Josephine "Jo" March struggles to manage her emotions, write a sequel to her successful novel, and support her poor family financially. Her editor and readers desire a story of love and marriage, which 18-year-old Jo rejects. Jo refuses marriage for herself and rebuffs the affections of her charming, wealthy, longtime friend Laurie in this spinoff of Louisa May Alcott's Little Women that takes place in 1869, between the publication of the two parts of the original novel. The meticulously imitated historical language includes the perhaps overused exclamation "Christopher Columbus!" Scenes from the classic are reimagined or referred to in ways that alternately stir feelings of nostalgia, confusion, and disappointment over the absence of the rich, nuanced character development found in the original. Readers might also struggle to believe certain plot points, such as the beloved March father's choosing to be an absentee dad or younger sister Amy's falling ill in a manner oddly similar to Beth in the classic. Those who want to believe Jo's defiance of societal norms might be puzzled by the extent to which she and other members of the "gentle sex" quickly blush in the company of men and are susceptible to jealousy. While some might appreciate this new interpretation, fans of the classic may prefer to stick to their own imaginings. Main characters are white. Inspired by a classic, this story is best suited for those eager to revisit romance in the context of Little Women. (historical note) (Romance. 14-18) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

De la Cruz and Stohl's affectionate tribute to Louisa May Alcott's work takes place in the year between the 1868 release of Little Women and the 1869 publication of Good Wives, two volumes that are today published as one. At 18, Jo March struggles to produce a sequel after the success of her domestic novel loosely inspired by her family. Buoyed by the novel's success and overwhelmed by demands for a happy ending--that is, marriage--for the sisters, she toils to find direction on and off the page. Eventually, Jo must balance commercial callings, reality, and fiction as the siblings' real lives (and shifting relationships with Laurie, the steadfast boy next door) overlap and diverge from Jo's imaginings. The authors carefully mimic the setting and dialogue style of Alcott's works, making their care for the characters apparent. Inspired by the original novel's events and further structured around Alcott's history and letters, de la Cruz and Stohl's novel is a playful addition to the world of Little Women, providing readers with a richly imagined look at grief, creativity, and authorship that infuses the beloved characters with new life. Ages 12--up. (June)