Georgia Hunter had the difficult responsibility of writing another book to follow her absolutely spectacular groundbreaking novel, "We Were the Lucky Ones". The book had breadth and a huge scope of WWII, but was made the more poignant by the fact that it was based on true stories from the author's family. In my opinion, books like this come along only once in a lifetime, so I can only imagine trying to follow that debut novel -- terrifying!

While One Good Thing lacks the grandeur and gravitas of Hunter's first novel, it is in its own right a beautiful novel exploring a corner of WWII I had never explored in novels, that being what happened in Italy during the war. Her first novel was encompassing of literally the whole world, as Hunter's relatives were scattered far and wide. Here, she narrows the lens sharply to the lives of two young women and the son of one, equally loved by the other.

Lili and Esti meet at University in Italy, and they form an intense and strong friendship living rather ordinary lives. Until the rumblings of WWII begin to invade their lives. Esti has a son, Theo, and when her husband leaves to check on the welfare of his parents, Lili moves in with Esti and Theo to help. We watch as their lives start to deteriorate, and then become outright dangerous, as they are Jews. We watch as they struggle to live and hide in an increasingly unsafe country and ultimately bring Theo to safety.

I really enjoyed reading about the life in Italy during the war, as I knew very little. The story did go into great detail sometime, and unless the reader already has an interest in this period of history, they might find these parts a little slow. I however have a great interest in this time, and enjoyed expanding my knowledge as well as following the story of life in Italy in this time of upheaval.

Thank you to NetGalley, Georgia Hunter, and Penguin Random House for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

One Good Thing by Georgia Hunter is a powerful and moving novel set in Italy during World War II. It explores the the experience of Jews in Italy. Hunter portrays the challenges faced by ordinary people caught in extraordinary circumstances.

The novel centers on the themes of strength, friendship, and the enduring power of love. The bond between the main characters, Lili and Esti, is a testament to the resilience of human connection in the face of unimaginable adversity. As they navigate the dangers of war-torn Italy, their friendship becomes a lifeline, providing them with the courage to persevere.

Hunter's writing beautifully captures the courage it takes to survive and the difficult choices people must make when their world is turned upside down. Lili's journey, in particular, is a testament to the human spirit's ability to endure and adapt. She is forced to summon a strength she never knew she had, demonstrating remarkable resilience as she strives to create a new life amidst chaos.

In the end, this story is a good reminder of the importance of empathy, compassion, and the courage to stand up for what is right, even in the darkest of times.

What an amazing book! I am always amazed when authors write stories touching on the Holocaust and weave a distinct storyline on the subject.
The plot takes place in Italy during World War II and centers around close friends who are caught up in the awfulness of Nazism. The characters ae so sensitively depicted and easily recognizable.
What I especially appreciate is the evenness of the book. The characters were not black and white but portrayed with their good and bad traits.
There were people who, under the direst of circumstances, felt it their obligation to help their fellow human beings and others, who for their own compelling reasons, did not. The history of the era was so skillfully made clear which is an accomplishment in itself.
Superb book!

An epic journey during WWII.

This story is about what happened in Italy during WWII - starting in 1941. It tells the story of a couple of Jewish families trying to stay safe, which was very difficult. The problems were not just the Nazi occupation, but also the Italian police and the price that they would pay to someone that turned in a Jew. There are so many basic issues for people trying to stay alive like food, shelter, transportation, the black market, etc.

The main characters in the book were well developed and easy to like. The characters they meet that helped them in their journey were amazing, loving and helpful A number of the places and people that helped them were part of the Catholic Church. The people that helped them risked their lives to help Jewish people. It is amazing how brave people can be when their lives or the lives of others are at risk.

The epic journey was by bus, train, bicycle, wagon, truck and lots of walking. The train stations were not very safe places and gasoline was very hard to get. It was sad to read as the Jewish people went from thinking that no one would bother them because of their status in their community to when they found out about the death in the camps.

I couldn't put this book down until the last page! An emotional and suspenseful story about the lives of Italian Jews during WWII. This book offered real insight into what happened in German-occupied Italy at that time . The story revolves the lives of two best friends, Lili and Este and Este's young son Theo. The author's descriptions made you feel you were experiencing exactly what the characters were going through. Character development was outstanding and realistic.

Despite the adversity the women experienced, we learn of the kindness and self-sacrificing love shown by fellow Italians.

In 1940 Italy, Lili and Esti have been best friends since they first met at university. When Esti’s son Theo is born, they become as close as sisters. While a war seethes across borders, life somehow goes on—until Germany invades Italy, and the friends suddenly find themselves in occupied territory. Esti, older and fiercely self-assured, convinces Lili to join the resistance efforts. But when disaster strikes, a critically wounded Esti asks Lili to take a much bigger step: To go on the run with Theo. Protect him while Esti can’t. Terrified to travel on her own, Lili sets out with Theo on a journey to reach Allied territory, braving Nazi-occupied villages and bombed-out cities, doing everything she can to keep him safe.

A remarkable tale of friendship, romance, motherhood, and survival, One Good Thing reminds us what is worth fighting for—and that love can bloom even in the darkest of moments. It is also a story about Italy in WWII, and I had not read much about the German takeover of Italy. I read the author's first book and was captivated by it so when I had the opportunity to read her second book, I quickly requested it and thank NetGalley and the publisher for granting my request. I believe that it shows the power of friendship and how we could learn a lesson today.

I was really blown away by this book. I have not read We Are the Lucky Ones (I hope to rectify this shortly) so I wasn’t prepared for the level of Georgia Hunter’s writing. This book was beautifully written, gripping, harrowing , emotional and made me cry multiple times. I did not know much about the Italian Jewish experience during World War II and I feel like this book taught me a lot. I loved Lily and Theo and their journey was so satisfying. I would not be mad about a sequel that continues their story.
Thank you to Netgalley and Pamela Dorman Books for an advanced copy of this book.

I am really not a fan of war books, and especially not Holocaust books, but I had seen so much praise for Georgia Hunter's previous book that when I was offered an advanced copy of this book I decided to get it -- and I am so glad I did.

The subject matter in this book is incredibly hard to read, as is the case for so much historical fiction, but I loved the characters so deeply and was so attached to them that it felt completely worth it to me! I was so invested and had to find out what was going to happen. I love Georgia Hunter's writing and enjoyed learning more about what happened in Italy during the war.

I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys historical fiction and war books -- it will not disappoint. I am so excited to read Georgia Hunter's previous book, and will definitely read anything she writes in the future!

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book!

Interesting - not my usual fare and while I didn't love it, it was enough to hold my interest. For the target audience, I imagine it will be even better.

In 1941 Italy, best friends Lili and Esti are as close as sisters, especially after Esti’s son Theo is born. But then the war knocks on Italy’s doors and Mussolini’s Racial Laws have deemed Lili and Esti descendants of an “inferior” Jewish race.

The two women and Theo first flee to a villa in the countryside to help hide a group of young war orphans, then to a convent in Florence, where they pose as nuns and forge false identification papers for the Italian Underground. When the convent is raided, Esti ends up wounded and asks Lili to take Theo and run; to protect him.

Even though she’s terrified of traveling on her own, Lili heads south towards the Allied territory, travelling through Nazi-occupied villages, bombed out cities, and wide open fields, doing everything she can to keep Theo safe while they wait for both the war to end and to be reunited with Esti.

So, I feel like quite a few people who read We Were the Lucky Ones and immediately wanted this new novel from Georgia Hunter, so of course I asked for an ARC of it as soon as I saw it. As with the previous novel, Hunter did a fantastic job at crafting characters who were relatable and endearing. I felt like I was reading a letter from a friend as I followed Lili’s journey.

As I’ve come to slowly learn over the years, no matter how many WWII historical fiction novels I read, I’m constantly learning more and more about different parts of Europe and different experiences through every book. I’ve known Italy started off on the Axis side and then effectively switched sides after the Allied invasion, but I didn’t realize the treatment of Jews during this time.

Overall, an amazing character enriched historical fiction about one woman’s endurance during the WWII in Italy as she does everything to protect her best friend’s son.

*Thank you Pamela Dorman Books and NetGalley for a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

This was a riveting story of two Jewish friends in Italy during WW2. I have not read much set in the Italian front of WW2 and it kept my interest. We learned about the politics and changes during the war but this book was mostly about a deep friendship. Lilli and Esti are close and rely on each other through the war. They both become involved with helping fellow citizens escaping the brutality cast upon the Jewish citizens.

When Esti is severely injured she asks Lili to take her young son to escape the coming arrests. It was a hard decision by any mother but we felt her pain and trust. The story takes the reader through the difficult journeys and quest for survival. While it was an emotional read, it was one that I loved. The writing, settings and characters were all memorable.

Thank you Netgalley for the chance to review this book. It is a great next book by the author.

I loved this book from beginning to end . She has a way with historical fiction that draws you in and keeps you engaged till the end . Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for sharing this story with me

This is a heartfelt and heartbreaking story of the holocaust. Set in Italy and told through a young woman named Lili’s pov. She was so strong and resilient. Even when she thought she was weak she pressed on. Taking care of her best friend’s small son. She also found love and after the war made a life with Thomas in the USA.

This book made me laugh a few times. It also made me cringe and oh my but did I cry. It was not a good time in history for the Jews. They were persecuted so bad. Considered to be less then human.

In this story you meet Lili and Esti. Two best friends who's lives were forever changed by the war. By a Nazi. By Hitler and Mussolini. Two friends who went through some horrific times. When Esti is hurt she talks Lili into taking her young son and fleeing. Finding a safer place. While Lili doesn't want to leave Esti she finally concedes and starts on a long and dangerous journey. She goes through a lot of places and finds kind people along the way willing to help. She also finds some mean and evil people who wish harm on Jews.

Lili comes full circle eventually and finds her way home. Along the way her and Theo, Esti's young son, meet a lot of people. One being Thomas. He needs a place to hide and Lili helps him. They end up falling in love and Theo loves Thomas also.

It's sad what happened back then. No one should have to live in that kind of fear. In that kind of hate. Yet it seems we are almost doing it again right here in my country. It's scary that people seem to have learned nothing from the past....

Thank you #NetGalley, #PenguinGroup, #VikingPenguin, #PamelaDormanBooks, for this ARC.

[4.25 stars]
Georgia Hunter might be the only author who can get me to love traditional WWII historical fiction. And, she's done with twice now, first with her debut (We Were the Lucky Ones) and again with One Good Thing. This story focuses on the plight of Jewish people in Italy beginning in 1941, told through the eyes of two young women, Lili and Esti. They’re best friends and, along with Esti’s son (Theo), navigating Mussolini’s Racial Laws in Italy. When Esti’s husband returns to Greece to try to get his family out, Lili and Esti are on their own and running for their lives trying to find a destination that is safer for Jews. One Good Thing is earnest and uplifting. And, like We Were the Lucky Ones, this story highlights resilience and resourcefulness in the face of great danger. I felt for these people and I was rooting so hard for these characters to make it through this war. One Good Things reads like a VERY serious, high stakes road trip book…except Esti, Lili, and Theo are moving on foot, by bicycle, and via the kindness of strangers. I normally don’t love road trip books, but this one felt meaningful. The story is propulsive and the chapters are often short, which probably propelled me to read this 430+ page book in just a few days. Georgia is a meticulous researcher and she traveled extensively in Italy to research this book. And, even though One Good Thing isn’t fully based on a true story, there are particular events and characters in it that are.

Lili and Esti are best friends at university and when Esti marries and has a son, Lili is a second mother to Theo. As the threat to Jews in Italy becomes more dire, the women work for the underground and then go into hiding. With Esti's husband's whereabouts unknown, when Esti is beaten, Lili agrees to escape with Theo, hoping that her friend will eventually catch up with them.

Thus they embark on a harrowing journey from one point to another, always managing to stay a step ahead of the Nazis, fiercely guarding their forged identifications and small amount of money. Finally settled in Rome, Lili meets an American soldier seeking a safe spot. He finds more than that with Lili.

Undoubtedly realistic, this novel is often difficult to read as one wonders how Lili maintains any fragment of hope and continues to persevere despite constant danger and threats. It's all the more disturbing in the current political climate where citizens turning on one another doesn't seem as inconceivable as it once did. Lili's story is one that will stick with me for a long time. #OneGoodThing #NetGalley

This was my first book by the author but it won’t be the last! I am so excited to read her precious books after finishing this one!

I love books about World War 2 and historical fiction in general but it can be really hard to do it well. This book was the perfect example of a well done historical fiction book! I felt completely captivated by the story and didn’t want to put this one down. I never felt drawn out of the story as I sometimes do when reading historical fiction. It was just very engaging.

I was a little worried about reading a heavy book right now with the state of the world but for a book set during the Nazi occupation, it was really much less sad than most. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys historical fiction.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc!

As someone who reads a lot of historical novels about the two world wars, ONE GOOD THING is one of the most compelling I've come across. And it was particularly interesting to learn more about how World War II (1939-1945) and its moral questions played out in Italy.

Best known as the writer of the New York Times bestseller WE WERE THE LUCKY ONES (another absorbing World War II story based on the experiences of the author's own family), this time Georgia Hunter takes us traveling through Italy between December 1940 and May 1945.

At the start of the story, we meet the protagonist, Lili, a young Jewish woman who works as a journalist and lives with her widowed father. Almost immediately however we find Lili has lost her job because of new restrictions imposed on Jews in Italy. Like most people in Europe at the start of World War II, Lili and her friends are not too bothered by these initial restrictions, because they cannot even imagine the extent of evil that awaits the Jews of Europe.

But we readers know the restrictions, persecution, violence, arrests, and deportation to death camps that is coming. This knowledge is what underlies the intense tension I felt throughout the book.

As German and Italian soldiers and local police begin to ramp up persecution of Jewish citizens, Lili and her friends face increasingly difficult choices. Until Lili's best friend Esti is forced to leave her young son in Lili's care for his own safety. Most of this novel revolves around how Lili and little Theo manage during the war years.

With infrequent and unreliable communication and few people who can be trusted, Lili's life becomes focused on each day. Will I find enough food to feed us today? Where can I get warmer clothing for a growing child? Will that neighbor turn us in for the reward? Where can we sleep safely tonight? Where can we get false Aryan identification papers?

These daily decisions, each of which might mean life or death, make this a tense book to wade through. It's quite fast-paced but I did find I needed a time out periodically, to relieve my own tension.

ONE GOOD THING is the kind of book that makes you feel you are living right alongside Lili and Theo as they struggle to survive. And the author sprinkles in quite a few anecdotes about the actions of actual historical figures to make the book feel completely authentic. It's an inspiriting story I highly recommended.

One Good Thing chronicles the journey of Lili and Theo as they flee the Nazis occupying Italy. They begin in the north, near Bologna where Lili is from and slowly make their way towards Rome, which is considered an “open city” seeking safety as Jews with false papers.

Along the way Lili sees both the good and the evil humanity has to offer. Some provide shelter and sustenance, when doing so could cost them their own lives. Others leave trails of destruction, and are cruel not only to Lili, but also to Theo, who is only a toddler for much of this journey.

This character driven novel is interesting to be sure, but I struggled to connect with Lili. She is obviously a devoted friend as seen in her actions throughout the novel, but we learn very little of her own feelings until the very end. Much of the book is devoted to Lili’s trek on foot with her best friend’s young son. Her journey is obviously a difficult one physically walking hundreds of kilometers, but the fact that she is doing so under a false identification, constantly on alert for German soldiers, and with a child, is more impactful.

I would have loved for the author to have removed a few descriptions of the duos’ stops, and instead given us details about what Lilli was feeling. If the novel had given more space to her internal dialogue, it could have made Lili’s sacrifices and strength even more poignant, deepening the reader’s connection to her character. Could you imagine having to explain this journey to a toddler with limited understanding of the dangers surrounding him? More exploration of how she tried to protect him emotionally could have added more depth to her character.

Georgia Hunter took obvious care with her research, and Italian Jews are often underrepresented in the WWII historical fiction genre, so I appreciated this perspective. I only wish as a reader we could have delved a little deeper into Lili’s psyche while on this grueling journey.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and of course the author Georgia Hunter for the advanced copy of the book. One Good Thing is out now. All opinions are my own.

From the author of We Were the Lucky Ones comes another unforgettable novel rooted in history, heartbreak, and humanity. One Good Thing is a deeply emotional and powerful story of friendship, courage, and the will to survive in the face of unimaginable danger.

Set in 1940s Italy, the story follows Lili and Esti, two best friends whose lives are torn apart by war and Mussolini’s Racial Laws. When Nazi forces occupy northern Italy, they risk everything — first by helping to hide war orphans in the countryside, then by forging documents for the Underground while posing as nuns in a convent. But when tragedy strikes, Lili is asked to do the unthinkable: go on the run with Esti’s young son, Theo, and protect him at all costs.

Lili’s journey through war-ravaged Italy is both heart-wrenching and inspiring and I had a hard time putting this down. Her bond with Theo, her quiet bravery, and the acts of compassion she both receives and gives along the way make this a story that lingers. Georgia Hunter’s writing is vivid and intimate — you feel the fear, the stakes, and the rare glimmers of hope that keep Lili moving forward.

We’ll be adding this title to our library collection without question. It’s a beautiful testament to resilience, the strength of chosen family, and the kind of love that keeps us going — even in the darkest of times.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this early copy in exchange for an honest review.

Absolutely loved this book from the beginning to the end. I don't normally consider myself a fan of historical fiction, but this was so well written and captivating. I just love the story that was told, and the way it was told. Will definitely be reading more by Georgia Hunter in the future.