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Joy
Joy's life doesn't spark joy. But has she missed the boat on happily every after?Joy is a contemporary coming-of-age novel revolving around two women who shared an intense whirlwind romance as teenagers. Now, knee-deep in their twenties, they are both navigating their separate lives.
Joy, in London with her husband, is dissatisfied with her materialistic lifestyle. Erica, an artist in their hometown of Liverpool, is stuck thinking about the past whilst living with a girlfriend who can’t stop getting fake tan on the bed sheets.
When circumstance brings Joy back home, the pair are faced with everything that was left unsaid, and the chance to risk it all to be together again. What happens when the one that got away comes back?
Joy, in London with her husband, is dissatisfied with her materialistic lifestyle. Erica, an artist in their hometown of Liverpool, is stuck thinking about the past whilst living with a girlfriend who can’t stop getting fake tan on the bed sheets.
When circumstance brings Joy back home, the pair are faced with everything that was left unsaid, and the chance to risk it all to be together again. What happens when the one that got away comes back?
256 pages, Paperback
Published February 14, 2024
3 people are currently reading
203 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
February 8, 2024
Thank you to Northodox Press for sending me an ARC of Joy, Samantha Leigh's debut novel.
2024 must be THE year of debut novels, because this one was amazing. Oh, how lucky I have been with my reads this year. 'Joy' follows main character Joy (surprise, lol) struggling to navigate her unhappy marriage as she pines over her long-lost love, her ex-girlfriend. Joy is clearly wildly displeased with her marriage and seems to have been for a while; something that she has to confront when she ends up having to return to her hometown and is faced with her ex-girlfriend and the subsequent feelings that neither one of them has managed to supress.
The story is told in flashbacks and present day, which is a hard feature to tackle, but Samantha Leigh absolutely nailed this feat - I really enjoyed it. In the beginning, I was a little bit confused by the perspective shifts, but I very quickly adapted to this as I got sucked into the book (BTW, devoured in less than 24 hours).
This book also struck me as doing something that not many books I've read have done, and that is discussing the complexities of bisexuality. There are also acknowledgments of Joy's social mobility, having grown up with little money and now finding herself able to live as a housewife with no present-day money worries (and how this doesn't make her as happy as people assume money does). On top of all of thit, this book also deals with the reality that is how difficult your 20s are to survive. To have such a good, lighthearted book also tackle some very real issues, is impressive.
The only 'downside', so to speak, was that I disliked/struggling with the lack of speech marks (this is a running theme for me - I've never been able to get into Sally Rooney). But considering that was my only gripe with this book, I think this book is one of my new favourites and I can't wait to reread.
CWs to consider: eating disorders, alcoholism, self-harm
2024 must be THE year of debut novels, because this one was amazing. Oh, how lucky I have been with my reads this year. 'Joy' follows main character Joy (surprise, lol) struggling to navigate her unhappy marriage as she pines over her long-lost love, her ex-girlfriend. Joy is clearly wildly displeased with her marriage and seems to have been for a while; something that she has to confront when she ends up having to return to her hometown and is faced with her ex-girlfriend and the subsequent feelings that neither one of them has managed to supress.
The story is told in flashbacks and present day, which is a hard feature to tackle, but Samantha Leigh absolutely nailed this feat - I really enjoyed it. In the beginning, I was a little bit confused by the perspective shifts, but I very quickly adapted to this as I got sucked into the book (BTW, devoured in less than 24 hours).
This book also struck me as doing something that not many books I've read have done, and that is discussing the complexities of bisexuality. There are also acknowledgments of Joy's social mobility, having grown up with little money and now finding herself able to live as a housewife with no present-day money worries (and how this doesn't make her as happy as people assume money does). On top of all of thit, this book also deals with the reality that is how difficult your 20s are to survive. To have such a good, lighthearted book also tackle some very real issues, is impressive.
The only 'downside', so to speak, was that I disliked/struggling with the lack of speech marks (this is a running theme for me - I've never been able to get into Sally Rooney). But considering that was my only gripe with this book, I think this book is one of my new favourites and I can't wait to reread.
CWs to consider: eating disorders, alcoholism, self-harm
March 29, 2025
If you like Good luck, babe! by Chappell Roan you will love this book, trust me.
April 1, 2025
(3,75)
If this book was a mashup it would be Good Luck Babe x illicit affairs, I think that says it all.
If this book was a mashup it would be Good Luck Babe x illicit affairs, I think that says it all.
January 28, 2024
*Received ARC*
A strong 4.5-5!
As a debut novel this is amazing, most gorgeous queer love story spanning between London, Liverpool and Brighton. Explores all aspects of relationships and friendships and how sometimes regardless of where you end up after uni, when people drift apart some people are just meant to be.
I just wanted a bit more at the end (with a certain event I wanted to see more of the fallout) but apart from that I loved it!
A strong 4.5-5!
As a debut novel this is amazing, most gorgeous queer love story spanning between London, Liverpool and Brighton. Explores all aspects of relationships and friendships and how sometimes regardless of where you end up after uni, when people drift apart some people are just meant to be.
I just wanted a bit more at the end (with a certain event I wanted to see more of the fallout) but apart from that I loved it!
April 21, 2024
Joy was, well, a joy! It went exactly where I hoped it would and whilst the story wasn't revolutionary it was EXPERTLY written. I sped through this book and genuinely couldn't put it down! (which is unusual for me because as a fantasy "junkie" literary fiction is usually not gripping enough for me, so for this to happen a book has to be PARTICULARLY good) I loved the critiques Samantha Leigh was making about the patriarchy throughout this book as well as the beautifully flawed and romantic characters (they were honestly my favourite part, SO incredibly deep and well written). I'd absolutely recommend you give this STUNNER of a book a read.
March 22, 2024
4.25*
Joy is a lovely debut and a highly absorbing contemporary queer romance. The story is wonderfully human and feels relatable as we follow twentysomething Joy who is in an unhappy marriage to Sebastian (classic villain figure, hated him from the start) and returns home to Liverpool when her mother-in-law has an accident and has to face up to her feelings for lost love, Erica. Through flashbacks and current timeline scenes we follow Joy, Erica and their Influencer friend, Val as they move from student to adult life and face up to the difficulties of admitting to themselves that they're not happy with their lives and go about trying to change things.
I found this to be a highly readable book and it absolutely flew by. I loved the student scenes as there were so many elements that reminded me of my own student days. The current timeline really did feel like it was building to something that, much like in real life, would leave some people hurting and some people getting the ending they deserved (whether that's good or bad) but I would have liked to have seen it stretched out a little more to give us just a little bit more of that element of the story.
I enjoyed the acknowledgments about issues around social mobility, the imposter syndrome it can bring and how difficult it can be still to traverse social classes in Britain. On the romance side the inclusion of bisexuality was a welcome addition as Joy is extremely comfortable with who she is and her sexuality wasn't a cause of personal struggle - that came from the pull between former and current relationships.
'Joy' is a lovely story with some difficult themes done very well as it doesn't drag down the reading experience at all. It was a read that's outside of my normal genres (I don't tend to do any contemporary romances) but I'm so happy to have been introduced to Samantha Leigh's writing and will be keeping an eye out for future works for sure.
Thank you to Northodox Press for a digital review copy of "Joy" in exchange for my honest and voluntary review.
Joy is a lovely debut and a highly absorbing contemporary queer romance. The story is wonderfully human and feels relatable as we follow twentysomething Joy who is in an unhappy marriage to Sebastian (classic villain figure, hated him from the start) and returns home to Liverpool when her mother-in-law has an accident and has to face up to her feelings for lost love, Erica. Through flashbacks and current timeline scenes we follow Joy, Erica and their Influencer friend, Val as they move from student to adult life and face up to the difficulties of admitting to themselves that they're not happy with their lives and go about trying to change things.
I found this to be a highly readable book and it absolutely flew by. I loved the student scenes as there were so many elements that reminded me of my own student days. The current timeline really did feel like it was building to something that, much like in real life, would leave some people hurting and some people getting the ending they deserved (whether that's good or bad) but I would have liked to have seen it stretched out a little more to give us just a little bit more of that element of the story.
I enjoyed the acknowledgments about issues around social mobility, the imposter syndrome it can bring and how difficult it can be still to traverse social classes in Britain. On the romance side the inclusion of bisexuality was a welcome addition as Joy is extremely comfortable with who she is and her sexuality wasn't a cause of personal struggle - that came from the pull between former and current relationships.
'Joy' is a lovely story with some difficult themes done very well as it doesn't drag down the reading experience at all. It was a read that's outside of my normal genres (I don't tend to do any contemporary romances) but I'm so happy to have been introduced to Samantha Leigh's writing and will be keeping an eye out for future works for sure.
Thank you to Northodox Press for a digital review copy of "Joy" in exchange for my honest and voluntary review.
February 13, 2024
I was very kindly sent this ARC by Northodox Press.
After a whirlwind romance in their teens Joy and Erica are living very different lives in their twenties. After being brought back together in their hometown of Liverpool with their friend Val, old wounds are opened and secrets exposed. Weaving between the present and the past, this is a story of love, friendship and wrongs being righted.
What a JOY this was to read. (Get it?) I may be slightly biased as, as soon as I knew it was partly set in Liverpool (my home and most favourite city) I had a sneaking suspicion it would be good.
I really loved this book and connected with it immediately. Whether it was an unconscious bias straight away or just the way the characters pulled me in, I don’t know but I did. It was a very easy read and flowed well, I didn’t feel any parts were unnecessary. I did have to re-read sections a couple of times after double checking who was speaking.
T/W There were a lot of topics put forth in this book. Bisexuality, infedelity, eating disorders, self harm, social inequality, but Samantha Leigh tackles them all well.
It was heartbreaking in some ways, but only because it was told in such a way that it felt very real to me. I felt like I was reading about people I knew, in places I go to.
The character Val in particular really resonated with me. I’ve been there, hoping that person you love will choose you eventually but they don’t. Flawed characters really make this book what it is and as only my second book of the year it’s a winner!
Please go buy this and support this first time author and read her wonderful book! 10/10 would recommend!
After a whirlwind romance in their teens Joy and Erica are living very different lives in their twenties. After being brought back together in their hometown of Liverpool with their friend Val, old wounds are opened and secrets exposed. Weaving between the present and the past, this is a story of love, friendship and wrongs being righted.
What a JOY this was to read. (Get it?) I may be slightly biased as, as soon as I knew it was partly set in Liverpool (my home and most favourite city) I had a sneaking suspicion it would be good.
I really loved this book and connected with it immediately. Whether it was an unconscious bias straight away or just the way the characters pulled me in, I don’t know but I did. It was a very easy read and flowed well, I didn’t feel any parts were unnecessary. I did have to re-read sections a couple of times after double checking who was speaking.
T/W There were a lot of topics put forth in this book. Bisexuality, infedelity, eating disorders, self harm, social inequality, but Samantha Leigh tackles them all well.
It was heartbreaking in some ways, but only because it was told in such a way that it felt very real to me. I felt like I was reading about people I knew, in places I go to.
The character Val in particular really resonated with me. I’ve been there, hoping that person you love will choose you eventually but they don’t. Flawed characters really make this book what it is and as only my second book of the year it’s a winner!
Please go buy this and support this first time author and read her wonderful book! 10/10 would recommend!
February 13, 2024
I had the absolute JOY (see what i did there) of reading the ARC version of this book, and how grateful I am! Firstly, this is the first time i’ve seen representation of bisexuality like this in a book, that’s discussed well and believably, but without being the main driving force of the book. It’s not a political conquest or struggle with sexuality - she just IS and she just exists and it’s wonderful. The whole story is just queer fluffy romantic joy, it’s easy and light, it’s not too complicated or elongated.
I loved this book, the only thing I would say is that the end fallout could’ve been a little more intense/stretched out?
But such a fun joyful story!! I loved it.
I loved this book, the only thing I would say is that the end fallout could’ve been a little more intense/stretched out?
But such a fun joyful story!! I loved it.
February 14, 2024
Joy is a captivating novel that explores the complexities of young love and the consequences of choices made in the past. It's a must-read for anyone who loves a good Queer Romance, love love love it!
February 14, 2024
A poignant exploration of the paths we choose and the people we leave behind. It's an emotional rollercoaster that will leave you questioning your own life choices.
January 31, 2024
*Received ARC*
The whole way through this I was thinking ‘solid 4 stars here’, but the final few chapters have pushed me up!
This is a delight. It’s light enough to devour but not trashy. Relatable. Believable. Fabulous characters. An all-round great read.
If I’m being picky, I don’t love the lack of speech marks (I say it for Sally Rooney so I will say it for Samantha Leigh too), and at times I found myself having to reread larger sections of dialogue to workout who was speaking. I also got a little jumbled between Joy and Erica’s narrative to begin with but this fell into a pattern as the book went on. Val and Frankie had stronger narratives in my opinion.
The drama in the last few chapters is unreal! It’s like a soap opera moment but somehow also completely believable and grounded. And I didn’t need to know how Val’s storyline played out because, in my head, I already know.
Fabulous debut!
The whole way through this I was thinking ‘solid 4 stars here’, but the final few chapters have pushed me up!
This is a delight. It’s light enough to devour but not trashy. Relatable. Believable. Fabulous characters. An all-round great read.
If I’m being picky, I don’t love the lack of speech marks (I say it for Sally Rooney so I will say it for Samantha Leigh too), and at times I found myself having to reread larger sections of dialogue to workout who was speaking. I also got a little jumbled between Joy and Erica’s narrative to begin with but this fell into a pattern as the book went on. Val and Frankie had stronger narratives in my opinion.
The drama in the last few chapters is unreal! It’s like a soap opera moment but somehow also completely believable and grounded. And I didn’t need to know how Val’s storyline played out because, in my head, I already know.
Fabulous debut!
March 3, 2024
I enjoyed this throughly delightful debut novel. The story follows Joy and Erica in a coming of age plot. The three main characters are likeable and the story follows the complexities of their relationships through a series of flashbacks and the present day. I enjoyed the simplicity in that it focuses on the relationships whilst tackling some sensitive issues but in a delicate way. Without giving away any spoilers I did expect a bigger fallout at the ending.
I loved the present day was set in Liverpool, and with not living too far from the city, I felt it really reasonated.
My only personal gripe was the missing speech marks - on a number of occasions I had to reread parts of the text so I knew who had spoken. That’s just my personal preference. I still enjoyed the books pace despite this.
Overall, a great story exploring the complexities of relationships.
Thank you @northodoxpressofficial for my advanced proof copy of Joy.
September 28, 2024
JOY gave me the same warm, indescribably raw feelings that a Sally Rooney novel often does, only better because it’s northern! Leigh’s storytelling is intimately raw, the prose both effortless and beautiful. I felt close to every single one of the characters, like I’d been plunged into every scene, through every emotion, with them - even the rough ones. It’s a story made to explore life, complications, unexpected directions, relationships, the acknowledgment that people or not good or bad, not selfish or selfless, not ignorant or all-knowing, but often something in a confused in-between. The structure marries past and present with expert pacing, the characters the powerhouses that drive it forward. Of course, my favourite part was the true heart of it: a second chance romance between two women who belong together but haven’t quite discovered it yet.
I devoured this story in one day - and I would do it again in a heartbeat for a chance to spend more time with this trio of friends. 💓
I devoured this story in one day - and I would do it again in a heartbeat for a chance to spend more time with this trio of friends. 💓
February 6, 2024
This really was a Joy to read. #samanthaleigh has written a book that explores both friendships and relationships in a way that is open and honest.
I liked that there was no perfect romance, all parties involved had certain flaws, moments that they weren't proud of.
It could easily be real life, truthful.
The emotions that were coming out of the pages were palpable, the fears and regrets to the absolute elation, and hope that was experienced.
A not so typical love story for the modern ages, as well as being a strong debut novel!
I liked that there was no perfect romance, all parties involved had certain flaws, moments that they weren't proud of.
It could easily be real life, truthful.
The emotions that were coming out of the pages were palpable, the fears and regrets to the absolute elation, and hope that was experienced.
A not so typical love story for the modern ages, as well as being a strong debut novel!
February 24, 2024
This was the first book in a while that I've sat and read in a full day. Beautiful easy writing style similar to Sally Rooney, it flowed effortless. The three women although with flaws all loved each other and despite their flaws you could not help to love and root for all their happiness.
Being from Liverpool and reading how the author includes places I have been makes this a real comfort book. I know for a fact I would read this again.
Amazing first novel for Samantha and hoping to see more from her I'm the future!
Being from Liverpool and reading how the author includes places I have been makes this a real comfort book. I know for a fact I would read this again.
Amazing first novel for Samantha and hoping to see more from her I'm the future!
February 20, 2024
This book is a great show of how to deal with uncomfortable situations with endless sarcasm in the best moodily-lit spots of Liverpool. It is an honest, visceral, and yet light-hearted depiction of friendship, love, and existential crises, all from a very real queer point of you. Loved every page, can’t wait to see what Samantha up with next!
March 31, 2024
An engaging and tightly wound debut! Whilst romance is not my main genre choice, the plot, narrative structure and the characters made Joy a breeze to read.
From start to finish the book keeps you engaged and doesn’t falter, would recommend to anyone that isn’t sure what to start next regardless of their genre preference.
From start to finish the book keeps you engaged and doesn’t falter, would recommend to anyone that isn’t sure what to start next regardless of their genre preference.
September 27, 2024
Honestly I don't know if it's just the kindle edition but this book needed an editor as there were typos and repeat sections throughout the book which is off-putting.
I wanted to like it, I'm constantly looking for decent queer fiction, but honestly this plot was thin, kind of predictable and the characters all kind of come out of it with pretty much no consequences.
Sadly not for me.
I wanted to like it, I'm constantly looking for decent queer fiction, but honestly this plot was thin, kind of predictable and the characters all kind of come out of it with pretty much no consequences.
Sadly not for me.
November 5, 2024
from the moment i started reading i almost didn’t stop until i got to the end!! i was very invested in all the characters and loved how they all tied in together at the end. growing up around the liverpool area i really loved that setting/part of the book. extremely grateful that no lesbians died at the end like they tend to do 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
February 27, 2024
I don't usually read romcoms, but this was just fantastically enjoyable, with pitch-perfect dialogue, clever observations, and good use of dual timeline. I was really invested in the story and sad to leave the characters behind at the end. An impressive debut from a very talented writer.
May 4, 2024
A brilliant debut novel, I was recommended this by a reviewer I follow on Tiktok and it wasn't disappointed. I'm honestly not into romantic fiction, so I wasn't optimistic, but this is so much more than a romantic fiction novel. Great relationships and characters you can get invested in.
February 14, 2024
An exciting new voice in fiction. Think Sally Rooney with a gothic edge. Funny, heart-breaking, and addictive.
March 18, 2025
Every character is insufferable.
And there are no speech marks which made it hard to follow.
And there are no speech marks which made it hard to follow.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews