The strength of this story is in the relationship between Lizzie and her brother Justin. Having shared a traumatic incident during childhood, Lizzie and Justin are tied by the binds of the past. Neither of them has fully come to terms with the details of what happened and although Justin has settled into a comfortable life, Lizzie is still searching for herself and her place in the world.

The story is intricate in its portrayal of the nuances and personalities of the MC's. As such, I found it a little heavy to read at times. But persistence paid off as all the delicate tendrils wove together to complete the picture.

This is a very well written and detailed account of how the differences that separate us, can also be the ones that bring us together.

It was great to see two and both siblings take their own centre stage.
I love how the secrets kept were woven through the books and slowly exposed. It really showed too how siblings even with the same surroundings can feel, cope or depict things either the same or very very differently! And obviously in this book there were some major things these two sibling were going through so it added another layer of emotions and intrigue.
It was such a brilliant depiction of autism and ND. I loved how he got a main roll. We don't see enough of that. And it teaches alot. There are so many helpful hints and learning to take from his story. And it really showed me how these conditions really just need time and patience. But it's not impossible and infact is a must. Because it's sometimes just tiny adjustments or empathy that could change people's lives. And it something we need to do so much more of. And pronto.
I really liked this book. I'm glad it lived up to the emotional pull I had right from reading the blurb and wanting read it right away.

I enjoyed the story from Justin’s perspective and the way the author was able to tap into the truth behind autism. The author did a fabulous job showing life and how Justin navigates around his environments. What I struggled with is how the book felt over the top with LGBTQ. I almost put the book down before finishing due to this.

I have mixed feelings about this book, on one hand it was lovely and beautiful but on the other it angered me, the way people can be towards anyone who is perceived as different is so frustrating. I’ll never understand how you can love your child but not accept they need additional support.

I did expect the ‘plot twist’ but it was still great, i loved how it was so diverse and how it had good representation of disabilities, neurodiversity and LGBTQIA+

Overall it was a lovely book

Thank you NetGalley, J. Marie Rundquist and Book, Ink for providing me with an ARC of This Isn´t Everything You Are.

I really liked the story, I liked how two seemingly completely different siblings love and support each other. Particularly the depiction of Justin introdued me as you do not often read about autistic protagonists. It was interesting to learn more about coping mechanism, how small they can be, as well as about the general perception of people on the autism spectrum.

Lizzie's chapters did not speak to me as much as Justin's did. I never connected with her and her emotions. I also felt like some of the scenes (even after reading the book the beginning still comes to mind) were rather far fetched and quite cheesy. This is of course absolutely okay in a piece of fiction but I just usually don't like forced dialogue and/or too many compliments/expressions of adoration.

All in all this is a nice story but not necessarily for me.

This was an interesting book! I like how there were so many secrets and things that get uncovered throughout the book. I think the themes of family, love, betrayal, secrecy, and sibling relations are covered well!

Thank you to NetGalley, to the author, and to the publisher for this complementary ARC in exchange for my honest review!!!

thank you to netgalley, author j. marie rundquist, and book ink. for this ARC copy read of this isn’t everything you are.
this book is released dec 3, 2024.
the most stand out feature is justin’s depiction of autism which i liked and found accurate to my own experiences and feelings
the book was interesting in the way it dueled perspectives and allowed the tragedy of loss intertwine a story of love, loss and family.