A heartwarming story of love and reinvention at the worst time...

Lena Buckley's not like other thirty-five-year-olds—ones with awesome careers, relationships, and health insurance. Not that she doesn't want those things. But after her bakery failed and her ex deemed her unlovable, she has nothing to show for her life but a dilapidated family farm and an anxiety disorder worsened by her mother's long illness and recent death.

Starting over, again, means major decisions ahead, so she relies on the simple mantra that kept her going during her mom's care—make one thing better—hoping it leads to the successful, independent life she wants.

Ben Wright knows about second chances. A disabled army veteran and local cop, he copes with war injuries that have left him scarred and hearing impaired. He's a loner, anyway, hard to read and not one for chitchat. Still, he embodies the stability Lena struggles to find while she offers him the warmth and openness he's been missing. After two chance encounters, he keeps showing up, not just to help her but to know her better. Connected by their brokenness, he sees her as she is and somehow likes her anyway—acceptance she's never had before and doubts she can keep.

But reality supports what her anxiety tells her—good things don't last. When she loses her few opportunities and her home verges on unlivable, she must choose between love and survival.

One Thing Better is a warm, funny, and, best of all, honest first person love story featuring broken people and a delightful better-ever-after.

Trigger Warning: This story is set during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"A complex and hugely satisfying contemporary romance between genuine, flawed people." ~ Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

"...a moving story that everyone needs to read and learn from." ~ Reedsy Discovery

"...beautiful, captivating and utterly brilliant." ~ Amazon Reviewer

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "WOWWWWW! I'm literally speechless over this book."

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "This book was real! An honest story with heartwarming love and genuine friendships."

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "It's a wonderful story of finding self love and being your own biggest supporter while also learning to let others love you for who you are - good or bad.... Will forever recommend. 🫶🏻"

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Absolutely loved this book!!! The slow burn between Lena and Ben was the sweetest thing ever... If you love romance, slow burn, heart warming and funny, choose this book!"

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "If you read one book this year, make sure it's ONE THING BETTER... beautiful, captivating and utterly brilliant."

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "For romance One Thing Better is my best read so far this 2023."

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "It's not just a story about two people finding love, it's a story about two people learning to love and accept themselves."

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Ben might be one of my top 5 favorite book boyfriends."

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Easily one of the best books I have read this year... The novel is very well written, paced nicely, laugh out loud funny in parts, heartwarming and touching in others."

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "This book hit home for me in a lot of ways. I truly loved it."