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!

When I heard Liz Parker was writing with two others, I gasped. Liz has quickly become one of my favorite writers, and The Other March Sisters just solidified that even more. I was beyond excited to see her take on Little Women, especially knowing that she hadn’t read the original until recently—well, it was worth the wait! THANKS, ALLY AND LINDA, FOR MAKING HER READ IT.

This queer retelling gives Meg, Beth, and Amy the depth and agency they deserve with stunning writing and heartfelt storytelling. Each sister’s journey felt fresh and compelling, and I loved how all three wove in themes of love, ambition, and self-discovery while staying true to the heart of the original. The romance was beautifully done, and the emotional beats hit just right.

I adored every page of this book, and I know I’ll recommend it to everyone. If you love Little Women (or even if you don’t!), this is a must-read.

Arc received from the publisher; all thoughts and opinions are my own.

First off, let me start by saying I’m OBSESSED with Little Women. I love it. So naturally I was super excited for this book!! It’s split into four parts, the first and last are Amy’s story and then the middle two are Meg and Beth. I LOVED Meg’s story about finding something that brings her joy after becoming a mother. It was so good. And Beth’s story was also so beautiful, trying to be strong while being ill and discovering herself. But Amy’s were just not it for me. Amy still seemed snobby and traveled all over Europe, but still seemed to whine about everything. It also felt like Meg’s story was just written more beautifully. Overall, it was fine.

A reimagining of the sisters Meg, Amy, and Beth March of "Little Women" with some modern twists. While I thought the style of writing was very similar to Louisa May Alcott's, I never saw any 'queer' elements in "Little Women" any of the times I read it in my youth. While I am not homophobic and have many gay friends, I did find it a bit unsettling to have the sexuality of Jo, Beth, and Laurie put in a different light.

2.5 Stars | I love Little Women and have since I was young. I had high hopes for this book because I always hoped for more from “the other March sisters.”
The problem with this was it all fell flat, the characters seemed so far off from their originals that they were hard to connect with.
Things felt forced into modern conversations. Also Marmee?! Her character was utterly ruined in this and nearly made me DNF.

Little Women holds a special place in my heart. It was the first “real” book I read. I was eight. And admittedly I skimmed a lot of the dialogue, particularly as the sisters grew to adulthood. But I’ve read it many times since and have always loved it.

So I was excited to get this ARC. This novel reimagines the other three sisters. Little Women does heavily focus on Jo, the sister most like Alcott herself. And by necessity, then, the other three sisters (who are based on Alcott’s own sisters) are viewed through Jo/Alcott’s eyes. This novel gives them main character energy and shows a different per on their stories. It’s is also fully LGBTQ embracing and reads between the lines on some of the characters to give them relationships that would not have been acknowledged at the time.

Although each sister’s story is written by a different author, they flow seamlessly together. And the slow pace definitely mimicked the original book.

I loved each sister’s story. Meg grappling with the mundanity of housework and childcare. Amy discovering her passion and talent for art. And Beth raging against the inevitability of her death. The authors really fleshed these characters out. I thought it interesting to, their portrayal of their mother, or Marmee. They really highlighted her inconsistency in leading the fight for women’s equality while also encouraging traditional feminine roles and virtues in her daughters.

I really liked this book, and it enhanced my enjoyment of the beloved classic, Little Women.

Thank you to @Netgalley and @kensingtonbooks for the chance to review this ARC.

I wanted to love this, but I didn't. I'm a massive fan of Little Women but I couldn't click with this at all and sadly it was a DNF for me. Thanks to the publishers for sending me a copy.

Each of these three authors breathes life into one of the other March sisters, Meg, Beth, and Amy from her own perspective while Jo is off in New York writing. These four sisters are completely different from each other.

Unlike in Little Women, Meg’s marriage to her poor schoolteacher husband was not so much her own choice as it was a machination by Marmee, which leads to a blow-out between Meg and her mother. But she and John do come to love each other once Meg develops a passion as an herbalist/healer.

We follow Amy through the European marriage mart with her aunt, uncle, and cousin, Florence, where she and Laurie do eventually get together as in the original, but in a far more interesting and pleasantly meandering way.

And then there is “poor Beth,” who harbors quite a bit of rage about the illness she knows will shorten her life and prevent her from finding her true potential through her music and her special friendship with Florida, a young Black woman who is the daughter of abolitionists. While Jo is absent through most of the book, of course there are many references to her.

The authors used primary sources to try to fill in the details and contours of these semi-fictional sisters. Richly imaginative and captivating.

Thanks to NetGalley, Kensington, and the authors for providing me with an ARC.

<b>Out for publication on February 25th, 2025. </b>

Let’s be honest, if you’re going to rewrite Little Women, you’re walking straight into a literary minefield. The original has been dissected, debated, and reimagined more times than we can count, and yet, The Other March Sisters sets out to do something undeniably intriguing: give Meg, Beth, and Amy their own fully realized narratives. No Jo. Just the “other” sisters finally stepping into the spotlight. It’s a bold move, and one that lands somewhere between compelling and frustratingly uneven.

The Good:
✅ Meg, Beth, and Amy get depth beyond Jo’s biased narration. For once, Amy isn’t just a vain brat, Meg isn’t reduced to a domestic prop, and Beth, oh sweet Beth, gets a moment beyond her usual ethereal suffering. The book peels back layers of these women’s lives, showing their struggles with identity, societal pressure, illness, and ambition.

✅ A fresh, modern take on familiar themes. The story leans into themes of queer love, unfulfilled motherhood, artistic independence, and the harsh realities of 19th-century womanhood. It doesn’t feel like a Little Women knockoff; it has its own voice and vision.

✅ Beth gets to live (at least a little). This alone might make the book worth reading. Giving Beth a storyline beyond “saintly girl who dies gracefully” is refreshing, and her quiet defiance is one of the book’s best elements.

The Not-So-Good:
❌ Marmee, what have they done to you? In this version, Marmee feels overbearing and even manipulative, particularly in how she pushes Meg into an unfulfilling life. While some might argue this adds realism, it also feels like the author’s own baggage bleeding onto the page rather than a natural extension of Marmee’s character. It’s a choice, but not one that sits well.

❌ The flow is choppy. With three authors behind the scenes, it sometimes feels like the story is switching between voices rather than maintaining a smooth, cohesive narrative. Certain sections shine, but others drag, making for an uneven reading experience.

𝑻𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒌 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒔𝒐 𝒎𝒖𝒄𝒉 𝒕𝒐 𝑵𝒆𝒕𝑮𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒚 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑲𝒆𝒏𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒕𝒐𝒏 𝑷𝒖𝒃𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒂𝒅𝒗𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆𝒅 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝒄𝒐𝒑𝒚 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒏𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒍.

Was this book necessary? Nope
Was it delightful? YES!! (kinda)

Oh how nice it is to meet your favorite characters again and read more about their story, almost as if you asked them to tell it yourself.
Loved Amy's and Beth's POVs the most. Meg's chapters fell flat for me as she wasn't my favorite in the original also, but mostly I hated the villainization of Marmee. That was unnecessary, imo.

While I don't think Jo's 'interpretations' of things and problems in Little Women were too far off, it was still nice to get more insight into the March sisters' stories. Missed Jo though still...

Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for this ARC.

I've loved Little Women since I was a child. Both the novel and the 90s film were huge parts of my life growing up. When I had the opportunity to read a novel delving into the other three March sisters, I was very excited to dive in.

While I liked being able to see more of depth to Beth and her situation and a better view of Amy and Laurie falling in love, the Meg story line was very troubling to me. While I could see Meg stepping up to help women in ways she was able, making Marmee essentially a villain was so out of left field to me. While Marmee did lean on propriety, I could never ever see her behaving the way she did in this book. It really took me out of the story.

I wanted to like the novel more than I did. Maybe people who aren't as invested in the original work may be able to set aside issues I couldn't help but focus on. I would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you NetGalley, Kensington and Linda Epstein, Ally Malinenko and Liz Parker for the opportunity to read and review The Other March Sisters.
This is a clever historical fiction novel continuing into the lives of Meg, Beth and Amy March. The author of Little Women, Louisa May Alcott was inspired by her own sisters’ lives. Now we have voice and depth to Meg, Beth and Amy. I found each one fascinating and felt the March family story was explained and more complete. My only complaint is I want more! The sisters feel more more human and I want to continue immersed in their lives.
I don’t want to spoil any details but each sister has unique qualities that I admire. Giving Beth a love story made her more than her illness. She was
human, angry and a bit snarky which makes sense.
Meg found purpose in her life and marriage. She truly made an impact on the women in her community. I’m so glad Amy made the decisions that were right for her. So impressed she traveled the world for her art.
Each sister is more developed, more human and more likable. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and am curious if these authors will work together again.

While Little Women centers on Jo’s perspective, this story shifts the focus to the three other March sisters, revealing their unique struggles and dreams. Each sister longs for a fulfilling life but feels held back by societal and financial pressures—or their own self-doubts.

Beth’s perspective was the most heartbreaking for me. Weakened by scarlet fever, which has permanently damaged her heart, she has no hope for a cure. Can she still find a way to live a meaningful life?

I would have loved for the authors to dive deeper into the story of the Black family in the novel. Their struggle with racism felt underexplored and deserved more attention.

This is a quiet, introspective novel with little plot but rich character exploration. I especially loved the heartfelt letter writing between the sisters—it added such a personal and tender touch to their stories.

Thanks to Kensington for the advance review copy.

This reimagining of the beloved story of four sisters offers a fresh, nuanced perspective that goes beyond Jo’s well-known narrative to explore the inner lives of Meg, Beth, and Amy. With Jo away in New York chasing her literary dreams, the sisters forge their own paths, revealing struggles, passions, and unexpected joys. Meg’s journey of self-discovery through her garden transforms her sense of purpose, while Beth’s fleeting romance offers a tender reprieve from her fragile existence. Amy’s travels through Europe bring a deeper understanding of art, love, and identity as she balances familial expectations with her own aspirations. Richly layered and deeply human, this story redefines what it means to truly know these iconic characters, weaving a tale as inspiring as it is heartfelt.

Thank you so much to Kensington Publishing for the ARC of The Other March Sisters in exchange for an honest review!

I am a huge fan of Little Women, and have both read the book and consumed just about every form of media related to these four indelible sisters I can find. So I was delighted to find this new entry into the March sister pantheon. Promised as a reimagining that allows Jo’s three sisters to shine, The Other March Sisters is an ambitious and refreshing new exploration of sisterhood, and of characters we’ve mostly loved from the perception of another. With Jo off in New York, we spend time with Meg, Beth and Amy in an attempt to deepen and broaden our understanding of the other March girls. I loved that the authors used Louisa May Alcott’s sisters as inspiration, and to add authenticity to the work.

The Other March Sisters succeeds most when it focuses on Amy, a character who was brilliantly expanded by Greta Gerwig’s 2019 film, and gets more attention here too. Amy is the most like Jo, not a carbon copy, but certainly chafing at the constraints often placed on her. Perhaps more traditional, but equally as loud. While I know it’s not attempting to be entirely faithful to the source material, there were some parts that rubbed me the wrong way, such as the characterization of Marmee and the main storyline of Meg. It’s not unfathomable that Amy would feel societal pressure to marry well, but I don’t think it would be coming from her parents in this case. Additionally, while Meg’s happily ever after may not always be sunshine and rainbows, she made her choice out of love and a preference for a more conventional life. Ultimately, I tend to have a “the more the merrier” mindset with Little Women. Not every retelling might be perfect, but each one adds something new, which really lets us marvel at the greatest gift of all: that Alcott created something we’re still talking about, exploring, and finding new ways to connect with over a hundred and fifty years on.