Irene sounds like May Binnie in the LMM book "Mistress Pat".

I love it. Positively amazing! I love the characters. Great job. Cam and Helen's relationship is so sweet. Write a sequel!

I really loved this story. It could have been written by LM Montgomery herself. But it was a bit hard to keep track of all the characters, especially the children and the identities of their parents.

It was great how Cam's fight against Marty shadowed Walter's in Rainbow Valley days.

I keep forgetting what personalities and appearances the children have as well, especially the fact that Cam had Walter's looks, but the young Walter looked more like Jem.

And although most of the children loved Irene in the end, I could never reconcile myself to the idea of Irene Howard, the girl who insulted Walter in Rilla of Ingleside, marrying Shirley.

My favourite part was when Helen was confessing to Una, and Una was telling her about the man she once loved. Why didn't Una tell Helen that the one she had loved was Helen's Uncle Walter himself? All the references to 'the boy who had died in the war' would have made more sense to a reader that had not read Rilla of Ingleside.

You've written another great masterpiece, Ruby! You've depicted LMM's characters perfectly and skillfully created your own.

The humor in this story is delightful! I laughed out loud when I read the letter.

The conversation between Claire and Faith is too funny! I suspect that if Claire or Helen had confessed all, Faith would have done nothing to stop their plan. In fact, she might have helped them. :)

Great story!

I think I say this with every story, but seriously: this is the best one you've written. It's still LMM-ish, but it has more of your voice, more of Ruby in it, and I LOVE IT.

This was the perfect ending, and now I am greedily hoping you start posting Blythe By Nature SOON.

I had tears in my eyes reading Sally's epic. And even more tears when Shirley came in. So beautiful! Who would have thought that Irene would turn into such a sympathetic character? You've worked miracles, as usual!

I love the Goldens even more, now. I love Harry, and the friendship he and Sally and developing. Part of me wants to go "ooh, future romance!" but another part wants to see them remain good, lifelong friends and nothing more. In either case, I'm so glad that he was able to help right now, that he was the friend Sally needed, and was able to restore her self-confidence.

I can easily see how Claire would end up the way she is. Nan had all of Anne's charm without her humility, simply as a result of her privileged upbringing. Another generation removed, a little more firmly entrenched in the idea of Blythe superiority ... charm and little to no substance. All is not hopeless for Claire - and, in fact, I hope that she does learn some humility and grace - but for right now, she is definitely shallow, and definitely not the friend Sally needs to help her grow into the young woman she could be!

Is she going to write out how sorry she is into her epic, to give to Irene? That would bring the story full circle, wouldn't it?

I love what you've done with this very different clan of Blythes, and I'm sorry to see this story nearing its end ... but anticipating the sequel!

Well, I'm thoroughly relieved that Carl didn't betray his friend. And I'm glad to hear Irene's side of the story of her first marriage. Also, I think it high time that the Blythes realized what snobs their family was turning into. I have toyed on and off with the idea of writing a fanfiction from the perspective of an outsider to the Glen, seeing the people through unbiased eyes, and recognizing the Blythes as little tin gods. That whole idea of "kindred spirits" turned, partway through the series, from a way to find the good in all people, some inner kernel of similarity, into a way to separate themselves from everyone who was not of "Joseph's race."

So I'm not sorry to see them get their come-uppance, and I hope Sally and the rest can find some way to make it up to Irene!

I had a feeling something was going on with Di and Carl. Thank goodness I was right. Well, I'm sure that the kids will patch things up with Irene in a truly Blythe fashion.

Oh, my. I have to know what happens next.

Carl? CARL!

I am ... in shock.

And I love poor, brave, adorable little Helen.

And I do NOT like Claire.

More, please! You can't leave us hanging like this!

Please continue writing! looking forward to an update

I'm really loving this story! Am I the only one who thinks Helen actually saw Di and Carl kissing in the garden? She just didn't stay around long enough to really see what it was.

Can't wait to read more!