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Joy Moody Is Out of Time
Kerryn Mayne
Publication Date: August 19th, 2025
St. Martin’s Press
352 Pages
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Genre: General Fiction | Mystery & Thrillers | | Women’s Fiction
This story is about Joy Moody, the lies she has told her twins, Cassie and Andie, and the fallout when those lies are revealed. The premise is unique and intriguing, and I found Mayne’s writing engaging. She has an excellent ability to write with detail. I loved how we get inside the heads of the characters; they’re all very well-developed, and I enjoyed reading about how they each deal with their struggles. It was relatable to a certain extent, as we’ve all had “growing pains” when transitioning from childhood to adulthood.
I found the pacing of the story a little out of whack. Some parts of the book felt rushed, while others just dragged on. The plot twists were predictable, and I didn’t find myself reading with as much anticipation as I had hoped. And, as complex as the character of Joy was meant to be, she felt one-dimensional at best. I wish there was more to her personality.
I liked what the author was trying to do with the theme of family, but the story could have used a less heavy-handed approach. Overall, this was just an okay read that showed promise but was flawed in its execution. It isn’t a bad book by any stretch of the imagination, but it didn’t quite live up to my expectations.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
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