A splendid own voices YA that was written in verse. A dark, whimsical fairytale that tackles topics like trauma, depression, self harm and more (please check trigger warnings). Overall, this is a beautifully written book, but for me it felt slow and very abstract. I can see this being a very popular book for others and see the potential.

I love novels written in verse, so the novel drew me in right away. In the beginning, I wasn't sure if all the magic existed only in Whimsy's head until it became apparent that her parents were also magical creatures. The relationship between Whimsy and Faerry felt natural from the beginning, so the reveal later in the book wasn't a surprise. It would've been nice to have more interactions with parents after the journey in the forest, but the interactions between Whimsy, Faerry and their siblings were sweet.

Whimsy's journey to overcome her fears and reckon with the past while trying to protect Faerry gave her character a deeper layer than just a depressed girl who’s obsessed with fairytales. Her journey through the forest showed the strengthen in her character and changed my perspective from the beginning of the book that she (and even Faerry) was too child-like though she is a high school senior. Not only does she grow as a character, but she learns how to grow up and let go of the guilt from an incident that occurred during her childhood.

We Are So Good at Smiling is not just a modern version of I Have Never Promised You A Rose Garden; this verse-written book is something different entirely.

Whimsy meets Faerry, a boy in the same metal ward as her. Once they are both released, Whimsy realizes that Ferry has moved down the street from her. Like her, the boy fears the nearby forest as well. They know something happened there. Was it something magical, mystical? Faerry is called inside to solve the mystery. Whimsy can't leave her newfound friend to the forest's dangerous grasp. She heads into the forest and into a world almost beyond imagination.

Smiling takes on a garden motif. I've seen this in several books (including the novel mentioned above). I personally have never used or seen this as a metaphor for my own experiences but depression is not one size fits all. I like that it is uniquely combined with worldwide fairy tales. Fairy tales are symbols of so much, and analogies are rich in this book. I liked that readers are exposed to a variety of cultural tales sharing new stories and making this a more global experience. The verse writing hits some beautiful musical notes but, unfortunately, is sometimes just confusing.

I enjoy that mental health is taking the forefront in stories more often these days. But the story created is non-conventional. The author's writing is affected by her own experience with trauma and loss with the hope that this coming-of-age story is able to touch base with teens and be soothing. For myself, an adult, this story seemed overly contrived (and I don't mean the fairy tale portion). But overall, this read doesn't take too long and is imaginative even if it doesn't strike a cord for every reader.

Amber McBride has created a book that is more like the ancient oral epics than a typical novel. This hits a variety of great notes but also has movements that fall flat.

The way we just smile to make everything go away, hide our true feelings. A smile is a mask that many of us know so well. This is a ya story told in the form of poetry that tackles the realness of clinical depression and trauma. This was so raw that is hurt. We follow Whimsy and Faerry as they go through the trials of their pain. There is fantasy in this story with magic being a central focus. I will say at times the metaphors and magical elements were confusing and hard to keep up with which is what stopped this story from being 5 stars for me. At the end of it however it all came together and it didn't take away from the larger messages. I think stories like this are so important to be told and read. These were some of the quotes that stuck with me after reading:

"come celebrate with me that everyday something has tries to kill me and failed"

"People always forget that a rough day, a bad year - doesn't equal a bad life"

"No one ever tells you that Sorrow doesn't grab you by the throat. It opens the door, offers a warm fire, says - Have some candy."

Wow…..just wow. Another powerful and beautiful novel and prose from this author. Faerry and Whimsy are bound in trauma, in sorrow and in fairy tales. They have a journey, one they must walk together, to find their way through the sorrow and the trauma that has seeped into their DNA, into their roots, and make their way out of the forest. The author wants her readers to see, by her own admission, that there is always help, always support, always someone to help guide you through the sorrow. It won’t be easy or painless, there will be a thousand little cuts that burn, but it is possible to beat the sorrow. Much like her first book this book has me thinking for days, it is just that beautiful. An absolute must read!

Being that this is a book written by Amber McBride, it is obviously lovely. After adoring (Me) Moth , I was quite thrilled to jump into We're All So Good at Smiling. Especially considering its focus on mental health, and if we are being completely honest, that stunning cover. And it was overall definitely a solid book. We follow Whimsy and Faerry as they attempt to navigate through their struggles with depression.

They are both in really bad places, frankly. They're coping with past trauma as well, and both find themselves gravitating toward each other- both for their current similarities, as well as connections from the past. It is heartbreaking and hopeful all at once, which I loved. The author definitely does a wonderful job illustrating how painful mental illness can be, but also shows the reader that there is always hope, too. There is also quite a bit of discussion of how cultural mores impact those seeking mental health treatment, which is so very important.

There is a magical portion of the story, and this is where the book lost me just a bit. While it is still beautifully written and compelling, my more logic-driven mind had some difficulty melding the fantastical with the real. Still, highly worth reading, for the fabulous mental health rep alone.

Bottom Line: Gorgeously written and wildly important, this is a magical and practical look into mental illness.

I love how this is told in verse, the characters were impeccable, and I really appreciated the syntax!

We Are All So Good at Smiling is an emotional and complex story from start to finish. Revolving around Whimsy, this story in verse is about the cyclical nature of depression and our family. Walking on eggshells and having to process protection and love. All the questions of how we are feeling, if we're okay. At the same time, it's a story about finding someone who can see us. Who can make us see and think.

This book is a story in poetry form. It is a great book that expresses several different emotions. This book also talks about depression and it does. I have been going through it for many years and it is as author describes it. Its also a lot of work to handle it. This made me shed tears of sadness and happiness. This book helped me so much to understand what is going on . I loved this book and its recommended to read. I have so much to say for this book, all good, but I don't want to oil it for the reader so this is all I want to say about he book. Read it!!

I received a free copy of the book and is voluntarily writing a review.

This was an absolutely stunning novel in verse about a young women dealing with depression and trauma. There was something so raw and haunting about this book that had me feeling deep in my thoughts long after the story's end.

Very much appreciated the care McBride took in telling this story, from the writing to the warning given a the beginning of the book. The warning as a whole was a pleasant surprise!

As expected, the book was very beautiful. While I personally wasn't the biggest fan of just how whimsical it ended up being, as sometimes I prefer to be more grounded in a story, I still appreciated what we were given. Loved Whimsy and Faerry. Loved the play on words that were the names of the characters as a whole. Very cute and creative.

I think this was a great book on the horror of what it means to suffer from clinical depression, and I think teens who are fans of poetry and who are looking for a voice from someone who truly understands, will benefit a lot from this book.

Thank you to Feiwel & Friends/Macmillan for a copy of We Are All So Good at Smiling in exchange for an honest review.

Fairy tales 

Amber McBride's We Are All So Good at Smiling is short and sweet. Well, sweet in that it hits all my sweet spots: fairy tales, mental health and, as I've recently learned, novel-in-verse. At first, fairy tales and poetry might not seem like they match, but they so do. I assume it has to do with oral tradition. 

I've only seen a couple episodes of ABC's Once Upon a Time, but I imagine Whimsy's and Faerry's experiences are the full-on nightmare versions of that show. I also loved that McBride chose fairy tales from around the world and provided a glossary at the end. 

The tough stuff 

The comparative titles for this book are The Bell Jar and They Both Die at the End. I feel this book is more hopeful and uplifting than They Both Die at the End. While I haven't specifically read The Bell Jar, Sylvia Plath is a better comparison (despite how her real life ended). 


As you can probably tell from these comparisons, We Are All So Good at Smiling is not a light book. As someone who has personally dealt with the topics in this book, please read the content warnings and author's note at the beginning of the book before picking diving in. 

Should you read it?

Absolutely. We Are All So Good at Smiling is a quick, sumptuous read that is a perfect in-depth look at what clinical depression feels like. As someone who struggles with mental illness, I felt very seen. This is a book I'll be rereading. I don't have much to say besides that this book is flawless. 

We Are All So Good at Smiling is out today, January 10, 2023. Pick up a copy at your local indie bookstore or library. 📚🧜🏿‍♀️

<i>"People always forget that a rough day, a bad year--- doesn't equal a bad life."</i>

We Are All So Good At Smiling is such a unique yet accurate take on depression. The novel, written in verse, follows black teen, Whimsy as she struggles with her mental health during and after a two week stay in a hospital for suicidal thoughts. The story has fantasy elements to it, a bit of magic, a lot of fairy tales and folklore. This shapes the plotline and is, at times, also an allegory for the levels of depression. The author, Amber McBride doesn't shy away from feelings of pain, suffering, sorrow, confusion, loneliness, guilt, and self harm. The book covers important and serious topics, reminding readers that they are not alone.

<b>The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255</b>

<i>Disclaimer: I received an advanced reader copy from Fierce Reads and Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.</i>

Amber McBride’s We Are All So Good at Smiling is a sort of allegorical novel in verse that draws from the author’s own experiences with clinical depression. She begins her book with a note to the reader, cautioning about its potential triggers, which I advise all readers to consider.

The book is about Whimsy, who has been struggling with clinical depression since she was young, when her older sister—her idol—disappeared. She has been in and out of hospitals and programs since that time, working through her sense that things in her world just are not right. She’s always been a collector of fairy tales, a passion that began with her grandmother, and she often uses them both to understand the world around her and to escape, even briefly.

Her situation changes when Faerry joins her program, sharing his own story, which they soon realize holds many parallels and connections to hers.

As Whimsy and Faerry get to know each other—his family moves into her neighborhood, and he enrolls at her high school—their mutual understanding begins to make a difference for each. But as they start to uncover the truths that have been hidden from them, they realize that the battle that lies ahead may be more perilous than anything they’ve been through.

The key part of the novel takes place in the forest at the end of their neighborhood, which Whimsy has always avoided, fearful of its secrets. When Faerry is lost in the forest, however, Whimsy becomes determined to find him, to save him, and to confront the fears that have plagued her.

As in her debut, Me (Moth) (a book that I absolutely loved), McBride’s verse is gorgeous and evocative, and I appreciate her vulnerability in sharing her own experiences, which I have no doubt will be valuable for so many readers. While We Are All So Good at Smiling certainly addresses important issues, it did not quite live up to my expectations: I liked the idea of the allegory more than its execution.

Still, We Are All So Good at Smiling is a compelling book dealing with a topic of vital importance to so many people—particularly teenagers. It is powerful both in Whimsy’s own story, in the ways that her relationship with Faerry helps her, and in its consideration of how the teenagers’ families deal with their mental health. I love the consideration of the ways that stories can help both to understand the world and to offer the tools that people need to make a change or confront a difficult truth. I look forward to following McBride’s career.

Thank you to NetGalley and MacMillan Children’s Publishing Group for an e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I could not put this one down!

Whimsy has been admitted to the hospital for depression. There, she meets Faerry, a Fae who moves into her neighborhood. Together they have to conquer the truths they are running from by entering the haunted forest. During their time together, they learn that their histories have crossed paths before.

Written in prose, McBride explores the nuances of depression in such a beautiful and poetic way. Through magic, fairy tales, and folklore, we are taken on this trying journey through mental illness and trauma.

I requested this book because the cover and title captured my attention. It’s SUCH a beautiful cover.

I loved this book. I appreciate the trigger warning at the beginning, and because of that I went into this book prepared to have my heart broken. The book is emotional and magical. I will definitely read another work written by Amber McBride.

I highly recommend this book to those who are mentally and emotionally prepared to traverse the emotions and layers of depression.
Trigger warnings include: Depression, suicide ideation, self harm.

Ratings -
Overall: 5/5
Heaviness: 5/5

It isn't often that I feel so seen, for better or for worse, by a book and yet AMBER MCBRIDE HAS PERCIEVED ME! Well, my younger self would have felt abundantly seen in Whimsy and in this story of magic and questions and root. I love this novel in verse so much that I want to cry thinking about some of the lines. Amber McBride is, in truest form, a wordsmith of the highest caliber. This was evident in Me(MOTH) and now in We Are All So Good at Smiling. I cannot wait for the next book from Amber. I don't know how she will break and rebuild me next but, I'm willing and excited for it.

I do not usually read normal YA anymore. It has to have murder, blood, Fantasy, gore, mystery, something like that. But this book was so good. The writing was beautiful and the story was very enthralling.

Amber McBride is a wonder. She balances whimsical, flowery (in the best way) poems with some of the deepest pain someone could ever imagine. Depression is hard to write about. It's mundane. It's elusive. It's ugly and painful and muddy. Sometimes the only way to talk about it is through metaphor, and McBride does in her thorny adventure of two new friends, Whimsy and Faerry, with histories they can't remember and pain they can't suppress.

I found myself wanting to read this in one sitting and got chills more than once as I fought through the forest. If you loved Me (Moth) you will love this one too for all its exploration of grief, listlessness, and cavernous sorrow. Through verse, through fragmented stories, she fits the pieces together.

Thanks NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC of this novel. 4.5/5 stars.

I LOVED Me (Moth) by McBride, so I was super excited for this ARC. As expected, this is a beautiful story in verse that discusses depression but in the mystical, magical, fantastical way McBride does. It blends reality with fantasy, and it uses the blend to depict the struggles of trauma and depression and how to heal from it.

Whimsy's story is beautiful and ties in the ancestral conjuring and rootwork to how Whimsy uses stories (fairy tales) to cope with trauma. She also meets Faerry, who is also dealing with his own trauma and depression.

Overall, I really, really enjoyed this. I wish there had been more closure at the end from Whimsy's family and the overarching plot, but I absolutely loved this.

I reviewed this book for School LIbrary Journal, a starred review:
Gr 9 Up–After her parents discover a list Whimsy wrote of ways to stop breathing, she is in the hospital again for clinical depression. She meets fellow patient Faerry, a boy who she perceives as having magical qualities. They subsequently discover they are neighbors, connecting over their intense poetry and their shared experience of being the only two Black kids around. No one understands they are sinking while they are smiling; when you are bruise-less, things are harder to explain. As they begin their healing journey together, they recognize their lives are interwoven by past trauma. The atmospheric imagery and metaphors throughout have such a strong and remarkable undercurrent in this novel-in-verse. The anthropomorphic forest evolves into setting as character. As Whimsy and Faerry push through the forest garden together, they face their demons as part of intricate and unique fairy-tale sequences that represent their layers of depression. Raw and fervent, these characters are cut open literally and figuratively to battle Sorrow, because the only way out is through. Hoodoo is intertwined as they unravel riddles to find the truth and the cause of their shared trauma. The author’s prologue invites readers into her own authentic experiences with depression, offers a nod to Lucille Clifton, and provides a content warning for clinical depression, self-harm, and suicide. McBride also features resources for mental health, a glossary of the fairy tales and folklore embodied within, and a playlist for Whimsy and Faerry.VERDICT This phenomenal novel-in-verse transports readers into an impassioned tale of heartache and hope that belongs on every bookshelf serving teens. Reviewed by Lisa Krok