Good Things

by Christy Diegel

After nearly ten years, Lauren and Mick Archer’s seemingly ideal marriage has come to a sad and bitter end. Days before the divorce is final and they can announce the news to their family and friends, Mick unexpectedly dies. Now Lauren, a perpetual people-pleaser, finds herself playing the role of the grieving widow – especially for the Archer family, who thought Lauren and Mick were the perfect couple.
A year later, during a weekend getaway to upper Michigan, Lauren meets actor Danny O’Leary. They share an instant connection and begin a long-distance relationship. Eventually, they spend more and more time together, as Lauren shows Danny around her hometown of Toledo, Ohio and he introduces her to his life in New York City. While their feelings for each other grow stronger, Lauren deals with the guilt instilled by her icy, impossible-to-please former mother-in-law, Maura, who seems to want Lauren to remain faithful to her son, even after his death.
When a shocking secret is revealed, Lauren is shaken to her core as long-buried, painful memories come back to haunt her. As she struggles to deal with her past, Lauren must also look to the future, decide if she’s willing to risk her heart again and believe that she does, in fact, deserve good things in her life.

289 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 24, 2025

Reviews

[Peggy LaZette · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great love story with some heartache

I re-read this book for our bookclub pick. Loved it the first time but I compare this to my goulash, I love it the first day but it’s even better the next day. That’s how I feel about this book. I just love the story. The family issues & the guilt and the character finding herself and all the “Good Things” that come out of her journey.

[Talia Breier · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. As someone who has struggled with infertility issues, this book spoke to me. The thoughts that Lauren had, were ones I definitely related to and had thought myself. It is refreshing to read things that had only been in my head and hadn’t voiced aloud to anyone, not even family or close friends. Reading them took me back to that time in my life and to realize how far I have come in my own personal journey. It brought the tears, but also a sense of relief that I am not alone. Other woman have gone through this and will go through this and I really don’t think it’s talked about enough. This is why I love reading, especially female authors. They just get it. Of course I loved the romance aspect of the book as well. Very cute, laughed, swooned a bit, and kicked my feet in joy over it. Well done!

[Stacey Webb]

This book warmed my heart in a way I wasn’t expecting. I laughed and cried and felt so connected to Lauren, the main character. This book will bring you joy and is the perfect cozy read that will remind you to look at all of the good things in your life and will leave you with a smile on your face.

[Tisha Augustyniak · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved every moment of reading this book. This is definitely an “uplit” book that will make you love, love, and all the “good things” that come with it. There are many interesting settings that shape the book and characters. The book also surprises the readers with some surprising plot twists. It has earned the rarely given 5 stars from me.

[Nicole Diegel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. The real life situations in this book felt so real that I laughed and cried with the characters. Lauren and Danny are my favorite 🥰

[Erin Cullum · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great story!! At first, I thought this book was going to be a pretty straight-forward love story. Then, a main character dies. The story becomes more complicated (in an interesting way) and new characters are introduced. The characters and the setting make this story so memorable. Even when you think you know what's going to happen a second time, you're thrown for a loop. You will root for Lauren! I'm clamoring for a sequel!!

[Michelle Fairchild · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a good read I couldn’t put it down!

[Heidi]

Loved it!