An immensely moving story of friendship, family and love. The detail, the emotion and the high stakes are so well entwined together. Lilli is so brave, her love and protectiveness for Theo is beautiful. I really enjoyed the development of her relationship with Thomas and the promise of hope for the future. One Good Thing is more than five stars for me.

Thank you so much to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this.

A touching story of WWII, between friends. It reaches out to all women showing what true friendship means. A great story!

This is a good book but I must say it is not one of my favourite wartime historical fictions. An interesting story about two people and their journeys through war torn countries to find safety and freedom.

A bit of character development was missing but the story was good non the less. I enjoyed following along on the journey. This is not one of those well researched, intense reads but it is an easy read for someone who likes a bit of a wartime tale.

Thank you NetGalley and Allison & Busby for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

Georgia Hunter's "One Good Thing" takes readers on an emotional and captivating journey set in World War II Italy.

The story follows Lili Passigli, a young Jewish woman, as she traverses the dangerous landscape of Nazi-occupied Italy. When her friend Esti is injured, Lili assumes the role of guardian for Esti's young son, Theo. Together, they undertake a perilous journey south toward the Allies. Along the way, they meet individuals who risk their own lives to help them, including resistance fighters and members of the Catholic Church.

Lili's journey sees her transform from a student to a tenacious and dedicated protector. Her character growth is closely tied to supporting characters like Theo, who embodies hope and innocence amidst the chaos. Thomas, an American soldier, adds an element of warmth and potential love, emphasizing the significance of human connection during wartime.

The novel explores themes of courage, sacrifice, and resilience, resonating with contemporary societal issues of prejudice and the need to stand up against hatred.

Hunter's writing style is vivid and engaging, though some readers may find the narrative more conventional compared to her debut novel, "We Were the Lucky Ones." The atmosphere is tense and emotionally charged, transporting readers into the heart of war-torn Italy.

For me, the book was both heartbreaking and uplifting, evoking strong emotions while showcasing the human spirit's potential for survival and love. While some chapters felt a bit drawn out, the overall impact of the story remains powerful. This novel stands out because it sheds light on a lesser-known aspect of WWII history—Italy's role—and reminds us of the importance of empathy and shared responsibility.

In the context of historical fiction, "One Good Thing" holds its own, though it might lack the historical authenticity that made "We Were the Lucky Ones" so remarkable.

Nonetheless, it is a gripping read for those interested in WWII stories, offering a fresh perspective on Italy's experience during the war.

The book encourages readers to reflect on their own experiences with resilience and the profound impact small acts of kindness can have on people's lives.


3.5/5

I loved Georgia Hunter's first book. Living in Poland it really gave me some interesting insights into the fate of Polish Jews. This second book is very different yet it has some of the same traits. The characters are real and it is easy to get attached to them, the writing is good and the story is believable. What it lacks is the multiple viewpoints that made her first novel such a success. I would have liked to see some of the other characters like Esti and Nico have a voice, but we only get to know them through Lili. It is still very worthwhile to read it. You find out about Italy and its people during WW 2 and the way in which they treated the Jewish population. Overall, a good second novel. Georgia Hunter knows how do historical novels, let's see what she comes up with next.

Powerful book about Lili and Theo fleeing the Nazi's in Italy. Having to move from place to place, the tension was almost palpable at times. I'm not sure how realistic parts of the journey were, but interesting to read nonetheless.

This was very good indeed! The plot was thrilling: Lilli's fear was so palpable that I could feel it as well! I also learned quite a lot about Italy during the Second World War which I found interesting and in some parts surprising as I had not much idea about it. The characters' psychological development was good while thought provoking. I enjoyed the realistic conclusion. My second novel by the author and I hope the author will write more historical fiction. This story will definitely stay with me!
I received a digital copy of this novel from NetGalley and I have voluntarily written an honest review.

I love historical fiction books and really liked the description of One Good Thing. However I found it hard to connect with the book and struggled to finish it.