-First of all, thanks to the authors for letting me read the ARC of this book.

-I didn't know any of these three authors who joined to write this beautiful retelling. Their writing is beautiful. Each author adds a new perspective to the story we are familiar with.

-I really liked seeing the life of the March sisters from a point of view that is not Jo's. This let you to empathize better with Amy, Meg and Beth. I was happy since we can see a little more beyond one of my favorite characters: Amy March, as well the letters that the sisters sent to each other.

-I liked the representation about Laurie that he came out as bi but he doesn't say anything because it's not accepted.

-But not everything is rosy and what I didn't like was that I felt that Marmee had some negative attitudes towards their daughters, and for me it wasn't as if I was seeing the supportive Marmee.

-Finally, I liked how they addressed the issue of abortion, which they addressed well, and I loved seeing women supporting other women. I recommend this book if you like Little Women.

I loved the concept of this book, diving into the perspectives of the other March sisters. It's a great idea, truly. I did love how Amy's chapters shared more about how Laurie and Amy ended up together. However, overall I found this book rather slow and hard to trudge through many times. It also twists the characters of the original Little Women that I loved and remembered growing up. Marmee is now a controlling, overbearing mother causing conflict with all the daughters. Beth is now a lesbian as she is dying slowly. Meg's love story is flipped around so now she's struggling in a loveless marriage, has postpartum depression, and becomes an herbal healer aiding in abortion (the process was detailed, so trigger warning there). I know these are real women's issues both now and in this time period, however, I found it difficult to readjust my perspective of the original beloved characters.

So, if you are a conservative Christian, this book is likely one you won't enjoy and will rub against your morals and beliefs. If you lean more feminist and liberal, you may find this new perspective interesting.

Usually, I am not a fan of books that tackle a classic novel, however this one worked for me. Granted, the authors took liberties, but I enjoyed the ride and, honestly, I did not miss Jo at all. I felt that Amy's story was the strongest. Meg's was interesting, and Beths was alright. But honestly, what can one write about Beth? She is dying, after all. I'm going to buy this book for our library.

The Other March Sisters
by Linda Epstein; Ally Malinenko; Liz Parker
Pub Date: Feb 25 2025

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.

I think it's really interesting to see the different directions that adaptations and reimaginings can go. I enjoyed the focus on the other sisters in this, but it felt like something was missing to me. It's worth looking into for fans of the original work.

I have read Little Women years ago, it was my favorite book. Very rarely do I enjoy another version of a classic. Not this time. This time I truly enjoyed a fresh perspective of Meg, Amy and Beth. We see them with different eyes, enjoy them in a new way and now, as an adult, I can look at them with a different POV. I will probably read the original novel while thinking of this edition. My thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

While I acknowledge the creative attempt, this one didn't work for me as it invents new stories for Jo's sisters Meg, Beth, and Amy March. I will not be posting my review elsewhere, to give other readers a chance to make up their own minds.