One Thing Better: An Anxious Feel Good Romance in Bloomington, MN

"A complex and hugely satisfying contemporary romance between genuine, flawed people."
-
Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
"This might be one of my favorite books of the year... Every character in this book is lovable and you create a connection to each character to where you don't want to let go of them."
Reedsy Discovery
A feel-good story of love and reinvention at the worst time...
Lena Buckley's not like other people
-ones with awesome careers, relationships, and health insurance. She's thirty-five and has nothing to show for it but a dilapidated family farm and an anxiety disorder worsened by her mother's 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 has his life together.
A disabled army veteran and local cop, Ben's the type to have all the required insurance, health or otherwise. A chance encounter brings them together, and he shows unexpected kindness. His help continues when a mutual acquaintance unites them again. Though he's hard to read and not one for chitchat, an odd but endearing friendship builds on the one thing they have in common-brokenness. Their unique hardships help forge a deep connection that makes everything better.
But reality supports what her anxiety tells her-good things don't last. When the COVID-19 pandemic steals her few opportunities and her home verges on unlivable, she must choose between love and survival.