I was looking forward to this book because Little Women is one of my favourite books. Unfortunately, Meg and Amy's sections were both so repetitive and one note. Beth's was interesting.
Books like this don't have to be written exactly as the original but when there are characters that say "I feel seen" or other 21st century idioms, it pulled me right out of the story.
I won't even mention some of the plot changes! 😳 I think this would have been far more successful if they had set it in modern day.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC copy


"The Other March Sisters is a collection of short stories by four contemporary writers who reimagine the characters of the March sisters from the classic novel Little Women. Each story offers a fresh perspective on the lives of the characters, focusing on their challenges, experiences, and dreams. The book perfectly captures the spirit of the original, but at the same time gives a modern twist to the problems women face today. While reading, you feel a strong emotional connection with the characters, their determination and vulnerability. This is an interesting interpretation of the classic that emphasizes the relevance of the themes and the depth of the characters.

This Little Women retelling went into the story of Beth, Meg and Amy.
I am definitely the target audience as a millenial female who loved Little Women when I was a kid.

I connected so much with the stories of love, finding yourself and motherhood. Meg's story in particular for me hit like that punch in the gut about being lost in motherhood and the societal expectations on mothers.

I enjoyed how it was written in 4 parts following each of the characters. I did at the end, even though we know the ending of the book, feel like it wasn't quite finished yet. The authors did note that that was the point but left wanting MORE which is so good to have at the end of a book (not wanting it to end).

Thank you to Netgalley for a copy of the eARC of this book and congratulations to the authors on their book release.

Little Women has always held a special place in my heart, so when I came across The Other March Sisters by Linda Epstein, Ally Malinenko, and Liz Parker, I couldn’t resist diving in. It’s a reinterpretation that shines a light on Meg, Beth, and Amy, the sisters who often take a back seat to Jo.

I had high hopes for this reimagining, but I was underwhelmed by Meg and Amy’s narratives. A lot of what was supposed to be fresh about their stories felt too familiar from the original story. On the other hand, Beth—who's often overlooked—really stood out to me here. Her character arc was a highlight, and it was fascinating to see her given more depth and strength. While it didn’t completely capture my heart, I did appreciate seeing a more assertive side of Beth, a woman rising above her struggles.

The concept of the book had so much promise, but ultimately it fell a bit short for me. The language was also more modern than I expected, which pulled me out of the historical setting at times. There was one intriguing thread that came up near the end that I wished the authors had explored more, but everything felt rushed to fit the timeline, making some of the storylines feel a little implausible. With that said, it was a nice way to revisit the world of Little Women, even if it didn’t fully meet my expectations. It’s always interesting to reflect on books from our youth through an adult lens—new details stand out in unexpected ways.

Little Women was and is a favorite. I loved reading about Jo and her sisters. I’ve visited Concord Massachusetts and imagined it snow covered as described. When I saw that this gave voice to the other sisters, I couldn’t resist. All of us with a sister know that while our sisters know us better than anyone else, if we each told our OWN stories, they might be a little different. I enjoyed each sisters story and getting to know them through their “own” words.

🍃I love little women by louisa May Alcott ,so much that i was sceptical before reading this book , should i read or not ,will this book captivates my attention and add the important details about the life of sisters and yes this book is what we need a perfect read about historical ,social, and the Sisters individual life.

🍃Authors has done an amazing work by weaving the sister's individual journey with delicate words and strong plot . Every individual has depth in their character and love how the story unfolds about AMY, MEG and Beth ,true to the story of little women but Authors has given a new perspective about the lives of sister.

🍃Recommending this book to everyone who wants to read about the journey of sister's with a twist and a new perspective.

💐Read if you like

💜LITTLE WOMEN
💜LGBTQI+
💜Feminist
💜Historical

I requested this one on a whim from NetGalley. Little Women (and Little Men, and Jo's Boys) are some of my favorite "classic" reads. I read them in my teen years and loved them. Several years ago, I enjoyed revisiting the characters again in the book Jo and Laurie by Margaret Stohl. So, I was intrigued by another book set within the Little Women canon but told from the perspectives of the other March sisters.

First, what worked for me: I enjoyed revisiting these beloved characters. Meg's storyline, in particular, felt very believable. Also, there were a lot of good lines to highlight!

What didn't work as well for me was Beth and Laurie's storylines. They are "What if..." storylines explored in rather clunky ways.

Still, I give the book 3 stars for allowing me to return to the world of Little Women. It is interesting to return to books that you loved when you were younger to consider from an adult's perspective some of the things that you didn't pay attention to when you read them earlier in life.

I would recommend this book to any other diehard Little Women fans. You're probably going to have some opinions about what the authors did with the March sisters (and spouses), and that is what makes reading fun.

Big thanks to the publisher for granting my Netgalley request for this one!

I was so excited about this book due to the fact that for a very long time I wanted to see a reinterpretation of the "Little Women" where I would have the opportunity to learn more about the other sisters. Unfortunately, I found Meg and Amy's stories to be very bland... most of their character traits that were meant to be developed in their separate stories I had already deduced from the original book, but I really enjoyed Beth's transformation, one of the most neglected sisters in terms of character development in Alcott's book.

My desire to get to Beth March's story made me continue reading this book... for about 3 weeks I was stuck on Meg's story because the first part, Amy's, already disappointed me. But now I managed to finish the book, and even if I didn't like it completely, I'm glad that I was able to see another side of the dear and not so fragile Beth, a woman reborn from her own ashes who defends her opinions and ideas and who is no longer afraid to voice her thoughts.

Little women is one of my favourite books so I was so excited to have the opportunity to read this book. Sadly it wasn’t for me, though there were parts I enjoyed. looking into the lives of the sisters from their points of views was at times fascinating but generally I was disappointed with how they were portrayed!

The thing is I like the idea of this book, and I wanted to like this book, but in the end I really don’t like it.
This is supposed to be a telling of some of the events of Little Woman from the other sisters perspective. It takes place starting from when Amy is in Europe and ends before she has to return for Beth.
I found the writing of the girls inner thoughts to be incredibly cyclical. They all get one overarching theme and then it is just hammered to death. I found some of the language choices to be incredibly modern to a point where it was jarring. The one interesting avenue that I wish was explored further was basically a footnote at the end of the book. The authors picked a very tight timeline to squeeze a lot of new plot into and it winds up feeling rushed and implausible. They miss the mark on giving characters that I would care more about. There is also some reinterpretation of events of the original novel that had left and worked with could have really strengthened the points they were trying to make.
Thank you to @netgalley @kensingtonbooks for letting me have a copy of #theothermarchsisters for review.
#bookstagram #bookworm #bookreview #book #readmorebooks #readersofinstagram #readersofig

Giving life to The Other March Sisters, we get to see more of Amy, Meg, and Beth.

Through four parts, Amy, Meg, Beth and back to Amy, we get to learn more about the three sisters and journey with them through their lives while Jo is away in New York.

With themes including motherhood, love, queer identities, chronic illness, and ambition, the audience gets to explore topics that even still can be considered taboo.

Thanks to NetGalley, Publisher, and Authors for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I loved the idea of this book, unfortunately it just didn’t work for me. I did enjoy Beth’s storyline and I loved Uncle Edward.

Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for this digital arc in exchange for my honest review which is not affiliated with any brand.

Novel written by several authors: Linda Epstein, Ally Malinenko, and Liz Parker.
The story in this book is based on Louisa May Alcott's books but also on letters between Louisa and the sisters, and it is about who Amy, Meg, and Beth are and what they do when Jo does not describe them.
In short, a novel where Amy, Meg, and Beth are main characters.
The book is divided into four parts: Amy, Meg, Beth, and Amy again in the last part.
Jo is in New York trying to break through as a writer; Amy is in Europe because she wants to be an artist; Meg is at home with the twins; and Beth is at home with her parents.
Each character is presented in a different light, as are the relationships with others.
Amy shows tremendous sensitivity and intelligence, and with her, we shed light on “queerism” in some of the characters in the story. Lurie is in this part; he shows a couple of times.
Meg is described with a very determined personality and also clear opinions: she realizes her conflicted relationship with her mother and that she is in an unhappy marriage.
Beth, on the other hand, has the shorter part, but the decidedly almost more unedited one.
The author who wrote Beth's part writes that she was much more inspired by the letters of Louisa May Alcott's sister than solely by the Beth we are used to.
So. If you consider the story as integrated into Little Women, then there are some not inconsiderable “adjustments,” for example, Laurie's story, Beth's story, but especially Marmee's character. If you consider this story as a kind of fanfiction, okay, I have three authors telling me their version of events. I personally considered it in the second version, and they did not overlap at all with the story I know.
Instead, the aspect that I didn't like so much and came out in the final acknowledgments is that the book is not fan to fan; not all the authors knew Little Women and had to document themselves to write the book. And by documenting themselves, they turned Amy, Meg, and Beth into the sisters, the real ones of Louisa May Alcott. Why not write a story about them instead?
Finally, on a negative note, there are a couple of concepts that are repeated over and over again. A couple of times is already too much.

This is a deeply imaginative reimagining of Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women, giving long-overdue voices to Meg, Beth, and Amy March. The novel offers a fresh, modern take on these beloved characters, stepping out of the long shadow cast by Jo March, the original novel's central figure and Alcott’s own alter-ego. By excluding Jo from the narrative, the authors shift the spotlight onto the other three sisters, transforming them from supporting roles to vibrant, independent characters, each grappling with their own struggles and desires.

The result is a beautiful and thought-provoking novel that explores themes of queer love, motherhood, artistic ambition, chronic illness, and societal expectations.

One of the greatest strengths of The Other March Sisters is how it reclaims these women as more than the stereotypes often assigned to them in Little Women. Meg, typically portrayed as the quintessential domestic figure, is given a more complex and nuanced arc as she confronts the dissatisfaction of her married life. Struggling with unfulfilled dreams and the suffocating expectations of womanhood, Meg’s journey into gardening—a symbol of her quiet rebellion and path to self-discovery—feels poignant. This portrayal of Meg reflects modern concerns about motherhood and personal fulfillment, challenging the notion that domesticity alone can satisfy a woman’s ambitions.

Beth, often relegated to a tragic symbol of purity and goodness, is given a story that allows her to live, rather than simply die. The authors handle Beth’s terminal illness with sensitivity, showing how, even in the face of death, she yearns for moments of freedom and joy. Her connection with a new acquaintance, leading to unexpected and tender moments of love, gives her character a depth that was missing in the original novel. The exploration of queer love in Beth’s storyline is both touching and powerful, adding layers to a character who, in the original, was defined by her inevitable demise.

Amy’s transformation is perhaps the most radical, as she steps away from the “elegant, frivolous” girl many readers remember. Here, Amy is an ambitious artist struggling to balance her desire for personal fulfillment with her family’s expectations. Her journey through Europe is not just about finding a rich husband, but about discovering her own worth as an artist and a woman. Amy’s evolution into a more complex, self-aware character, torn between duty and passion, brings new meaning to her original story. Her quest for authenticity, both in her art and in her relationships, is handled with grace and a keen understanding of the pressures that women faced in the 19th century—and still face today.

By leaving Jo “off the page,” the authors of The Other March Sisters achieve something truly remarkable. Without Jo’s voice dominating the narrative, Meg, Beth, and Amy emerge as fully realized individuals with their own unique experiences, thoughts, and dreams. Using private correspondence, conversations, and intimate moments gives readers a deeper look into their hearts, allowing these women to speak for themselves in ways that feel organic and deeply personal.

For someone who enjoyed the original Little Women, this book was a remarkable new look at the story. The authors stay true to the essence of Little Women while offering fresh perspectives that resonate with contemporary readers.

I love these kind of stories that fill in the blanks of characters we only see the surface of in famous novels. I loved, Little Women," but reading ,"The Other March Sisters," brings Amy, Meg and Beth more to life. A more understanding of the characters we love. I love that I get to see Amy truly come into herself and decided if she was going to be just someone wife or if she was going to be an artist. I love that I was able to see the possibilities that Amy had other relatives that help her explore not only Europe but also what she wanted in life, and how exploring European museums help her understand what she wanted to paint. I also love seeing how her relationship with both Fred and Laurie developed and how she made the decision between the two and it was a choice between love and obligation.
I like how the story brings Meg from the responsible sister who took care of everyone, to someone who wanted to be seen for herself and to do the things that make her happy. I love that the story made her an herbalist and that she not only loves being an herbalist but is able to help others. I also love that Meg was aware that when she married John she wasn't in love with him and she felt that her mother kind of force her into the marriage which lends an interesting twist to all the happy women in the family, But as the story progress, Meg and John do fall in love and it's a deeper love because it comes from admiring each other and understanding each other better. I also like that John not only admires Meg for what she's doing with herbs but backs her up when others try to belittle what she does. Its a great comfort to think they have each others back.
Finally, the sister I wondered about the most and who had the greatest impact, I think, in Little Women, Beth. We know she is the kindest sister but that's all we get, and in this story not only does she get a life that makes us cheer for her but she gets to have a relationship too, that warms her life. This story give her a talent like her sister that we only see a glimpse of in "Little Women," but we find out that she is a gifted musician and that she can teach others how to play, and it makes me happy to know she was more than a dying young woman. I like that the story delves into how peoples influences can alter are reality and makes us believe if we can of can't do something, and how a brief encounter with an extraordinary young woman changes that. It's the kind of friendship that is real and made Beth happy, and it made me happy that she gets to experience it.
I really wanted to read this book and had to wait awhile to get to and it was worth the wait. Bravo

I want to thank Kensington Publishing | Kensington and NetGalley for an advance copy of a story about characters we know but get to know even better.

I've been sitting on this for days trying to figure out how to write a review for this book that will do it justice, and I really don't think I can. Probably my favourite read this year and I can't wait for next February when I can have a copy on my shelf that I can revisit as often as I do the source material 🥹

The nostalgia hit heavy with this book. I was not sure exactly what to expect. The description stated that this would be from the perspectives of the other March sisters from the classic “Little Women” by Louisa May Alcott. The original book was told through Jo, who had firm opinions of her family and sisters and strong convictions about the world. Growing up, this movie was a staple in our house, and I don’t think I ever realized as a kid how skewed the perspective was in Jo’s favor. Watching and reading it as an adult, it is very evident, which made this book more appealing to me.

As interesting as this book was from the perspective it was written, it fell rather flat for me. Each sister had her own coming-of-age story in her way. All three were burdened with their version of an existential crisis put on them by their mother. I wonder if I would have appreciated their struggles as much if I had never seen the original movie or read the original book. My biggest issue is the storyline or lack thereof. As much as the book's themes maintain themselves throughout, no storyline connects the three sisters or comes to any kind of conclusion for the reader at the end of the book. I also feel like we are missing a piece in the book from Jo herself. As much as I appreciate giving the other sisters their time to shine it would have been nice to at least been given a snippet from Jo and not just have the rest of the family talk about her. Writing from the perspective of one character welcomingly leaves much open to the imagination for the reader. Leaving out one perspective entirely can make a story feel very incomplete.

I genuinely love revisiting these characters close to 30 years after first being introduced to them. While reading I could see the actors and actresses from the original film and hear their voices, see their outfits, and visualize the house they grew up in that was referenced quite a bit and where Beth still lived during this book. The amount of research done by these authors from the original book is very admirable and seemingly a labor of love. I wonder what this book would be like had it been read in tandem with the original?

As someone who loves Little Women a bit too much, I was a bit nervous before starting the book, as I was worried that this might not add much to the already brilliant book. More importantly, I was worried that the writers would not be able to do justice to the characters and portray them in a way that makes them feel like themselves while also adding some additional richness and depth to their characters. But this book proved me wrong; I loved it from the start till the end. I liked the understanding and portrayal of all three of them in very different ways. The problems that they all dealt with made sense while considering the socio-cultural context of the time, and I really liked the way that the writers treated these issues. The inclusion of feminist elements in the book made the characters feel even more fleshed-out and real. I could not help but compare it with Anne with An E, an Anne of Green Gables adaptation that a vast majority of the fandom refuses to acknowledge as an adaptation because, in their words, it is too "woke." But some people like me and others admire it and cherish Anne with An E as an adaptation that shows what the original novel was not allowed to display. Similarly, this book is a great reimagining and retelling of the familiar and loved tale.

I have strong, strong feelings about Little Women. It's my comfort book, the one I turn to for rereading, and has been since my childhood when I received an abridged copy on Christmas Eve. I own close to thirty copies with all the pretty covers I find.

I'm protective of what other books I read regarding Little Women because I don't want anything to ruin the experience for me. (looking at you, 2018 modern movie adaptation) So far - I've limited myself to Marmee and now The Other March Sisters.

It wasn't until GG's Little Women that I ever actually found myself empathizing and truly understanding Amy March. When I learned of this book, I was intrigued and wanted to read it. I was very fortunate and received an ARC from NetGalley.

With sections from Beth, Amy, & Meg, we get to see a different side of the Little Women as they grow. We spend time in DoveCote with Meg and learn of her discontent at being pigeonholed in the role of wife and mother. We spend time in Europe with Amy and learn of the burden being married rich places upon her. And we get a glimpse of Beth being more than just sweet, sick Beth.

Jo's relegated strictly to a few mentions and we hear nothing of Professor Bhaer. Instead we see the familiar background characters of Little Women fleshed out and come to life.

Beautifully written, I was sad to see it end.

Thanks to NetGalley, Publisher, and Authors for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I had to read Little women before reading this book. And I'm glad I did because this is a perfect companion piece!