The Best of Intentions

Author: Caroline Scott

Modern & contemporary fiction (post c 1945)

Published on 17^th July 2025 by Simon & Schuster Ltd in the United Kingdom.

Paperback / softback | 416 pages
129mm x 198mm x 29mm | 296g

Charming, nostalgic and brimming with optimism � a sparkling story of friendship, community and staying true to yourself for fans of Lissa Evans and AJ Pearce.

'Perfect for fans of Dear Mrs Bird'�Lorna Cook'A fond and funny novel about the power of patience, love and kindness' Fiona Valpy'I love how Caroline Scott writes . . . she has the ability to not only set the scene, but take you by the hand and make you feel right at home' LoveReading1932: When gardener Robert Bardsley arrives at Anderby Hall, an Elizabethan manor house in the Gloucestershire countryside, it is home to �Greenfields�, a community of artists and idealists.

�Robert has been employed to revive Anderby�s famous roses and restore the topiary garden, but he also soon befriends the other residents: from colourful neighbour Trudie, who makes a formidable cocktail and keeps her late-fianc�s ashes on the mantelpiece, to composer Daniel, recovering from the horrors of the Great War. The only person he can�t win over is Anderby�s schoolteacher, Faye, who finds him . . . perfectly vexing.

But just as Robert starts to feel at home, the residents discover that the old orchard has been sold to a property developer who has plans for an estate of Tudorbethan bungalows. Can they find a way to keep their creative community alive or will the new housing development put an end to the spirit of Greenfields?'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'�Anita Frank'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'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'[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!� Tracy Rees'A wonderful novel about the power of a creative community to heal and educate' Suzanne Goldring