this was just something not for me. It was well written and the story was good, but I really didn’t ever click into the story or connect with the characters.

It was good, well written, but it just never happened for me.

Unfortunately this book bored me so I skimmed it then gave up. The writing was ok but I hated the internal monologue that went on for pages and just kept me from caring about any of the characters enough to keep going.

I cried multiple times reading this book. It's that kind of book that i always find when i needed it the most. I find myself in Lena, who were in the middle of starting a new life after all the downs, then the pandemic hits. And i love her so much, she felt so real
I really loved Ben, but i wished i learned more about him. I know it's a women's fiction so it focuses on our female mc, but i wish there was more from him.
Since the setting of this book was in the middle of pandemic, i was a little skeptical on reading it since i really want to avoid fiction that reflects that event. But this book didn't felt like a doom scrolling through a miserable event that was happening to everyone, but instead it gives you this picture of people who keeps on living and keeps on trying and helping each other, hoping things will get better, one at a time.
I will forever be grateful for letting me read this wonderful story. Thank you.
#netgalley

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

One Thing Better is a story about Lena navigating through life after her mothers passing. She’s cleaning up and sorting through her childhood home while trying to figure out her own life. Officer Ben Wright comes into her life and they quickly form a bond. They both are dealing with their own issues and they learn to lean on each other while dealing with Covid-19 and social distancing. I honestly had a hard time getting into the story but I enjoyed the ending.

Jessica Sherry's ONE THING BETTER is an uplifting, inspiring story about the forever down on her luck Lena Buckley who has inherited her parent's disaster of a house, barn, and land. Out of her depth with unreliable electricity, forever leaking roofs, and no one to count on for love, work, or friendship, Lena slowly finds her way to a fully lived, fully inhabited and rewarding life one tiny step at a time, resolving to do one thing better each day, following her beloved mother's upbeat approach that there are no misfortunes without a corresponding change for something even better. Her romance with quiet, levelheaded Ben and growing friendship with a horse, his person, and a dubious friend are only part of a wonderful story about what happens with one thing better, including pandemic and lockdown challenges. By turns funny and enlightening, heartwarming, and hard truths, the book never failed to hold my attention, staying up way too late to read one more chapter. I received a copy of this book and these opinions are my own, unbiased thoughts.

I had to DNF around 10% in. I didn't connect with the FMC. I felt I was just reading words while hoping I would finally get to the good part.

First thought: Im speechless this story really touched me, it is raw, emotional, heartbreaking, encouraging, strong, about enduring, being resilient and conquering your fears and doubts. It’s is a mature romance that makes you belive in hope, faith, friendship and the power of love.

Lena is 35 years old and her world is falling apart around her physically and figuratively. In the last few years she has had a failed business, marriage, dropped out of school and now she’s lost her mom after being her sole caretaker. To say Lena has had it hard is an understatement, on top of that she deals with anxiety. She is now left with a 25acre farm that is falling apart and no money. This is rock bottom. But Lena is resilient and one thing her mom always said was focus on one thing better at a time.

Ben is a local cop who is ex military, while serving he suffered hearing loss from an explosion. He is a quiet guy who’s action speak louder than his words. His path crosses with Lena’s and he wants to be her strength to hold her up as she rebuilds, but her anxiety and his own self doubts get in the way. They settle on a friendship both wanting more but not knowing how to move forward.

As Lena starts to rebuild her life a pandemic is breaking out in the world and at a time when she needs to lean on others she’s even more isolated. This story has triggers: Anxiety, Loss, Covid-19, PTSD, Black Lives Matter but Lena and Ben will come out the other side.

Tropes you’ll find:

* Friends to Lovers
* He Falls First
* Found Family, Community
* Slow Burn
* Life Changes
* Small Town
* Anxiety, PTSD, Hearing Loss, Death of Parent

When I first started reading this book I was a little confused, but about 7% in I fell in love with this book. I related a lot to Lena and it was honestly inspiring. And I was going to rate it 4🌟 because of the beginning but OMG THE END! The ending had me almost tearing up! I am sitting here shocked! I am so in love with this ending! Honestly, the author may even be able to make another book out of this if she really wanted too! All in all, I’m freaking love with this book! So this book gets 5🌟 maybe even more! I honestly need a minute to digest that ending!

I am speechless... I loved it very much, even though there seems to be a lot going on in the story. If I were Lena I would be really worried too. I really liked how heartwarming the story was, then it really made me cry. A lot of emotions occurred.
I don't know but this is one of my best read in 2023 so far except for the one book that I read a month ago, but it is a self help book. For romance One Thing Better is my best read so far this 2023. This is not the usual romance story I read but I liked it a lot. I will definitely read it again. This story is beautiful, sad but it brings warmth to the emotions, to the heart. It's hard to explain but that's it and I really love it. ❤️

Lena’s story is one we can all relate to in one way or another and Ben is that person who comes along quietly when you least expect it. Lena is strong and able as the story begins but you see her only become stronger and more capable by the end. And the beautiful person she becomes is made much better with Ben by her side. I highly recommend this lovely book with even lovelier characters! It would be a wonderful movie someday, too!

After losing her business and the end of her marriage, Lena's now dealing with the death of her mother who she had been the caregiver for the last few years. The family homestead is crumbling around her and she doesn't know how to proceed. Her brother wants her to move to Malibu but she doesn't want to be beholden to him. She gets a job offer in another city in NC and decides to take the job and sell the property, which her brother Lucas doesn't want any part of, to the neighbors who are farmers. Then Covid hits and all plans change. It was interesting looking back to how things were a few years ago. This isn't a Covid story, the major part of the story just takes part from March 2020 on. Lena had a lot to learn about herself and all the loss she's had and she does a great job of doing "one thing better". I received a copy of this book from NetGalley but also pre-ordered it on Amazon for 99 cents!

I love small town romances so much, but this was more than that. Although the romance was very good Lena’s storyline and growth was so much more rewarding.

After caring for her mother for three years Lena is left in her small home town in a house that is falling apart. Unable to decide what to do with the house when she meets Ben, her gun guy. Add COVID-19 into the mix and it makes for a very enjoyable read!

Lena is reeling from the loss of her mom and trying to figure out what to do with the house she lived in. She’s considering selling and her brother Lucas is encouraging her to come to Malibu. She gets pulled over by serious and stoic cop, Ben, who lets her off with a warning. Later, he comes by the house to help sell off her mom’s guns. Sparks fly. Lena also gets to know neighbors and friends who help her along the way to discovering what’s next in her life.

This one took a minute for me to get in to, but Ben basically stole my heart and Lena’s anxiety felt so familiar. Ben was so sweet, kind, thoughtful, and generous. The fireworks moment!! So pure and lovely. Their first kiss was magic. The third act almost break-up was a little silly but it was resolved quickly. Though the quick happily ever after was a bit too neat, it made sense with the story and I was glad to see Lena achieve her dreams.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Lena has recently lost her mother and is living in a house that is falling down around her, which seems a fitting metaphor for the rest of her life. Along with her anxiety disorder, she doesn't have much going for her at the start of the book. Every time she turns around, something else in the house breaks and a lot of her grand ideas of how to improve her situation don't work out. But with a little bit of love and some big dreams, she may find her way through her grief and onto something better.

I really enjoyed this book. Lena was a believable and relatable character, and her growth throughout the story drew me in. It was an emotional read, with plenty of levity sprinkled throughout (I'm still laughing at that scene with Shadow and the miracle treats).

My only criticism is that I think the book was too long. Lena's character arc was pretty well wrapped up by the end of chapter 35 as was the romance subplot. The rest of the events of the book could have been summarized in an epilogue. Otherwise, it was an enjoyable book and I highly recommend it!

This was a great book. It spotlighted mental health which made the book interesting. I loved the romance, the friendship,and the Family that was created. This is the story of Lena that has nothing to show for her life except a old farmhouse after her mother's death. Having anxiety does not help until she meets a wonderful man friends and close family. What happens when she gets her life together is pure joy.

One Thing Better was a sweet, Covid era romance. Lena’s struggles with anxiety and overcoming her past failures were relatable and Ben was incredibly patient and likable. I liked some of the secondary characters (mostly Dot) but some of the local townspeople were more irritating than charming. Overall I liked it- it was a nice weekend diversion. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the e-arc.

One Thing Better by Jessica Sherry is a wonderful novel, the story of an anxiety ridden 35 year old, Lena who has spent the last three years caring for her dying mother, after leaving her failed marriage and bakery. With so many losses, her anxiety is through the roof, so when she accidentally meets Officer Ben Wright, his aloof manner and quietness catch her off guard, as does his warning instead of a traffic ticket. This all adds up to a wonderful novel that proves it's better to be part of a community than to go it alone. Really enjoyed this novel!

When I was craving a feel-good book, this one hit the spot. It's all about overcoming life's curveballs, battling those inner demons, and finding the strength to keep pushing forward. The message of making "one thing better" even when everything seems like a mess really resonated with me.

Lena Buckley, our fearless protagonist, is navigating a seriously bumpy road. She's inherited a rundown house, is low on cash, and job prospects are about as scarce as unicorns. But she's determined to turn things around, and that's where the real magic begins.

Surrounded by an awesome community, Lena's ready for a fresh start. Oh, and there's the hot cop who might just be stealing her heart—major swoon alert! But then, boom! COVID-19 enters the scene, and Lena's dreams take a hit. Her home is crumbling, and those pesky self-doubt demons start whispering in her ear.

The book dives into important topics like PTSD, mental health, and coping with tough times. Now, I'm usually not a fan of COVID-19 in literature (I mean, who wants to relive quarantine?), but this story manages to be super cute despite the pandemic backdrop. It's not just a love story; it's about finding yourself through a history of self-doubt.

Around the 60% mark, I'll admit, I started to feel like the plot was on repeat mode. I wanted a bit more excitement, you know? But don't get me wrong; I still adored the story.

In the end, if you need a mood boost, "One Thing Better" is your go-to read. It's like a cup of hot cocoa for your soul.

I liked this story and went back and forth several times between 3&4 stars. I'm going with like a 3.6 stars, lol so random. Some parts were great, some parts I struggled with.
Through a lot of this story I thought: "wow, that's a great tidbit!" especially in the ways that Lena deals with her 'anxiety bitches' and it made me feel like some of the ways my brain works can be managed by dealing with my own 'anxiety bitches'.

This has A LOT going on, sometimes it felt like too much. SOME topics included: Anxiety disorder, disability (hearing loss), BLM, police brutality, COVID shutdowns, caretaker struggles, loss of parent, animal sickness. (I can understand the story took a while to write & the whole process but I wanted NO part of going back to March 2020; yet I kept with the story anyway).
BUT with that said -- I liked that the author lets readers know in the Author's Note that this is based on her own life, struggles, and loss. Love the bravery to write about so many topics close to home.

Okay, I'm going to get nit picky.... some of the wording in this book was strange for me, and I'm only mentioning because it stuck out and took me out of the story for a hot second.
"Gee, Ben" "Gosh, Ben" "Aw, Ben" Like, she says his name all.the.time. I don't think I say my husband's name 2 times in any given day
"in a wee frenzy" <-iiiis she all the sudden Irish; but only in 2 instances?
"boo coo" <-I THINK she meant like beaucoup???
"hella" anything

Amazing story. Fell in love right from the beginning. Definitely a 5 star must read. You will love this book.