Customer Reviews

A Montclair Homecoming (Brides of Montclair, Book 15)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Having read the entire series of the Montclair Brides (all of which I thought were wonderful books) I was really looking forward to reading the last one. I have to say that I have rather mixed feelings about Montclair Homecoming. In some ways, it's an enjoyable story, even though you don't get into Joy's Montclair connection until quite a ways into the book. Joy's growing relationships with Evan, Gayle and the others in the hospital are told in a warm, sensitive way. But as a conclusion to the Brides of Montclair series, it is somewhat dissappointing.

For one thing, alot of the things about the Montrose/Cameron family tree seem out of proportion. Jane Peart is usually very careful about the families' relationships in her previous books, but in this one, she made some obvious errors. For example, Joy says that Jeff Montrose is her great-grandfather, but she is actually Johnathan's descendent. I also have a hard time believing that after only thirty-five years after Courageous Bride left off, EVERYONE in the previous few books are dead, or seem to be, since they are all only mere mentions in Montclair Homecoming. Joy never contacts, or is contacted, by any of them. Even people who wouldn't seem to be that old, like Gareth's daughter, Hope, and Cara-Lyn, Lynette's daughter, have simply seemed to have vanished from the face of the earth. No mention is even made whether or not these people have been contacted about inheriting Montclair. Perhaps if the book's date -- 1980 --had been moved up about 20 or 30 years, it might have been just a little bit more realistic. 35 years just seems a little bit too short a time period for everyone to have died off. It would have been nice for Joy to know that she wasn't all alone in the world as far as blood relatives went.

The decision to give Montclair to the Historical Society was a good way to end the series, however; otherwise, the Brides of Montclair might have gone on forever. This book is best looked at as an individual story (which I believe the plot would have been best suited for). This is an OK book, but I think the series should have left off with Courageous Bride, which somehow seemed a more fitting conclusion than Montclair Homecoming.

I have read the entire series and have been looking forward to this book. It was O.K. but not Peart's best work. I was confused by what happened after 1945. There is a lot of revisiting of the old brides but I couldn't keep the family tree straight. I don't understand how Johnathan Montrose could be Joy's great-grandfather and Jeffrey her great-great grandfather when they were stepbrothers. I really didn't like Joy to much, either. She seemed a bit immature and flighty. Evan was too old for her, and I didn't care if they got together. The ending was abrupt and didn't mention the past like I wish it would have. Did any of the books ever mention Kip and Cara's hidden note about getting married! I thought they would this time, but they blew over it. Anyway, it was a conclusion.

I have to agree with the other reviewers that some of the dates and Joy's ancestors just don't fit. Peart did put a family tree in the back of this book, as I have been asking, but it is very slender and not comprehensive at all. However, when I finally quit reading to see if everything "fit" with the previous fourteen in the series, I really enjoyed the story. The characters of Joy, Gayle, and Dr. Wallace were thoughtfully rendered, and the initial concept, Joy's mural, does become a sort of ministry for her. Joy's journey to Montclair and her discovery of Rose's journal was riveting, and Gayle's acceptance of her slave ancestors was touching and thought-provoking. If the book is read singly, you will find it a heart-warming and enjoyable story. However, as a conclusion to such a wonderful series, I was left empty and disappointed that Montclair is now out of the family and that there are almost no Montrose/Cameron ancestors left.

Having read the other reviews here, I am looking at Montclair Homecoming as an individual book rather than a part of the series. The most beautiful part of this book is the story line about Joy's art and the healing that takes place as a result of her using her gift. I have read Valient Bride, the first of the series. I found it interesting to compare the lifestyle of the two brides, given each's time in history. With only a little knowledge of the series, I still found the stories interesting without being caught up in the dates. Peart's writing style reminds me a little of Grace Livingston Hill.

Very nicely written, enjoyed it very much. Absolutely loved the other 14 books. I hated to see the books end.

I have read all of the books in this series. I started when I was a teenager, but stopped for awhile. When I started again, I read from the very first title to the last. I LOVED the way that the end of the book chronicled Joy's history. I had a hard time putting it down when the author got to the main gist of the story. And, I loved Gayle's twist. Maybe it's because I have always been fascinated by family histories. But, I thought she did a great job finishing the series. She did leave out some history, but basicaly, I loved this conclusion.

I agree with the first two reviewers. The downfall in her books came when she started putting more than one bride in a book. I'm just sorry she didn't want to finish the series with a good book. Mabey she just got bored. Too bad.

Jane Peart has successfully written her fifteenth masterpiece. It is now 1980, the last surviving heir to the Montrose legacy has been found. Joy Montrose is an artist, who never knew of the Montrose legacy. This book is in two parts and each part is well written. You have to read the other fourteen to understand the whole concept. It took me two days to complete the book. It is well worth anyone time to read these books. if you need direction these books will point you in the right direction. Enjoy!