This is a unique and thought-provoking novel about family dynamics that stayed with me long after I had put it down.

Wait writes beautifully and the characters are created so skilfully that the lack of a specific plot doesn't make the novel any less interesting.

A complex family drama looking into mental illness and the effects it has on the family dynamic. Focusing on a twin sister relationship I'm Sorry You Feel That Way showcases the family history and the way in which the family in question works. It was funny, it was sad, it was dramatic and it was raw and honest. It's left a lasting impact and I devoured this story over a couple of days.
I'm also loving the cover!

As soon as I read the description for this book, I thought I was going to love it, and I was right!! I love a character driven book, especially when it concerns characters who, though unlikeable, are impossible to not form some sort of an attachment to them.

The exploration of dysfunctional family dynamic was so beautifully raw and almost uncomfortable relatable. I especially loved that we got POVs from all the family members. It made for a really unique read and one that I will probably be thinking about for a long time!!

I'll 100% be recommending this!!!

Thanks to Netgalley and Quercus Books for the ARC.

The book centres on relationships, mental health, and the challenges of families. I found some of the dynamics and character traits pretty problematic - particularly Celia’s, but it was interesting to see how the book panned out.

true, reflective examination of difficult mother-daughter relationships. something i heavily relate to. good quality writing. would definitely recommend to friends!

This is one of those novels that is entirely driven by character. The plot is the family and where they are and how they got there. We begin at a funeral, a darkly comedic affair that immediately sets the tone of the novel. I loved it and was instantly hooked. From there, we move back and forth, and between the perspectives of each family member, each chapter forming a crucial piece within the story of this dysfunctional family. I adored the alternating perspectives, the author cleverly showing us how one person’s truth can be wildly coloured by another’s own experiences and interpretations.

I veered throughout between liking and loathing each character for varied reasons, but overall, I came to understand them all, and consequently, form an attachment to them all. I particularly loved Alice and Hanna, their relationship as twins not your regular sort, in fact, almost with a divide between them that seemed exacerbated by being twins rather than enhanced by it. The mother force within this novel was quite tangible and toxic, and I appreciated so much how the author showed the way in which a lack of nurturing can have inter-generational consequences. There was much to ponder on whilst reading this one.

Essentially, the novel orbits around mental illness within families and there’s a precision to the way in which the author weaves this into the very fabric of each family member’s psyche. It’s a story about impact and reverberation, misplaced intentions, and the many things we repress, hide, and refuse to see until they implode. Fresh and unique, I highly recommend this one.

Thanks to the publisher for the review copy.

i thought this would be more like a thriller but its more of a family drama but still interesting it was interesting to read the dysfunctional dynamics between the family members and how the children felt set again each other there is points of view from each family member so you get everyones thoughts there is some humour in it as well though so scenes can make awkward reading and make you think none of them really like each other alice was my favourite

Really, really loved the time-skip structure of the book, it felt as if it really helped to increase my personal interest and engagement with the story. The characters were well developed, and so became easy to understand and relate to, and made an extremely enjoyable read overall. Will definitely be recommending this book to some of my friends when it releases!

'It seems to her now that they are a family who do not know each other well at all. They spent years and years living alongside one another in the same house and yet somehow managed never to have met. What they have instead are the stories they tell about each other.'

In this book we follow a dysfunctional family consisting of mother Celia, and siblings Alice, Hanna, and Michael.

If youre hoping this is a book about a family who loves each other and who always get along, throw that idea out. Its a funny and engaging read yet is ultimately heartbreaking. Its a story about how life isn't fair and Wait doesn't shy away from making her characters lives spiral further when you think they can't get any worse.

All of the characters are so well developed and relatable, theyre all such a mess but that is what being human is. I particularly found myself relating to Alice. She's anxious, an overthinker, awkward, a conflict avoider, not particularly good at making friends, and a people pleaser just like myself so I was like this is my girl 😅  I also have a sister and her relationship with Hanna is very much similar to ours, its almost scary 😂

One of the central themes of this story is mental health and how it affects not just the person with it, but also everyone around them. It begins with Celias sister who develops schizophrenia and we see how it affects Celias life and shapes the person she becomes and thus, how she treats her own family as an adult.

What made this book special is how we get the POVs from all of the family members on their journey from childhood to adulthood, rather than just one POV. With multiple POVs we can sympathise with and understand all of the characters and why they behave in certain ways. When we just get the POV of one character, it is very easy to villanise other characters through their view and experiences. The multiple POVs give the story extra depth and highlights how we are the product of our childhoods.

Thanks to the author and Netgalley for the arc!

The novel follows the story of a family of three kids (two twins, Hanna and Alice, and their brother Michael) and their divorced parents through the years. The structure of the book itself is quite interesting, since we go back and fourth in time in order to discover what happened to these people to make them the way they are. Mental health issues are at the centre of the story, both explicitly so and not. Hanna, like her aunt Katy, is schizophrenic, but she’s not the only one who struggles. Her mother has never been diagnosed with anything, but it is clear to the reader that she needs help. The book explores the inner tensions of the family, the struggles in establishing nourishing and loving relationships with one another, and it does so in a caring, delicate and sometimes even funny way. I really enjoyed this novel, which shows some ingenuity but also a great talent that can only grow in the future.

•thanks to #netgalley and the publisher for the #ARC in exchange for an honest review•

I thought this book was a clever exploration of a difficult family dynamic, and the interpersonal relationships of each of the family members. I empathised with each of the family members rather than siding with one, main character which I think is a real strength of the book and the way in which the story was told.

For me the main thing that was lacking was plot: whilst the characters were very well written, not a great deal happens.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4474692192

The main characters here are twins Alice and Hanna. This book explores their family dynamic and how all of their personality coincide with one another

I honestly found this book amazing. It was SO well written!! The depth of the characters personalities, the psychology into the attachments and relationships, stunning!! My favourite part for sure was understanding why all the characters are how they are because of how their parents were, and repeat. SO fascinating from a psychological perspective

Only downside I would say is I found it quite slow to read, but honestly I'd say that's more of a me issue than the book.

This one is really characters > plot, but that being said the plot is solid enough if character development isn't your thing

A compelling domestic comedy about complex family dynamics, mental health and the intricacies of sibling relationships. Masterfully written, this novel will reel you in and hold you enthralled as the layers of story are revealed. Highly recommended.

This will be the caption on my Instagram post for “I’m Sorry You Feel That Way”. The primary image for this post will be of the book itself, taken from the Quercus books Instagram page. It will be published no sooner than 01/07/2022 unless suggested otherwise. (A week before publication on the 08/07/2022).

“Alice and Hanna are twins trying to navigate the complexities of their lives. Alice, always wrapped up in playing peace-keeper to her family, has always wanted to feel stronger kinship with her sister. Hanna, always trying to assert herself and her independence rarely admits she has a sister, yet alone a twin. The two sisters choose completely different coping mechanisms to untangle themselves from their own childhoods and from the inherited trauma of their parent’s past.

A nuanced exploration of the effects that inherited trauma patterns, toxic behaviour and the complexities of mental health have on family life, broken up with moments so funny I cried with laughter. It is a rare read that can be both heartbreaking and hilarious in equal measure. It captures beautifully the layered nature of family bonds while never holding its punches, from the lies and the rows families to the shared in jokes and small acts of kindness.

4/5 for me and I highly recommend reading it, for the ferret alone it’s worth it.

My thanks to @netgalley @riverrunbooks and @QuercusBooks for the E-Arc, I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Relevant hashtags for irishbookstgram and bookstagram will be used, alongside #ImSorryYouFeelThatWay #RebeccaWait #netgalley #QuercusBooks. I will also tag the publisher and author (if account if public) in the post.

This section will appear as a slide on my instagram post. (First image will be of the book, 2nd slide image will be what is contained below. )

“I’m Sorry You Feel That Way”
By Rebecca Wait
Read it if:
- You like the chaos of family captured well including the darker underside of families that we should all talk about more.
- You like books that focus on multiple generations and how the past still effects the present.
- You appreciate books that balance heavy and light material perfectly, keeping the reader from every feeling bogged down.
- You want to laugh until you cry at least once; from a drop-kicked sausage roll to a rogue ferret this book has it all.

Is life more than just an endless tragedy with a few funny moments along the way?

Sisters Hannah and Alice would love to know. This story follows the tale of a family who have splintered in spectacular ways and the highs and lows that family can be. Deeply evocative and emotional, this story is full of intense drama that will make you think about how different families can be, how toxic or loving they can be depending on who you are. Hannah and Alice both had their own distinct, unique voices and stories that were individually compelling but weaved into one another seamlessly.

Basically, this book was a mess. The characters were a mess. Their stories were a mess. But a glorious, painfully real mess that will make you FEEL THINGS.

This is book about relationships within family - the complicated clash of very different characters which it’s difficult to avoid due to family connections.
In Poland there is a saying * you don’t choose your family * and this book is amazing illustration of this saying - you don’t choose your family and the only option is to either accept them or leave them.

There is a subject of mental illness of two characters - which I found fascinating , as author managed to show the insights of the feelings, emotions and rationalisation of behaviour of the person who suffer from the mental illness.

Equally I found extremely interesting the dynamics between parents and their children - especially the father who left the family and set up new one and the child.
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Absorbing, well written story about human behavior in a somewhat dysfunctional family dealing. The story was told in dual timelines and from the perspectives of the various family members, so the reader gets to see the many perspectives and a well-rounded, fuller picture. Overall I really enjoyed this one; Rebecca Wait is a great storyteller and her often flawed characters were intriguing and relationships well developed and stayed with me the last few days. I was gifted an advance copy of this book by NetGalley and Quercus Books and was under no obligation to provide a review.

My favourite read of the last few months! I’m sorry you feel that way is a tender but unflinching look at a fractured family, one that many can relate to.
This is a rollercoaster of a read, from laugh out loud funny moments, an honest and realistic dealing with mental health disorders to gut wrenching sadness, tragedy and disappointment. The prose dealing with this is light but acerbic and sublime. The characters are drawn beautifully, complex and wryly observed. This would make for a comprehensive book club discussion.

Loved loved loved this! Laugh-out-loud funny and beautifully poignant at the same time. Incredibly well-written and I particularly appreciated the sensitive handling of mental illness. Would recommend this to anyone.

4.5 stars rounded down
I utterly enjoyed this book. While a bit slow off the bat, the author takes time and care to dedicate to each of her characters and methodically weaves each layer of their personalities for a complete picture. I found this book to be a raw, honest and enticing description of the human condition, one that doesn't deal in black and whites but strives to show all the layers of grey. Even with their somewhat tragic backstories, I found myself able to relate to each character at least in part and enjoyed learning about each of them in turn. A refreshing read I would recommend to anyone who prefers character development over linear plot lines.