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The Best of Intentions
Don't miss the wonderful new novel from the author of Good Taste and The Photographer of the Lost . . .
Welcome to a utopia in the English countryside . . .
When Robert Bardsley arrives at Greenfields in the spring of 1933, it is home to a collective of writers, artists, thinkers, musicians and horticulturalists; a place of unchecked idealism and outlandish lifestyles that regularly scandalises the county. An ambitious young gardener, Robert’s been offered a cottage in the grounds of Anderby Hall in return for his efforts to restore the hornbeam maze and tame the feral roses.
When the residents of Greenfields discover that Mrs Fitzgerald has sold the old orchard to a property developer, who intends to build an estate of mock-Tudor bungalows, cracks start to fracture the community’s façade.
Told by four members of the community over the course of a year, this is a novel about the tensions between ideals and practicalities
At what price do we let go of our principles?
And, as the bungalows rise, can anything of the founding spirit of Greenfields survive?
Welcome to a utopia in the English countryside . . .
When Robert Bardsley arrives at Greenfields in the spring of 1933, it is home to a collective of writers, artists, thinkers, musicians and horticulturalists; a place of unchecked idealism and outlandish lifestyles that regularly scandalises the county. An ambitious young gardener, Robert’s been offered a cottage in the grounds of Anderby Hall in return for his efforts to restore the hornbeam maze and tame the feral roses.
When the residents of Greenfields discover that Mrs Fitzgerald has sold the old orchard to a property developer, who intends to build an estate of mock-Tudor bungalows, cracks start to fracture the community’s façade.
Told by four members of the community over the course of a year, this is a novel about the tensions between ideals and practicalities
At what price do we let go of our principles?
And, as the bungalows rise, can anything of the founding spirit of Greenfields survive?
416 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 17, 2025
About the author
Caroline Scott
8 books241 followersAfter completing a PhD in History, at the University of Durham, Caroline Scott worked as a researcher in Belgium and France. She has a particular interest in the experience of women during the First World War, in the challenges faced by the returning soldier, and in the development of tourism and pilgrimage in the former conflict zones. Caroline lives in southwest France and is now writing historical fiction for Simon & Schuster UK and William Morrow.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
June 2, 2025
Gloucestershire, 1932.
Robert Bardsley arrives at Anderby Hall with a firm resolve to be a better man. The ancient door is opened by American Gwendoline Fitzgerald, a vision in green silk with her glorious vibrant auburn hair giving her the air of an artist’s muse. The house is clearly neglected and is as icy as the exterior and as for the gardens, which will be Roberts job, there’s much to do especially reviving the famous roses. Anderby is now a home and retreat for artists and idealists, a kind of Bohemian Utopia. The novel is told from several perspectives including Robert, his colourful neighbour Trudie, famed for her lethal cocktail combinations, Daniel, whose recovery from the Great War is understandably slow and school teacher Faye, with whom Robert has a tricky relationship. Just as Robert believes he’s settling in, the news arrives at the Orchard has been sold to make way for an estate of Tudor inspired bungalows. Indeed. Will this put everything that Anderby and the nearby village of Greenfields stands for in jeopardy. What will this tight knit community do? It’s a violation of somewhere they hold as precious, a link between the past and the present. Anderby ancestors will be spinning in their graves.
It takes me a little while to get into this, to sort the characters out but once I do, I really love this beautifully written historical novel. It’s a wonderful snapshot of an idealistic community and how they respond to inevitable change as it’s an inescapable fact that Britain needs more homes. The language at times is almost lyrical which means that scenes and characters spring to life as vividly as the appearance and personalities of this eclectic bunch of individuals. It captures the times in society, the language used and contextually depicting the increasingly darker times abroad as authoritarianism bites hard. The author really does create a strong sense of community and their palpable shock at what may happen to a place that they’re both invested in and love. It’s very atmospheric with a strong sense of place.
I love the idea of very likeable Robert rescuing, reviving and re-creating the old garden designs that date back hundreds of years and the roses which are of Tudor origin. It mirrors the efforts of post Great War recovery and these are some of the strongest sections of the book.
Amongst the wit, humour and excellent dialogue there’s betrayal, treachery and manipulation which comes as a shock to most but not to a few and there’s an impending sense of devastation and doom. However, fear not, these are people with strength and backbone and it builds to a very heartwarming ending.
This is a must read for fans of Historical Fiction and ensure to read the authors fascinating afterword.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Simon and Schuster for the much appreciated early copy in return for an honest review.
Robert Bardsley arrives at Anderby Hall with a firm resolve to be a better man. The ancient door is opened by American Gwendoline Fitzgerald, a vision in green silk with her glorious vibrant auburn hair giving her the air of an artist’s muse. The house is clearly neglected and is as icy as the exterior and as for the gardens, which will be Roberts job, there’s much to do especially reviving the famous roses. Anderby is now a home and retreat for artists and idealists, a kind of Bohemian Utopia. The novel is told from several perspectives including Robert, his colourful neighbour Trudie, famed for her lethal cocktail combinations, Daniel, whose recovery from the Great War is understandably slow and school teacher Faye, with whom Robert has a tricky relationship. Just as Robert believes he’s settling in, the news arrives at the Orchard has been sold to make way for an estate of Tudor inspired bungalows. Indeed. Will this put everything that Anderby and the nearby village of Greenfields stands for in jeopardy. What will this tight knit community do? It’s a violation of somewhere they hold as precious, a link between the past and the present. Anderby ancestors will be spinning in their graves.
It takes me a little while to get into this, to sort the characters out but once I do, I really love this beautifully written historical novel. It’s a wonderful snapshot of an idealistic community and how they respond to inevitable change as it’s an inescapable fact that Britain needs more homes. The language at times is almost lyrical which means that scenes and characters spring to life as vividly as the appearance and personalities of this eclectic bunch of individuals. It captures the times in society, the language used and contextually depicting the increasingly darker times abroad as authoritarianism bites hard. The author really does create a strong sense of community and their palpable shock at what may happen to a place that they’re both invested in and love. It’s very atmospheric with a strong sense of place.
I love the idea of very likeable Robert rescuing, reviving and re-creating the old garden designs that date back hundreds of years and the roses which are of Tudor origin. It mirrors the efforts of post Great War recovery and these are some of the strongest sections of the book.
Amongst the wit, humour and excellent dialogue there’s betrayal, treachery and manipulation which comes as a shock to most but not to a few and there’s an impending sense of devastation and doom. However, fear not, these are people with strength and backbone and it builds to a very heartwarming ending.
This is a must read for fans of Historical Fiction and ensure to read the authors fascinating afterword.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Simon and Schuster for the much appreciated early copy in return for an honest review.
August 2, 2025
Gwendoline is the driving force behind the Greenfields community, centred around the now rather rundown Anderby Hall. The manor house has proved to be a money pit, eating up most of Gwendoline’s fortune. However it’s not just a place to pursue her ideals but somewhere she has a very personal connection to because of its use as a military hospital for wounded soldiers of the First World War. In particular, the restoration of the gardens to their former glory is something dear to her heart. More pragmatically, she hopes charging people to view the garden might be a way to restore the community’s economic fortunes. However not everyone feels this accords with Greenfield’s values, prinicipally Faye, Anderby’s schoolteacher.
Robert is excited at taking on the project of restoring the garden but arrives at Anderby with a degree of trepidation because he has something in his past he would rather not be discovered. Unfortunately Teddy, Gwendoline’s husband, is pretty good at sniffing out secrets and using them to his advantage. Robert finds himself drawn to Faye but wonders if he can overcome her animosity towards him.
I had Teddy down as a bounder from the start. I struggled to see what Gwendoline saw in him as he seemed more interested in spending her money than anything else. I can’t say I was upset when he got his just desserts, even if it was in an unexpectedly dramatic way.
For me, Daniel was the most fully rounded character. Still struggling with memories of the terrible things he experienced in the First World War, he finds solace in spending time in the grounds of Anderby, particularly in its ancient orchard. I could really appreciate his dismay at the prospect of its destruction to make way for a new housing estate.
Gwendoline’s decision to sell land to housing developers sets the community at odds. For some it’s simply too far from their original ideals putting the whole Greenfields project at risk. But perhaps it’s also an opportunity for a reset, to acknowledge that change is inevitable and must be embraced, allowing the book to end on an uplifting note.
I definitely recommend reading the Author’s Note which provides historical background and sources of inspiration for some aspects of the book. For example, the rise of utopian communities in the wake of the First World War and the explosion in housebuilding in order to fulfil Lloyd George’s promise of ‘a fit country for heroes to live in’. The author also points out some interesting parallels with contemporary issues.
I enjoyed The Best of Intentions but, if I’m honest, missed the emotional intensity of the author’s previous books, particularly The Photographer of the Lost and When I Come Home Again.
(3.5 rounded up to 4)
Robert is excited at taking on the project of restoring the garden but arrives at Anderby with a degree of trepidation because he has something in his past he would rather not be discovered. Unfortunately Teddy, Gwendoline’s husband, is pretty good at sniffing out secrets and using them to his advantage. Robert finds himself drawn to Faye but wonders if he can overcome her animosity towards him.
I had Teddy down as a bounder from the start. I struggled to see what Gwendoline saw in him as he seemed more interested in spending her money than anything else. I can’t say I was upset when he got his just desserts, even if it was in an unexpectedly dramatic way.
For me, Daniel was the most fully rounded character. Still struggling with memories of the terrible things he experienced in the First World War, he finds solace in spending time in the grounds of Anderby, particularly in its ancient orchard. I could really appreciate his dismay at the prospect of its destruction to make way for a new housing estate.
Gwendoline’s decision to sell land to housing developers sets the community at odds. For some it’s simply too far from their original ideals putting the whole Greenfields project at risk. But perhaps it’s also an opportunity for a reset, to acknowledge that change is inevitable and must be embraced, allowing the book to end on an uplifting note.
I definitely recommend reading the Author’s Note which provides historical background and sources of inspiration for some aspects of the book. For example, the rise of utopian communities in the wake of the First World War and the explosion in housebuilding in order to fulfil Lloyd George’s promise of ‘a fit country for heroes to live in’. The author also points out some interesting parallels with contemporary issues.
I enjoyed The Best of Intentions but, if I’m honest, missed the emotional intensity of the author’s previous books, particularly The Photographer of the Lost and When I Come Home Again.
(3.5 rounded up to 4)
July 27, 2025
The Best of Intentions is a historical fiction set between the wars. I love interwar fiction, and thought this sounded interesting. I quite liked the story, set in an artistic community with pacifist leanings, told mainly from the point of view of Robert, who has been brought in to get the gardens back into shape. It was an aesy read in the beginning, but ultimately too long, and I struggled to remain interested towards the end.
Also, it didn't read like historical fiction; it was only when there were mentions of events that werecontemporary to the setting that I remembered I was reading historical fiction, it read like it was set today
*Many thanks to Netgally and the publishers for a copy in exchange for an honest opinion.*
Also, it didn't read like historical fiction; it was only when there were mentions of events that werecontemporary to the setting that I remembered I was reading historical fiction, it read like it was set today
*Many thanks to Netgally and the publishers for a copy in exchange for an honest opinion.*
July 1, 2025
I have loved all of Caroline Scott’s novels, and this one was no exception. In December 1932, Robert Bardsley arrives at Anderby Hall to take up a post as gardener, tasked with restoring the neglected gardens. The intention is that they can be opened to the paying public, as part of the community of artists and musicians collectively known as Greenfields, that live and work in houses and studios in the grounds of the big house. The residents all have a say in how the estate, owned by Gwendoline Fitzgerald and her younger husband Teddy, is run, but the Hall is crumbling and needs expensive work done and it is not long before they discover, to their dismay, that the ancient apple orchard has been sold and an estate of mock Tudor bungalows are to be built. As they do their best to thwart the builders, tempers fray and the previously harmonious community starts to fracture. I enjoyed “getting to know” Robert, musician Daniel (with his traumatic wartime memories), schoolteacher Faye, jewellery maker and dog breeder Trudie and all the others, as their various backstories are revealed alongside their fight against the housing estate. This fight is surprisingly familiar, as so many communities are fighting unwanted housing estates now, but without the artistic community setting portrayed in the book, which was apparently based on a number of such communities that sprang up between the wars. I was sorry to have to leave them all at the end of the book and wonder how things unfolded later, with the knowledge that WW2 was just around the corner.
May 5, 2025
Thanks to NetGalley for this free book to review.
This is a very well written book.
Most chapters start very lyrically, describing the garden, its flowers, or the produce for sale in the market. This I particularly liked. The story itself was also different to most romances, in that these were not a major plot device; in fact, the 'commune' itself, and the lives of the people in it, is the real story and this
A couple of things did jar: the phrase 'operatives in cotton mills' when used to describe Robert's parent (surely 'operatives' would have been replaced by 'employed' or 'workers'? Operatives feels too modern for this book's date), and the fact that things happening in the outside world felt shoehorned in and had no bearing on the plot e.g. the Jewish situation in Germany, refugees coming to England. Without these points, this would have been a five star book.
This is a very well written book.
Most chapters start very lyrically, describing the garden, its flowers, or the produce for sale in the market. This I particularly liked. The story itself was also different to most romances, in that these were not a major plot device; in fact, the 'commune' itself, and the lives of the people in it, is the real story and this
A couple of things did jar: the phrase 'operatives in cotton mills' when used to describe Robert's parent (surely 'operatives' would have been replaced by 'employed' or 'workers'? Operatives feels too modern for this book's date), and the fact that things happening in the outside world felt shoehorned in and had no bearing on the plot e.g. the Jewish situation in Germany, refugees coming to England. Without these points, this would have been a five star book.
May 6, 2025
A beautifully written story set in the 1930’s mainly from the view point of Robert, the new gardener at Anderley Hall. The plot actually became secondary for me as the descriptions of the garden and the surrounding natural world are so lovely but the battle which unfolds in the village is also really engrossing. A good read- and sublime cover- which I recommend. Thank you to Net Galley for this ARC.
July 11, 2025
I was so looking forward to reading The Best of Intentions. I am always drawn to books revolving around gardens and find them very special reads, and this was no exception.
The book is set in the 1930s in the beautiful setting of the Gloucestershire countryside. The main character is the very passionate young gardener Robert Bardsley, who arrives at Anderby Hall to bring its gardens back to life. Anderby Hall is an Elizabethan Manor House but is now very run down and needs a lot of restoration work - inside and out. Anderby Hall is now home to a creative community, brought together by shared needs and quiet hope. The community is called Greenfields and the book is very cleverly written, unfolding over the course of a year. We start in Spring and it is wonderful to read and envisage the changing seasons, watching not only the gardens bloom into life but also the characters too.
Robert is looking to start a new life for himself. He plans to keep his head down, tend to the gardens, and stay under the radar, but life at Greenfields has other ideas!
It is not long before Robert finds himself drawn into the lives of the artists who call it home. It is the other residents, along with Robert, that make this such an extraordinary book. Each character has their own history, their own story, their distinct personalities, and their hopes for the future. Every one of them helps make Greenfields. the community it is.
I loved Robert's relationship with the other residents, particularly the very eccentric Trudie! She was just brilliant! And her legendary cocktails are something to behold! No recipe needed! Just a splash of this, a generous splash of that, and lots of personality! Trudie made me laugh alot!
As the Anderby Hall orchard faces demolition, due to the owner of the estate selling to a property developer, Greenfields come together to protect the place they love and where they call home. The orchard soon had newly built Tudorbethan bungalows on. This was a sign that the world outside Anderby Hall was changing and the residents found this understandably very hard to cope with and resisted all they could.
I loved how, despite their reactions at first, that the residents in the end, welcomed their new neighbours, because they soon came to realise that they were here to stay but also that they could benefit the Hall by bringing in very much needed income.
This is such a heartwarming story about a community which comes together to protect what matters most. It is a book about friendship, courage, compassion and most of all hope, which in these times was so very much needed. I loved how when new residents were welcomed to stay in the House they all helped out with their own skills, working on restoring the house.
The Best of Intentions is a warm and nostalgic historical novel, exceptionally written, and one that I really enjoyed. This beautiful story leaves you quietly reflecting on what it truly means to live with intention, something the Greenfields community embraced with grace, warmth, and open hearts.
Thank you for such an immersive read. Five enormous sparkling stars!
Thank you to Simon & Schuster UK for my advanced copy. This review is based on a NetGalley ARC provided in exchange for an honest and unbiased opinion.
The book is set in the 1930s in the beautiful setting of the Gloucestershire countryside. The main character is the very passionate young gardener Robert Bardsley, who arrives at Anderby Hall to bring its gardens back to life. Anderby Hall is an Elizabethan Manor House but is now very run down and needs a lot of restoration work - inside and out. Anderby Hall is now home to a creative community, brought together by shared needs and quiet hope. The community is called Greenfields and the book is very cleverly written, unfolding over the course of a year. We start in Spring and it is wonderful to read and envisage the changing seasons, watching not only the gardens bloom into life but also the characters too.
Robert is looking to start a new life for himself. He plans to keep his head down, tend to the gardens, and stay under the radar, but life at Greenfields has other ideas!
It is not long before Robert finds himself drawn into the lives of the artists who call it home. It is the other residents, along with Robert, that make this such an extraordinary book. Each character has their own history, their own story, their distinct personalities, and their hopes for the future. Every one of them helps make Greenfields. the community it is.
I loved Robert's relationship with the other residents, particularly the very eccentric Trudie! She was just brilliant! And her legendary cocktails are something to behold! No recipe needed! Just a splash of this, a generous splash of that, and lots of personality! Trudie made me laugh alot!
As the Anderby Hall orchard faces demolition, due to the owner of the estate selling to a property developer, Greenfields come together to protect the place they love and where they call home. The orchard soon had newly built Tudorbethan bungalows on. This was a sign that the world outside Anderby Hall was changing and the residents found this understandably very hard to cope with and resisted all they could.
I loved how, despite their reactions at first, that the residents in the end, welcomed their new neighbours, because they soon came to realise that they were here to stay but also that they could benefit the Hall by bringing in very much needed income.
This is such a heartwarming story about a community which comes together to protect what matters most. It is a book about friendship, courage, compassion and most of all hope, which in these times was so very much needed. I loved how when new residents were welcomed to stay in the House they all helped out with their own skills, working on restoring the house.
The Best of Intentions is a warm and nostalgic historical novel, exceptionally written, and one that I really enjoyed. This beautiful story leaves you quietly reflecting on what it truly means to live with intention, something the Greenfields community embraced with grace, warmth, and open hearts.
Thank you for such an immersive read. Five enormous sparkling stars!
Thank you to Simon & Schuster UK for my advanced copy. This review is based on a NetGalley ARC provided in exchange for an honest and unbiased opinion.
July 15, 2025
After losing his job due to a failed love affair, Robert moves to Gloucestershire to take up a gardening post at Anderby Hall. Here he meets an array of characters who form a community of artists and left thinking individuals. Set in 1932, this shows a nation still grieving after the horrors of the war whilst the news from Germany has some wondering if there are more horrors to come. Meanwhile, the tenants of Anderby Hall have issues of their own. I went into this open minded as I'd not heard anything about it and so had no expectations. What I got was a charming and delightful tale of second chances, community and resilience. Loved it.
Read
June 11, 2025Robert has traveled to Greenfields to take up a new position of gardener at a country estate.
There are lots of residents living in the cottages in the estate and Robert enjoys getting to meet them.
When the residents find out that the owner of the estate has sold the orchard to a property developer they must find a way to stop this.
Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
There are lots of residents living in the cottages in the estate and Robert enjoys getting to meet them.
When the residents find out that the owner of the estate has sold the orchard to a property developer they must find a way to stop this.
Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
May 14, 2025
Set in the 1930s, in an arts and crafts commune set up in a dilapidated country estate, Robert arrives to become the new gardener. Over the course of a year we get to know the residents, following their trials and tribulations, heart break and love stories. The announcement that the ancient orchard has been sold to build mock Tudor bungalows sends shockwaves through the community, can Anderley and its ideals survive?
A well written, piece with lovely characters.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the copy to review.
A well written, piece with lovely characters.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the copy to review.
May 6, 2025
Beautifully written, charming, funny, original and full of period detail. I loved it!
Highly recommended to fellow fans of interwar country-house novels.
*****
Highly recommended to fellow fans of interwar country-house novels.
*****
Read
July 25, 2025Review to follow 16 September
July 25, 2025
With thanks to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster UK for an early copy of this new novel from Caroline Scott.
As a lover of historical fiction, I was pleased to get an early look at Caroline Scott's new book. This is the fifth of her books that I’ve read, and I’ve enjoyed them all.
Robert, a gardener who left his previous job under less-than-auspicious circumstances, joins a small community at Greenfields, Anderby Hall in Gloucestershire, to help revive a neglected formal garden. I loved the generous descriptions of the garden and wildlife, which flowed gently through the story and helped to balance the weight of the more serious themes.
Like many British stately homes, Anderby was used as a hospital during World War One—specifically, for those suffering not only physical wounds but also psychological trauma. After the war, a glamorous American woman takes over the hall in memory of her lost brother. One former patient remains behind and helps her build a community of artists, writers, and other free-thinking individuals.
Robert arrives in 1932, during a time of upheaval. Funds are low, a property developer plans to fell the ancient orchard to build new homes, and the community is struggling to survive.
As with her other novels, I enjoyed this one. A couple of the storylines were a little predictable, but I found comfort in that—it made the narrative feel believable, and it didn’t detract in the slightest from my pleasure in reading another excellently written and well-plotted book.
I read another review where someone said they’d like to see a sequel showing how the community copes when World War Two begins. I agree that this is a possibility, as the novel drops several hints in that direction.
As a lover of historical fiction, I was pleased to get an early look at Caroline Scott's new book. This is the fifth of her books that I’ve read, and I’ve enjoyed them all.
Robert, a gardener who left his previous job under less-than-auspicious circumstances, joins a small community at Greenfields, Anderby Hall in Gloucestershire, to help revive a neglected formal garden. I loved the generous descriptions of the garden and wildlife, which flowed gently through the story and helped to balance the weight of the more serious themes.
Like many British stately homes, Anderby was used as a hospital during World War One—specifically, for those suffering not only physical wounds but also psychological trauma. After the war, a glamorous American woman takes over the hall in memory of her lost brother. One former patient remains behind and helps her build a community of artists, writers, and other free-thinking individuals.
Robert arrives in 1932, during a time of upheaval. Funds are low, a property developer plans to fell the ancient orchard to build new homes, and the community is struggling to survive.
As with her other novels, I enjoyed this one. A couple of the storylines were a little predictable, but I found comfort in that—it made the narrative feel believable, and it didn’t detract in the slightest from my pleasure in reading another excellently written and well-plotted book.
I read another review where someone said they’d like to see a sequel showing how the community copes when World War Two begins. I agree that this is a possibility, as the novel drops several hints in that direction.
July 14, 2025
This is the best Caroline Scott book I have read since The Photographer of the Lost. The author excels in portraying the post-war English countryside in all its bounteous glory without ever ignoring the effects that war and suffering have had on the people who live there. In this story, we meet the residents of Anderby estate, a loose collective of artists and creatives who support each other and estate owner Gwendoline in maintaining their home. Into the mix comes gardener Robet Barsdley, fleeing his own troubled past, only to find fresh challenges at Anderby.
Can he restore the gardens? Can he help Gwendoline with her vision? Or will financial pressures mean the estate has to be sold?
With a whole host of warm, interesting and diverse characters, like Trudie, an aristocrat fleeing her dominating mother, schoolteacher Faye, who has strong political views about everything, and gentle Daniel, bowed but not broken by his wartime experiencs, there is always something interesting and worthwhile to discover on every page.
While the strong main plot of saving the estate would be enough to carry the story, there are many fascinating subplots going on, and many different themes. Love, friendship and community support shine through the story, balanced but never dwarfed by the trickier themes of loss, betrayal and human greed.
This story is warm, funny and immensely heartfelt. I fell in love with Anderby, with its residents and with the idealism they nourished despite all their challenges.
A joy of a book which I will definitely re-read just to experience its magic all over again.
Can he restore the gardens? Can he help Gwendoline with her vision? Or will financial pressures mean the estate has to be sold?
With a whole host of warm, interesting and diverse characters, like Trudie, an aristocrat fleeing her dominating mother, schoolteacher Faye, who has strong political views about everything, and gentle Daniel, bowed but not broken by his wartime experiencs, there is always something interesting and worthwhile to discover on every page.
While the strong main plot of saving the estate would be enough to carry the story, there are many fascinating subplots going on, and many different themes. Love, friendship and community support shine through the story, balanced but never dwarfed by the trickier themes of loss, betrayal and human greed.
This story is warm, funny and immensely heartfelt. I fell in love with Anderby, with its residents and with the idealism they nourished despite all their challenges.
A joy of a book which I will definitely re-read just to experience its magic all over again.
November 4, 2025
A gentle, nostalgic story set in Gloucestershire in 1932. A gardener arrives at a stately home to restore once-famous rose beds and topiary where he finds himself living on the estate that is also a utopian commune for artists and idealists. Money is tight and the owners decide to sell the ancient apple orchard, which practically nobody is pleased about. The residents, despite a few squabbles, pull together to sort out how to move forward. They question whether their ideology and values still apply.
The story is told mainly from the gardener's point of view, but there are other perspectives along the way and each character is vibrant and adds to the story. This is definitely a character-led tale and all the better for it. There are references to the events of the world at this time, the rise of a new party in Germany, for example and the after effects of the First World War. There is even a mention of the trendy perfumes of the time.
However, the main appeal of this book is the friendship the people show each other, particularly in difficult times. Set against the lovely backdrop of gardens and nature, it creates a very calming and pastoral scene. Makes a nice change to all the murders I mostly read about - as it would for the characters after the experiences of Great War.
The writing is fluid and modern and captures the atmosphere of the time, although the phrase 'inclusive community' seems a bit too modern but it is apt for the aims of the folk living on the grand estate. Everything is neatly tied up in the end. A very pleasant read about hope and opportunity. Recommended.
The story is told mainly from the gardener's point of view, but there are other perspectives along the way and each character is vibrant and adds to the story. This is definitely a character-led tale and all the better for it. There are references to the events of the world at this time, the rise of a new party in Germany, for example and the after effects of the First World War. There is even a mention of the trendy perfumes of the time.
However, the main appeal of this book is the friendship the people show each other, particularly in difficult times. Set against the lovely backdrop of gardens and nature, it creates a very calming and pastoral scene. Makes a nice change to all the murders I mostly read about - as it would for the characters after the experiences of Great War.
The writing is fluid and modern and captures the atmosphere of the time, although the phrase 'inclusive community' seems a bit too modern but it is apt for the aims of the folk living on the grand estate. Everything is neatly tied up in the end. A very pleasant read about hope and opportunity. Recommended.
September 29, 2025
This book has been a rather delightful read after a very slow start to the story.
It's 1932 and we meet Gardner Robert Bardsley as he arrives at Anderby Hall, and Lisa beef and Manor house set in the Gloucestershire countryside. And to be who is a home to Greenfield a community of artist and idealist, and Robert says to friend the other residence including Trudy , composer Daniel who is recovering from the Great War and a person that it takes him a long time to win over . Faye is
Anderby's school teacher and she finds Robert to be perfectly vexing, but they get to know each other, they start to form a relationship which is delightful to see brewing in the book.
There are some really great characters in this story, I really liked Gwendoline Fitzgerald the owner of the manor , she's not having the best of times as the manner needs various expensive repairs and to do this she has to sell a piece of land which causes uproar in the community. She also has a troublesome husband called Teddy who to be honest you enjoy not liking him.
The ending is the best part of the book, it becomes very dramatic with Teddy running off with all Gwendoline's money , but the delightful thing is how the community comes together and supports her.
It's a book about friendship and kindness, and I'm glad I read it .
It's 1932 and we meet Gardner Robert Bardsley as he arrives at Anderby Hall, and Lisa beef and Manor house set in the Gloucestershire countryside. And to be who is a home to Greenfield a community of artist and idealist, and Robert says to friend the other residence including Trudy , composer Daniel who is recovering from the Great War and a person that it takes him a long time to win over . Faye is
Anderby's school teacher and she finds Robert to be perfectly vexing, but they get to know each other, they start to form a relationship which is delightful to see brewing in the book.
There are some really great characters in this story, I really liked Gwendoline Fitzgerald the owner of the manor , she's not having the best of times as the manner needs various expensive repairs and to do this she has to sell a piece of land which causes uproar in the community. She also has a troublesome husband called Teddy who to be honest you enjoy not liking him.
The ending is the best part of the book, it becomes very dramatic with Teddy running off with all Gwendoline's money , but the delightful thing is how the community comes together and supports her.
It's a book about friendship and kindness, and I'm glad I read it .
May 26, 2025
I really enjoyed this beautifully written novel set in the inter wars years. When Robert is forced to leave his position as a gardener under a cloud thanks to his liasion with the daughter of the house, he seeks employment at Greenfields. His new home is an artistic community built around Anderby Hall, a decaying manor house owned by Gwendoline Fitzgerald, once a glamorous American heiress who lost most of her fortune in the stock market crashes of the late twenties. Robert's arrival is greeted with suspicion by Gwendolin's younger husband Teddy and Faye the passionate and political school mistress and the job, to bring the neglected formal gardens back to life is daunting, but slowly, despite the precarity of his position thanks to his forged references, Robert starts to feel at home in the idealistic community. But when Gwendolin makes a decision that threatens all Greenfields holds dear fault lines start to emerge and Greenfields itself is at risk of collapse.
Filled with gorgeous descriptions of the gardens and countryside and peopled with very real characters I savoured every word of The Best of Intentions. Highly recommended.
Filled with gorgeous descriptions of the gardens and countryside and peopled with very real characters I savoured every word of The Best of Intentions. Highly recommended.
July 19, 2025
This was an engaging read, I really became invested in the characters and hoped it all worked out for them. There were quite an eclectic mix of characters from the aristocracy, gardeners, artists and then there was Gwendolyn, an American who bought the manor and established the community. Not everything ran smoothly. as happens when a group of people get together. This was especially true when a new housing estate was proposed for the old apple orchard. Also, not everyone was as socially minded as others. It does have a satisfying ending and a real sense of community established. The story is told from the viewpoint of some of the characters. I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
July 19, 2025
A nice gentle book set in the 1930s in what is basically an artist's collective set in and around a large country house. New to the house is Robert who is employed to revive the gardens. The story is told over the course of a year and we get to know the characters and their relationships with each other and the locals quite well during this time. This is not my usual kind of book but I quite enjoyed it as I found it very relaxing to read. Initially I thought nothing much had happened but when I looked back I realised that actually quite a lot had happened over the course of the story. However, I'm not sure I'd read any other books by this author
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy. All opinions are my own.
July 22, 2025
Thank you to Rachel Quin and Simon and Schuster for the opportunity to read and review a finished copy of The Best of Intentions by one of my favourite authors, Caroline Scott. You can read my last review of a book by Caroline here: https://mentoringmumof2bookreviews.ho...
I started reading Caroline’s book just before publication day with the intention of sharing my thoughts around publication week. However my best laid plans (and intentions) failed due to work commitments, so I’m sharing during publication month instead!
Caroline’s new book is another five star read for me. This historical fiction novel allows the reader to discover what life was like during the years between the two wars. Life in England was changing, as the aristocracy had been altered forever by the loss of future heirs and also the Great Depression. Could a community of creative people from different social backgrounds live well together? Or would the class rules still prevail?
In addition to the changes in social history, Caroline brings to life her characters, many with secrets and/or hidden agendas. Her beautifully written book was a pleasure to read and I was left feeling bereft when I closed the book for the final time after spending time at Anderby Hall. If you haven’t discovered Caroline’s books before, then this is an excellent one to start with.
I started reading Caroline’s book just before publication day with the intention of sharing my thoughts around publication week. However my best laid plans (and intentions) failed due to work commitments, so I’m sharing during publication month instead!
Caroline’s new book is another five star read for me. This historical fiction novel allows the reader to discover what life was like during the years between the two wars. Life in England was changing, as the aristocracy had been altered forever by the loss of future heirs and also the Great Depression. Could a community of creative people from different social backgrounds live well together? Or would the class rules still prevail?
In addition to the changes in social history, Caroline brings to life her characters, many with secrets and/or hidden agendas. Her beautifully written book was a pleasure to read and I was left feeling bereft when I closed the book for the final time after spending time at Anderby Hall. If you haven’t discovered Caroline’s books before, then this is an excellent one to start with.
July 27, 2025
This is the first time I've read a book from this author; I don't think it will be the last.
A chancer, a wealthy lady and a community are the crux of the story.
Set between the two world wars, Robert takes up a position as a gardener I on a formal war hospital. It is run as a communder the owner Gwen and her husband Teddy..
The community are mainly artists, who don't always follow the social rules of the time.
Friendships, hardships and loyalty are all tested to the maximum.
Lies and hidden truths come to the surface but it forces the community to re-ev their ethos.
A chancer, a wealthy lady and a community are the crux of the story.
Set between the two world wars, Robert takes up a position as a gardener I on a formal war hospital. It is run as a communder the owner Gwen and her husband Teddy..
The community are mainly artists, who don't always follow the social rules of the time.
Friendships, hardships and loyalty are all tested to the maximum.
Lies and hidden truths come to the surface but it forces the community to re-ev their ethos.
October 5, 2025
Set in 1932, Anderby is a community set up by Gwendoline Fitzgerald when she bought a big house and estate in the English countryside. A creative community, it is viewed with suspicion by the local villagers. Robert Bardsley is employed as a gardener and although finding it a strange set up, he settles in and makes friends. Frightened of his past being exposed, Robert is wary of Gwen's husband Teddy, and rightly so. When things change, the community is in danger of being torn apart, or will they come together? A gentle story of another time. #netgalley #thebestofintentions
July 28, 2025
This was a charming read, inspired by the real life communities after the first World War, and it really does capture that uncertainty faced by the locals as they try and look forward to a new way of life but still troubled by what they've been through with the war.
Robert finds himself new to the area, charged with restoring the garden at Anderby Hall and he soon finds himself the centre of attention as the colourful set of characters are introduced to us! The lady of the house wants the gardens smartened up so she can open up to the public to raise funds, so Robert has a big task on his hands.
And the hall is full of families living there a quite unconventional set up, which adds to the community feel so when decisions are made without their consent it really pulls the community together - and it feels very relevant to problems facing communities nowadays with land being sold for new homes to be built.
It was a lovely gentle read, full of different personalities to follow and I loved the grown up attitudes to facing problems and dealing with them! No OTT plotlines and just a lovely read!
Robert finds himself new to the area, charged with restoring the garden at Anderby Hall and he soon finds himself the centre of attention as the colourful set of characters are introduced to us! The lady of the house wants the gardens smartened up so she can open up to the public to raise funds, so Robert has a big task on his hands.
And the hall is full of families living there a quite unconventional set up, which adds to the community feel so when decisions are made without their consent it really pulls the community together - and it feels very relevant to problems facing communities nowadays with land being sold for new homes to be built.
It was a lovely gentle read, full of different personalities to follow and I loved the grown up attitudes to facing problems and dealing with them! No OTT plotlines and just a lovely read!
October 19, 2025
I found this book to be just an easy, no-stress listen (I do audiobooks). Perfect for when you don’t want to think too hard. Nothing wild or twisty, just a nice story that’s easy to follow. I think it’s the kind of book that feels like a cozy afternoon or evening.
August 27, 2025
What a wonderful read - and a fascinating historical context. Review to follow soon...
October 4, 2025
A pleasant read with wonderful characters, but I can’t help feeling like it never really went anywhere.
Read
November 16, 2025Started off well. bit tedious towards the end as it tried to be a bit of an Agatha Christie without the murder and suspense.
March 12, 2026
3.5 stars
October 21, 2026
Love Caroline Scott's novels and this one is no different - just great.
July 28, 2025
I enjoyed this story of a community of people trying to sort out their lives after World War I. Within the beautiful setting of an old, neglected British manor house and its gardens, we follow the characters lives, past and present, and become absorbed in a world that no longer exists today. A gentle read that touches the emotions. Recommended.
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