Danielle Steel writes stories that resonate with you for a while after you close the book. Her characters are so fully developed and lifelike that you become part of the story and feel invested in their lives. This book is no different. This poor little girl, shuffled from one unloving home to the next has to make her own way in the world and ends up all the better for rising above her childhood. Great story. Thanks to the publisher and net galley for the ARC.

Danielle Steel's characters are extremely well written. I literally felt every heartbreaking emotion of the main character Allegra. I was a bit blindsided with the title of Joy. Have been reading books by Ms Steel for several decades now and she is a pretty consistent storyteller with the high and lows.

I received an advanced reader copy from the publisher via Netgalley for my honest opinion.

I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Some children have happy childhoods with amazing memories. Unfortunately, Allegra was not one of those children and got shuffled around to different family members and boarding school when her parents were not able to be there for her emotionally and physically due to a military career (her father) and a very selfish mother. Feeling like she never belonged anywhere, Allegra got lost in reading her books where she got to experience another life. With her childhood love, she dreams of a better life as she starts college to eventually get into publishing. A rushed secret engagement and marriage, Allegra once again feels alone and lost with a husband who is always overseas like her father was and no one to be there for her. As life starts to crumble more and more, she decides to take charge of her life and move further away from all of the unhappy memories to create a brighter future for herself. At least that is the hope she has.

Danielle Steel does it again with pulling all of the heart strings and emotions with Joy. I got very caught up in the storyline and finished it within a day because I just could not put it down. I highly recommend it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for the ARC. Also thank you to the author, Danielle Steel for the amazing writing and great read! Looking forward to reading some more of your ARC's!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and honestly review this book. This story is about a young girl born to a military father and mother who both abandon her into the care of boarding schools and uncaring grandparents. She leads a very loveless life but resiliently forges through it with more downs than ups. Her brief moments of joy are too few to make this more than a depressing read. Fortunately it is a fast one.

I just want to hug you Allegra! This book had me going through all the emotions. Mad, sad, angry, happy, and of course…Joy.
Thank you Netgalley and Danielle Steel for an early release ARC.

Reading a Danielle Steel book feels like coming home. She's been writing books longer than I've been alive. And I've been reading her books long before I was old enough. This book made me feel exactly the way I felt, the first time I read one of her books. There's so much emotion on every page.

Allegra is the main character & you go on a life's journey with her. The flow of the story isn't too fast or too slow. It just glides you along with her, while she experiences things that are somewhat unimaginable. However DS had a way of making a lifestyle far separated from your own, seem relatable somehow.

This book had more twists & turns than I expected. I was not expecting that ending. I honestly wasn't sure what was going to happen! It definitely kept me interested the whole way through! Loved it! Unsurprisingly, this book is another cherished story that will join my collection of her beautiful novels. Her books are some of my favorite treasures.

I am honored to have received this ARC because DS is one author that has made an impact on my life. I think we all have those authors we hold dear. I will post my review on goodreads closer to the publication date, as requested by DS at the front of the book.

I love Danielle’s books. I was able to relate to this one a little more due to being a military family and being around those who had had war steal their joy and break families apart.

I’m struggling to write my thoughts on this book- Allegra basically had to raise herself as her selfish family couldn’t be bothered. She finds a true love and he leaves her for his career even when they had discussed what that would do to you time and time again after seeing what it did to her father. With no one in her life and needing a way to support herself Allegra picks up and moves from the East Coast to the West Coast. Fortunately for her she makes the right choices and finds a unique opportunity & love only to be met with heartache but she always finds the positive opportunity to make the best of the situation.
Joy is a sad story but because of Allegra’s personality she chooses Joy.

For much of Danielle Steel’s novel, Joy, I searched for a connection between the title and the story. Allegra Dixon led a grim childhood, one without much love or affection from her parents and grandparents. Each time she came close to finding the joy implied by the title, some tragic circumstance took it away.

As I thought about takeaways from the story, however, I found it hopeful and optimistic… that difficult circumstances don’t have to define you, that you can confront and overcome them and lead a happy life. And I thought that the point of the story was a reminder to hold on to joy when and where you find it.

Thank you to the author, publisher, Random House - Ballantine, and NetGalley for providing me with this advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

I've been reading Danielle Steel since I was in high school and was happy to read another. Allegra was such a likable character and had every reason to give up, to be angry. Through the adversity in her live, abandonment, lost love, loneliness, she never quits on herself or finding her place in this world. Another solid and enjoyable book by Danielle Steel.

I loved this book. Joy, despite extreme neglect and abandonment, shines through with her personality. After childhood trauma and numerous set backs, she shines with her outlook and positivity. As always, another wonderful story from Danielle Steel. Her books are as comforting as a warm blanket. Highly recommended.
Thank you Danielle Steel, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and NetGalley for allowing me an advance copy for my honest feedback.

Allegra loses so much as a child. However, there is a bright spot during her stint in boarding school. During her stint at boarding school, she meets a young West Point cadet, and once again there is joy in her life. Life intervenes, and soon, things have changed and not for the better. Allegra deserves happiness, but circumstances seem to provide a stumbling block instead. This is the story of a woman searching for happiness and the courage she shows in spite of her situation. This is an enjoyable read. Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for the opportunity to review this book.

A sweet story of a girl looking for someone to love her. After being abandoned by her parents, Allegra finds love and joy in her life in the most unexpected places. Another good one from Danielle Steel.

Such a sweet, sweet story. Heartbreaking at some points but shows the resilience of one woman. Brilliantly written as always from DS. Many thanks to the publisher and netgalley for this copy for read and review

Allegra, forsaken by a military father and abandoned by her mother at six, navigates a tumultuous upbringing. Sent to boarding school after her grandparents' passing, she faces rejection from her mother's parents. In her lonely existence, she finds solace in Shep, leading to a secret love and marriage plan disrupted by Shep's military duty. Alone again after divorce, Allegra decides to break free from familial ties, embarking on a journey from New York to California for a fresh start. As she grapples with self-discovery, Danielle Steel's narrative unfolds a captivating tale of Allegra's resilience and pursuit of happiness. Special thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Delacorte Press for the ARC

Allegra Dixon’s life is full of loss. It started with vivid memories of her mother leaving when she was 6 years old and without even saying goodbye. Her father always away fighting a war, grandparents passing away it appear to be never ending except for Shep. He was a constant until the military took him away. In search of a new life, she travels to the other side of the country and begins again in California. Struggling to deal with her past and future, she tries again to find joy in her life.
Danielle Steel has a way of taking the most devastating situations and finding the joy in it. Her descriptions of scenery and character development make the reader feel a part of the novel and can vividly see them self in the story as the plot unfolds. Allegra’s story provides hope during tragedy and a focus on finding joy that everyone should be searching for.
Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing- Ballantine for ARC in exchange for my honest review.

When I think of the books I read in high school I think of Danielle Steel. I was so excited to receive a Danielle Steel arc from NetGalley. Danielle’s novel Joy comes out in August.

Joy is about a young girl named Allegra. The story talks about her complicated family dynamics. She has a father in the military and a mother who left her. As a child Allegra’s father left her with her grandparents. She didn’t grow up with a warm family. When she’s a teenager she meets Shep. They fall in love but he ends up joining the military. I love something that Danielle wrote. “You are brave when you have no choice.” I could relate to that. This is a wonderful story about the strength of a young independent woman.

This was a very good book. I haven’t read her books in yrs. This may have turned me around! A young girl who is starved for love and had her heart broken many times. What happens you will have to read to find out. You might even need a tissue.

I read this through an authors early release and the book is unedited.
Oh this was a really good book. It is a reminder to take your time and live life and if life is tough, being straight-forward will bring you through the tough times. I know this is fiction. The story gives you hope. Just doing your best and striving through life can make a person find love and hope and joy where you least expect it.
I love the authors books, and reading it made me happier, I cannot wait for another book.

In many way, Joy is typical Danielle Steel. There are the usual well-educated central characters in the plot, for whom great wealth does not always bring lasting happiness. Allegra, is beautiful, smart, and talented. The men in her life are not always worth Allegra's attentions. It takes a long time for the joy in the title to show up in Allegra's life. A major theme of abandonment/rejection/neglect dominates most of her significant relationships and yet her resilience shines through as kindness, hope and dedication. I would highly recommend this book!

Thank you NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.