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Tell Me About Joy
A wartime romance. A journalist on the brink. And miraculous reunion that changes everything.
For readers of Eat, Pray, Love, Tuesdays With Morrie and Untamed , this poignant true story reminds us that it's never too late for love.
Kara is a journalist stuck in a crumbling marriage, quietly losing hope. When she’s assigned to write a human interest piece on WWII veterans, she meets Bob—a sharp, charming nonagenarian who shares his greatest that he missed out on marrying the love of his life—a woman named Joy.
It's been over 60 years since Bob has spoken her name, and he has one last wish: to find her before it’s too late.
What begins as a routine assignment turns into the story that changes everything. As Kara sets out to reunite two long-lost lovers, she’s forced to confront the losses and longings in her own life. What unfolds is a moving, unforgettable journey through memory, healing, and the enduring power of love.
Tell Me About Joy is a beautifully written true story about the lives we live, the choices we carry, and the unexpected ways love can find us again—even after all this time.
For readers of Eat, Pray, Love, Tuesdays With Morrie and Untamed , this poignant true story reminds us that it's never too late for love.
Kara is a journalist stuck in a crumbling marriage, quietly losing hope. When she’s assigned to write a human interest piece on WWII veterans, she meets Bob—a sharp, charming nonagenarian who shares his greatest that he missed out on marrying the love of his life—a woman named Joy.
It's been over 60 years since Bob has spoken her name, and he has one last wish: to find her before it’s too late.
What begins as a routine assignment turns into the story that changes everything. As Kara sets out to reunite two long-lost lovers, she’s forced to confront the losses and longings in her own life. What unfolds is a moving, unforgettable journey through memory, healing, and the enduring power of love.
Tell Me About Joy is a beautifully written true story about the lives we live, the choices we carry, and the unexpected ways love can find us again—even after all this time.
288 pages, Paperback
Published September 8, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
October 10, 2026
Kara Kavensky is a journalist and pilates instructor, she has three children and stuck in a toxic marriage.
Kara attends an event held by Steve Hardwick, she’s writing a human interest story, here she meets Bob Albright and he’s eighty nine years old. Bob served his country and sacrificed his youth during World War Two, like so many men and women in Greatest Generation.
Kara visits him at home, Bob likes a chat and she discovers he has limited sight due to macular degeneration and a fondness for cats. While Bob was happily married to Joan for years, he does have one regret and that was losing Joy his first love and has always wondered what happened to her? His last wish is to find Joy, but it’s been over sixty years and Kara has no idea if she's still alive and would she want to speak about Bob and let alone see him?
As Kara delves into the past, she’s forced to confront her own, why did she marry her husband, stay with him for so long and as a child of divorced parents Kara didn’t want this to happen to her own children and was staying doing more physiological harm than good?
I received a copy of Tell Me About Joy by Kara Kavensky from Sourcebooks and Edelweiss+ in exchange for an unbiased review. I don’t read a lot of memoirs and I enjoyed it, this story explores Kara, Bob’s and Joy’s lives. What unfolds is an account about regret, lost love, romance, moving forward and forgiveness.
People are human and they make mistakes, but it’s never too late to say you’re sorry or take a different path and four and a half stars from me.
Kara attends an event held by Steve Hardwick, she’s writing a human interest story, here she meets Bob Albright and he’s eighty nine years old. Bob served his country and sacrificed his youth during World War Two, like so many men and women in Greatest Generation.
Kara visits him at home, Bob likes a chat and she discovers he has limited sight due to macular degeneration and a fondness for cats. While Bob was happily married to Joan for years, he does have one regret and that was losing Joy his first love and has always wondered what happened to her? His last wish is to find Joy, but it’s been over sixty years and Kara has no idea if she's still alive and would she want to speak about Bob and let alone see him?
As Kara delves into the past, she’s forced to confront her own, why did she marry her husband, stay with him for so long and as a child of divorced parents Kara didn’t want this to happen to her own children and was staying doing more physiological harm than good?
I received a copy of Tell Me About Joy by Kara Kavensky from Sourcebooks and Edelweiss+ in exchange for an unbiased review. I don’t read a lot of memoirs and I enjoyed it, this story explores Kara, Bob’s and Joy’s lives. What unfolds is an account about regret, lost love, romance, moving forward and forgiveness.
People are human and they make mistakes, but it’s never too late to say you’re sorry or take a different path and four and a half stars from me.
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May 27, 2026Kara Kavensky’s chance meeting with Bob Albright set him on a path to reclaiming a lost love. Her debut memoir, Tell Me About Joy, is so bright with wonder and possibility—even amidst the darkness of her own crumbling marriage—that it just might set you on a reclamation path of your own. I'm so glad I had the chance to read an advance copy.
May 25, 2026
Whether you like memoirs or not, this is a must read!! What a life Bob & Joy lived apart and together. Lessons that thankfully Kara expressed so succinctly & beautifully. 5 ⭐️ Thank you Sourcebooks and NetGalley!
August 30, 2026
While Kara’s marriage is crumbling she meets Bob, to complete a human interest piece on WWII veteran. While talking to him she uncovers a love story that has spanned generations. Bob met and fell in love with Joy in his 20s but has not seen or spoken to her in over 60 years. Filled with regret on missing out on marrying the love of his life, Kara decides to track down Joy, if still alive. Reuniting the long lost loves forces Kara to see the short comings in her own marriage.
A beautiful story brimming with hope and warmth, I loved getting to know Bob and Joy. I found Kara’s components harder to handle. She has poured so much of her grief, and anger over her own experiences, and while her vitriol appears to be warranted I found her passages difficult to read.
A lovely tale of enduring hope and love despite the odds.
Thank you sourcebooks for the book. All opinions are my own.
A beautiful story brimming with hope and warmth, I loved getting to know Bob and Joy. I found Kara’s components harder to handle. She has poured so much of her grief, and anger over her own experiences, and while her vitriol appears to be warranted I found her passages difficult to read.
A lovely tale of enduring hope and love despite the odds.
Thank you sourcebooks for the book. All opinions are my own.
September 8, 2026
The author is herself a narcissist and much of the book is spent attacking her (ex)husband. The plot is overshadowed by these.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I'll start off by saying that I loved this book. Beginning with an irresistible premise, a ninety-year-old World War II veteran asks writer Kara Kavensky to find Joy, the woman he loved and lost sixty-seven years earlier. But what develops is much more than a story about reconnecting with a first love, as compelling as that narrative is.
It explores regret, forgiveness, resilience, and the choices we make with the time we have. As Bob confronts the one great regret of an otherwise remarkable life, Kavensky simultaneously confronts her own unhappy marriage and questions what love is supposed to look like. The two stories gradually become intertwined, with Bob and Joy’s relationship giving her something she had largely lost: hope.
What I particularly enjoyed is that the book is not relentlessly sentimental. There is plenty of emotion, but also humor, history, wonderfully specific observations, and people who feel genuinely human. Bob and Joy are especially memorable because they are funny, stubborn, imperfect, and remarkably alive rather than being presented simply as symbols of an idealized romance.
A larger idea runs through the book and stayed with me: we cannot go back and rewrite our beginnings, but we may have more control over our endings than we think. Bob waited decades to confront his regret, and his willingness to finally do so changes far more than his own life. His relationship with Joy ultimately becomes an example to Kavensky of what love, tenderness, and forgiveness can look like.
Tell Me About Joy is funny, painful, candid, occasionally messy, and ultimately very hopeful. It is a story about second chances, but perhaps more importantly, about having the courage to take one when it appears.
It explores regret, forgiveness, resilience, and the choices we make with the time we have. As Bob confronts the one great regret of an otherwise remarkable life, Kavensky simultaneously confronts her own unhappy marriage and questions what love is supposed to look like. The two stories gradually become intertwined, with Bob and Joy’s relationship giving her something she had largely lost: hope.
What I particularly enjoyed is that the book is not relentlessly sentimental. There is plenty of emotion, but also humor, history, wonderfully specific observations, and people who feel genuinely human. Bob and Joy are especially memorable because they are funny, stubborn, imperfect, and remarkably alive rather than being presented simply as symbols of an idealized romance.
A larger idea runs through the book and stayed with me: we cannot go back and rewrite our beginnings, but we may have more control over our endings than we think. Bob waited decades to confront his regret, and his willingness to finally do so changes far more than his own life. His relationship with Joy ultimately becomes an example to Kavensky of what love, tenderness, and forgiveness can look like.
Tell Me About Joy is funny, painful, candid, occasionally messy, and ultimately very hopeful. It is a story about second chances, but perhaps more importantly, about having the courage to take one when it appears.
Review of advance copy received from Author
As if I'd give myself or my memoir less than 5 stars!
-- Kara Kavensky, author TELL ME ABOUT JOY
-- Kara Kavensky, author TELL ME ABOUT JOY
July 2, 2026
Thanks so much for the review copy, Source Books. What a wonderful memoir. I was so captivated by Bob and Joy’s story, coming back together after 67 years apart, and how Kara wove in her own story and relationship breakdown. It made me emotional to see, and have Kara describe, how much she learned about love from Bob and Joy.
Non-spoiler parts that resonated with me:
✨ “Listening to Bob's stories is like unwrapping a giant, beautifully wrapped gift, only to discover a series of never-ending gifts nested inside, each more delightful than the next. Like nesting dolls, only his subsequent stories are not progressively smaller in detail. The richness and depth of his life's escapades, recalled nearly seven decades later, is an indulgence to listen to and to document. Spending an afternoon listening to Bob's adventures from World War II is simultaneously intensely interesting and delightful.” (Chapter 2)
✨ “I judge my days based on how often I exhale and say the f-word. Most days, I say it with nearly every breath.” (Chapter 5) TOO REAL!!!!!!!!!
✨ “There are studies that indicate swearing is a healthy expression of stress, and it's documented that those who swear are more trustworthy than those who don't. It's definitely one of my stress management techniques, and I cannot imagine how much worse my emotional state would be if I didn't swear.” (Chapter 9)
✨ “When something tragic happens, we tend to want to hold on to that moment, as if the passage of time from this point separates us from what had been possible a few minutes earlier. It's a marker, indicating distance.” (Chapter 16) THIS THIS THIS THIS!!!!!!
✨ “My tears start flowing again. Honestly, I am partially sobbing because I am so tired of crying. My tear ducts ache, and I feel as dried out physically as I do emotionally.” (Chapter 30) VERY RELATABLE IM TIRED GRANDPA!!!!
✨ “There is a beautiful quote often attributed to the poet Rumi: 'Goodbyes are only for those who love with their eyes, because for those who love with their heart and soul, there is no such thing as separation.” (Chapter 38) 🥹💔🥰
Non-spoiler parts that resonated with me:
✨ “Listening to Bob's stories is like unwrapping a giant, beautifully wrapped gift, only to discover a series of never-ending gifts nested inside, each more delightful than the next. Like nesting dolls, only his subsequent stories are not progressively smaller in detail. The richness and depth of his life's escapades, recalled nearly seven decades later, is an indulgence to listen to and to document. Spending an afternoon listening to Bob's adventures from World War II is simultaneously intensely interesting and delightful.” (Chapter 2)
✨ “I judge my days based on how often I exhale and say the f-word. Most days, I say it with nearly every breath.” (Chapter 5) TOO REAL!!!!!!!!!
✨ “There are studies that indicate swearing is a healthy expression of stress, and it's documented that those who swear are more trustworthy than those who don't. It's definitely one of my stress management techniques, and I cannot imagine how much worse my emotional state would be if I didn't swear.” (Chapter 9)
✨ “When something tragic happens, we tend to want to hold on to that moment, as if the passage of time from this point separates us from what had been possible a few minutes earlier. It's a marker, indicating distance.” (Chapter 16) THIS THIS THIS THIS!!!!!!
✨ “My tears start flowing again. Honestly, I am partially sobbing because I am so tired of crying. My tear ducts ache, and I feel as dried out physically as I do emotionally.” (Chapter 30) VERY RELATABLE IM TIRED GRANDPA!!!!
✨ “There is a beautiful quote often attributed to the poet Rumi: 'Goodbyes are only for those who love with their eyes, because for those who love with their heart and soul, there is no such thing as separation.” (Chapter 38) 🥹💔🥰
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Kara Kavensky's ability to sprinkle humor & compassion over & throughout her sharing of her own trauma as well as universal heartbreak allows the reader to digest the possibilities of love. Her conversations about and pursuit of "Joy" with a WWII veteran break down the walls of heavy, intimidating themes like PTSD, marital erosion and deep-seated regret. The humor she injects isn't a distraction, but rather a vital tool that makes raw truth accessible, letting the reader process difficult emotions without feeling overwhelmed. While many distinct moments throughout the memoir stand out for their raw honesty and emotional resonance, the collective impact of her storytelling leaves a lasting impression. She handles the complexities of human grief with a rare gentleness that feels less like reading a book and more like sharing a deep conversation with a trusted friend. This book is a must-read for anyone who needs some hope for connection in life. If you are navigating your own difficult seasons or simply looking for a beautifully written reminder that healing and love are always possible, Kavensky’s words will offer you immense comfort and inspiration. I encourage you to read it ASAP. 💖
September 9, 2026
I thought that Tell Me About Joy would be a positive upbeat book about reuniting a WWII vet with his lost love. That was about 10% of the book, the other 90% was about the author bashing her ex husband and calling him a narcissist.
Grandiose self-importance, constant need for praise, sense of entitlement, lack of empathy, exploitative behavior. Hmm ...
So glad to have finished this book. I needed something light to read after this one. What a downer of a book.
Good cover. The cover does say ... A true story of love, regrets and second chances. It does seem to be listed as biography and memoir.
I listened to the advance copy of the audio version; the audio was well done. If I had the epub version of the book I would have counted the number of times the word narc or narcissist was used. Guessing it was at least 100x.
Sorry, this book was just not for me.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Publishing for approving my request to listen to the advance read copy of Tell Me About Joy in exchange for an honest review. I wish the author had told us much more about Joy and much less about her ex.
Approx 7.5 hours. Sept 8 2026 publication date.
Grandiose self-importance, constant need for praise, sense of entitlement, lack of empathy, exploitative behavior. Hmm ...
So glad to have finished this book. I needed something light to read after this one. What a downer of a book.
Good cover. The cover does say ... A true story of love, regrets and second chances. It does seem to be listed as biography and memoir.
I listened to the advance copy of the audio version; the audio was well done. If I had the epub version of the book I would have counted the number of times the word narc or narcissist was used. Guessing it was at least 100x.
Sorry, this book was just not for me.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Publishing for approving my request to listen to the advance read copy of Tell Me About Joy in exchange for an honest review. I wish the author had told us much more about Joy and much less about her ex.
Approx 7.5 hours. Sept 8 2026 publication date.
September 17, 2026
tell me about joy is a mash-up of two very distinct stories that happened to coincide in the author's life. i wasn't expecting as much of the memoir as i was the love story between bob and joy, but i enjoyed both storylines very much.
a memoir focuses on the author's personal feelings, memories, and reflections, and i admire everyone who tells their story publicly, regardless of whether it is similar to my story, glamorous, or succinct. they are all stories that deserve to be told.
kara's marriage was crumbling as she dove headfirst into her project working on interviews with veterans. she met bob and it is not long after meeting that he admits to wanting to find joy. sixty-seven years post-break up! will she be alive? still living in the area? still married?
kara's hard work added so much to bob's life, while also adding hope to hers. while not always easy to read, tell me about joy was a gift and i'm thankful to kara for sharing.
thank you to sourcebooks (non-fiction) for providing this book for review consideration via netgalley. all opinions are my own.
a memoir focuses on the author's personal feelings, memories, and reflections, and i admire everyone who tells their story publicly, regardless of whether it is similar to my story, glamorous, or succinct. they are all stories that deserve to be told.
kara's marriage was crumbling as she dove headfirst into her project working on interviews with veterans. she met bob and it is not long after meeting that he admits to wanting to find joy. sixty-seven years post-break up! will she be alive? still living in the area? still married?
kara's hard work added so much to bob's life, while also adding hope to hers. while not always easy to read, tell me about joy was a gift and i'm thankful to kara for sharing.
thank you to sourcebooks (non-fiction) for providing this book for review consideration via netgalley. all opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Title: Tell Me About Joy
Author: Kara Kavensky
Genre: Memoir
Pub date: Sept 8, 2026
Format: Audio 🎧
Rating: 4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Kara is a journalist, who is trapped in a horrible marriage with a narcissist. She takes on a routine assignment to interview World War II veterans.
She meets a war veteran named Bob, who is in his 90s. He tells Kara that his biggest regret is losing the love of his life, Joy, over 60 years ago.
Bob asks Kara do the impossible. Find Joy!
As Kara helps Bob track Joy down, the process forces her to face the trauma in her own life and make some changes for the better.
This was such an inspiring novel. It reminded me of the different ways love and forgiveness can find us when we least expect it.
Gail Shalan, Kara Kavensky, and Iva Nasr narrated this audiobook. They did a beautiful job bringing this story to life.
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Audio for the advance copy of this audiobook. All opinions are my own.
Author: Kara Kavensky
Genre: Memoir
Pub date: Sept 8, 2026
Format: Audio 🎧
Rating: 4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Kara is a journalist, who is trapped in a horrible marriage with a narcissist. She takes on a routine assignment to interview World War II veterans.
She meets a war veteran named Bob, who is in his 90s. He tells Kara that his biggest regret is losing the love of his life, Joy, over 60 years ago.
Bob asks Kara do the impossible. Find Joy!
As Kara helps Bob track Joy down, the process forces her to face the trauma in her own life and make some changes for the better.
This was such an inspiring novel. It reminded me of the different ways love and forgiveness can find us when we least expect it.
Gail Shalan, Kara Kavensky, and Iva Nasr narrated this audiobook. They did a beautiful job bringing this story to life.
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Audio for the advance copy of this audiobook. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This book is a deeply moving masterpiece that will touch your heart. Author Kara Kavensky delivers an unforgettable memoir that weaves together two incredible journeys. The story begins when Kara, a journalist trapped in a difficult marriage, interviews a charming World War II veteran named Bob. Bob shares his deepest regret: losing the love of his life, a woman named Joy, over sixty years ago. What starts as a routine writing assignment turns into a beautiful mission to reunite these long-lost lovers.
As Kara searches for Joy, she is forced to face the problems and pain in her own life. The book is both heartbreaking and full of hope. It shows us how helping others can end up healing our own wounds. The writing is wonderful and keeps you hooked from start to finish. It proves that finding true happiness and love is possible at any age.
As Kara searches for Joy, she is forced to face the problems and pain in her own life. The book is both heartbreaking and full of hope. It shows us how helping others can end up healing our own wounds. The writing is wonderful and keeps you hooked from start to finish. It proves that finding true happiness and love is possible at any age.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Oh, what a delight it was to read Tell Me About Joy from page to page by the talented author Kara Kavensky. Her debut memoir completely captivated me into this real life story of love, regret and second chances. Simply put, I could not put this book down!
Throughout each chapter, Kara magically interweaves the underlying message that it is never, ever too late to find love in your life.
Ever.
Take a journey with three primary characters that tell unforgettable stories about personal memories, healing and a chance to start over.
Completely immerse yourself into Kara's mission to find two long-lost lovers that haven't seen each other in 60 years, Kara's journey to confront a crumbling marriage of her own, and get ready to embrace yourself into a beautifully written story about the choices we all carry within our lives, and the choices we decide to make.
BRAVO!
Throughout each chapter, Kara magically interweaves the underlying message that it is never, ever too late to find love in your life.
Ever.
Take a journey with three primary characters that tell unforgettable stories about personal memories, healing and a chance to start over.
Completely immerse yourself into Kara's mission to find two long-lost lovers that haven't seen each other in 60 years, Kara's journey to confront a crumbling marriage of her own, and get ready to embrace yourself into a beautifully written story about the choices we all carry within our lives, and the choices we decide to make.
BRAVO!
September 15, 2026
5 stars
Thank you to NetGalley for this e-copy of Tell Me About Joy by Kara Kavensky in exchange for a honest review.This is a profound and deeply moving book about how the author Kara is tasked with finding the lost love of Bob, a WW2 veteran who Kara has interviewed for an article when he shares his biggest regret.Her name is Joy and once they were inseparable after the war but a twist of fate separates them and they go on to marry others.Kara finds Joy and they are reunited at a time when the author is undergoing a tumultuous time in her life .Her marriage to a narcissist is falling apart and she suffers from PTSD.Buoyed by witnessing Bob and Joy’s bond , the author is willing to taking another chance on love .This is a deeply moving and emotional book about finding love when you think all hope is lost and at any age.
Thank you to NetGalley for this e-copy of Tell Me About Joy by Kara Kavensky in exchange for a honest review.This is a profound and deeply moving book about how the author Kara is tasked with finding the lost love of Bob, a WW2 veteran who Kara has interviewed for an article when he shares his biggest regret.Her name is Joy and once they were inseparable after the war but a twist of fate separates them and they go on to marry others.Kara finds Joy and they are reunited at a time when the author is undergoing a tumultuous time in her life .Her marriage to a narcissist is falling apart and she suffers from PTSD.Buoyed by witnessing Bob and Joy’s bond , the author is willing to taking another chance on love .This is a deeply moving and emotional book about finding love when you think all hope is lost and at any age.
September 9, 2026
Somehow both unflinching and uplifting this book portrays how Kara’s quest to reunite a WWII veteran with his high school sweetheart helped her find the courage to finally leave her emotionally abusive husband—and rediscover a life of purpose and joy.
It’s a fantastic story told in clear, crisp writing with plenty of humor and emotion layered in. Plus, it is a genuinely hopeful story that manages to feel almost wholesome, and yet never saccharine or fake.
While the love story between Bob and Joy is delightful, what really drew me in is Kara’s own story of learning to believe in love again after years of narcissistic abuse. She doesn’t shy away from the gritty parts of that experience, but she doesn’t indulge in it either, striking the perfect balance.
Highly recommend!
It’s a fantastic story told in clear, crisp writing with plenty of humor and emotion layered in. Plus, it is a genuinely hopeful story that manages to feel almost wholesome, and yet never saccharine or fake.
While the love story between Bob and Joy is delightful, what really drew me in is Kara’s own story of learning to believe in love again after years of narcissistic abuse. She doesn’t shy away from the gritty parts of that experience, but she doesn’t indulge in it either, striking the perfect balance.
Highly recommend!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Finding “The One” can feel impossible, especially as we get older. Mistakes and missed opportunities accumulate over time. Eventually the days ahead can look limited and lonely. It becomes hard to take chances and easy to lose hope. That’s exactly why TELL ME ABOUT JOY is such a vital read. Author Kara Kavensky tells two related, real-life stories that prove there’s magic in human connection. The parallel storylines come together so beautifully and perfectly that you’ll be convinced that anything is possible. TELL ME ABOUT JOY will leave you cheering new love and eager to experience it again—or for the very first time.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Whether pursuing the love of a long-lost relationship or seeking a deeper connection to our own inner wisdom, Kavensky delivers an unforgettable story that reveals the life that opens to us when we find the courage to answer the call of our hearts. For anyone who has wondered “what if?”, Tell Me About Joy offers a stirring invitation to push past regret, open your bubble-wrapped heart, and behold the healing balm of love.
— Stephanie Sarazin, Author of SOULBROKEN, The LITTLE BOOK OF LOSS RITUALS, and THE LITTLE BOOK OF LOVE RITUALS
— Stephanie Sarazin, Author of SOULBROKEN, The LITTLE BOOK OF LOSS RITUALS, and THE LITTLE BOOK OF LOVE RITUALS
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is a true story about Kara and her friendship with Bob, a World War II veteran. After interviewing him, Bob asks her to see if she can locate Joy, his first love. I enjoyed Bob's sharing of his years in Okinawa and the war. Once Joy entered his life again, I enjoyed Bob and Joy and their lives together. The author shared her life as well in which she lived in a loveless, abusive marriage. I would have liked the book to feature Bob and Joy, without as much about her life. That could have been another book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This memoir was not at all what I expected, which is my own doing, for I only glanced over the description and was instead drawn in by the title and cover. At first, I wondered whether this memoir would interest me. I soon found out the answer was yes.
The way Kara Kavensky weaves her story with Bob and Joy's is so effortless. It reads more like a novel, making it feel almost unbelievable at times. Honestly, I don't even care if it is entirely true. This is such good storytelling. It tells the story of love, heartbreak, and freedom in such captivating and moving ways.
The way Kara Kavensky weaves her story with Bob and Joy's is so effortless. It reads more like a novel, making it feel almost unbelievable at times. Honestly, I don't even care if it is entirely true. This is such good storytelling. It tells the story of love, heartbreak, and freedom in such captivating and moving ways.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This story had so much potential when the author is interviewing World War II veterans she comes across one in particular by the name of Bob who is 90 years old. During the first couple of interviews the author is looking through Bobs memento's from being in the military and comes across a letter from a lady named Joy. When the author ask, Bob is not forth coming on who she is, but when Bob states that he missed out on the love his life and wants the author to find her. With a start like this it has to be an incredible story but for me it was not. While I understand this is the author story to tell i felt that the author spent too much time complaining about her husband even if he was a dirt bag and this took away from this story. Give it a read and see what you think. I rated these three stars and only because of Bob's story.
September 10, 2026
4.5/5 🌟 Adored this and devoured in a day. A short but hopeful, engaging, and touching true story that comforted my soul. Though at times sad, I also appreciated the vulnerability and insight to common mental health coping mechanisms in Kara’s journey.
May we all find a love like Bob and Joy’s…and may we all find joy, healing, strength, connection, clarity and peace in these captivating words that Kara writes 🥲
Thanks to Netgalley and Sourcebooks Audio for the audiobook ARC in exchange for my honest review.
May we all find a love like Bob and Joy’s…and may we all find joy, healing, strength, connection, clarity and peace in these captivating words that Kara writes 🥲
Thanks to Netgalley and Sourcebooks Audio for the audiobook ARC in exchange for my honest review.
September 23, 2026
This book had so much potential and I enjoyed it at first. I thought the book would be mostly about the war veteran reunited with his long lost love but so much of the book was spent on the writer's own story and much of that was just "speaking her truth" about her narcissistic husband and why she needed to divorce him. I only kept going because I wanted to know about Bob and Joy's love story but there wasn't enough of their story. This really should have been 2 separate books. I hate to give a memoir such a low rating but it really just missed the mark and I was pretty disappointed.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Some books find you exactly when you need them. Tell Me About Joy is one of those books. When journalist Kara sits down to interview Bob, a World War II veteran, she expects a story. Instead, she's tasked with a mission that transforms her beliefs about love and destiny. This memoir captures the living metamorphosis that courage, self-worth, and perseverance offer. It will steal your heart and return it, fuller than before. — Cynthia Occelli, JD, author of Resurrecting Venus (Hay House)
Review of advance copy received from Author
Tell Me About Joy is a tribute to a magical love story, WWII veterans, and memoir, all in one. Experience how one journalistic assignment was the key of a rusty vault of broken hearts. It is a story of encouragement and support, especially when we persevere. These pages mirror accountability, responsibility, and surrender –and may I add miracles, romance, and second chances to anyone looking for validation and an action plan for true love. Enjoy this gift from Kara Kavensky!
August 27, 2026
Thank you so much to Sourcebooks for the physical and ALC copy of this book.
What a STORY! This was nothing like I expected and it surprised me in all the best ways. With Kavensky's writing style you have no choice but to dive into the story as if you yourself are standing beside her listening to Bob.
As a journalism diploma graduate myself it is so so inspiring to see women in the field. All my teachers were men and it's a very male-dominated field, so getting to see Kavensky open not only her life up, but also a story like Bob's up to the world was truly something special. I wish I'd had more exposure to women like Kavensky while in school, as I didn't do much in the way of traditional journalism with my career, but can still appreciate the work and dedication it takes.
What a STORY! This was nothing like I expected and it surprised me in all the best ways. With Kavensky's writing style you have no choice but to dive into the story as if you yourself are standing beside her listening to Bob.
As a journalism diploma graduate myself it is so so inspiring to see women in the field. All my teachers were men and it's a very male-dominated field, so getting to see Kavensky open not only her life up, but also a story like Bob's up to the world was truly something special. I wish I'd had more exposure to women like Kavensky while in school, as I didn't do much in the way of traditional journalism with my career, but can still appreciate the work and dedication it takes.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
If you’ve lost your belief in humankind this book is the antidote. Tell Me About Joy is about love, reclamation, and second chances. You’ll be forever changed after reading it in the best possible way. You'll learn a ton about WWII history, living with a narcissistic husband, the freedom divorce can bring—but mostly you'll be inspired by love.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I’ve read this incredible book. It is full of emotional healing. And it is wonderfully readable. The author has one of my favorite writing styles…direct, no paragraph-long sentences, and cleverly worded. It is heart-warming, but also insightful and entertaining. The story is truly an interesting one. I loved reading it. Waiting for more from Kara.
September 18, 2026
Although I liked the cover of this book and the title and description sounded good I found this audiobook to be quite unexpectedly bad. It’s rather heavy and not at all the inspiring story I hoped for.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC copy. The opinions here are my personal opinion and review of this book.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC copy. The opinions here are my personal opinion and review of this book.
September 29, 2026
Listened to the audiobook. Narration was ok for the authors portion however Bob’s portion was very awkward to listen to. To be honest, this book was only 1/3 about Joy. Another 1/3 was about Bob and the final 1/3 was about the author’s obvious dislike for her spouse. She spent a lot of time bashing him. I don’t think that portion had any place in this story. It ruined the entire story for me.
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