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I Am Joey: Based on the Incredible True Story of a Young Woman in War-Torn Manila
"Valor doesn't belong only to the strong."
In 1941, Manila, Philippines was the hidden gem of the Far East and set to become an independent sovereignty in a few short years. On December 8, 1941, immediately following the Pearl Harbor attack 5,200 miles away in Honolulu, the Japanese Imperial Army bombed the city of Manila and began an occupation that would last more than three years and culminate in a battle for the capital city that would go down as one of the deadliest in World War II history.
I Am Joey follows the incredible story of Josefina Guerrero, a socialite in the prestigious Ermita District, as she navigates the devastation of a medical diagnosis at the same time bombs begin raining down on her city. When the Japanese Imperial Army marches into Manila in January of 1942, Josefina enlists with the underground resistance and soon discovers a secret weapon she alone has against the Japanese soldiers at the checkpoints set up throughout the city.
But as the months stretch into years, will Josefina be able to survive the war happening right outside her doorstep and hold out for an illusory cure, or will promises she made long ago have a stronger pull on her destiny?
In 1941, Manila, Philippines was the hidden gem of the Far East and set to become an independent sovereignty in a few short years. On December 8, 1941, immediately following the Pearl Harbor attack 5,200 miles away in Honolulu, the Japanese Imperial Army bombed the city of Manila and began an occupation that would last more than three years and culminate in a battle for the capital city that would go down as one of the deadliest in World War II history.
I Am Joey follows the incredible story of Josefina Guerrero, a socialite in the prestigious Ermita District, as she navigates the devastation of a medical diagnosis at the same time bombs begin raining down on her city. When the Japanese Imperial Army marches into Manila in January of 1942, Josefina enlists with the underground resistance and soon discovers a secret weapon she alone has against the Japanese soldiers at the checkpoints set up throughout the city.
But as the months stretch into years, will Josefina be able to survive the war happening right outside her doorstep and hold out for an illusory cure, or will promises she made long ago have a stronger pull on her destiny?
- GenresHistorical Fiction
274 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 28, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
It has been said that Filipinos are like bamboo. Strong yet flexible. Not easily broken. Bending with the wind, they can survive the fiercest of nature’s tropical storms.
This historical fiction novel opens just as Josefina Veluya Guerrero’s life falls apart. It’s 1941, and Joey has risen from rural poverty and obscurity to the highest social level of the Philippine capital city with a renowned husband and a precious daughter. Almost simultaneously disease, separation, and war take it all away. Rather than falling apart, Joey transforms herself, using her status as a social outcast to provide aid and information to the emerging resistance movement as the Japanese Empire overruns and occupies the Philippines.
Company is the most valuable thing of all that leprosy has taken from me.
This chronicle of World War Two in Manila follows a real protagonist through her actual life story, although the presented thoughts, emotions, and some interactions are fictional. Ghist skillfully relates the ordeal of Joey who becomes a survivor, spy, hero, and eventually a symbol. I am Joey is a first-person, real-time memoir rather than a third-person biography.
But if I can live through this next bit of my mission, it will no doubt be my last sorry attempt at dying. And the war will be over.
Ghist stays close to Joey’s life story while painting a vivid picture of her inner struggles and indomitable spirit which extend beyond the war and liberation. Fact and fiction are skillfully melded to bring the reader into Joey’s doubts, fears, daring, and triumphs. The result is an engaging story of personal struggle and triumph the substance of which is true.
You never forget the souls you left behind, the ones you couldn’t save. And the ones you sent to their deaths in order to save the innocents.
(My father was in the force liberating Manila and mentioned the destruction of the Intramuros.)
This review appears in the May 2026 Historical Novel Review.
This historical fiction novel opens just as Josefina Veluya Guerrero’s life falls apart. It’s 1941, and Joey has risen from rural poverty and obscurity to the highest social level of the Philippine capital city with a renowned husband and a precious daughter. Almost simultaneously disease, separation, and war take it all away. Rather than falling apart, Joey transforms herself, using her status as a social outcast to provide aid and information to the emerging resistance movement as the Japanese Empire overruns and occupies the Philippines.
Company is the most valuable thing of all that leprosy has taken from me.
This chronicle of World War Two in Manila follows a real protagonist through her actual life story, although the presented thoughts, emotions, and some interactions are fictional. Ghist skillfully relates the ordeal of Joey who becomes a survivor, spy, hero, and eventually a symbol. I am Joey is a first-person, real-time memoir rather than a third-person biography.
But if I can live through this next bit of my mission, it will no doubt be my last sorry attempt at dying. And the war will be over.
Ghist stays close to Joey’s life story while painting a vivid picture of her inner struggles and indomitable spirit which extend beyond the war and liberation. Fact and fiction are skillfully melded to bring the reader into Joey’s doubts, fears, daring, and triumphs. The result is an engaging story of personal struggle and triumph the substance of which is true.
You never forget the souls you left behind, the ones you couldn’t save. And the ones you sent to their deaths in order to save the innocents.
(My father was in the force liberating Manila and mentioned the destruction of the Intramuros.)
This review appears in the May 2026 Historical Novel Review.
May 28, 2026
I wasn’t sure about this book for the first many pages. It seemed wordy, with too many descriptors. As I read on and war came to Manila — particularly when the protagonist faced adversity on her own — the writing style more and more fit the narrative. The urgency of particular situations during wartime came across in a way I could physically feel. It’s astonishing that Joey was a real person, having read her harrowing story. I’ve read quite a bit of WWII historical fiction, but this was an absolutely new perspective. Highly recommend.
May 28, 2026
What starts out like a Cinderella story in reverse is no fairytale. A bright orphaned girl, working behind an ice cream counter meets a medical student, Renato (Rene). They date, marry, have a baby girl, Anabel, then all hell breaks out. It’s 1941 in Manila, the midst of advancing war in Europe. As the years progress Joey, our protagonist, notices lesions on her body. Her germaphobe doctor husband diagnoses leprosy. Rene distances him and their daughter from her and if isolation isn’t enough, war breaks out in the Pacific and soon Manila is swarming with Japanese soldiers. Surrounded by a well-developed cast: Lily, a friend, Leo, a cousin, Father Hurley, Sister Mildred, and Kyro, Joey’s Japanese maid, etc. this story moves seamlessly chapter to chapter as Joey is drawn into the Resistance. Danger and illness don’t deter this heroic heroine, a remarkable woman, a character in a historical fiction story who captured and broke my heart. Based on real events, the author doesn’t hold back, depicting the atrocities war brings. What Janae brings to the page in this breakout novel is nothing short of brilliant. This is an author to watch out for.
May 28, 2026
I don’t give many 5-star reviews, but this book definitely deserved it.
It wasn’t perfect. There were some weird misuses of words that at first made me think that English wasn’t the author’s first language - that may be so but it ultimately didn’t matter. For the half-dozen or so instances, I just rolled my eyes a little and continued on.
This was a hard story to read. I almost didn’t, because although historical fiction is my favorite genre, I usually avoid WWII - too dark, too painful; humanity at its worst. The setting didn’t really interest me either, because I had little knowledge of the Philippines and not much interest in that culture. But I was offered an advance copy, so I decided to give it a try. I am so glad I did.
This book was obviously meticulously researched. I learned so much about the Filipino culture and history, and aspects of the war that I had no knowledge of. Yes it was dark - very, very dark. But it was worth it to learn Joey’s story. She was a strong, resilient woman who loved her family, friends and country, and did everything she could to protect all of them. She continued to have hope even when all seemed lost. What a fighter!
I have to say that I really didn’t like the ending, because things didn’t turn out the way I wanted them to. But…it was a true story, so the way it turned out was the way it turned out.
All in all, I am glad I spent time with Joey. Such a fascinating, inspiring woman! I wish I could have met her in real life.
It wasn’t perfect. There were some weird misuses of words that at first made me think that English wasn’t the author’s first language - that may be so but it ultimately didn’t matter. For the half-dozen or so instances, I just rolled my eyes a little and continued on.
This was a hard story to read. I almost didn’t, because although historical fiction is my favorite genre, I usually avoid WWII - too dark, too painful; humanity at its worst. The setting didn’t really interest me either, because I had little knowledge of the Philippines and not much interest in that culture. But I was offered an advance copy, so I decided to give it a try. I am so glad I did.
This book was obviously meticulously researched. I learned so much about the Filipino culture and history, and aspects of the war that I had no knowledge of. Yes it was dark - very, very dark. But it was worth it to learn Joey’s story. She was a strong, resilient woman who loved her family, friends and country, and did everything she could to protect all of them. She continued to have hope even when all seemed lost. What a fighter!
I have to say that I really didn’t like the ending, because things didn’t turn out the way I wanted them to. But…it was a true story, so the way it turned out was the way it turned out.
All in all, I am glad I spent time with Joey. Such a fascinating, inspiring woman! I wish I could have met her in real life.
May 28, 2026
I was pulled into the story of Josefina Guerrero early in the book and my interest only increased, along with the pace. Josefina (“Joey”) is a pretty sixteen-year-old Filipina girl living in Manila in 1941, happy with her place in the world and in her faith. “Everything is always the same, like the prayers of the rosary,” she reflects. “The rest of the world may be at war, but our island is like a baby unmindful of the adults’ squabble in the next room.”
Until it isn’t any more. When her beloved country and city is invaded by Japanese forces, and after her frightening diagnosis that causes her husband to leave her and take their daughter with him, her affliction aids in her becoming an effective spy to help the American allies liberate Manila. Her true life story is as moving and remarkable for its humility as it is her heroism. A gripping biographical read!
Until it isn’t any more. When her beloved country and city is invaded by Japanese forces, and after her frightening diagnosis that causes her husband to leave her and take their daughter with him, her affliction aids in her becoming an effective spy to help the American allies liberate Manila. Her true life story is as moving and remarkable for its humility as it is her heroism. A gripping biographical read!
May 28, 2026
Joey, also known as Josefina from Ermita, alters her choice to become a nun, instead marrying Dr. Rene Guerrero. War and poor health divide the couple. Joey adopts an alter-ego (Billy) that works with the Resistance, passing messages, maps, and other information to a priest. I’ve read multiple books regarding WWII and loved them. This plot is new and fresh and opened my eyes tow even more difficult times that the world endured during this awful time.
June 11, 2026
I hate giving a book one star, and this review is NOT a criticism of Josephine Guerrera or her remarkable story. But unfortunately, R. Ghrist has done her a tremendous disservice with this bloated, self-indulgent mess of a historical novel.
The first 50 pages were excruciating. The scene-setting was not rich or atmospheric. It was excessive, decorative, and mostly pointless. It's like being stuck in a conversation with someone who goes on such long, detailed tangents that by the time they circle back, you've both forgotten what the original point was. That is what Ghrist does, page after page, burying the reader under details that add nothing to the storyline, the characters, or the emotional stakes. The actual story barely begins until after page 100, and by then I was already pulling out my hair.
Essentially, it's as if Ghrist took a writing class and decided to use every possible technique at once, whether the scene called for it or not.
I switched to the audiobook, hoping it would lessen my frustration and allow me to finish the story.
Holy carabao balls, the audio was a fucking disaster.
The NARRATION by KELLY WILKINSON is ASTONISHINGLY TERRIBLE. Since the book is told from Josephine's first-person perspective, the narrator is effectively speaking as a Filipina woman...and the accent choice is baffling, distracting, and at times insulting. She sounds Indian. For example, the word "girl" comes out closer to "gull". But even more insulting is the butchering of Filipino words...basic words and place names that are central to the setting and identity of this story.
"Babae," which should be pronounced roughly as bah-bah-eh, comes out as bah-bay. Cavite, which should sound like kah-vee-teh, is pronounced kah-vite (as if it rhymes with "kite"). "Eto ako" is pronounced so badly that it reminded me of Peggy Hill speaking Spanish on King of the Hill (Google that if you're not familiar). There are at least a dozen more examples (TU-bah should be Tu-BAH..Si-LONG should be SI-long). It is not just wrong...it is distractingly wrong (she pronounces a hard g in pangulo which she shouldn't) and it will insult the ears of any Filipino speaker.
There is no excuse for this. A narrator, producer, or author could have taken five minutes to check basic Tagalog pronunciation. Drop the text into Google Translate, it takes 2 seconds. Kelly, do you have any Filipino friends? (salakot, wrong! Calesa, wrong!)
Oh, and it gets worse when Wilkinson performs dialogue from other Filipino characters as the accent becomes even more exaggerated and weird (and has zero resemblance to anything Filipino-sounding). She turns them into caricatures. So I switched back to the written version.
After about 150 pages, I gave up trying to read this properly and started skimming for the few paragraphs of substance. That is not what I wanted. I wanted to love this book. I even preordered it on Kindle with genuine anticipation.
To my Filipino friends: Wag nyong sayangin ang oras nyo.
The first 50 pages were excruciating. The scene-setting was not rich or atmospheric. It was excessive, decorative, and mostly pointless. It's like being stuck in a conversation with someone who goes on such long, detailed tangents that by the time they circle back, you've both forgotten what the original point was. That is what Ghrist does, page after page, burying the reader under details that add nothing to the storyline, the characters, or the emotional stakes. The actual story barely begins until after page 100, and by then I was already pulling out my hair.
Essentially, it's as if Ghrist took a writing class and decided to use every possible technique at once, whether the scene called for it or not.
I switched to the audiobook, hoping it would lessen my frustration and allow me to finish the story.
Holy carabao balls, the audio was a fucking disaster.
The NARRATION by KELLY WILKINSON is ASTONISHINGLY TERRIBLE. Since the book is told from Josephine's first-person perspective, the narrator is effectively speaking as a Filipina woman...and the accent choice is baffling, distracting, and at times insulting. She sounds Indian. For example, the word "girl" comes out closer to "gull". But even more insulting is the butchering of Filipino words...basic words and place names that are central to the setting and identity of this story.
"Babae," which should be pronounced roughly as bah-bah-eh, comes out as bah-bay. Cavite, which should sound like kah-vee-teh, is pronounced kah-vite (as if it rhymes with "kite"). "Eto ako" is pronounced so badly that it reminded me of Peggy Hill speaking Spanish on King of the Hill (Google that if you're not familiar). There are at least a dozen more examples (TU-bah should be Tu-BAH..Si-LONG should be SI-long). It is not just wrong...it is distractingly wrong (she pronounces a hard g in pangulo which she shouldn't) and it will insult the ears of any Filipino speaker.
There is no excuse for this. A narrator, producer, or author could have taken five minutes to check basic Tagalog pronunciation. Drop the text into Google Translate, it takes 2 seconds. Kelly, do you have any Filipino friends? (salakot, wrong! Calesa, wrong!)
Oh, and it gets worse when Wilkinson performs dialogue from other Filipino characters as the accent becomes even more exaggerated and weird (and has zero resemblance to anything Filipino-sounding). She turns them into caricatures. So I switched back to the written version.
After about 150 pages, I gave up trying to read this properly and started skimming for the few paragraphs of substance. That is not what I wanted. I wanted to love this book. I even preordered it on Kindle with genuine anticipation.
To my Filipino friends: Wag nyong sayangin ang oras nyo.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Review of the advanced copy received from the author.
“The person you were born to be. This is not the life I chose; it is the life that chose me.”
I Am Joey by R. Ghrist is about Josefina Guerraro during WWII in the Philippines, a theater of WWII that I was not very knowledgeable about and I had not known of Josefina (Joey) at all. Growing up she was very involved in the Catholic Church and idolized Joan of Arc. Joey seemed to be heading towards a life in the church, perhaps as a nun, until she meets and falls in love with Renato Guerraro. At first, a snapshot of life in the Philippines post-colonial rule by Spain, then a love story that spins into the Japanese occupation of the Philippines early in WWII. Joey contracts leprosy - now called Hansen’s Disease - and becomes the perfect spy that no one wants to search.
She loses her husband and young daughter as they move away from her once she is diagnosed. Much of her journey is to liberate her country, be cured of her disease, and be reunited with her family. Joey is an inspiration of strength, tenacity, and enduring hope. The author has done the research and is able to recreate Joey’s world in rich detail. I was struck by how I never doubted her faith and hopefulness but could feel the melancholy that followed her. Joey lost so much but accomplished the unimaginable, becoming the key to the defeat of the Japanese in Manila.
The author is very skilled at expressing the sadness and loss in a way that is very moving.
(Spoiler) >>>>
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Cousin Lou’s death, with the flashback to their childhood that progresses so smoothly to his last words to Joey, is written so well that I had to stop and let that settle within me before reading on.
I also appreciate the attention to facts and details - too often authors extrapolate or lean heavily toward fiction so much that they are telling the story as they wished it would have been or to satisfy a modern audience. This is not the case with this novel and the story flows well while staying true to its subject.
WWII isn’t the last time Joey makes a mark in the world. After the war, she is sent to a leprosarium and immediately begins improving the hospital, bringing attention to its understaffing and poor conditions. She eventually comes to America for treatment and is an advocate for education and care for those afflicted with Hansen’s. This is not the life Joey had planned on living but she never complained and seemed to understand that this was her purpose in life. She spent the last years of her life with the people around her having no idea about her accomplishments. She was a very humble person who achieved great things and I am grateful to know about her now.
As an avid reader of HF, the added glossary and pronunciation key at the beginning of the book and the resources and photos at the end are much appreciated as well. I look forward to reading more from this author!
“The person you were born to be. This is not the life I chose; it is the life that chose me.”
I Am Joey by R. Ghrist is about Josefina Guerraro during WWII in the Philippines, a theater of WWII that I was not very knowledgeable about and I had not known of Josefina (Joey) at all. Growing up she was very involved in the Catholic Church and idolized Joan of Arc. Joey seemed to be heading towards a life in the church, perhaps as a nun, until she meets and falls in love with Renato Guerraro. At first, a snapshot of life in the Philippines post-colonial rule by Spain, then a love story that spins into the Japanese occupation of the Philippines early in WWII. Joey contracts leprosy - now called Hansen’s Disease - and becomes the perfect spy that no one wants to search.
She loses her husband and young daughter as they move away from her once she is diagnosed. Much of her journey is to liberate her country, be cured of her disease, and be reunited with her family. Joey is an inspiration of strength, tenacity, and enduring hope. The author has done the research and is able to recreate Joey’s world in rich detail. I was struck by how I never doubted her faith and hopefulness but could feel the melancholy that followed her. Joey lost so much but accomplished the unimaginable, becoming the key to the defeat of the Japanese in Manila.
The author is very skilled at expressing the sadness and loss in a way that is very moving.
(Spoiler) >>>>
>
>
>
<
<
<
Cousin Lou’s death, with the flashback to their childhood that progresses so smoothly to his last words to Joey, is written so well that I had to stop and let that settle within me before reading on.
I also appreciate the attention to facts and details - too often authors extrapolate or lean heavily toward fiction so much that they are telling the story as they wished it would have been or to satisfy a modern audience. This is not the case with this novel and the story flows well while staying true to its subject.
WWII isn’t the last time Joey makes a mark in the world. After the war, she is sent to a leprosarium and immediately begins improving the hospital, bringing attention to its understaffing and poor conditions. She eventually comes to America for treatment and is an advocate for education and care for those afflicted with Hansen’s. This is not the life Joey had planned on living but she never complained and seemed to understand that this was her purpose in life. She spent the last years of her life with the people around her having no idea about her accomplishments. She was a very humble person who achieved great things and I am grateful to know about her now.
As an avid reader of HF, the added glossary and pronunciation key at the beginning of the book and the resources and photos at the end are much appreciated as well. I look forward to reading more from this author!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Reading I Am Joey by R. Ghrist felt like stepping into a richly layered world where history, identity, faith, and love all intertwine with remarkable emotional depth.
For me, the novel’s strongest trait is its atmosphere. The descriptions of pre-war Manila are vivid and immersive, filled with sensory detail that makes the setting feel alive; from the elegance of the Ermita District to the bustling Escolta and the intimate rhythms of Filipino family life. The use of Tagalog terms and cultural references adds authenticity without feeling overwhelming, and the glossary thoughtfully supports the reader’s experience. There’s a clear love for Philippine history woven throughout the narrative, and it gives the story a strong emotional and historical foundation.
I especially admired the way the novel balances grandeur with intimacy. Against the looming threat of war and political tension, Joey’s personal conflicts remain at the heart of the story: her abandoned calling to religious life, her struggle to fit into elite society, her deep love for Renato, and her search for purpose. These internal tensions make her compelling because they feel honest and nuanced rather than overly romanticized.
If I had one overall reflection, it’s that the novel shines brightest in its character-driven moments. The quieter scenes: conversations, memories, emotional realizations. All of it often carries just as much power as the larger historical backdrop. Joey’s emotional voice is the anchor of the novel, and it’s what gives the story its heart.
For me, the novel’s strongest trait is its atmosphere. The descriptions of pre-war Manila are vivid and immersive, filled with sensory detail that makes the setting feel alive; from the elegance of the Ermita District to the bustling Escolta and the intimate rhythms of Filipino family life. The use of Tagalog terms and cultural references adds authenticity without feeling overwhelming, and the glossary thoughtfully supports the reader’s experience. There’s a clear love for Philippine history woven throughout the narrative, and it gives the story a strong emotional and historical foundation.
I especially admired the way the novel balances grandeur with intimacy. Against the looming threat of war and political tension, Joey’s personal conflicts remain at the heart of the story: her abandoned calling to religious life, her struggle to fit into elite society, her deep love for Renato, and her search for purpose. These internal tensions make her compelling because they feel honest and nuanced rather than overly romanticized.
If I had one overall reflection, it’s that the novel shines brightest in its character-driven moments. The quieter scenes: conversations, memories, emotional realizations. All of it often carries just as much power as the larger historical backdrop. Joey’s emotional voice is the anchor of the novel, and it’s what gives the story its heart.
June 4, 2026
I am Joey is so different from every other WWII book I’ve read. Based on the real life story of Josefina Guerrero, a young woman who served as a Filipino spy for the Allied Forces. A victim of leprosy, her condition allowed her to be above suspicion as Japanese soldiers were fearful of contracting it.
A story about the bounds of family vs found family, survival, and faith, it’s difficult to imagine a single person experiencing so much in one lifetime. Joey was a very quiet force of nature.
Ghrist’s writing is evocative and culturally immersive. I learned so much about what the citizens (particularly the women) were doing to survive and fight against the Japanese. Many parts were very difficult emotionally for me to read. I felt very saddened by everything that was happening to Joey but she didn’t seem to feel sad for herself. I wanted to feel more emotional depth from her. A scene that sticks out in my mind is Joey seeing her daughter after a long absence and not really experiencing her emotions from it.
Her journey to the US was fascinating and I wished for a few more chapters on this experience.
A story about the bounds of family vs found family, survival, and faith, it’s difficult to imagine a single person experiencing so much in one lifetime. Joey was a very quiet force of nature.
Ghrist’s writing is evocative and culturally immersive. I learned so much about what the citizens (particularly the women) were doing to survive and fight against the Japanese. Many parts were very difficult emotionally for me to read. I felt very saddened by everything that was happening to Joey but she didn’t seem to feel sad for herself. I wanted to feel more emotional depth from her. A scene that sticks out in my mind is Joey seeing her daughter after a long absence and not really experiencing her emotions from it.
Her journey to the US was fascinating and I wished for a few more chapters on this experience.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received an ARC from the author.
I Am Joey is the story of Josephine Guerrero and her experience before, during, and after WWII as it impacted her life in the Philippines. Joey, inspired by the story of Joan of Arc, was an incredible woman who made countless sacrifices to aid the resistance fighters during the war.
The writing of this story is beautiful. The author uses beautiful imagery throughout the novel. Sentences like "A tattered red sun snaps back and forth with the westward wind like a serpent's double-pronged tongue" and "I would whisper my prayers into the night, imagining the echo would bounce them from one wall to the next until they reached to the ceiling and beyond" helped create such a visual masterpiece alongside the written word. The other thing I really liked about the writing is how much it came across how understated Joey felt her actions actions were. Throughout the story she is doing what needs to be done but never makes a big deal of any of her actions, and I think that fits perfectly with how the real Joey would have seen her situation.
I Am Joey is the story of Josephine Guerrero and her experience before, during, and after WWII as it impacted her life in the Philippines. Joey, inspired by the story of Joan of Arc, was an incredible woman who made countless sacrifices to aid the resistance fighters during the war.
The writing of this story is beautiful. The author uses beautiful imagery throughout the novel. Sentences like "A tattered red sun snaps back and forth with the westward wind like a serpent's double-pronged tongue" and "I would whisper my prayers into the night, imagining the echo would bounce them from one wall to the next until they reached to the ceiling and beyond" helped create such a visual masterpiece alongside the written word. The other thing I really liked about the writing is how much it came across how understated Joey felt her actions actions were. Throughout the story she is doing what needs to be done but never makes a big deal of any of her actions, and I think that fits perfectly with how the real Joey would have seen her situation.
June 8, 2026
While the book seems to start out a bit wordy and predictable, it takes a sharp right turn and draws you into a world that seems surreal. In 1941 in Manila, a young girl, working behind an ice cream counter meets a medical student. They date, marry, and a have a child. As the years progress the girl nicknamed Joey notices lesions on her body. Her doctor husband diagnoses leprosy. This is something that can ruin her husband's career and make her daughter an outcast. Joey isolates herself. War breaks out in the Pacific and soon Manila is infiltrated with Japanese soldiers. Without the support of her husband and a few friends, Joey's disease progresses. She has little choice but to join the Resistance. What happens next is nothing short of heroic. Joey saved countless lives. The end of the book depicts pictures of the real-life Joey. I was moved to tears. The writing is fluid and gorgeous. I could not put this book down and continue to think of it often. One of the best books I have read in a long time!
June 9, 2026
"It has been said that Filipinos are like bamboo. Strong yet flexible. Not easily broken. Bending with the wind, they can survive the fiercest of nature’s tropical storms."
I am Joey tells the historical, fictionalized story of Josefina Guerrero, a Filipina spy for the Americans during WWII in the Philippines. I had never heard her story. She was able to succeed in her mission because of her unique circumstance. I won’t spoil what it was, since I loved that I was surprised while reading. The novel walks you through her trials, her successes, and the heartbreaks she endured throughout her life. The book also mentions the Bataan Death March, which stood out to me because I’ve heard about it for years, especially seeing memorial rucks on the different bases I’ve worked on. This is a story of resilience, sacrifice, and courage. Everyone needs to read this book to learn about another hero that the history books miss.
I am Joey tells the historical, fictionalized story of Josefina Guerrero, a Filipina spy for the Americans during WWII in the Philippines. I had never heard her story. She was able to succeed in her mission because of her unique circumstance. I won’t spoil what it was, since I loved that I was surprised while reading. The novel walks you through her trials, her successes, and the heartbreaks she endured throughout her life. The book also mentions the Bataan Death March, which stood out to me because I’ve heard about it for years, especially seeing memorial rucks on the different bases I’ve worked on. This is a story of resilience, sacrifice, and courage. Everyone needs to read this book to learn about another hero that the history books miss.
May 28, 2026
I have to admit I don’t know a lot about the role of the Philippines in WWII. This book changed that, and more. It was a wonderfully written story, with engaging characters and vivid descriptions. I was able to easily imagine Manila as a tropical paradise, and life prior to the war as a blend of American influences and traditional Filipino culture. But life during the war, combined with the illness suffered by Joey. Just, wow. Talk about a blessing in disguise. While I was reading, I had to stop periodically to look things up. Did that really happen? How did this fit into the bigger picture of what I already know about the war? I learned a lot! And that’s always my favorite part of historical fiction. I sort of wish the ending was different, that things had turned out differently for our heroine. But life isn’t a movie and sometimes you get what you get. All-in-all I loved this book. Highly recommend! (I am grateful to have received an advanced reader copy, and my opinion is my own.)
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
***Possible spoiler alert
I loved this book. I received an ARC, finished it a week ago and it still resonates with me. It's a historical biographical fiction of Josefina "Joey" Guerrero. It is told from a first person narrative and recounts her story pre-war WWII in the Phillipines. Joey is diagnosed with leprosy that separates her from her husband and daughter. But she uses this to her advantage and serves act as a spy saving countless lives. If you enjoy stories of strong women hidden figures, you'll enjoy this book.
I loved this book. I received an ARC, finished it a week ago and it still resonates with me. It's a historical biographical fiction of Josefina "Joey" Guerrero. It is told from a first person narrative and recounts her story pre-war WWII in the Phillipines. Joey is diagnosed with leprosy that separates her from her husband and daughter. But she uses this to her advantage and serves act as a spy saving countless lives. If you enjoy stories of strong women hidden figures, you'll enjoy this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 17, 2026
I found it hard to start with being an e-book as I could not easily refer to the vocabulary list.
Once I got into the book I could not put it down.
At the start I wondered if Joey was being groomed but then the love between Rene and Joey shone through.
Then it all collapsed.
What a life she had.
The book was well written and made me feel I was in Manilla with her, seeing what she saw, feeling what she felt.
This is a side of the war that is not so readily known, and I thank the author for putting it on "paper".
Once I got into the book I could not put it down.
At the start I wondered if Joey was being groomed but then the love between Rene and Joey shone through.
Then it all collapsed.
What a life she had.
The book was well written and made me feel I was in Manilla with her, seeing what she saw, feeling what she felt.
This is a side of the war that is not so readily known, and I thank the author for putting it on "paper".
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you to the author for allowing me the opportunity to be an ARC reader!
I am Joey is a beautiful story based on the real life of a courageous hero.
Initially, I wanted to read I am Joey because my aunt immigrated to the US from the Philippines, plus I enjoy learning about lesser known historical records. Because of the incredible and often seemingly impossible details, as I continued to read this book, I found myself forgetting that the story was based on true experiences of a real person.
Joey is a hero, and although she would be humble about the risks she took to save others, her bravery definitely deserves more recognition. If you are looking for a unique tale, I suggest I am Joey for your next read.
I am Joey is a beautiful story based on the real life of a courageous hero.
Initially, I wanted to read I am Joey because my aunt immigrated to the US from the Philippines, plus I enjoy learning about lesser known historical records. Because of the incredible and often seemingly impossible details, as I continued to read this book, I found myself forgetting that the story was based on true experiences of a real person.
Joey is a hero, and although she would be humble about the risks she took to save others, her bravery definitely deserves more recognition. If you are looking for a unique tale, I suggest I am Joey for your next read.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I am Joey by R. Ghist is an inspiring and interesting book based on a true story about Josephine living in the Philippines during WW2.
I have read a lot of books set during WW2 and i enjoyed learning about a different perspective of the war and the history in the Philippines during that time. I was also very surprised to learn some history about leprosy.
During the book i found myself looking things up that i wanted to know more about. I admire Joey's courage to save lives, loyalty to her family, and faith during her illness and hardships.
I'm very inspired by her story and recommend this book to anyone interested in the history of WW2.
I have read a lot of books set during WW2 and i enjoyed learning about a different perspective of the war and the history in the Philippines during that time. I was also very surprised to learn some history about leprosy.
During the book i found myself looking things up that i wanted to know more about. I admire Joey's courage to save lives, loyalty to her family, and faith during her illness and hardships.
I'm very inspired by her story and recommend this book to anyone interested in the history of WW2.
May 29, 2026
4 ⭐️
This was unlike any other historical fiction book that I’ve read. It really captured who Joey is/was. It showed another side to WWII. Most books do not touch on Hansen’s disease or the stigma that surrounded it. This book was heartbreaking but also a breath of fresh air. I look forward to reading more from this author.
I was fortunate enough to receive an advanced reader copy from this author. My thoughts and opinions are honest and voluntary.
This was unlike any other historical fiction book that I’ve read. It really captured who Joey is/was. It showed another side to WWII. Most books do not touch on Hansen’s disease or the stigma that surrounded it. This book was heartbreaking but also a breath of fresh air. I look forward to reading more from this author.
I was fortunate enough to receive an advanced reader copy from this author. My thoughts and opinions are honest and voluntary.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was a wonderful story, very inspiring! I received an ARC copy of this book for a fair review.
What I really found most important about this story besides Joey’s amazing perseverance was getting a point of view from her country during WWII. There’s so many books about Europe, and being from the US I found a very important read.
To the author, thank you so much for sharing this story.
What I really found most important about this story besides Joey’s amazing perseverance was getting a point of view from her country during WWII. There’s so many books about Europe, and being from the US I found a very important read.
To the author, thank you so much for sharing this story.
May 28, 2026
Both heartbreaking and exhilarating, I am Joey tells the story of a Filipino wife and mother separated from her loved ones by an incurable disease and the Japanese Imperial Army during World War II. The manner in which she chooses to rise from the depths of despair is an astonishing profile in courage. Beautifully written, this book is a must-read.
May 29, 2026
I am Joey is a historical novel that will remain with me. The story of a remarkable woman in the face of incredible odds. When most, I know I would, crumble Joey thrives and reinvents herself.
Set during the Japanese occupation of Manila, Joey becomes a heroine and saves countless lives.
I highly recommend!
Set during the Japanese occupation of Manila, Joey becomes a heroine and saves countless lives.
I highly recommend!
June 2, 2026
This was a fantastic story of faith and fortitude during the atrocities of war. As someone who loves reading about the World War II Era, this was a great learning experience from the vantage point of the Philippines. If you enjoy reading about the underground and espionage, you will enjoy this book!
May 28, 2026
Can one woman change the course of a war?
This novel, based on the true story of Joey Veluya, is a stunning debut for author Ghrist. Each evening, I returned to WWII, to the Philippines, to Joey, a mother, a woman, and a leper who uses her disease to her advantage.
The must read book of 2026!
This novel, based on the true story of Joey Veluya, is a stunning debut for author Ghrist. Each evening, I returned to WWII, to the Philippines, to Joey, a mother, a woman, and a leper who uses her disease to her advantage.
The must read book of 2026!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I Am Joey is emotional journey of a determand Filipina women. This story brings you back in time and reminds you that heros come in many forms.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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