The Best of Intentions: A 'fond and funny' story of friendship, community and staying true to yourself.

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Synopsis
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. 'Turbulence and tribulation in paradise... A fond and funny novel about the power of patience, love and kindness' Fiona Valpy 1932: 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-fiancé&’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
Copyright:
2025

Book Details

Book Quality:
Publisher Quality
Book Size:
400 Pages
ISBN-13:
9781398526297
Related ISBNs:
9781398526310
Publisher:
Simon & Schuster UK
Date of Addition:
Copyrighted By:
Caroline Scott
Adult content:
No
Language:
English
Has Image Descriptions:
No
Categories:
History, Military, Literature and Fiction, Parenting and Family
Submitted By:
Bookshare Staff
Usage Restrictions:
This is a copyrighted book.

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