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a_kira's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
english_lady03's review against another edition
3.0
Sweet little story set just after WW1 in Canada. Its a nice clean romance providing an interesting exploration of the impact of trauma, war and loss on families. A perfectly nice, light, uplifting read that's not too taxing. The characters are good and well-drawn, even if the hero and heroine are a little on the side of Saccharine.
There's just one or two things that irked me. First of, why is it that in almost all marriage of convenience stories, or stories which look like there is going to be a marriage of convenience the prospective marriage partner (i.e the one which the hero or heroine is not in love with), is always superlatively bad or horrible? I mean is it because the marriage is not 'for love' and because the parties are not meant to be together?
I'm sorry, but to me, that just doesn't seem very realistic. Just because x does not absolutely love that person why do they have to be absolutely horrible, cruel, callous and selfish with no redeeming features at all. Oh and of course, they almost invariably turn out to be impious or not good Christians. So a character's personality is determined by their relationship to the protagonist: basically. I suppose this can apply to a lot of novels of this genre, not just this one in particular.
The other thing was really a technicality. I was seriously wondering whether a telegram addressed simply to one 'Helen Abernathy' in 'Sussex' would actually reach its destination. Didn't telegrams have to have more specifics details or destinations? I mean Abernathy is a fairly common surname, and so I'm pretty sure there would have been several people with that surname living in Sussex in 1920.
Altogether, The Best of Intentions is a perfectly good story with which to while away an afternoon or a long journey. Or just if you want a feelgood Romance story. I did like it, and its my second book by this author, so I would certainly read more by her. Its just some of the tropes of this genre which I'm perhaps getting a bit tired of.
I requested this title from the Publisher via Netgalley and purchased the audio-book of my own volition. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are my own.
There's just one or two things that irked me. First of, why is it that in almost all marriage of convenience stories, or stories which look like there is going to be a marriage of convenience the prospective marriage partner (i.e the one which the hero or heroine is not in love with), is always superlatively bad or horrible? I mean is it because the marriage is not 'for love' and because the parties are not meant to be together?
I'm sorry, but to me, that just doesn't seem very realistic. Just because x does not absolutely love that person why do they have to be absolutely horrible, cruel, callous and selfish with no redeeming features at all. Oh and of course, they almost invariably turn out to be impious or not good Christians. So a character's personality is determined by their relationship to the protagonist: basically. I suppose this can apply to a lot of novels of this genre, not just this one in particular.
The other thing was really a technicality. I was seriously wondering whether a telegram addressed simply to one 'Helen Abernathy' in 'Sussex' would actually reach its destination. Didn't telegrams have to have more specifics details or destinations? I mean Abernathy is a fairly common surname, and so I'm pretty sure there would have been several people with that surname living in Sussex in 1920.
Altogether, The Best of Intentions is a perfectly good story with which to while away an afternoon or a long journey. Or just if you want a feelgood Romance story. I did like it, and its my second book by this author, so I would certainly read more by her. Its just some of the tropes of this genre which I'm perhaps getting a bit tired of.
I requested this title from the Publisher via Netgalley and purchased the audio-book of my own volition. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are my own.
sallyavena's review against another edition
3.0
A little Downton Abbey-esque. Not bad...just a little predictable
kbpeanut's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
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!
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, Grief, War, and Classism