Lili and Esti became best friends in college but WWII in Italy tested their friendship. Esti is married to Niko with a beautiful baby named Theo. Niko leaves Italy to go to Greece to help his family escape from the danger to Jews in Greece. Esti and Lili end up throughout Italy, helping to create fake IDs for Jews. After a horrific night at a convent when men came to attack the women, Lili takes Theo and leaves Esti behind to heal while Lili and Theo continue to another town. Along the way Lili meets Thomas and others who help her and Theo stay alive until the end of the war.

Hunter's novel explores WWII from the perspective of Italian Jews. When Mussolini allies himself with Hitler, best friends Lili and Esti find themselves without jobs or opportunities. First they flee, along with Esti's son Theo, to a town where over 30 Jewish orphans are being hidden in a Catholic church. Then they move to Florence where Esti forges Aryan ID cards for Jews. But when Esti is critically hurt, she begs Lili to take Theo and head South.
With her Aryan ID, Lili has some modicum of protection form occupying Nazi soldiers and Mussolini's thugs. But finding enough to eat, and a safe place to stay are constant challenges, given that there's a huge reward for turning in Jews. And every day, she and 3 year old Theo walk south, as far as they can, hoping that the Allies will liberate Italy.

Amazing! A 2025 must-read. This is a beautiful, yet heart-breaking story. Lili and Esti, best friends studying in Italy when WW2 breaks out, need to find safety and protect Esti's little boy Theo. Eventually Lili takes Theo to safety after Esti is injured, and the story becomes one of survival for Lili and Theo. She meets many characters along the way who play a role in their journey. Then there is a romantic thread that was beautiful. My heart-strings were definitely pulled while reading this. Highly recommend as a unique story about Italy during WW2 and the impact on the Jewish population in Italy.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for access to this eARC.

I was delighted go get a copy of this book as I enjoyed the author’s previous novel “We Were the Lucky Ones”
This story begins in 1941 and is entirely set in Italy.

Lili and Esti have been friends since university… after Esti has a baby their bond is very close.. like sisters.
Mussolini’s Racial Laws have deemed them descendants of “inferior Jews”
Esti convinces Lili to leave with her to help hide a group of war orphans to a villa in the countryside, then to a convent in Florence where they pose as nuns… and forge false identification papers for the Underground.
A disaster happens at the convent and Esti is badly injured… she convinces Lili to leave with little Theo and that they will meet later in Assisi.
Here.. the story becomes a very dangerous and epic journey ..mostly on foot.. for Lili and Theo throughout Italy to reach allied territory.
There were many brave people who helped them along their journey but there were also several close calls.
This is a great story about friendship, motherhood, and survival.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random Hose for the ARC!

This novel about WW2 was different than so many I’ve read. First of all, I loved the friendship between Esti and Lily. I learned more about how Italy played out during the war. The journey with Esti’s son painted a poignant picture of a small child and Lily’s determination to survive and protect them both. I loved this book.

I have read a lot of WWII books, but this one told a story that was unique about a group of people I hadn’t read a lot about during the war. It was really interesting and I loved all the characters. The author was able to make all the scenes come to life and kept me hooked the entire time.

One Good Thing by Georgia Hunter is a historical novel of World WarII heroism that takes place in Italy.It tells the harrowing story of Lili and Esti and young Theo as life gets harder and harder for the Jewish people in Italy.You will enjoy the characters you will meet and the places you will see and read about in a country we don’t hear as much about in our WWII stories!Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Group/Viking Penguin Pamela Dorman Books for allowing me to read this ARC!

One Good Thing by Georgia Hunter transports readers into life in Italy during WWII, first under Mussolini's rule, then under German control until liberation by the Allies. The author's ability to describe scenes in 3D-like fashion and her richly drawn, complex characters make it very easy to engage in this story. This read will take you on an emotional rollercoaster as it explores themes of deep friendship, family, the trials and horrors of war, heartbreak, finding strength, hope, resilience, and survival. It shows good people doing what they feel they must to survive as well as good people who choose to help others even when it puts themselves in danger. War turns everything upside down, and yet the human spirit finds a way to go on.

A very good read!!

My sincere thanks to Pamela Dorman Books for permitting me to access a DRC via NetGalley. Publication is 3/4/25. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own and are freely given.

I LOVED this book! We've all read a bunch of WW2/Holocaust historical fiction, right? The fact that this book felt so fresh and original speaks volumes. The story begins with best friends Lili, Esti, and Esti's husband Niko as they welcome the couple's new baby Theo in 1940s Italy. With the war well underway in the rest of Europe and Mussolini's racial laws in place, Esti and Niko become involved in resistance efforts. When the opportunity for Lili and Theo to escape to Italian cities in the south, Esti begs her best friend to take her son to safety. Lili and Theo's journey is anything but safe, and although she was always the more reserved between herself and Esti, she must find it within herself to move through German occupied cities and town and keep them both out of harms way. This was a friendship story, a love story, and bravery. This book had me crying, but not for the reasons you'd assume. Highly recommend!

Often sophomore books fall flat, but One Good Thing did not disappoint. The story of a young woman trying to survive as. Jew in Italy during WWII continues to pick up steam throughout the book. Hunter's writing style is to the point and keeps the story moving and the characters are likable and well developed. While the story took place decades ago, many of themes are more relevant today than ever.

Another good WWII story showing tenacity, dedication, resilience, bravery and most of all love and kindness to fellow citizens caught in the crossfire. Lili and Esti were friends from childhood, and they tried to make the best of the situations. Unfortunately, they had to make a decision that would cost them both. Lili is the main character and she steps up to do the best she can and she does just fine.

Not saying this was a subject I hadn’t read before in my WWII books, but I will say the author wrote an enjoyable read that flowed well and once again, the people during the war are an inspiration to me. The ending was well deserved for all.

I received an ARC from Penguin Group and NetGalley for my unbiased review. Comes in with four stars.

This is a well written story that elaborates on aspects of WW II that readers need to know. It has a different slant that makes it interesting and captures the reader's desire to know what happens to the characters (who are very realistic).

4.5 stars 🌟 One Good Thing follows the story of Lili and Esti, two Jewish women living in Italy under Mussolini who is supporting Hitler with The Race Laws he implements. Things get even more difficult when the Germans invade Italy. Esti asks Lili to flee with her son Theo as she trusts her implicitly. The bonds of their friendship are as strong as family. Lili is forced to leave everyone she loves to protect the one good thing in her life, Theo.

This is a heartbreaking story of survival, loss, and resilience. Lili is able to do much more than she ever thought she could against insurmountable odds. Along her journey south, they meet many good individuals who assist them, including the Catholic church. Despite the horrific events of the day, this is also a story of love and hope and the lengths people will go to for the people they love and to make the world a better place for others.

Hunter does a superb job of crafting characters that are relatable and endearing. I found myself highly invested in all of their journeys and outcomes. Her writing is informative and captivating. I loved this story of WWII Italy, which I did not know much about even though I have read a lot about WWII. This is a must-read for those who love books about this time period. Many thanks to NetGalley, Pamela Dorman Books, and Georgia Hunter for an advance reader's copy in exchange for my honest review.

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Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

When I read the description for this book, I jumped at the chance to receive an ARC. As a historical fiction lover, this novel offered a different perspective on WWII. While I have read several stories about surviving the war with characters in Germany, Poland, and France, this is the first book I have come across that focused entirely on the impact of the war in Italy.

The story is exceptionally well written. It is apparent right from the start that Hunter did an extensive amount of research for this novel. In the beginning, the Nazis are just beginning to take over Italy, and the restrictions impacting the Jewish population are being put into effect. From there, we see the gradual increase of the war and the associated impact on Italy's Jewish population and the country as a whole.

This is not a quick read, and it is not action-packed. It is a methodical, detailed, character development-based story. A few times, I wished the pace would go a little faster. But in the grand scheme of things, I can see why Hunter chose to include the slower moments of the timeline. You see Lili's development as an individual, friend, mother, and daughter.

If you begin reading this book with that understanding, you will enjoy it. Hunter has delivered a strong female lead character in a setting often overlooked when browsing WWII historical fiction options.

3.5/5

Great character development and descriptive of everything these characters went through. Wow, I could not put it down! These characters will stay with me for a while.

Thanks for the ARC for a honest review.

A World War II story told from the perspective of an ordinary woman in Italy. The narrative follows her through the war years as she's separated from her best friend who has asked her to take care of her young son.

Some high notes are the relationship between the two best friends, and the character of little Theo.
The love story really does take a back seat, but that feels appropriate given the setting and circumstances. One Good Thing felt a little too heavy on the what, I could have used a little more depth or insight into the characters thoughts, a little more more emotional depth. It felt a bit more like a 'tell' than a 'show'.

However, as with many WWII books, the story itself is compelling and beautiful and redemptive. I will never get sick of hearing about the heroic actions of those that lived through the atrocities.

I recommend this book to people who enjoy historical fiction and especially WWII fiction. I did like learning a bit more about in Italy during this time period as very few of my readings have touched on this.

Thanks to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Viking Penguin for access to the eARC in exchange for this honest review.

3 1/2 stars rounded up.

When WWII reaches the Italian front, dear friends Lili and Esti find themselves in grave danger under Mussolini’s laws, which have made life perilous for Jews. With Esti’s young son in tow, the friends embark on a treacherous journey in search of safety. The strong character development and vivid setting make this slower-paced story a very worthwhile read. One Good Thing is a powerful testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the enduring strength of friendship.

Read this if you:
-are eager to read more from the author of We Were the Lucky Ones
-feel inundated with WWII stories–this is a standout
-appreciate well-researched and beautifully written historical fiction

Many thanks to Viking and NetGalley for an electronic ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a solid historical fiction, but not as good as We Were the Lucky Ones.

If you are already a fan of Georgia Hunter, you will probably like this one! This is a story of friendship, motherhood, survival, and second chances. Esti and Lily are best friends living in Italy as war breaks out in Europe. They are Jewish and get by with fake IDs. When a situation arises and Esti begs Lily to take her son, Theo, with her to escape danger with plans to meet up at a different location, Lily nervously accepts. What happens through the rest of the novel is Lily making decisions, traveling, and ultimately protecting herself and Theo while waiting for Esti's return.

What I love about this novel is that it's set in the Italy theatre of WW2. The setting is such a big part of the story and I really was immersed in each location. I also really like the sweet trust and relationship between Lily and Theo.

I wasn't too keen on the whole part with Thomas when he came into the picture. I get that it showed a side of the GI experience with falling in love during the war, but it just seemed too perfect that I was distrusting most of the time. But it turned out to be such a silver lining in the end.

The end was bittersweet. It really showed a side of the war that is forgotten about. The wondering, the waiting, the what-ifs. Holding out hope but also needing to move on, but also always searching and hoping and waiting. How do you move on but hold on at the same time? What a beautiful tribute.

This was my first book by Georgia Hunter and I REALLY enjoyed it. I've read quite a few historical fiction novels set in the WWII era, but never read one based in Italy, so I found it really interesting to get a glimpse into life in Italy during those awful times and I felt like I learned SO much. I always love a book that teaches me something new. I'll admit, it took me a few chapters to become invested, but from then on, I felt like the pacing of the book was really great and kept me captivated. There were so many great characters to root for, from Lili and Esti, to Thomas, and of course, Theo. I also loved the relationship between Lili and Thomas, and how it supplemented the overall story but didn't take away from it at all. I do agree there were some unanswered questions in the end- but to me, it felt like the perfect ending for these characters and left me feeling fulfilled.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book for my honest review.

I was a huge fan of We were the Lucky Ones and I enjoyed reading One Good Thing. I appreciated receiving an advance copy of this novel from the publisher through Netgalley. I have read many World War II novels, very few are set in Italy. I was very interested in the way the Italian people reacted to being forced to follow Hitler’s policies. I thought it was interesting to see the role of the Catholic Church in helping to protect Jews.
I realize that many Jewish people disappeared during World War II. It was still hard to have so many question marks at the end of the novel. I would have preferred an epilogue a few years later that discussed adjustments after the war and maybe tied up some loose ends.
Overall I think the novel tread the fine line between being entertaining and being too graphic about war atrocities very well.
I think this novel will appeal to many readers.