Praise for One Good Thing

Thank you, KDSK, for this interview. News anchor and reporter Michelle Li asked me to explain the inspiration for writing “One Good Thing” and to reflect on the similarities and differences between writing that book and my first one, “We Were the Lucky Ones,” among other topics. The full video of our conversation is here.

Thank you, Katie Couric Media, for including “One Good Thing” in the Best New Shows, Movies, and Books to Stream and Read This Week. “The follow-up to Hunter’s blockbuster debut, We Were The Lucky Ones (which sold 1 million copies), is set in Italy during World War II and follows two best friends. Under Mussolini’s Racial Laws, Lili and Esti have been determined to be descandents of the “inferior’ Jewish race — and when Germany invades northern Italy, their lives are in grave danger.” See all of Katie’s recommendations here.

Thank you, People Magazine, for featuring One Good Thing in your “People picks” under the heading Stories of Strong Women: “When WWII reaches Italy, Lili is separated from her friend Esti and begins a harrowing journey with Esti’s young son Theo. A stunning story of survival.”

“One Good Thing is a well-paced nov­el, at times excit­ing, and at oth­er times trag­ic, this sto­ry will engage and move read­ers,” according to the Jewish Book Council. “Per­haps more than any­thing, read­ers will learn from this well researched and most human­iz­ing of novels.” Full review is here.

 

“Get ready to be swept away to different times and places by our list of the best new historical fiction.” Thank you, BookBub, for featuring “One Good Thing” in your round-up of Best Historical Fiction of 2025!

I’m honored that Arielle Ford, acclaimed author, relationship expert and TedX speaker, was inspired by my book, and I look forward to our conversation at Warwick’s bookstore in La Jolla, CA.  Much appreciation for her kind words: “One Good Thing is a profoundly moving story that beautifully captures the essence of moral beauty…a poignant reminder that even in the smallest moments, we can choose to do the next right thing—and sometimes, that can change everything.” ~ Arielle Ford

Publishers Weekly gave “One Good Thing” a thumbs up, calling it “a stirring novel of bravery and sacrifice in WWII Italy.” The PW Picks review concludes that “fans of Hunter’s previous book and the miniseries based on it will be pleased.” Full review here.

 

An independent bookstore staff reader noted:  “In One Good Thing, Georgia Hunter takes the reader through WWII Italy as she tells the story of Lili and Esti, two young Jewish women trying to survive AND help others do the same. Hunter uses modern language to tell this story of eight decades in the past, which makes it feel immediate and relevant to today. I feel that I learn a great deal about history through historical fiction, and there is a lot to learn through the real-life heroes of the resistance that are woven into the story in One Good Thing.”

–Lynne Phillips, WordsWorth Books (Little Rock, Arkansas)

A “Most Anticipated Historical Fiction of 2025,” according to shereads: “If you read We Were the Lucky Ones or watched the Hulu adaptation, get ready to be swept away by Georgia Hunter’s latest novel, One Good Thing. An unforgettable story of friendship and resilience, set against the backdrop of WWII Italy. Best friends, Lili and Esti are inseparable and not even war can come in between them or so they thought. One Good Thing is a testament to courage, sacrifice, and unbreakable bonds. Readers will be reminded of the extraordinary power of love even in the darkest of times.”