Please be sure to check content warnings and read the authors note before picking this book up. In a wonderful Emily Austin fashion it is an extraordinarily depressing topic written from the perspective of a character who treats the topic trivial. It isn’t. Read with caution.

We Could Be Rats tells the incredible story of sisterhood and the power of imagination. We explore the lives of Sigrid and Margit. Sigrid, who constantly has her head in cotton candy pink clouds, refuses to conform to societal norms. She didn’t graduate high school and works a job she finds meaningless. She’s much rather be roaming the streets with her best friend Greta. Margit is frustrated with her sister’s inability to be a functional adult.

We quickly see the veil removed from Sigrid’s world and learn the sensitivity and pain her memories house. When she was younger she put dissociative filters on to cope with her parents fighting and growing older. From imagining her parents as swamp monsters to being a fairy roaming a field Sigrid did what she had to do to protect herself. Margit starts to unravel the mechanics of Sigrid’s mind and discovers their shared childhood memories and imaginative dreams might be the only path forward.

First and foremost, I am Emily Austin’s biggest fan. She has this wondrous way of putting exactly how I’m feeling into words. Reading this I saw myself in Sigrid and my older brother, Greg, who is my best friend in Margit. We had a playroom in our basement and we’d have movie nights and put on magic shows. He’d play Barbie’s with me and make the storyline dramatic sending me into a frenzy. Growing up changes everything though, I moved out of state and he stayed in our hometown. But our connection never faltered, there is a passage in the book about the two sisters stating no matter what their social standing there is never a time they’d hesitate helping the other. Greg has been that rock for me several times, I even turned him into an Emily fan as well! Interesting Facts About Space is his favorite! The magical bond that older siblings hold for their younger siblings is something so beautiful. I can’t even begin to describe how it feels, but Emily did a damn good job with this book. We Could Be Rats is out January 28th 2025 please preorder it today!

Thank you Netgalley and Atria Books | Simon & Schuster for this arc in exchange of an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for an advanced reader copy of this book!

I discovered reading can be magic when I first encountered a character with anxiety. I saw myself in the character, and it was the first time I realized maybe I’m not alone. Emily Austin is able to do the same thing in We Could Be Rats, and so powerfully articulates the struggle of disconnection, loneliness, alienation, and feeling like we just aren’t enough.

The standout for me in this novel is the way Austin writes about the female friendship between Sigrid and Greta. If we are lucky, we have gotten to experience the type of friendship where you see and love your unique weirdness in another. The type of bond that is so special, it will probably never happen again. I loved reading some of these sentences, and look forward to revisiting them.

The structure of this novel was also very unique. Once I realized this is less of a plot driven story and more of a character study, I really sank into it.

Emily Austin is now an auto read author for me. Thank you Emily for making me feel like I’m not alone.

I was such a fan of Austin’s previous books and she’s become a favorite author for me! This one starts out following Sigrid; her story unfolds through a series of suicide note drafts. It’s a quick read with Austin’s signature emotional humor and this one really packs a punch. I don’t think I LOVED this one as much as her last two books (I do wish it was a little longer) but still a high recommendation.

I’m having conflicting thoughts and feelings on this one. Don’t have any critiques regarding the writing itself, and I understand (I think) the message and the overall point of the story. The things I did not completely like are a matter of personal taste, and are not necessarily flaws. I do wish there was more of present day conversation between the sisters. I wished there had been a tiny bit more discussion about Marg, and her struggles, hopefully standing up to their parents, but since the book is mostly about the aftermath of Sigrid’s incident, I felt like Marg was reduced to the Oldest Sister, and her felt rushed a bit to me. And I of course was hoping for closure and maybe justice for Sigrid’s friend, but I understand this isn’t that type of story with a climax and then a neat and tidy resolution where everyone’s troubles are solved and everybody gets what they deserve. Still, I wish the specific plot point that is revealed on the later part of the book had a more satisfactory ending. If the “bad guy” succeeded, at least Greta being on a road to recovery would have been nice, or if her story ended with her on that same track, then there being some sort of punishment for the guy. Again, I know this isn’t a fairytale (which is something Sigrid talks about in relation to real life) but that’s just me wishing things were looking better. The ending was sort of abrupt and a little anticlimactic because of the reason I just mentioned, but it was not a straight up tragedy, it was quite bittersweet and ended in a hopeful note.

Emily Austin’s We Could Be Rats is a lyrical exploration of familial ties, trauma, and the struggle for identity, told through an unconventional narrative structure. It's a little darker than her previous novels, but just as worth reading. The emphasis on mental health will resonate with many readers.

Sigrid, barely out of her teens and working at a small-town dollar store, is penning her suicide note. She writes that she is not depressed—in fact, she’s quite happy—but there is a deeper reason underlying her decision. And to reveal it, she’ll first have to talk about her childhood and her relationships with her girlfriend, family, and best friend.

I loved this book. The writing was both literary and laugh-out-loud funny, so I wasn’t expecting much in the way of plot. But there is in fact a big twist that made my jaw drop. Sigrid and another prominent character, her sister Margit, could not be more different and yet each one of them is so relatable and likeable. This was my first Emily Austin and now, a week later, I’ve already read another of her books because I am addicted to her writing! And as a Canadian, I honestly feel like she is the best thing to happen to CanLit since Margaret Atwood. Instant “I will read anything she writes” status!

I need to read every book Emily R. Austin writes. This was so moving, so heartbreaking, so relatable, and so unexpected. Austin really knows how to write about a modern journey with depression and self-discovery in a way I haven't seen from many authors. I loved the structure of this book and the way it unfolded in ways I didn't see coming without making me lose trust in the narrators. We could be rats!! and maybe someday we will be.

my younger sister heart is crying a little after the end of this one.

this story follows two sisters, sigrid and margit, reconnecting after the suicide attempt of the younger one. the narrative is structured in the form of suicide notes/diary entries from each sister to the other. and that's really the entire plot. we explore their town, relationships, families, childhood, but all through the eyes of sisters. i loved the conversational nature of each entry and how both sisters' voices came through so clearly, but were also comforting similar.

such a great depiction of sisterhood and the constant flux that relationship has. you have someone to cross reference your childhood with, but you also have a person-- specifically another girl, bonded to you for life who is also experiencing closely similar moments. that's a really heavy thing to carry. before this book i've never seen it so articulately put into writing before.

i related sooooooOO much to both sisters' feelings of desperately yearning for childhood and feeling as if that part of themselves is now unreachable. that grown up them is a 'swamp monster'. i've just always felt i was supposed to be a kid and only a kid. not sure that even make sense. but this book was so validating. i've felt that way but didn't know others understood that sentiment. there is truly no unique experience! i think i really needed this book for that reason.

this book does a great job at describing the oftentimes tumultuous relationship between family members that don't believe (politically or otherwise) the same things you do and go so far as to vote against your own beliefs. the common sentiment is to immediately cut off anyone that thinks differently and move on, but how much fragile are these relationships when its your own family? the people that raised you? navigating that treacherous line is never discussed at length or empathetically understood. i appreciated the story's take on zooming out a little to see the wider picture and the many nuances surrounding that situation. a good read before going back to your hometown for the holidays.

definitely check trigger warnings about suicide, family trauma, homophobia, etc.!!! special thanks to netgalley and the publisher for this advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

this is a story i'll be thinking about for a long time after and one desperately worth the time you devote to it. this book is special to me because i too love pink skies.

Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for sending me an ARC of We Could Be Rats in exchange for review.

5 stars

I’m going to be honest with the fact that I did not read the synopsis before requesting this book. The title alone was enough for me to be fully invested and I was definitely in for a surprise. While I thought initially this would be a comedy or dark satire — which in some ways it is, the overall mood of this book has SOME lighthearted and sardonic aspects… it hit me harder than any other book I’ve read this year.

I’ll share one quote “Did you know it’s abnormal to be able to identify a person by their footsteps? Or by how they open doors? We were too aware of the sounds in our house because we were on edge. Our parents were volatile. We had to pay attention to whether Mom and Dad were slamming doors or stomping down the stairs. We were tuned in to their behavior, listening for warning signs that their tempers were rising. We were living in that house like frightened rabbits, twitching our ears to the sounds around us like prey in constant danger. Did you recognize how my steps sounded? I knew you by yours. I’d know it was you walking with my eyes closed.”

This quote took me back to a dark moment in time, the whole book did really, having a younger sister to endure swamp monsters on our own made me connect so deeply with both Margit and Sigrid (our two main characters).

I love the POV switches and the sort of fun reveal (I say sort of fun because it was unexpected but the reasoning behind it is quite bleak). And while I’ve just made this book sound like a traumatic trigger warning nightmare I absolutely loved it. It’s not over the top in any way and feels incredibly authentic.

I laughed, I cried, and I had intense feelings that will leave me thinking about this book for a long time which is always my goal when starting a new read. If you’re looking for something heavy and thought provoking that is also easy to ingest I highly recommend this. It reminded me of my youth in so many ways and feel grateful for how far I’ve come.

It’s hard not to delve deeper but I want to leave this review spoiler free so that anyone who stumbles across it and decides to read this book can experience it fully.

Thanks again for sending me We Could Be Rats, it was lovely.

I read my first Emily Austin book this year + now here I am 3 books later wondering how I can make someone write faster so I can escape into their brain more and more and more.

This was different than the rest but the overarching themes are the same and 😮‍💨 my heart hurts - in a good way and a bad way?!

As someone who comes from a conservative small town with a swiftly growing drug problem I could relate. As someone who is neurodivergent I could relate. As someone who is a sister I could relate. I love feeling seen!🥲

There are <b>strong</b> trigger warnings for suicide in this one!!⚠️So please take care of yourself + be mindful of you choose to read!

At times this one was confusing (what was true? what was a lie? who wrote what?) and it is left a bit open-ended which I never love but it made me feel and think a lot in a short amount of time so for that I appreciate it!!🫶

This book is scarred me for life. Really, this is the best thing I ever read and so achingly human it’s hurt.
Thank you Emily Austin for writing such a powerful book. And thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the arc.

Emily Austen, I forever both love and am scared of how your mind works. Truly a one of a kind book, in the best kind of way.

4.5

The only word to describe this book is human. This is an achingly human story, in the absolute best way.

At times, reading this book feels uncomfortable. It’s messy, confusing, and raw. Sometimes you want to scream and other times cry or laugh. That’s the magic of Emily Austin’s writing—it mirrors back parts of ourselves, even the ones we’d rather not confront. Especially those.

This is a story about the human experience and the messy, complicated journey to understand both ourselves and our place in the world. It is written with a vulnerability and beauty that cuts deep. It is unflinching and unapologetic, making it painful as it is necessary.

Thank you to Netgalley, Atria Books and Emily Austin for this advanced readers copy for my honest review.

Final grade: A, we could be rats, but alas we are human

This might be my favorite book that I've read this year. I don't have a single negative thing to say about it. I loved the letter format and the sisters and their relationship. It was really sad and funny and I loved that combination. I would definitely recommend it.

Emily Austin always manages to unsettle me with her writing, but I usually enjoy the journey. She's very good at writing messy unreliable narrator lesbians.

This book is broken into 3 parts. Part 1 is various attempts at writing Sigrid's suicide note. The second part is the POV of Sigrid's sister. And the third is after Sigrid's suicide attempt.

This book tackles subjects like suicide ideation, drug addiction, ugly family dynamics, bigotry, homophobia, and even sexual assault. While these topics aren't delicately handled, it feels like a very real portrayal of how people can experience these things. There are definitely things I liked about this book, but I don't know that I could articulate it.

Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for the opportunity to read and review.

Austin’s characters have such strong voices, and I really enjoyed the psychological unfolding throughout this novel. The first section of the book moves a bit slowly for my taste, but I can look back on it as having lots of depth now that I’ve finished the book. The narrative between the two sisters is touching, though I wish we could have spent a bit more time with Margit’s perspective.

I love this author and I especially loved this book for the sisterhood theme. It’s so special to follow their bond and how they try to protect each other. I always find the dialogue in this authors novels to be so realistic and relatable which makes them very easy to read and empathize with.

Oof, this book tore me open in the best way. This book is about Sigrid, a twenty-one- year-old who is disillusioned by her life and her family, and Margit, her "perfect" older sister who also feels quite detached from reality and doesn't know who she is. They had a difficult childhood where their parents were always fighting, and they reacted to it in different ways: Margit turned inward and made herself small to avoid conflict as much as possible, and Sigrid got confrontational and angry.

This book really, really resonated with me - I found myself crying a lot. Austin writes with such clarity and emotional honesty about how complicated relationships with siblings can be, especially when you grew up with the same parental trauma but it didn't bond you the way you would hope. I related so much to Sigrid and Margit's struggles to connect with each other, and their sense that they would do anything for each other but also had no idea how to talk to each other. I was so touched by Austin's descriptions of Sigrid's mental health struggles and Margit's attempts to understand her, and the way Austin wrestled with coming to terms with your family as they are and setting your own boundaries was really moving. I didn't expect to feel so much when I read this book, but it broke me open and I'll be thinking about it for a long time.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for an advanced reader's copy in exchange for a honest review!

We Could Be Rats by Emily Austin was such a unique and weird read but I definitely enjoyed my time reading it. I never go in to a Emily Austin book expecting anything because it always feels like it's going to surprise me anyways and this book did just that. It was a heavy read but I loved it. This is definitely one of those books that you'll be thinking about after finishing it. It's like a slow simmering book in the best way. It might not grasp you right away but when it does, you can't stop thinking about it. I loved it and I can't wait to recommend it to everyone who's looking for something a little different.

The first 60% of this book was just really hard to read. I understand what the author was trying to do but for me it just didn't land. Margit's point of view was way more compelling to me.