The Best of Intentions

Reviews / Votes

Praise for The Best of Intentions:

'A lovely, slow, bucolic stroll through the English countryside in a bygone era. Perfect for fans of Dear Mrs Bird' Lorna Cook

'How to live your best life is a topic of perennial fascination. Caroline Scott explores the challenges facing a utopian community of the interwar period in a beautifully written and wonderfully atmospheric story. It's hard to put down'
Rachel Hore

'Through her joyous cast of characters, Caroline Scott reminds us of the power of community and what can be achieved when very different people come together to work for the collective good. It's an ode to kindness, authenticity and optimism - just what we need at the moment!' Caroline Bishop

'[A] warm and engaging story of community, friendship and resilience. I thoroughly enjoyed this gentle novel, a salutary tale of how we must adapt to in order to flourish and of how letting go of the past enables us to embrace the possibilities of the future, with a heartening message of love, hope and fellowship threaded through every page.'
Anita Frank

'[A] lovely story set in a golden age of the English countryside which might not be quite so golden after all. The entertaining cast of characters ask thought provoking questions: what happens when idealism turns sour ... who are the incomers ... who gets to be the arbiter of good taste. As clouds gather on the distant European horizon in the 1930s, the residents of Anderby Hall remind us of the importance of community, kindness and optimism.' Flora Johnston

'Turbulence and tribulation in paradise. A colourful cast of characters navigate the conflicting forces of idealism and pragmatism in this richly-drawn portrait of a bohemian utopia in the 1930s. A fond and funny novel about the power of patience, love and kindness' Fiona Valpy

'A wonderful, atmospheric read that I really couldn't tear myself away from. It's so beautifully written, with gorgeous, evocative descriptions of orchards, gardens, the seasons and an English country house. I was transported! The story and characters are equally fabulous. I loved how newcomer Robert found his place amongst an unconventional, artistic community and the intelligent way the dilemmas were presented. And as for the dastardly Teddy... well! Brilliant intrigue . . . I highly recommend!'
Tracy Rees

'This is a wonderful novel about the power of a creative community to heal and educate. It also subtly evokes the tensions of the inter-war period with the the threat of another devastating war on the horizon, making me fear for the younger characters. Caroline has excelled with her descriptive powers creating such a strong sense of place, that I could almost smell Anderby's famous roses! And her detailed descriptions of the house and its highly original characters enriched the novel wonderfully. As a gardener myself, I was totally invested in all the detail of the restoration of the estate's gardens and felt the pain of the community when the beautiful old apple orchard was destroyed by the builders' Suzanne Goldring

Praise for Caroline Scott:

'A delicious treat of a book! The book sings with gorgeous period details that take the reader into 1930s England, and stir a sense of nostalgia. Lively, poignant, witty and beautifully written ... I couldn't stop turning the pages.' Hazel Gaynor

'A fascinating, immersive, and delicious treat of a book' heat (book of the week)

'Evocatively written and laugh-out-loud funny, it's guaranteed to make you smile' Woman's Weekly

'Beautifully written, this sparkling novel is packed with wit and warmth' S Magazine

'Scott has done an amazing job of drawing on real stories to craft a powerful novel' Good Housekeeping

'. . . shot through with nostalgia but with themes which nevertheless resonate today... A tasty treat' Mirror, The Friday Book Club

'A fun, colourful read . . . laugh-out-loud funny, it's guaranteed to make you smile' Woman & Home

'Wonderful on nostalgia, doing things your own way and maintaining faith. I raced through it' Daily Mail

'Emotionally intelligent and compassionate, this warm and welcoming historical novel highlights the importance of creativity, kindness, and relationships. When I reviewed LoveReading Star Book The Visitors I declared that it wouldn't be the last novel I read by Caroline Scott, and I was right. The Best of Intentions is just as lovely, just as rewarding, and it also sits as a Star Book and a Liz Pick of the Month. In 1932, Anderby Hall is a community of idealists, yet money is desperately needed for the upkeep of the house and gardens, and the community begins to fracture. I love how Caroline Scott writes, her descriptions are always so beautiful, and she has the ability to not only set the scene, but take you by the hand and make you feel right at home. The hall and the gardens become known, and I cared about them, and their future. The characters feel wonderfully authentic and relatable as they make mistakes and have their ups and downs. There is a lovely balance to this tale, as while several strands of the story create a feeling of tension, others bring hope and joy. Life, with all its complications makes itself right at home within this utopian community. The Best of Intentions is an engaging and atmospheric novel full of heart and optimism' Liz Robinson, LoveReading