Oooh I enjoyed this one! Liv was an incredible character to spend time with, she flourishes before your eyes and draws you in as an in usable cheerleader alongside her.

I liked this - my second read by Alexandra Potter - a lot. Once again I loved the multi-generational unexpected friendships between the great cast of characters, especially the slowly developing friendship between forty-something Liv and eighty-odd reclusive Valentine was especially touching but also Liv and the much younger Maya or even Liv and toyboy Ajay. Likewise the life lessons and advice such as "ageing is a privilege", "courage is doing something despite being afraid" or to "play every day" as taught and practised by rescue dog Harry. And, the relatable humour such as Liv's realisation that her last yoga class cost forty quid in terms of her gym membership usage. My only criticism is that whilst it was funny it wasn't hilariously funny or as quite good as 'Confessions of a Forty-Something F**k-Up' but seeing as that's one of my all-time favourite books it would be almost impossible for it to have been.

I cannot tell you how much I loved Alexandra’s previous book “Confessions of a Forty-Something F##k Up”, so I had such high hopes for this book, but it is completely different. I can’t even compare them to say which one I preferred, they were both perfect in their own way. Whereas the previous book felt more jolly and frivolous, this one was a lot more…important, if that’s the right word.

There are a number of difficult topics such as divorce, death, grief, autism, dementia, affairs, house fires, mental health, and missing people.

Alexandra has hit a subtle balance between fun and frivolity and the seriousness of real life.

I really liked the integration of the main storylines between the different generations. At first they are very separate, but they soon become intertwined and it’s clear all these people need each other.

Overall, I would say this book is very much like Liv’s cottage - warm, cosy, and inviting. It really picks you up and lift you up and makes you believe that amongst the horrors of the world, there are some good people still in it and it’s worth holding on to that.

A wonderful story of how taking that big brave step into creating a new life can lead you to find a whole other life with new friends, new experiences, new adventures. A truly uplifting tale, thoroughly enjoyed escaping into it

This book was an okay read, but a bit too sweet for me .I prefer more twisted books, but I did chose this one as I like to mix my genres. I think fans of this genre will enjoy this book.

This book falls into a category that has been popular recently where someone is maybe a bit anti social and gradually gets to know people and improve their life. Liv is recently divorced and moved to a new area and starts to meet people because she has a rescue dog. It's a sweet book and a quick read but not overly gripping.

Loved this one! 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. Definitely worth a read! Pick up a copy!

I've enjoyed all of Alexandra Potter's books in the past and this one didn't disappoint. An easy read, beautifully written.

This was a great read - super easy and flowed so nicely. I raced through it which is always a good sign!

A lovely book with a heartfelt message - when all is going wrong, just think about the 'one good thing'.

Evocatively set in rural Yorkshire, Alexandra has written a really great story which strikes a chord.

Thanks for the opportunity to read this book.

Liv lives in London, with her husband working as a teacher, when she finds out her husband has been having an affair. She decides she needs a completely fresh start and moves to a small village in the Yorkshire Dales where her grand parents used to live. The book leads us on a journey of the new friendships Liv makes, the heartbreak she starts to get over, and sometimes a fresh start is just what we need. I really enjoyed this book, the various characters and the twists and turns a long the way. Growing up in the Yorkshire Dales it brought back memories of small village life, and how friendly and nosy people can be! Thank you netgalley for the advanced read, I would definitely recommend.

If you’re looking for a book to lift you up and make you realise there are good people in the world (even if they are fictitious) then this is the book for you. It’s full of warmth and humour revolving around some of the residents in a Yorkshire village where Liv (Olivia) has arrived. Lost and feeling rejected after her divorce, she’s decided to return to the place where she grew up many years ago in an attempt to make a new life for herself.

Not long after Liv moves into her dilapidated cottage she realises just how alone she feels. After living in London for so long she soon begins to notice how quiet it is in the countryside on her own, and so enters Harry the rescue dog. Between them they rescue each other, with Harry giving Liv a reason to get up in a morning and get out meeting people, and poor Harry who suffers terrible separation anxiety as Liv finds out every time she comes home to Harry’s destructive ways.

Each of the characters Liv meets along the way have all lost something or someone in their life and the story is of a coming together of community, of helping each other along lonely paths, that really needn’t be lonely if only people can accept others’ offers of help.

It has humour, sadness, hope and a real positive feel to the book. I also loved hearing all the descriptions of the building work and renovations to the cottage Liv moved into. With some evocative descriptions, a picture of chaos, dust and rubble is transformed over time into something that sounded idyllic. Just like the cottage renovations, with time, Liv rebuilds her own life into something much better than it ever was, while helping others in the village to see there is still life after loss, it’s just a different life.

I loved this book so much. It has all the feel good vibes from the author's last book A Forty Something F*ck Up and has you laughing one minute, then shedding a tear or two the next. Brilliant!


*to be posted to my blog on publication day*

I reviewed One Good Thing by Alexandra Potter for book recommendation site LoveReading.co.uk. I have chosen it as a Liz Robinson Pick of the Month and it will feature on the site and in newsletters. The review can be found on the link.

Read and reviewed in exchange for a free copy from NetGalley. I really enjoyed this book, 'One Good Thing' was heartwarming with a lovely cast of characters and I felt deeply invested in the story. Potter created clear imagery, and although I felt the different perspectives weren't very clear/authentic, it didn't detract from my enjoyment of the book.

I blitzed through this book over the weekend as I just could not get enough. Light and witty I enjoyed every second. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Enjoyed this book so much that I read it in four days. Perfect read to snuggle down whilst in the midst of winter storms. Simply a hug in a book!

Thoroughly enjoyed this upbeat read about a 40 something divorcee turning her life around, maybe it’s because I adore the Yorkshire Peak District or because I have a soft spot for black shaggy rescue dogs, I read it in one day!

Broken-hearted after her divorce, Olivia leaves London and relocates to the Yorkshire Dales where she buys a dilapidated cottage in an effort to rebuild her life. Feeling lost and lonely on her own, she adopts an old rescue dog, Harry. With Harry by her side, she makes friends with elderly pensioner, Valentine, seven year old Stanley and stroppy teenager Maya, all struggling in their own way. And as friendships begin to blossom, life seems to become a little better for them all.

A lovely heartwarming book with a wonderful cast of characters which made for an enjoyable read.

I really enjoyed this book. I loved the location, and the gradual transformation of the house and garden. I like the way that Liv acquires both a house and a dog that are both run down (how she’s feeling), without really intending to.

I liked the characters a lot, especially Liv and Harry. Harry is the one who really brings everyone together. I liked the variety of characters as well.

The plot was great - I enjoyed the way that Liv slowly rebuilt her life, into a better shape than it was before. I liked the way she made connections with the other characters, and how she and Harry affected their lives. I liked the way that everyone was struggling with something, but they all moved forwards during the course of the story.

Overall, this was an emotional, but also soothing, book.

I was given a free copy of this book, my opinions are my own.

TW: death, dementia

A quick, easy and fun read that also has some twists and mystery for good measure. It was well written with an intriguing and engaging plotline and characters that were well developed, relatable and likeable. A really enjoyable read.