Rebecca Wait delivers a sharp, darkly funny, and emotionally layered story in I’m Sorry You Feel That Way. At the center of the novel are twins Alice and Hanna, whose strained relationship with each other—and their difficult, emotionally unpredictable mother—forms the heart of the narrative. The novel dissects a family dynamic marked by silence, resentment, and mental health struggles, all handled with a balance of humor and emotional insight.

Wait has a remarkable ability to blend biting wit with genuine empathy. Her characters are flawed and fully human, their internal lives rendered with care and complexity. The family’s dysfunction is slowly peeled back through shifting perspectives and timelines, allowing readers to understand how the past continues to echo in the present.

Though the story occasionally loses momentum due to its fragmented structure, it’s ultimately a powerful examination of the long-term impact of familial trauma. The humor, though dry and often bleak, never undercuts the emotional gravity—it enhances it.

I’m Sorry You Feel That Way doesn’t offer easy resolutions, but it does offer a keen and compassionate exploration of what it means to live with—and try to move beyond—the emotional burdens we inherit.

A smart, darkly humorous novel that explores family, identity, and mental health with both honesty and heart. Rebecca Wait is a writer with a distinct voice worth paying attention to.

Rebecca Wait’s I'm Sorry You Feel That Way is a deeply engaging novel that delves into the intricacies of family dynamics and personal growth. Centered around the lives of Celia and her three children—Michael, Hanna, and Alice—the story explores themes of grief, mental health, and the ripple effects of familial discord.

The novel begins with Aunt Katy’s funeral, which serves as a catalyst for unraveling the complex relationships within the family. Through a rich narrative that shifts between past and present, Wait reveals how childhood experiences and unresolved conflicts shape the characters’ adult lives. The storytelling is both poignant and wry, balancing moments of humor with the gravity of emotional struggles.

Wait’s writing is notable for its depth and nuance. The characters are vividly drawn, each grappling with their own flaws and traumas. This multidimensional portrayal invites readers to understand and empathize with their journeys, even when their actions are challenging to accept.

The novel’s exploration of mental health is handled with sensitivity and insight, addressing how familial patterns and personal experiences influence one's mental well-being. The alternating timelines enhance the narrative, offering a comprehensive view of how past events continue to impact the characters' lives.

I'm Sorry You Feel That Way is a thoughtful and well-crafted examination of family and self-discovery. Its combination of emotional depth, humor, and character development makes it a compelling read that resonates on multiple levels.

I’m Sorry You Feel That Way

Rebecca Wait

This was a pretty good read. Funny in parts, sad in others. I did enjoy it but there was just something missing too. Not quite sure what. Good writing though and would definitely give this author’s next book a shot.

I'm Sorry You Feel That Way by Rebecca Wait is a poignant and thought-provoking exploration of grief, forgiveness, and the complexities of human relationships. Wait's raw and honest portrayal of characters grappling with loss and redemption creates a deeply moving narrative that resonates with authenticity and emotional depth.

This was a different genre of book than what I normally read but I enjoyed it and would recommend it if you are looking for something different than your usual read!

Loved this! Thought it was so fun and quirky, and have been recommending it to my friends and book club as well. Anecdotally, love the cover too!

I'm Sorry You Feel That Way follows the lives of Celia and her three children - Michael, Hanna and Alice.
As someone who studied sociology I found this such a captivating exploration of dysfunctional family dynamics and how our childhoods shape our ability to form meaningful connections in later life.

I really enjoyed reading the story from multiple points of view, as it gave me a chance to sympathise with each character and better understand why they behaved the way they did.
The characters themselves were very well-rounded and despite each of them being flawed and often unlikable it was easy to find little glimpses in each of them to relate to.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Wow ! This read completely captivated me from the first page to the last
I couldn’t resist devouring this in one sitting

I felt really privileged to get a first read of book as I now spot it in every bookshop I trip and fall into.
The cover caught my attention when selecting this read and the story within its pages did not disappoint.
Whilst not the world's most earth shattering premise, the actual story was fresh and told with humour and emotion.

I "liked" the exploration of mental health rep in this book, showing family dynamics and the complexities of mental illness, loneliness, depression, and the part that family dysfunctionality can play on mental health too

I can’t believe it’s taken me so long to get to this book because it was so amazing!!! It was such a simple yet conflicting story that was still light and heartwarming. It’s such a shame I fell of the face of the earth while this book was still an ARC but I will definitely be recommending it to everyone now that I’m back on in the book reviewing game.

A brilliant novel about a dysfunctional family as they navigate mental health breakdowns, emotional coldness and difficult relationships. The characters are so well drawn and there’s both tragedy and humour in their lives. The novel begins at Aunt Katy’s funeral where it emerges there’s a rift between Hanna and her sister and their neurotic mum Celia. Each chapter delves into the family’s past exploring what has led to their fractious relationships.

Family dynamics are always fascinating. I look at my own family and I have to laugh at who talks to who, who doesn't talk to who, who the black sheep are (yes are, it’s a big family) and who has these annoying foibles that we just let be. Every family has a dynamic that is unique to them. This is the crux of Rebecca Wait's I'm Sorry You Feel That Way. It is about the nuances that all families have and how they can impact you on a daily basis.

The dynamics for Alice and Hanna parallel their mothers relationship with her sister and overall the matriarch seems to filter down her "special ways" which impact the rest of the family. It is such an interesting story, especially with the multi generational perspective.

I honestly didn't expect to enjoy I'm Sorry You Feel That Way as much as I did. This one will linger with me for a while.

I'm Sorry You Feel That Way by Rebecca Wait is available now.

For more information regarding Quercus (@QuercusBooks) please visit www.quercusbooks.co.uk.

Bittersweet, funny and tender exploration of mental health and family dynamics.

The story opens at a funeral, providing an opportunity to bring the characters together and unveil the family conflict, before moving around timelines and perspectives to understand how the impasse arose.

Well observed, believable and moving.

Following two dysfunctional sisters as they reconnect, Wait’s novel explores how generations pass down trauma to their children and how that impact can last forever. As Larkin said, ‘they fuck you up, your mum and dad.’ - if you’re not sure that that’s true, read this novel.

I really enjoyed this book about sibling relationships and family dynamics! I found both Alice and Hanna to be realistic characters who I enjoyed reading about. There were some funny moments and lines that did well to balance the more serious themes. I definitely agree that fans of Sorrow and Bliss would enjoy this novel.

Rebecca Wait's I'm Sorry You Feel That Way is funny and moving exploring family relationships with brilliant characters.
3 stars.

I really enjoyed this. It's funny, dark and twisty. The relationship between Alice and Hanna was so fascinating and kept me guessing until the end. The representation of mental health was really interesting, complex and different. I'm definitely excited to see what Rebecca Wait writes next.

I’m Sorry You Feel That Way is a first book by Rebecca Wait that I’ve read and I didn’t really know what to expect. I usually like books about family dynamics and relationships so decided to give it a go. I can’t say this was a gripping read but it was engaging. Some parts of the story were more interesting than others, and some characters better drawn out. I found the writing irritating, with constant jumping in tenses, at times 3 in the same sentence! Overall, a decent story but not a particularly memorable one.

Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book. I enjoyed the writing style and characters. A good read!