I received this book for free from Library in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Meg and Jo by Virginia Kantra Narrator: Shannon McManus, Karissa Vacker
Length: 13 Hours 46 Minutes
Series: The March Sisters #1
Published by Penguin on December 3, 2019
Genres: Contemporary, Family Life, Fiction, Romance, Siblings, Women
Pages: 400
Format: Audiobook
Source: Library
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The timeless classic Little Women inspired this heartwarming modern tale of four sisters from New York Times bestselling author Virginia Kantra.
The March sisters—reliable Meg, independent Jo, stylish Amy, and shy Beth—have grown up to pursue their separate dreams. When Jo followed her ambitions to New York City, she never thought her career in journalism would come crashing down, leaving her struggling to stay afloat in a gig economy as a prep cook and secret food blogger.
Meg appears to have the life she always planned—the handsome husband, the adorable toddlers, the house in a charming subdivision. But sometimes getting everything you’ve ever wanted isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.
When their mother’s illness forces the sisters home to North Carolina for the holidays, they’ll rediscover what really matters.
One thing’s for sure—they’ll need the strength of family and the power of sisterhood to remake their lives and reimagine their dreams.
Why Did I Listen To Meg & Jo by Virginia Kantra?
Initially, I thought I had a review copy of Meg & Jo by Virginia Kantra kicking around either in audiobook or eARC form. Turns out, I was wrong, but that didn’t stop me from accepting the egalley of Beth & Amy, the sequel on this assumption. So, being the responsible well heeled person that I am, I put myself on the waiting list on Libby for this book via audiobook. Turns out the two narrators were ones that I have had GREAT experiences with. Also? I am really getting into these classic retellings and was here for a modern day Little Women re-telling.
What’s The Story Here?
Meg & Jo is a contemporary retelling of Little Women that ages the girls up to actually being women. They’re all adults going about their own lives. Also, Beth is still alive. So, the first book of this duology opens with a Christmas scene where the girls are kids. It’s really important and sets context for the rest of the book. Then we flash forward to present day. Meg is a stay at home mother of twins. Jo is a secret food blogger who also works in a restaurant to pay the bills in New York City. The girls lead separate lives for the most part. That is, until their mother gets sick. Then Jo returns home to North Carolina for Thanksgiving. Meanwhile, Meg takes over helping out on the family farm so that they don’t lose it.
Both Meg and Jo are at crossroads in their lives and must make some important choices. Meg is struggling with her identity as just a mother. Turns out before having kids she was awesome at accounting. She feels all kinds of pressure to be the best mom and wife. Meg can’t let go and won’t let her husband take on more. Meanwhile Jo had come to New York with big dreams of being a writer. At first, all was working according to plan as she was working as a journalist. But then she lost her job and is in the situation she’s in now — working at a restaurant and writing a food blog on the side. She also finds herself really intrigued by her boss, Eric Bhaer.
What Did I Think Of Meg & Jo?
So, unpopular opinion time, but I actually liked LMA’s decision to put Jo with the professor vs Laurie. This book, Meg & Jo, solidifies that opinion. I thought that Virginia Kantra did an awesome job outlining why Bhaer was perfect for Jo. Also, we can see that although Jo and Trey (Laurie) had a history and childhood together, they just were not right for each other. I felt like that seemed realistic and mature. No matter that we the audience might have wanted it, the relationship with Eric Bhaer makes way more sense and just fits better. Also, I loved the increased focus on Meg. Now that I have kids, I could really relate to how Kantra wrote her character. The pressures are all too real and Kantra did a perfect job illustrating that.
How’s The Narration?
The narration of Meg & Jo is pitch perfect. It is narrated by Shannon McManus and Karissa Vacker. The audiobook is 13 hours and 46 minutes unabridged. I listened at 2x speed. Honestly, I had zero issues following along and understanding. In fact, this is one of my favorite audiobooks that I’ve listened to so far this year. I thought that the narrator for Meg sounded like Reese Witherspoon which made me like Meg’s character more. I also liked the narrator for Jo too. If you’re not totally invested or a purist in Little Women, you simply must give this book a shot — particularly via audiobook.
Why Did I Listen To Beth & Amy by Virgina Kantra?
I really loved Virginia Kantra’s Meg & Jo, so I knew I had to continue via audiobook with Beth & Amy. As it turns out, Beth & Amy has different narrators than Meg & Jo. Still, they did a fine job bringing Kantra’s sequel to life. I came back for resolution and because I was hooked and had to see how things would play out with the other two March sisters.
What’s The Story Here?
As you can tell from the title, Beth & Amy by Virginia Kantra follows Amy and Beth March. Amy is a designer who was living in France but has come back to North Carolina in the wake of her mother’s illness but also because she has some terms to meet in order to obtain a loan from her rich aunt. Beth was living in Branson and working with this up and coming country star named Colt writing songs for him. She’s not feeling well, so she’s home to recover. AND! AND! It isn’t in the title, but we get chapters from Abby’s perspective. Abby is the March matriarch, the mother! I loved it! Anyways, so we get to see Amy navigate her relationship with Trey while also feeling guilty about it considering his history with Jo. We also get to see Beth recover and start to believe in herself a little more. Plus we get glimpses of what Jo and Meg are up too — all the March sisters are in North Carolina.
What Did I Think Of Beth & Amy?
I may be the rare duck, but I loved this sequel. Kantra does such a great job bringing the March sisters to life in a contemporary style. It turns out I had so much empathy for Amy. Like, it seems that with the original we aren’t supposed to want Amy and Laurie to get together. With this book I was perfectly happy and fine with Amy and Trey getting together — it just fit and worked. As for Beth, I love that she’s not dead. The way her story plays out is realistic and heartfelt and vulnerable. And ya’ll, with Abby, I just wanted to throw her husband out. However, they get a second chance and he learns to be less useless and more tuned into his family. There’s lots of lessons to be had by the March family and I was here for it.
How’s The Narration?
The audiobook of Beth & Amy is actually shorter than Meg & Jo. It clocks in at 11 hours and 8 minutes unabridged. You know me and how I like to listen to these books sped up, so I listened to this one at 2x speed. I lost absolutely nothing in comprehension or understanding as to what was going on. That’s because the three narrators were right on point. They were Janet Metzger, Brittany Pressley, and Catherine Taber. All three read their chapters to perfection. At first I was kind of sad that the same narrators from the first book were not coming back, but as each March sister (and mother) is unique, this turned out to be such a good choice. So yeah, friends, if you are looking for a good audiobook to pick up, grab this duology it is SO SO good.
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