One Good Thing

by Lily Maxton, Lauren Davis (Reader)

Danielle is fresh out of college and should be ready to face the world, but she's terrified of failing, both in her life and in love. Everything feels safe, from her boring starter job to her tiny, depressing apartment—that is until she meets Evan, the coworker who pokes all of her buttons in all of the right ways. He's cute, sweet, and self-assured and has a way of seeing the brave, sarcastic woman underneath her worries. He also has a way of getting her into the most compromising positions…in the most unlikely places. As their work email heats up, their relationship moves from friends with benefits to more than just benefits. But, like all fledgling couples, they'll have to overcome a few obstacles on their way to their happily ever after, including evil German shepherds, boomerang ex-boyfriends, scheming coworkers, and company parties gone awry. Fall head over heels for this standalone new adult contemporary romance, and see how your life can change when you finally find that One Good Thing .

Genres: New Adult, Romance, Contemporary Romance

MP3 CD

First published August 18, 2015

About the author

Lily Maxton grew up in the Midwest, reading, writing, and daydreaming amidst cornfields. After graduating with a degree in English, she decided to put her natural inclinations to good use and embark on a career as a writer.

When she’s not working on a new story, she likes to tour old houses, add to her tea stash, and think of reasons to avoid housework.

Reviews

[Marla Mei · Rating 2 out of 5]

There were things that I liked but there were more that bothered and ticked me off.

1.) The girl just can't make up her mind!!! I didn't like how she's so adamant on stringing along the guy even though it's obvious how smitten he is with her.

2.) Honestly, I don't get what the guy sees in the girl. She's moody, fickle and will get mad for no reason. It's like she's having PMS 24/7/365. SO ANNOYING.

3.) The fast transition from lust to love. It was so out of the blue, in my opinion.

Good thing there were some swoony moments or else...

[Mary Shreffler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dani is out of college, mom wants her to be her assistant vet, but Dani really wants to try "on her own". She land a job has working friends and best of all, Evan. Evan pushes the buttons and finds Dani in every unforseen predicament. Which leads to spending time together and falling in love

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Lily Maxton's historical romance series Sisters of Scandal, so I jumped at the chance to read her latest, a contemporary romance. I was not disappointed--Ms. Maxton's trademark sense of humor shines in her modern story as well as in her historicals. I found myself laughing out loud again and again, highlighting bits that particularly amused me so I could go back to them later and giggle again.

I'd just made a complete and utter fool of myself in front of him. Again. If all the ways I looked like an idiot in front of Evan were baseball, I'd be running toward home plate. Well, let's be real...I'd probably be crawling toward home plate because I'd done a face-plant along the way.

Oh, Dani--I so hear you. And not just because I probably tripped over my own shoelaces before I even dropped the bat.

If I remembered to drop the bat, that is.

Anyway...(ahem).

One Good Thing was as adorable as it was entertaining. Dani's journey to become an adult was fraught with all kinds of uncertainty and feelings of inadequacy.

"You're both mature adults."

Evan might have been. I didn't feel much like a mature adult, more like a fish flopping around on the dry beach of adulthood.

She majored in art, but can't find a job related to art to save her life. In fact, she hasn't been able to paint in months--and painting was always something that gave her joy. She's sleeping on a couch at her BFF's apartment, and settling for a comfortable boyfriend instead of taking a risk on a more real relationship.

Until her boyfriend dumps her (but at least he helps her get a job first...nothing in her chosen field, but at least she's got an income at last) and she finds out that the guy she accidentally flashed in the park (with some help from his German shepherd) is her coworker. And--gosh darn it--she's attracted to him. Really attracted to him. But it's too early to get involved with someone new, right? And maybe workplace romances aren't the best idea?

No one had mentioned anything about coworker relationships, but maybe that was just one of those glaring things you were expected to know not to do. Like no one posted up warnings about not arriving at work naked but it was pretty much understood that it was a really bad idea.

I did mention there was an awful lot of giggling and highlighting while I was reading this... :)

Dani and Evan were an adorable couple from start to finish. Don't get me wrong, Dani was a whole lot of work--her self-doubt and feelings of inadequacy had me frustrated at times, though it really fit well with both her personality and where she was in her life, there were points in the book where I wanted to smack her upside the head. Evan, fortunately, has both the patience of a saint and knew when and how to give her the nudge that she needed, whether she wanted it at the time or not. Their black moment wasn't pretty, but Dani makes up for it in the end.

And the epilogue is from Evan's POV--bonus adorbs!

I think it's official--if Ms. Maxton writes it, I will read ;)

Rating: 4 stars / A-

I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Maria Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this new adult romance, Dani is content in her safe relationship with her boyfriend Drew and is happy to accept a job at his father's company. But when she finds out her co-worker Evan is none other than the handsome guy who seems to catch her at her most embarrassing moments, including an unceremonial dumping by the man she thought she'd end up marrying, she wishes she could do anything to avoid him. The fact that he sparks strong reactions in her scares her as she doesn't like to do things that take her out of her comfort zone. But being with Evan brings out more than just fear, and as they spend time together, she realizes that their unorthodox friendship could be the start of something even better, if she'd just let go and let live a little.

I really enjoyed this story. I thought it was a very realistic portrayal of a young woman in an uncertain relationship to start (one with boomerang potential), with a new job and an attraction to a co-worker that she doesn't want. It's told in her voice from first person point of view, and she sometimes comes across as cold and sarcastic (and she knows it) which are really fronts for a deep grief she feels from the loss of her father, the loss that taught her that it's safer to stay closed off then to risk real emotions in a relationship. While her relationship with her boyfriend deteriorates fairly quickly into the story (there is no cheating) it's her increasing attraction to Evan who alternately frustrates and entices her that makes her question everything about her life. Evan comes across as a fun, friendly, sweet and patient guy. The development of their friendship and eventual relationship moved at a smooth pace and led to some steamy scenes between them. There is a bit of angst but it's minimal, and the end is a satisfying happy one for the couple. And I loved having the epilogue from Evan's point of view! 4 stars.

Note: a copy of this story was provided by the publisher for review.

[Danica is Booked · Rating 3 out of 5]

My Rating: 3 out of 5 stars.

Disclaimers: I received a copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion. I was not obligated to write a good review nor did I receive any compensation for writing this review.

Why did I decide to turn the pages? It looked cute.

My Overall Thoughts/Impressions: I didn't go in with super high expectations. I expected the book to be a fun, cute read that was quick but didn't leave a long-lasting impression. That's what I got.

The book was funny and did make me smile and laugh, but it wasn't super deep.

I did, however, really like Evan's character. He was funny and I thought he was a hoot to read about.

I thought the dynamic between them was realistic and fun. However, I read a book with pretty much the same plot mere days later, and I enjoyed that one more (Neanderthal Seeks Human).

Having said that, I'd still recommend this one. It was fun and fans of the genre should enjoy it.

Major Strengths: Cute, fun read.

Major Weaknesses: Predictable.

So why 3 stars? It was an average book, but I enjoyed it.

Warnings/Side-notes: For 17+ for sexual references meant for older audiences.

The Wrap-up: An enjoyable, fun read but not one that particularly stood out.

Love,

Danica Page

[Rummy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I dare you to not fall in love with Evan! The chemistry between Dani and Evan is some of the best I've ever read. This is the kind of romance novel that reminds keeps you up late at night so you can read just one more chapter.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley.