Joy Moody Is Out of Time is a novel unlike any other I've read. Twin sisters Andie and Cassie have been prepped all their life for their 21st birthday, when they're supposed to time travel to 2050, or at least that's what their mom Joy has told them.

All is not at it seems though and secrets are revealed as the story goes on. Are the twins time travelers? If they're not, then how did they end up in Joy's care and where are their real parents?

Unique, emotional, uplifting, humorous, and sad, Joy Moody Is Out of Time was a true joy (yes, pun intended) to read.

Joy Moody is out of Time by Kerryn Mayne

Joy Moody keeps a tight rein on her twin adopted daughters. She has secrets, so they all remain within the small orbit Joy has created for them. The girls must be kept out of this world to be innocent enough to go to their planet when the time comes. That date is August 1, 2023, and is right around the corner.

Joy is a good mom and has a friend or two she trusts. She runs a laundry and the girls help by folding the clothes without complaint. Artistic Cassie is quieter and less adventurous than Andie. As “Daughters of the Future Revoltion,” they cannot be too bold. Joy has prepared them for their duties.

This was an interesting novel and not really in the sci-fi realm. Joy’s stories eventually fall apart leading to a very satisfying ending but not without conflict. I rate this five stars for its originality, good character development and storyline.

This book has an interesting premise. Joy Moody is the owner of a laundromat. She has twin daughters who have been sheltered and taken care of their entire lives. On August 1, 2023, they were to be fast-forwarded 27 years in the future to 2050 where they would help in the revolution. A bit before August 1, Andie started to wonder about the situation because she found out new information that caused her to wonder if everything she had known was a lie and the book evolves from there. I started liking the book more after Joy died and everyone started to sort out what happened. The mystery starts to come together at that point. I liked all the supporting characters, but I think it was Joy herself that I started to have issues with. She’s a bit quirky. Having said that, I liked the book!

Thank you to Kerryn Mayne, NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Publication Date: August 19, 2025

4.5 stars

The Moody twins have been raised in the house attached to Joy Moody's laundromat, Joyful Suds. It's pink and bright and has a steady clientele with companionable neighbors in the stores around them. All very regular and unassuming. Cassie and Andie however are special — or so they've been raised to believe. What began as a playful tale about their origins as her adopted daughters, went on much longer than Joy initially intended. Right? Unless it's true.

Knowing they have to be kept somewhat secret and safe from The People, Cassie and Andie believe they are vital to the future and must wait until their 21st birthday when they will be pulled forward through time to their real era in the year 2050. There they will take their place with the daughters of the future revolution. But the plan — or is it a lie? — starts to take a strange turn, and suddenly Joy is found dead in the laundromat, and Cassie and Andie find themselves completely unprepared for the real world without their mother.

The layers into which Mayne spins her tale are nuanced and yet playful. She's got a grasp on her story with the same strength I found surprising in Lenny Marks Gets Away with Murder, and so the turns she chooses are often unexpected and a little bit out there, but also heavily grounded in reality. The unique balance of quirky and dark, cozy and slightly twisted, seems to be what we can expect from her — and I couldn't be more delighted. I will absolutely be reading whatever she offers up next.

I loved Joy and I loved the twins! Totally different from the author's debut, but I was so entertained throughout that I couldn't wait to pick it back up again when I wasn't reading. Joy Moody is a hell of a character and Kerryn Mayne is now a go-to author for me!

Thanks to the author, publisher, and Netgalley for the ARC to review. This was a great story!

Kerryn Mayne is the queen of quirky characters. This is categorized in the mystery and thriller genre, and while there is some mystery it only really happens in the latter part of the story. The majority of the book focuses on getting to know twin sisters Cassie and Andie and their unusual mother, Joy. The characters are all quite interesting and that is really what makes this story.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I much enjoyed this vividly different, quirky novel about love, loyalty, and family.

Plot: Twins Addie (Andromeda) and Cassie (Casseiopia) grew up with their mum, Joy, being told since they were 10 that they were left in Joy's care by their birth parents, who came from the future and need them to be protected from The People in order to come back at the right time and fight for the revolution. Is it the truth? Or something more sinister? As the day to return comes closer, the girls will find out what's going on.

Hard to say more without spoilers.

This kept me on my toes, giving over information as necessary to keep it mysterious and compelling. It's a slow burn drama, but with a lot going to keep you immersed in the story.

The characters are well fleshed out, each with a distinct personality, and actions to match. The story moves deftly between views, mostly of Joy, Cassie, and Andie, but also the police detective who is investigating a death and Monty, one of the family's neighbors.

I loved the author's debut novel, and I liked this even better. It's well plotted and tight. Like the first book, this gets really bad before the tide turns and things work out in a way that makes you cheer. It reminded me of my favorite Aussie author, Liane Moriarty, especially Apples Never Fall, with the FMC Joy and even a reference to tennis, plus the female detective.

I'm not sure I loved the ending, although I was expecting it. It's something to ponder, which is a good sign. I also don't love using jumping between timelines as a plot device, although it was easy to follow.

4.5/5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, Kerryn Mayne, and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to review an advanced copy.

I didn’t expect this to be an emotional mystery! In fact, I thought I was going to read something quirky, fun, and silly. Instead, Joy Moody is Out of Time is more emotional with a few uplifting moments to even it out. I did enjoy the plot though. It’s intriguing and unique and I think many readers will enjoy it for that alone. Unfortunately, I wasn’t ready for the emotional tone, and it took away from my enjoyment. Sometimes readers love stories with lots of emotion and other times we need something silly to pass the time. In any event, the book IS good, and I know many readers will adore it.

𝗠𝗬 𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ⭐⭐⭐

I’d like to thank Kerryn Mayne and St. Martin’s Press for the E-ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

My full review contains (in my opinion) spoilers. So if you’d like to avoid that, please only read my first paragraph for a general sense of the book. I will indicate when my full review begins.

This book is quirky and bends genres and for that I give it kudos. It was nice reading a book that wasn’t cookie cutter and felt original. I did have some issues with pacing that caused me to lose interest but it did not stop me from finishing the book. I believe a lot of the “issues” I had with this book were intentional and required me to think a little deeper after finishing the book (which isn’t a bad thing!) Overall, I think this is a good book. If you’re looking for something that’s different, has interesting characters, and makes you think, I’d recommend this one.


*Full Review Below - Spoilers ahead*

So, as I was sitting here typing out my review, I realized a lot of the things I was confused on or maybe didn’t care for, was 100% intentional lol

I was confused in the beginning because I didn’t know where the story was going or even what genre this book was - intentional. Due to Joy’s circumstances, we’re following an unreliable narrator so yeah, it’s going to be confusing/frustrating because the character doesn’t know what’s going on either! To Joy, the twins are her life, there is nothing more important than them, so we only really see her interactions and feelings towards the twins.

No emotional connection to the side characters - intentional. Joy kept her relationship with Monty a secret because the twins were her life. She didn’t want anything or anyone distracting her from that considering what she went through to keep them in the first place. You don’t understand in the second half of the book why these 3 strangers want to help and protect the twins because the twins don’t understand either. They weren’t allowed to develop deep emotional connections with these people. It was all surface level because Joy was protecting them.

But, I say all this having read the entire book. I did have issues getting through the first half, it lost my interest several times. I was confused for a lot of it and the pacing to me felt like it dragged a little. The second half of the book picked up substantially and it captured my attention more. Overall, this is a good book that does have depth to it. I’m happy I finished the book and got to understand Joy Moody more and why she really was out of time lol

4 ⭐️

4 incredible bunch of atoms stars

Joy Moody runs a laundromat, Joyful Suds, with her twin daughters. She’s kept them very isolated because on their 21st birthdays, they are going to time travel and fulfill their destinies to save the world.

The twins, Cassie and Andy, are prepared for their future lives, but are starting to question some things now. And Joy is truly out of time, as she’s found dead on the twins’ birthday.

We know that Joy dies, but we are slowly told the circumstances as the book progresses. Meanwhile, Cassie and Andy have to learn to function in a world without Joy to lead them.

This very original plot kept me interested, although it had a slow start. I’m so glad that I stuck with it, because the ultimate conclusion was both fulfilling and a bit of a surprise.

I enjoyed Lenny Marks Gets Away with Murder so much, when I found out the author had another book out, I jumped on the chance to read it.

This book was great, just like the first. In Lenny, I loved the odd main characters and the twists that brought us to the end. And this book felt so much the same. Joy, Cassie, and Andie were such great characters. I really felt for the girls and hated what Joy had done in raising them like she did, even if she did it all out of love. Watching the mystery unfold was so interesting, and I loved the way the girls and their neighbors came together in the end.

Great story, well worth the read!

"Joy Moody is Out of Time" is an exceptional read that has quickly become my favorite book of the year. This novel is a captivating blend of mystery and intrigue, seamlessly weaving a beautifully dark atmosphere with laugh-out-loud moments that catch you off guard. It's the kind of book that makes you chuckle at times when you might not expect to, which adds a unique charm to the story.

The characters are wonderfully enigmatic, each one quirky and lovable in their own right. I felt a deep connection to them, as they navigated their complex lives filled with ups and downs. The author, Kerryn Mayne, has created a remarkable cast that resonates with readers, making their journeys memorable and engaging.

If you’re looking for a book to add to your must-read list, "Joy Moody is Out of Time" deserves a top spot. It's a delightful mix of humor and darkness that keeps you guessing until the very end.

A big thank you to St. Martin's Press, NetGalley, and the author for the advance reading copy. The book is set to be released on August 19, 2025, so make sure to grab a copy from your local bookseller!

Although I may have liked Mayne's debut Lenny Marks Gets Away With Murder a bit more, I enjoyed this sophomore novel of hers. Mayne crafts unique plots that keep the reader engaged, and this one definitely had me guessing (not in an intense thriller-y way, but rather a puzzle-y kind of way) about many things throughout the book. Mayne is excellent at developing her characters, and I loved the bonds that all of the characters at Station Street had - it feels like the kind of place we would all like to live. I would have liked to have read a bit more about the secondary Station Street characters so I had a better sense of them before the end, but there were a lot of moving pieces with this one, and I can see how the secondary characters sometimes fell to the back burner. Definitely pick this one up if you are looking for a unique mystery that won't keep you awake at night.

This is not a traditional mystery. Lies and secrets have permeated twins Cassie's and Andie's lives. Their mother Joy keeps a tight reinon them as they grow up in their family laundromat. They are naive and know very few people. The twins are nervous as they approach their 21st birthday where the future is about to start. When Joy dies unexpectedly, it shakes up what they know about their lives. The story is mainly told through Cassie's, Andie's, and Joy's point of view. I received a free copy of this ebook from the publisher through Netgalley. This is my honest and voluntarily given review. While the story dragged a little a couple of times, I liked the book overall. The story is original, intriguing, and has a couple of twists. I really like how their neighbors were so supportive to the twins.

This book is packed with twists and turns that kept me hooked from start to finish. The story unfolds through multiple points of view and shifts in timeline, which can be a bit confusing at times. Still, I thoroughly enjoyed the journey.

I received an ARC of this ebook from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review!

I have not had such great luck with books lately. I had two DNFs before I started this one and was almost about to give up.

But I didn’t give up. And even if you think that the beginning of this book is a little out of this world for you, it will be explained. Trust me.

This is a double murder mystery that spans 21 years. It also speaks lovingly about community and family that is chosen not just family by blood. I liked that.

Thank you to St Martins Publishing Group and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book. I highly recommend it!

"From the author of the beloved novel Lenny Marks Gets Away With Murder comes another quirky and irresistible crime novel.

Strange things are happening behind the bright pink facade of Bayside's premier laundromat, Joyful Suds, home to Joy Moody and her twin daughters.

For much of their lives, Joy has been lying to Cassie and Andie. What started as a colorful tale to explain how the twins came to live with her grew over the years and was always something she meant to set straight. Joy really did think she had more time. Worse still, Joy is struggling to define the truth from the lies.

The girls have long believed they are vital to the future and must stay hidden to stay safe. Joy has told them that their impending twenty-first birthday is significant; they will step into their roles as leaders of a revolution and life as they know it will change. Joy was right - everything will change, just not in the way they expected. On Andie and Cassie's birthday, Joy Moody is found dead and her girls face a world they are not prepared for without their mother. Joy Moody is out of time... in more ways than one."

Unless she helps her children from beyond the grave...

Much like Mayne's Lenny Marks Gets Away with Murder, Joy Moody is Out of Time had me from the very beginning. In one of the reviews quoted in the front matter of this ARC, someone described Lenny Marks as both heartwarming and heartbreaking, and I think that's a perfect description of this book as well. A complete gut punch of a book, but I couldn't put it down. The titular Joy Moody runs a laundromat in a suburb of Melbourne, Australia, and she has raised twins Andie (Andromeda) and Cassie (Cassiopeia) in almost complete isolation because she tells them that that they are actually from the future, and that they will have to return to their real timeline and real parents on the day of their 21st birthday. The book opens on that day as the three of them wait to be transported to the future, but it doesn't happen. I honestly had no idea how this story was going to unfold and would never have predicted most of it. Told through alternating perspectives (mostly Cassie, Andie, and Joy) and at different points throughout Cassie and Andie's lives, the story that unfolds is engrossing and truly so sad, but with a lot of lot of heart. I cried more than once, and I wouldn't recommend this for someone looking for a light, fluffy read. But if you're in the mood for something a little heavier and pretty engrossing, this is a good one. Content warnings for death (on page), marital infidelity, serious illness, and substance abuse (off page).

This was a really unique book about an isolated family of three and how a family story becomes unraveled. It had good characters and as well-written. I love the idea of chosen family coming together.

This was an odd novel, and one I had a bit of trouble with, but in the end appreciated and enjoyed. I had been quite excited about the time travel aspect of the story and the raising kids in exclusion idea from the blurb. But it didn't really deliver or live up to the concept. I found the first half very slow and a bit dull. I found the concept interesting but I had trouble with the slowness of the unveiling and the lack of intrigue. I actually put the book down halfway through and was ready to not finish it, as it felt disappointing and I wasn't connecting with the story or main characters. I found some of the side characters to be cartoonish - the uncle in particular could have used a lot more nuance.

That being said, I did pick it up again after a few days and the second half felt much better, once there was a bit of a mystery to focus on. I liked the parts from the detective's perspective and it might have been more interesting to stay with her. I would have liked to see more depth and more intrigue into why Joy was the way she was, what led her to her decisions - there was just something missing for me here.