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Rating: 
Summary: Good. . .but not quite what I expected. . .
Review: 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.
Rating: 
Summary: Standing alone, this book offers more...
Review: 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.
Rating: 
Summary: stop please
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: A Somewhat Dull Conclusion
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: too many gaps between 14 and 15
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: too many gaps between 14 and 15
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: A Somewhat Dull Conclusion
Review: 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!
Rating: 
Summary: Montclair Homecoming
Review: 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!
Rating:
Summary: stop please
Review: Jane Peart needs to take a look at her timetable and family tree. If, as she says, this book takes place in 1980, then her whole story just doesn't work out. Joy's father would be around 47 and since his sister Heather was 17 years older that would make her (if she was alive) 64. Since their parents, Niki and Fraser, married around 1945, the oldest Heather could be would be 35. It was really confusing to me when Peart wrote that Joy was Jeff's descendant, since she is really Jonathan's (Jeff's half-brother)great-grandaughter. The book had a few other errors similar to these. Joy was a decent heroine and the other characters, if somewhat boring, were not aggravating. I wish Peart had not kept throwing the there-is-a-Godly-reason/purpose-for-everything in my face. Joy says it again and again until I was ready to scream. I agree with the previous reviewer that Evan was too old for Joy. The writing style is decent and flowing. I was very happy to learn a little about what had happened to Niki's generation. I wish she had told a little more though. Pretend the book took place in the year 2000 and the dates will come out closer. It is an improvement over the poor-spirited Courageous Bride.
Rating:
Summary: Confusing especially if you've read the Series
Review: Jane Peart needs to take a look at her timetable and family tree. If, as she says, this book takes place in 1980, then her whole story just doesn't work out. Joy's father would be around 47 and since his sister Heather was 17 years older that would make her (if she was alive) 64. Since their parents, Niki and Fraser, married around 1945, the oldest Heather could be would be 35. It was really confusing to me when Peart wrote that Joy was Jeff's descendant, since she is really Jonathan's (Jeff's half-brother)great-grandaughter. The book had a few other errors similar to these. Joy was a decent heroine and the other characters, if somewhat boring, were not aggravating. I wish Peart had not kept throwing the there-is-a-Godly-reason/purpose-for-everything in my face. Joy says it again and again until I was ready to scream. I agree with the previous reviewer that Evan was too old for Joy. The writing style is decent and flowing. I was very happy to learn a little about what had happened to Niki's generation. I wish she had told a little more though. Pretend the book took place in the year 2000 and the dates will come out closer. It is an improvement over the poor-spirited Courageous Bride.
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