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.

Allegra Dixon was 6-years-old when her mother, Isabella, left. Her father was in the military and always stationed in a war zone. When her father was gone, Allegra stayed with her grandparents who tolerated her. When old enough, she was sent to boarding school for 7 years. At age 16, she met Shepherd (Shep) Williams, 20, in Newport, Rhode Island where her grandparents and his family had homes. Then she started university at Columbia and Shep graduated from West Point. When Shep was assigned to Afghanistan after 9/11, they decided to secretly get married before he left. After graduation, Allegra got a job as an assistant editor for a publishing house and counted the days until she saw Shep again. But he came home damaged from what he saw and did. But it was a draw to him and he left again for Iraq. This time he came home worse and knowing he would never change, he filed for divorce from her. That’s when she decided to move to Los Angeles and try another life. She likes her new job as an assistant to a well-known music composer and hopes that her new life will help heal her broken heart.

I have read Danielle Steel’s books for lots of years and have mostly given them a 5-star rating. I feel that when characters are paired with another of a vastly different age, it just doesn’t seem right. I’m sure lots of people would disagree with me but that’s why I am giving this book only 4 stars. The ending just wasn’t what I was expecting.

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Standard Danielle Steel book. A girl is unlucky with love/family, but EXTREMELY lucky with everything else. Having lived in LA for more than a decade, I couldn't help but LOL at how quickly she got going in LA. Very unbelievable, but I guess that's par for the course when it comes to a DS novel. I was optimistic after reading one of her earlier releases of 2024 - Upside Down - and really liking that, but this one isn't one I can see myself revisiting. Everyone is smart. Everyone is pretty. Everyone is living a hard life (as long as poverty has nothing to do with it). Easy way to spend an afternoon though.

Allegra Dixon was six years old when her mother left. She remembers the details of that day perfectly. Her father was in the military and was gone frequently. When he was away, her mother dressed up fancy and went out at night leaving Allegra with their housekeeper.
Allegra overheard a conversation between her parents. It sounded like her mother was going somewhere. Her father always referred to her as 'the child.' He asked about 'the child,' and her mother said she would not be going with her. Her father said he would be leaving again in two weeks. She went to her room and sat on her bed holding her teddy bear, George, and waited for someone to come tell her where she would go. No one came all day which wasn't unusual. Finally, her father came in dressed in his uniform. He told her her mother wasn't coming back. Her mother hadn't even told her goodbye. No one fed her supper that night.
Her mother had been a 'wild child,' putting it mildly, so her parents were probably somewhat relieved when she met Colonel Bradley Dixon, much decorated hero, veteran of Vietnam, even though he was much older than her.
Allegra ends up living with her father's parents for five years. Her grandmother passed away and her grandfather had health problems, so Allegra ended up in a boarding school.
When she was sixteen, she met a 20 year old who was attending West Point. They secretly began seeing one another. They, also secretly got married, but didn't tell their families. Then, Shep got orders to go to Afghanistan. She has concerns that he will wind up just like her father. He returned and was like a different person. Things fell apart and she ended up in California.
Will she ever find the Joy she desperately craves?
A sad story about a girl who was born to two people who weren't ready for the responsibilities of a child. Her mother was too selfish, and her father was married to his career.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! Very well written and great characters.
I was given an advanced ecopy by the publisher, Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine through NetGalley. I was under no obligation to write a positive review.

With a troubled childhood, Allegra escapes by reading books. When she is a teenager, she meets a dashing cadet, and fall madly in love. He is the only person who understands her. Then, in order to get ahead in their early marriage, he takes a job in the military, just like her Dad. While her Dad was distant and ruined from the horrors of overseas, she is now starting to see that happening to her husband. Will she be able to save him or will she have to start over on her own again?

Another great story from Ms. Steel. Characters that pull on your heart strings along with a plot that keeps your interest.

Joy written by Danielle Steel is another one of the author's uplifting novel. The story is engaging and kept my interest. As in Ms. Steele's recent books, this one is a bit repetitive. Allegra, the main character, was well written and us a heroine, who triumphs over childhood adversity. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!