Good Things Come and Go

by Josie Shapiro

The stunning second novel from the bestselling author of Everything Is Beautiful and Everything Hurts
''Poignant, redemptive, electrifying.' - Catherine Chidgey
A novel about friendship and betrayal, ambition and grief, Good Things Come and Go is also a study of homecoming and heartbreak and an ode to taking risks no matter the consequences.
After the death of their young daughter, Penny Whittaker and Adam Riggs are struggling. Penny's lifelong dream of becoming a successful artist has stalled, and Riggs, battling an addiction to prescription painkillers, is coming to grips with the end of his glittering professional skateboarding career. When Penny is unexpectedly offered a chance to exhibit her work at an Auckland gallery, she accepts, despite her reservations.
At the same time, Jamie Flannery suddenly finds himself out of work and out of options. To recuperate, he moves to his uncle's abandoned bach on the Coromandel, and when his childhood friend Riggs calls out of the blue the three friends reunite.
At first, being together feels just like old times. But secrets from their shared past threaten their newfound peace, forcing them to reckon with their history and themselves.
'A tender, tough story of loss and renewal, love and rage, the promise of youth and the aching regrets of middle age ... a powerful reminder that inside every one of us is a dream worth chasing, no matter how much time or talent has been laid to waste.'' - Noelle McCarthy

Genres: Fiction

319 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 4, 2025

Reviews

[Sarah Pollok · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️ Breathlessly, easefully devoured this over two days. Reminded of how much I bloody love Shapiro’s writing style and how fun it is to read a book based in Aotearoa.

Great novel, but don’t let the colourful cover or skateboard theme fool you; it’s a heavy read.

[Liz]

A book from home, of homecoming. It's melancholy but hopeful and pairs well for reading with The Beths as soundtrack.

[Deina Susilo-Knox · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a huge fan of Josie Shapiro! This book introduced three very different friends from Waiheke Island in their 40's, reflecting on the events and choices they made when they were 18, and how these have shaped their lives. The story centres around skateboarding and art, grief, love, friendship, betrayal, loss and renewal. It's no coincidence that this book came out just in time for summer - you could defintely devour this thing in one sitting. I found myself sneaking chapters in wherever possible - another beautifully written, palpable, ENJOYABLE novel by a very talented Aotearoa author.

[Caroline O'Sullivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gosh this book was not a light read, it had so much going on and boy did I feel sorry for (some of) them throughout the storyline.

This book was about a childhood friend trio that were best friends through school that then separated as two of them moved to another country. We get to see bits of their lives while apart, then we get to see the three of the reconnect and boy was that explosive.

First off, I absolutely hated Riggs, he was a total piece of work and a very unlikable person. He treated Penny absolutely terribly and needed a serious reality check. I liked Penny but I thought she really needed to realise her self worth because staying with Riggs was not doing her any good. Jamie I felt sorry for, Riggs really did the dirty on him and the storyline was such a true testament as to how one split second can change your entire life.

The three of these characters did not have great childhoods and their experiences and self doubt really played a huge part in their future adult life.

I did enjoy this while reading it, I thought the author did a great job with these very different characters however I really wish there was less doom and gloom.

So yes, I did enjoy it but I did not love it.

[Claire Cunningham · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about friendships, grief, risks and growing old but not necessarily giving up your dreams. It's beautifully written and easy to read and I guess, just like the painting, everyone can make up their own endings.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my top books of the year🙌🏻

[Simone B · Rating 4 out of 5]

They timed the release date of this one perfectly! Nostalgic summer bach vibes, messed up families, darker than expected, but very readable. If you want something character driven with beautiful writing that seems like it couldn't possibly have a happy ending, this one's for you.

[booksontherunway • Melody · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5

I tore through this. The author deserves her flowers because… wow.

Flawed characters in that “please go to therapy” way, everyone disappointed with their lives, the family mess is messing, the love triangle had me way too invested (one of the guys gave me the biggest ick, the other was gorgeous), skate park drama, reckless drinking games, and enough angst to fuel a midlife crisis.

The writing is artful and addictive.

And the big question is basically: when life doesn’t go how you planned, what now?

Anyway, I loved it.

[Cass · Rating 4 out of 5]

YEOWCH

[Lakinloveslit · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another NZ author smashing it! I adored Josie’s debut and I was so excited to read her new novel and it was absolutely amazing. I love this so much and couldn’t put it down.
Jamie, Riggs and Penny were a tight trio as teens growing up on Waiheke Island. Their friendship ended when Riggs and Penny left NZ for LA and built a life in America. Now nearing 40, and grieving the loss of their daughter Rose, Riggs and Penny return to NZ and reunite with Jamie. But past feelings, secrets and regrets have a way of coming to the surface, even years down the line.
Josie’s writing is so absorbing. She writes characters that feel so real. This was a wonderful book about looking back on your life and wondering how things could’ve been different and what that would’ve looked like now if only you’d made different choices. I just adored reading this. Riggs frustrated the hell out of me though, but even though I disliked him he still felt realistic - let’s be real, not everyone handles loss well. I just wanted to give Penny the biggest hug, and I adored Jamie. I loved this so much I even wrote down some quotes, which isn’t something I EVER do:

“Time passes and you feel the same, only everything about you changes.”
“Hurting now doesn’t mean your future holds pain.”

I also loved the skating theme - as a teen me and my friends would always hang out at the skate park! This song reminds me of those times and I swear it was my soundtrack while reading lol.
A huge thanks to @allenandunwinnz for sending this my way - it’s now winging its way to all my friends and family to enjoy 🥰

[Charlotte Lobb · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautifully written novel about friendship, grief, and the long shadows cast by past choices. The story follows three friends whose lives diverged, only to reconnect years later as they confront loss, regret, and unfulfilled ambitions.

You are thrown into the world of competitive skateboarding, are shown the beautiful landscapes of New Zealand, are carried through moments of pain and hope, and gently reminded that life is always changing, even when we think it’s standing still. Another outstanding, deeply felt novel that delivers all the feels! Definitely a great and highly recommended holiday read!

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Josie Shapiro writes characters really well and is a master at getting under the skin of people with talent - whether it be athletes, extreme sportspeople or artists. The characters in this novel are a mixed bag of likeable yet frustrating and unlikeable and ire-attracting.

[Joanna Laing · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully written, Josie’s turn of phrase is at times quite exquisite.
I was confused by what happened towards the end though. Actions were taken that I felt jarred with what came before? Told from three perspectives, I never felt connected with any of them in any real way. I’m not sure why.

[Helen Cummings · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don’t feel I was the right reading audience for this one.
I found it an incredibly dark story about three unappealing characters and I wasn’t terribly interested in the unfortunate choices that led to their difficult lives. And as for middle aged men into skateboarding! No way

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the way this novel unfurled. Beautiful sense of place. Grim but hopeful.

[Kristy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Had the highest expectations for this.
It was a slow burn and while I enjoyed the last half, it didn't blow me away.
some fantastic skateboarding life analogies

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favourite book of 2025. Excellent character development, the story had me hooked. I loved the weaving of the past and present storylines.

[Jo-Lynne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Shapiro's talents are on full display here as she crisscrosses three points of view and keeps a decent pace throughout. Regret, forgiveness and self-determination features strongly.

[Lucy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A powerful and emotional second novel from Shapiro. I ugly cried at least once a chapter.

[Tracy Plane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Compelling but also quite gritty.

[Lauren · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had high hopes because I loved “everything is beautiful and everything hurts” but the characters felt too obvious and a bit annoying 🫣