Is This a Cry for Help? by Emily Austin: Book Review

Is This a Cry for Help? is the latest release by Canadian author Emily Austin. Expected to be released on January 13, 2026, it follows Darcy on her journey for forgiveness and healing. After finding out an ex has passed away, Darcy finds herself having a mental breakdown. Upon returning to work a few months later, she finds she’s still struggling with guilt while trying to advocate for the library in which she works.

I want to thank Simon & Schuster Canada, Scribner and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of Is This a Cry for Help?. However, all opinions expressed here are solely mine.

Synopsis from Goodreads

Darcy’s life turned out better than she could have ever imagined. She is a librarian at the local branch, while her wife Joy runs a book-binding service. Between the two of them, there is no more room on their shelves with their ample book collections, various knick-knacks and bobbles, and dried bouquets. Rounding out their ideal life is two cats and a sun-soaked house by the lake.

But when Darcy receives the news that her ex-boyfriend, Ben, has passed away, she spirals into a pit of guilt and regret, resulting in a mental breakdown and medical leave from the library. When she returns to work, she is met by unrest in her community and protests surrounding intellectual freedom, resulting in a call for book bans and a second look at the branch’s upcoming DEI programs.

Through the support of her community, colleagues, and the personal growth that results from examining her previous relationships, Darcy comes into her own agency and the truest version of herself. Is This a Cry for Help? not only offers a moving portrait of queer life after coming of age but also powerfully explores questions about sexuality, community, and the importance of libraries.

My Opinions

Is This a Cry for Help? is being marketed as a humor book. I’m sorry, but I didn’t see any humor in the book. We join Darcy on part of her journey of healing and forgiveness. There is nothing humorous about that. This is a contemporary novel, through and through. Other topics discussed in the book are about libraries and what they provide for their communities. As a reader and lover of libraries, I was already familiar with much of the information shared here. But I did not know it all. And of course, the services provided by libraries vary from community to community.

Darcy is a flawed character, but that makes her more realistic. Who among us hasn’t wondered if we’ve taken the right path in life? Or look back with regret at relationships? Joy is an excellent counterbalance to Darcy. Don’t get me wrong, she’s flawed too. Who is ever 100% perfect? But Joy knows she has flaws, and she embraces them. Along the way, she cares for those important to her.

The chapters contained page breaks when there were changes of scene, and often when there were changes in time. Darcy would often go back in time and examine her relationship with Ben. Many times, there were page breaks to give readers a heads-up that this was happening. Other times, you may not realize it until you are in the middle of the story.

I found myself wondering if Sophie and January were needed in the story. Sophie is Joy’s sister, and at the beginning of the story, she was pregnant. Before the first chapter is over, Joy is off to spend time with her sister and baby January. Maybe their purpose is that Darcy has to spend time without her anchor nearby?

Overall, Is This a Cry for Help? is an interesting read. Be prepared to examine your mental health and relationship with the world around you.

Are you looking for some more books to read? Check out my bookish lists, book reviews, and monthly reading wrap-ups.