beloved novel Little Women, this tale shifts the focus onto Meg, Beth, and Amy, exploring their untold stories beyond Jo’s perspective. Through marriage, art, love, and loss, they navigate societal pressures and personal ambitions, revealing their true selves in ways Jo never fully saw.

4.5 stars!

It has been such a long time since I read Little Women by Louisa May Alcott; however, there will always be parts to the story that stick with me. Jo was the writer. The tomboy. The one who was quick to a reaction and to fly off the handle. The one whose manuscript was burned to ash in the fireplace. Amy was young and petulant. Often unlikeable for her childish behavior. Meg I don't recall much about. And Beth... well, as it was best put in that episode of Friends when Joey and Rachel trade books (The Shining and Little Women)... we know the big spoiler about Beth.

The Other March Sisters allows for a completely different perspective on the three sisters through which the story of Little Women was not told. It gives Amy, Meg and Beth their own stories, without the lens of Jo. Amy is an artist exploring Europe, absorbing her surroundings and finding herself amidst the expectations that she marries wealthy for the well-being of her family. Meg is a housewife with infant twins, feeling lost in her days, yet who finds purpose in her garden and a newfound bond with her husband and the women of her community. Beth, who was unfortunately always just the sick one, finds her inner voice and the ability to combat her illness by finding joy in music, teaching a friend how to play the piano, and living beyond the confines of what ails her.

I am not a Little Women loyalist so I thoroughly enjoyed this take on the sisters' story, and though I felt the ending came a bit abruptly and I wanted a little more tying up at the end, it was such a lovely novel. Thank you to UpLit Reads and Kensington Publishing for providing me with an early copy of The Other March Sisters!

I felt incredibly duped reading this book. It’s advertised as being for people who loved Little Women. It was going to give the other sisters’ sides of the story. What a great idea! I would absolutely read that! Unfortunately, this isn’t that book.

I understand the authors, who are gay, wanting to bring their perception to the novel, but I feel like they’ve thrown the characters to the wolves in search of pursuing an agenda. Jo is gay. Beth is gay. Laurie is bisexual. They justify it by implying that Louisa May Alcott herself was a lesbian. They also say they took inspiration from Louisa May’s real sisters. I don’t see that anywhere in the book.

I’m also assuming they all had issues with their mothers because the way they’ve portrayed Marmee is just unforgivable, especially when you realize the character was based on Louisa May’s own beloved mother.

This isn’t a book for people who loved Little Women. It’s a gay novel that would be very enjoyable if the writers didn’t use someone else’s characters to make their point. Why not just write a novel about what it was like for gay people in the 1800s? It would have been a fascinating book. But I guess if they did that, they couldn’t cash in on the fans of Miss Alcott’s work.

I received an advance review copy of this book from Net Gallery and am voluntarily leaving this review.

"Giving all the "Little Women" the stories they deserve at last, this imaginative historical novel and companion to the much-loved classic draws Meg, Beth, and Amy March from behind the shadow of Jo - Louisa May Alcott's alter-ego and the "author" of Little Women - as vibrant and unforgettable characters grappling with societal strictures, queer love, motherhood, chronic illness, artistic ambition, and more.

I’m sure you believe you know their story from reading that other book, which told you an inspiring tale about four sisters. It told you a story, but did it tell you the story?

Four sisters, each as different as can be. Through the eyes and words of Jo, their characters and destinies became known to millions. Meg, pretty and conventional. Jo, stubborn, tomboyish, and ambitious. Beth, shy and good-natured, a mortal angel readily accepting her fate. And Amy, elegant, frivolous, and shallow. But Jo, for all her insight, could not always know what was in her sisters' thoughts, or in their hearts.

With Jo away in New York to pursue her literary ambitions, Meg, Beth, and Amy follow their own paths. Meg, newly married with young twins, struggles to find the contentment that Marmee assured her would come with domesticity. Unhappy and unfulfilled, she turns to her garden, finding there not just a hobby but a calling that will allow her to help other women in turn.

Beth knows her time is limited. Still, part of her longs to break out of her suffocating cocoon at home, however briefly. A new acquaintance turns into something more, offering unexpected, quiet joy.

Amy, traveling in Europe while she pursues her goal of becoming an artist, is keenly aware of the expectation that she will save the family by marrying well. Through the course of her journey, she discovers how she can remain true to herself, true to her art, and true to the love that was always meant to be.

Purposefully leaving Jo off the page, authors Liz Parker, Ally Malinenko, and Linda Epstein draw inspiration from Alcott's real-life sisters, giving the other March women room to reveal themselves through conversations, private correspondence, and intimate moments - coming alive in ways that might surprise even daring, unconventional Jo."

What annoyed me most about the most recent adaptation of Little Women was making Beth nothing more than the reason for Jo to write her book. More sidelined and marginalized than any adaptation I've seen. Which is why this book is so needed. The other sisters need to tell their tale!