Good Joy, Bad Joy - by Mikki Brammer (Hardcover)

About the Book

Book Synopsis

"Uplifting, charming, and wonderful, it will make you call your oldest friend to say 'I love you, I'm so glad you're alive, and also, please read this book.'" --Annie Hartnett, author of The Road to Tender Hearts

From the bestselling author of The Collected Regrets of Clover comes a vibrant, heartfelt novel about friendship over the decades, self-discovery, and what it means to have a life well-lived.

Break the rules. Find your joy.

For over eighty years, Joy Bridport has played by the rules: she's been a devoted wife and mother, contributing to the community in her small Hudson Valley town. But her quiet existence is jolted when she learns that her best friend, Hazel, only has months left to live. Hazel has always been the more adventurous one of their duo, and she seems at peace with all that she's squeezed out of her long life. Yet Joy realizes she can't say the same.

Determined to live boldly and make the most of the time that she and Hazel have left together, Joy steps outside of her comfort zone--and into a bit of trouble. But as her foray into rule-breaking escalates into committing petty crime, Joy must consider what kind of legacy she wants to leave behind, and whether there's a way for her to embrace the liberation that "Bad Joy" offers without losing all that she holds dear.

Is it ever too late to become who we're meant to be? With laugh-out-loud hijnks and emotional heft, Good Joy, Bad Joy is a heartwarming and wise celebration of the choices we make, the friendships we cherish, and the lengths we go for love.

Review Quotes

"Brammer has crafted a heartwarming, poignant story of self-discovery and hope." --Booklist

"A refreshing, humorous, cozy novel." --Library Journal

"With compassion and insight, Good Joy, Bad Joy shines a light on the quiet invisibility that settles over women as they age, then sweeps it aside with humor and heart. This deeply human novel captures the beauty of lifelong friendship and the gentle, inspiring truth that we are never finished becoming ourselves." --Anna Johnston, author of The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife

"This is a beautiful and moving story about friendship and second chances late in life. Uplifting, charming, and wonderful, it will make you call your oldest friend to say 'I love you, I'm so glad you're alive, and also, please read this book.'" --Annie Hartnett, author of The Road to Tender Hearts

"Good Joy, Bad Joy is a book that everyone should read. A beautifully reflective story of lifelong friendship, legacy, and what it truly means to lead a "good" life. I adored the colorful cast of characters, and watching Joy come of age--to her nineties! This was a deep, life affirming and entertaining experience full of hijinks, tender insights, and a reminder that it's never too late to redefine your life." --Natalie Sue, author of I Hope This Finds You Well

"Once again, Mikki delivers a beautiful story, one that balances the complexity of grief with moments of levity and warmth in the deft, unmistakable style she is becoming known for. Good Joy, Bad Joy is not only a multilayered love letter to the wonder and resilience of female friendship, but also a tender reminder that at any stage of life, even at 89, it is never too late to bloom, to forge new connections, and to rediscover joy." --Jessica George, New York Times bestselling author of Maame

Praise for The Collected Regrets of Clover
"This weird, lovely and sweetly satisfying novel [is] engaging and accessible...Clover's emergence from a shuttered life is moving enough to elicit tears, and Brammer's take on death and grieving is profound enough to feel genuinely instructional." --The New York Times Book Review

"A beautiful tale of a vulnerable, compassionate woman who finds that, in order to care for others, she must also let herself be cared for. Even that cliché feels moving, rather than saccharine, in Brammer's capable hands." --Kirkus (starred review)

"Warm, profound, and expertly told, The Collected Regrets of Clover explores how befriending death can help enrich our lives. While infinitely poised in her role as a death doula, Clover's clumsy foray into the world of the living will have you recalling the sweet awkwardness of your first kiss and the thrill of new belonging. This is one of those special books that will leave a handprint on your heart." --Emma Brodie, New York Times bestselling author of Into the Blue and Songs in Ursa Major

"Brammer writes with grace and heart about the complicated and complex world of grief...a beautiful story of belonging and connection and, cliché though it may sound, what it really means to live life to its fullest." --Shelf Awareness

"While this heartwarming debut novel deals with death, it never becomes maudlin, instead focusing on what makes a life worth living. Readers who appreciate seeing quirky, isolated characters come into their own, such as in Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, will find much to love in this moving novel." --Booklist

"A comforting exploration of grief, love and human connection that is sure to appeal to fans of books that feel like a warm hug." --BookPage

"A satisfying experience." --Library Journal

"A heartfelt and delightful deep dive into death. You will turn the last page with a fresh zest for life and absolutely no regrets." --Annabel Monaghan, bestselling author of Same Time Next Summer

"I couldn't put this book down. The Collected Regrets of Clover is a tender, charming delight, perfect for anyone who loved The Authenticity Project or Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine." --KJ Dell'Antonia, New York Times bestselling author of The Chicken Sisters

About the Author