[]
Good Joy, Bad Joy
  • Published: 19 May 2026
  • ISBN: 9781761356544
  • Imprint: Penguin Random House Australia Audio
  • Format: Audio Download
  • RRP: $36.99

Good Joy, Bad Joy

Formats & editions
Tr. Paperback
19 May 2026
EBook
19 May 2026
Audiobook
19 May 2026
Pre-order from…
Audible Google Play Kobo Libro.fm

For fans of Richard Osman, Rachel Joyce and Fredrik Backman, comes a whimsical, heartfelt novel about friendship over the decades, self-discovery, and what it means to have a life well-lived.

She’s lived by the rules. Now she’s breaking them . . .
For more than eighty years, Joy Bridport has followed the rules - devoted wife, loving mother, steadfast neighbor in her small town. But when her best friend Hazel is given only months to live, Joy is forced to confront the truth: Hazel has lived fully, while she has only played it safe.

Determined to change, Joy vows to live boldly in the time she and Hazel have left together. What begins as small rebellions soon snowballs into petty crimes, and Joy must decide whether she can embrace the freedom of 'Bad Joy' without losing the life and legacy she’s built.

With humor, heart, and irresistible mischief, Good Joy, Bad Joy is a wise, bighearted celebration of friendship, second chances, and the courage to become who we were always meant to be.


‘A beautifully reflective story of lifelong friendship, legacy, and what it truly means to lead a “good” life.’ Natalie Sue, author of I Hope This Finds You Well

‘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

‘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 … and to rediscover joy.’ - Jessica George, author of Maame
  • Published: 19 May 2026
  • ISBN: 9781761356544
  • Imprint: Penguin Random House Australia Audio
  • Format: Audio Download
  • RRP: $36.99
Categories:

About the author

Mikki Brammer

Mikki Brammer is an Australian journalist currently based in New York. She spent her childhood in Tasmania surrounded by a flock of quirky great aunts and uncles who instilled her with a passion for adventure, curiosity - and storytelling. She has spent the past nine years writing about design, architecture and art for publications including Architectural Digest, Dwell and Lonely Planet. The Collected Regrets of Clover is her first novel.

portrait photo of Mikki Brammer

Also by Mikki Brammer

The Collected Regrets of Clover
See all

Praise for Good Joy, Bad Joy

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

A book that everyone should read. A beautifully reflective story of lifelong friendship, legacy, and what it truly means to lead a “good” 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
penguin pop image
penguin pop image