"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!

I originally had this as a 4-star book - I felt like I really liked it, but as I thought about it harder, I had to drop it down to 3 stars. As always, it was a quick and easy read, and I liked Allegra's character quite a bit, but the entire story was just so damned depressing. Her entire life was just one disappointment after another. I appreciated her tenacity and strength in the face of all her diversity; I just wish she hadn't had SO much to overcome. As an aside, I'd love to read a Danielle Steel book where the heroine didn't fall for a man old enough to be her father. That theme has bene way overdone by this author.

A very typical DS story. I wanted to read something fresh from her but unfortunately it was very soft and alot like others I've read by her. If you want a quick read ir will satisfy you.

A contemporary romance that is typical of DS novels. The story of Allegra who has grown up without the love of her parents who for their own reasons can’t take care of her. It is decided she will stay with her grandparents and it’s enough love to get her to adulthood. She marries chi,Choi’s friend Shep before he heads off to Afghanistan and they keep their marriage a secret. As time goes by Shep is forever scarred from war and can no longer remain married to Allegra. She is devastated but picup the pieces and finds a new life and love. Through ups and downs she finds herself and what brings joy to her life. Ultimately in a time where kids are going no contact this story would give one reason to do so. Allegra tries to keep a sliver of hope alive with her parents but realizes one can only do so much. Heartbreaking and sad story makes one think of the selfishness and cruelty out there. #NetGalley Ty for the ARC all opinions are my own

As popular of an author that Danielle is, this is my very first book I’ve ever read of hers.

Joy is about a young girl named Allegra who no one ever seems to want. As a child, her mother completely abandons her. Her father, a career military man, pawns her off onto both sets of grandparents. By God’s grace, she eventually makes her way through college and meets Shep, who becomes the first person who ever loves her and treats her with respect.

Eventually, Shep also joins the military, and with that comes some serious strife in their relationship.

This was a very easy read. Danielle’s writing style is very simplistic - are they always like this? I feel as though a mature high school kid/college student could have written this. I don’t mean to criticize her! Clearly, she has been a successful author. It was just surprising how simplistic the writing was. Because of this though, it was a very easy book to read. I would read a sequel if she came out with one for this! Would love to see what happens with Allegra’s story, since it kind of ended abruptly.

Special thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for providing this ARC to me.

In order to fully embrace joy, one must endure some hardships. Allegra experienced childhood pain but is such a beautiful person worthy of so much joy. The author creates a story where you don’t want to use your bookmark…totally captivating!!!

Thank you Danielle Steel, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and NetGalley for this ARC opportunity!

I think a more appropriate title would be Sorrow. Quite a depressing book.
Allegra is wanted by no one in her life as her parents abandon her and her grandparents find her a burden.
I thought how much more could this poor character go through but there was more to slog.
I thought Allegra was very naive to think Shep wouldn’t be changed by his military service.
I also wasn’t crazy about the message the author seemed to make about the military, that it produced machines without hearts.

Allegra had a very sad childhood. From a mother that left, a dad that was married to the Army, and grandparents who basically tolerated her. She was shipped off to boarding school, and tried to make the best of her life. She meets Shep, in which she falls in love, marries, and unfortunately, later, he falls in love with the Army more as well. After a cross-country move to start over, Allegra begins to let down her guard, and begin to feel some joy in life, especially when she begins to work for composer, Henry Platt. Lots of ups and downs in this book, but I feel Allegra learned how to get the joy out of life, and figured out how to gracefully go on. Another awesome book! Thank you to Ms. Steel, Dell Publishing, and NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Good story, but the fact that Steel often does more "telling" than "showing" in her writing was very evident in this one. Sometimes it doesn't matter, but this time it did.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.

Thanks to Net Galley for this e-copy of Joy by Danielle Steel in exchange for a honest review..This is another great book by Danielle Steel that centers around Allegra Dixon, a strong young woman who has been abandoned by her mother at 6 and neglected by her career military father.All her young life she is ignored.and sent to boarding school..When her first young military husband also abandons her after experiencing the effects of PTSD, , she is all alone in the world.Can she still find joy in her life? Read the book and find out!

This book was very similar to her previous book, Invisible. The main characters had a similar upbringing and general demeanor. They also both ended up with older men. This was almost to fast of read and almost felt robotic and lacking a real voice. Thank you, NetGalley.

Joy by Danielle Steel was a heart-wrenching story throughout. The main character, Allegra, had more heartache than anyone should ever live through in one lifetime. Yet, she was the sweetest, most kind person that I couldn't help but root for. The book is emotional with well-developed characters, I could barely put it down. Even with the sadness that started from the beginning, the book left me feeling happy and fulfilled in the storyline.