Might Cry Later by Australian author Kay Kerr is an engaging fictional story of grief, identity and the messy, beautiful process of rebuilding a life after everything familiar falls apart.
The story follows twenty-one-year-old Nora Byrne as she returns home before Christmas. With little to show besides a new autism diagnosis, she is already emotionally stretched thin. Now under the scrutinising eye of her mother, a submissive father, and siblings she has not seen in years, Nora must navigate pressure, judgement, unresolved grief, old friendships, and feelings she has never fully processed.
Nora spends much of the novel reflecting, second-guessing herself, and revisiting her memories, especially those from her youth. From the very beginning, I felt drawn to her. She is awkward, funny, overwhelmed, and honest. Her autism is portrayed naturally, without explanation or judgement. I appreciated that Nora’s growth isn’t about changing who she is, but about learning to understand herself better and speak up for her needs. Her character challenges stereotypes and offers a realistic portrayal of autism that feels lived-in rather than explained.
The supporting cast of characters adds depth, conflict, and warmth to the story. Rather than always knowing the right thing to say or do, they often misunderstood Nora or struggled to support her in ways she needed. Fran Nora’s childhood best friend and key supporting character stood out to me because of his calm presence and willingness to sit with discomfort, allowing grief, anxiety, and uncertainty to exist without pressure to fix them. Through Fran, the novel highlights the importance of dependable friendships and reminds readers that sometimes simply being there is the most meaningful form of love and support.
I enjoyed Nora’s romantic relationship with Lucy Novak. It is not central to the novel, but it enriches the story, illustrating vulnerability and trust in love. This relationship exists quietly in the background, contributing to themes of friendship, identity, and the navigation of young adulthood.
Kay Kerr’s writing is sharp, warm, and deeply empathetic. The novel balances humour with heavy emotional moments, allowing readers to sit with discomfort while still finding hope. The conversational tone makes the story accessible and engaging. Diagnosed herself, Kerr’s representation of autism is respectful and authentic.
This book gave me a lot to think about, especially around how people experience grief and communicate differently. It opens conversations about neurodiversity and the expectations placed on young people. I think many readers will see parts of themselves or someone they love reflected in Nora’s story. I hope it encourages readers to reflect on how we communicate care and understanding, particularly when someone’s needs do not align with social expectations.
Might Cry Later is a finely crafted contemporary novel that examines grief, personal transformation, and the uncertain transition into adulthood. It offers readers a heartfelt journey and an honesty that lingers long after the final page. I highly recommend.
A selection of our Beauty and Lace Club members are reading Might Cry Later by Kay Kerr. You can read their comments below, or add your own review.
My love of books started at a very young age. My mum has always been a reader and encouraged me to read, buying me endless book from classic fairy tales advancing to the world of Enid Blyton, CS Lewis, Louisa May Alcott, Kathryn Kenny, Carolyn Keene, Francine Pascal. In my adult years the list of authors is endless and every room in my house is filled with books.
One of my favourite novels is Narnia which has always has a special place in my heart. I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes in 1978 and when I was given this book to read it let me escape to another world where I felt like I was in the book with all the characters, it wasfun and exciting to escape from reality and eased the ups and downs of the disease at such a young age.
In books nothing is impossible and there is endless potential and hundreds of places to explore or being taken to places that are only made up from the authors’ great minds, the past and future to navigate, characters lives you step into taking you on an emotional rollercoaster ride or being scared out of your wits. I can experience things that I can’t in real life because they’re not possible or real. It challenges my perspective and mindset expanding my worldview.
I find joy, comfort and peace with books, many people may not get it, but I know bookworms like me truly understand. Reading makes my heart happy.
Might Cry Later by author Kay Kerr really gives amazing insight on what it is to be Autistic throughout this novel. What this book delivered certainly wasn’t what I expected (in a good/great way). I followed character Nora, aged 21 and her journey in general and how it weaved in with being newly diagnosed with Autism. The lead up to her diagnosis gives insight into how she was stretched so beyond thin she felt as though she was just crashing and burning. Having returned home to live with her mother who constantly scrutinises Nora on a regular basis, living with her dad who is very submissive and trying to establish/reestablish relationships with siblings she has hardly seen in years she was set for even more turbulence with that time of year that some people come to dread most – Christmas. She is open to even more scrutiny and judgment.
This book offers numerous moments of hilarity, romance that help deliver on Nora’s messy life and how she copes with life’s ups and downs with her Autism diagnoses. It’s obvious that she is crushing on her neighbour/best friend Fran even all these years later. This novel hits all the right levels of what a heartfelt story can deliver and reminds us we can always come home and find yourself again.
Thanks to Beauty and Lace bookclub and Macmillan Australia for my copy of Might Cry Later.