One Good Thing

A Novel

De: Georgia Hunter

Narrado por: Eva Feiler, Georgia Hunter

From the New York Times-bestselling author of We Were the Lucky Ones, a propulsive and heart-wrenching story of a young woman entrusted with a boy’s life as WWII rages in Italy

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 harrowing journey south toward Allied territory, braving Nazi-occupied villages and bombed-out cities, doing everything she can to keep the boy safe.

A remarkable tale of friendship, romance, motherhood, and survival, One Good Thing reminds us what is worth fighting for—and that love, even amidst a world in ruins, can triumph.

©2025 Georgia Hunter (P)2025 Penguin Audio

Reseñas de la Crítica

“Epic, intimate, thrilling, and beautiful. One Good Thing is a story of unbreakable friendship, of remarkable resilience, of how love and hope can shine through even the darkest, most unimaginable horrors. Stunning.”—Chris Whitaker, New York Times-bestselling author of All the Colors of the Dark

“In One Good Thing, Georgia Hunter builds a whole world from the complicated sweep of history and the heartbeat of one young woman’s struggle to survive. The novel is a fascinating glimpse into a piece of World War II history I knew very little about, and a truly moving portrait of what it means to be brave. Lili’s journey is thrilling and intimate: I made myself read slowly in order to savor it. It entered my dreams. I did not want this beautiful book to end.”—Lauren Fox, New York Times-bestselling author of Send for Me

“Georgia Hunter proves herself to be a remarkable storyteller who brings to vivid life a group of ordinary people living through extraordinary times. . . . Thrilling, romantic, and deeply meaningful, it is a tribute to hope and love and all the things that matter most.”—Ariel Lawhon, New York Times-bestselling author of The Frozen River

Wonderful! Thrilling!

I love the writing of Georgia Hunter. She makes you think of history in a different way, like you are right in the middle of the story. Highly recommend reading!

I loved it

This is another great story by this author. I loved the characters and the historical detail.

Outstanding!

Loved it all. Couldn’t stop listening. I really didn’t want it to end. I loved that there were real people incorporated into the story.

Excellent

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.

The stress of everyday war

I've read a lot of war books, historical fiction & otherwise. There is often one grand pivotal moment- one great bout of suffering, one great turning point...
What this beautifully written book does instead is lead the reader through a journey of every day survival through likely encounters with goodness still found in humanity. The evils of the world pervade but hope grows with each anxiety filled day. Reading this book of survival, by the least courageous characters, come to be an embattled lioness, is both satisfying and likely. This story makes it possible to understand just how terrifying life is in war without being under bomb shells every chapter. The worries of one day are quite enough...and the end of the tale not only believable but likely.

About estie

I loved that lily took care of thilo and was such good friends with his mom. I wish at least one parent would have came back at the end

Courage under fire

Tragic, yet hopeful story. The question: would I have opened my home if doing so might cause my death? Would I be able to face up to a rabidly angry policeman hoping to shoot me?