Then and now, we meet Madeline, successful, driven, very particular about how she likes things, her home is pristine/perfect and her job is pretty much everything. When her mum takes unwell Madeline needs to go home and that means back to the place she spent her whole life wanting to escape from. We flip between present day and the past, getting to know Madeline, what makes her the way she is and seeing her struggle going back to her hometown, her past and things she would much rather forget.

Oh I think this may well be a marmite book for some because Madeline is the antithesis of what society expects she should be. Prowse has carved a character who if she was male, not too many eyebrows would be raised but because she is a female backs will absolutely be raised. She isn't the most likeable either, is it because she is selfish (because I think it is safe to say she is), driven, career focused, quite cold too. There is a moment, back in the then, between her and her friend and wow, I gasped out loud. Friends is family for me and ooft some of Madeline's choices and actions are shocking, again because we don't do certain things/cross certain lines/say certain things.

Madeline's family are so lovely, they don't have a lot financially and struggled a bit when she was growing up which is largely why she is the way she is. The contrast between to two timelines and Madeline's life to her life then and her parent's still living that way. Family, relationships and ambition are integral to the story, there are a lot of emotional moments and likely triggers because of some of the themes within the book. I know that is vague but to mention them would be spoilers and we don't do spoilers here.

I think if you grew up with financial difficulties the book might hit a wee bit differently to someone who has never had money worries or grew up in that type of environment. I also think how you respond to Madeline will again depend on how your financials were/are.

I really liked it, a lot of food for thought and although I did not like Madeline nor a lot of her choices, I get it. The book is a lot of actions/consequences and the ripples they can have not just on the person but everyone around them. I think the reason we like Prowse's stories so much is it lets you escape your life for a wee bit and delve into others. Whether you like the characters or not you become invested and encapsulated quickly even if the story starts as a slow burner, 4/5. Out to buy Jan 7th 2025.

Up until recently I've really enjoyed Amanda Prowse's books but the last couple not so much. This One Life is a case in point. Madeleine the main character is so self centred it is really difficult to find anything likeable about her. Nothing wrong with that if it works for the narrative however her negatives are emphasized and nauseam. We get it! The repetition of this and other key facts made a fairly simplistic story longer than it needed to be to get it's point across. Another gripe for me is when authors get their facts wrong. It is repeated frequently that Madeleine is 24 weeks/7 months when she first discovers she is pregnant. I was a midwife for many years and no way does a 24 week pregnancy equate to 7 months! Even a simple Google search will put you right on this one. Definitely not as enjoyable as her earlier books.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy. All opinions are my own.

A lovely read from Amanda. I have read quite a few of her books and she never disappoints. It tells of story of Madeleine who aspires to be a rich businesswoman and have it all without realising that she misses the life she left behind her.

This book follows Madeline as she grapples with her inner conflict around pursuing the life she wants and obligations towards her family. I’m sure the heartfelt message of this book will resonate with so many women, with many of us familiar with the tension that arises when we try to be too many things to too many people, neglecting ourselves in the process.

I love Amanda Prowse books and how she connects to her readers through shared experiences and real life situations I can relate to.

This book explores how life can sometimes throw us curve balls and what we had planned may have to change or be but on hold

Madeline grew up in a loving family from a working class background but she has ambition to have a more glamorous lifestyle. Faced with an unexpected pregnancy she has to make difficult decisions about her future.

I felt for Madeline but admired how brave she was to choose the best road ahead for herself, (something I definitely would struggle with) Being an outsider in her family and child’s life made me feel sad for her but with time I was glad she realised the importance of her loved ones and she could build a relationship with them again.

As we get older we realise the important things in life , money, material possessions and career may take over our lives but it’s the human connections which are what really matter and this book explores this in a very easy to read way. Life is short and living the best possible one is something that prevails throughout this beautiful thought provoking book,

I received a free copy of, This One Life, by Amanda Prowse, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Its always hard to put ourselves first, specially when family demand they come first. Madeleine is finally in a place she wants to be, but then her mom needs her,does she really want to be pulled back into the family fold. Going back and forth was a little confusing, a nice read though.

Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the ARC

I'M SO HAPPY FOR THIS ARC! I simply love Amanda Prowse and her books! She never fails to write heart-clenching stories. She writes such good relationships, not only romantic but familiar. Whenever you read one of her books you know you'll be on an emotional roller coaster. This was nothing different. Deep-felt, fleshed out characters and packed with emotions. Loved every second of it.

Wow, what an incredible read this was. I was captivated from the beginning, completely taken in by the mesmerising characters and addictive plot. From the blurb I was not too sure how the plot was going to unfold so I started this with an open mind and found myself surprised by the plot direction and the complexity of the plot. There is a lot more to this book than I imagined and it made for enticing reading.
Without spoiling it, this plot is incredibly emotional, full of sadness, love and most of all hope. This read has an important message running throughout and it was conveyed beautifully. All of this was improved by the wonderful, realistic characters that Prowse has created. 'This One Life' is a remarkable, special read that will stay with me for a long time.
Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for an advance copy.

Usually an Amanda Prowse read is quite emotional. Not this one. I found the main character Madeleine so irritating and unlikeable that I just didn’t care what happened to her. It was readable but not my favourite by her.

3.5 Stars

I really enjoy Amanda Prowse's books. Picking up the Pieces, Very Very Lucky and All Good Things were either a four or five star read for me. This book sends the message you only get one life so live it the way that makes you happiest. I like the way the author got the message across without being preachy.

Madeline was a character that was really hard for me to like and I understood what the author was trying to do, not everyone indeed wants to live a traditional life and women are often scorned for not wanting it but sometimes life has other ideas and throws a monkey wrench into our best-laid plans. I also felt this was a book about motherhood and all its inclinations but mostly mother-daughter relationships The one Madeline has with her own mom is complicated beyond measure even though Madeline has an expensive apartment, a great job in the big city, and will be trying to get her own business off the ground in the near future she has a lot of growing up to do and I enjoyed being on that Journey with her. As she grew up she grew on me. What feels right for one person isn't always right for another.

While this isn't my favourite book by the author, I was very pleased with the story's ending and that she didn't fall into the trap of the happily-ever-after nuclear family...I was so here for it. The epilogue was a tad predictable but I'm glad Madeline wisened up and decided to earn her place in her special family.

I have mixed feeling about this novel. The writing is well-crafted, and the storyline is emotionally evocative. However, the protagonist is portrayed as selfish and lacking any flexibility in seeing anyone else’s viewpoint but her own. I had difficulty relating to her and found her unlikeable. I almost quit reading at the halfway point but set it aside for a few days and was able to finish. I am glad I did as there was a major shift that, and while it felt rushed, ended the story on a positive note.

This is a story that explores a complex character blinded by her own ambition and ignorant to the impact her attitudes and behaviors on those she loves. In her attempts to rise above her working-class parents, she creates a persona that matches her vision of success at the expense of authenticity and intimacy. The dysfunctional relationship with her mother added to the angst. Her redeeming quality is her insight in seeking therapy for her own discontent, which leads to a breakthrough.

Overall, this was not an enjoyable read and I cannot give it a strong recommendation.

My thanks to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the privilege of reviewing this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This review is being posted immediately to my GoodReads account and will be posted on Amazon upon publication.

This was a bit of slow starter for me but gradually it gripped me.
Edith-Madeline (Madeline) grew up in a humble household but she wanted more.
As she progresses, she puts her previous life on the back burner, rarely visiting her past and trying to live the highlife, full filling her dream job.
But an incident accurs and Madeline has to accept the past and try to move forward.
Amanda has written in a way that you may well despise Madeline and her snobby attitude.

This One Life is a reflection on ambition and what happens when life derails your ambition. Madeleine has spent her professional career trying to rise up from the humble background to get the "fancy pants" life she feels like she would prefer. But life never fully goes the way we fully intend. When life interrupts her quest for perfection, she starts to feel a pull back to those humble roots and the people she left behind. I did really enjoy Madeleine; it would be so easy for her to be unlikeable, but I felt a kinship and recognition with her and her desires, and the author was careful not to make her a villain of her own tricky story. I enjoyed this story of friendship, career, family and all the choices we have to make to make each one count.

Madeline is striving for the perfect life, one very different than her upbringing. She unexpectedly becomes pregnant and makes choices that she feels will be best for her. Living life on the outskirts of her daughter, her family and friends. As she is about to leave for the US, her mom falls ill, and she comes back in contact with her estranged best friend. We have just one life to live, sometimes we don't see it, but hopefully we eventually come around to realize that it isn't perfect, but it is short.
A truly heartfelt story that is a definite must read. I was given an advanced reader copy of this book from NetGalley, and this is my honest review.

Great book. I would read another book this author. Great plot development and good characters. I could Not put this book down

Madeline has what looks like a fantastic life until something from her past catches up with her. This is a very emotional story, exactly as I expected from this author with fabulous characters

Prowse really made me think about my choices as a woman with This One Life. I enjoyed this title more than others that she has written. I think I related to it better. It was entertaining and something I want to discuss with friends when they have the chance to read it. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Well as usual Amanda has done it again, a beautiful story with wonderful characters that will stay in my heart for always, loved every page, didn't want it to end

At the start, it looks like Madeline has the perfect life but as the story continues, her past catches up and we get the full picture and it’s not that ideal, it’s a charming emotional story that will have you reaching out for tissues in places and smiling in others. . A perfect book for a rainy day where you can keep reading to the end.

Women’s fiction and romance readers will love This One Life. This was such a wonderful heartwarming story that will forever be in your heart.