And to my beloved AC, for all the Manhattans, notes of encouragement, beautiful flowers and daily menu of delicious meals while I was on deadline. Thank you for so many good things!

Much of this novel was written during the three national COVID lockdowns, and I have never been more grateful for the beauty of nature, which gave me so much comfort and joy. During this period, I was lucky to spend time in the Yorkshire Dales, a part of the world that is very close to my heart; in many ways this novel is a love letter to the Dales and to my dad, who would tell anyone that would listen that he lived in paradise. Nettlewick is a fictional village, but the dramatic landscape, beauty of the seasons and warmth of the people is very real.

Finally, I was inspired to write this book after adopting Elton, our dog, from Bosnia and witnessing first-hand the difference a dog can make, not only to my own life, but to the lives of other people. So I would like to give a huge thank you to just a few of the wonderful animal rescue charities for all the amazing work they do:

Wild at Heart Foundation @wild_at_heart_foundation

Animal Care Mostar @animals_we_care_mostar

Alamos Dog Foundation @alamosdogfoundation

And last but not least to Elton, for being the best canine companion an author could have; this one’s for you.

One Good Thing

Alexandra Potter is the bestselling author of numerous romantic comedy fiction novels in the UK, including Confessions of a Forty-Something F##k Up and One Good Thing. These titles have sold in twenty-two territories and achieved worldwide sales of more than one million copies (making the bestseller charts in the UK, Germany, Czech Republic, Slovenia and Serbia). Yorkshire born and raised, Alexandra lived for several years in LA before settling in London with her Californian husband and their Bosnian rescue dog. When she’s not writing or travelling, she’s getting out into nature, trying not to look at her phone and navigating this thing called mid-life.

Also by Alexandra Potter

What’s New, Pussycat?

Going La La

Calling Romeo

Do You Come Here Often

Be Careful What You Wish For

Me and Mr Darcy

Who’s That Girl?

You’re The One That I Don’t Want

Don’t You Forget About Me

The Love Detective

Love From Paris

Confessions of a Forty-Something F##k Up

First published 2022 by Macmillan

This electronic edition first published 2022 by Macmillan

an imprint of Pan Macmillan

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ISBN 978-1-5290-2289-6