Lena Buckley's not like other thirty-five-year-olds-ones with awesome careers, relationships, and health insurance. Not that she doesn't want those things. But after her bakery failed and her ex deemed her unlovable, she has nothing to show for her life but a dilapidated family farm and an anxiety disorder worsened by her mother's long illness and recent 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 knows about second chances. A disabled army veteran and local cop, he copes with war injuries that have left him scarred and hearing impaired. He's a loner, anyway, hard to read and not one for chitchat. Still, he embodies the stability Lena struggles to find while she offers him the warmth and openness he's been missing. After two chance encounters, he keeps showing up, not just to help her but to know her better. Connected by their brokenness, he sees her as she is and somehow likes her anyway-acceptance she's never had before and doubts she can keep.

But reality supports what her anxiety tells her-good things don't last. When she loses her few opportunities and her home verges on unlivable, she must choose between love and survival.

One Thing Better is a warm, funny, and, best of all, honest first person love story featuring broken people and a delightful better-ever-after.