The Best of Intentions

Touching post WWI Family Drama

This book is a very touching drama with a romance. When Grace first meets Andrew, she does not know who he is except that he is a nice gentleman offering her assistance. There is a bit of a spark. Their second meeting is different, and more unbidden sparks ignite. Both try to deny their feelings given the circumstances of her being his employee now. There are some tender moments to be savored. I loved Andrew's sister Virginia (Ginny) and the things she is dealing with trying to make her family happy. That girl has spunk, no spoilers but she does learn how to make the right choice. I loved the deep friendship she developed with Grace.
I felt bad for Andrew, spending his whole life trying to earn his father's approval. He does whatever it takes to make his father happy, even at the cost of his own happiness.
Grace carries the guilt of her brother's death and her mother's blame with her.
It is with the best of intentions that both Grace and Andrew make some rash decisions. Some, life-changing. Other's are heartbreaking.
The villainess, Cecilia, is wonderfully written! I despised her from the moment we meet her.
There are many surprises. My heart was pounding for a while but very happy by the end.
I highly recommend this Susan Anne Mason book!
*The narration was good, though I did feel Grace's British accent sounded a little Irish at times.

9 people found this helpful

Easy and predictable read

I would have given this novel a higher rating but for 2 things.
I was disappointed that the narrator, although a good voice performer in her own right, was not the right fit for this particular narrative. It is easy enough these days to expect to get a voice actor who is either a native British speaker or an actor/performer who is proficient in British or Scottish accents. Right? Since from the very start the story begins with a English woman on a ship bound for Canada, is distinguished many times by people she encounters as being from England, and, at one point, there is even a reference made to how likable the British accent is to the non-British ear. So why not have a narrator that speaks with an English accent? Am I making a big deal about it? Sorry, but it was distracting from the story line for me.
Secondly, I have no argument against religious contexts, or religious or biblical references, or even spiritual or moral angst that the author uses to explore and experience as contextual themes in character development and furthering the plot. But with all due respect to pious sensibilities, it felt overmuch and excessive bordering on proselytizing. If these are the intended themes please let it drive the story otherwise it sounds preachy or sappy.
I dont like giving harsh sounding reviews, and I certainly do not want to belabor the point. This author obviously writes well. She did her research of the times and the place. I enjoyed reading about the Toronto of the turn of the century. (in fact that's what kept me reading, believe it or not) Characters were well developed and personable. Interesting story line and good dialogues. I think if she were to lighten up a bit I wouldn't have felt like Ive been to a church service.

1 person found this helpful

Love and anger in Canada

This is a great book.great story line and of course a great ending. Audible is the best way to pass the time and help us all drift off and stop the worrys

Great find! Loved it.

This clean romance had the right touch of everything I love about a romance novel. Can’t wait for more from this author.

the story has a good flow

a good story not great and not boring but a little too long and sometimes a little unbelievable over all not bad

I really liked it

This was a good story and a great narrator I found myself enjoying the story so much more because of the narration