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Vince and Joy: The Love Story of a Lifetime
Remember falling in love for the first time? Remember thinking, This is The One? Remember life getting in the way? From adolescent snogging to apartment shares, relationships, career crises, and children, Vince & Joy is the unforgettable story of two lives lived separately but forever entwined.
Back in the 1980s, teenagers Vince and Joy met, fell desperately in love, and never quite said good-bye. Now nearly twenty years later they've both begun to ask themselves if that long-ago romance was the enduring love that they've been searching for.
Back in the 1980s, teenagers Vince and Joy met, fell desperately in love, and never quite said good-bye. Now nearly twenty years later they've both begun to ask themselves if that long-ago romance was the enduring love that they've been searching for.
512 pages, ebook
First published August 4, 2005
395 people are currently reading
5886 people want to read
About the author
Lisa Jewell
49 books89.3k followersLISA JEWELL was born in London in 1968.
Her first novel, Ralph's Party, was the best- selling debut novel of 1999. Since then she has written another twenty novels, most recently a number of dark psychological thrillers, including The Girls, Then She Was Gone, The Family Upstairs and The Night She Disappeared.
Lisa is a New York Times and Sunday Times number one bestselling author who has been published worldwide in over twenty-five languages. She lives in north London with her husband, two teenage daughters and the best dog in the world.
Lisa's Facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/LisaJewelloff...
Her first novel, Ralph's Party, was the best- selling debut novel of 1999. Since then she has written another twenty novels, most recently a number of dark psychological thrillers, including The Girls, Then She Was Gone, The Family Upstairs and The Night She Disappeared.
Lisa is a New York Times and Sunday Times number one bestselling author who has been published worldwide in over twenty-five languages. She lives in north London with her husband, two teenage daughters and the best dog in the world.
Lisa's Facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/LisaJewelloff...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 448 reviews
August 18, 2014
I hated Vince & Joy because I hated both Vince and Joy.
Both of them are weak, indecisive, easily influenceable personalities who just drift with the tide.
It was a pure suffering to read this book. And after suffering through 500 pages with these two idiots, you don't even get a proper happy end!
Both of them are weak, indecisive, easily influenceable personalities who just drift with the tide.
It was a pure suffering to read this book. And after suffering through 500 pages with these two idiots, you don't even get a proper happy end!
May 1, 2007
Lisa Jewell is my favorite chick-lit author. She's a London girl and her characters are a bit more eccentric and interesting than most are in this genre. In this one Vince and Joy meet as teengers on summer holiday at a resort with their parents. They're both awkward goth-y teens but they fall madly in love. Then they grow apart, but fate keeps trying to bring them back together as adults in London. I know it sounds really cheesy, but the characters are awesome and there's even a cat that tries to intervene in the story. The cat is smarter than the people. Now isn't that true to life? And yes, as you may suspect, the end up living happily ever after, but only after life has dealt them some very realistic hard knocks. I am a romantic fool at heart and I loved this book.
February 15, 2017
Fantastic book, grabbed me from the first few pages, could not put down.
September 3, 2021
Seem to have been leaning towards chicklit/feel good/romances a bit. This was a satisfying story but nothing spectacular. An easy and quick read even though this was a bit of a chunkier. A nice read to spend some time with
January 19, 2020
This was a cute story to read that kept you wanting to find out what happened. However, the ending was disappointing, because it was so brief and left too much to the imagination. I wanted more at the end, even just one more chapter. That being said, at times it was frustrating because it was so obvious that the people they were in relationship with were so wrong for them and that they should be together. This book showed that even if the world is pointing at you to make a change, we still have free will. It’s ultimately our decision to make and sometimes it takes time to come to that realization. I liked how Joy found the strength to leave and build a life that she was truly proud of. Overall, a cute but somewhat frustrating read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 27, 2020
4.5 stars
You know how you watch a scary movie and see characters making unwise decisions, so you have to yell at the screen "No, don't go in there!" and "Don't trust that person!," but they don't listen to you and it doesn't work out well for them in the end? That's what reading Vince and Joy was like for me, except I was yelling "Don't throw away Joy's number, call her!" and "Leave the loser you're with and go find the love of your life: Vince!," but they didn't listen to me either. Aaaaand many years of Vince's and Joy's lives were wasted over misunderstandings and settling for second best when these two know fate has destined them to be together from the moment the teenage Vince got his first glimpse of a teenage Joy sunning herself near his caravan during summer vacation.
Like with so many of Lisa Jewell's books, I get so caught up in they way that she slowly unfolds her story that it's just about impossible to put down. And like Anne Tyler, my favorite-of-all-time domestic fiction writers, Jewell really knows how to add interesting side characters to the story she's telling; you may love or hate the characters, and they may have small or big parts, but they are fully fleshed out and are as crucial to the story as the main characters. In Vince and Joy I absolutely love Julia and Bella, and Cass and her cat.
I listened to this on audio and the narrators—Leighton Pugh and Antonia Beamish—do a marvelous job with all their characters.
You know how you watch a scary movie and see characters making unwise decisions, so you have to yell at the screen "No, don't go in there!" and "Don't trust that person!," but they don't listen to you and it doesn't work out well for them in the end? That's what reading Vince and Joy was like for me, except I was yelling "Don't throw away Joy's number, call her!" and "Leave the loser you're with and go find the love of your life: Vince!," but they didn't listen to me either. Aaaaand many years of Vince's and Joy's lives were wasted over misunderstandings and settling for second best when these two know fate has destined them to be together from the moment the teenage Vince got his first glimpse of a teenage Joy sunning herself near his caravan during summer vacation.
Like with so many of Lisa Jewell's books, I get so caught up in they way that she slowly unfolds her story that it's just about impossible to put down. And like Anne Tyler, my favorite-of-all-time domestic fiction writers, Jewell really knows how to add interesting side characters to the story she's telling; you may love or hate the characters, and they may have small or big parts, but they are fully fleshed out and are as crucial to the story as the main characters. In Vince and Joy I absolutely love Julia and Bella, and Cass and her cat.
I listened to this on audio and the narrators—Leighton Pugh and Antonia Beamish—do a marvelous job with all their characters.
January 27, 2012
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and couldn't put it down. I was, however, a little put off with the huge amount of typographical errors and words joined together (which I presume had occurred when transferring to an ebook); Kindle books are not cheap and this is unforgiveable really. However this isn't Lisa Jewell's fault and therefore shouldn't detract from the fabulous story of Vince and Joy.
I loved Joy from the outset and grew to love the delightful Vince. I couldn't wait to find out what would happen, and particularly liked how we knew what was happening to them both as the story progressed. I detested George from the outset but loved Vince's parents, Cass, Julia and Bella; all wonderful characters.
Fantastic again Lisa, I just loved this book. Thank you.
I loved Joy from the outset and grew to love the delightful Vince. I couldn't wait to find out what would happen, and particularly liked how we knew what was happening to them both as the story progressed. I detested George from the outset but loved Vince's parents, Cass, Julia and Bella; all wonderful characters.
Fantastic again Lisa, I just loved this book. Thank you.
June 28, 2016
What an absorbing book - led me to finish the whole thing in little over a day! Reading about Vince and Joy's lives running parallel to each other was fascinating and I don't think I've ever wanted two people to get together more in my life! It was difficult trying to race to the end at the same time as never finish it.
March 25, 2021
What absolutely beautifully written story that was. I loved the few twists that where in there. And touched on some very important subjects. I also loved how there was a mention of my neck of the woods northampton.
I feel really sad now that i have finished 😭. But that ending it cant end there noooo i want moree😭😭.
I feel really sad now that i have finished 😭. But that ending it cant end there noooo i want moree😭😭.
September 14, 2020
Why did it take me so long to pick this beauty up? I loved it so much and would totally read it again-highly recommend! Full review to come...
February 27, 2016
Vince and Joy is very much a story of your first love. In a way it reminded me of the film Sliding Doors, apart from unfortunately for Vince and Joy there is no parallel life.
From their first meeting, Vince and Joy look set to having a promising relationship. Unfortunately something happens and Joy disappears in the middle of the night. Joy leaves a note for Vince but due to the rain, Vince can't make out what it says. From this point in, Vince and Joy seem to make thoughtless decisions when it comes to future relationships. They seem to just settle for second best and it is obvious that it is going to end in disaster.
I really loved both Vince and Joy. They are not perfect, they are human. They make mistakes but they pick themselves up and dust themselves down. I didn't know if fate was being unkind to them having them bump into each other only for them to go off on their own way again. I felt very much like Bella in the story and wanted to knock their heads together so they would wake up from the stupor they seemed to be in.
Reading about how both of them met and the whole array of feelings they had for each other brings so many feelings and memories back for the reader of their first love. I mean do we ever truly forget our first love? Every now and again don't we think of them and wonder what they are doing, if they have met someone else and are they happy? A first love can have such an impact on our lives and the author has created a heart warming story with lovely characters that gives readers hope that if true love is meant to be, regardless of time and distance, if two people are meant to be together then at some point in their lives it will happen.
From their first meeting, Vince and Joy look set to having a promising relationship. Unfortunately something happens and Joy disappears in the middle of the night. Joy leaves a note for Vince but due to the rain, Vince can't make out what it says. From this point in, Vince and Joy seem to make thoughtless decisions when it comes to future relationships. They seem to just settle for second best and it is obvious that it is going to end in disaster.
I really loved both Vince and Joy. They are not perfect, they are human. They make mistakes but they pick themselves up and dust themselves down. I didn't know if fate was being unkind to them having them bump into each other only for them to go off on their own way again. I felt very much like Bella in the story and wanted to knock their heads together so they would wake up from the stupor they seemed to be in.
Reading about how both of them met and the whole array of feelings they had for each other brings so many feelings and memories back for the reader of their first love. I mean do we ever truly forget our first love? Every now and again don't we think of them and wonder what they are doing, if they have met someone else and are they happy? A first love can have such an impact on our lives and the author has created a heart warming story with lovely characters that gives readers hope that if true love is meant to be, regardless of time and distance, if two people are meant to be together then at some point in their lives it will happen.
October 11, 2008
I picked up this book for selfish reasons. One of my own failed projects had a similar premise. I’d enjoyed one of the author’s other books, so I was interested to see how she handled this plot. There are so many places you could go with this plot: boy and girl met, have a brief intense encounter before they are separated, and live out the rest of their lives wondering about the one that got away. However, you have to really like the characters to invest so much time in them, and Jewell’s two main characters are so, well, they’re not unlikeable, they’re just very bland, and very boring. Like one of the characters in the book says, they’re “passengers on the bus of life”, letting the driver dictate where and when they’re going. I understand what Jewell was trying to do, show that these two people would never be happy unless they were with one another, but I really didn’t care enough about them to want them to be happy. I was more interested in some of the secondary characters, like the may-December parents and the cross dressing roommate. They seemed more human than the two wet mop star crossed lovers.
February 13, 2019
Not my typical genre of books to read. I picked this off my wife's bookshelf looking for something different to read. Great choice to read the week of Valentines Day as it really is a super cute story. I really liked it.
September 8, 2025
No. Can’t believe this was 500 pages.
May 8, 2019
I loved this book. If you like David Nichols then I think you'll like this. And by the way, why are her books called chick lit and his books not?!
August 21, 2023
Lisa jewell a very good author... enjoyed this book
January 13, 2020
Audiobook. Great narration and good story. I listened to a thriller by the author recently so I expected this to be the same genre. It isn’t but it’s still well written and very listenable.
July 2, 2012
No sabía que esperar de este libro.
Lo compré porque me costó 4 libras, lo cual es muy barato.
No lo había empezado a leer hasta como 6 meses después.
Y entonces empezó todo. El libro esta dividido en tres partes. Vince y Joy de adolescentes, a los ventitantos aun confusos y a los 30.
El inicio es y siempre será mi parte favorita. Vince y Joy se conocen en unas vacaciones, se enamoran y son una trágica y hermosa pareja.
Peor entonces sucede, por cosas que pasan, ambos se separan y no vuelven a verse sino hasta los veintitantos. Y de ahí no digo más que sin duda se pone interesante y genial.
Es un libro gordito en el que los personajes van madurando, creciendo. Al tiempo en el que tu les gritas "¡¿Que no ven que son el uno para el otro?!" Y te enojas.
Me encanta, porque es diferente a los libros de amor actuales, o de antes. Este evoluciona, cambia, nos cuenta una historia creíble que en este momento le puede estar pasando a cualquiera. Nos narra una historia de amor en una vida tan cruda y real como la nuestra.
Me encantó. Es un libro largo, que te deja despierto, intrigado y llorando todo el tiempo porque los personajes… porque la vida no quiere que nadie sea feliz. Y te desesperas, te desesperas porque sabes que eso pasa todos los días y no hay nada que puedas hacer para evitarlo.
Así que si, yo amé esta historia. Y la recomiendo, si eres de los que aman el drama y el amor, o si no también, porque te deja mucho aprendizaje y cosas buenas.
Te deja una reflexión y es un libro que te lo comes enterito en poco tiempo solo por querer saber como será el final de esta trágica pareja.
Además, esta portada es perfecta. Me encanta, porque te dice de todo sin decir nada.
Yo amé a Vince, sin duda es mi personaje favorito. Aunque a veces cometía estupideces. Al igual que Joy, que amaba y odiaba al mismo tiempo.
Pero sin duda es un libro muy bueno que tienen que leer al menos una vez en su vida.
Lo compré porque me costó 4 libras, lo cual es muy barato.
No lo había empezado a leer hasta como 6 meses después.
Y entonces empezó todo. El libro esta dividido en tres partes. Vince y Joy de adolescentes, a los ventitantos aun confusos y a los 30.
El inicio es y siempre será mi parte favorita. Vince y Joy se conocen en unas vacaciones, se enamoran y son una trágica y hermosa pareja.
Peor entonces sucede, por cosas que pasan, ambos se separan y no vuelven a verse sino hasta los veintitantos. Y de ahí no digo más que sin duda se pone interesante y genial.
Es un libro gordito en el que los personajes van madurando, creciendo. Al tiempo en el que tu les gritas "¡¿Que no ven que son el uno para el otro?!" Y te enojas.
Me encanta, porque es diferente a los libros de amor actuales, o de antes. Este evoluciona, cambia, nos cuenta una historia creíble que en este momento le puede estar pasando a cualquiera. Nos narra una historia de amor en una vida tan cruda y real como la nuestra.
Me encantó. Es un libro largo, que te deja despierto, intrigado y llorando todo el tiempo porque los personajes… porque la vida no quiere que nadie sea feliz. Y te desesperas, te desesperas porque sabes que eso pasa todos los días y no hay nada que puedas hacer para evitarlo.
Así que si, yo amé esta historia. Y la recomiendo, si eres de los que aman el drama y el amor, o si no también, porque te deja mucho aprendizaje y cosas buenas.
Te deja una reflexión y es un libro que te lo comes enterito en poco tiempo solo por querer saber como será el final de esta trágica pareja.
Además, esta portada es perfecta. Me encanta, porque te dice de todo sin decir nada.
Yo amé a Vince, sin duda es mi personaje favorito. Aunque a veces cometía estupideces. Al igual que Joy, que amaba y odiaba al mismo tiempo.
Pero sin duda es un libro muy bueno que tienen que leer al menos una vez en su vida.
November 2, 2023
"Vince and Joy" by Lisa Jewell is a heartwarming novel that deserves a four-star rating.
This story revolves around the lives of Vince and Joy, two individuals who meet during their teenage years, and fate keeps bringing them back together over the years. The narrative is beautifully constructed, capturing the essence of life's twists and turns, and how our paths can unexpectedly intersect with others.
The characters are genuinely relatable, and their personal growth throughout the book is both engaging and well-developed. Readers can't help but become emotionally invested in Vince and Joy's journeys.
Lisa Jewell's writing style is both captivating and poignant. She weaves a tale of love, friendship, and life's ups and downs with a delicate touch, making it easy for readers to become absorbed in the story.
While the novel has many strengths, it may not be groundbreaking in its genre. The storyline, while heartwarming, follows a somewhat conventional trajectory for a contemporary romance novel. Some readers might prefer more unpredictability or a unique twist in the plot.
In conclusion, "Vince and Joy" is a touching and well-written story that explores the complexities of human relationships. It might not reinvent the romance genre, but it certainly offers an enjoyable and emotionally resonant read. A four-star rating is well-deserved.
This story revolves around the lives of Vince and Joy, two individuals who meet during their teenage years, and fate keeps bringing them back together over the years. The narrative is beautifully constructed, capturing the essence of life's twists and turns, and how our paths can unexpectedly intersect with others.
The characters are genuinely relatable, and their personal growth throughout the book is both engaging and well-developed. Readers can't help but become emotionally invested in Vince and Joy's journeys.
Lisa Jewell's writing style is both captivating and poignant. She weaves a tale of love, friendship, and life's ups and downs with a delicate touch, making it easy for readers to become absorbed in the story.
While the novel has many strengths, it may not be groundbreaking in its genre. The storyline, while heartwarming, follows a somewhat conventional trajectory for a contemporary romance novel. Some readers might prefer more unpredictability or a unique twist in the plot.
In conclusion, "Vince and Joy" is a touching and well-written story that explores the complexities of human relationships. It might not reinvent the romance genre, but it certainly offers an enjoyable and emotionally resonant read. A four-star rating is well-deserved.
May 10, 2015
I really enjoyed this one which has been sitting on my bookshelf for a long while! It follows Vince and Roy- who meet as teenagers when they stay in neighbouring caravans on family holidays. They'd both had a troubled time growing up and young love arrived for them both and after a short time could imagine their whole lives spreading before them. One morning Vince wakes to discover that Joy and her family disappeared overnight. The note she left had washed away in the rain leaving only a few readable words. He thinks she regrets them meeting and they both have to put their first love behind them.
Neither has a great dating history and Joy meets and marries a man who changes as soon as they start to live together. Vince is still searching for a soul mate- he has found a couple of girls who might have been 'the one'.
At a dinner party when everyone is discussing their first love- he remembers Joy and then their stories follow. They meet by chance on occasion and their paths almost cross due to shared friends. Will fate bring them together- are they destined to fall in love?
I loved the will they, won't they aspect of the story.
Neither has a great dating history and Joy meets and marries a man who changes as soon as they start to live together. Vince is still searching for a soul mate- he has found a couple of girls who might have been 'the one'.
At a dinner party when everyone is discussing their first love- he remembers Joy and then their stories follow. They meet by chance on occasion and their paths almost cross due to shared friends. Will fate bring them together- are they destined to fall in love?
I loved the will they, won't they aspect of the story.
February 7, 2015
A great premise with a not so great execution. Two passive protagonists leading a boring life but doing nothing to change it. This book is not so much about missed chances and fate, as it is about two people too bored to grab an opportunity and change their lives.
This book is not so bad, but not that great either. Maybe the author wanted to drive home the point that Vince & Joy can never be happy unless they were with each other. But living a bland life and letting all those 'fate brings us together' moments pass away doesn't make them likeable. The side characters were way more interesting than the protagonists.
Maybe this was supposed to be serious realistic romance with a touch of humor. Maybe I shouldn't have expected this book to have sappy romance. Maybe I shouldn't have expected the 'fate brings us together' moments to be sparkling & great. But everything added up to be a great disappointment. I can't believe this is the same book that keep me awake all night during the first few chapters.
This book is not so bad, but not that great either. Maybe the author wanted to drive home the point that Vince & Joy can never be happy unless they were with each other. But living a bland life and letting all those 'fate brings us together' moments pass away doesn't make them likeable. The side characters were way more interesting than the protagonists.
Maybe this was supposed to be serious realistic romance with a touch of humor. Maybe I shouldn't have expected this book to have sappy romance. Maybe I shouldn't have expected the 'fate brings us together' moments to be sparkling & great. But everything added up to be a great disappointment. I can't believe this is the same book that keep me awake all night during the first few chapters.
January 10, 2019
This was such a cute book!
That really is the best way to describe it.
I broke away from it with the feeling that I'd actually learnt a handful of life lessons about love, relationships and family values!
The only reason it lacks a 5th star is the simple reason that I couldn't help but want to scream through the pages of the book at Vince and Joy.
On more than several occasions they separately made some of the most ridiculously poor life decisions- the same feeling I get when the attractive blonde with the big tits doesn't lock the door when the murderer is outside the house in the teen slasher movies. It was starting to get a bit eye-rolly.
Also, I know it was just a light hearted love story but the amount of coincidences in this book was a bit of a joke.
Other than that..great, easy read.
That really is the best way to describe it.
I broke away from it with the feeling that I'd actually learnt a handful of life lessons about love, relationships and family values!
The only reason it lacks a 5th star is the simple reason that I couldn't help but want to scream through the pages of the book at Vince and Joy.
On more than several occasions they separately made some of the most ridiculously poor life decisions- the same feeling I get when the attractive blonde with the big tits doesn't lock the door when the murderer is outside the house in the teen slasher movies. It was starting to get a bit eye-rolly.
Also, I know it was just a light hearted love story but the amount of coincidences in this book was a bit of a joke.
Other than that..great, easy read.
February 6, 2013
My favourite Lisa Jewell book which I read when it was released in 2005. Being a believer in fate, this was right up my street and I couldn't put it down. Brilliantly written both Vince and Joy were totally believable characters, anyone who grew up as a teenager in the 1980's will identify with this book. Highly recommended!
February 28, 2022
I don’t often read romantic novels but I highly recommend this one. It was a delight - loved it!
August 22, 2024
Was rubbish couldn’t finish it
August 27, 2024
This is a pretty good book.
I picked it up because I had read a thriller by Lisa Jewell and enjoyed her writing, so I was curious about this one. I didn’t have high expectations, so it pleasantly surprised me.
Initially, I thought the story would focus on how these teenage sweethearts reunite after some time apart, but it's really about the relationships you form in your twenties and thirties and how you sometimes end up with people who aren’t the right fit. Vince and Joy both find themselves in unfulfilling marriages for the wrong reasons, but the portrayal is very realistic, it shows how people often struggle with leaving their partner even when is it clear they are not meant to be. I enjoyed it and would recommend it.
I picked it up because I had read a thriller by Lisa Jewell and enjoyed her writing, so I was curious about this one. I didn’t have high expectations, so it pleasantly surprised me.
Initially, I thought the story would focus on how these teenage sweethearts reunite after some time apart, but it's really about the relationships you form in your twenties and thirties and how you sometimes end up with people who aren’t the right fit. Vince and Joy both find themselves in unfulfilling marriages for the wrong reasons, but the portrayal is very realistic, it shows how people often struggle with leaving their partner even when is it clear they are not meant to be. I enjoyed it and would recommend it.
July 25, 2024
Listened to this TROPE of a love story… and was slightly annoyed at times, but loved the character building from this author. VERY different from her thriller stuff, but equally good. I was kept on the edge of my seat for the entire book, but in a different way from her other writing.
September 9, 2025
A great book! I was a bit reticent at first… it has many dated references but Lisa Jewell excels at character creation. So warm and the story wasn’t as predictable as I thought it was going to be. Another book that should be a Richard Curtis film.
May 21, 2020
2.5 stars. Reminiscent of “When Harry Met Sally” but without the charm or humor. Engaging with a satisfying ending—a good beach book! Nothing like Jewell’s recent books.
December 15, 2022
Such a hopeful story. Kinda reinstated my faith in fate.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 448 reviews