One Good Thing

By: Alexandra Potter

Narrated by: Margaret Cabourn-Smith

One Good Thing is the heartwarming, hilarious alternative love story, from the internationally bestselling author of Confessions of a Forty-Something F**k Up, Alexandra Potter.

'A joyful, wholly unpredictable love story' - Woman's Own

In life, nothing is certain. Just when you think you have it all figured out, something can happen to change the course of everything . . .

Liv Brooks is still in shock. Newly-divorced and facing an uncertain future, she impulsively swaps her London Life for the sweeping hills of the Yorkshire Dales, determined to make a fresh start. But fresh starts are harder than they look and feeling lost and lonely she decides to adopt Harry, an old dog from the local shelter, to keep her company.

But Liv soon discovers she isn’t the only one in need of a new beginning. On their daily walks around the village, they meet Valentine, an old man who suffers from loneliness who sits by the window and Stanley, a little boy who is scared of everyone, hides behind the garden gate and Maya, a teenager who is angry at everyone and everything. But slowly things start to change . . .

Utterly relatable, hilarious and heart-breakingly honest, this is a novel about friendship, finding happiness and living the life unexpected. And how when everything falls apart, all you need is one good thing to turn your life around and make it worth living again.

©2022 Alexandra Potter (P)2022 Macmillan Publishers International Limited

Critic reviews

Wise, warm, witty and wonderful. Captivating and charming, a book to warm the cockles of the heart. A book that makes the world look like a better place- a must read! (Milly Johnson)

Assured and accomplished. Pacy, absorbing, witty and tender. She made me laugh out loud and swallow back tears in the space of a single page. Her characters are written with a light touch and full hearts, I absolutely loved it. (Karen Swan)

Funny and moving, Alexandra Potter is fast establishing herself as the Queen of Comfort and this is a tale you’ll delight getting lost in. (Mike Gayle)

Enchanting and uplifting. It’s a big warm hug in book form. . . It’s exactly the novel we need right now (Chris Manby )

A must-read for 2022 . .. Inspiring, heartwarming and set against the beautiful backdrop of the Yorkshire Dales. One Good Thing is one GREAT thing.

(Laura Price)

Heartwarming and real

Just lover her storytelling and the narration is very well done. The story covers many aspects of fear and living.

Feel good story

I loved this book..loved all the characters. I am looking to see if there is a book 2!!!

A lovely, heart warming story

I really loved this book, especially steadfast Harry. The narrator was terrific as well.

So much kindness, and positivity!

When you read this book, you cannot help but feel better about yourself and life around you. Thousands of lessons in this book on how to have a better attitude, how to treat others and the importance of animals. So much warmth and compassion that we could all use and share. Definitely will recommend this book, especially to animal lovers!

Great relatable read

I loved this story. The narrators allowed for an easy listen. The story was different, following several different people as they grow, change and their lives become intertwined with one another. There were great lessons and insight, also a lot of witty comments that made me laugh. I loved how none of the storylines were rushed as they took part over weeks and months instead of in a whirlwind like many books. It was easy to fall in love with the characters. One of the better books I’ve read lately.

Amazing

Love this book, this author. Fabulous feel good story with dynamic flawed real characters learning to love their messy lives.

Great Read (Listen)

Very uplifting. Enjoyed the performance. First time for me and this author. Will search for more books by her.

12 STARS..!!!!.. It Needs To Be A Series

What an absolutely fabulous book,.. so wonderful and witty..only wish it were a series of a bakers dozen .!!

Lovely

This was a a lovely story. With a lovely voice to match. I so appreciate to be able to go to a different place.

Fell in love with these characters!

What a wonderful positive spin on life that we all need to examine closer in our own lives. Liv was so relatable, she’s a survivor, she’s funny, and she’s someone I would love to be friends with. I was sorry when the book ended! I fell in love with all these delightful people who are simply ordinary people that live, love and have tragedies befall them like we all do. A particular part that I really enjoyed was when they all went to Whitby and then walked up to the abbey from the beach as my daughter and I did the same thing several years ago when we visited England. Brought back some great memories ! I will be looking for more books by this author and the reader was fabulous as well!