An entertaining humorous story about Zoe, a single mum who is unexpectantly made redundant from a journalist job on a local newspaper. I loved her optimism and fighting spirit on how she turns her life around after making a bad situation into something positive, meaningful and enjoyable - The online Good News Gazette is born.
The focus is on reaching out to the community, trying to make things better for people, something we can all relate to. I felt that the book is a reflection of modern day society. Well worth the read.

This book was one of the most enjoyable uplifting and inspiring reads that I have read this year and I will be recommending to this everyone who needs a pick me up and a little bit of happiness and joy in their lives. This was a heartwarming and poignant read of what can be achieved with the help of friends and the community and about not giving up on what you believe in.

Once I had started reading I couldn’t put it down and read it in almost one sitting and the injection of positivity and hope have never a warm fuzzy feeling inside.

I really hope that there is going to be further books in the good news gazette series as I would love to catch up with the next instalment of the inhabitants of Westholme.

The Good News Gazette by Jessie Wells was one of those debut novels that when I opened it on my Kindle I sat down and didn't adult till it was time to go pick my kids up from school.

Zoe, our character is a single mother in her 30s. She left her amazing career as a journalist in London to raise her son back home to Westholme.
When she returns home she starts working for the local paper.
Soon after she is let go. With a kid to feed, bills to pay she starts to feel the pressure of it all.
After having drinks with a couple friends to let go... she sparks an amazing idea that changes the lives of everyone around her.... The Good News Gazette.
When something threatens to makes Westholme a twenty-first century area, Zoe must find a way to save herself, but she might just be able to save Westholme in the process!

Woah! What a well-written debut!
Jessie Wells did an outstanding job keeping my attention throughout the novel.
I adored these characters and Zoe is a shining light to all.
The author did a excellent job of portraying the ups and downs of life and I really felt like I was on the journey with Zoe experiencing all her high and low moments.
Her way of capturing their feelings, hopes and fears is one of the things that make this such a touching novel.
Very real, very relatable, and very entertaining. I was emotionally invested in her right from the start.
A fun, exciting and perfect read that made me forget about the world for the time being.
An excellent read anywhere, including a relaxing summer vacation.

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

One More Chapter,
Thank You for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!
I will post my review to my blog, platforms, BookBub, B&N, Kobo and Waterstone closer to pub date.

Maybe I just really needed something 'feel-good', today, but I read this in one go, on a rainy Sunday and absolutely loved it!
Zoe is a single mum in her 30s, having left a fantastic journalist career in London to raise her son back home in the North of England. She's pootling along working for the local paper, not really feeling the challenge, but employed, nonetheless, until she isn't. Redundancy strikes, which starts the chain of work; a son to feed, house and clothe, a mortgage to pay, bills and debts raising their heads...
After a confab with her two best friends, she ends up drunkenly committing to an idea which ends up changing lives of many in the community.
I thought this was excellently written. It's true that you seem to just hear and read constant streams of bad news, when on social media and when watching the news. Zoe's idea of writing a local paper that just shines the light on the positive in the community was a wonderful idea. You could see the Negative Nellies reading their heads, but she didn't give up, at all.
The back stories of the other characters really gave good shape to the overall story and as a reader, I felt invested in her venture being a success, too!
And, obviously there is a bit of romance, and I wasn't sure which way her head wold turn... (yup, possibly two suitors...) but the end was a perfect, happy end for her, personally, as well as for the story!
Many thanks to Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter, for an ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.

This was a really easygoing read about newly redundant journalist and single mum Zoe who, after a night in commiserating the loss of her job with her good friends, finds herself launching a local good news website and paper. Whilst interviewing locals for it she finds out the local shopping area is under threat and is encouraged to start a campaign to save it. There’s a lot of positivity in this at a time it’s much needed and a real mix of local characters including a developer with a hidden past. If you’re in need of a feel-good pick me up then this certainly fits the bill.