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Good Joy, Bad Joy
From the bestselling author of The Collected Regrets of Clover comes a vibrant, heartfelt novel about friendship over the decades, self-discovery, and what it means to have a life well-lived.
Break the rules. Find your joy.
For over eighty years, Joy Bridport has played by the rules: she's been a devoted wife and mother, contributing to the community in her small Hudson Valley town. But her quiet existence is jolted when she learns that her best friend, Hazel, only has months left to live. Hazel has always been the more adventurous one of their duo, and she seems at peace with all that she’s squeezed out of her long life. Yet Joy realizes she can’t say the same.
Determined to live boldly and make the most of the time that she and Hazel have left together, Joy steps outside of her comfort zone—and into a bit of trouble. But as her foray into rule-breaking escalates into committing petty crime, 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 she holds dear.
Is it ever too late to become who we're meant to be? With laugh-out-loud hijnks and emotional heft, Good Joy, Bad Joy is a heartwarming and wise celebration of the choices we make, the friendships we cherish, and the lengths we go for love.
Break the rules. Find your joy.
For over eighty years, Joy Bridport has played by the rules: she's been a devoted wife and mother, contributing to the community in her small Hudson Valley town. But her quiet existence is jolted when she learns that her best friend, Hazel, only has months left to live. Hazel has always been the more adventurous one of their duo, and she seems at peace with all that she’s squeezed out of her long life. Yet Joy realizes she can’t say the same.
Determined to live boldly and make the most of the time that she and Hazel have left together, Joy steps outside of her comfort zone—and into a bit of trouble. But as her foray into rule-breaking escalates into committing petty crime, 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 she holds dear.
Is it ever too late to become who we're meant to be? With laugh-out-loud hijnks and emotional heft, Good Joy, Bad Joy is a heartwarming and wise celebration of the choices we make, the friendships we cherish, and the lengths we go for love.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published May 5, 2026
About the author
Mikki Brammer
2 books1,674 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,’ was published in May 2026 and was the Barnes and Noble Book Club pick. .
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,514 reviews
May 24, 2026
This book has left me with a quandary. While the writing is excellent and my Kindle highlights were plentiful, I’m left feeling conflicted about the overall message.
Joy is an 89-year-old woman living a quiet, rules-abiding life in small-town Beacon, NY. Her best friend for the past 80 years is Hazel, a city-loving, free-spirited Brooklynite. Every day they greet each other with a text letting the other know they’re still alive and kicking. When Hazel informs Joy one day that she’s been diagnosed with terminal cancer, Joy is forced to confront the life she’s lived and examine what her future should look like.
Joy feels invisible - an issue many of us can experience as we get older. She’s always abided by the rules and shaped her behavior and persona to please others, as she was taught. Hazel, on the other hand, dresses flamboyantly, has always dyed her hair red and, as she tells Joy, made sure to “take up space”, even if it wasn’t being offered.
How does “Good Joy" respond to her friend’s impending death? Meet “Bad Joy”.
It’s not that Joy suddenly goes from good to bad, but let’s just say her moral compass becomes a LOT more flexible! Some might cheer for her newfound boldness or find it heartwarming. I found the new version of Joy to be pretty selfish, inconsiderate and childish. Even her kindness to an ex-con neighbor was sullied by her willingness to put him at risk later with one of her plots.
That’s where my problem with the book lies: Does redefining yourself outside the self-imposed constraints you’ve lived under your whole life justify doing things that cause or may cause collateral damage for others? To me, that’s a slippery slope of a message.
I’m all for celebrating a woman finding a richer, more diverse version of herself after being defined for years by her status as wife, mother, daughter, etc. The problem I have with this book is that it seems to communicate that discovering there is more to yourself and not being beholden to dysfunctional people-pleasing behaviors means it’s necessary to embrace the most ridiculous opposing behaviors. If that’s the hill Joy wants to eventually die on … that’s on her.
I actually enjoyed the writing a lot, and there are so many nuggets of wisdom in these pages that are worth a look. For that, I’d give this 4 stars. At the end of the day, though, I can’t get past who Joy decided to become and what I find questionable messaging. I’ll have to be an outlier at 2 stars for that. This was an immersion read and the narration by Kimberly M. Wetherell and Maggi-Meg Reed was nicely done, though I preferred Kindle only for most of it.
This is getting a lot of glowing reviews, so please consider others’ opinions when deciding on this book. I loved Brammer’s debut The Collected Regrets of Clover, so I still think her writing is top notch!
★★★
Thanks to St. Martin’s Press, NetGalley and author Mikki Brammer for the DRC and to Macmillan Audio for the ALC to honestly review. This is out now.
Joy is an 89-year-old woman living a quiet, rules-abiding life in small-town Beacon, NY. Her best friend for the past 80 years is Hazel, a city-loving, free-spirited Brooklynite. Every day they greet each other with a text letting the other know they’re still alive and kicking. When Hazel informs Joy one day that she’s been diagnosed with terminal cancer, Joy is forced to confront the life she’s lived and examine what her future should look like.
Joy feels invisible - an issue many of us can experience as we get older. She’s always abided by the rules and shaped her behavior and persona to please others, as she was taught. Hazel, on the other hand, dresses flamboyantly, has always dyed her hair red and, as she tells Joy, made sure to “take up space”, even if it wasn’t being offered.
How does “Good Joy" respond to her friend’s impending death? Meet “Bad Joy”.
It’s not that Joy suddenly goes from good to bad, but let’s just say her moral compass becomes a LOT more flexible! Some might cheer for her newfound boldness or find it heartwarming. I found the new version of Joy to be pretty selfish, inconsiderate and childish. Even her kindness to an ex-con neighbor was sullied by her willingness to put him at risk later with one of her plots.
That’s where my problem with the book lies: Does redefining yourself outside the self-imposed constraints you’ve lived under your whole life justify doing things that cause or may cause collateral damage for others? To me, that’s a slippery slope of a message.
I’m all for celebrating a woman finding a richer, more diverse version of herself after being defined for years by her status as wife, mother, daughter, etc. The problem I have with this book is that it seems to communicate that discovering there is more to yourself and not being beholden to dysfunctional people-pleasing behaviors means it’s necessary to embrace the most ridiculous opposing behaviors. If that’s the hill Joy wants to eventually die on … that’s on her.
I actually enjoyed the writing a lot, and there are so many nuggets of wisdom in these pages that are worth a look. For that, I’d give this 4 stars. At the end of the day, though, I can’t get past who Joy decided to become and what I find questionable messaging. I’ll have to be an outlier at 2 stars for that. This was an immersion read and the narration by Kimberly M. Wetherell and Maggi-Meg Reed was nicely done, though I preferred Kindle only for most of it.
This is getting a lot of glowing reviews, so please consider others’ opinions when deciding on this book. I loved Brammer’s debut The Collected Regrets of Clover, so I still think her writing is top notch!
★★★
Thanks to St. Martin’s Press, NetGalley and author Mikki Brammer for the DRC and to Macmillan Audio for the ALC to honestly review. This is out now.
May 9, 2026
4.25 ⭐️
Mikki Brammer does it again. This was everything I wanted & more. Touching, heartwarming, emotional, hilarious, impactful. I love Joy & I love Hazel with my whole heart.
(I HIGHLY recommend the audiobook - the narration was PERFECT!)
Mikki Brammer does it again. This was everything I wanted & more. Touching, heartwarming, emotional, hilarious, impactful. I love Joy & I love Hazel with my whole heart.
(I HIGHLY recommend the audiobook - the narration was PERFECT!)
May 12, 2026
5⭐️!!! 💐😭 this is a story about platonic soulmates, how relationships shape your identity, the terrifying inevitability of loss, and also the joy of being alive all at the exact same time… like wow!! soooo good!
we follow Joy as she processes the impending loss of her lifelong best friend, Hazel, and begins questioning whether she’s actually happy with the life she’s built. who is she outside of being someone’s daughter, someone’s wife? and what does a life well-lived even look like? there’s so much here about legacy too… what kind of impact we leave, the things we leave unsaid, the versions of ourselves we settle into because it’s comfortable. but it’s all explored in a way that felt comforting rather than heavy 🫶
i loved Joy & Hazel’s bond so much. we got some flashback chapters and really got a window into how they got to where they are today which made it even more real to me. besties forever 😭 (if you loved firefly lane, or the idea of firefly lane, you could love this)!
this book has a huge heart!! yes it’s emotional (and a little cliche), but it’s also funny and warm and full of little moments of hope. joy slowly realizes it’s never too late to take up space, make mistakes, have adventures, and even get into a little bit of trouble!! it made me feel all the feelings!
definitely a right book at the right time situation for me. i was having kind of a slumpy mental health day when i started this and it completely pulled me out of it, so for that we clap and we cheer!!! please give this one a chance if it sounds up your alley! (and thank you to netgalley & st. martins press for the ARC!)
we follow Joy as she processes the impending loss of her lifelong best friend, Hazel, and begins questioning whether she’s actually happy with the life she’s built. who is she outside of being someone’s daughter, someone’s wife? and what does a life well-lived even look like? there’s so much here about legacy too… what kind of impact we leave, the things we leave unsaid, the versions of ourselves we settle into because it’s comfortable. but it’s all explored in a way that felt comforting rather than heavy 🫶
i loved Joy & Hazel’s bond so much. we got some flashback chapters and really got a window into how they got to where they are today which made it even more real to me. besties forever 😭 (if you loved firefly lane, or the idea of firefly lane, you could love this)!
this book has a huge heart!! yes it’s emotional (and a little cliche), but it’s also funny and warm and full of little moments of hope. joy slowly realizes it’s never too late to take up space, make mistakes, have adventures, and even get into a little bit of trouble!! it made me feel all the feelings!
definitely a right book at the right time situation for me. i was having kind of a slumpy mental health day when i started this and it completely pulled me out of it, so for that we clap and we cheer!!! please give this one a chance if it sounds up your alley! (and thank you to netgalley & st. martins press for the ARC!)
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.
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.
May 18, 2026
4.5-5⭐️ Joy Bridport has spent eighty years living by the rules, quietly saying goodbye to one friend after the next. When her last living friend, Hazel, her best friend since childhood, receives the devastating news that she has only months left to live, Joy decides it’s time to step out of her comfort zone and finally live a little.
This story, y’all…
Good Joy, Bad Joy is a gorgeous story of friendship, self-discovery, and grief. It packs a powerful emotional punch, but does so with an exquisite side of humor.
Joy is a treasure; she’s an absolute spitfire who, after years of suppressing Bad Joy, decides it might be time to re-explore her inner wild child, in large part to bring joy and humor to her best friend in her final days. And it is Hazel’s impending death that teaches Joy how to finally live her life to the fullest. While their lifelong relationship is the cornerstone of this story, exploring Joy’s past and discovering newfound friendships she didn’t think possible was as inspiring and heartwarming as her devotion to Hazel.
🎧 The audiobook, narrated by Kimberly M. Wetherell and Maggi-Meg Reid, is equally fantastic and adds even more of that emotional component to the story. I was definitely brought to tears a time or two.
Read if you like:
▪️ friendship fiction
▪️ octogenarian MCs
▪️ emotional stories with humor
▪️ character-driven novels
▪️ family dramas
▪️ The Correspondent
Thank you St. Martin’s Press for the advanced copy.
This story, y’all…
Good Joy, Bad Joy is a gorgeous story of friendship, self-discovery, and grief. It packs a powerful emotional punch, but does so with an exquisite side of humor.
Joy is a treasure; she’s an absolute spitfire who, after years of suppressing Bad Joy, decides it might be time to re-explore her inner wild child, in large part to bring joy and humor to her best friend in her final days. And it is Hazel’s impending death that teaches Joy how to finally live her life to the fullest. While their lifelong relationship is the cornerstone of this story, exploring Joy’s past and discovering newfound friendships she didn’t think possible was as inspiring and heartwarming as her devotion to Hazel.
🎧 The audiobook, narrated by Kimberly M. Wetherell and Maggi-Meg Reid, is equally fantastic and adds even more of that emotional component to the story. I was definitely brought to tears a time or two.
Read if you like:
▪️ friendship fiction
▪️ octogenarian MCs
▪️ emotional stories with humor
▪️ character-driven novels
▪️ family dramas
▪️ The Correspondent
Thank you St. Martin’s Press for the advanced copy.
April 13, 2026
A story of friendship, second chances, and grief. Really wonderful!
May 25, 2026
Good Joy, Bad Joy was not what I expected. I didn’t expect to be on the verge of tears. I didn’t expect to be entwined in the life of Joy. I didn’t expect to examine friendships and risks not taken and the quiet simplicity of kind gestures.
This contemplates a platonic friendship over decades. Joy is the one that doesn’t make a fuss or ruffle feathers, but in contrast is her best friend Hazel. Hazel is the risk taker, always seeking something new. As Hazels’s life nears the end, they reminisce.
The flow effortlessly goes from past to present; it is delightful and heartwarming. In the present Joy reflects on risks not taken. It’s never too late to experience life and so she does, but it veers into murky territory. Overall this is a great read and good writing. This is for you if you steer towards Women’s fiction.
Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advance copy.
This contemplates a platonic friendship over decades. Joy is the one that doesn’t make a fuss or ruffle feathers, but in contrast is her best friend Hazel. Hazel is the risk taker, always seeking something new. As Hazels’s life nears the end, they reminisce.
The flow effortlessly goes from past to present; it is delightful and heartwarming. In the present Joy reflects on risks not taken. It’s never too late to experience life and so she does, but it veers into murky territory. Overall this is a great read and good writing. This is for you if you steer towards Women’s fiction.
Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advance copy.
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.
May 14, 2026
3 stars.
Too schmaltzy for me.
A woman in her eighties finds out her best friend is dying of cancer. Her friend is the very opposite of her — eccentric, outgoing, always living life to the fullest. It makes her question her very strict, rule-following ways. This novel is centred around her reflecting on her life.
I enjoyed the focus on female friendship and how important that is to some. The friendship in this story has lasted decades and their memories of past experiences together solidified their love for and loyalty to each other. I also liked that these friends were opposite in many ways.
I can see how many would love this book. It’s a charming, cute, feel-good story with a good message. I can imagine many readers having a big smile on their face while reading the inner thoughts of and situations this main character experiences. However, it was too preachy and cutesy for my liking. It felt very predictable and cheesy at times to the point of me rolling my eyes. I also recently finished reading a 5 star novel that centred around an eighty year old female main character who I ADORED (Mad Mabel) and I felt that perhaps it took away from my potential connection here because this main character didn’t remotely compare for me.
An issue that bothered me throughout this book was the main character regretting so many aspects of her life. The self-pity and self-loathing was too much. It felt very negative and somewhat selfish. She was able to stay home as her husband provided for her and now she is considering how she might have not wanted that. This was mentioned multiple times and rubbed me the wrong way.
I came into this book with high expectations as I LOVED this authors last book, The Collected Regrets of Clover, which is an All Time Favourite of mine. Regardless of my high expectations, this simply didn’t hit the mark for me on any level. It was an ok read, but not one I felt invested in or can recommend as strongly as her last. However, I do feel this is a me-issue as I’m not the kind of reader who enjoys cute, preachy life-lesson-teaching stories. I am simply not the right audience.
Audio rating: 2 stars. I wasn’t a fan of these audio narrators. The main narrator was monotone and bland. To me, it felt as if she was quite simply reading the story instead of performing the story. The voice changes that did happen were cringey and awkward. I cannot recommend the audio version and would suggest reading the physical book.
Thank you to the publisher for my digital review copy and advanced listening copy!
Too schmaltzy for me.
A woman in her eighties finds out her best friend is dying of cancer. Her friend is the very opposite of her — eccentric, outgoing, always living life to the fullest. It makes her question her very strict, rule-following ways. This novel is centred around her reflecting on her life.
I enjoyed the focus on female friendship and how important that is to some. The friendship in this story has lasted decades and their memories of past experiences together solidified their love for and loyalty to each other. I also liked that these friends were opposite in many ways.
I can see how many would love this book. It’s a charming, cute, feel-good story with a good message. I can imagine many readers having a big smile on their face while reading the inner thoughts of and situations this main character experiences. However, it was too preachy and cutesy for my liking. It felt very predictable and cheesy at times to the point of me rolling my eyes. I also recently finished reading a 5 star novel that centred around an eighty year old female main character who I ADORED (Mad Mabel) and I felt that perhaps it took away from my potential connection here because this main character didn’t remotely compare for me.
An issue that bothered me throughout this book was the main character regretting so many aspects of her life. The self-pity and self-loathing was too much. It felt very negative and somewhat selfish. She was able to stay home as her husband provided for her and now she is considering how she might have not wanted that. This was mentioned multiple times and rubbed me the wrong way.
I came into this book with high expectations as I LOVED this authors last book, The Collected Regrets of Clover, which is an All Time Favourite of mine. Regardless of my high expectations, this simply didn’t hit the mark for me on any level. It was an ok read, but not one I felt invested in or can recommend as strongly as her last. However, I do feel this is a me-issue as I’m not the kind of reader who enjoys cute, preachy life-lesson-teaching stories. I am simply not the right audience.
Audio rating: 2 stars. I wasn’t a fan of these audio narrators. The main narrator was monotone and bland. To me, it felt as if she was quite simply reading the story instead of performing the story. The voice changes that did happen were cringey and awkward. I cannot recommend the audio version and would suggest reading the physical book.
Thank you to the publisher for my digital review copy and advanced listening copy!
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.
Goodreads profile: Kristina Pauls (ARC Reviewer)
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.
Goodreads profile: Kristina Pauls (ARC Reviewer)
May 26, 2026
4.25 stars "From the bestselling author of The Collected Regrets of Clover comes a vibrant, heartfelt novel about friendship over the decades, self-discovery, and what it means to have a life well-lived.
Break the rules. Find your joy."
The May Barnes & Noble Book Club pick did not disappoint. This is a beautiful story of a lifelong friendship and lives well lived. It explores that it's never too late to find your true identity and do what truly brings you joy. This book was uplifting and just feels good to read. Highly recommend.
Break the rules. Find your joy."
The May Barnes & Noble Book Club pick did not disappoint. This is a beautiful story of a lifelong friendship and lives well lived. It explores that it's never too late to find your true identity and do what truly brings you joy. This book was uplifting and just feels good to read. Highly recommend.
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.
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.”
May 27, 2026
I really loved this Book. I didn’t expect it to touch me so profoundly, but it did just that. It squeezed my heart so sweetly. Made me feel hopeful about life and was exactly what I needed.
Joy Bridport has lived in Beacon, NY since she married in her twenties. Her friend, Hazel comes for a visit and gives her some sad news. Both women are 89 and have opposite personalities, but complement each other. They have been Best Friends since 8 years old. Hazel has the adventurous spirit and lives life to the hilt. She has traveled far and wide and loves to tell Joy all about her stories. For decades she has lived in Brooklyn, NY and moves, dresses, and takes life in a flamboyant way. Joy learned that women must follow all the rules and if something bothers them, it should still be endured with a nice smile. She is a kind person, gives free piano lessons to kids, really enjoys meeting other people, and savors her daughter, Elizabeth and especially her grandson, Finn. So, when Hazel tells her she has terminal cancer and only months to live, it shakes Joy up quite a bit.
Good Joy starts rethinking how she let so much go unsaid. Her husband died many years ago, but for their marriage he had repeated affairs. She said nothing to him about them. She has a hard time reaching out to her daughter and expressing a full range of feelings. She was a devoted mother, daughter, wife and let the needs of others come first. Yet, with Hazel she could always count on her. She was closest to her true self around her.
Joy starts to quietly rebel. It begins with a book she sees on the hold shelf that she really wants to read now, not wait months for her turn. Joy just takes it. She had never done anything like this before. That leads to some other petty crimes, like shoplifting. It’s just the feeling that she is not allowed to do this, and the rush that she brashly does. She is being somewhat reckless, silly, and childish. I can understand that urge. These types of actions are those a young teenager might engage in, yet Joy’s mother was very ill for several years when she was that age. Joy had to be responsible. She had to look after her Mom, make dinner for her Dad, and get up extra early to clean the house before school. Joy grew up in an era when rules were already rigid for women, and as a young girl she could not even break a few. That carries into her adult life and all the choices she makes.
The story is beautiful, mostly due to the incredible friendship Joy and Hazel have. That is such a rare thing, two women who have gone through life together for over 8 decades. Showing up for another, I believe is what really matters. Joy does reach beyond her comfort zone, but learns that it’s the small acts that count. At 89, she is not done living and wants to get all the love life has for her. The people she lets in more fully can give her that. So, go Joy.
Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for a copy of this book. I always leave reviews of all books I read.
Joy Bridport has lived in Beacon, NY since she married in her twenties. Her friend, Hazel comes for a visit and gives her some sad news. Both women are 89 and have opposite personalities, but complement each other. They have been Best Friends since 8 years old. Hazel has the adventurous spirit and lives life to the hilt. She has traveled far and wide and loves to tell Joy all about her stories. For decades she has lived in Brooklyn, NY and moves, dresses, and takes life in a flamboyant way. Joy learned that women must follow all the rules and if something bothers them, it should still be endured with a nice smile. She is a kind person, gives free piano lessons to kids, really enjoys meeting other people, and savors her daughter, Elizabeth and especially her grandson, Finn. So, when Hazel tells her she has terminal cancer and only months to live, it shakes Joy up quite a bit.
Good Joy starts rethinking how she let so much go unsaid. Her husband died many years ago, but for their marriage he had repeated affairs. She said nothing to him about them. She has a hard time reaching out to her daughter and expressing a full range of feelings. She was a devoted mother, daughter, wife and let the needs of others come first. Yet, with Hazel she could always count on her. She was closest to her true self around her.
Joy starts to quietly rebel. It begins with a book she sees on the hold shelf that she really wants to read now, not wait months for her turn. Joy just takes it. She had never done anything like this before. That leads to some other petty crimes, like shoplifting. It’s just the feeling that she is not allowed to do this, and the rush that she brashly does. She is being somewhat reckless, silly, and childish. I can understand that urge. These types of actions are those a young teenager might engage in, yet Joy’s mother was very ill for several years when she was that age. Joy had to be responsible. She had to look after her Mom, make dinner for her Dad, and get up extra early to clean the house before school. Joy grew up in an era when rules were already rigid for women, and as a young girl she could not even break a few. That carries into her adult life and all the choices she makes.
The story is beautiful, mostly due to the incredible friendship Joy and Hazel have. That is such a rare thing, two women who have gone through life together for over 8 decades. Showing up for another, I believe is what really matters. Joy does reach beyond her comfort zone, but learns that it’s the small acts that count. At 89, she is not done living and wants to get all the love life has for her. The people she lets in more fully can give her that. So, go Joy.
Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for a copy of this book. I always leave reviews of all books I read.
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 12, 2026
4.5 stars
This was such a heartfelt and beautiful read. It’s a celebration of female friendship and a reminder that it’s never too late to reinvent yourself or start again. Each of the relationships and friendships were so special and I adored them all, especially the love between Hazel and Joy. What an amazing thing to find your life’s true love. They were such an incredible odd couple, supporting and loving each other through the years.
The topics of grief and forgiveness were handled with such care and I was in tears by the end. I really liked the discussions about “goodness” and “badness” and how it all goes hand in hand to make us who we are. The audiobook was wonderfully narrated by Kimberly M. Wetherell and Maggi-Meg Reed. Both gave such fantastic performances and conveyed so much emotion throughout. I found myself walking for longer and longer just so I could keep listening. Truly an amazing book that I hope everyone will read!
Audiobook Review
Overall 5 stars
Performance 5 stars
Story 4.5 stars
CW: cancer, death of loved ones, abortion (past), infidelity (not the MC), medicinal marijuana use
*I voluntarily read and listened to a review copy of this book*
This was such a heartfelt and beautiful read. It’s a celebration of female friendship and a reminder that it’s never too late to reinvent yourself or start again. Each of the relationships and friendships were so special and I adored them all, especially the love between Hazel and Joy. What an amazing thing to find your life’s true love. They were such an incredible odd couple, supporting and loving each other through the years.
The topics of grief and forgiveness were handled with such care and I was in tears by the end. I really liked the discussions about “goodness” and “badness” and how it all goes hand in hand to make us who we are. The audiobook was wonderfully narrated by Kimberly M. Wetherell and Maggi-Meg Reed. Both gave such fantastic performances and conveyed so much emotion throughout. I found myself walking for longer and longer just so I could keep listening. Truly an amazing book that I hope everyone will read!
Audiobook Review
Overall 5 stars
Performance 5 stars
Story 4.5 stars
CW: cancer, death of loved ones, abortion (past), infidelity (not the MC), medicinal marijuana use
*I voluntarily read and listened to a review copy of this book*
June 5, 2026
Might round up to 5 when I marinate on it more. Really liked all of it, truly loved some parts. Wonderful characters and life lessons.
November 26, 2025
This is a sweet story but it feels almost juvenile in both the writing and the plot. The author hit it out of the park with The Collected Regrets of Clover but this one feels like she rushed to put together a second "feel good" story. I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
June 14, 2026
"What greater achievement is there than a friendship that's lasted nearly a century, the fabric of it woven with the joys, sorrow, triumphs, and messiness of two lives forever intertwined> How luck we both are, to have had that. Who says your greatest love has to be a romantic one?"
What a beautiful ode to friendship. Joy and Hazel could not be more different, but together they have the friendship of a lifetime. At 89 years old, Joy finds herself facing losing her best friend when she is diagnosed with terminal cancer. Their journey through life together since they were seven years old unfolds through past and present timelines. Their friendship is the soul of this story.
“What a sad existence that must be—so focused on the next thing you’re doing, the next place you’re going, that you forget to appreciate the very moment you’re in.”
As Joy looks back on her life she questions the choices and actions she has mad along the way. Did she live the life she wanted? In some hysterical scenes, Joy turns to petty crimes to feel not only the rush of getting away with something, but to also feel seen. There are many profound moments about aging that makes you stop and think about how we treat older people.
Joy proves that even at 89 years old there is still time for self discovery and embracing your authentic self. This book was a joy to read no pun intended lol. I loved every minute.
"We just have to do our best, so we can sit back at the end of our life and say we tried our hardest, learned from our mistake and loved as hard as we could. Small things really can add up to a remarkable life."
What a beautiful ode to friendship. Joy and Hazel could not be more different, but together they have the friendship of a lifetime. At 89 years old, Joy finds herself facing losing her best friend when she is diagnosed with terminal cancer. Their journey through life together since they were seven years old unfolds through past and present timelines. Their friendship is the soul of this story.
“What a sad existence that must be—so focused on the next thing you’re doing, the next place you’re going, that you forget to appreciate the very moment you’re in.”
As Joy looks back on her life she questions the choices and actions she has mad along the way. Did she live the life she wanted? In some hysterical scenes, Joy turns to petty crimes to feel not only the rush of getting away with something, but to also feel seen. There are many profound moments about aging that makes you stop and think about how we treat older people.
Joy proves that even at 89 years old there is still time for self discovery and embracing your authentic self. This book was a joy to read no pun intended lol. I loved every minute.
"We just have to do our best, so we can sit back at the end of our life and say we tried our hardest, learned from our mistake and loved as hard as we could. Small things really can add up to a remarkable life."
June 9, 2026
I was lucky to receive this ARC via GoodReads Giveaways and what a score! Thank you, St. Martin's Press. I loved this book and adored Joy as a character. I laughed and cried with her; was inspired by her and cheered her on every step of the way! A capacity for growth and change and remaining curious as you age is really the secret to a long life and following that journey with Joy was joyous, indeed.
This is a story that will stay in my head and in my heart. It is an ode to lifelong friendship. Read it and pass it along to your best friend -- you know the one ... that true, enduring friend that you've known forever and can't imagine a day without them in your life.
This novel in five words:
Delightful. Charming. Satisfying. Memorable. Inspirational.
This is a story that will stay in my head and in my heart. It is an ode to lifelong friendship. Read it and pass it along to your best friend -- you know the one ... that true, enduring friend that you've known forever and can't imagine a day without them in your life.
This novel in five words:
Delightful. Charming. Satisfying. Memorable. Inspirational.
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.
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.
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.
June 1, 2026
Unfortunately, this book did not work for me and it took me several attempts at setting it aside and restarting to finish it. I am amongst the outliers as this book has been broadly well-received. This story takes us through Joy’s 89th year as she recalls significant times in her life and relationships and comes to terms with the impending death of her dearest friend. These reflective moments cause her to challenge how “good” she’s been her whole life, always conceding to others first, and try being “bad” Joy for a change.
I liked the concept a lot and the potential was there but it just didn’t deliver for me. Joy’s insights for most of the book felt self-centered and childish and I never grew to like her as a character. Her “bad” adventures were equally self-serving, petty and actually potentially hurtful to good, innocent people. There was no edge, excitement or justice in any of her badness. I found the characters, plot and writing to be overly sweet, simple and unoriginal.
This is a cozy book with sweet characters and a predictable plot that does satisfy the need for a straightforward story with tidy conclusions. While it didn’t connect for me, many people love it so it certainly has appeal to the right audience.
Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press and Mikki Brammer for access to an advance copy and the opportunity to share my thoughts.
I liked the concept a lot and the potential was there but it just didn’t deliver for me. Joy’s insights for most of the book felt self-centered and childish and I never grew to like her as a character. Her “bad” adventures were equally self-serving, petty and actually potentially hurtful to good, innocent people. There was no edge, excitement or justice in any of her badness. I found the characters, plot and writing to be overly sweet, simple and unoriginal.
This is a cozy book with sweet characters and a predictable plot that does satisfy the need for a straightforward story with tidy conclusions. While it didn’t connect for me, many people love it so it certainly has appeal to the right audience.
Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press and Mikki Brammer for access to an advance copy and the opportunity to share my thoughts.
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.
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