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The Good News Gazette
‘A five-star read that will warm your soul…This story shows us there is warmth in the world and it’s just so positive it can’t help but make you smile’‘Uplifting and empowering…a stpry about friendship, love and finding the bright side of life’ Debbie JohnsonNine years ago, Zoe Taylor returned from London to the quiet hamlet of Westholme with her tail between her legs and a bun in the oven. Where once her job as a journalist saw her tearing off to Paris at a moment’s notice after a lead, now the single mum covers the local news desk. At least, she did…until she’s unceremoniously let go.When Zoe invites her friends over to commiserate, wine and whining soon turns into something more… and before the night is out she’s plotted her next The Good News Gazette.Now, as a developer threatens to force Westholme into the twenty-first century, Zoe’s good news movement finds her leading a covert campaign as a community crusader. She may have started The Good News Gazette as a way to save herself, but she might just be able to save Westholme in the process…Readers love The Good News ‘A wonderful, lighthearted novel…I loved it!’‘Oh my, I needed this book!! This was heart-warming and uplifting, and one of those fun reads where you just don't want to put it down!!’‘A good, hopeful story that I loved reading’‘Really heart-warming and uplifting…I couldn’t stop laughing’‘Absolutely joyous…The sense of community and friendship that runs throughout is just lovely!!!’‘Just the book I needed at the moment…Uplifting, happy,feel good and life-affirming’‘Beautiful, comforting, feel good read!! Real curl up on the sofa stuff!’
384 pages, Paperback
Published June 21, 2023
32 people are currently reading
269 people want to read
About the author
Jessie Wells
3 books19 followersJessie Wells lives with her husband and two children in Merseyside. She has always written in some form, and previously worked as a journalist on the Liverpool Echo and Sunday Mirror and as a freelancer for various national women's magazines and newspapers before moving into finance. She loves nothing more than getting lost in her imaginary worlds, which are largely filled with romance, communities bursting with character and a large dose of positivity.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews
November 6, 2022
Zoe Taylor is a single mother and a journalist at the local newspaper in Westholme. When she is made redundant, she doesn’t know what to do with herself. Being a journalist is all she has ever done. But, whilst at the newspaper, all she did was write about depressing news. So, she has an idea to find the good news of Westholme and start The Good News Gazette.
At first it was a struggle and the local residents on social media weren’t that much forthcoming. But when she hears of the plan that a local parade of shops is going to be demolished and a new supermarket is to be put in its place. She starts a campaign with the residents of Westholme to save them.
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of ‘The Good News Gazette’. When I first got a copy of this book, I thought that it was going to be just another typical rom com. But I was quite surprised. This is a heart-warming tale, with a sense of community, helping others, problems with relationships and gangs in the community. The characters were great and also had a bit of humour in it too. All in all, a great feel-good book to curl up with. 4 stars from me.
At first it was a struggle and the local residents on social media weren’t that much forthcoming. But when she hears of the plan that a local parade of shops is going to be demolished and a new supermarket is to be put in its place. She starts a campaign with the residents of Westholme to save them.
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of ‘The Good News Gazette’. When I first got a copy of this book, I thought that it was going to be just another typical rom com. But I was quite surprised. This is a heart-warming tale, with a sense of community, helping others, problems with relationships and gangs in the community. The characters were great and also had a bit of humour in it too. All in all, a great feel-good book to curl up with. 4 stars from me.
December 21, 2022
3.5★s
The Good News Gazette is the first novel by British author and former journalist, Jessie Wells. Made redundant after nine years at the Northern News, Zoe Taylor has an eight-year-old son to support, a house, a run-down car and a significant debt to service: once the redundancy package runs out, she will need work.
Her best friends have some ideas, but the best one, after reflecting on how negatively her last employer represented their town, is to start a paper reporting only positive things about Westholme. She’ll call it The Good News Gazette, and rope her former colleague Ollie in to help.
The online response to articles she posts is good, and tips on lots of positive stories see her following up on a Football Academy for troubled boys, Meals for Mums, volunteer gardeners beautifying the run down Westholme Parade shopping precinct, Salsa Classes and a Book Club.
But a shocking proposal to bulldoze The Westholme Parade and build a supermarket threaten to derail all their good news. Before she knows it, she’s campaigning against the development, arranging a festival and trying to convince the local council to reject the application. At the same time, even though Zoe has maintained that there is no room for romance in her life, two possible candidates begin paying her attention.
This is a story that showcases how a town can overcome the negative image the press paints. Zoe’s narrative is supplemented with comments from the Westholme Community Facebook page, which reflect the mood of the town, and reactions to events as they occur. While the plot is a little predictable, a few small twists keep the pages turning until the resolution.
It’s a little surprising that a protagonist who is a university-educated journalist so often errs in the use of “I” and “me”. Or is that due to poor editing? Also, floor and ground are not the same thing. A nice enough feel-good tale.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Harper Collins UK.
The Good News Gazette is the first novel by British author and former journalist, Jessie Wells. Made redundant after nine years at the Northern News, Zoe Taylor has an eight-year-old son to support, a house, a run-down car and a significant debt to service: once the redundancy package runs out, she will need work.
Her best friends have some ideas, but the best one, after reflecting on how negatively her last employer represented their town, is to start a paper reporting only positive things about Westholme. She’ll call it The Good News Gazette, and rope her former colleague Ollie in to help.
The online response to articles she posts is good, and tips on lots of positive stories see her following up on a Football Academy for troubled boys, Meals for Mums, volunteer gardeners beautifying the run down Westholme Parade shopping precinct, Salsa Classes and a Book Club.
But a shocking proposal to bulldoze The Westholme Parade and build a supermarket threaten to derail all their good news. Before she knows it, she’s campaigning against the development, arranging a festival and trying to convince the local council to reject the application. At the same time, even though Zoe has maintained that there is no room for romance in her life, two possible candidates begin paying her attention.
This is a story that showcases how a town can overcome the negative image the press paints. Zoe’s narrative is supplemented with comments from the Westholme Community Facebook page, which reflect the mood of the town, and reactions to events as they occur. While the plot is a little predictable, a few small twists keep the pages turning until the resolution.
It’s a little surprising that a protagonist who is a university-educated journalist so often errs in the use of “I” and “me”. Or is that due to poor editing? Also, floor and ground are not the same thing. A nice enough feel-good tale.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Harper Collins UK.
October 26, 2022
Just the book I needed at the moment…..I really couldn’t have chosen a better read
Zoe is in a slump,she’s happy enough,just but feels she fails in a lot of areas and so when life comes calling again at her door she decides to start up ‘The Good News Gazette’ for her local town,but is there any good news to share?,will anyone be interested? Can she drum up any support for this venture? She has difficulty at first in all of these areas and then the news the local Shopping Centre is to be demolished to make way for a mega supermarket seems to just make her job even more difficult……..but with determination and a new love interest and the rallying of townsfolk maybe just maybe she can make a difference
Uplifting,happy,feelgood and life affirming I really did enjoy this book and what it gave to me as a reader,well written and engaging and would be difficult not to fall into its charms tbh 😎
Zoe is in a slump,she’s happy enough,just but feels she fails in a lot of areas and so when life comes calling again at her door she decides to start up ‘The Good News Gazette’ for her local town,but is there any good news to share?,will anyone be interested? Can she drum up any support for this venture? She has difficulty at first in all of these areas and then the news the local Shopping Centre is to be demolished to make way for a mega supermarket seems to just make her job even more difficult……..but with determination and a new love interest and the rallying of townsfolk maybe just maybe she can make a difference
Uplifting,happy,feelgood and life affirming I really did enjoy this book and what it gave to me as a reader,well written and engaging and would be difficult not to fall into its charms tbh 😎
December 12, 2022
A feel-good read!
Zoe Taylor always had big plans for her career, but an unexpected pregnancy sent her scurrying home with her tail between her legs. These days she is single mum to an eight-year old and a job on the local newspaper. Life isn't perfect, but she gets by with the help of her parents. Then disaster strikes when she loses her job. Calling on her friends for support, they infuse her with excitement about setting up her own local newspaper covering only happy stories - and The Good News Gazette is born!
This is an entertaining tale with lots going on; there is always something different popping up to keep the reader glued to the pages, eager to find out what's next. I loved the characters and the storyline but do have to confess to being a bit disappointed in the ending, but I notice that this is the first in a series so perhaps there is more to come? As it stands, for me this gets 4*.
Zoe Taylor always had big plans for her career, but an unexpected pregnancy sent her scurrying home with her tail between her legs. These days she is single mum to an eight-year old and a job on the local newspaper. Life isn't perfect, but she gets by with the help of her parents. Then disaster strikes when she loses her job. Calling on her friends for support, they infuse her with excitement about setting up her own local newspaper covering only happy stories - and The Good News Gazette is born!
This is an entertaining tale with lots going on; there is always something different popping up to keep the reader glued to the pages, eager to find out what's next. I loved the characters and the storyline but do have to confess to being a bit disappointed in the ending, but I notice that this is the first in a series so perhaps there is more to come? As it stands, for me this gets 4*.
November 29, 2022
Just in case my review leaves you in any doubt (and I do hope it won’t!), I thought this book was absolutely fantastic – in fact, I’ll say upfront that it’s going to be one of my books of the year. It promised to be feel good fiction – I picked it up at lunchtime, finished it the same evening, having laughed, cried, made new friends, and rooted every step of the way for its wonderful heroine. And when I put it down, and reluctantly had to leave the Westholme community, my first thought was “that was absolutely perfect”.
I took Zoe to my heart from the very beginning – a single mother just doing her best and frequently falling short, her life going particularly pear-shaped when she loses her job on the news desk of The Northern News. Ok, it was never the best job in the world – she was on the path to greater things when she worked on a national newspaper in London, but had to return to Westholme when she found she was expecting – and the stories she covered were particularly negative and depressing, but it paid the ever-mounting bills. After a heart-to-heart with her closest friends – one of the good things in her life, so supportive but sometimes brutally honest – she decides to take to social media, together with also newly jobless Olly, with the plan that a newspaper might follow, focusing on all the good things about living in Westholme, and calls it The Good News Gazette.
Her posts slowly begins to win people over – despite the questionable comments that follow each post and cleverly end each chapter, bringing a smile – and she finds that there’s (rather unexpectedly) plenty of good news to cover. But Westholme itself isn’t the community it used to be – the gangs from the estate have brought it down, despite the many efforts of individuals there’s very little pride in their surroundings any more, and that’s particularly evident from the neglected state of the local shopping centre. But when plans emerge to demolish it, and to build a large new supermarket in its place taking away the livelihoods of the small shopkeepers and tearing out the heart (however broken) of the community, Zoe finds a cause she really wants to fight for.
Zoe herself is the the most wonderful character at the story’s heart – I loved her unreservedly as she struggled in her personal life, propped up by her fantastic friends, the only thing that ever seems to go right for her being her relationship with her lovely young son. Her money’s running out, her car’s on its last legs, she’ll never be the weekly star at the slimming club – and every new thing she tries makes her feel like a failure. But as she squares up to the developers and finds she has more people in her corner than she could ever have imagined, she finds she’s much stronger than she thinks, and she slowly learns to love herself – and I simply loved seeing her personal transformation. And there’s even a rather lovely tentative romance – football coach Sam (he’s just gorgeous in every way) helps build her son’s confidence, but makes Zoe’s heart beat rather faster too.
Every single member of the supporting cast is beautifully drawn – there are some real characters, and they all have their own lovely stories, both funny and touching. And, of course, there’s a villain – Daniel the developer, who proves to be rather more nuanced than he initially appears as Zoe works to convince him to abandon his plans. Acts of everyday kindness abound – and so many of them really touched my heart. And I loved the focus on friendship and family relationships – her father’s interventions were a particular highlight for me, however misjudged, but there are so many wonderful moments in this book that I’d be here all day if I mentioned every one that touched my heart. The writing is just fantastic – the storytelling is superb, and the whole book just wrapped me up in the warmest of hugs.
Can you tell how much I loved it? I do hope so! And the best news of all is that this book is the first in a planned series of four – I couldn’t be more delighted. Go on, add it to your reading list – I promise you won’t be disappointed, and you might just love it as much as I did…
I took Zoe to my heart from the very beginning – a single mother just doing her best and frequently falling short, her life going particularly pear-shaped when she loses her job on the news desk of The Northern News. Ok, it was never the best job in the world – she was on the path to greater things when she worked on a national newspaper in London, but had to return to Westholme when she found she was expecting – and the stories she covered were particularly negative and depressing, but it paid the ever-mounting bills. After a heart-to-heart with her closest friends – one of the good things in her life, so supportive but sometimes brutally honest – she decides to take to social media, together with also newly jobless Olly, with the plan that a newspaper might follow, focusing on all the good things about living in Westholme, and calls it The Good News Gazette.
Her posts slowly begins to win people over – despite the questionable comments that follow each post and cleverly end each chapter, bringing a smile – and she finds that there’s (rather unexpectedly) plenty of good news to cover. But Westholme itself isn’t the community it used to be – the gangs from the estate have brought it down, despite the many efforts of individuals there’s very little pride in their surroundings any more, and that’s particularly evident from the neglected state of the local shopping centre. But when plans emerge to demolish it, and to build a large new supermarket in its place taking away the livelihoods of the small shopkeepers and tearing out the heart (however broken) of the community, Zoe finds a cause she really wants to fight for.
Zoe herself is the the most wonderful character at the story’s heart – I loved her unreservedly as she struggled in her personal life, propped up by her fantastic friends, the only thing that ever seems to go right for her being her relationship with her lovely young son. Her money’s running out, her car’s on its last legs, she’ll never be the weekly star at the slimming club – and every new thing she tries makes her feel like a failure. But as she squares up to the developers and finds she has more people in her corner than she could ever have imagined, she finds she’s much stronger than she thinks, and she slowly learns to love herself – and I simply loved seeing her personal transformation. And there’s even a rather lovely tentative romance – football coach Sam (he’s just gorgeous in every way) helps build her son’s confidence, but makes Zoe’s heart beat rather faster too.
Every single member of the supporting cast is beautifully drawn – there are some real characters, and they all have their own lovely stories, both funny and touching. And, of course, there’s a villain – Daniel the developer, who proves to be rather more nuanced than he initially appears as Zoe works to convince him to abandon his plans. Acts of everyday kindness abound – and so many of them really touched my heart. And I loved the focus on friendship and family relationships – her father’s interventions were a particular highlight for me, however misjudged, but there are so many wonderful moments in this book that I’d be here all day if I mentioned every one that touched my heart. The writing is just fantastic – the storytelling is superb, and the whole book just wrapped me up in the warmest of hugs.
Can you tell how much I loved it? I do hope so! And the best news of all is that this book is the first in a planned series of four – I couldn’t be more delighted. Go on, add it to your reading list – I promise you won’t be disappointed, and you might just love it as much as I did…
December 2, 2022
We all need a bit of sunshine in our lives – particularly on these long, cold winter nights – so allow me to introduce a book that’s all about the power of positivity – The Good News Gazette!
When Zoe is made redundant she makes a life-changing decision to only look to the good, and use her journalistic skills to launch a newspaper that’s all about good news. This leads her down avenues that she’d never previously considered and challenges her to make a leap of faith on behalf of her community and herself. Could this lead to a happy ending all round?
I really enjoyed this book that was full to the brim with positivity and community spirit – that’s not to say that there aren’t some downs for Zoe as she tries to help the people in her town save their shopping centre from the threat of demolition, but by not wallowing in what’s going wrong in her life and her community, Zoe is able to create something good and worthwhile.
The setting and characters were incredibly vivid and this was backed up with extracts from the local Facebook group – I’m sure we have all seen some of these random and naysaying comments that Jessie Wells has included!
A really good read and, as I’ve said, chock-full of the power of positivity – very much recommended.
When Zoe is made redundant she makes a life-changing decision to only look to the good, and use her journalistic skills to launch a newspaper that’s all about good news. This leads her down avenues that she’d never previously considered and challenges her to make a leap of faith on behalf of her community and herself. Could this lead to a happy ending all round?
I really enjoyed this book that was full to the brim with positivity and community spirit – that’s not to say that there aren’t some downs for Zoe as she tries to help the people in her town save their shopping centre from the threat of demolition, but by not wallowing in what’s going wrong in her life and her community, Zoe is able to create something good and worthwhile.
The setting and characters were incredibly vivid and this was backed up with extracts from the local Facebook group – I’m sure we have all seen some of these random and naysaying comments that Jessie Wells has included!
A really good read and, as I’ve said, chock-full of the power of positivity – very much recommended.
October 15, 2022
I received a free copy of, The Good News Gazette, by Jessie Wells, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Zoey is bored, so she decides to start The Good News Gazette, which so much bad in the world, she wants to highlight only good news. Westholme is quiet a busy town, according to their facebook page. A found this book to be a bit too gossipy. It was an ok read.
October 5, 2022
Maybe I just really needed something 'feel-good', today, but I read this in one go, on a rainy Sunday and absolutely loved it!
Zoe is a single mum in her 30s, having left a fantastic journalist career in London to raise her son back home in the North of England. She's pootling along working for the local paper, not really feeling the challenge, but employed, nonetheless, until she isn't. Redundancy strikes, which starts the chain of work; a son to feed, house and clothe, a mortgage to pay, bills and debts raising their heads...
After a confab with her two best friends, she ends up drunkenly committing to an idea which ends up changing lives of many in the community.
I thought this was excellently written. It's true that you seem to just hear and read constant streams of bad news, when on social media and when watching the news. Zoe's idea of writing a local paper that just shines the light on the positive in the community was a wonderful idea. You could see the Negative Nellies reading their heads, but she didn't give up, at all.
The back stories of the other characters really gave good shape to the overall story and as a reader, I felt invested in her venture being a success, too!
And, obviously, there is a bit of romance, and I wasn't sure which way her head would turn... (yup, possibly two suitors...) but the end was a perfect, happy end for her, personally, as well as for the story!
Many thanks to Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter, for an ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.
Zoe is a single mum in her 30s, having left a fantastic journalist career in London to raise her son back home in the North of England. She's pootling along working for the local paper, not really feeling the challenge, but employed, nonetheless, until she isn't. Redundancy strikes, which starts the chain of work; a son to feed, house and clothe, a mortgage to pay, bills and debts raising their heads...
After a confab with her two best friends, she ends up drunkenly committing to an idea which ends up changing lives of many in the community.
I thought this was excellently written. It's true that you seem to just hear and read constant streams of bad news, when on social media and when watching the news. Zoe's idea of writing a local paper that just shines the light on the positive in the community was a wonderful idea. You could see the Negative Nellies reading their heads, but she didn't give up, at all.
The back stories of the other characters really gave good shape to the overall story and as a reader, I felt invested in her venture being a success, too!
And, obviously, there is a bit of romance, and I wasn't sure which way her head would turn... (yup, possibly two suitors...) but the end was a perfect, happy end for her, personally, as well as for the story!
Many thanks to Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter, for an ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.
December 9, 2022
When I read the synopsis of this book I thought it sounded like a nice, gentle lighthearted read. In many ways I was right, but it’s much more than that too. This genre of book can be great but can also often be a bit too silly and one dimensional – thankfully this was not the case. As I read further into The Good News Gazette I found myself immersed in the story and pleasantly surprised at the depth of emotion and social commentary.
Zoe is a single mum and she works really hard to do the best for her son, often to the detriment of her own wellbeing. She is very self-deprecating and lacking in self-esteem, but as the story develops it becomes clear that she is determined, kind and competent. There are themes of friendship, self esteem, deprivation, weight loss, poverty, gangs, loneliness, relationships, new beginnings, community and collaboration. I love the fact that Zoe’s focus is on spreading good news and as she develops her new venture it brings out the best in both her and her community. I was really invested in the story and wanted everything to work out. I love it when I genuinely care about characters and their stories. The connections and support networks that developed between the characters were really heartwarming.
The pace is steady and there are moments of tension providing a satisfying rhythm. The characters are really well developed, believable and all have backstories that provide a fitting emotional backdrop. I love the stories that Zoe works on, and some of them have really heartbreaking elements such as the new mums meal service. The ending was tied up very neatly and I felt like it was appropriate. The novel is rich with detail and a brilliant mix of highs and lows. I highly recommend the book, to anyone really, especially to anyone who wants a warm, comforting, uplifting read.
Zoe is a single mum and she works really hard to do the best for her son, often to the detriment of her own wellbeing. She is very self-deprecating and lacking in self-esteem, but as the story develops it becomes clear that she is determined, kind and competent. There are themes of friendship, self esteem, deprivation, weight loss, poverty, gangs, loneliness, relationships, new beginnings, community and collaboration. I love the fact that Zoe’s focus is on spreading good news and as she develops her new venture it brings out the best in both her and her community. I was really invested in the story and wanted everything to work out. I love it when I genuinely care about characters and their stories. The connections and support networks that developed between the characters were really heartwarming.
The pace is steady and there are moments of tension providing a satisfying rhythm. The characters are really well developed, believable and all have backstories that provide a fitting emotional backdrop. I love the stories that Zoe works on, and some of them have really heartbreaking elements such as the new mums meal service. The ending was tied up very neatly and I felt like it was appropriate. The novel is rich with detail and a brilliant mix of highs and lows. I highly recommend the book, to anyone really, especially to anyone who wants a warm, comforting, uplifting read.
May 14, 2024
I listened to the audiobook version of The Good News Gazette and I very much enjoyed hearing the story delivered in “Brit speak”. It was a sweet story of single mother Zoe who was living in London lost her job and returned to the hometown of her youth. She started a local newspaper, The Good News Gazette to focus on positivity. She becomes reacquainted with Sam who is the coach of her son’s soccer club and meets Daniel, developer who wants to tear down The Parade (the local shopping area) to build large grocery store. She is attracted to both men—will one of them win her heart? Will The Parade be demolished and the town’s history and traditions along with it?
October 31, 2022
This was the feel good book I needed. If scrolling through the news sites keeps you up at night, this is a book you need to read because it will infuse you with hope for the downtrodden.
Zoe Taylor has just been laid off from her job at the local newspaper after being given her redundancy. Panicked and wondering how in the world she is going to afford to keep her and her son afloat while she looks for a job, she calls her two best friends who console her and convince her to start a newspaper of her own focused on good news, not bad. Zoe takes their advice and ends up finding a lot of good news in her community along with helping spearhead the drive to save the shopping center in town.
I really enjoyed following Zoe's story and her enthusiasm for her town and the good things she knew she would find. The romance was pretty good, I was surprised she ended up with the guy in the end because I really felt she was being pushed toward the villain of the story, but it was still solid. The side characters are all amusing, I definitely want to visit Cath's Caff and enjoy some time chatting with the locals. I think the only thing I didn't care for was the side stories with Zoe's friends and how her friend would randomly call her "chick". Not sure if that's an English expression more than an American one, but it did always feel off reading it.
All in all, this was a good hopeful story that I loved reading.
Zoe Taylor has just been laid off from her job at the local newspaper after being given her redundancy. Panicked and wondering how in the world she is going to afford to keep her and her son afloat while she looks for a job, she calls her two best friends who console her and convince her to start a newspaper of her own focused on good news, not bad. Zoe takes their advice and ends up finding a lot of good news in her community along with helping spearhead the drive to save the shopping center in town.
I really enjoyed following Zoe's story and her enthusiasm for her town and the good things she knew she would find. The romance was pretty good, I was surprised she ended up with the guy in the end because I really felt she was being pushed toward the villain of the story, but it was still solid. The side characters are all amusing, I definitely want to visit Cath's Caff and enjoy some time chatting with the locals. I think the only thing I didn't care for was the side stories with Zoe's friends and how her friend would randomly call her "chick". Not sure if that's an English expression more than an American one, but it did always feel off reading it.
All in all, this was a good hopeful story that I loved reading.
October 13, 2022
If you need a PickMeUp positive feel-good book, then you need to read The Good News Gazette.
What a lovely read!
This was heart-warming and uplifting, and one of those fun reads where you just want to snuggle up and read and read and read till the end.
I absolutely loved it, just the tonic I needed.
Zoe Taylor is such a relatable character - a single mum who moved back to her local town after falling pregnant and her partner not being interested in being a dad.
She's plodding along nicely if not a little disillusioned with her situation and then gets made redundant from her local newspaper as a reporter.
So while she's on gardening leave, she decides to pull up her big girl pants and try to do something for her, for her local community and for her son - she sets up her own newspaper The Good News Gazette to showcase positive stories from her local area.
It made me laugh, it made me sad at times, but it was such a true reflection of life today.
I think many of us post-pandemic are really fed up with all the negative news that dominates newspapers, online media and TV - I would absolutely love to have something like this in my local area showing the great and good of my community.
She gets to know so many wonderful characters Cath who runs the local greasy spoon, Margaret who leads a team of gardening volunteers trying to brighten up the area and also runs meals for mums, Sam who is helping kids by football coaching and giving them something other than petty crime to get into and so many more.
As she gets to know the community, she realises just how many people are doing good things and wants to help these people save their parade from impending doom by a supermarket build.
There's a great sense of community and coming togetherness in this story.
I loved how empowered Zoe became and that she gains so much confidence throughout the launch of the newspaper and her campaign to save the parade.
Her friendship with her two best friends Emma and Beth sounds really similar to mine with my two besties.
A really easy, fun and heartwarming read.
With thanks to NetGalley and One More Chapter for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
What a lovely read!
This was heart-warming and uplifting, and one of those fun reads where you just want to snuggle up and read and read and read till the end.
I absolutely loved it, just the tonic I needed.
Zoe Taylor is such a relatable character - a single mum who moved back to her local town after falling pregnant and her partner not being interested in being a dad.
She's plodding along nicely if not a little disillusioned with her situation and then gets made redundant from her local newspaper as a reporter.
So while she's on gardening leave, she decides to pull up her big girl pants and try to do something for her, for her local community and for her son - she sets up her own newspaper The Good News Gazette to showcase positive stories from her local area.
It made me laugh, it made me sad at times, but it was such a true reflection of life today.
I think many of us post-pandemic are really fed up with all the negative news that dominates newspapers, online media and TV - I would absolutely love to have something like this in my local area showing the great and good of my community.
She gets to know so many wonderful characters Cath who runs the local greasy spoon, Margaret who leads a team of gardening volunteers trying to brighten up the area and also runs meals for mums, Sam who is helping kids by football coaching and giving them something other than petty crime to get into and so many more.
As she gets to know the community, she realises just how many people are doing good things and wants to help these people save their parade from impending doom by a supermarket build.
There's a great sense of community and coming togetherness in this story.
I loved how empowered Zoe became and that she gains so much confidence throughout the launch of the newspaper and her campaign to save the parade.
Her friendship with her two best friends Emma and Beth sounds really similar to mine with my two besties.
A really easy, fun and heartwarming read.
With thanks to NetGalley and One More Chapter for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
November 28, 2022
If there's one thing that I like doing it's discovering new authors. Jessie Wells is certainly a new author for me. I read the synopsis of 'The Good News Gazette' and it certainly sounded like it was the book I was in need of- a light hearted, fun and ultimately uplifting story. Well it was certainly all that and so much more. I absolutely ADORED reading 'The Good News Gazette' but more about that in a bit.
Oh my word, what can I say about this amazing book? As soon as I started reading, I knew that this was one book that would be impossible to put down. My Kindle wasn't exactly glued to my hand but it might as well have been because it travelled everywhere with me. I couldn't bear to miss a single second of the story. I warmed to most of the characters from the start and in fact they began to feel more like friends than characters in a book. I hope that makes sense. I was so desperate for Zoe to succeed in her mission to unite the community and spread happy news rather than sad news that I had to keep reading to see if she succeeded and if she found happiness in her own personal life. I became so wrapped up in the story that I lost all track of time and just how quickly I was getting through the book. All too quickly I reached the end of 'The Good News Gazette' and I had to say goodbye to Zoe and the other residents of Westholme. I found 'The Good News Gazette' to be a delight to read from start to finish. I was gripped by the story and I thoroughly enjoyed every minute.
'The Good News Gazette' is superbly written and then some. Jessie has one of those easy going writing styles that is easy to get used to and easy to get along with. In fact reading this book felt more like a chat between friends rather than reading a book. I hope that makes sense. This story certainly made me chuckle as certain things from the book certainly rang true with real life. One such example is the fact that the local Westholme Facebook group seems to be full of complaints and petty squabbles. I chuckled because the same is so true of my home village Facebook group too. Jessie clearly cares about her characters and this shines through in the very vivid and realistic way in which she describes them. She makes her characters seem just as real as you and I. I loved the way in which Jessie makes the reader feel as though they are part of the story themselves and at the heart of the action. That's how I felt at any rate.
In short, I ADORED reading 'The Good News Gazette' and I wholeheartedly recommend this book to other readers. In fact, 'The Good News Gazette' is one of my top reads for 2022. I will certainly be reading more of Jessie's work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.
Oh my word, what can I say about this amazing book? As soon as I started reading, I knew that this was one book that would be impossible to put down. My Kindle wasn't exactly glued to my hand but it might as well have been because it travelled everywhere with me. I couldn't bear to miss a single second of the story. I warmed to most of the characters from the start and in fact they began to feel more like friends than characters in a book. I hope that makes sense. I was so desperate for Zoe to succeed in her mission to unite the community and spread happy news rather than sad news that I had to keep reading to see if she succeeded and if she found happiness in her own personal life. I became so wrapped up in the story that I lost all track of time and just how quickly I was getting through the book. All too quickly I reached the end of 'The Good News Gazette' and I had to say goodbye to Zoe and the other residents of Westholme. I found 'The Good News Gazette' to be a delight to read from start to finish. I was gripped by the story and I thoroughly enjoyed every minute.
'The Good News Gazette' is superbly written and then some. Jessie has one of those easy going writing styles that is easy to get used to and easy to get along with. In fact reading this book felt more like a chat between friends rather than reading a book. I hope that makes sense. This story certainly made me chuckle as certain things from the book certainly rang true with real life. One such example is the fact that the local Westholme Facebook group seems to be full of complaints and petty squabbles. I chuckled because the same is so true of my home village Facebook group too. Jessie clearly cares about her characters and this shines through in the very vivid and realistic way in which she describes them. She makes her characters seem just as real as you and I. I loved the way in which Jessie makes the reader feel as though they are part of the story themselves and at the heart of the action. That's how I felt at any rate.
In short, I ADORED reading 'The Good News Gazette' and I wholeheartedly recommend this book to other readers. In fact, 'The Good News Gazette' is one of my top reads for 2022. I will certainly be reading more of Jessie's work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.
December 4, 2022
How a good intention changes a town
Zoe Taylor is a single – mother working at the local news desk. That is, until she’s let go. While wining and whining with her best friends, a new idea is being made, writing a news paper and a blog only containing good news. And so The Good News Gazette is born. When the news reaches that a developer wants to change the Westholme parade into a fancy shopping area and thus changing all the inhabitants’ lives, Zoe finds herself leading a campaign to save the town. However, while trying to save the town, Zoe starts to learn more about herself…
This story took me a while before I was totally submerged into it. But once I was ‘in it’, I found it impossible to tear myself away.
At the start of the story, I didn’t like Zoe 100%. Yes, she is a very committed mother, she would do anything for her little boy. But at the same time, she is also a bit overprotective. Also, the fact that she keeps on turning late at work was an eyesore. But that is more because I am the kind of person who turns up 10 minutes earlier everywhere, just to be sure I am on time.
But at the same time I also felt sorry for her. Because not only did she have her dream crushed when she got pregnant, she also returned home to Westholme with her tail between her legs. She tries to make the best out of her situation, but it’s obvious that things aren’t easy. She does her best to raise Charlie on her own, but the absence of Charlie’s father, and the ability of keeping disappointing Charlie, broke my heart…
As soon as the crusade starts, the story starts to fly and Zoe starts to open up more. We see how her listening to the community makes a change in her too. While at the start, she was rather on her own, with the Gazette and her quest to save the parade, she makes new friends, become a true, estimated member of the community. And we see her self – esteem also grow! The effect of working to safe Westholme also made her loosen up, letting the reins go bit by bit. We see her change into a strong woman who doesn’t give up easily, someone to admire and be proud of to have in your community.
I liked how a community started to work together, even if there were a few idiots on the Facebook page… And seeing how they start to rely on each other, making new, strong friendships warmed my heart.
There is also of course a love interest. And perhaps having a love interest that isn’t that perfect at all, having made mistakes in the past, was even better for the story and for Zoe. Because nobody in real life is perfect, and we all make mistakes, but it‘s about what we learn from those mistakes. And also seeing how slowly Zoe starts to realize that it’s okay to think about her own happiness, meeting someone new, shows us that you being happy brings also happiness to our beloved ones.
A wonderful story about a whole community coming together, to fight for their values, finding yourself and daring to start afresh with your new found strength. What more can you want?
Zoe Taylor is a single – mother working at the local news desk. That is, until she’s let go. While wining and whining with her best friends, a new idea is being made, writing a news paper and a blog only containing good news. And so The Good News Gazette is born. When the news reaches that a developer wants to change the Westholme parade into a fancy shopping area and thus changing all the inhabitants’ lives, Zoe finds herself leading a campaign to save the town. However, while trying to save the town, Zoe starts to learn more about herself…
This story took me a while before I was totally submerged into it. But once I was ‘in it’, I found it impossible to tear myself away.
At the start of the story, I didn’t like Zoe 100%. Yes, she is a very committed mother, she would do anything for her little boy. But at the same time, she is also a bit overprotective. Also, the fact that she keeps on turning late at work was an eyesore. But that is more because I am the kind of person who turns up 10 minutes earlier everywhere, just to be sure I am on time.
But at the same time I also felt sorry for her. Because not only did she have her dream crushed when she got pregnant, she also returned home to Westholme with her tail between her legs. She tries to make the best out of her situation, but it’s obvious that things aren’t easy. She does her best to raise Charlie on her own, but the absence of Charlie’s father, and the ability of keeping disappointing Charlie, broke my heart…
As soon as the crusade starts, the story starts to fly and Zoe starts to open up more. We see how her listening to the community makes a change in her too. While at the start, she was rather on her own, with the Gazette and her quest to save the parade, she makes new friends, become a true, estimated member of the community. And we see her self – esteem also grow! The effect of working to safe Westholme also made her loosen up, letting the reins go bit by bit. We see her change into a strong woman who doesn’t give up easily, someone to admire and be proud of to have in your community.
I liked how a community started to work together, even if there were a few idiots on the Facebook page… And seeing how they start to rely on each other, making new, strong friendships warmed my heart.
There is also of course a love interest. And perhaps having a love interest that isn’t that perfect at all, having made mistakes in the past, was even better for the story and for Zoe. Because nobody in real life is perfect, and we all make mistakes, but it‘s about what we learn from those mistakes. And also seeing how slowly Zoe starts to realize that it’s okay to think about her own happiness, meeting someone new, shows us that you being happy brings also happiness to our beloved ones.
A wonderful story about a whole community coming together, to fight for their values, finding yourself and daring to start afresh with your new found strength. What more can you want?
December 10, 2022
The Good News Gazette by Jessie Wells
She may be down but don't count this determined single mum out just yet.
Nine years ago, Zoe Taylor returned from London to the quiet hamlet of Westholme with her tail between her legs and a bun in the oven. Where her job as a journalist saw her tearing off to Paris at a moment's notice after a lead, now the single mum covers the local news desk. At least, she did until she was unceremoniously let go.
When Zoe invites her friends over to commiserate, wine and whining soon turn into something more… and before the night is out, she's plotted her next step: The Good News Gazette.
Now, as a developer threatens to force Westholme into the twenty-first century, Zoe's good news movement finds her leading a covert campaign as a community crusader. She may have started The Good News Gazette to save herself, but she might be able to save Westholme in the process.
The Good News Gazette' is a well-written appealing, good-humoured story. The writing style is relaxed and flows nicely. Jessie has obviously spent time developing her characters, and this radiates through in their realistic representation.
This cheerful and uplifting story, with its essence of community, the coming together of people to make positive changes, and a woman's personal journey to happiness, has been a delight to read.
I want to thank the publishers, One More Chapter, the author Jessie Wells and Rachels Random Resources, for a copy to read and review.
She may be down but don't count this determined single mum out just yet.
Nine years ago, Zoe Taylor returned from London to the quiet hamlet of Westholme with her tail between her legs and a bun in the oven. Where her job as a journalist saw her tearing off to Paris at a moment's notice after a lead, now the single mum covers the local news desk. At least, she did until she was unceremoniously let go.
When Zoe invites her friends over to commiserate, wine and whining soon turn into something more… and before the night is out, she's plotted her next step: The Good News Gazette.
Now, as a developer threatens to force Westholme into the twenty-first century, Zoe's good news movement finds her leading a covert campaign as a community crusader. She may have started The Good News Gazette to save herself, but she might be able to save Westholme in the process.
The Good News Gazette' is a well-written appealing, good-humoured story. The writing style is relaxed and flows nicely. Jessie has obviously spent time developing her characters, and this radiates through in their realistic representation.
This cheerful and uplifting story, with its essence of community, the coming together of people to make positive changes, and a woman's personal journey to happiness, has been a delight to read.
I want to thank the publishers, One More Chapter, the author Jessie Wells and Rachels Random Resources, for a copy to read and review.
July 28, 2023
Rounded up from 3.5
The sequel to The Good News Gazette is out soon, so I thought I'd go back and read the first before I jump into the next one.
Zoe finds herself redundant and during a wine-fuelled night with her friends comes up with the idea for the Good News Gazette to spread some positivity. News spreads that a developer wants to knock down what is locally known as the parade, a set of shops which makes up Westholme's high street. She sets out to save the Parade with help from some of Westholme's quirky residents.
The Good News Gazette is a light-hearted read, with plenty of heartwarming moments along the way.
The story was predominately about believing in yourself and what happens when a community comes together. But there was also a bit of a love triangle on the side, too. I didn't think that Zoe picked the right person, but I'll see what happens in the next book with all that.
Something that made me chuckle about the book was the little snippets at the end of each chapter from the local community Facebook group. They were sometimes so realistic I had to remind myself they were fictitious!
Considering this is a sweet and uplifting tale, Zoe was, in the beginning, incredibly judgemental and snobby about other people and their looks. This meant I didn't warm to her as quickly as I would have liked.
I'd recommend The Good News Gazette if you're looking for a heartwarming read with a positive message behind it.
The sequel to The Good News Gazette is out soon, so I thought I'd go back and read the first before I jump into the next one.
Zoe finds herself redundant and during a wine-fuelled night with her friends comes up with the idea for the Good News Gazette to spread some positivity. News spreads that a developer wants to knock down what is locally known as the parade, a set of shops which makes up Westholme's high street. She sets out to save the Parade with help from some of Westholme's quirky residents.
The Good News Gazette is a light-hearted read, with plenty of heartwarming moments along the way.
The story was predominately about believing in yourself and what happens when a community comes together. But there was also a bit of a love triangle on the side, too. I didn't think that Zoe picked the right person, but I'll see what happens in the next book with all that.
Something that made me chuckle about the book was the little snippets at the end of each chapter from the local community Facebook group. They were sometimes so realistic I had to remind myself they were fictitious!
Considering this is a sweet and uplifting tale, Zoe was, in the beginning, incredibly judgemental and snobby about other people and their looks. This meant I didn't warm to her as quickly as I would have liked.
I'd recommend The Good News Gazette if you're looking for a heartwarming read with a positive message behind it.
December 4, 2022
Single mum, Zoe, has just lost her job at the local news desk. Having already come home to Westholme, pregnant and not having her journalistic career go the way she planned, this last blow hits her hard.
When Zoe and her friends meet up they start whining about their town. Things are slowly going south. Business are shutting down and jobs are going. That's when Zoe hits upon the idea of writing only positive stories about the town and launches The Good News Gazette.
Then she hears of the plan to tear down the shopping centre, which is the heart of Westholme and to build a supermarket. She realizes that this going to result in more small businesses shutting down and decides to launch a campaign to save the community from this development. Will she succeed in taking on Daniel, the developer?
Zoe is juggling a lot of things. Making sure her son is well cared for, trying to make a go of the Gazette and now this campaign. How will she manage to pay her mounting bills and repair her car that's constantly dying on her? And then there's her attraction to Sam, her son's football coach.
The author did a fantastic job with characterisation. So many colourful and quirky characters, and with people like Daniel having layers that are slowly revealed.
On one hand, this is the story of a single mum trying to get by and yet, it's also the story of a wonderful community, that pulls together despite difficulties and is there for its members.
There were so many elements in the book - job loss, entreprenuership, single motherhood, big business takeovers and the attempts of Zoe to bring positivity and a feel good spirit back to the town. Loved the element of humour and romance as well.
I couldn't put the book down, enjoying every moment of the story.
When Zoe and her friends meet up they start whining about their town. Things are slowly going south. Business are shutting down and jobs are going. That's when Zoe hits upon the idea of writing only positive stories about the town and launches The Good News Gazette.
Then she hears of the plan to tear down the shopping centre, which is the heart of Westholme and to build a supermarket. She realizes that this going to result in more small businesses shutting down and decides to launch a campaign to save the community from this development. Will she succeed in taking on Daniel, the developer?
Zoe is juggling a lot of things. Making sure her son is well cared for, trying to make a go of the Gazette and now this campaign. How will she manage to pay her mounting bills and repair her car that's constantly dying on her? And then there's her attraction to Sam, her son's football coach.
The author did a fantastic job with characterisation. So many colourful and quirky characters, and with people like Daniel having layers that are slowly revealed.
On one hand, this is the story of a single mum trying to get by and yet, it's also the story of a wonderful community, that pulls together despite difficulties and is there for its members.
There were so many elements in the book - job loss, entreprenuership, single motherhood, big business takeovers and the attempts of Zoe to bring positivity and a feel good spirit back to the town. Loved the element of humour and romance as well.
I couldn't put the book down, enjoying every moment of the story.
July 26, 2023
REVIEW
cw: body shaming
When single mum Zoe loses her job as a journalist for a local newspaper, she embarks on a new project: The Good News Gazette for the sleepy hamlet of Westholme. But when a developer threatens Westholme, she leads a secret campaign to save it.
I loved the concept of this story. We all need good news these days, and I follow several social media pages that do a similar thing, so I thought I'd enjoy this book. It was a perfectly nice story, with some sweet moments as well as a few laughs. The subplot of the campaign to save the high street's parade of shops from yet another supermarket was all too realistic, and I liked the resolution. I particularly liked the way the Gazette showcased the everyday heroes and good deeds in the village, as well as Zoe's friendship with Emma and Beth.
There's also a little bit of romance with two prospective partners (Sam and Antonio) for Zoe to contemplate but I won't spoil who she picks, other than to say she definitely made the right choice in my opinion as he was a sweetheart. It's definitely feelgood, if a little too twee at times but I think that's down to me not being the target audience more than anything. Still, I liked the characters, although I really wasn't a fan of the amount of diet culture throughout.
Overall it's perfectly nice, but probably not for me.
Overall Rating: ❤️❤️❤️
cw: body shaming
When single mum Zoe loses her job as a journalist for a local newspaper, she embarks on a new project: The Good News Gazette for the sleepy hamlet of Westholme. But when a developer threatens Westholme, she leads a secret campaign to save it.
I loved the concept of this story. We all need good news these days, and I follow several social media pages that do a similar thing, so I thought I'd enjoy this book. It was a perfectly nice story, with some sweet moments as well as a few laughs. The subplot of the campaign to save the high street's parade of shops from yet another supermarket was all too realistic, and I liked the resolution. I particularly liked the way the Gazette showcased the everyday heroes and good deeds in the village, as well as Zoe's friendship with Emma and Beth.
There's also a little bit of romance with two prospective partners (Sam and Antonio) for Zoe to contemplate but I won't spoil who she picks, other than to say she definitely made the right choice in my opinion as he was a sweetheart. It's definitely feelgood, if a little too twee at times but I think that's down to me not being the target audience more than anything. Still, I liked the characters, although I really wasn't a fan of the amount of diet culture throughout.
Overall it's perfectly nice, but probably not for me.
Overall Rating: ❤️❤️❤️
November 28, 2022
Jessie Well's "The Good News Gazette" is the ultimate feel-good, empowering and delightful read. Zoe's journey is depicted with a lot of realism and depth with a dash of hope and inspiration. Every page is a comforting blanket, warm and cosy. Jessie lures you in with fantastic world-building, hilarious and memorable characters that reflect the lens of romantic interests, family and friendships. Bad things guest appearing in your life are inevitable; coping and finding the best solution for yourself is the only way out. It was highly refreshing to see how Zoe corrects the error in her ways (slowly but surely) and takes a stand for the things that matter to her. The ending was well thought out and brought a smile to my face. I secretly look forward to a sequel. A 4-star read!
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter, for giving me a review copy. This honest review is left voluntarily.
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter, for giving me a review copy. This honest review is left voluntarily.
November 28, 2022
What better time to unroll the good news than now? The world is full of crime and hate, and the local Westholme paper is full of it. After coming back from her amazing paper job in London due to pregnancy, Zoe is perpetually late to her job at the local paper. With no fire left for the regular bad news, she is not so deflated when she is laid off due to redundancy.
What Zoe longs for is to tell the world some good news. After meeting with her best friends, she sets up a website and newspaper, The Good News Gazette, and sets off to light the world on fire for good.
Jessie Wells does an excellent job of endearing Zoe and her ideals to the reader. Zoe sets out to do some good, and she ends up uniting a community in the process. There is also some romance, which never hurts. Overall this is a really cute, fun read. I look forward to more reads from Jessie Wells.
Thank you to Harper Collins UK and NetGalley for the digital ARC. The opinions expressed are my own.
What Zoe longs for is to tell the world some good news. After meeting with her best friends, she sets up a website and newspaper, The Good News Gazette, and sets off to light the world on fire for good.
Jessie Wells does an excellent job of endearing Zoe and her ideals to the reader. Zoe sets out to do some good, and she ends up uniting a community in the process. There is also some romance, which never hurts. Overall this is a really cute, fun read. I look forward to more reads from Jessie Wells.
Thank you to Harper Collins UK and NetGalley for the digital ARC. The opinions expressed are my own.
October 17, 2023
Nine years ago, Zoe Taylor returned from London to the quiet hamlet of Westholme with her tail between her legs and a bun in the oven. Where once her job as a journalist saw her tearing off to Paris at a moment’s notice after a lead, now the single mum covers the local news desk. At least, she did…until she’s unceremoniously let go.
When Zoe invites her friends over to commiserate, wine and whining soon turns into something more… and before the night is out she’s plotted her next step: The Good News Gazette.
Now, as a developer threatens to force Westholme into the twenty-first century, Zoe’s good news movement finds her leading a covert campaign as a community crusader. She may have started The Good News Gazette as a way to save herself, but she might just be able to save Westholme in the process…
I thought this was a sweet book and a cheerful one! We all need a little good news. I wish there were a good news gazette on the nightly news. Great narration and a fun listen.
When Zoe invites her friends over to commiserate, wine and whining soon turns into something more… and before the night is out she’s plotted her next step: The Good News Gazette.
Now, as a developer threatens to force Westholme into the twenty-first century, Zoe’s good news movement finds her leading a covert campaign as a community crusader. She may have started The Good News Gazette as a way to save herself, but she might just be able to save Westholme in the process…
I thought this was a sweet book and a cheerful one! We all need a little good news. I wish there were a good news gazette on the nightly news. Great narration and a fun listen.
October 3, 2022
This book was one of the most enjoyable uplifting and inspiring reads that I have read this year and I will be recommending to this everyone who needs a pick me up and a little bit of happiness and joy in their lives. This was a heartwarming and poignant read of what can be achieved with the help of friends and the community and about not giving up on what you believe in.
Once I had started reading I couldn’t put it down and read it in almost one sitting and the injection of positivity and hope have never a warm fuzzy feeling inside.
I really hope that there is going to be further books in the good news gazette series as I would love to catch up with the next instalment of the inhabitants of Westholme.
Once I had started reading I couldn’t put it down and read it in almost one sitting and the injection of positivity and hope have never a warm fuzzy feeling inside.
I really hope that there is going to be further books in the good news gazette series as I would love to catch up with the next instalment of the inhabitants of Westholme.
July 14, 2023
After losing her job at a local newspaper Zoe decides to set up a new local paper covering good news only. Finding out that a local shopping precinct is going to be knocked down to make way for a supermarket she decides to try to prevent this happening.
This is an ideal time to have good news stories, with an epidemic, war plus a recession going on. There's a wonderful set of characters, humour plus romance where you're not sure what the outcome will be. Overall an enjoyable story, not fast paced but gives a warm glow on how communities can pull together when times get tough.
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley, however this did not influence my review of the book and I subsequently purchased it upon release.
This is an ideal time to have good news stories, with an epidemic, war plus a recession going on. There's a wonderful set of characters, humour plus romance where you're not sure what the outcome will be. Overall an enjoyable story, not fast paced but gives a warm glow on how communities can pull together when times get tough.
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley, however this did not influence my review of the book and I subsequently purchased it upon release.
October 21, 2022
The main character, Zoe Taylor, doesn’t seem to have anything going right in her life. What I loved about her was that she is such a “real person” character you feel that you could know someone just like her. She has recently been let go from her employer and decides to start a local news paper that only reports good news in their town. Then she finds out that the Parade, a beloved landmark in their town, has been bought by a developed and will be torn down and replaced by a supermarket.
As she hunts for stories to write about she meets people all around that are doing some great things. Then the entire town comes together to fight to try and save the Parade. There are lots of ups and downs but it’s a heartwarming story overall and I recommend it.
As she hunts for stories to write about she meets people all around that are doing some great things. Then the entire town comes together to fight to try and save the Parade. There are lots of ups and downs but it’s a heartwarming story overall and I recommend it.
October 26, 2022
This is a five-star read that will warm your soul. This book is like the reading equivalent of snuggling up with a blanket in front of a warm open fire with a large glass of something tasty. Zoe is a fighter, she really does push everything and she does it so well, she really is someone you can get behind, as you watch her fight for what she feels is right, it will bring you close to tears as there are so many ups and downs, and the characters you will start to care about watching them flourish and grow will grow your heart. This story shows us there is warmth in the world and its just so positive it cant help but make you smile.
November 21, 2022
Thank you NetGalley, Jessie Wells and HarperCollins UK for the book
The Good News Gazette. This is my personal review.
Zoe wanted to make a difference in her life after moving back to Westholme. She gets together with some friends, and this is how she started The Good News Gazette. She wanted to spread good news to let everyone know not all news has to be bad.
She surely did not foresee this venture would go in the direction it has gone.
The book was a nice break from the normal books out there right now.
This is one to pick up and spend time on the journey Zoe is one with friends and the community she lives in.
The Good News Gazette. This is my personal review.
Zoe wanted to make a difference in her life after moving back to Westholme. She gets together with some friends, and this is how she started The Good News Gazette. She wanted to spread good news to let everyone know not all news has to be bad.
She surely did not foresee this venture would go in the direction it has gone.
The book was a nice break from the normal books out there right now.
This is one to pick up and spend time on the journey Zoe is one with friends and the community she lives in.
November 23, 2022
Zoe returned to her hometown after living in London with her son. She’s a journalist and works on the local paper until her boss lets her go. On a drunken night with her friends she decides to make a webpage and eventually a newspaper called The Good News Gazette.
The story is happy, funny and loved the base around the story. We need to safe more local shops and high streets. The Community Facebook page comments at the end of each chapter were very funny and witty. Loved those. Light reading for a cozy afternoon.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for a copy for an honest review.
The story is happy, funny and loved the base around the story. We need to safe more local shops and high streets. The Community Facebook page comments at the end of each chapter were very funny and witty. Loved those. Light reading for a cozy afternoon.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for a copy for an honest review.
November 26, 2022
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ What a wonderful, lighthearted novel The Good News Gazette is! I'm sure the story will resonate with a lot of towns - I know I felt like it could've been written for my home town, Boston (UK). Zoe returned to get hometown several years ago, pregnant with her first child after having a successful career at a national newspaper. She took up her old job at the local rag but after all these years, she is made redundant. After a boozy session with her friends, she sets up a Good News website and aims to publish a newspaper which delivers good news stories about the town. I loved it.
November 27, 2022
‘The Good News Gazette,’ written by Jessie Wells, published by Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter is available now!
A pleasing, heartening, feel-good read that I could become immersed in quickly and easily. This writing style is straightforward and comical, making the storyline easy to follow, and the entertainment level is masterful. I found Zoe likeable and relatable and was holding out for a happy ending for her.
I haven’t read anything by Jessie Wells before, but I will look out for her books if I ever need a soothing and comforting read. This offers a hug within its pages, and I highly recommend it!
Thank you, NetGalley and One More Chapter, for a gifted copy of this book.
A pleasing, heartening, feel-good read that I could become immersed in quickly and easily. This writing style is straightforward and comical, making the storyline easy to follow, and the entertainment level is masterful. I found Zoe likeable and relatable and was holding out for a happy ending for her.
I haven’t read anything by Jessie Wells before, but I will look out for her books if I ever need a soothing and comforting read. This offers a hug within its pages, and I highly recommend it!
Thank you, NetGalley and One More Chapter, for a gifted copy of this book.
December 4, 2022
A positively heartwarming read , let me introduce you to The Good News Gazette. Zoe is a single mum working for the local news that is until she is let go. Zoe then comes up with The Good News Gazette which reports just what it says good news. I loved the pace of this it was a gentle flow all the way through and had a few surprises. The plot is basic but interesting and kept me engaged. The characters all have backstories and are relatable. I laughed a lot while reading some of the funny antics and felt emotional during some of the sadder parts. I loved how the ending was wrapped up perfectly in a neat little bow. I was thoroughly entertained by this uplifting book.
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