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Good Joy, Bad Joy: A Novel
Win a free print copy of this book!
4 days and 09:36:25
10 copies available
U.S. only
From the bestselling author of
The Collected Regrets of Clover
comes a whimsical, heartfelt novel about friendship over the decades, self-discovery, and what it means to have a life well-lived.
As her ninetieth year draws near, Joy Bridport can't help question how she’s ended up outliving her husband and almost all of her contemporaries except for one—Hazel, her best friend since she was eight years old. Joy has led a quiet life compared to Hazel, living in the same small town on the Hudson River for the past seventy years, spending her days gardening, teaching piano, and raising her daughter and grandson.
Joy thought she was content with her life, until Hazel tells her the very thing Joy has been dreading: her best friend only has a few months to live. Hazel says she’s at peace with her diagnosis, knowing she’s squeezed everything out of her exciting, adventurous existence. But as a lifelong people-pleaser and staunch rule-follower, Joy realizes she can’t say the same. As she throws herself into ensuring Hazel's final months are as comfortable and happy as possible, Joy starts to question whether it was worth always putting others first and being confined by society’s rules. What does she have to show for it all? When her efforts to assist Hazel in her time of need leads her to commit a petty crime, she gets a tantalizing taste of what it’s like to live outside of the “Good Joy” persona she’s always worked so hard to embody—and to live more like Hazel.
But as her foray into rule-breaking escalates, Joy must consider what kind of legacy she wants to leave behind, and whether there's a way for her to embrace the liberation that "Bad Joy" offers without losing all that "Good Joy" holds dear.
As her ninetieth year draws near, Joy Bridport can't help question how she’s ended up outliving her husband and almost all of her contemporaries except for one—Hazel, her best friend since she was eight years old. Joy has led a quiet life compared to Hazel, living in the same small town on the Hudson River for the past seventy years, spending her days gardening, teaching piano, and raising her daughter and grandson.
Joy thought she was content with her life, until Hazel tells her the very thing Joy has been dreading: her best friend only has a few months to live. Hazel says she’s at peace with her diagnosis, knowing she’s squeezed everything out of her exciting, adventurous existence. But as a lifelong people-pleaser and staunch rule-follower, Joy realizes she can’t say the same. As she throws herself into ensuring Hazel's final months are as comfortable and happy as possible, Joy starts to question whether it was worth always putting others first and being confined by society’s rules. What does she have to show for it all? When her efforts to assist Hazel in her time of need leads her to commit a petty crime, she gets a tantalizing taste of what it’s like to live outside of the “Good Joy” persona she’s always worked so hard to embody—and to live more like Hazel.
But as her foray into rule-breaking escalates, Joy must consider what kind of legacy she wants to leave behind, and whether there's a way for her to embrace the liberation that "Bad Joy" offers without losing all that "Good Joy" holds dear.
294 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 5, 2026
429 people are currently reading
23344 people want to read
About the author
Mikki Brammer
2 books1,555 followersMikki Brammer is an Australian journalist and author who hails from Tasmania. She is now based in Brooklyn, New York (by way of France and Spain) where she writes about design, architecture and art for publications such as Architectural Digest, Dwell and ELLE Decor. 'The Collected Regrets of Clover,' her bestselling debut novel, was named a Best Book of Summer 2023 by the New York Times Book Review and a Best Book of 2023 by NPR, and is being published in 27 languages. Her second novel, ‘Good Joy, Bad Joy,’ will be published in May 2026.
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arc-netgelley
March 10, 2026Why do I feel like this might make me cry?
Thank you to NetGalley and Publisher for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to NetGalley and Publisher for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
September 10, 2025
In the wake of learning that her best friend has terminal cancer, 89-year old Joy is determined to experience all that life truly has to offer in the limited time she has left with Hazel.
First off, my undying gratitude to Mikki and her team at St. Martins Press for sending me an uncorrected bound manuscript of Good Joy, Bad Joy. I am so thankful and will guard it with my life. It’s no secret that The Collected Regrets of Clover is one of my favorite books, so I have been waiting and WAITING for Mikki’s follow-up.
And wow, this book really affected me. It was heart-warming and lovely. I truly savored it and read very slowly. There were so many moments and lines I had to tab, because they affected me deep down in my soul. At its core, this is a story of friendship. Enduring friendship. Devoted friendship. EIGHTY ONE years of friendship.
What really stood out to me was Mikki’s exploration of grief and the effects of losing someone while that person is still alive. We really walk with Joy as she processes the impending loss of her best friend, platonic soul-mate, and one true love, Hazel. I don’t know if I’ve read anything quite like that. The longevity and depth of their friendship was something I really marveled at. The reader gets to know them and their relationship through present-day as well as flashbacks and by the end of the book, my they really wormed their way into my heart.
And it’s the loss of Hazel that has Joy asking herself, what is a life well-lived? Am I happy with my choices? Looking back, is there anything I would have changed? I found her wrestles and inner-dialogue honest and raw. And by the end, she discovers it’s never too late to change, have new experiences, and even get into a little bit of trouble (which will have you giggling).
In addition to the themes of grief, loss, and friendship, Mikki tenderly explores living life in the grey area, motherhood, marriage, and reckoning with one’s mistakes. This book will have you thinking deeply about your own life, what sort of legacy you want to leave (big or small. and how SMALL acts can add up to BIG impact), and not leaving things left unsaid.
Truly, it’s as if Mikki is begging us, the reader, to grab our loved ones by their shoulders and tell them how much we love them, just because we can. Because we are both alive. What a gift living is.
Still kicking.
First off, my undying gratitude to Mikki and her team at St. Martins Press for sending me an uncorrected bound manuscript of Good Joy, Bad Joy. I am so thankful and will guard it with my life. It’s no secret that The Collected Regrets of Clover is one of my favorite books, so I have been waiting and WAITING for Mikki’s follow-up.
And wow, this book really affected me. It was heart-warming and lovely. I truly savored it and read very slowly. There were so many moments and lines I had to tab, because they affected me deep down in my soul. At its core, this is a story of friendship. Enduring friendship. Devoted friendship. EIGHTY ONE years of friendship.
What really stood out to me was Mikki’s exploration of grief and the effects of losing someone while that person is still alive. We really walk with Joy as she processes the impending loss of her best friend, platonic soul-mate, and one true love, Hazel. I don’t know if I’ve read anything quite like that. The longevity and depth of their friendship was something I really marveled at. The reader gets to know them and their relationship through present-day as well as flashbacks and by the end of the book, my they really wormed their way into my heart.
And it’s the loss of Hazel that has Joy asking herself, what is a life well-lived? Am I happy with my choices? Looking back, is there anything I would have changed? I found her wrestles and inner-dialogue honest and raw. And by the end, she discovers it’s never too late to change, have new experiences, and even get into a little bit of trouble (which will have you giggling).
In addition to the themes of grief, loss, and friendship, Mikki tenderly explores living life in the grey area, motherhood, marriage, and reckoning with one’s mistakes. This book will have you thinking deeply about your own life, what sort of legacy you want to leave (big or small. and how SMALL acts can add up to BIG impact), and not leaving things left unsaid.
Truly, it’s as if Mikki is begging us, the reader, to grab our loved ones by their shoulders and tell them how much we love them, just because we can. Because we are both alive. What a gift living is.
Still kicking.
April 13, 2026
A story of friendship, second chances, and grief. Really wonderful!
January 7, 2026
Writing this through the tears in my eyes- what a beautiful beautiful book. This one is an ode to late-bloomers, to platonic soulmates, to forgiveness and honesty and adventure and joy. I highlighted page after page- the words spoke directly to my in such a meaningful and specific way. Mikki Brammer is an absolute treasure.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Good Joy, Bad Joy by Mikki Brammer is one I’m still kind of sitting with.
It follows Joy, who has lived a very safe, by-the-rules kind of life, and her best friend Hazel, who is facing the end of hers. As they spend that time together, Joy starts to step outside of her comfort zone in ways she never has before.
It was really heartwarming, and while there are sad moments, it wasn’t as heavy as I expected. It actually made me laugh in places too, which I didn’t expect going in.
What I liked most was how the story moves between present day and the past. It was done really well and made Joy and Hazel’s friendship feel real. You get to see all of it—the fun, the history, and the harder moments they went through together.
This is a story that will sit with me for awhile. It prompts you to be thankful for the friendships you have, foster relationships, and be proactive rather than complacent in life. I went on and pre-ordered a copy of this one.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
PUBLISH DATE: May 5, 2026
BOOK TITLE: Good Joy, Bad Joy
AUTHOR: Mikki Brammer
PUBLISHER: St Martin's Press
FORMAT: ebook
PAGES: 320
I received a complimentary digital ARC [Advanced Readers Copy] of this book via NetGalley. Thank you to the Publisher and the Author for the opportunity to read and review this title prior to publication. As always, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.
It follows Joy, who has lived a very safe, by-the-rules kind of life, and her best friend Hazel, who is facing the end of hers. As they spend that time together, Joy starts to step outside of her comfort zone in ways she never has before.
It was really heartwarming, and while there are sad moments, it wasn’t as heavy as I expected. It actually made me laugh in places too, which I didn’t expect going in.
What I liked most was how the story moves between present day and the past. It was done really well and made Joy and Hazel’s friendship feel real. You get to see all of it—the fun, the history, and the harder moments they went through together.
This is a story that will sit with me for awhile. It prompts you to be thankful for the friendships you have, foster relationships, and be proactive rather than complacent in life. I went on and pre-ordered a copy of this one.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
PUBLISH DATE: May 5, 2026
BOOK TITLE: Good Joy, Bad Joy
AUTHOR: Mikki Brammer
PUBLISHER: St Martin's Press
FORMAT: ebook
PAGES: 320
I received a complimentary digital ARC [Advanced Readers Copy] of this book via NetGalley. Thank you to the Publisher and the Author for the opportunity to read and review this title prior to publication. As always, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.
March 19, 2026
Good Joy, Bad Joy is the story about Joy Bridport, a woman in her late eighties who has always followed the rules. Her quiet, dutiful existence is shaken when she learns her adventurous best friend (from the time they were eight years old) is terminally ill. Realizing she has regrets about her own life choices, Joy decides to live more boldly in the time she has left, which leads her to a series of "unexpected adventures, including committing petty crimes."
It's a bit lonely over here on Outlier Isle! I'm afraid I didn't love this book. I really expected to, but I didn't find Joy's stunts to be humorous. The tagline for Good Joy, Bad Joy is "Break the rules. Find your joy." And break the rules, she did. The driving incidents made me roll my eyes so far back that I was worried they would never return to their normal position. Joy has always driven 5 mph below the speed limit, even when she was young. Yet, here she is in her late 80s (an age when reflexes are few and far between), and Joy thinks it will be great fun to drive 20 mph over the speed limit. (I just want to be forewarned of the roads she's going to be on!) Honestly? I didn't find any of Joy's "adventures" to be humorous, nor did I find Joy to be likeable. Almost everything she did felt childish, or dangerous, or both.
But like I mentioned previously, most of the reviews are glowing. The reviewers are using words like "heartwarming," "beautiful," "enjoyable," and "honest." So, feel free to ignore me, and I'll head back to Outlier Isle.
Thank you, #StMartinsPress, for providing this book for review and consideration via #NetGalley. All opinions are my own. Good Joy, Bad Joy has an expected publication date of May 19, 2026.
It's a bit lonely over here on Outlier Isle! I'm afraid I didn't love this book. I really expected to, but I didn't find Joy's stunts to be humorous. The tagline for Good Joy, Bad Joy is "Break the rules. Find your joy." And break the rules, she did. The driving incidents made me roll my eyes so far back that I was worried they would never return to their normal position. Joy has always driven 5 mph below the speed limit, even when she was young. Yet, here she is in her late 80s (an age when reflexes are few and far between), and Joy thinks it will be great fun to drive 20 mph over the speed limit. (I just want to be forewarned of the roads she's going to be on!) Honestly? I didn't find any of Joy's "adventures" to be humorous, nor did I find Joy to be likeable. Almost everything she did felt childish, or dangerous, or both.
But like I mentioned previously, most of the reviews are glowing. The reviewers are using words like "heartwarming," "beautiful," "enjoyable," and "honest." So, feel free to ignore me, and I'll head back to Outlier Isle.
Thank you, #StMartinsPress, for providing this book for review and consideration via #NetGalley. All opinions are my own. Good Joy, Bad Joy has an expected publication date of May 19, 2026.
December 6, 2025
I received a free copy of, Good Joy, Bad Joy, by Mikki Brammer, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Joy Bridport has always been a good girl, for over eighty years actually, now she wants to be a bad girl. This was a really nice read, I really liked Joy and Hazel.
May 6, 2026
3 stars.
Too schmaltzy for me but I know many will love this.
Review to come…
Too schmaltzy for me but I know many will love this.
Review to come…
November 17, 2025
“Everyone blooms in their own time, even if it takes eighty-nine years. Sometimes we need a few false starts before we come into our element, but it’s never too late.”
I’m not always a fan of octogenarian themed novels, but I wanted to read Good Joy, Bad Joy because I loved Mikki Brammer’s The Collected Regrets of Clover so much.
Joy, is 89, and is ready to start truly living her life. After finding out her best friend Hazel of almost 80 years, has stage four cancer and is going to die, she starts to question if it’s too late for her to start living the life she’s always imagined.
I like how the book went back in time so you could see how the relationships developed over the years.
This book will make you laugh, cry, and contemplate- are you truly living the life you want for yourself or for someone else? And judging by how Joy is living her life, it’s never too late.
““I realized I’d been missing out on the fun all my life by always following the rules, and I wanted the chance to see what it felt like to break them.”
I’m not always a fan of octogenarian themed novels, but I wanted to read Good Joy, Bad Joy because I loved Mikki Brammer’s The Collected Regrets of Clover so much.
Joy, is 89, and is ready to start truly living her life. After finding out her best friend Hazel of almost 80 years, has stage four cancer and is going to die, she starts to question if it’s too late for her to start living the life she’s always imagined.
I like how the book went back in time so you could see how the relationships developed over the years.
This book will make you laugh, cry, and contemplate- are you truly living the life you want for yourself or for someone else? And judging by how Joy is living her life, it’s never too late.
““I realized I’d been missing out on the fun all my life by always following the rules, and I wanted the chance to see what it felt like to break them.”
Want to Read
November 3, 2025Excited I Have This Book. This is the Author of
The Collected Regrets of Clover I really enjoyed that book.
This one sounds good, too. About finding the Joy in Life.
Read Now for anyone who has a NetGalley Account.
🌸🌼🪻🌺
The Collected Regrets of Clover I really enjoyed that book. This one sounds good, too. About finding the Joy in Life.
Read Now for anyone who has a NetGalley Account.
🌸🌼🪻🌺
November 21, 2025
4🌟 After being completely obsessed with The Collected Regrets of Clover, I knew this would be a must read for me. Accompanying 89 year old Joy along the path of her story will make you reconsider all of life, marriage, motherhood, friendship, betrayal, grief, loss, all the things. After being a compulsive rule follower and staying inside her little box for her entire life, Joy blooms into someone she barely recognizes. It’s never too late, my friends.
May 1, 2026
'If we both need each other, what happens when only one of us is left?'
Having read and loved Brammer's first novel, it was a no-brainer that I would pick up Good Joy, Bad Joy before even reading the premise.
This book follows Joy, an octogenarian that has lived life safely, by the rules. But by 89, she has lost her husband and many friends over the years. Now, her best friend Hazel who is more like a sister to her, announces she has cancer. And Joy cannot fathom doing life without her after over 80 years together. We immediately see how this affects Joy and the decisions she makes in the present while the author also includes chapters from the past to plunge the reader into who these characters are and the importance they hold in each other's lives.
This book was like a charming cup of warm cocoa, or perhaps a warm cup of mint tea (iykyk). It starts out slow and introduces us to all the important people in Joy's life. From Hazel, to her daughter and grandson and her neighbors, we see the quiet and safe life Joy has lived. We follow her as she experiences grief while her loved one is still alive and the relationships she has with not only her family, but neighbors and other people she has let into her life and heart over the years. She begins to really question what she has done with her life and the choices she has made. I loved seeing the spark and spunk she develops and opening up to some things that bring her joy and a zing of excitement. It made me smile and snicker at her antics.
While I thought this was a more quiet and thoughtful story, I really enjoyed how it explored the different kinds of relationships that cross our paths over time and how they can evolve, even very late in the game. I also really liked some friendships that formed between Joy and some unlikely neighbors, especially the new neighbor that was a pleasant surprise. And the little easter egg of a character that was briefly mentioned by Hazel? It brought a smile to my face.
Overall, this isn't a story that is full of action and drama, rather it is one that will have you reflecting on life. How it is never too late to make changes and really live. As Joy says in the epilogue, "Life is long, isn't it? You never know what the future might hold."
Mikki Brammer is a treasure and her words will resonate with you, no matter what your age is. She deals with death in a unique way that has me looking deeper and contemplating the way I currently live my life. If you haven't had the chance to read her first book, The Collected Regrets of Clover, I recommend you pick that one up too.
Having read and loved Brammer's first novel, it was a no-brainer that I would pick up Good Joy, Bad Joy before even reading the premise.
This book follows Joy, an octogenarian that has lived life safely, by the rules. But by 89, she has lost her husband and many friends over the years. Now, her best friend Hazel who is more like a sister to her, announces she has cancer. And Joy cannot fathom doing life without her after over 80 years together. We immediately see how this affects Joy and the decisions she makes in the present while the author also includes chapters from the past to plunge the reader into who these characters are and the importance they hold in each other's lives.
This book was like a charming cup of warm cocoa, or perhaps a warm cup of mint tea (iykyk). It starts out slow and introduces us to all the important people in Joy's life. From Hazel, to her daughter and grandson and her neighbors, we see the quiet and safe life Joy has lived. We follow her as she experiences grief while her loved one is still alive and the relationships she has with not only her family, but neighbors and other people she has let into her life and heart over the years. She begins to really question what she has done with her life and the choices she has made. I loved seeing the spark and spunk she develops and opening up to some things that bring her joy and a zing of excitement. It made me smile and snicker at her antics.
While I thought this was a more quiet and thoughtful story, I really enjoyed how it explored the different kinds of relationships that cross our paths over time and how they can evolve, even very late in the game. I also really liked some friendships that formed between Joy and some unlikely neighbors, especially the new neighbor that was a pleasant surprise. And the little easter egg of a character that was briefly mentioned by Hazel? It brought a smile to my face.
Overall, this isn't a story that is full of action and drama, rather it is one that will have you reflecting on life. How it is never too late to make changes and really live. As Joy says in the epilogue, "Life is long, isn't it? You never know what the future might hold."
Mikki Brammer is a treasure and her words will resonate with you, no matter what your age is. She deals with death in a unique way that has me looking deeper and contemplating the way I currently live my life. If you haven't had the chance to read her first book, The Collected Regrets of Clover, I recommend you pick that one up too.
Want to Read
August 24, 2025i ADORED mikki brammer’s debut novel and was absolutely buzzing when i saw she was releasing another novel. her writing is marvelous and this premise seems right up my alley so i am super excited to pick this one up when it comes out!
May 3, 2026
This was my first novel by Mikki Brammer and I really loved it 💛 I immediately added The Collected Regrets of Clover to my TBR.
Good Joy, Bad Joy is tender and funny, and powerful in the quiet messages it conveys. At its heart, it’s a love story, just not a romantic one. It’s about Joy and Hazel, lifelong best friends, and the deep, complicated bond they share over decades. When 89-year-old Joy learns that Hazel has been diagnosed with stage IV cancer, she’s forced to confront something she’s spent a lifetime avoiding: grief, change, and the question of what it means to keep living when the person who has always been by your side won’t be there anymore.
I loved how this book explores themes of friendship, second chances, and the weight of unspoken things. It really digs into the idea that avoiding conflict or hard conversations doesn’t just keep the peace, it can also hold you back from deeper, more meaningful relationships. That hit.
I also just loved the characters, especially Joy. She’s quirky, stubborn, and unexpectedly rebellious in the best way. The fact that she befriends an ex-convict adds such a fun and surprising layer, and her generosity really stood out to me. She’s the kind of person who would skip groceries and live off canned beans just to help others, like the students she gives free piano lessons to. Those small details made her feel incredibly real and easy to love.
Joy’s perspective especially stood out to me. There’s this underlying question of whether it’s ever “too late” to change, to grow, to choose differently. Watching her reflect on her life, her choices, and her relationships with both Hazel and her daughter Elizabeth gave me a sense of hope that it’s never too late to repair relationships and build stronger connections moving forward.
The audiobook was fantastic 🎧 There are two narrators, one for older Joy, who genuinely reminded me of my grandma 🥹, and one for her younger years. That dual perspective really brought the story to life and made the evolution of Joy and Hazel’s friendship feel rich and layered.
Overall, this is a story that gently reminds you to treasure your people, say the hard things, and not take time for granted. It’s emotional without being overwhelming, and full of warmth and heart.
Many thanks to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the ALC in exchange for an honest review.
Good Joy, Bad Joy is tender and funny, and powerful in the quiet messages it conveys. At its heart, it’s a love story, just not a romantic one. It’s about Joy and Hazel, lifelong best friends, and the deep, complicated bond they share over decades. When 89-year-old Joy learns that Hazel has been diagnosed with stage IV cancer, she’s forced to confront something she’s spent a lifetime avoiding: grief, change, and the question of what it means to keep living when the person who has always been by your side won’t be there anymore.
I loved how this book explores themes of friendship, second chances, and the weight of unspoken things. It really digs into the idea that avoiding conflict or hard conversations doesn’t just keep the peace, it can also hold you back from deeper, more meaningful relationships. That hit.
I also just loved the characters, especially Joy. She’s quirky, stubborn, and unexpectedly rebellious in the best way. The fact that she befriends an ex-convict adds such a fun and surprising layer, and her generosity really stood out to me. She’s the kind of person who would skip groceries and live off canned beans just to help others, like the students she gives free piano lessons to. Those small details made her feel incredibly real and easy to love.
Joy’s perspective especially stood out to me. There’s this underlying question of whether it’s ever “too late” to change, to grow, to choose differently. Watching her reflect on her life, her choices, and her relationships with both Hazel and her daughter Elizabeth gave me a sense of hope that it’s never too late to repair relationships and build stronger connections moving forward.
The audiobook was fantastic 🎧 There are two narrators, one for older Joy, who genuinely reminded me of my grandma 🥹, and one for her younger years. That dual perspective really brought the story to life and made the evolution of Joy and Hazel’s friendship feel rich and layered.
Overall, this is a story that gently reminds you to treasure your people, say the hard things, and not take time for granted. It’s emotional without being overwhelming, and full of warmth and heart.
Many thanks to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the ALC in exchange for an honest review.
May 6, 2026
Joy and Hazel have been friends for 80 years. Joy was a dutiful wife and mother. Hazel traveled the world and was more of a free spirit. And Joy sent care packages all over the world to find her dear friend. Joy lost her husband Tom to an aneurism years earlier, but she takes it very hard when Hazel tells her that she doesn’t have long to live, that she is dying of terminal cancer. She starts to wonder if she has done the right thing always being so strait laced. It all starts when she takes a library book that is being held for someone else. She sets off the alarm, and so starts her life of crime.
I love books about elderly people, and this one is charming and bittersweet. The minor characters are so well drawn and it was easy to get emotional about Joy’s journey. From the blurb, I was expecting this to be funnier and quirky, but it is a lot quieter and more introspective. And although Joy is coming to terms with her mortality (and Hazel’s), this doesn’t read as a sad book. It’s uplifting in its acceptance and life lessons.
The longer the narrative went on, the more I found it to be a coming of age book; maybe a “coming of old age” tale? I think audio is the way to go on this one, it was an excellent and enjoyable performance by all the narrators. The “young Joy” chapters were very sweet.
Life is long and it’s never too late. Thanks for the lesson.
I love books about elderly people, and this one is charming and bittersweet. The minor characters are so well drawn and it was easy to get emotional about Joy’s journey. From the blurb, I was expecting this to be funnier and quirky, but it is a lot quieter and more introspective. And although Joy is coming to terms with her mortality (and Hazel’s), this doesn’t read as a sad book. It’s uplifting in its acceptance and life lessons.
The longer the narrative went on, the more I found it to be a coming of age book; maybe a “coming of old age” tale? I think audio is the way to go on this one, it was an excellent and enjoyable performance by all the narrators. The “young Joy” chapters were very sweet.
Life is long and it’s never too late. Thanks for the lesson.
January 7, 2026
I love stories with older characters and I can now add 89 yr old Joy to the list. It’s an ode to late bloomers, platonic soulmates, forgiveness, honesty, adventure, and joy. I tend to be a bit of a rule-breaker who is always up for shenanigans, so I was so excited to watch Joy embrace this new side of herself. It will make you reflect on life, marriage, motherhood, friendship, betrayal, grief, & loss. It left me with a smile on my face, loving the characters and hoping I'll be as cool when I'm 89.
“I realized I’d been missing out on the fun all my life by always following the rules, and I wanted the chance to see what it felt like to break them.”
“I realized I’d been missing out on the fun all my life by always following the rules, and I wanted the chance to see what it felt like to break them.”
October 2, 2025
I thought it would be hard to top such a memorable character as Clover, but Mike Brammer has done it again. I fell in love with Joy from the moment I met her and can only hope that I am as vibrant and full of life as she is when I’m 89! This heartwarming book was such an enjoyable read, with an important message that it is never too late to make changes in our lives for the better. My only regret…that Beacon doesn’t exist and I can’t live on the same street as Joy so I can benefit from her kindness and inspiration to not be afraid to push boundaries and make the most out of the life I’ve been given. Joy will stay in my head and my heart for a long time.
May 6, 2026
4.25 stars.
I really enjoyed this story about Joy, an 89-year-old woman and her friendship of almost a century with Hazel.
Joy and Hazel are yin and yang - Hazel always the quiet, rule-abiding people pleaser, Hazel the independent, adventurous one. But with Hazel’s terminal diagnosis (this is not a spoiler as it’s in the synopsis), Joy begins to question her life and look back on its ups and downs. As she does so, she begins to realize that living a life according to expectations and being good has made her life small and limited. Slowly, she begins to explore who she is, both the good and bad, and to live on her own terms, even if that means breaking the rules.
Joy is a wonderful, lovable character who I was rooting for. She was warm-hearted, funny, and kind, just trying to figure life out, and I wanted to give her a big hug. Her friendship with Hazel was beautiful, and the secondary characters of her daughter, grandson, and her ex-con neighbour were a great part of the story.
I really enjoyed this heartwarming, emotional read. I read the last few chapters through tears but turned the last page with a smile. Highly recommend this read!
Thanks to the publisher for this complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
I really enjoyed this story about Joy, an 89-year-old woman and her friendship of almost a century with Hazel.
Joy and Hazel are yin and yang - Hazel always the quiet, rule-abiding people pleaser, Hazel the independent, adventurous one. But with Hazel’s terminal diagnosis (this is not a spoiler as it’s in the synopsis), Joy begins to question her life and look back on its ups and downs. As she does so, she begins to realize that living a life according to expectations and being good has made her life small and limited. Slowly, she begins to explore who she is, both the good and bad, and to live on her own terms, even if that means breaking the rules.
Joy is a wonderful, lovable character who I was rooting for. She was warm-hearted, funny, and kind, just trying to figure life out, and I wanted to give her a big hug. Her friendship with Hazel was beautiful, and the secondary characters of her daughter, grandson, and her ex-con neighbour were a great part of the story.
I really enjoyed this heartwarming, emotional read. I read the last few chapters through tears but turned the last page with a smile. Highly recommend this read!
Thanks to the publisher for this complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
April 21, 2026
After the outstanding debut that was The Collected Regrets Of Clover, I was worried Good Joy Bad Joy wouldn’t live up to my high expectations. But once again, Mikki Brammer has knocked it out of the park while bringing me to tears in the process.
In the wake of her closest friend’s cancer diagnosis, Joy has an existential crisis that has her rethinking everything from her role as a friend to the way in which she’s lived her life. Namely, she reflects on how she conceded her career aspirations, wants and independence for marriage and child rearing.
Through supporting her friend for the final months of her life, Joy begins reclaiming her own. Her antics had me smiling, laughing, thinking “you go girl!” and of course, crying.
I often struggle with feeling like I’m behind in life and have let the years slip away from me. Thank you to Mikki Brammer for sharing a beautiful story that rebukes my fears. And thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC!
In the wake of her closest friend’s cancer diagnosis, Joy has an existential crisis that has her rethinking everything from her role as a friend to the way in which she’s lived her life. Namely, she reflects on how she conceded her career aspirations, wants and independence for marriage and child rearing.
Through supporting her friend for the final months of her life, Joy begins reclaiming her own. Her antics had me smiling, laughing, thinking “you go girl!” and of course, crying.
I often struggle with feeling like I’m behind in life and have let the years slip away from me. Thank you to Mikki Brammer for sharing a beautiful story that rebukes my fears. And thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC!
November 28, 2025
I’m unfortunately in the minority with my rating on this, but I really did not like it. Which is really hard to say because Mikki Brammer’s debut novel is one of my top 15 of all time books. This seemed to lack everything I loved about the first book. I did not connect with the characters and the pace was slower than slow. Nothing, and I mean nothing happened for at least 50% of the book. I’ll name a few things that happened, Joy drives over the speed limit which is apparently ground breaking for her. Joy pulls a fire alarm at the library. Joy shoves her shopping cart into her dead husband’s mistress car. This screams immaturity to me. The writing felt very rushed and dragged out for no reason. One thing that I really don’t like in fiction novels is pushing every issue from our modern day. There is no reason to make fiction books political and this continued to do that more times than not. It felt very deliberate due to the broad range of issues that were mentioned repeatedly. I found this to be a 2 star read due to the ending, and the fact that it’s a relatively unique plot. This had so much potential, but unfortunately I just feel it was executed poorly. I was looking forward to this one the moment it was announced, but this feels like an extreme miss. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an arc copy in exchange for my honest review.
May 8, 2026
3.5 stars
A touching and quietly sad story that leans heavily on friendship, aging, and the idea that it’s never too late to rediscover yourself. The relationships felt genuine, and there’s a tenderness running through the book that was genuinely moving. I listened to this on audio, and the narration was well done - clear, engaging, and emotionally fitting for the story.
That said, I struggled with the tone at times. I’m usually completely on board with older characters doing absurd or chaotic things. In lighter or more comedic books, that kind of later in life recklessness can feel charming and funny; here, it sometimes felt forced. The story carried a deep sadness that really affected me, especially because it reminded me of watching aging relatives lose friends and family and slowly find themselves alone. That aspect felt heartbreakingly real, so perhaps that’s why the sillier antics didn’t land for me the way they were intended to.
I did appreciate the message about self discovery at 89 and the enduring strength of friendship. There’s something hopeful and comforting about the idea that growth doesn’t stop with age. It's just that I never entirely believed the rebellious streak in the main character. I understood where it came from, as she had spent so much of her life worrying about appearances and doing what was expected of her, but it felt less like freedom and more like overcorrecting for a life spent trying to do everything “right.” I didn’t fully connect with the way the story framed some of her reckless behavior as empowering or meaningful growth.
Overall, it’s an emotional and heartfelt read with strong themes of friendship and late-life reinvention, even if the balance between realism and quirky rebellion didn’t completely work for me.
Thank-you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the advance listen!
A touching and quietly sad story that leans heavily on friendship, aging, and the idea that it’s never too late to rediscover yourself. The relationships felt genuine, and there’s a tenderness running through the book that was genuinely moving. I listened to this on audio, and the narration was well done - clear, engaging, and emotionally fitting for the story.
That said, I struggled with the tone at times. I’m usually completely on board with older characters doing absurd or chaotic things. In lighter or more comedic books, that kind of later in life recklessness can feel charming and funny; here, it sometimes felt forced. The story carried a deep sadness that really affected me, especially because it reminded me of watching aging relatives lose friends and family and slowly find themselves alone. That aspect felt heartbreakingly real, so perhaps that’s why the sillier antics didn’t land for me the way they were intended to.
I did appreciate the message about self discovery at 89 and the enduring strength of friendship. There’s something hopeful and comforting about the idea that growth doesn’t stop with age. It's just that I never entirely believed the rebellious streak in the main character. I understood where it came from, as she had spent so much of her life worrying about appearances and doing what was expected of her, but it felt less like freedom and more like overcorrecting for a life spent trying to do everything “right.” I didn’t fully connect with the way the story framed some of her reckless behavior as empowering or meaningful growth.
Overall, it’s an emotional and heartfelt read with strong themes of friendship and late-life reinvention, even if the balance between realism and quirky rebellion didn’t completely work for me.
Thank-you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the advance listen!
May 5, 2026
Wow! Just wow! Good Joy, Bad Joy by Mikki Brammer was such an incredible, amazing, and delightful book!
True to my expectations, this book did indeed heal parts of my soul, but it was a different, lighter part than those parts healed by The Collected Regrets Of Clover!
Friendship, motherhood, marriage, aging... they're all represented in this beautiful book!
Joy's character arc was amazing to witness! Watching her quickly grow, bloom, and blossom truly proves that old dogs can, in fact, learn new tricks! Her slow descent into a "life of crime" (Joy's version) just brought a silly little smile to my face! Her antics were believable and relatable, with a very big side of adorable!
I truly appreciate how Brammer left out heavier aspects at the story's end; this book is lighter for the omission, and I'm honestly not sure my heart could have handled witnessing that heartbreak. This one truly is an airier book, and it needed that sense of whimsy at the end, just as Hazel (Joy's best friend) wanted! (And I loved Clover's crossover into this story!)
As this book is told in two different timelines (a then and now, or a good and bad, if you will), it was a delight to have two different audiobook narrators in my ears! Both Kimberly M. Wetherell and Maggi-Meg Reed did a fantastic job, embodying Joy's age and that specific time period, with both narrators feeling as though they were telling their own story, rather than reading one.
Joy will stay with me forever, and I know I will continually ask myself WWJD? (What Would Joy Do!)
Thank you, NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Macmillan Audio for the complimentary copies to read and review.
True to my expectations, this book did indeed heal parts of my soul, but it was a different, lighter part than those parts healed by The Collected Regrets Of Clover!
Friendship, motherhood, marriage, aging... they're all represented in this beautiful book!
Joy's character arc was amazing to witness! Watching her quickly grow, bloom, and blossom truly proves that old dogs can, in fact, learn new tricks! Her slow descent into a "life of crime" (Joy's version) just brought a silly little smile to my face! Her antics were believable and relatable, with a very big side of adorable!
I truly appreciate how Brammer left out heavier aspects at the story's end; this book is lighter for the omission, and I'm honestly not sure my heart could have handled witnessing that heartbreak. This one truly is an airier book, and it needed that sense of whimsy at the end, just as Hazel (Joy's best friend) wanted! (And I loved Clover's crossover into this story!)
As this book is told in two different timelines (a then and now, or a good and bad, if you will), it was a delight to have two different audiobook narrators in my ears! Both Kimberly M. Wetherell and Maggi-Meg Reed did a fantastic job, embodying Joy's age and that specific time period, with both narrators feeling as though they were telling their own story, rather than reading one.
Joy will stay with me forever, and I know I will continually ask myself WWJD? (What Would Joy Do!)
Thank you, NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Macmillan Audio for the complimentary copies to read and review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
▪️Read this if you like:
▫️contemporary & literary fiction
▫️stories of friendship
▫️a fun cast of characters
———
This book was so cozy and felt like a warm hug.
I think Joy is now one of my favorite book characters. She’s got a lot of wisdom, is immensely kind (maybe more than people deserve), and just seems like the type of person I’d love to be friends with. Her life in her small Hudson Valley town, and the interesting cast of characters to go along with it, was so enjoyable to read about. I especially loved the sweet relationship she had with her grandson Finn, and her budding one with Rowan.
There were times where Joy’s do-gooder ways were almost to a fault, and I wished she have a little more edge to her. That said, her growth and slowly branching out from her usual demeanor over the course of the book was still fun to see.
The real star of this book was the lifelong relationship between Joy and Hazel. It’s incredible what living alongside someone for 7+ decades adds up to, and the tenderness between them almost brought me to tears. It was bittersweet, but seeing what they meant to one another, and how they each brought something to the other’s life (even as Hazel’s was ending), felt very special.
Thank you St. Martin’s Press for the advance copy.
▫️contemporary & literary fiction
▫️stories of friendship
▫️a fun cast of characters
———
This book was so cozy and felt like a warm hug.
I think Joy is now one of my favorite book characters. She’s got a lot of wisdom, is immensely kind (maybe more than people deserve), and just seems like the type of person I’d love to be friends with. Her life in her small Hudson Valley town, and the interesting cast of characters to go along with it, was so enjoyable to read about. I especially loved the sweet relationship she had with her grandson Finn, and her budding one with Rowan.
There were times where Joy’s do-gooder ways were almost to a fault, and I wished she have a little more edge to her. That said, her growth and slowly branching out from her usual demeanor over the course of the book was still fun to see.
The real star of this book was the lifelong relationship between Joy and Hazel. It’s incredible what living alongside someone for 7+ decades adds up to, and the tenderness between them almost brought me to tears. It was bittersweet, but seeing what they meant to one another, and how they each brought something to the other’s life (even as Hazel’s was ending), felt very special.
Thank you St. Martin’s Press for the advance copy.
April 29, 2026
The main character of this novel, Joy, is an 89 year old woman who finds out that Hazel, her best friend since they were kids, has terminal cancer. She not only had to grapple with potentially losing her friend, but also finds herself suddenly breaking rules after a lifetime of being super-obedient. In addition to the present day scenes between Joy and Hazel, Joy’s daughter and grandson, and her neighbors, we also get flashbacks to Joy and Hazel’s past which gives further insight into their long friendship.
I loved seeing Joy’s VERY delayed coming into herself at the age of 89, and the message that friendship can be the true love of your life. However, for some reason it didn’t fully click for me and not a single tear was shed. Some of her law breaking was also more entertaining than others which felt gratuitous. But overall sweet book with a good message.
3.75 stars
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my e-ARC (out 5/5/26); all opinions are my own.
I loved seeing Joy’s VERY delayed coming into herself at the age of 89, and the message that friendship can be the true love of your life. However, for some reason it didn’t fully click for me and not a single tear was shed. Some of her law breaking was also more entertaining than others which felt gratuitous. But overall sweet book with a good message.
3.75 stars
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my e-ARC (out 5/5/26); all opinions are my own.
February 26, 2026
What a gem of a book this is! 89-year old Joy has experienced losing a lot of people she held dear. She is still very fortunate to have her childhood friend, Hazel. However, she learns of Hazel’s terminal cancer and her life starts flashing before her. She & Hazel have always been polar opposites. Hazel lived her life out loud, while Joy was more calm & steady. Joy gets a wild streak and decides to break a few rules. It gives her a sudden spark and she’s so proud of her little mischiefs that she can’t wait to share them with Hazel. Through Hazel’s illness, Joy learns a lot about herself, and at the end of the day, she realizes she is alive & breathing, and she is going to live her life to the fullest! And she also realizes that no matter how you live your life, out loud or calm & steady, you are always making an impact on someone.
Many thanks to NetGalley & St. Martin’s Press for an advanced eARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinions.
Many thanks to NetGalley & St. Martin’s Press for an advanced eARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinions.
May 8, 2026
3.75 star rating
Review to follow soon!
Review to follow soon!
December 7, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley & St. Martin’s Press for a digital ARC!
I find Mikki Brammer's "Good Joy, Bad Joy" to be a truly touching and thoughtful novel, centered on the idea that it is never too late to reinvent yourself and truly live. The story of 89 year old Joy, who has always followed the rules, is deeply moving as she confronts the impending loss of her lifelong best friend, Hazel, the adventurous one who has no regrets. Watching Joy realize she can't say the same about her own life, and subsequently stepping outside her comfort zone even into petty crime; is both heartwarming and entertaining, and I love how the book celebrates the profound, enduring nature of female friendship while exploring weighty themes like grief, legacy, and self-discovery with emotional intelligence.
I find Mikki Brammer's "Good Joy, Bad Joy" to be a truly touching and thoughtful novel, centered on the idea that it is never too late to reinvent yourself and truly live. The story of 89 year old Joy, who has always followed the rules, is deeply moving as she confronts the impending loss of her lifelong best friend, Hazel, the adventurous one who has no regrets. Watching Joy realize she can't say the same about her own life, and subsequently stepping outside her comfort zone even into petty crime; is both heartwarming and entertaining, and I love how the book celebrates the profound, enduring nature of female friendship while exploring weighty themes like grief, legacy, and self-discovery with emotional intelligence.
December 31, 2025
Mikki Brammer has done it again! I absolutely loved this book just as I loved her first, The Collected Regrets of Clover. The character of Joy brought joy and spunk to an old lady that had me laughing at some scenes and crying at others. Her friendship with Hazel, Finn, Elizabeth and Rowan felt authentic and genuine. I look forward to many more books from her!
I received this ARC from St.Martins Press in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and words are my own.
I received this ARC from St.Martins Press in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and words are my own.
January 18, 2026
Simply put: this book was a quiet delight. Not my usual kind of read, but I loved it [almost] as much as The Collected Regrets of Clover… maybe I just love Mikki Brammer.
This is a character-driven novel written with emotional intelligence and beautifully understated prose. Brammer is endlessly quotable—so many lines settled into my heart with a sense of understanding and familiarity.
“It’s only when you stop trying that you stop growing.”
The characters feel real, the pacing is balanced, and nothing ever feels forced. It’s the kind of cozy, reflective read that lingers and nudges you toward your own questions: Who are your true friends? What might be missing from your life? Are you living in a way that fulfills your heart?
I already miss these characters now that it’s over.
Grateful to NetGalley for the ARC and for their ongoing courage in letting The Hateful Reader judge things. Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press and Mikki Brammer for giving me an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Pub date: May 19,2026
This is a character-driven novel written with emotional intelligence and beautifully understated prose. Brammer is endlessly quotable—so many lines settled into my heart with a sense of understanding and familiarity.
“It’s only when you stop trying that you stop growing.”
The characters feel real, the pacing is balanced, and nothing ever feels forced. It’s the kind of cozy, reflective read that lingers and nudges you toward your own questions: Who are your true friends? What might be missing from your life? Are you living in a way that fulfills your heart?
I already miss these characters now that it’s over.
Grateful to NetGalley for the ARC and for their ongoing courage in letting The Hateful Reader judge things. Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press and Mikki Brammer for giving me an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Pub date: May 19,2026
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