A Good Stranger is a wonderful book. Its a great "feel-good" story. It has plenty of suspense that held my interest.from beginning to end. I love this entire series and highly I immune it.

I have been a fan of Dete Meserve and the Good Sam Series and I was really thrilled to read The Good Stranger, the third book in the series. I don't know if a book could be more timely or uplifting than the Good Stranger.

Kate is now in New York and covering her first story as a political reporter, thanks to her politican father. But Kate is a good reporter.

I love a good mystery and the mystery here is one that will leave you with tears of joy.
People are doing good deeds all around Manhattan and it seems to be quite the mystery.

I always believe that you never know what someone else is going through in their own lives contrary to what may appear on the surface. A little kindness can go a LONG way and that is a central theme in this book and all of the Good Sam books.

I devoured this book , it truly has everything. Mystery, human nature, kindness, grattitude, and some unexpected twists thats I didn't see coming.

Go buy this book. We all need this

SHOULD BE REQUIRED READING FOR EVERYONE!

TV Correspondent Kate Bradley is finally getting her Big Break and moving to a National News Correspondent position in New York. She is overwhelmed by her unfamiliarity with the people and the city. Too make matters worse, there is a massive blackout. What does a reporter do? Run headlong into the darkness and look for a story of course! Bradley went looking for disaster but was astounded to find the city was being turned upside down - but in a good way. There were purple and white balloons everywhere! People were finding gift cards on their windshields. Small things at first but over the next few weeks, the gifts and giving continued in astounding ways. Someone’s medical bills were paid. Rent was paid, Groceries bought. Homeless people had clothes delivered from Amazon in their size! Help was provided in all manner of unimaginable ways! No one knew where all this good will was coming from. Occasionally there would be a note from “A Stranger.” Bradley teams up with TV series host Scott Jameson to attempt to find the source of these good deeds. As they run around the city known for everything but the kindness and generosity they are witnessing, they are compelled to find the person or group of people who started all this good will. A series of threats only make Kate more determined to find the people behind the gifts. As she and Scott continue their search, they begin to realize that even the smallest selfless act of generosity can bring about monumental change. Will Kate be able to take the leap and provide her own act of selfless generosity? I am so thankful for author Dete Meserve and for her ability to write a series of books that challenge readers to think and act outside of the norm. As we prepare to begin slowly returning to our lives outside of “sheltering in place” I wish this book would be required for everyone of all ages before re-entering our WORLD. If we acted on the principles Meserve put forth in this book, the world would be a much kinder and more pleasant place. Think how much everyone’s attitudes would change! I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley. The opinions expressed here are completely my own and without influence.

This is the best “feel good” novel I have read in a long time. It's a mystery unlike any I have ever read before. Rather than finding a killer, this novel features Kate on the trail of a mysterious person doing good for others anonymously.

This is the first Kate Bradley novel I have read but it reads well on its own. I'm going to read the earlier novels, I liked this one so much. Kate is newly arrived in Manhattan from Los Angeles, going from a regional television outlet to a national one. I like how we get to see the flavor of Manhattan and the workings of the media outlet.

When anonymous nice acts are being done, Kate is on the job, getting the story and trying to find the good person. I like this discussions about motive. Why would someone be doing those acts? Is it some gimmick, some promotional push that will be publicized in the end? I also like the debate about covering the story. Do television news watchers want stories of hope or stories of corruption and disaster?

And perhaps the ultimate question is whether being made aware of acts of kindness will change people. Could acts of kindness change others to be kind too? And what about the references to Romans 8:28? Do all things really work for good?

I really enjoyed this well crafted novel. I found Kate an engaging character and I loved the plot. There are book club questions included so this would be a wonderful choice for a reading group.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

This is the first book that I have read in this series. A beautifully written and thought provoking feel good story. I loved it.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

Not a book to set the world on fire but a fairly easy gentle read. I loved it to about the half way point then got a little bored and not interested in who or why the unlikely benefactor was. I have never lived in New York but have read about the characters of its people and find it unlikely that a new arrival would so quickly get to know her fellow apartment residents so well so quickly. I probably prefer more action and thrills but it never claimed to be a thriller so that’s my fault not the authors.

Read this book. Now. So, so good. I don't say much because I don't like to give away anything but you will absolutely love this well written suspense book filled with enough twists and turns to keep you guessing until the end. And no it's not who you think it is. A must read. Happy reading!

Another wonderful installment in Dete Meserve's Kate Bradley series... This time, Kate finds herself in NYC, starting her new job there. But nothing seems to be going the way she had planned.

When a sudden rash of random acts of kindness starts affecting the city, Kate feels compelled to get to the bottom of the story. As she follows down leads, she finds copycats along the way who have been inspired to perpetuate the kindnesses. And she feels herself compelled to do the same.

A city that is often filled with tension, hurry and distrust suddenly becomes softer, friendlier and more community-minded. But why?

As Kate uncovers the mystery surrounding what started all this, and who the mysterious "Marie" is that began the whole thing, she reflects on the impact these small kindnesses have had; not just for the recipients, but the givers and their communities as well.

After all... In the end, life isn't about struggling to get what we can out of it, but what we put into it. It's not about wealth, recognition or grand outcomes, but about a simple smile, a helping hand and a kind word. These are the things that make life beautiful. And this is what this story ultimately shows us. Each of us can make a difference. And doing so will change the world.

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This fabulous book shows you that an act of generosity truly can change a life. After reading this book go and do a generous deed. Enjoy! 📚

OH MY GOSH!! This book was such a breath of fresh air, especially with everything going on in the world. I love the idea of strangers just helping each other out and not expecting anything in return. Brings a whole new meaning to paying it forward. Loved the characters as well. Highly recommend.

Dete Meserve has done it again! She has created another world that is full of good people doing amazing, wonderful, and kind things for others—just what we need to see in these times. I love The Good Sam series and this latest installment is just as uplifting as the previous two books.

The Good Stranger takes us to New York, where Kate is starting a new career and a new life. As she starts to cover her first story, unusual things start to happen in the city—people are getting gifts from strangers. Being the great reporter she is, Kate jumps into the story, trying to find out who's behind all of this generosity and kindness.

I absolutely love reading Dete's books and I always feel good after reading one of them. They are always so positive and heartwarming, perfect examples of how we should all lead our lives. The Good Stranger is full of life lessons—you never know what someone else is going through, a little kindness goes along way, and it doesn't cost anything to be kind and friendly to others. Her stories make me think about my actions and make me want to be a better person.

I highly recommend The Good Stranger as well as the whole Good Sam series. All of them are such uplifting, positive stories that will inspire you to do good.

A charming and delightful mix of mystery, romance, family issues, employment/relationship problems, and heart-warming tales that will bring tears to your eyes and warmth to your heart. This was my first experience with Kate. Sorry that I haven't read Dete Meserve's books before.

I love this author. Her writing is wonderful and her stories always uplifting. The Characters are well thought out and true to life . A quick read and a book I didn't want to put down. yhoroughly enjoyed this book and recommend wholeheartedly

Wouldn't it be nice if someone was leaving gift cards and other things around Manhattan right now? That's the scenario in this latest from Meserve, minus the pandemic of course. Kate moved to New York from California for a new job with a new network but things haven't turned out how she hoped they would. For one thing, her boss put her on the political beat because her father is a US Senator. Grr. The random acts of kindness, however, grab her attention and she decides to find out what's really going on. Scott, the anchorman, is also interested and together the two of them embark on an investigation. Things get dicey (no spoilers) but.. This is an oddball mystery in so many ways but chiefly because it's about a positive thing! Kate's a great character as is Scott. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Good storytelling and plotting made this a fun read.

The Good Stranger by Dete Meserve. Acts of Kindness are so important in all of Dete Meserve books. Such lovely things to happen in such a scary world we are facing today. I have heard of kindness happening in a scary world like we have today. Escape from the cornovirus and read The Good Stranger.

A Book For Our Time. "The next pandemic is a matter of if, not when." Yes, that line is in this book. Yes, Meserve finished writing this book by Halloween 2019. No, this book doesn't actually have anything to do with that line in particular, it is simply a throwaway bit of a random interview that wasn't even Kate Bradley's interview. :D But what this book *does* focus on is the very same things Meserve herself has begun to focus on over the last few years, both with these Kate Bradley stories and with her own outreach: finding the everyday, unsung acts of kindness all around us. Reporting on that. Promoting that. Though with this book, for the very first time in a Bradley book - and contrary to what Ayn Rand may think -, we find someone truly altruistic. Someone genuinely not interested in any form of personal gain beyond the personal satisfaction that they know they did a good thing for someone who needed it. So let's take a page from Bradley and Meserve. Let's highlight some of these stories ourselves. Very much recommended.

Imagine a stranger pays for breakfast. For everyone in the restaurant.

Imagine a stranger pays next month's rent. For a whole building. Then invites them to meet him at a local park. And sends them a free picnic lunch.

Imagine a stranger pays for lunch for a whole school. Everyone's favourites. But the catch is that no one eats alone.

Random acts of extreme generosity are happening all over Manhattan. And Kate Bradley is investigating the story. Because there IS definitely a story here!

As she searches for the stranger, Kate starts receiving warnings. "Stop looking for her, Kate. I'm watching you." What could it mean?

Meserve is masterful! Endearing characters, an engrossing story line, and a conclusion that I, for one, didn't even imagine! The Good Stranger is the kind of novel that stays with you. An absolutely compelling read!

[Many thanks to NetGalley and the author for the opportunity to read an Advance Reader Copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.]

What a perfect time for this book. It was almost a little creepy how spot on we need this story read. I love this author's work. She develops her characters so detailed that you can place yourself in the story and feel part of the conversation. I really enjoy Kate's character. The story floods your soul with goodness that is taking place all over Manhattan and NYC by a few anonymous people that Kate and her co-worker Scott try to uncover as reporters. By the time they do discover who they are it's not so important the names of these people but the impact they've made on the city, Kate, Scott, and me included. I highly recommend this author and this series. It'll do your heart some good.

Wow. I usually read darker type of thriller so this was new to me. The story was very up!ifting. Strangers doing kind deeds for one another. A real page turner to find out who the person was that was behind all the kind gestures. Really loved this heartfelt book.

This is not my usual genre, but I’m so glad I read this book.
Kate Bradley moves from California to NYC, hoping to tackle the big stories. However, being the daughter of a senator, she’s given politics to cover.
She also kindly takes over the rent for a friend in what turns out to be a really shabby apartment, she could have had a fabulous place provided by the news station.

So things are looking bleak. When all of a sudden there is a massive power outage in the city, and everything changes.

A do gooder is suddenly paying people’s bills and buying people coffee , etc anonymously.
Kate and a co-worker are on the trail trying to find this mysterious stranger..... constantly derailed by someone’s menacing messages.

Really liked this one. Thank you to the publisher and author for my review copy.