Good Things Come and Go

by Josie Shapiro

The stunning second novel from the bestselling author of Everything Is Beautiful and Everything Hurts
''Poignant, redemptive, electrifying.' - Catherine Chidgey
A novel about friendship and betrayal, ambition and grief, Good Things Come and Go is also a study of homecoming and heartbreak and an ode to taking risks no matter the consequences.
After the death of their young daughter, Penny Whittaker and Adam Riggs are struggling. Penny's lifelong dream of becoming a successful artist has stalled, and Riggs, battling an addiction to prescription painkillers, is coming to grips with the end of his glittering professional skateboarding career. When Penny is unexpectedly offered a chance to exhibit her work at an Auckland gallery, she accepts, despite her reservations.
At the same time, Jamie Flannery suddenly finds himself out of work and out of options. To recuperate, he moves to his uncle's abandoned bach on the Coromandel, and when his childhood friend Riggs calls out of the blue the three friends reunite.
At first, being together feels just like old times. But secrets from their shared past threaten their newfound peace, forcing them to reckon with their history and themselves.
'A tender, tough story of loss and renewal, love and rage, the promise of youth and the aching regrets of middle age ... a powerful reminder that inside every one of us is a dream worth chasing, no matter how much time or talent has been laid to waste.'' - Noelle McCarthy

Genres: Fiction

319 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 4, 2025

Reviews

[Sarah Pollok · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️ Breathlessly, easefully devoured this over two days. Reminded of how much I bloody love Shapiro’s writing style and how fun it is to read a book based in Aotearoa.

Great novel, but don’t let the colourful cover or skateboard theme fool you; it’s a heavy read.

[Carm · Rating 3 out of 5]

Top 5 most abrupt endings

[Deina Susilo-Knox · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a huge fan of Josie Shapiro! This book introduced three very different friends from Waiheke Island in their 40's, reflecting on the events and choices they made when they were 18, and how these have shaped their lives. The story centres around skateboarding and art, grief, love, friendship, betrayal, loss and renewal. It's no coincidence that this book came out just in time for summer - you could defintely devour this thing in one sitting. I found myself sneaking chapters in wherever possible - another beautifully written, palpable, ENJOYABLE novel by a very talented Aotearoa author.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm adding Josie Shapiro to my list of "will read everything they write" authors. This book is about three New Zealand millennials struggling to find a way to live; two of them dealing with the aftermath of the death of their young daughter, the other dealing with loss of eyesight and the ongoing effects of a traumatic accident.

Her first novel is a tough act to follow, but she writes as brilliantly and evocatively about skateboarding as she did about long-distance running. And I could spend a lot of time in the company of her characters; the pain they suffer feels real and the sense of hope and redemption at the end feels (mostly) earned.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book from home, of homecoming. It's melancholy but hopeful and pairs well for reading with The Beths as soundtrack

[Lynda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved Everything is Beautiful and Everything Hurts perhaps a lot because of my familiarity with the setting and athletics. Whilst I enjoyed her style and characters as much as ever, I’m not that interested in skateboarding! Waiheke Island and the Coromandel were beautifully evoked and the characters kept me interested. Descriptions of art and the art world also intrigued. I just couldn’t like Riggs and found his occasional incredible acts of sensitivity and kindness didn’t really match the other aspects of his character. A good read without being sensational (as her first novel was). Will always read her books though.

[Caroline O'Sullivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gosh this book was not a light read, it had so much going on and boy did I feel sorry for (some of) them throughout the storyline.

This book was about a childhood friend trio that were best friends through school that then separated as two of them moved to another country. We get to see bits of their lives while apart, then we get to see the three of the reconnect and boy was that explosive.

First off, I absolutely hated Riggs, he was a total piece of work and a very unlikable person. He treated Penny absolutely terribly and needed a serious reality check. I liked Penny but I thought she really needed to realise her self worth because staying with Riggs was not doing her any good. Jamie I felt sorry for, Riggs really did the dirty on him and the storyline was such a true testament as to how one split second can change your entire life.

The three of these characters did not have great childhoods and their experiences and self doubt really played a huge part in their future adult life.

I did enjoy this while reading it, I thought the author did a great job with these very different characters however I really wish there was less doom and gloom.

So yes, I did enjoy it but I did not love it.

[Amarni · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am so excited to read everything Josie Shapiro writes. The pace and style are easy to get into. The mood in this book was dark and the atmosphere was heavy. The book had heavy foreshadowing, which usually puts me off. In this case, I felt drawn to read it to make sure I had understood what was around the next corner. I found the main characters quite hard to connect with and one of them unlikable.

[Claire Cunningham · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about friendships, grief, risks and growing old but not necessarily giving up your dreams. It's beautifully written and easy to read and I guess, just like the painting, everyone can make up their own endings.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my top books of the year🙌🏻

[Prue Catton · Rating 4 out of 5]

One book down already. Heavy way to start the year, slightly depressing, slightly hopeful. Good book to start the year

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Josie Shapiro is a star. I just spent Christmas on Waiheke so the setting was oh so familiar. Beautiful storytelling.

[Simone B · Rating 4 out of 5]

They timed the release date of this one perfectly! Nostalgic summer bach vibes, messed up families, darker than expected, but very readable. If you want something character driven with beautiful writing that seems like it couldn't possibly have a happy ending, this one's for you.

[booksontherunway • Melody · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5

I tore through this. The author deserves her flowers because… wow.

Flawed characters in that “please go to therapy” way, everyone disappointed with their lives, the family mess is messing, the love triangle had me way too invested (one of the guys gave me the biggest ick, the other was gorgeous), skate park drama, reckless drinking games, and enough angst to fuel a midlife crisis.

The writing is artful and addictive.

And the big question is basically: when life doesn’t go how you planned, what now?

Anyway, I loved it.

[Kristy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Had the highest expectations for this.
It was a slow burn and while I enjoyed the last half, it didn't blow me away.
some fantastic skateboarding life analogies

[Kylie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I adored Josie Shapiro's first novel, Everything Is Beautiful and Everything Hurts, even though it was about something I have minimal personal interest in (running). This book involves the world of skateboarding, again something that isn't really my kind of thing. Shapiro does a great job of making it interesting though, and there was nothing about the skateboarding that made me love this a bit less than the debut.

The first novel was full of hope and personal redemption throughout, and that arc was missing from a lot of this read. You have a triangle of characters, each with their own personal demons and challenges, and I do wonder if my read was impacted by a very strong dislike of one of the characters. I wasn't sure if I was supposed to hate Riggs as much as I did. He just had no redeeming features at all, and let's just say that I was disappointed that he walked away from his accident, I would have been very happy if he had not, and I am not usually one to wish such ill on characters! Hope does come more towards the end for some, but it isn't that overarching journey that you got as you read Everything Is Beautiful and Everything Hurts.

Through the past and present storytelling you get an understanding of how and why life played out the way it did for Penny and Jamie, what contributed to their lives coming up short on their hopes and dreams, but there was really nothing like that for Riggs shown. Sure, his parents imply some pretty awful stuff to Penny and Riggs at one point, but you don't have any sense of some of the terrible things that happened to the others, happening to him in his earlier years. The wonderful complexity of friendships evolving through and beyond childhood is perfectly captured though.

Overall, it was still a very good read, and again I loved the New Zealand locations (this time Waiheke and Coromandel Peninsula) being brought to the page in such delicious detail. I admire Shapiro's ability to write about things like skateboarding (and running, and the art world), so evocatively that someone with little interest still enjoys and invests in what they are reading, and I look forward to reading anything she would like to create for us in the future!

[Lakinloveslit · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another NZ author smashing it! I adored Josie’s debut and I was so excited to read her new novel and it was absolutely amazing. I love this so much and couldn’t put it down.
Jamie, Riggs and Penny were a tight trio as teens growing up on Waiheke Island. Their friendship ended when Riggs and Penny left NZ for LA and built a life in America. Now nearing 40, and grieving the loss of their daughter Rose, Riggs and Penny return to NZ and reunite with Jamie. But past feelings, secrets and regrets have a way of coming to the surface, even years down the line.
Josie’s writing is so absorbing. She writes characters that feel so real. This was a wonderful book about looking back on your life and wondering how things could’ve been different and what that would’ve looked like now if only you’d made different choices. I just adored reading this. Riggs frustrated the hell out of me though, but even though I disliked him he still felt realistic - let’s be real, not everyone handles loss well. I just wanted to give Penny the biggest hug, and I adored Jamie. I loved this so much I even wrote down some quotes, which isn’t something I EVER do:

“Time passes and you feel the same, only everything about you changes.”
“Hurting now doesn’t mean your future holds pain.”

I also loved the skating theme - as a teen me and my friends would always hang out at the skate park! This song reminds me of those times and I swear it was my soundtrack while reading lol.
A huge thanks to @allenandunwinnz for sending this my way - it’s now winging its way to all my friends and family to enjoy 🥰

[Derek Macleod · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this mainly New Zealand based novel on certain levels although its authenticity and fresh insights into the triad relationship constantly waxed and waned at times.
Credit for a carefully constructed storyline narrative, the switching perspectives of the three main characters bringing an element of tension and surprise into the narrative.
I also was impressed and informed by Shapiro’s knowledge and detail in her descriptive writing of skateboarding dynamics and culture and her obvious insights and intelligence about the artistic process and art appreciation. The last chapter is exemplary of this.
There was much to celebrate and enjoy in ‘ Good Things Come and Go’ along with many pearls of wisdom around relationships and those deeper inner emotions that pull us between empathy and compassion but holding true to ourselves.
A contemporary writer who is growing from strength to strength.

[Gabsbookshelf16 · Rating 3 out of 5]

“There’s no avoiding the bad things in life, that’s the price you pay for living and loving”

“Good things come and good things go, but at least they come”

** spoilers ahead **

This started off very strong. Great pace, intriguing characters and a bit of mystery mixed with ‘knowing info some of the characters don’t and when will it be revealed’. However, once they met up with Jamie, it slowed down quite a bit and I felt less engaged

Over all I’m not sure how I feel about it. I like that we don’t see their futures, we can only wonder - but I do also feel like I’d have like to see a few storylines finished. Alas, that’s life

Riggs is the a horrific person, unnervingly so as I know a few Riggs - he’s a very realistic and dangerous person

Jamie is sweet but a bit inconstant. Mildly a drip, mildly full of wisdom and right answer

Penny, I feel very sorry for

Interesting read! A lot of lovely quotes to come from this book

[Jordan Cox · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable, poignant read. Shapiro’s strength is in creating a sense of place. She captures Waiheke Island and the Coromandel perfectly, in a way that aligns New Zealanders’ experiences with overseas readers’ impressions.

It is a more ambitious book than her debut, and expanding the scope to three main characters allows for more diversity and depth in the book. All three characters are well-developed and distinct, and the sections where they all come together (especially the drinking game scene, my favourite of the book) are tightly constructed.

This broader coverage requires a heavier use of dialogue than her first novel, and at times I found the dialogue a little uneven, possibly over-stylised. Conversations would shift too quickly into deep topics. But this is only a minor point.

If the rest of my 2026 reading is as good as this, I’ll be stoked.

[Jody · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not quite 4 star but better than most of my 3 stars. The cover doesn't fit the vibe at all, this is deeper and more thoughtful than the bright colours and font suggest. I'm not usually a fan of NZ stories, especially if they try to cram in every reference they can think of to really bring it home that it's set in NZ. This one trod very close to that line, but managed to not irritate me. The characters were also chock full of tragic events, and almost strayed to close to becoming unbelievable that 3 people could experience so much, but the warmth and history between Penny and Jamie carried the story through all my criticisms. It probably helped having Riggs to deplore, adding interest and emotions.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was okay. This was not nearly as good as her day book but it was still a decent enough read.

I feel like this was a book where nothing really happened and I’m not a big fan of those sort of books so that may be why I just could muster any enjoyment for this book. I don’t know. I just I couldn’t get into this no matter how hard I tried.

Nothing about the characters stood out. Nothing made me love them. Nothing made me hate them. Nothing made me even feeling anything towards them.

The story was just so average that I just have absolutely zero feelings towards these characters. Same problem with the storyline the premise sounded engaging enough but for me the execution just fell flat and I’m just walking away with absolutely no feeling at all towards the novel.

[Charlotte Lobb · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautifully written novel about friendship, grief, and the long shadows cast by past choices. The story follows three friends whose lives diverged, only to reconnect years later as they confront loss, regret, and unfulfilled ambitions.

You are thrown into the world of competitive skateboarding, are shown the beautiful landscapes of New Zealand, are carried through moments of pain and hope, and gently reminded that life is always changing, even when we think it’s standing still. Another outstanding, deeply felt novel that delivers all the feels! Definitely a great and highly recommended holiday read!

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you made me choose, I would probably say I enjoyed her first book more. But that takes nothing away from the very satisfying story of the three characters in Good Things come and go. Alternately cheering for them or wanting to punch them and sometimes crying for them. The reader really can empathise with all of them in some way or has probably met people with their traits in our lives and can relate - to the guilt, the despair, the selfishness, the uncertainty, the relationships with parents, how we justify our actions and ultimately the decisions we all make. Loved it.

[Soph · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this book is brilliant in many ways but I feel very frustrated by the ending! It felt like it broke some of its own rules and strayed from the prevailing themes of the narrative in a way that didn’t make sense.

I think Josie Shapiro is a brilliant writer and I found most of this book to be brilliant, thoughtful, a powerful reflection on grief and regret and choice. I just wish it had stuck the landing more interestingly (pun intended).

[w :) · Rating 2 out of 5]

maybe 2.5 I dunno. tempted to give it a 3 just for aotearoa vibez but everything just felt a bit obvious/blunt? the bit I liked the most was when sh!t hit the fan and I thought it was going in a chidgey thriller/everyone dies direction but then it didn’t :/ if ur going to be melodramatic don’t be a chicken….

will still read more shapiro for sure tho

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Josie Shapiro writes characters really well and is a master at getting under the skin of people with talent - whether it be athletes, extreme sportspeople or artists. The characters in this novel are a mixed bag of likeable yet frustrating and unlikeable and ire-attracting.

[Joanna Laing · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully written, Josie’s turn of phrase is at times quite exquisite.
I was confused by what happened towards the end though. Actions were taken that I felt jarred with what came before? Told from three perspectives, I never felt connected with any of them in any real way. I’m not sure why.

[Helen Cummings · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don’t feel I was the right reading audience for this one.
I found it an incredibly dark story about three unappealing characters and I wasn’t terribly interested in the unfortunate choices that led to their difficult lives. And as for middle aged men into skateboarding! No way

[Maria cousins · Rating 1 out of 5]

Shocker of a book. Was expecting to enjoy this, especially being set in Waiheke but found the writing flat, the characters completely one dimensional and all just a bit lifeless... sorry but not my thing