The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
kriste's review against another edition
4.0
I could tell who the partners would be, but it was still an interesting read. A bit of a Downton Abbey feel :)
alisarae's review against another edition
This story is sweet and completely innocent... Christian romance with buzzwords to prove it.
betherin02's review against another edition
4.0
Full review on FaithfullyBookish.com
Grace is a hardworking, dutiful daughter and devoted sister. She entangles herself in a sticky web of half-truths and secrets kept... with the best of intentions, of course. I can sympathize and even justify Grace's choices but only to an extent. Andrew, while far from perfect, is between two rocks (perhaps three) and a hard place thanks to a string of unfortunate events and familial expectations.
When you read hundreds of books each year like I do, it's to be expected that an occasional book falls prey to a bad mood or triggers an unfortunate memory. That's, unfortunately, the case for me and The Best of Intentions. However, my own lackluster experience with this story won't keep me from reading the following books in this series and I do recommend it, especially to readers who don't have my odd communication pet peeve.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and was under no obligation to post a review. The opinions expressed are my own.
Grace is a hardworking, dutiful daughter and devoted sister. She entangles herself in a sticky web of half-truths and secrets kept... with the best of intentions, of course. I can sympathize and even justify Grace's choices but only to an extent. Andrew, while far from perfect, is between two rocks (perhaps three) and a hard place thanks to a string of unfortunate events and familial expectations.
When you read hundreds of books each year like I do, it's to be expected that an occasional book falls prey to a bad mood or triggers an unfortunate memory. That's, unfortunately, the case for me and The Best of Intentions. However, my own lackluster experience with this story won't keep me from reading the following books in this series and I do recommend it, especially to readers who don't have my odd communication pet peeve.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and was under no obligation to post a review. The opinions expressed are my own.
henrismum's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
First in series - The Best of Intentions
Audiobook (All of my entries on The Story Graph are audiobooks.)
Why I added this book to my TBR pile: I was searching for homey / comfort books. This fit the bill, but I don't recall how I discovered it.
Will I read more of the series?Probably Not Maybe Highly Likely I listened at 1.2 speed, which is not a good indicator regarding my patience for the work. It was okay; pure and reassuring. I do not know what the others in the series will be like.
The narrator was Susan Boyce. She is a good reader. However, her accent was more Irish than British . . . or is it just my ear?
Audiobook (All of my entries on The Story Graph are audiobooks.)
Why I added this book to my TBR pile: I was searching for homey / comfort books. This fit the bill, but I don't recall how I discovered it.
Will I read more of the series?
The narrator was Susan Boyce. She is a good reader. However, her accent was more Irish than British . . . or is it just my ear?
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, War, Grief, and Classism
evagrace_j's review against another edition
4.0
This book was exactly what I wanted at exactly when I needed it.
It was a sweet, beautiful, Christian clean romance book that didn't focus completely on romance and I love it so much for that.
I loved Andrew, Grace, Ginny, Collin, Christian ... I was rooting for pretty much the entire cast of characters (and even the ones I didn't like were incredibly fleshed out). The challenges they faced felt unconquerable (even though, due to the genre of the book I knew they would conquer them in the end), and I just had to keep reading to find out how everything would work out.
Historical-Christian-romance books have a tendency of all, well ... having incredibly similar plots so I was delighted that this one took me on twists and turns, throwing obstacles in the paths of the protagonists that I had no idea how they could be overcome. The book never seemed to drag on, while also never seeming rushed.
I'm not sure if any of that makes sense, but let's just say I enjoyed it very much :P
**Spoiler for the very end of the book** The only thing I hoped would happen, (although it would have been unrealistic for the genre)
I personally would have preferred it to be this way so that they would have had time to have actual discussions about important things, e.g. children, faith, jobs, etc., and have actual time to learn about each other in a setting where they're both not sort-of-maybe trying to be employer and employee, all that drama.
Idk, personal opinion.
It was a sweet, beautiful, Christian clean romance book that didn't focus completely on romance and I love it so much for that.
I loved Andrew, Grace, Ginny, Collin, Christian ... I was rooting for pretty much the entire cast of characters (and even the ones I didn't like were incredibly fleshed out). The challenges they faced felt unconquerable (even though, due to the genre of the book I knew they would conquer them in the end), and I just had to keep reading to find out how everything would work out.
Historical-Christian-romance books have a tendency of all, well ... having incredibly similar plots so I was delighted that this one took me on twists and turns, throwing obstacles in the paths of the protagonists that I had no idea how they could be overcome. The book never seemed to drag on, while also never seeming rushed.
I'm not sure if any of that makes sense, but let's just say I enjoyed it very much :P
**Spoiler for the very end of the book** The only thing I hoped would happen, (although it would have been unrealistic for the genre)
Spoiler
was Andrew and Grace waiting several months to marry. I was hoping that they would just start a courtship (or engagement, maybe) at the last chapter, go visit her mother, have several months pass, and then maybe the epilogue is the same but instead is set several months in the future.I personally would have preferred it to be this way so that they would have had time to have actual discussions about important things, e.g. children, faith, jobs, etc., and have actual time to learn about each other in a setting where they're both not sort-of-maybe trying to be employer and employee, all that drama.
Idk, personal opinion.
abigailkayharris's review against another edition
4.0
My Review
Genre: Christian Fiction,
My Rating: 4 Stars.
Recommendation: 15 up.
My favorite character/s: Virginia was my favorite character, I loved how she cared for her family and made the choices she did even if they were hard ones to make.
My Verse for Virginia is Proverbs 11:28
Whoever trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like a green leaf.
My thoughts: This was an interesting and enjoyable book, and I'll be on the lookout for more of Susan Anne Mason books.
(I received this book from NetGalley and all of the thoughts are my own.)
Genre: Christian Fiction,
My Rating: 4 Stars.
Recommendation: 15 up.
My favorite character/s: Virginia was my favorite character, I loved how she cared for her family and made the choices she did even if they were hard ones to make.
My Verse for Virginia is Proverbs 11:28
Whoever trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like a green leaf.
My thoughts: This was an interesting and enjoyable book, and I'll be on the lookout for more of Susan Anne Mason books.
(I received this book from NetGalley and all of the thoughts are my own.)
melissasbookshelf's review against another edition
4.0
Loved this story! It's set in the early 1900's right after the Spanish flu devastated the world. Grace has left England to journey to Canada to help her sister take care of her son after her husband was killed in WWI. When she arrives, she discovers that her sister has died and her nephew has been given to the father's family to raise. Grace has only heard horrible things about her sister's in-laws and how they disowned their own son after he married Grace's sister. Grace was charged by her sister to raise her son if anything happened to her and she is determined to keep her promise to her sister. Grace hatches a plan to try to get her nephew back, but as she gets to know her brother-in-law's family, she grows fonder and fonder of Andrew, the guardian of her nephew.
It's a great read with a catty fiance, a handsome heir, and an aunt who would do anything for her nephew. It's a great story of forgiveness and love. The historical aspects of the novel are interesting too and really make the setting come alive. Looking forward to the next book in the series!
It's a great read with a catty fiance, a handsome heir, and an aunt who would do anything for her nephew. It's a great story of forgiveness and love. The historical aspects of the novel are interesting too and really make the setting come alive. Looking forward to the next book in the series!
_carolcabrita's review against another edition
3.0
The Best of Intentions for me was a mix of Hallmark movie and Downtown Abbey, so it was def enjoyable, cute, had some deeper moments and of course it was a fast read. I don't read historical fiction but I did like this one.
lin00's review against another edition
4.0
This was a nice story well written. It hooked me immediately and was hard to put down!
I really liked the way the story developed and how we get to know the characters. Their background, their minds, and hearts throughout the story. Whilst talking about love, forgiveness, and happiness.
I enjoyed the romance between Andrew and Grace. Even though it is fantasy it felt a bit closer to reality. How they struggled with their responsibilities and hearts.
What did annoy me a little was Andrew. I mean, at first, I really liked him. But he kept coming back to the same inner issues without changing or moving. It's like he got stuck. Until the last 20% of the book. Though I appreciate that his change of mind was natural and not too drastic. On the other hand, I liked Grace. A bit of a cliché personality but somehow stronger and special in her own way. But Virginia was my favourite. She could easily have her own book!
I really enjoyed the writing. Susan Mason makes sure to pass on quite well the emotions and expressions of the characters. And the plot twists were very good as well.
I really liked the way the story developed and how we get to know the characters. Their background, their minds, and hearts throughout the story. Whilst talking about love, forgiveness, and happiness.
I enjoyed the romance between Andrew and Grace. Even though it is fantasy it felt a bit closer to reality. How they struggled with their responsibilities and hearts.
What did annoy me a little was Andrew. I mean, at first, I really liked him. But he kept coming back to the same inner issues without changing or moving. It's like he got stuck. Until the last 20% of the book. Though I appreciate that his change of mind was natural and not too drastic. On the other hand, I liked Grace. A bit of a cliché personality but somehow stronger and special in her own way. But Virginia was my favourite. She could easily have her own book!
I really enjoyed the writing. Susan Mason makes sure to pass on quite well the emotions and expressions of the characters. And the plot twists were very good as well.
maddie_rae_reads's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
A beautiful story of forgiveness, grace, and love. Predictable in a fun and hopeful way, while also making the reader wonder “what would I do in this situation?”. I look forward to reading book 2