Sigrid and Margit are very different sisters. Margit very much tries to be a perfectionist and keep the peace. She’s very smart and driven. Sigrid never completed high school and works at a job she hates. Sigrid doesn’t really see a point in continuing on in a world where she doesn’t seem to fit in, nor does she feel heard/understood. The first half of this book outlines the instances that led to Sigrid feeling this way, while the second half shows us Margit’s reactions to that, and the realizations of how she could have contributed.

If you plan to read this book, I do recommend reading any trigger warnings re: mental health. I also recommend not reading it if you are going through a tough time - that’s probably the reason this took me so long to read or post about. Sigrid’s chapters were interesting at first, and the thoughts behind the chapters were unique. I resonated more with Margit’s chapters, as someone trying to keep things together - but also because of how she was working through her emotions felt real to me. I’m not sure how I felt about the end of this book, or the book as a whole truthfully. I think it was a heavy book read during a heavy time in the world. So definitely recommend considering your capacity before diving in.

This was very formally inventive, I found the way the novel was structured kept me on my toes, and I relished every twist and turn it took. I appreciated that while this was extremely sad, it never veered into pure torture porn territory, I also appreciate the redemption the author gives to these characters, I felt good after I finished it. I do wish it went a little more into the current relationship between the sisters, but I do like how they got in each other's heads.

This book resonated with me so much, I highlighted so much of it! I think I will eventually buy a copy for my personal library. Leave it to Emily Austin to put your thoughts you can't seem to explain to people onto paper. I cried a couple of times and I can't wait for her next novel!

Thanks to Atria & Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book!

I really enjoyed this story! I was drawn in by the cover and title and overall stayed for the story. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for giving me a chance to read and review this early.

4.75 rounded up

This is the second book I've read by this author and it did not disappoint. I loved Everyone in This Room Will Someday Be Dead and this is a close second. I really enjoyed being inside a character's mind, especially when they dealing with negative mental health. The multiple POVs was nice and unexpected. While the book ends with me still wondering if everything is okay it still ends in a way that I know it might not be okay right now but there is hope that it will be someday.

Please check content warnings before reading this book.

Thank you to Netgalley, Emily Austin, and Atria Books for the advanced digital copy in exchange for my honest review.

This intricate story about the complicated bond between two sisters was heartfelt and extremely emotional. It kind of makes you feel like you’re being punched in the chest but with a comforting aftertaste?? That’s the best way I can describe what this book made me feel. Make sure you’re prepared for some deep topics and dark humor when you pick up this book, but as long as you’re ready for that, strap yourselves in cause you’re in for a ride!

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with the eARC, but it did not affect my review in any way!

I was very fortunate to receive an advanced reader copy from NetGalley but all thoughts are unbiased and my own!

I would give this a solid 3 stars.

So I love me some Emily Austin books, but at times this wasn’t for me and it’s solely from a format perspective. The book opens with 20 drafts of Sigrid’s suicide note, it then shifts to her sister Margit, and then back to Sigrid. The first section felt disjointed and hard to follow (which likely was a reflection of the characters state when drafting said notes) but as I was reading it and couldn’t tell where the book was going that section felt like a LONG read.

However the second and third sections had reflections of family, sisterhood, and relationships and last two sections were by far best part of the book. I also enjoyed some of the twists that came up at the end (;

Would recommend but I do think it takes a certain type of reader to devour this type of format and love!

I’ve read the synopsis after reading the book, and I guess that I was just WAY off. I took it to be the story of two sisters dealing with one’s suicidal tendencies, all in a story of less than 200 pages. I guess that I missed the bigger and deeper meaning.

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Emily Austin has done it again, folks! I’ve heard her books described as “lesbian lit fic” and I think that’s accurate, though has someone who is incredibly picky with lit fic, her books are always a hit with me. I love that they always feature realistic, often neurodivergent lesbians just Experiencing Life. You can expect dark humour and imperfect characters, witty and brilliant observations, and a subtle but quick moving story from her books.

We Could Be Rats is no exception. This one features Sigrid, Experiencing Depression! Sigrid is navigating the burnt-out existence of trying to reconcile childhood and those magical potential filled years with the pressure of adulthood and the confines of reality. I feel Sigrid’s point of view is an incredibly accurate representation of someone living with ADHD, and really anyone who has felt like an outsider in the real world. Sigrid is often right but she struggles to convey that. She cares passionately but doesn’t know how to help. She feels stuck in her small conservative hometown, watching terrible people be elected while no one helps her struggling best friend, who is only one who has ever understood here. Sigrid feels alone; so does her sister Margit, yet neither of them has realized that.

The heart of this book is our relationships with others, our struggle to be understood by the people in our lives, and to understand them in turn. The main relationship in the book is between Sigrid and her sister Margit, who is a classic eldest daughter. It’s hard to find accurate sibling relationships in books, and while this one didn’t necessarily mirror my own relationship with my sister, it Got It. This is a book about the incredible, sometimes heartbreaking relationship between sisters. Your sister can be your worst enemy or your best friend, sometimes even both at the same time, and that’s explored so succinctly here I was in tears messaging my own sister.

We Could Be Rats is a beautiful, compelling, tragic, yet uplifting story and I’m better for having read it.

Emily Austin's We Could Be Rats is an engaging read tackling heavy topics such as depression, trauma, addiction, and grief. The story follow two sisters - Sigrid and Margit - navigating the fallout of Sigrid's recent suicide attempt. It alternates both sisters perspectives as we learn how and why two people who shared the same childhood had very different outcomes in life. At once sad, tragic, and witty, Austin's We Could Be Rats is a book for those who love queer coming of age narratives about life, loss, and love. Readers who enjoyed Austin's previous novels, as well as authors such as Sally Rooney, Ottessa Moshfegh, and Elif Batuman will be sure to enjoy We Could Be Rats.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an E-Arc of this title.

I loved her last two books, and I loved this one. Emily Austin sad girl litfic, you will always be famous to me. I loved the format of this one, told in suicide letters, and how the reader comes to understand her character and her sister's relationship through this unreliable narration.

Emily Austin is the queen of dark humor. This book is so human. It's not an easy read, suicide is a main feature, but it shows such an important level of humanity, character growth, and sibling love.

I’ve been a fan of Emily Austin’s novels since the first one released. Every book she’s written has felt like it’s come at a time when I needed it. The only bad thing about Emily Austin books is that they end. It took me a bit to get into this one but once I did I was pleasantly surprised. We Could be Rats is a character-centered work centered around female relationships. The main characters are likable and relatable in their own quirky ways. The book is an emotional rollercoaster ride that had me laughing in some parts and crying in others. I liked the surprise twist and the ending had me in tears.

I liked the way it was written in a letter format. There were times I could see my relationship with my sisters in the book, but I didn't feel incredibly connected or impacted by the book.

Unpopular opinion here I guess, but I thought this book was just fine, nothing wildly unique or spectacular about it. I know, I know but this one just didn't do it for me. I feel like l've been bamboozled, particularly once I got to about 60%, and that I read a different book from literally everyone else. There is a slight narrative change after that 60% point that just didn't work for me. I would've much preferred if that change didn't happen. I would have preferred the first 60% being the whole book or the last 40% being the whole book. I honestly felt like I was kind of wasting my time. I literally didn't feel anything while reading.
I do think there was a lot of honesty throughout the story. People are messed up, selfish, scared, just grasping at straws and thinking of the better times. I also enjoyed the relationship between Sigrid and Margit because that felt so genuine and candid. We Could Be Rats doesn't shy away from any topics really which I appreciated. But there are definitely quite a few triggers so this one could be tough for many readers.

This is my second book from Emily Austin the first being Interesting Facts About Space which I greatly enjoyed. We Could Be Rats is a deeply moving story that deals with some heavy topics so please read content warnings prior to reading. This story of sisterhood is emotional and helps the reader see that people are always going through something and you don't always see 100% of someone or know everything they are going through. I am also someone who likes to read stories told through letters. Definitely check this out, but please protect your mental health and check the trigger warnings.

Emily Austin writes about messiness, dysfunctional families, and poor mental health with so much grace and humor. Her pop culture references always hit just right for me. Every character felt genuine to me (I know exactly what being Facebook friends with Jerry would feel like). The story kept me on my toes as the narrative took unexpected turns throughout. I was never sure where things were going to go, but I was happy to be along for the ride. Even in a novel about drafting a suicide note, Austin manages to project hope without being heavy-handed or overly sappy. Special shout out to anyone who has “ruined” a holiday dinner: You will feel seen.

told in a series of letters and journal entries, 'we could be rats' is a story of sisters, misunderstanding, and identity. through this modality, it's easy to understand and empathize with all the characters - through their flaws and all. both sisters, sigrid and margot, were humanized in a way that they felt like real people you could meet at work or school. emily austin wrote so that you would root for them to find themselves and each other. i don't have a sister, and 'we could be rats' made me envy the connection and friction sisters have with each other.

while the letters (especially at the beginning) came across as repetitive, it felt authentic to real writing and processing of our feelings. i appreciated the personal growth apparent through these entries.

this was my first book by emily austin, but i will definitely be looking into her backlog and looking forward to the next.

4.25 stars

We Could Be Rats is a powerful, character-driven novel about sisterhood, survival, and self-discovery. The story follows Sigrid and Margit, who seem very different but share more than they realize. We Could Be Rats explores complex family struggles, mental health, addiction, and the pressure to meet expectations.

Though Sigrid and Margit's tone throughout is often hilarious, this book doesn’t shy away from heavy topics. The writing style is unique (told as an epistolary novel), and while the structure may seem unusual at first, it makes perfect, devasting sense as you hit the second act. With its mix of dark humor and deep emotion, We Could Be Rats is a moving story that stays with you. It’s perfect for anyone who has ever felt out of place, lost someone to addiction, or just wished they could escape reality, maybe even as a rat at the carnival.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publishers for this eARC!!

This is my first Emily Austin book and I found her writing style to be very enjoyable!! I appreciated how she skillfully addressed challenging topics with a blend of humor and grace. The journal entries in the book made it easy to form a real connection with the characters and gain insight into their past struggles. We Could Be Rats is a thought-provoking novel that explores the intricacies of sisterhood, mental health, and the lasting effects of a rough upbringing.