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

Thank you, Atria, for the review copy and for championing a voice like Emily Austin's. Her writing delves into complex themes of mental health and neurodiversity with remarkable compassion, vulnerability, and powerful prose. Voices like Austin's are crucial for representation and connection, providing readers seeking understanding the opportunity to feel seen. This book resonates deeply with those of us who appreciate narratives that spotlight often overlooked or misunderstood experiences.
Content Warning
It's important to note that this novel addresses heavy themes, including suicidal ideation and childhood trauma. Readers should approach it with care or skip it as needed.
Austin's writing is both literary and achingly vulnerable, blending poignancy with humor. She skillfully employs language, character development, and nuanced phrasing to convey a rich tapestry of emotions that reflect the raw integrity of neurodiverse experiences. I particularly appreciated the dual sibling narratives: one sibling grappling with the shadows of their past while the other seeks new ways to navigate the present. Their distinct voices and intertwined stories add both humor and depth to the narrative.

Nobody writes mental health and neurodivergence like Emily Austin, and her newest book "We Could Be Rats" is another triumphant example of how important her voice is in the literary space.

Before jumping in, it's critical that prospective readers take the trigger warning page seriously. While there is humor and light all throughout this book, it is very heavy. Consider what headspace you're in before reading. I'd even implore you to consider your headspace before continuing to read this review.

"We Could Be Rats" is a character driven piece that centers around two sisters, Sigrid and Margit navigating both familial and individual traumas as well as suicidal ideation. One sister struggles with abandoning her childhood self while the other is too focused on "fixing" the present to see much else.

Emily Austin is a master character writer. Sigrid and Margit are so well developed and so universal. While they are very different women, as a reader, you feel like you've either been both of them or you've known someone like them. They are so tangible and relatable, even if you've never dealt with the things they've dealt with. Many times, I just wanted to reach into the book and hug them or laugh with them because of how real they felt. The questions and points this book makes are crystal clear. It is heavy with emotion, but Austin does a wonderful job of weaving in humor and sprit to not only make the messages drive home harder, but the blows softer to take.

This is an important book to read. If you've ever struggled with suicidal ideation, this story may help you feel seen and understood. If you've never struggled with suicidal ideation or known someone to, this book is a poignant reminder that we never know what someone may be experiencing, and to exercise empathy everywhere we

Thank you endlessly to Emily Austin for writing this, and thank you NetGalley and Atria for gifting me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Emily Austin truly never misses.

I felt an accumulation of emotions reading We Could Be Rats. I laughed and cried and felt things I didn’t know were possible.

This one was a really, really slow burn for me and could hardly keep my attention. I was drawn to the synopsis but I guess this one just wasn’t for me!

I am such a fan of Emily Austin. Her books all take on serious topics of mental wellbeing, identity, and challenges of living in a difficult world, but does so in a way that consistently makes me smile (even laugh) and muse about what an interesting take the book has on the world. We Could Be Rats fits in perfectly with her earlier novels in this sense. I loved the narrative structure of this book, as the reader is bounced around the lives of Sigrid, her sister, the rest of her family, and their hometown. Questions about narrative fidelity abound (as the reader is often told that, "no, that didn't happen") but there is never a question about the emotional truths that hold the book together. This story about reaching adulthood in today's world and about sisterhood and about figuring yourself out will stay with me for a long time.

My Goodreads Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6718722369

We Could Be Rats. We should all be rats.

This book blew me away! What a great book to be my first read finished of 2025! We Could be Rats is raw, it is a testament to the power of the quiet resilience that is existing as a human in the world - particularly in a world that does not always "see" you.

Written with impeccable pacing and such honest and penetrating prose, Austin crafts characters and the story in such a way that you are fully emotionally invested. With a subtle sprinkling of the unreliable narrator trope, Austin also delves into mental health and mental illness in an easily digestible, yet serious way.

I cannot recommend this book enough!

A really beautiful and uniquely written book about sisterhood, complex relationships, and the difficulty of figuring out who you are in your early 20s. Austin continues to write in a distinctive voice that gives the proper respect to mental health struggles while also balancing that some of us are just out here using humor to cope and get through it all.

CW: suicide