In 1941 Italy, best friends Lili and Esti are as close as sisters, especially after Esti’s son Theo is born. But then the war knocks on Italy’s doors and Mussolini’s Racial Laws have deemed Lili and Esti descendants of an “inferior” Jewish race.

The two women and Theo first flee to a villa in the countryside to help hide a group of young war orphans, then to a convent in Florence, where they pose as nuns and forge false identification papers for the Italian Underground. When the convent is raided, Esti ends up wounded and asks Lili to take Theo and run; to protect him.

Even though she’s terrified of traveling on her own, Lili heads south towards the Allied territory, travelling through Nazi-occupied villages, bombed out cities, and wide open fields, doing everything she can to keep Theo safe while they wait for both the war to end and to be reunited with Esti.

So, I feel like quite a few people who read We Were the Lucky Ones and immediately wanted this new novel from Georgia Hunter, so of course I asked for an ARC of it as soon as I saw it. As with the previous novel, Hunter did a fantastic job at crafting characters who were relatable and endearing. I felt like I was reading a letter from a friend as I followed Lili’s journey.

As I’ve come to slowly learn over the years, no matter how many WWII historical fiction novels I read, I’m constantly learning more and more about different parts of Europe and different experiences through every book. I’ve known Italy started off on the Axis side and then effectively switched sides after the Allied invasion, but I didn’t realize the treatment of Jews during this time.

Overall, an amazing character enriched historical fiction about one woman’s endurance during the WWII in Italy as she does everything to protect her best friend’s son.

*Thank you Pamela Dorman Books and NetGalley for a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

This was a riveting story of two Jewish friends in Italy during WW2. I have not read much set in the Italian front of WW2 and it kept my interest. We learned about the politics and changes during the war but this book was mostly about a deep friendship. Lilli and Esti are close and rely on each other through the war. They both become involved with helping fellow citizens escaping the brutality cast upon the Jewish citizens.

When Esti is severely injured she asks Lili to take her young son to escape the coming arrests. It was a hard decision by any mother but we felt her pain and trust. The story takes the reader through the difficult journeys and quest for survival. While it was an emotional read, it was one that I loved. The writing, settings and characters were all memorable.

Thank you Netgalley for the chance to review this book. It is a great next book by the author.

I loved this book from beginning to end . She has a way with historical fiction that draws you in and keeps you engaged till the end . Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for sharing this story with me

This is a heartfelt and heartbreaking story of the holocaust. Set in Italy and told through a young woman named Lili’s pov. She was so strong and resilient. Even when she thought she was weak she pressed on. Taking care of her best friend’s small son. She also found love and after the war made a life with Thomas in the USA.

This book made me laugh a few times. It also made me cringe and oh my but did I cry. It was not a good time in history for the Jews. They were persecuted so bad. Considered to be less then human.

In this story you meet Lili and Esti. Two best friends who's lives were forever changed by the war. By a Nazi. By Hitler and Mussolini. Two friends who went through some horrific times. When Esti is hurt she talks Lili into taking her young son and fleeing. Finding a safer place. While Lili doesn't want to leave Esti she finally concedes and starts on a long and dangerous journey. She goes through a lot of places and finds kind people along the way willing to help. She also finds some mean and evil people who wish harm on Jews.

Lili comes full circle eventually and finds her way home. Along the way her and Theo, Esti's young son, meet a lot of people. One being Thomas. He needs a place to hide and Lili helps him. They end up falling in love and Theo loves Thomas also.

It's sad what happened back then. No one should have to live in that kind of fear. In that kind of hate. Yet it seems we are almost doing it again right here in my country. It's scary that people seem to have learned nothing from the past....

Thank you #NetGalley, #PenguinGroup, #VikingPenguin, #PamelaDormanBooks, for this ARC.

[4.25 stars]
Georgia Hunter might be the only author who can get me to love traditional WWII historical fiction. And, she's done with twice now, first with her debut (We Were the Lucky Ones) and again with One Good Thing. This story focuses on the plight of Jewish people in Italy beginning in 1941, told through the eyes of two young women, Lili and Esti. They’re best friends and, along with Esti’s son (Theo), navigating Mussolini’s Racial Laws in Italy. When Esti’s husband returns to Greece to try to get his family out, Lili and Esti are on their own and running for their lives trying to find a destination that is safer for Jews. One Good Thing is earnest and uplifting. And, like We Were the Lucky Ones, this story highlights resilience and resourcefulness in the face of great danger. I felt for these people and I was rooting so hard for these characters to make it through this war. One Good Things reads like a VERY serious, high stakes road trip book…except Esti, Lili, and Theo are moving on foot, by bicycle, and via the kindness of strangers. I normally don’t love road trip books, but this one felt meaningful. The story is propulsive and the chapters are often short, which probably propelled me to read this 430+ page book in just a few days. Georgia is a meticulous researcher and she traveled extensively in Italy to research this book. And, even though One Good Thing isn’t fully based on a true story, there are particular events and characters in it that are.

Lili and Esti are best friends at university and when Esti marries and has a son, Lili is a second mother to Theo. As the threat to Jews in Italy becomes more dire, the women work for the underground and then go into hiding. With Esti's husband's whereabouts unknown, when Esti is beaten, Lili agrees to escape with Theo, hoping that her friend will eventually catch up with them.

Thus they embark on a harrowing journey from one point to another, always managing to stay a step ahead of the Nazis, fiercely guarding their forged identifications and small amount of money. Finally settled in Rome, Lili meets an American soldier seeking a safe spot. He finds more than that with Lili.

Undoubtedly realistic, this novel is often difficult to read as one wonders how Lili maintains any fragment of hope and continues to persevere despite constant danger and threats. It's all the more disturbing in the current political climate where citizens turning on one another doesn't seem as inconceivable as it once did. Lili's story is one that will stick with me for a long time. #OneGoodThing #NetGalley

This was my first book by the author but it won’t be the last! I am so excited to read her precious books after finishing this one!

I love books about World War 2 and historical fiction in general but it can be really hard to do it well. This book was the perfect example of a well done historical fiction book! I felt completely captivated by the story and didn’t want to put this one down. I never felt drawn out of the story as I sometimes do when reading historical fiction. It was just very engaging.

I was a little worried about reading a heavy book right now with the state of the world but for a book set during the Nazi occupation, it was really much less sad than most. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys historical fiction.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc!

As someone who reads a lot of historical novels about the two world wars, ONE GOOD THING is one of the most compelling I've come across. And it was particularly interesting to learn more about how World War II (1939-1945) and its moral questions played out in Italy.

Best known as the writer of the New York Times bestseller WE WERE THE LUCKY ONES (another absorbing World War II story based on the experiences of the author's own family), this time Georgia Hunter takes us traveling through Italy between December 1940 and May 1945.

At the start of the story, we meet the protagonist, Lili, a young Jewish woman who works as a journalist and lives with her widowed father. Almost immediately however we find Lili has lost her job because of new restrictions imposed on Jews in Italy. Like most people in Europe at the start of World War II, Lili and her friends are not too bothered by these initial restrictions, because they cannot even imagine the extent of evil that awaits the Jews of Europe.

But we readers know the restrictions, persecution, violence, arrests, and deportation to death camps that is coming. This knowledge is what underlies the intense tension I felt throughout the book.

As German and Italian soldiers and local police begin to ramp up persecution of Jewish citizens, Lili and her friends face increasingly difficult choices. Until Lili's best friend Esti is forced to leave her young son in Lili's care for his own safety. Most of this novel revolves around how Lili and little Theo manage during the war years.

With infrequent and unreliable communication and few people who can be trusted, Lili's life becomes focused on each day. Will I find enough food to feed us today? Where can I get warmer clothing for a growing child? Will that neighbor turn us in for the reward? Where can we sleep safely tonight? Where can we get false Aryan identification papers?

These daily decisions, each of which might mean life or death, make this a tense book to wade through. It's quite fast-paced but I did find I needed a time out periodically, to relieve my own tension.

ONE GOOD THING is the kind of book that makes you feel you are living right alongside Lili and Theo as they struggle to survive. And the author sprinkles in quite a few anecdotes about the actions of actual historical figures to make the book feel completely authentic. It's an inspiriting story I highly recommended.

One Good Thing chronicles the journey of Lili and Theo as they flee the Nazis occupying Italy. They begin in the north, near Bologna where Lili is from and slowly make their way towards Rome, which is considered an “open city” seeking safety as Jews with false papers.

Along the way Lili sees both the good and the evil humanity has to offer. Some provide shelter and sustenance, when doing so could cost them their own lives. Others leave trails of destruction, and are cruel not only to Lili, but also to Theo, who is only a toddler for much of this journey.

This character driven novel is interesting to be sure, but I struggled to connect with Lili. She is obviously a devoted friend as seen in her actions throughout the novel, but we learn very little of her own feelings until the very end. Much of the book is devoted to Lili’s trek on foot with her best friend’s young son. Her journey is obviously a difficult one physically walking hundreds of kilometers, but the fact that she is doing so under a false identification, constantly on alert for German soldiers, and with a child, is more impactful.

I would have loved for the author to have removed a few descriptions of the duos’ stops, and instead given us details about what Lilli was feeling. If the novel had given more space to her internal dialogue, it could have made Lili’s sacrifices and strength even more poignant, deepening the reader’s connection to her character. Could you imagine having to explain this journey to a toddler with limited understanding of the dangers surrounding him? More exploration of how she tried to protect him emotionally could have added more depth to her character.

Georgia Hunter took obvious care with her research, and Italian Jews are often underrepresented in the WWII historical fiction genre, so I appreciated this perspective. I only wish as a reader we could have delved a little deeper into Lili’s psyche while on this grueling journey.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and of course the author Georgia Hunter for the advanced copy of the book. One Good Thing is out now. All opinions are my own.

From the author of We Were the Lucky Ones comes another unforgettable novel rooted in history, heartbreak, and humanity. One Good Thing is a deeply emotional and powerful story of friendship, courage, and the will to survive in the face of unimaginable danger.

Set in 1940s Italy, the story follows Lili and Esti, two best friends whose lives are torn apart by war and Mussolini’s Racial Laws. When Nazi forces occupy northern Italy, they risk everything — first by helping to hide war orphans in the countryside, then by forging documents for the Underground while posing as nuns in a convent. But when tragedy strikes, Lili is asked to do the unthinkable: go on the run with Esti’s young son, Theo, and protect him at all costs.

Lili’s journey through war-ravaged Italy is both heart-wrenching and inspiring and I had a hard time putting this down. Her bond with Theo, her quiet bravery, and the acts of compassion she both receives and gives along the way make this a story that lingers. Georgia Hunter’s writing is vivid and intimate — you feel the fear, the stakes, and the rare glimmers of hope that keep Lili moving forward.

We’ll be adding this title to our library collection without question. It’s a beautiful testament to resilience, the strength of chosen family, and the kind of love that keeps us going — even in the darkest of times.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this early copy in exchange for an honest review.

Absolutely loved this book from the beginning to the end. I don't normally consider myself a fan of historical fiction, but this was so well written and captivating. I just love the story that was told, and the way it was told. Will definitely be reading more by Georgia Hunter in the future.

"One Good Thing"? More like "Many Good Things" about this book!
1) After becoming obsessed with Hunterʻs debut book, I knew that I would automatically read anything she wrote. Her passion for history, geography, and character relationships are so evident in her writing.
2) Lili was a GREAT FMC. She felt so real. Thrust into uncomfortable situations. Being scared but pushing forward through her anxiety. Her relationship with her bestie, Estie, and Estieʻs son Theo. Her fear being separated from her father.
3) Iʻve been interested in WW2 Italy since Mark Sullivanʻs "Beneath a Scarlet Sky" and I learned about so many more events and people during this time.
4) This story really emphasized the importance of generosity from strangers and our reliance on each other. I kept thinking of the ʻGolden Ruleʻ : ʻSo whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them" (Matthew 7:12, ESV).
5) Even though the love interest came a bit later in the story, it felt natural, and I was rooting for them the whole time!!

The beginning was a bit slow for me ironically because there’s a lot of moving around. It’s just that Lili and Esti move so often and it became hard to catch up with them so I lost interest. However, once Lili and Theo make their way on their own it really started to pick up for me. It was so emotional to read their journey. I only wish that there had been a scene where Lili and Theo meet Thomas’s family in Virginia.

Esti and Lili are friends living in Italy when World War I starts. Esti has a young son that she wants Lili to flee to safety with because Esti is injured and cannot. Lili struggles to keep herself and little Theo safe as they travel throughout bombed out villages in Italy. It takes resilience and courage that Lili finds in herself.. Danger of being discovered as Jewish is around every corner . Lili meets and falls in love with Tom, an American soldier hiding from the Germans. She helps keep him hidden in her flat. This is my favorite part of the story. When the war ends Lili has to decide whether to stay in Italy in case Esti is ever found and can reunite with her son or move to America with Tom. It’s a sweet story that asks the question what would you have done during these hard times. Fans of We were the Lucky Ones will enjoy this book as well.

Thank you to NetGalley for this book review. I wanted to love it after Georgia Hunter's We Were the Lucky Ones but this book was too detailed and too long for me. I respect the history and amazing characters and would love to see this made into a mini-series but it was just too long and I lost interest. I am sure I am in the minority but just wasn't keeping my interest.

The research put into this book was impeccable. Italy is not typically the location of WWII books, especially when it is about Jews, but I wish it was. The politics of living under Mussolini, especially as a jewish person, during Hitler's reign, was fascinating, heartbreaking and horrifying. Although, not quite as horrifying as other parts of Europe during that time. A story about 3 best friends, 2 of whom are deemed inferior for being Jewish. When one has a son, they go into hiding as nuns, and find themselves doing everything they can to keep a little boy (and themselves!) safe from the war. The characters were incredible - well developed, engaging and incredible. I truly enjoyed reading about their experiences, relationships and what they had to do to make it through a difficult time in history. I found this book to be incredibly engaging, well written and detailed. The pace was perfect and I was disappointed when the story ended.
Thank you Netgalley for my advanced reader copy.

This was a true 5 star book. The characters were so lovable. The story was riveting and heart wrenching at the same time. I will definitely go back and read this author’s first novel.

I read a lot of historical fiction that is set during WWII. This was a good book.
The bond that Esti and Lili had was so strong. It's what kept Lili going during horrible times.
It was very informative on what happened in Italy during the war. So sad.
I was glad that Lili never gave up hope of finding Esti and would like to think that at some point she did.
I was concerned that Thomas was not who he seemed to be. Lili did receive so many warnings about
trusting people.
There was happiness, sadness, suspense and a little romance.
I will be recommending this book to the patrons at the library where I work.
Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this arc.

Again, Georgia Hunter has given us a gift of her extensive research in the form of an emotionally moving and important novel. Learning about Italy’s Jews during WWII opened my eyes to the reality of the Racial Laws passed, defining the Jews as others, and limiting their rights. Money was offered to turn in Jews to the authorities, which were often not German but local carabinieri. Lili and Esti are best friends, as the war starts and puts their lives at risk. Esti and her husband are Greek Jews, students in Italy, when the war hits home. As Esti and Lili flee with Esti’s son, Theo, they encounter the roundups and hatred, but also help from individual Italians who tried to assist them in escaping. Some actual characters are featured in the book, giving attention to those righteous people fighting the horrors visited on their fellow citizens. I highly recommend this book, and see it as a warning in our present times. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

@pameladormanbooks | #gifted Georgia Hunter burst onto the book world in 2017 with her debut novel, 𝘞𝘦 𝘞𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘓𝘶𝘤𝘬𝘺 𝘖𝘯𝘦𝘴. The fictionalized account of how her Polish family survived WWII was an instant hit and went on to be picked up and developed by Hulu. Her much anticipated sophomore novel 𝗢𝗡𝗘 𝗚𝗢𝗢𝗗 𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗡𝗚, also a WWII story, is out now!⁣
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Taking place in Italy, Hunter takes us into the lives of Jews living there, first under the rule of Mussolini and later Germany. Italy hasn’t been featured in WWII books nearly as much as many other European countries. The experiences of Jews in Italy were different than those of Jews in other parts of Europe, but also terrifying, cruel and lethal. Following main character Lili, Hunter gives readers a glimpse of what the war did to all of Italy, but most especially to the Italian Jewish population.⁣
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I loved the reading experience and learned so much through Lili’s struggles to keep herself and her best friend’s young son, Theo, alive. Between Mussolini’s proclamations, the German invasion, and even the arrival of the Americans, staying safe was a constant struggle. My one wish for 𝘖𝘯𝘦 𝘎𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 would be that it had a bit more tension. Though Lili’s journey was difficult, I was never really that worried about her. I think the book would have been stronger had it shown more of the darker sides of the war. In particular, I’d have liked it to have storylines that followed Theo’s parents or a key American soldier. Despite that one small critique, I was fully invested in this story and flew through the book. I look forward to reading whatever Hunter writes next! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫