Darcy is a librarian whose life took an unexpected and tragic turn, a few months ago, after hearing about her ex-boyfriend's tragic death. She believes she played a part in his death and had a mental breakdown. She is now back to work and living her life with her new wife and their cats, trying to adapt to a new reality and coping with her grief while going to therapy. Until the day something bizarre and unexpected happens at the library and not only her life but the whole community of people who frequent the library and/or live in the area turn upside down.

I'll just say it: this is not an easy book to read. This is not a light, heart-warming, heartfelt, cozy and delightful story to read about a librarian and her love for books. Nope. This is, in my opinion, a TOUGH book to read. It deals not only with grief and guilt over losing someone, but also to a very current topic in our society (this book is set in the United States, which is where something like this has been happening massively, but that can be witnessed in other countries, as well): banning books, attacking the freedom to read what we want, turning everything political under an extreme conservative scope.
What happens in this book is extremely and painfully realistic, so it doesn't make it easy to read. It doesn't even read like a fictional story. It is real. That sh*t is happening more and more right now, as I write this review, as you read it. Be aware that this book can be very triggering to a lot of readers. If you're too sensitive, maybe picking up this book to read is not the best choice. In case you're not, be aware that this story WILL make you angry. It WILL piss you off. It WILL make you extremely uncomfortable and unsettled. Why? Because it is REAL. This book might be a 'fiction work', but what the characters (the people who work at libraries) go through here is VERY REAL. What Emily Austin does here, perfectly, is to paint a modern picture of what has been happening to local libraries and bookish communities lately.

This was the third book I read from this author, and I do think that she writes very realistic, dense, intense, and current issues in our modern society. But I do believe that this book is her masterpiece. This is not a read to make you feel cozy and good about yourself. To simply feel seen. This is a read to make you question and to be self-aware of what's going on out there. To make you stop and reflect what kind of repercussions that scenario might bring to every single person involved in a community.

I'm not trying to discourage anyone to read this book. ON THE CONTRARY! Just be ready for it. Make sure your head is in a good space.
Also, this is an Emily Austin novel. If you have read any books by her you know there are likable and relatable protagonists, funny and amusing scenes here and there, an optimistic message in the end, and a beacon of hope.
In my opinion, and based only on my own reading experience with her books, this is Austin's least funny novel. But there are still bright moments within the most heavy and difficult chapters. I highly recommend it.

Thank you, NetGalley and Atria Books, for providing me with a free eARC of this novel in exchange for my honest opinion.

I have loved all of Emily Austin's works so far, and Is This a Cry for Help? was no different. This story follows Darcy, who returns to her job as a public librarian after a mental breakdown following the unexpected death of her ex-boyfriend. At the library, she is faced with conservative activists who want to ban books and change library programs as well as a patron emailing strange reference questions about birds.

Austin's writing is so relatable and easy to read. I finished this one in two sittings because I just couldn't put it down. She brings in interesting topics and nuanced characters. She takes us inside the main character's head as she struggles with grief and political disruptions at work. Darcy is such a great proponent for libraries and the services they provide.

Its hard to describe why I love Austin's works so much, especially as I primarily read historical fiction, but she keeps delivering 5 star reads for me. Her talent is truly unique.

I loved this. I do feel like this is probably the most approachable Emily Austin read. Really sweet despite being about heavy topics!! I find all of her characters to be so relatable and speak to me specifically.

Emily Austin’s Is This a Cry for Help? is a tender, raw, and unapologetically queer story that blends personal grief with timely social commentary. Following Darcy, a librarian returning to work after a mental health crisis triggered by the death of her ex-boyfriend, the novel explores grief, identity, and the pressures of navigating a world increasingly hostile to intellectual freedom. Austin balances heavy themes with humor and specificity, making Darcy feel both relatable and deeply real. This is a moving, insightful, and ultimately hopeful novel that highlights the importance of community, authenticity, and the freedom to read.

Is This a Cry for Help? is a moving, sharp, and unapologetically queer story that blends the personal with the political in ways that feel both chaotic and cohesive. Following Darcy, a librarian whose breakdown is triggered by the death of her ex-boyfriend, the novel explores the weight of grief alongside timely debates over book bans, censorship, and intellectual freedom. Austin handles heavy topics—mental health, compulsory heterosexuality, and reevaluating the past through the lens of lived experience—with a signature balance of earnestness and humor. The result is a narrative that feels deeply relatable while also reflecting the messy reality of queer existence today.

The book shines in its specificity and emotional honesty. Austin doesn’t just write about queer life in broad strokes; she brings in moments and reflections that feel intimately real. Darcy herself is Austin’s most layered and raw character. Austin delivers another powerful, gut-wrenchingly earnest novel that will leave readers feeling seen, shaken, and ultimately hopeful.

4.5 stars!
Wow. I’m not sure what I was expecting going into this novel as I’ve never read a book by this author, but I was blown away.
This book discussed complex grief in a way that was so real and raw and that I haven’t seen in other books in similar lanes. The humour mixed in with the various complex situations our main character was faced this makes this a book I know I’ll keep thinking back too!

With each new release, Emily Austin’s books gets more gut wrenchingly earnest and viscerally relatable. “Is This a Cry for Help”discusses themes of compulsory heterosexuality, censorship and book bans, and the reevaluating your past through the lens of your current lived experience. Austin touches on such an array of topics and issues that normally would feel overwhelming and disorganized together. However, in this novel the topics felt chaotically cohesive, reflecting the current political landscape and reality of queer existences.

“Is This a Cry For Help” is so unapologetically and earnestly lesbian. Austin speaks to experiences so specifically particular to lesbian relationships and experiences. Darcy, the main character, mentions hand selecting male crushes in elementary school based of social criteria, thinking everyone else had the same experience. She additionally discusses that realizing you are not attracted to men is significantly more difficult than realizing you are attracted to women. These experiences, as well as the inclusion of Tracy Chapman, made me as a lesbian feel specifically spoken to and seen.

Emily Austin is consistently crafting beautifully realistic characters. Darcy is her most developed and raw character to date. Darcy in some chapters felt like me, and in others felt like a close friend of mine. Either way, she felt so tangible and layered. Additionally, Darcy and Joy’s relationship shows a realistic joyful lesbian relationship In a beautiful manner.

In my copy there were slight spacing errors such as a sentence abruptly ending on a new line, despite the prior line not being filled to competition. Additionally some dialogue was missing beginning or ending quotation. No major spelling or grammatical errors tho

This is the first book by Emily Austin I have read. Austin skillfully incorporates a number of issues to do with relationships, communities, library topics, grief, and therapy. Austin delves into the main character Darcy's relationship with her wife, Joy. Austin spends a fair amount of focus in the book on Ben, Darcy's now-deceased boyfriend of five years, and the influence that relationship still has on Darcy. In some ways, the time spent on Ben and that relationship seems a bit repetitive and a bit out of the plot.

Having worked in and been in charge of libraries in my professional life, I particularly enjoyed the issues Darcy has to deal with regarding library subjects, including censorship, quixotic reference questions (including those about birds and homosexuality), demonstrations about what books should be banned, and who can view what in a library. The characters involved in the demonstrations, both pro and con library freedom are sometimes quite humorous. Darcy's relationships with certain other library employees are also well-developed and entertaining. Darcy deals skillfully with Mordecai, another library worker.

Darcy's meetings with her therapist mostly relate to her five years with Ben. Darcy also deals with taking two months of sick leave because of her subsequent mental health issues. Thus, perhaps, the possible cry for help.

Thanks to Atria Books and Net Galley for the opportunity to read this book.

This wasn’t as heavy as I expected to be, but it still hit a little too close to reality. Reading is an escape for me so this wasn’t quite the read for me. I’d definitely try this author again.

I read to escape reality and put off reading this ARC for a few weeks because I knew the themes would hit too close to home in today's political climate and anti-intellectualism rise. I was pleasantly surprised by the tone of the book and even read it in one day! There are important themes such as censorship, book banning, identity, and societal expectations. Austin wrote about them in an entertaining way and it wasn't too infuriating to read, which was my worry. I loved the portrayal of Darcy and Joy's relationship and Darcy's reflections that she can truly be herself with Joy.

Is This a Cry for Help? showcases the importance of libraries and intellectual freedom and living an authentic life.

Emily Austin is, to me at least, the undisputed master of writing lesbians that have A Lot Going On in the mental health arena, and as a lesbian who also feels that way, I appreciate it. Darcy, our main character, is a lesbian librarian who has recently returned from work after having to take some time off for her mental health. She is attempting to navigate a complicated grieving process while dealing with the rise in book banning challenges in her community.

I really enjoy the way Austin writes in a confessional, almost diary-like format. The characters feel very real this way and we get a good glimpse into what they are thinking and feeling. Some of the book felt a little like it was preaching to the choir, as people who are pro banning books don't exactly feel like this book's target demographic, and at it times took me out of the story. However, it wasn't enough to really diminish my enjoyment of the read. I really loved the relationship between Darcy and Joy and, of course, all the cats.

Thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for this ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

Is This a Cry for Help? is a thoughtful, tender novel about grief, identity, and the messy process of healing. Emily Austin balances heavy themes—mental health struggles, guilt, late-in-life coming out, and homophobia. I am impressed with how Emily Austin handled the topics that are within this book. It reflects what we are dealing with in society right now and it really makes you think. Emily managed to create a book that is cozy, but also makes you feel emotions and real frustration.

This is not my typical genre-style, but I am very glad I chose to read this. I did get confused a few times due to how the writing style is done, and took a bit to get into. But once I was able to follow along better, the read was worth it.

This book was hard to get into at first, but it got better. I like the characters in the book. This book dealt with a few different topics that I connected with and I think others would as well. I would definitely read another one of her books.

Everything I expect from Emily Austin. This one didn’t disappoint. The writing, the monologues, everything was perfect and society needs to be reading. Acceptance, anger, frustration, and finding oneself.

In Emily Austin's new novel we follow a lesbian librarian, Darcy, experiencing a mental health crisis after she discovers her ex-boyfriend is dead. Alongside her guilt and grief, Darcy is also subject to extremists in her library demanding books and programs promoting "certain agendas" be removed. It's a layered story about grief and remorse as well as censorship and political extremism. I've read many Emily Austin books now so I was very excited to get to read this one so early! It's in similar tone and theme to her other novels but with, I think, even more impact.

Thank you NetGalley and Atria books for the ARC and my honest review!

This was my first book by Emily Austin and I am officially a new fan! Is This A Cry For Help? follows Darcy post-mental health crisis as she gets back into her routine as a public librarian, only to find herself unwillingly in the middle of a conservative protest to ban books at the library. This was so relevant to what’s happening in libraries and around the US (and the world) today with censorship and the vocal, vitriolic rhetoric pushed by many right-wing groups. I really loved the exploration of grief, anxiety, identity, and community. I wish we had more interactions with Mordecai (wonderful side character!) but overall think the plot and character development was wonderful.

Emily Austin consistently writes stories that speak to me in a way that so few do and I’m so grateful that she does. Is This a Cry for Help? is a beautiful story of love, grief, acceptance, and the power of community, connection, and libraries and I loved every second of it. Beautifully written and excellently crafted, I cannot recommend this book enough.

*Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review*

As soon as I heard that Emily Austin is releasing a new book about libraries I rushed to get an e-arc! As a long time lover of libraries and a library worker myself (hello fellow pages!), I knew I was going to really love this book. This book touches on so many issues like library censorship, anti-LGBTQ+ sentiments and the importance of therapy with such love and care.

Even though I work a library, it wasn't boring to read about how libraries work and some of the problems libraries have to encounter; I would just nod and laugh to myself about how accurate some things are. Our main character was so interesting and her personal struggles were so real, I'm sure many people would resonate with her. This was such a funny yet enlightening read, I was constantly thinking about it and would totally read it in one sitting if I could.

Everyone go visit your local library and say thank you to your public library workers!

first off, thank you to netgalley and atria books for this earc!! the love that i have for emily austin’s writing is immeasurable. this book was powerful and highlighted topics that are so important. especially in today’s world. it explores mental heath, grief, sexuality, and the importance of community. this book honestly was a love letter to librarians and libraries. it was perfect!!

I was already a fan of Emily Austin's novels prior to reading this, but this one might be my new favourite of hers.

"Is This a Cry for Help?" follows the protagonist, Darcy, in returning to work as a librarian after a two-month leave of absence for a mental breakdown triggered by the death of her ex-boyfriend. A late-in-life lesbian, Darcy works through her personal grief while her library comes under attack by conservative members of the public who want to ban books and restrict programming.

This book was a comfort to me as I also recently ended a six-year relationship with a man and have come out as a late-in-life lesbian. I found Darcy's complicated musings on her relationship with her ex (especially during the therapy sessions) thoughtful and profound. While Darcy is not explicitly identified as neurodivergent, her cut-and-dry internal and external dialogue punctuates difficult situations with humour. I could not put this book down and can't wait for others to read it.