So much unfulfilled potential in this story, and in the characters themselves. ( )

I liked the characters but wish there had been little more development between Alice and Stella. An enjoyable story, but probably not one I'd read again. ( )

Alice Montclair Whittington, age 94, has run off every one of her companions by virtue of the edge of her tongue and high expectations. She is stubborn, opinionated, and not always lucid. Stella Nightingale, age 21, is scratching her way through college, lacking in financial aid, and desperate enough for a job that she takes on the task of seeing to Miss Alice's daily needs -- meals, clothing, light housework -- regardless of Miss Alice's reputation.

Alice and Stella hit it off right away when Stella demonstrates that she has just as much sand in her craw as the old lady by responding in kind to a sharp remark. And over the course of time, the elderly Southern belle and the college student barely one step up from the trailer park turn into friends, as Miss Alice talks and Stella listens. Really listens. And asks questions.

It's been years since anyone actually listened to Miss Alice and cared about the stories she told. Oh, her sister Adeline comes to visit regularly, as does her son Sawyer. And yes, sometimes her mind wanders, and sometimes she gets confused, but that doesn't mean she should be prevented from carrying on a conversation, does it? Of course not. Through these stories, Stella comes to understand that Alice's life has been nearly as traumatic as her own, albeit a more genteel and refined sort of trauma. She also comes to realize there was another Montclair sister, Laura, but neither Alice nor Adeline ever speak of her. A mystery, then: what became of Laura?

It's been years, as well, since Stella had any sort of nurturing female relationship. As her friendship with Miss Alice deepens, she comes to realize her own worth as a human being. She begins to take positive steps toward the future in her education and her personal life.

Cathy Holton has peopled her novel with gorgeous characters, a fabulous old house, and period as well as contemporary drama. A beautifully-written, sharply observant story of aging and friendship and love and loss. The Sisters Montclair is simply wonderful.

Thank you to Library Thing Early Reviewers for the opportunity to read this book. ( )

the montclairs where one of the richest families in their small town in tennessee. alice montclair is ninety four years old and in need of a night shift caretaker. stella is a
student at the local university studying psychology. she lives with a male friend wit
h benefits who doesnt really have much ambition. stella comes from an abuse

d background having been molested by her mothers husband. and alice had two other sisters one of whom is still alive and a right oul southern cat. ( )

The Sisters MontClair by Cathy Holton is a story of the secrets that a woman, motivated by love, sadness and her own failures, can hide from the ones she loves. Alice is a 94-year-old woman who has achieved many successes, but has few people living who truly give her love, attention and caring. Stella is a hard-working college student who struggles to survive. When Alice needs a new caregiver, Stella steps in to fill the role. As they spend time together, Stella learns more and more about her new employer, not all of it good. Stella quickly becomes Alice’s favorite caregiver and trusted friend, but even with that trust, Alice holds the truth of her story from her.

The Sisters MontClair could have been a story of redemption, but it felt like a drawn out version of what the reader suspects early in the book. There are few twists in the plot and the dynamic character is Stella, though I felt that she was written in a stale manner that could have been explored fully with the background she was given.

Overall, not my favorite book and not one I would read again; however, in terms of historical fiction, it has lovely descriptions of Tennessee (one of my favorite places in the world).

Note: I received this book for free in return for my honest opinion and review. ( )