Joy by Danielle Steel

 Joy

Book Summary

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.

In her new novel,Danielle Steel tells the unforgettable story of a woman who refuses to give up until she finds the joy she deserves.

My Thoughts

Joy by Danielle Steel tells the story of Allegra Dixon, a resilient woman, who leads a lonely, sad life.  The story is easy to read, and it is just the right length (256 books).  If the repetitive details were removed, it would be even shorter.  Despite the title, Joy is a depressing story.  It does become better near the end when it ends abruptly.  I wish that the story was not so predictable (nor so dismal).  There were some small bright spots, but they were fleeting.  I was not a fan of the cheesy and abrupt ending. Joy is not what I would consider an escapist novel (not a story that you wish to read at the beach or while lounging by the pool).  My favorite line from Joy is, “It took courage to hang to on joy, and determination not to lose it.  The bad people and the bad times made one grow stronger and appreciate joy even more when one found it again, still intact, its light shining even brighter than before.”  While Joy was not joyful, I am looking forward to reading Danielle Steel’s next novel.  I have been reading this author’s books since I was twelve and I am not about to stop now.  

Joy is available from Amazon*.  Danielle Steel has Triangle coming out October 1, Trial by Fire on November 19, and Never Say Never on January 7, 2025.  If you follow Danielle Steel on Amazon, they will send you an email when she has a new book release.  Thank you for stopping by today.  I will return tomorrow with Keeled Over at the Cliffside by Nancy Stewart.  It is the debut of the Saltcliff Mysteries.  I hope that you have a positive day!  Sorry to dash, but I have someone knocking on my door. Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book.  I am not required to leave a review.  The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own. 

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