Member Reviews
An honest, relatable memoir that made me laugh and cry along the way. Alexis is completely open and honest about her journey in life and how she was able to live her best life despite it all. While it may not qualify as a self-help guide, it gives one perspective and insight of how others managed to find joy among their lives.
I really enjoy a good memoir, and I would personally rate this one 5 stars. The author of joy Hunter, Alexis Jones, has led quite an interesting life, and I appreciate that by writing about it, she took us all along for the ride.
Since I have never heard of her, and she appears to be quite famous, I searched for Alexis online and found her website. I just loved all the inspirational messages and enjoyed scrolling through all the photos she added in a section titled, I Am That Girl. Those are the kind of quotes that really connected with me and made me feel even more inspired.
I loved the book, and I hope Alexis follows this up more helpful books in the future.
I was fortunate to receive this Advanced copy of this book The Joy Hunter by Alexis Jones and I found this story to be a good surprise as well as entertaining to read. #joyhunter #netgalley
'Soulful' is a great way to describe this memoir. Alexis Jones writes clearly and honestly about her struggles and triumphs in 'Joy Hunter'. I hesitate to say I enjoyed reading it because it was at times difficult in an emotional sense to read, but I'm glad I read it.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harmony Books for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend it! Next up for me is to read her first book now that I see how comfortably she writes and how what she has to say makes a difference, for me at least.
Alexis, youngest of 5, only girl, grows up competing fearlessly with the boys. Nothing keeps her down, in fact something that might keep one of us back, might be the impetus to drive her on even further than she normally would.
Several issues come up in this story of her life. She becomes a powerhouse for women, starting groups where women can really talk about what is really bothering us and finding solutions together. Winner of many awards, she appears on Oprah and before the NFL talking about how men and boys treat women and girls, but the difference here is that she gets their attention and maybe makes it real enough for them that there will be a difference in their respect for women.
She learns her dad is not really her biological dad and deals with that torment; should she tell him? Will it break her heart and it broke her heart?
I could go on and won't as you really want to read this for yourself. I am so glad NetGalley gave me an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest opinion.
I have not read Alexis Jones first memoir, but this book was recommended to me as I read a lot of memoirs and also enjoyed Suleika Jaouad's "Between Two Kingdoms" which details her road trip following her cancer journey.
I enjoyed learning more about Jones past pursuits, but wasn't sure how this information was relevant to the current story. I also wanted more connection between the main plot points in the current story. Although this is more of a celebrity memoir, I still like it when an author is clear on what they learned from their experiences and what that means universally to the reader as a takeaway. I would have liked to see some of the past information pared down to include more detail about what one or two of the current events meant to Jones.
This memoir will no doubt remind some readers of earlier books but each entrant into the genre has something to offer and the same is true here. The pandemic looms large in all of our lives and Jones makes lemonade with this. I has never heard of her but I'll keep an eye out in the future. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. For those who like voyages of discovery.
Do you know that feeling when you read the blurb about a book and think, "I don't need to read this. I've read this story before." I felt that when I heard about Joy Hunter, but I was wrong. Yes, I've read other memoirs that fall into what I call the "eat, pray, love" category - books that explore what motivates us as humans, vulnerabilities, crises, surviving, and thriving - but that doesn't mean I can't enjoy the heck out of another one. I loved Joy Hunter. Alexis Jones is a master storyteller.
Jones opens Joy Hunter with an excerpt from one of her high school journals. The passage is so powerful that I thought (1) if this is what high school Alexis knew to write then, (2) I can't wait to hear what adult Alexis has to say about it. Jones is transparent about her ups and downs. She tells a story of sacrificing herself for those she loves, without even realizing she's doing it, and then how she digs out of those life choices. I relate to her frenetic energy and breakneck pace, and then the realization that slowing down is not only lovely, but essential.
I love the fullness of the way Alexis Jones lives her life. And I also love her husband Brad's wise words and his support. At least in Alexis's telling, he says the most poignant things!
Overall, if you're looking for relatable, vulnerable and inspirational self-help memoir, definitely pick up Joy Hunter, no matter how many of those types of books you've read before. Highly recommend.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I could not put this book down. It was filled with so many aspects of Alexis's life, the hurt, the trauma, the journey. I typically read smutty books, because I am so dissappointed in the "self journey help" books, but this was a fantastic read, and I finished it in a day!!
I saw Alexis speak years ago and have been a fan ever sense - with my camera roll full of thought provoking Instagram captions. I was thrilled to get an ARC from NetGalley.
I loved this book and highlighted a ton of passages. Alexis is very relatable and even if you have not walked her same road, you can find applicable introspection to take into your own life.
This was a really beautiful memoir! I originally requested because I LOVED the title and the cover was gorgeous. I am not familiar with who this author was prior to reading but was still able to jump in and really enjoy. I didn't feel there was anything groundbreaking in the story but I enjoyed nonetheless. This is definitely something that would make a beautiful audiobook so if that's an option, I would recommend!
Before reading this book, I had no idea who Alexis Jones was. I really enjoy reading books about people trying to find their way. Heartbreakingly honest and raw and times, Alexis Jones tells the reader how she learned to find joy in her life.
I wanted more from this. It was story after story of what she’s done since her last book, but felt like it lacked the connection with the reader.
This book was a mixed bag for me. A bit like Under the Tuscan Sun in that it was inspiring and dream-worthy but also pretty much unattainable due to my current resources and responsibilities.
There were some great quotes like the one attributed to her grandmother “Often people claiming to be Christian don’t act very Christ-like”.
As a child she claims “I was encouraged to disagree, to ask questions and to offer new thoughts. I was taught that my ideas were valued, expected, and worthy of consideration. I was challenged to think critically, to site my sources, to have well-researched and robust opinions”. My upbringing was so very different. Being the only daughter, I was only expected to be a housewife and mother. If I worked outside the home, it would be in a traditional female role. I found myself feeling envious of the author and also a bit resentful of my parents if I’m being honest. I ultimately went on to have a few non traditional positions during my career and have surrounded myself with a mutually supportive and loving chosen family.
This book was well written and I did find joy in it.
Thanks to Net Galley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you NetGalley for this ARC, in exchange for an honest review!
I am a huge sucker for self-help books, and this one did not disappoint. There were times when I laughed out and times when I tried (and failed!) to hold back tears. I really appreciated how open Alexis was about the most difficult times in her life. It give readers hope that, yes bad things happen and can seem like they’re taking over your life, but it’s not the end. I felt an immense amount of joy and hope reading about how she’s living her best life, and others can too, despite everything that life throws at you.
I really enjoyed this book. Without knowing who Alexis was ahead of time, I dove in because I love a good girl power memoir. I don’t know that I can relate perfectly to her but there were a lot of passages that just had me saying “yes! exactly this!”
I had not heard of Alexis Jones before but I love memoirs and the title and cover of this book made me want to give it a try. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. I'm giving it five stars!
Alexis is a great writer and has numerous things to share with an audience. She's smart and complex and really brave to detail her ups and downs in life. I felt like I was on the trip with her. Give this one a chance!
I liked this one. I liked seeing the adventures and her search for joy amongst the pain she was experiencing.
A good book of self discovery and learning that pain happens to bring us joy.
Thanks NetGalley for this ARC.