I've been a fan of Danielle steel for many years. This is a sad topic but so prevalent in today's world. Soldiers from all generations have trouble returning from combat and as weapons get bigger the trauma becomes more terrible. When she is only six years old, Allegra Dixon’s party-loving mother leaves without so much as a goodbye. Her father, an emotionally distant military officer, is also unable—or unwilling—to care for her. Sent to live like a ghost in her grandparents’ joyless home, Allegra finds her only solace through an escape into books.

Attending boarding school, life finally takes a turn when she meets a dashing young West Point cadet named Shep Williams. Soon their friendship blossoms into something more, and they fall deeply in love.

After college, Allegra has established herself as a book editor and Shep is rising through the ranks of the military. But then Shep suddenly receives a posting to Afghanistan, and they decide to marry before he goes. Between his deployments, they cling to their brief and fraught stolen moments together. Each time he leaves, Shep promises the separations will soon come to an end.

But soon Allegra realizes that the horrors of war have begun to change her husband into a man she no longer recognizes. The trauma he has experienced proves to be too harrowing, and Allegra will find herself feeling utterly alone again just when she thought she’d finally found happiness.

Danielle Steel’s Joy is a tender and uplifting story that traces the evolution of Allegra, a young girl who grows up feeling unseen, into a woman who discovers the beauty and fulfillment of living life on her own terms. With Steel’s signature blend of emotional depth and relatable storytelling, this novel explores themes of self-discovery, resilience, and the pursuit of happiness.

Allegra’s journey begins as a six-year-old navigating a childhood marked by invisibility and an overwhelming need to stay out of the way. Steel paints a poignant picture of Allegra’s quiet struggles, creating a protagonist who is both sympathetic and inspiring. As a teenager, Allegra experiences her first taste of happiness through a meaningful connection with a boy who becomes her anchor during those formative years. Yet, as life unfolds, Allegra’s path leads her far beyond the comfort of those early relationships.

The story takes a transformative turn when Allegra uproots her life in New York and moves to Los Angeles, a city where she knows no one. This bold decision sets the stage for a personal metamorphosis, as Allegra learns to embrace independence and forge a life that is authentically hers. Through new friendships, opportunities, and challenges, Allegra begins to see the beauty in everyday moments and understands the importance of prioritizing her own happiness.

Steel’s narrative is rich with emotional moments, and her portrayal of Allegra’s growth feels both realistic and empowering. The novel’s pacing allows readers to deeply connect with Allegra’s experiences, from her struggles to her triumphs. The Los Angeles setting serves as a vibrant backdrop for Allegra’s reinvention, reflecting the brightness and promise of her newfound joy.

Joy is more than a story of self-discovery—it’s a celebration of the small yet profound moments that make life meaningful. Steel reminds readers that happiness often comes not from grand gestures but from learning to appreciate the simple pleasures and cherishing one’s own worth.

In Joy, Danielle Steel delivers a heartwarming and inspiring tale that will resonate with anyone who has ever yearned for a fresh start or sought to find joy in the everyday. This book is a testament to the power of resilience and the beauty of living a life true to oneself.

Having grown up in a heavily connected military community, my heart really went out for Allegra with her ups and downs with the commitments both her father and Shep made to serve their country. Danielle Steel's novels are always an enjoyable and oftentimes heartfelt escape, and I look forward to her next release! Thank you to #NetGalley for the opportunity to preview #Joy

Allegra hasn't had an easy life. A mother who loved partying more than her daughter, a father who considered the military his life, Allegra has been on her own. Fascinated with books, she thinks she finally finds the husband of her dreams, until that too slips away. This book was so amazing it was sad, happy and inspirational all in one book. The characters are well developed, and the stories plot follows different avenues with the same characters.

The main character Allegra has a lot of obstacles to overcome but she persevered to find joy in her life. Her first husband was awful to her even as she tried to get him help for PTSD. The last half of the book seemed rushed with her new job and marriage considering how much time was spent on her first husband. Fans of Steel will find this a quick read. 3.5 stars

At age 6, Allegra Dixon’s mother leaves her for a world of partying. Who leaves their daughter like that? Poor Allegra is left with her cold, military father, who doesn’t know what to do with her. He winds up leaving her with his parents, who are as cold as he is. There is no joy in this house for this little girl. But she hides away in this huge home, and finds solace with books. She then goes to boarding school and she starts to live life. She meets a young West Point Cadet named Shep and they become fast friend and then fall in love. They soon can’t imagine a life without each other and marry early on. After college, Allegra becomes a respected book editor and Shep goes off for his first tour of duty. One tour becomes two and Allegra finds the man she has married has turned into her dad. She can’t do this a second time in her life but Shep is her everything. How will Allegra handle this? Can she find happiness and joy? Can the ghosts of her past ruin her future? I take every chance to read Daniele Steel’s books. Joy is like them all, a strong woman, a crisis and love. This was a 4 star read. I want to thank Netgalley, the author & Random House Publishing Group/Ballantine for my copy, for an honest review. It is my pleasure to read and review this book. A Daniele Steel book is like a sunny day or a cozy day, inside by a fire.

As I was reading Joy by Danielle Steel, I thought that the novel was named falsely. Allegra was deprived of love from her father who had a lifetime career in the military war zones, a mother who abandoned her at six years old,, and maternal grandparents who didn't want anything to do with her or paternal grandparents who were old and didn't want to be bothered by a young girl. Allegra, feeling unloved, lived a sheltered life in a fantasized world of books She finally finds love as a teenager but eventually loses that love too. Joy finally comes to her when she had to make drastic change to her life. Read this novel to find out what is needed for Allegra to find love and happiness. Thank you to Netgalley for allowing me to read Steel's latest book.

Joy by Danielle Steel is a poignant and deeply emotional exploration of love, loss, and personal resilience. The novel follows the life of Allegra Dixon, a woman who, from an early age, experiences abandonment and emotional neglect. After her mother leaves when she is only six, Allegra is raised in a cold, unloving environment by her distant father and joyless grandparents. Books become her escape, and they offer her the solace and comfort she desperately needs during her lonely childhood.

As Allegra grows older, she finds a new sense of purpose and love when she meets Shep Williams, a West Point cadet. Their friendship blossoms into a passionate romance, and after college, they marry just before Shep is deployed to Afghanistan. However, as the horrors of war take their toll on Shep, Allegra faces a heart-wrenching realization: the man she once loved is now a stranger, and the emotional distance between them becomes unbearable.

Danielle Steel’s storytelling is as emotional as it is captivating, as she delves into themes of personal growth, the impact of trauma, and the struggle to find happiness amidst adversity. Allegra's journey is one of perseverance and hope, as she navigates a series of challenges that would break most people. Despite the heartache and disappointment, she remains determined to reclaim the joy that has long eluded her.

The novel’s pacing is steady, and Steel’s rich prose allows readers to deeply connect with Allegra’s emotional struggles and triumphs. Joy is a story of survival, of finding strength in the face of unimaginable hardship, and of discovering that even in the darkest moments, the possibility of happiness is worth fighting for.

Fans of Steel's work will find Joy a familiar, comforting read, filled with emotional depth and a message of enduring hope. While the plot may feel predictable at times, Allegra's journey and Steel's trademark exploration of the human spirit make this novel a powerful and uplifting read for anyone seeking a story about resilience and the power of finding joy after hardship.

This was such a shallow book, but enjoyable. Despite the shallow story, I felt terrible for the main character and fell in love with her eventual husband.

Danielle Steel’s novel delivers an emotionally charged tale that follows Allegra Dixon’s journey through love, loss, and resilience. Abandoned at a young age by both parents, Allegra seeks comfort in books, and as she grows up, she finds solace in her relationship with Shep, a West Point cadet who promises stability and love. Yet, as Shep is deployed to Afghanistan, the physical and emotional distance between them grows, and the lingering effects of war create a rift in their once-perfect relationship. Steel paints a vivid picture of the impact of trauma on relationships and the strength it takes to rediscover joy amid heartbreak. The novel is a testament to resilience, hope, and the pursuit of happiness, and it will resonate deeply with anyone who has loved and lost.

Allegra had a lonely childhood after being abandoned by her parents . She finally finds love but he joins the military and abandons her also. She packs her life on the east coast and moves to the west coast to start over. You get to see how she overcomes what life throws at her and how she makes the best of it. I wish the ending had had more details but overall I enjoyed this book.

I received an advance copy from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review. Danielle Steel’s new book, Joy, reads like your typical Danielle Steel book. Enjoyable, a quick read, but you know what to expect.

Thanks to the publisher Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and to Netgalley for the e-ARC.

The main story is around a woman who, despite major obstacles and personal struggles, looks for happiness and purpose in her life. This book was amazing! Very beautifully written, with wonderful characters.

Joy by Danielle Steel was another quick read for me. I grew up reading Danielle Steel and she has been an auto buy author of mine for years. I may be biased on my opinions, but Danielle Steel always surprises me with new stories with vivid details and characters like no other. This book may have begun with heartbreak, but they always win in the end with finding ones true course in life.

I loved "Joy" by Danielle Steel! Haven't read a Danielle Steel novel in a long time, and beyond glad that I picked this one up. Uplifting, inspiring, and full of love, second chances and growing in a most meaningful way. Thank you to the author, NetGalley and publisher for the review copy. All opinions are my own.

This poor girl has been through hell and back throughout her life, and crap still keeps happening to her. It’s finally time that something good comes her way! I love how Danielle can be use almost the same plots of death and love but yet she always manages to capture and reel you in!

"Joy" by Danielle Steel is a heartfelt novel that explores themes of love, loss, and the pursuit of happiness. The story centers around the life of a woman who faces significant challenges and personal hardships, yet strives to find joy and meaning in her life. Steel's signature style shines through with rich character development and emotional depth, making the reader empathize with the protagonist's journey. The novel highlights the resilience of the human spirit and the importance of hope, making it a compelling read for fans of contemporary fiction. Overall, "Joy" is an uplifting tale that encourages readers to embrace life’s possibilities, even in the face of adversity.

Another formulaic book by Danielle Steel. But her audience love them, and public libraries must buy multiple copies to satisfy patron demand. I confess that I have been reading Steel since the early 80's. Readers know what we are getting, a happy ending in most cases, and are transported into a story where the women are beautiful, live in beautiful homes with no money worries, and any conflicts are wrapped up by the end of the book. Joy is no different. Allegra is basically orphaned by her parents when her mother decides she'd rather play than parent, her dad travels the world for work (and in military hot spots no less!) She is sent to live with grandparents in Newport Rhode Island, meets and falls in love with a boy there. That does not work out so she heads west and works for what I presume was a Burt Bachrach type composer. He of course is decades older than she but they fall in love. Formulaic as i mentioned at the top. But if you read for pure escapism, it ticks all the boxes. Recommended for public libraries.

There was a disproportionate amount of sadness in a book named Joy. Allegra is the main character; she is so very likable and stands out among a cast of mostly dislikable characters. This is an easy read, relatively quick, and pleasant enough but overall, I found it lacking depth and dimension.

Alleged has been abandoned by her Mom and her Dad is a military man and doesn't want a child under foot.. No-one seems to care for her until her husband comes along.
She has many disappointments along the way. Not my favorite Danielle Steel but not bad.
Thanks to the publisher McMillan and to Netgalley for the ARC.