Emily Austin continues to be a writer full of surprises you cannot see coming. WE COULD BE RATS continues that trend, centering on the relationship of two radically different sisters who through their collective trauma have a bond like no other. While some may start to read this book and think it makes fun at suicide and depression, Austin turns what we think of a frivolous commentary on these dark topics, into something that mirrors a lot of peoples lived experience of the world and the dark thoughts we keep to ourselves.

I immediately fell for Sigrid and Margrit, not because they were lovable (and they are, in their own weird way) but because they felt so real and ugly and stunning all at the same time.

And honestly, I would like to be a rat at a carnival.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC for this wonderful new book.

I LOVED this. Austin has a way of charming your pants off even in the uncomfy parts of life. The way she handled suicide ideation and how trauma affects children was wonderful and poignant. I loved Sigrid and Margit differently but in equal amounts. Austin captured eldest daughter and second child *perfectly.* I loved the unique way she told this story thought it was handled with such care. My only gripe is that some of the outside characters felt too on the nose but it also kind of worked with the story as a whole? Overall, highly, highly recommend. Austin remains an autobuy author for me!9

Please allow me to share a timeless quote from a review of Emily Austin’s Interesting Facts About Space: “Emily Austin is a precious gem and all of her books are perfect.” Wow, what an amazing quote. What absolute genius wrote that? It was me. I wrote it.

This book is so. good. I needed to read it. Both in a “I’m a fan of Emily Austin, I need to read this” way and a “I need to read this for my soul” way, though I didn’t realize the latter until I was finished. It feels like reading someone’s diary (and I guess part of it is kind of reading someone’s diary) so it’s very raw and authentic. The strained relationship between Sigrid and her sister Margit is so interesting and even a little frustrating as the reader because you just know they could be great friends since they’re so alike. But they don’t realize it and it’s like… ahhhhh!

I don’t know how she does it, but Emily Austin creates characters that I always relate to in some way. There’s always something about them that calls out to me and says “I’m you and you’re me,” and then I laugh and cry the whole time because it’s true. This time, the thing that grabbed me most was Sigrid’s relationship with Greta. Everything about it screamed “this is your relationship with your own friend,” and it was lovely and heartbreaking and at times it was painful to read.

I’ve found that a part of me is healed every time I read one of Emily Austin’s books. I’m convinced that eventually, she’ll write enough of them that I’ll be completely cured. Can’t wait!


***Thank you for the opportunity to read and review this book! I will return to share links to reviews posted on Instagram, Threads, and my blog before January 21***

I love emily austin's work and this was no exception - we could be rats was simultaneously heavy and tender and still filled with austin's signature wit and dark humor. this was beautifully-written and I loved the style so much, there was so much thought and care that was put into this story and these characters. and to no surprise, there is no one who loves a story about sisters more than me - I loved sigrid and margit and how different they are from each other, and how that didn't stop them from showing how much they care in their own ways. my heart ached for them both as we got to read from each of their stories. this was such a lovely and tender-hearted yet fun read that genuinely only emily austin could pull off.

thank you so much to the publishers for an arc!

Thank you so much to Atria for providing this ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review! I was absolutely stoked to receive this ARC because Emily Austin is my queen<3 If you have read other Emily Austin books, you will definitely recognize the writing style and themes dealt with in the book which was great for me because both are right up my alley! One thing I love about Austin's writing is her ability to remain sensitive about the often heavy mental health topics of her books but somehow still leave the reader chuckling through the story when appropriate. I will say I am glad I stuck through the first part of the novel because I thought it was getting a little disjointed and repetitive. Of course, that made sense for the story but I still caught myself wondering if I should trust the process there. Glad I did! Charming, complex characters that I came to love really rounded out the story. Love!

This was a really lovely and emotional read. I thought Austin’s characters were very complex and lovable. I found myself giggling at some of their internal monologues despite the heartbreaking themes of this book. I highlighted several passages because Austin’s writing is just so quotable (and at times, relatable- especially about the queer small town experience). I would definitely recommend this to friends who enjoy character driven stories and slice-of-life moments in books. I can’t wait to read more of Austin’s books!

Sentimental and funny. A nostalgic look at life and sisterhood.

Emily Austin is weird and I like it.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review.

Thanks to NetGalley and Atria/Simon & Schuster for the advanced copy!

This book sealed the deal of Emily Austin being one of my favorite authors.

We Could Be Rats paints an intimate portrait of two sisters and allows the reader to immerse themselves in their lives, growing to care deeply about their thoughts, experiences and connections (both with each other and with other characters). While the overarching theme of suicide throughout the book is heavy, I loved what we learned about Sigrid and Margit through their unique voices. Austin's writing continues to be captivating, beautiful and full of moments that make you step back and think through everything you have just read.

Also, the twist? Jaw on the floor, I really enjoyed it.

Having lost two best friends to suicide, I always hesitate greatly to read books that contain it as a theme or main focus, like this one. After reading Interesting Facts About Space, I loved Austin's writing so much that I felt like it was worth the risk to pick up this novel and I am so glad that I did.

I absolutely loved this book. I enjoyed the creativity and uniqueness of the "attempt" entries and the subsequent writing entries. Austin made me question what was fact and fiction throughout the entire novel and it kept me on my toes. I appreciated the realness of the family dynamic, and how a family can be so deeply hurting yet still find love for one another. I liked how the characters were constantly thinking about others and how their behaviour supposedly affected them. There were many layers to this book that I will be thinking about for a long time. Sigrid and Margit have a deep place in my heart.

Something I love about Emily Austin’s books is how they always start off a little silly, but quickly knock you off your feet. We are introduced to our narrators in a more humorous tone, similar to how the people in their life perceive them. But as we go further in we begin to realize they are much more troubled than they seem.

We Could Be Rats follows this typical Emily Austin formula, but with a twist as the story focuses on two characters: Sigrid and Margit. Estranged sisters whose narrative voices are muddled together in a very heavy and fascinating way. There isn’t much I can say without spoilers, but the way this book is split into its three sections is like climbing a fence without realizing the other side drops into open air. You are constantly having to reframe your perceptions and recalculate the path you’re following.

This book is all about growing up in a volatile family, losing the people you love to your dying town, and being conditioned to put respectability above your own wellbeing. It’s about childish imagination, a desperate grasp for control, and a contemplation of morality.

I do wish this was just a little bit longer, but it’s truly a heart-aching story. Definitely heavier than Austin’s previous two stories.

Thank you to Atria and NetGalley for this e-ARC of We Could Be Rats. Think Little Women but with a splash of depressing women's fiction, and a LOT of childhood trauma and mental health discussions and portrayals. This book is not for the weak, but I truly think I came out the other side changed, reevaluating sisters both in the context of popular media and in the world around me.

I have no idea how she comes up with any of these books but every single one is able to put to words things that I feel but don’t know how to describe or vocalize.

A book that is arguably written in a depressing format contains the right amount of weirdness (in a good and relatable way) to not be morbid to read and also make me laugh out loud about things.

While the end of the book was not wrapped up in a happy little bow, that last line gave me so much hope that everything was going to be okay. I appreciate the realness of this ending in knowing that coming together again and being happy again was likely to be a bumpy ride but that it would be possible.

Emily Austin has a suspiciously good talent for putting feelings that I haven’t been able to articulate, even in my brain, onto a book page. It never ceases to amaze me. I loved the way this story was told. The first half was all over the place, but in the perfect way. Once that is explained, it somehow made it even better. I somehow related to both sisters on a spiritual level, even though they were drastically different. This book will resonate with so many different groups of people. The lost, the people pleaser, the overachievers, the sisters, those who “never seem to live up to their potential”. For such a small book, it holds such a big story. I wish we got more Greta. I was really intrigued by her character and we got a decent amount but I was still left wanting more.

I went into We Could Be Rats completely blind, and let me tell you—Emily Austin knows how to catch me off guard. The premise, centering on a sister duo grappling with the aftermath of a suicide attempt, is as heart-wrenching as it is unexpectedly heartwarming. Somehow, only Austin could take such a dark and painful topic and infuse it with tenderness, humor, and a glimmer of hope that leaves you clinging to every page.

Don’t get me wrong—this book will make you feel everything. It had me crying, feeling deeply frustrated, and even angry at times, but despite it all, I found myself cozying up to both Sigrid and Margit. Their complicated, messy, and utterly real relationship stole my heart.

What stood out most to me was the way the book is structured. Austin divides the narrative into three distinct sections: Sigrid’s final letters, Margit’s perspective as she processes the aftermath, and finally, Sigrid’s point of view. This format works brilliantly in my opinion because it offered an intimate and multifaceted look at both sisters and deepened the emotional resonance of the story.

At this point, I’m convinced Emily Austin can do no wrong. She has an uncanny ability to craft characters who feel as flawed and human as they are lovable, and We Could Be Rats is no exception. If you’re ready for a novel that will break your heart, warm it, and leave you thinking about it long after you close the book, don’t sleep on this one.

This is probably the darkest of her books. There's split point of view between two sisters. The first part is written in a series of suicide letter attempts, and while the author is trying to wrestle with the reasonings there is a familiar light-handed sense that masks a much darker and more serious content, obviously.

Austin in my opinion can teeter very well on a narrow brink between dark comedy and going too far. It's never senseless. And there are parts where it seems revealing how much People lie to themselves. The fact that these are epistolary, written as if in a diary or journal alluded to the fact that people are always trying to either forcefully be too direct or mask true sentiments and intentions. It's not really until there's a more stream of consciousness that we submerge are egos and allow our subconscious to voice more true and inner thoughts.

There's something about Austin's writing that I always enjoy. If you liked her first too I think you will like this one as well even though the content is darker.

Oh, this book stabbed me in the heart in the best way. I love Emily Austin's books because they're about girls and women I can relate to--they're about weird, sad gals who look at the world differently than most. They're awkward and depressed and are afraid of bald men or are worried about getting period blood all over the dress they're buried in. WE COULD BE RATS is an epistolary novel about sisters, suicide, and grappling with childhood trauma. Sigrid and Margrit are such good characters and I'm sure you will like them as much as I did. I am so grateful to have Emily Austin's voice in the literary world. I will always be first in line for an Emily Austin book! Let's all be fat rats at the fair, eh?

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC of this much-needed book.

TYSM to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC. This was my first Emily Austin book and holy shit, what a unique book and style. Now that I’ve finished it, I immediately want to reread it and get a better understanding of the up is down, down is up of the story. The first section was jarring and unlike anything I’ve ever read, and I had such empathy for both Sigrid and Margit. The small, bigoted life surrounding Sigrid broke my heart but felt so unbelievably familiar. What a memorable read.

If you are in the “weird books for weird girls” camp, pick this book up when it comes out in January.

We Could Be Rats by Emily Austin is a deeply emotional and intricately written novel about the complex bond between two sisters, Sigrid and Margit. Sigrid, who has struggled with her mental health and a series of failed relationships, narrates the first part of the story through diary entries, framed as draft suicide notes. The novel shifts perspectives as Margit, the "golden child" of the family, grapples with the aftermath of Sigrid's failed suicide attempt. Austin blends sharp humor with poignant insights, offering a unique exploration of troubled familial bonds and mental health.

While the book's structure and emotional depth resonate with many readers, some found it difficult to engage with Sigrid's narrative, which can feel rambling at times. Nonetheless, the novel's emotional complexity and its unexpected plot twists make it an unforgettable read for those drawn to literary fiction about personal struggles. Austin's ability to capture the universal experience of being lost and found within relationships is what makes We Could Be Rats a standout.

I really enjoy this authors work. As someone who enjoys character driven quirky novels this hit the mark. The characters were flawed and real and the writing is very precise. I cared about what was happening to these two sisters, the trumpian politician as a side story as well as the letter like writing. This won’t be for everyone but for those that like quirky little books this will be a hit.
4.25 stars

the twists and turns in we could be rats continued to surprise me. it was full of so much love and heartbreak. different from her other books, but the same feelings portrayed. emily austin is brilliant