I really adore how you manage to make Bess-- who I thought was *horribly* insipid in the books-- into a real character in this series! She really comes off as a victim of her circumstances, and as a pathetically caged yet brave bird trying to fly free. I love the scene of her bonding with Jo, and Jo's subsequent talk with Laurie. You really get at the *intimacy* of Jo and Laurie's relationship, and show how little of it existed between Laurie and Amy, which doomed them as a couple.

Wonderfully written and I really hope you do pick up on this story-- or post those other Little Women fic you teased me about previously. ;)

I think what I enjoy most about this story is how deftly you manage to summarize so many years passing by these characters without seeming as though you're rushing the fic along, or forcing unnecessary plots to occur to get Jo and Laurie together. Everything feels organic, the writing is very true to Louisa May's own words, and Jo and Laurie and all the people around them seem so wonderfully themselves... only younger, sadder and more in need of each other than ever. I really hope you get back to this story someday-- it's absolutely a treasure!

this review probably comes out of nowhere, but i just found this fic :P and i have to say, i find it very interesting. i, like a grand majority of the LW fans, believe laurie and jo were more than a perfect match, and was heartbroken when they didn't get together. still, whenever i read a laurie/jo fic in here, i also feel like it's a bit bittersweet, because despite the fact that their not being together broke my heart, i loved both sequels to LW, and i loved how happy they were, i loved their kids, and i didn't mind amy and fritz at all. so in that sense, i always feel a bit weird after reading laurie/jo fanfiction, because i still wish canon had happened... i wouldn't change it just to get them together.

and so THIS premise, i find fantastic. i don't think it's too much of a stretch that laurie might've held onto his feelings for jo even after such a long time, and now that jo has had time to think about things in detail, she probably could realize that in a way, she did love laurie back, even if it didn't feel right to accept his proposal. so you're kind of giving me the best of both worlds here. not to mention that i really appreciate you giving bess a little more of the spotlight-- such a sweet child, really, i would've wanted to see more of her in the novel, besides the whole dan issue.

i admit i cringed a bit in the amy parts... i think she really loved laurie, and i can't see her as being that cold as to tell him right to his face that he didn't, not anymore-- she grew out of that phase, i feel. though i do think she could be a bit controlling of her daughter's life, that seems realistic. but that is only a small flaw i fid in this, everything else i love.

i also appreciate the fact that this really FEELS authentic-- the way they speak, their mannerisms, it is so much like reading a passage out of the books, and i quite like that. so i wish you would update this, i realize it's been ages but it's a very promising plotline, and you're doing a great job so far... i'd love to see where it can go.

Have just come across your story - any updates soon? It was a lovely and well written piece.

Awesome! Please write more!

Nice! Stretch the chapters out a little bit more...I like it, though!

Do you have any more of this story planned, by any chance? It's really wonderful. Really really wonderful:)

I just found this today - Excellent start to a story, but you haven't continued it. I get the feeling that something will happen to Fritz while they are away, and Laurie will comfort Jo, a lot like he was there for Amy.
You say in your summary that Amy won't be written as someone to hate, but I'm not terribly fond of her right now - and I think Marmee would be horrified at her behavior. I like Bess though - more the real person and not the Princess the books make her out to be.
Any chance you'll continue?

Love. Love. Love. Update. Update. Update.
I really like where you're going with this, there are so many possibilities when the scope of the story is a six month tour of Europe. If I were to suggest anything, I think it would be to give Jo and Laurie some of their spirit back- I know they're older and everything but the two always had so much wild fun together and I think that was a really important part of their relationship. Especially when they could have such adventures and 'larks' whilst on a European tour. Oh, the possibilities...
I have really enjoyed reading this and I hope you intend to update it...Please? Pretty please?

Love it !!
I am a huge Little Women fan and I really like your writing. Great work !
I hope there's an update soon!

Pygmy

Please update again soon! I love the new twist the story is taking though i do wonder that Bess seems to have never said a word about her ambitions to Laurie. Surely he would have done something for her unless he didn't take it seriously? That being said, love your potrayal of the characters and the direction of the storyline as usual. Cheers!

This keeps in the character of the original books. Good job, keep up the good work. Are you planning to kill off Mr. Bhaer and Amy?

I've just finished reading your first two chapters, and I must say, they are, indeed, very well written. I do believe I will enjoy reading the story in its entirety, so you may consider myself an avid reader as of now. The style in which you write is very reminiscent of Alcott's own, and your perception and handle of the characters are excellent. I really like that you present the plot and situations at hand logically (the perception of Amy, ect)- they aren't out of the blue or illogical like most of the rubbish you find in fanfictions. Well done.

I've always liked the idea of Jo and Laurie finding love in some unsuspected way. They deserve each other, and I love the way in which you've set them up. It is most convincing.

The only things I could point out to you in mere suggestion of improvement would be to mind your commas, as has already been stated, and to watch the flow of plot progression. It is apparent that you seem to have a pretty good idea as to where you're headed in the latter, but be careful that you don't leap off into the secrets and intricacies of the story so quickly. Lead the reader on, let them form speculations, get excited, even frustrated at the fact that the tension is building between Laurie and Jo; in the end, it will produce an overwhelmingly beautiful butterflies-in-your-stomach effect. Good luck, and I look forward to your next chapter!

- Pallas

Hello!
I just want to thank you for that story. Please update soon. Actually I french and my english is quite bad. But reading the stories on this page is helpfull!! I'm in love with L.M. Alcott work since years and I realy like your story.

I like that you're being more realistic. And your take on Amy and Laurie's relationship is SO true. Exelent. Update, please.