One Good Thing: a World War II story of friendship, hope, courage and the fight to survive

One Good Thing by Georgia Hunter is a World War II story of hardship, hope, courage and resilience. Lili has been friends with Esti since meeting at university. When Esti’s son, Theo, is born, they become as close as sisters. As the war rages in Germany and France, Lili and Esti must deal with Mussolini’s Racial Laws, and while difficult, life seemingly goes on as usual. Until Germany invades northern Italy and life becomes much more dangerous. At first, they flee to a countryside villa to help hide Jewish orphans. Then fleeing to Florence, finding in a convent as nuns and becoming a part of the Underground network of forgers and couriers. When Esti can no longer protect Theo, she asks Lili to take her son and protect him. Now Lili finds herself on a journey through Allied territory, Nazi-occupied villages and finding ways to survive, not only for herself, but for a promise she made to her best friend. 

World War II still fuels amazing stories eighty years after it ended. While most stories take place in France or Germany, I find it very refreshing that authors are finding stories to tell from other areas of the world. One Good Thing is an engaging story from start to finish. I loved the character of Lili. Lili is the worrier at the beginning and while she is filled with doubt at every turn, but her determination to fulfil her promise to Esti, she finds the courage and strength to keep moving forward. I also loved the character development of Esti from a skeptic to a fully committed to the underground resistance. I loved the sister-friendship between Lili and Esti. One Good Thing is a great story of how the love for another person is a reason to keep going despite the darkness and hopelessness. If you love stories of friendship, motherhood and survival, I highly recommend One Good Thing. 

One Good Thing will be available March 4, 2025 in hardcover, eBook and audiobook

The Housemaid: one never knows what goes on behind closed doors

The Housemaid is the first book in The Housemaid series by Freida McFadden. Millie Calloway has a past and she is looking to move on with her life; however, she needs a job. She couldn’t believe her luck when she was hired by Nina Winchester as a maid which included a living space. As she cleans their beautiful house from top to bottom, does their laundry, runs their errands and even cooks their meals, Millie realizes that the Winchesters have dark secrets of their own. When Nina begins to act erratically, Millie tries to ignore it; but she notices that Andrew, Nina’s husband, seems to be more and more saddened and broken by his wife’s behavior. One day, she realizes that the lock on her attic bedroom only locks from the outside, she realizes she has walked into a sinister trap. However, the Winchesters don’t know who she really is and what she is capable of. Can she escape before it is too late? 

Freida McFadden has been all over BookTok and social media for years with some readers avidly raving about her books and others not so much. I read one of her newest titles, Never Lie last year and I wasn’t really impressed. However, I decided to give The Housemaid a chance as it is her most talked about book. The story starts off slow as Millie enters the Winchester home and finds her footing. However, once Nina starts to act peculiar, the story gets on the fast track. There were a lot of twists and turns that I never guessed the true motives and even the end events were shocking! It is definitely a story where readers don’t really know who they can trust and will leave jaws on the floor as the twists are revealed. The Housemaid was definitely a better read than Never Lie and I may give her books a try in the future. If you enjoy psychological thrillers, you may enjoy The Housemaid. 

The Housemaid is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook