It’s almost the day they have been waiting for their whole lives. Ever since they were babies, Joy Moody has been preparing the twins she is raising for the inevitable moment they will be transported into the future just in time to save the world. And after two decades of preparation, this new life is about to begin… Or is it?

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5
Spice: 🌶️ 0/5

Tropes:
The hidden world
Alternate timeline/parallel universe
Chosen one
Secrets

Triggers:
Terminal illness

My Thoughts:
This examination of mother/daughter relationships, underpinned with sci-fi possibility, is a fun and creative examination of how love, truth, and best intentions can get all tangled up in our closest relationships. Mayne writes with a breezy wink that simultaneously keeps you on the edge of your seat, but assures you that there is going to be a soft place to land.

Kerryn Mayne did it again. She took serious topics—addiction, troubled youth, overbearing parent, cancer, and even murder—and made the book feel cozy.

In an effort to keep her twin daughters safe and in her care, Joy Moody spun a web of lies for over a decade that ultimately left Cassie and Andie isolated and naive. After Joy's demise, the girls are left to deal with the fallout and decide what's true and what's false. Luckily for them, they have loyal neighbors who can help.

I absolutely loved this cast of quirky characters, even Joy. It did feel wrong to love this story so much because really, Joy's actions, never mind that they were rooted in love, were unacceptable and selfish. But this story was written in such a way that I found it hard to see things as black and white; everything was a bit gray. I found myself rooting for everyone (except a certain uncle) and especially wanted happy endings for Cassie and Andie.

I had very high hopes for this book as I loved the author’s previous book. I tucked right into the story, trying to find an angle in which to connect to the characters and plot.

The first part of the book it was harder to feel that, however, as the story unfolded, that became much easier and I found myself enjoying the book more and more. Overall a very interesting plot with good characters and dialogue.

Advanced reader copy provided by St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley but all opinions are my own.

Straight off the bat, I wasn't sure if I would enjoy this one because of the element of time travel. I usually prefer stories with things that can happen in real life. But this was interwoven beautifully. I enjoyed it, and I am really glad I took the time to read it because it may not have been a book that I would have picked up on my own. Nicely done!

Well this was not for me, but there were things I liked also. I still think I will try this writer again.

From plot to setting to theme to character development to form, I didn't like any of the stylistic decisions Mayne made here.

I do want to say she handles mental illness in an interesting way, without stigma. For this story, the identity of motherhood is the main subject and fuels the conflict far more than does the many depictions of mental illness.

I recommend this one because I'm always thrilled to find a book that doesn't stigmatize its own characters. This is an excellent example. Even though I didn't, plenty of people liked Mayne's style here, so check out other reviews.

Thank you to the author Kerryn Mayne, St. Martin's Press, and NetGalley for an accessible digital arc of JOY MOODY IS OUT OF TIME. All views are mine.

This is a quite unconventional, but captivating book. Although the story may sound crazy from the description, and it is, it also makes perfect sense when you read it. The plot is very clever and incredibly unique. The characters are unusual but endearing. The story is full of surprises, and even when you think you know everything, there is one last shocking revelation left to come. Although there is at least one element that may be hard to digest, especially for more sensitive readers, it is still an extremely worthwhile read. If you are looking for a fun, offbeat, original mystery full of unbelievable twists but also full of heart, this book is an excellent choice.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the eARC.

Joy Moody Is Out of Time and she is also breaking my heart. This book, this family, these characters... This is a story that I will remember for a very long time. The concept was so unique, the prologue got me hooked immediately and never let me go.

I struggled with this book. Premise sounded very interesting but in reality it did not do it for me. From the beginning I struggled to be interested. It must have peaked my interest somewhat because I finished the entire book. I was hoping something big would happen that would suck me in but nothing really did. It just fell flat for me. Just was not for me but I can see how it would be for some readers.

Very unique, creative and totally bonkers. A heartfelt journey that was quite the wild ride. Joy Moody loved her twins, that much is true, but she put them through some crazy stuff!! It was funny and quirky, painful at times to get through but always filled with Joy (no pun intended).

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book. All thoughts are mine alone.

Thank you, Netgalley, Kerryn Mayne, and St. Martin's Press for the eARC. This was such a unique and gripping story—it had me questioning everything! I couldn’t tell who to believe or whether the truth was real or just delusion. A wild, captivating read!

I have never read a book quite like this one. While elements reminded me of other novels, I never had any clue where this was going (and it was lovely!) The found family aspect was written beautifully. Joy was wildly out there but I could also empathize with her situation and love for her girls. When you finally get to the pay off her choices make more sense and you’ll either love them or hate them. Personally, I loved them!

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and Kerryn Mayne for the ARC of Joy Moody is Out of Time! It slowly turned into a story I couldn't put down and absolutely loved!

4.5 rounded up to 5!

Quirky characters are definitely my jam and this book delivered on that! I was so shocked and excited when I got the end and realized Joy Moody was written by the same author as one of my favorite books from last year, Lenny Marks! Kerryn Mayne has definitely put herself on my auto-buy author list.

Joy Moody is Out of Time is so weird and it took me a good portion of the beginning part of the book to really figure out what was going on. Cassie and Andi were perfect compliments to each other and their twin bond was so meaningful to the story. Joy was a character I wanted to desperately to try to understand and in equal parts wanted to shake the life out of! She was for certain dealing with a lot of trauma and that showed in how she interacted with the people and the world around her. This story was both tragic and satisfying at the end and roller coaster ride along the way!

Kerryn Mayne is such a wonderful storyteller. Her books are so original, quirky, and heartwarming. I loved Lenny Marks Gets Away with Murder but I think I might have loved this one more! Totally kept me guessing how it would end the entire time and had my heart in my throat too. I was so vested in Joy, Cassie, and Addie's story and adored the found family of it all! Part mystery, part commercial fiction, 100% a fun ride! I absolutely can't wait to read her next book.

Joy Moody Is Out of Time by Kerryn Mayne is a quirky, emotionally resonant mystery that blends domestic drama with speculative intrigue. Set in a seaside laundromat called Joyful Suds, the story follows Joy Moody and her twin daughters, Cassie and Andie, who have been raised in isolation under the belief that they’re from the future and must remain hidden until their 21st birthday. When Joy is found dead on that very day, the girls are thrust into a world they’re unprepared for, unraveling secrets that challenge everything they’ve been told. Mayne’s storytelling is both whimsical and haunting, weaving themes of motherhood, identity, and the power of belief into a narrative that’s as uplifting as it is unsettling. With sharp character work and a structure that unfolds in layered parts, the novel keeps readers guessing while exploring the emotional cost of deception and love. It’s a genre-bending tale that will appeal to fans of Liane Moriarty and Sally Hepworth, offering mystery with a deeply human core.

What a quirky and refreshing surprise this one was! Joy Moody Is Out of Time masterfully blends mystery with family drama in a way that’s bizarre enough to intrigue yet absolutely believable. It was exactly the change of pace I needed.

Kerryn Mayne brings her characters to life with vivid originality—especially the twin sisters, who’ve been homeschooled and isolated without peers. Their perspectives felt so authentic, so layered, and I was completely drawn in.

As their backstory gradually reveals itself, the suspense builds, and I found myself unable to put the book down. Multiple mysteries unfold organically, each adding depth and emotion to the story.

This novel would also make an incredible book club pick. It has the perfect mix of tension, character insight, and thought-provoking themes around family, belonging, and identity to spark meaningful discussion.

Highly recommended if you’re into unique, character-driven mysteries that leave a lasting impression.

✨ Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the eARC!

Having a secret identity can sometimes be a real drag

In the small town of Bayside, Melbourne, sits a laundromat named Joyful Suds. It is own and operated by Joy Moody and her twin daughters Andie and Cassie, and the three live in the residence attached to the business. Joy has brought the girls up to believe that they are special, that they are actually from the future and are vital to its survival. They must avoid The People who are searching for them, and on their 21st birthday they will return to that time and head a revolution there. Its not actually true, though the girls have always believed it (why would their mother lie to them, after all?) and Joy herself has begun to believe it. Which may have something to do with the tumor on her brain. As the fated day approaches Andie, the more prosaic of the girls, has her doubts about the whole thing, and when nothing happens Joy is distraught. When Joy is found dead later that day, many truths begin to emerge...of how the twins came to live with Joy, what their true origins are, and what this will mean to their future.
This novel is a unique blend of elements, starting out with a tinge of science fiction but morphing into an entertaining, quirky mystery. Who was Joy Moody, how did the twins enter her life, and what happened to a young woman named Britney that Joy has kept secret for years? The characters are engaging, the tone of the story a mixture of light and dark, and the setting is beautifully drawn. The novel isn't quite what I expected...I had read author Kerryn Mayne's first book, Lenny Marks Gets Away With Murder, and thoroughly enjoyed it, and was expecting something a little closer in theme or feel to that one. This one's very different, although the two do share quirky sorts of characters. It's well written and engaging, and might appeal to readers of Sally Hepworth, Nita Prose or Sarah Bailey. My thanks to NetGalley and St Martin's Press for allowing me access to the novel in exchange for my honest review.

Thanks to NetGalley for the preview. This one was tough for me. I enjoyed the premise amd was interested in seeing how it ended, but there were several times I nearly decided to DNF it.

The timeline was confusing at times and made me doubt myself, and I had to go back and reread pages.

The whole plot was pretty unrealistic that these women really reached 20/21 believing the nonsense from Joy. The conclusion was mostlysatisfying, but the journey was mundane.

I think this is one of those books that it's best to go into with little knowledge of the story, and to just trust that the author is going to take you on a interesting and emotional ride. Joy has a busy life, running a laundromat and raising identical twins. As they are about to turn 21, they are approaching their destiny - she has told them all their lives that they are warriors to save the future. As the twins work to untangle reality from the stories Joy has woven, they discover much more than they had anticipated. This novel has the quirkiness of Annie Hartnett, along with the heartwarming hope of a Phaedra Patrick book.

This was a great book. I loved every paragraph, every sentence and every word of this masterpiece! I read it in 12 hours, which is a lot for me to do! It had everything and more laid out in the novel! I sure hope There is more to come from this author! I am totally hooked!

Joy Moody is living a lie, and the truth is hard to find.

I loved Mayne's last book and hero, Lenny Marks. This main character, Joy Moody, never won my heart. Her rigid eccentricities were harmful and selfish. The book deals with the detritis but not to a purposeful end.