One Good Thing by Alexandra Potter

Liv Brooks is falling appear when she least expected it. In her forties she finds her husband is having an affair with someone young enough to be his daughter. She divorces him and packs her life up and moves to a 300 year old cottage that is falling apart in the Yorkshire Dales to rebuild her a new life.

This is a wonderfully heartwarming story covering many issues beautifully.

There are many wonderful characters and humour along the way but really the main star is Harry.

The book eases you gently in until all the threads come together beautifully and there are many twists and a bit of mystery for good measure.

Loved it a must read

This is a really uplifting novel about fresh starts and companionship for both humans and an ageing scruffy dog called Harry. Told in an interesting style, not quite a diary yet not quite a traditional story the chapters offer excerpts over a year told mostly from the viewpoint of divorcee Liv but also from seven year old Stanley, teenager Maya and pensioner Valentine each of whom is struggling in their own way and none of which have anything in common until Harry comes into their lives and friendships blossom and their lives start moving on. The characters in here are so varied but each has much to offer and is so well formed, the steady pace of the Yorkshire village sounds lovely but not without its challenges and the gentle storyline has a lot to offer, this is a lovely little dose of positivity.

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!

I’ve been a longtime fan of Alexandra Potter and especially enjoyed her previous novel, Confessions of a 40-something F*** Up, so was especially excited to receive a NetGalley copy of her latest.

One Good Thing starts with Olivia at her lowest ebb in London, abandoned by her husband who has left her for another woman. With a hankering for her past and the joy brought to her by the Yorkshire Dales as a child, Liv makes the life changing choice to buy a dilapidated house in the Dales. She knows no one there but is ready to begin again…she thinks.

Told over a year, Liv meets and engages with a cast of characters from the village, including Valentine, Stanley and Maya, all of whom will also benefit from finding a good friend.

I loved reading this book. I lived in the Dales for a few months and smiled as I recognised aspects of village life there. Beautifully written and character driven. Thank you Alexandra and NetGalley for a lovely read.

A definite feelgood book with more ups than downs, just the read to lift the spirits. A delightful set of characters with a strong sense of friendship and feeling of community. Set in a village in the Yorkshire Dales where people come together to get through life's setbacks. Ranging from Stanley with his autism and death of his mother through to pensioner Valentine dealing with his wife's dementia. A book of hope, new beginnings and second chances to dispel the more gloomy days of winter or relax with on holiday

Alexandra Potter does it again.
What an absolutely fabulous book.
Everything you know to expect - funny, sometimes laugh out loud funny, emotional. Sad, heartwarming.
This book should be on prescription it’s fabulous. Cannot recommend this and her other more - must read and for
Me I very rarely say this but I will read this again