Book Review: Meg & Jo by Virginia Kantra

Book: 72/150

Rating: 4/5

Imagine your favourite novel ever reimagined in a modern setting, and it's actually really good. This is what Meg & Jo was like!

In the first of a series, Meg & Jo focuses on Meg & Jo March. Meg is married with twins, gave up her accountant job to be a stay at home mom, and her loving husband John gave up his teaching job to work at a car dealership for more money. Even though their marriage looks perfect on the inside... sometimes all you've ever wanted isn't all it's cracked up to be.

Jo is living in New York City, after her journalism career came crashing down, working as a prep line cook and writes an anonymous food blog reviewing restaurants in the city. "Marmee's" sickness forces Jo to return home where she can reconnect with Meg in person and where they both learn to reimagine their dreams.

I will admit that the book was a little slow to get into. I found the author was really going to extra mile to mirror the original Little Women in a contemporary setting, but found that it was an enjoyable and easy read once you hit the 1/3 point! Meg & Jo are my favourites, so I'm glad they were paired up together for this one. I loved the little glimpses into Amy & Beth's lives and can't wait for the sequel (especially to see how Meg & Jo end up)!

This was a fun, light comfort read. Kantra's characters are complicated and not one dimensional (same with Louisa May Alcott's), and think she did an excellent job of honouring the original characters.