Customer Reviews

The Secret of Joy

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I really enjoyed reading this story. I really enjoyed the main theme of finding a sister you never knew you had. But I also liked the secondary theme which was all about relationships. It was all about knowing what was right for you in your relationship and when it was time to let go. It really made me think about my relationship with my boyfriend and where we are right now.

The setting of the book just seemed gorgeous. I have never really had any want to go to Maine--but the way that Melissa Senate paints the town of Wiscasset makes me want to visit. And it makes me want to move from my large city to a small, welcoming town.

And I really loved all of the characters. I loved Rebecca and how much she wanted a sister. I felt for Joy and how she suddenly had this half-sister from a non-existant father thrown at her. And the residents of Wiscasset were just so warm--The Divorced Ladies Club of Wiscasset were hilarious and I wanted them to find love. And Theo was just so understanding and cared so much for Rebecca.

This was my first book by Melissa Senate, but it will definitely not be my last. I can only hope that her other books make me think and feel as much as this one did!

First of all, I LOVE the title of this book! It is so appropriate. As Rebecca Strand's father is in the hospital dying of cancer, he tells her that he fathered another child, a girl, during a brief affair when Rebecca was three. After his death, Rebecca feels compelled to honor her father's wish and deliver letters from him to her half sister, Joy. Once she finds Joy, who lives in Maine and runs a bus tour for singles, Rebecca must figure out how to get Joy to accept her as her sister. Even though Joy remains elusive, she brings Rebecca into her life, and Rebecca becomes involved with men and women who are going through rough periods in their various relationships, some trying to work things out, and some divorced or divorcing. There are so many questions in this book, and so many types of relationships are explored. As Rebecca finds Joy, she also searches for the joy in her own life, and watches her new friends as they also search for the joy in their lives. This was a wonderful book, insightful and thoughtful, asking questions about how to make our relationships work, whether in our marriages, in our families, and even our relationships with ourselves.

This is a wonderful story that encouraged me to take a deeper look at love, relationships, family, disappointment, and most importantly, forgiveness. With a smooth and enjoyable writing style, Melissa Senate whisked me into the lives of Rebecca and Joy, seemingly opposite half-sisters who didn't know the other existed until the death of their father.

Though Rebecca is delighted to discover she has a sister, Joy is anything but. It is while Rebecca tries to kindle a relationship with her reluctant half-sister that she begins the process of self-examination, reflection, and ultimately discovery. The author handled this brilliantly.

If you yearn for quality contemporary women's fiction that's loaded with wit, insight into the heart, and unusual charm, then this is your book!

Chick lit has been in a rut lately. Some say that it is disappearing, merging into women's fiction. While that isn't necessarily true, chick lit on the whole has been less than impressive recently - this coming from someone who really enjoys it. There are some major exceptions, but the entire genre seems to be suffering from overused storylines, tired plot devices, and stereotypical characters. But those who say that chick lit is dead, and that new things can't come out of this genre haven't read Melissa Senate's The Secret of Joy.

When I think of The Secret of Joy, the first thing that comes to mind is "fresh." This book is so refreshing and new. It's different than the other chick lit out there. Melissa Senate doesn't rely on tired clichés in order to tell her story. Rebecca is a wonderful character. She's not necessarily broken, but she isn't quite sure what she wants out of life. She's not certain where her relationship with her boyfriend, Michael, stands - all she knows is that it's time for a change. She is lost and confused in many ways, and she turns to Joy for help.

What I liked best about The Secret of Joy, and Rebecca in particular, was that she was honest. As I was reading the book, something would happen and I would think, "Rebecca isn't going to be honest about this and that's going to be a major plot point in the story." And Senate proved me wrong every time. Not only did she defy my expectations at every turn, she also made me love Rebecca. Even when Rebecca makes mistakes, she's up front and clear about them. Senate created tension within the plot organically, rather than forcing it in through overused plot devices such as dishonesty.

I really loved The Secret of Joy. I thought it was creative, well-written, and it had me hooked from beginning to end. Melissa Senate both shows she is a master of chick lit, as well as breathes new life into the genre with this book. Even if you aren't a fan of chick lit, I encourage you to give The Secret of Joy a chance. Melissa Senate might surprise you with this one.

I am a sucker for any book that takes place in Maine and this is no exception. With barely a second thought, Rebecca is off to Maine to find the sister she just discovered she had, to a small coastal town. She doesn't care that she may have to split her inheritance from her father, over one million dollars, or that her boyfriend is advising against this. Rebecca is drawn by the idea of the having a sister. Of course, it doesn't work out the way she planned, Joy is not thrilled to have her pop up. But Rebecca is persistent and in the process learns a lot about herself.

I really enjoyed the characters, they were fun and all are looking for happiness. Parts dragged on when Rebecca is trying to figure out relationships and why men cheat and it got to be a bit much for me at times.

But mainly it is funny and charming.


my rating 3.5/5

This is Melissa Senate's best book yet. The questions the author raises about infidelity--what makes a person in an otherwise happy marriage cheat--will stay with the reader for a very long time. Senate doesn't necessarily answer that question in the story, which makes it even more powerful. I loved the descriptions of the colorful residents of Wiscasset, especially Arlene, the owner of the local pizza joint. Senate paints a very vivid tapestry of what this town looks like and you can easily picture each of the main characters in your head. Rarely does a book make me cry, think deeply about relationships or feel actual sadness or joy for a character and this book made me feel all of those things. A "joy" to read!!

Thoughts: This is such a sweet heart-warming story about life and love, and takes the drama of ex-wives and love-sick ladies to a whole new level, giving it life and plausibility at the same time. How did Melissa do it? No idea. But she won me over.

This book asks a lot of questions about marriage, relationships, and love. Does the author answer all the questions? Not really--but she answers the ones that she needs to, and as for others, she lets her readers decide the answers for themselves. THE SECRET OF JOY makes the reader think about what forgiveness really is, what it means to love someone, and the responsibility of loving them.

Characters: Joy was my favorite character. She was a rough-tough-don't-mess-with-me-you-cant-make-me-cry kinda girl. She held her facade well (most of the time) but when she showed her true colors, she was a gem. Michael, Rebecca's boyfriend, was a bit of a confusing character. At first I really liked him but as the story went on, I got fed up with him and kept thinking "Rebecca, dump him, please." I almost cried when Rebecca's dad died. These characters in this story will beckon you.

Writing: Melissa held me captive with her unique writing style. It was relaxed and smooth, and flowed well, something that could be read aloud without too much problem.

Content: There was only an occasional swear word, and some mention of sex, but no details.

Recommendation: Ages 14+ to anyone craving a light-hearted sit-by-the-fire-with-tea kind of book.

**Thank you to Sarah from Pocketbooks for supplying my review copy!**

Two thumbs up! I have read a lot of heavier books lately and this one came in my hands at just the right time. The Secret of Joy made me smile. I wanted to go hang out in Maine with these characters, I really did!

Rebecca comes in as the main character and when Joy comes in to her life as the sister she never knew existed until after her dads passing, I am pleasantly surprised on what Joy adds to the book. It is as if the entrance of Joy, was a gift from Rebecca's father to let her know that there are other options than getting married just so you dont feel alone. Not settling I think is a wonderful lesson in the book and author Melissa Senate weaves that well into the story.

Good strong likable characters are always a plus for me and I found then here between the pages of a book called The Secret Of Joy.

Once again Melissa Senate writes a book that I just love and cannot put down. I loved all the main characters and I felt like I could really relate a little bit to each of them. Everyone has had their heart broke at one point, and right now happens to be that point for me. This book definitely helped cheer me up and feel hopeful that things will work out eventually for me.

I cant wait for another one of Melissa Senate's books to be released.

He was telling you he wasn't leaving you all alone in this world, that you didn't have to marry Michael. ~Maggie

Rebecca Strand has a wonderful divorce-lawyer boyfriend, Michael, a job in his firm as a paralegal, and a dad dying of pancreatic cancer. As if that's not enough stress! While visiting her dad in the hospital, Daniel Strand makes a stunning deathbed confession...Rebecca did have the sister she always wanted. That begins her quest to find Joy Jayhawk.

Michael is not at all happy that Rebecca wants to make this quest to find her half-sister and to possibly give away half of her inheritance. He does everything he can to knock some sense into her thick skull. Rebecca goes anyway and finds the sister she's always wanted...only to find out that she's not wanted as this sister. Will she ever be able to find happiness and Joy in her life?

I really loved this book and didn't want to see it end!! I was afraid of how it would end but I'm very happy with how Melissa Senate chose to end this book. There were so many characters I could identify with throughout this book but I see myself identifying more with Joy. I have known my dad and he's been in my life since the beginning. However, paralleling this situation with others in my life, I could be Joy. I also really like the character of Theo. He would be my hero in the "real life".

I highly recommend this read to lovers of chick lit and for those looking for a lite refreshing read. I received this book from the Publisher as a part of the Pump Up Your Book Promotional Blog Tour.