Is This A Cry For Help?

Is This A Cry For Help? By Emily Austin Pre-Order January 13th 2026

From bestselling author Emily Austin, acclaimed as the “queen of darkly quirky, endearingly flawed heroines” (Sarah Haywood), comes Is This a Cry for Help?, a luminous, heartfelt novel about grief, personal growth, and the power of libraries to transform lives. Perfect for fans of contemporary fiction with queer representation and witty, emotionally rich protagonists.

Darcy has built a life she loves: a lakeside home, a career as a librarian, a loving wife named Joy, two cats, and shelves overflowing with books and treasured knickknacks. But when she learns of her ex-boyfriend Ben’s passing, past regrets and guilt send her into a spiral, culminating in a mental breakdown and a leave from work.

Returning to the library, Darcy faces a community in turmoil: protests, book bans, and debates over DEI programs challenge everything she thought she knew about her town and herself. Supported by her wife, colleagues, and community, Darcy learns to confront her past, embrace her agency, and rediscover her truest self.

Is This a Cry for Help? is a moving exploration of queer life, sexuality, community, and resilience, celebrating the importance of libraries, empathy, and finding one’s voice.