Format: Net Galley Advanced Reader Copy
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Page Length: 352 pages
Publisher: Berkley (May 25, 2021)
Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Mr. Darcy‘s Rating: “You have bewitched me, body and soul.”
A Chasing Mr. Darcy Review
Beth and Amy was one of my most anticipated reads of 2021, and I picked it up right after finishing its predecessor, Meg and Jo.
Here’s a plot synopsis from Amazon: Amy March is more like her older sister Jo than she’d like to admit. An up-and-coming designer in New York’s competitive fashion industry, ambitious Amy is determined to get out of her sisters’ shadows and keep her distance from their North Carolina hometown. But when Jo’s wedding forces Amy home, she must face what she really wants…and confront the One Big Mistake that could upend her life and forever change her relationship with Jo. Gentle, unassuming Beth grew up as the good girl of the family. A talented singer-songwriter, she’s overcome her painful anxiety to tour with country superstar Colt Henderson. But life on the road has taken its toll on her health and their relationship. Maybe a break to attend her sister’s wedding will get her out of her funk. But Beth realizes that what she’s looking for and what she needs are two very different things.…With the March women reunited, this time with growing careers and families, they must once again learn to lean on one another as they juggle the changes coming their way.
My biggest concern going into this book was Beth’s story, even though I was more looking forward to Amy’s story. I mean, I kind of knew the trajectory that Amy’s story would take, and I was so looking forward to it because I’m a firm shipper of Amy and Laurie. But Beth? Her story was uncertain, and to be honest, I wasn’t looking forward to reading about Beth’s death again and have my heart ripped out all over again. I won’t give away too many spoilers here, but rest assured, Beth lives in this version of the tale.
First, Amy. Oh Amy, one of the most hated characters in literary fiction but one of my most favorite characters. While I am 100% a Meg when it comes to a “which March sister are you“ Buzzfeed survey, Amy also has a part of my soul. I value Amy’s independence and her thirst to prove herself. I also value Amy’s knowing what she wants and being unabashedly I afraid about going after it. She loved Laurie her whole life only to watch him pine away for Jo year after year. As someone who has (unfortunately) suffered the burden of unrequited love, I get Amy on an elemental level. Truth be told, it sucks to want what you think you can’t have. In this version of the story, Laurie (or Trey, if you will) broke Amy’s heart in one of the cruelest yet unintentional ways, and kudos to her for rebounding from it. Her love for Laurie is pure, and she wants nothing but him to be the best version of himself. I will forever stand by my opinion that Jo brings out all the worst qualities of Laurie, and Amy brings out all his most wonderful qualities. I thought the dynamic between Amy and Laurie was well-written in this story, and I liked the modern twist on the story. I also enjoyed how they supported each other’s dreams in this scenario, and worked for each other to achieve those dreams. Two thumbs way up!
As for Beth, I thought her modern story was given a nice, inclusive, potentially life saving twist for people. Her journey was about self-preservation more than love, and I think she found a way to love herself in this version of the story.
I can‘t rave enough about how much I love not only this book but the duology as a whole. These books are a gem in the contemporary fiction sphere, and if you don’t find yourself reading classic novels, do yourself a favor and read these two retellings. You will most certainly fall in love with these characters like I have!
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