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

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

© 2025 Simon & Schuster Audio UK (Audiobook): 9781398526303

Release date

Audiobook: 17 July 2025