Might Cry Later

by Kay Kerr

A hilarious, romantic, messy, neurodivergent story of burnout for readers of Bonnie Garmus, Gabrielle Zevin and Meg Mason, by autistic author Kay Kerr.

Meet Nora Byrne. Over-thinker, under-achiever, champion vibes-killer.

After spectacularly blowing up her life, twenty-one-year-old Nora Byrne retreats to the family home with little to show for herself but a shiny new autism diagnosis. But it's hard to process this news under the critical eye of her mother, who already treats her like the black sheep, and the rest of her less-than-understanding family.

Worst of all, it's the week before Christmas, which means mandatory socialising with the neighbours - including Fran, her childhood best friend, last seen when she broke his heart (again).

Nora's only goal is to get through the interminable family dinners, awkward Fran encounters and excessive holiday festivities without crying, throwing up, or finding new ways to humiliate herself. But with her track record, it's not going to be easy ...

A heartfelt, hilarious and romantic story about burning out, coming home and finding yourself, no matter how messy and imperfect the process.


Praise for Might Cry Later

'Such a smart, funny, gorgeous evocation of the messy path to acceptance of self and others.' - Laura McPhee-Browne

'Finally, the messy, complex neurodivergent heroine I've been waiting for! I love Nora and I think you will, too.' - Clem Bastow

Genres: Fiction

Audible Audio

Published December 16, 2025

About the author

Kay Kerr is an autistic author and journalist from the Sunshine Coast, Queensland.

PLEASE DON'T HUG ME is Kay's first book, and was shortlisted for the Australian Book Industry Awards (ABIAs) Book of the Year for Older Readers. It was also a Children's Book Council of Australia (CBCA) 2021 Notable Book for Older Readers.

Her second novel, SOCIAL QUEUE, is a YA romance with an autistic girl at the heart of it. It was shortlisted for the Queensland Literary Awards, and also a CBCA Notable Book for Older Readers.

Her narrative non-fiction book, LOVE & AUTISM, is out now. It is an exploration and celebration of autistic lives, as well as a return to her journalistic roots.

Reviews

[Floren · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book felt so fucking authentic, vulnerable, and very easy to love from start to finish.

Might Cry Later is funny, tender, and quietly romantic, but also really sharp in how it highlights the weight of everyday things so many people take for granted or just never notice. Nora's thoughts, feelings, and reactions are written with so much honesty. Her path to acceptance of self and others is messy yet profoundly human.

The family dynamic — especially the avoidance and lack of understanding after Nora's autism diagnosis — made me want to scream, but also showed how much a person is shaped by their environment, for better or worse.

Kay Kerr does a wonderful job portraying how the world can weigh so much more heavily when you experience it differently.

[Caitlyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars
ARC review

Nora, a recently diagnosed autistic woman in her twenties, is burnt out. Seeking respite, she moves back into her family home to live with her passive father and critical mother. If that’s not enough, Christmas is around the corner and with it comes her siblings she has isolated herself from as an adult. Nora reflects on the moments in her youth that led her to where she is now while using her new-found knowledge and skills to try to cope with adversity better. Nora has been “the problem” her whole life and she goes on a journey to change her own thinking as well as her that of her loved ones. 

I’ve read a lot of books with autism-coded protagonists, but very few where they are explicitly identified as autistic and I loved how the author blended lived experience with clinical descriptions. I really relate to Nora and I feel like I could’ve written so many of her childhood experiences. Nora is a huge character, I feel like I could tell you so many things about her beyond her story in Might Cry Later. Kay Kerr doesn’t try to paint a picture of a perfect person with Nora and with all the conflict in her family, there is no true “villain” at the end of the day. There are strong themes of patience and forgiveness from all sides of the equation. 

My favourite thing about this book is Nora’s relationship with her niece and how comfortable she feels around the toddler. I love their connection and how Nora natural feels with someone young enough to not have expectations for how she should act. Their relationship definitely helped bridge the gap between Nora and her sister as well. 

There is a minor romantic subplot which is really important to Nora’s arc, but I didn’t care for it very much so my attention wavered a bit in the meat of it. I do appreciate that the love interest wasn’t treated like a remedy to all of her issues though, it’s kind of just the cherry on top!

[Jaclyn]

Kerr does an incredible job showing what it’s like to experience life, emotions and inter-personal relationships when you process the world differently. Nora has recently been diagnosed with autism and is trying to recalibrate the events of her life in light of this new understanding of herself. Not easy at any time but add the pressure of family Christmas and things get incredibly messy. Nora’s dysregulation and overwhelm was intense at times and the family dynamic felt claustrophobic and oppressive. I feel the cover makes this look like a much lighter read than it is. If you’re looking for real insight into neurodivergence through fiction, then this offers so much. I really loved the gentle messy love story within this much bigger story.

[Aoife Puri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pleasant read apart from when it was a little too relatable

[In The Loop About Books · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF on page 6 (2% in).

I really wanted to enjoy this book. It was my first adult novel that I would’ve read with an autistic protagonist, and I was excited to get to know Nora as a character. I was also looking forward to seeing how the romance with Fran would’ve been handled. But sadly, that didn’t happen.
The moment the prologue started, I had a difficult time following the events of the story. Well, except that all was not well. Things didn’t get better when I read the first chapter. It felt like I was reading words, but nothing substantial was happening in the story. Normally, I would’ve read at least 50 pages before I determine how I feel about the novel. But this time, I couldn’t take reading past the first chapter.

I’m saddened that this book was such a bust. But because of how difficult the story was to follow, this just wasn’t the novel for me.
Thank you for reading, and God bless!

[Amy Plant · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this so it’s more like a 3.5 star. I listened to it and the narrator and recording is what made it fall flat for me. (The narrator was very stop/start, kept fumbling words and restarting sentences)
I could hear authenticity in the author and that it was full of humour that would have been brilliant to read a physical copy.

[Courtney]

This hit a bit too close to home so struggling to rate it. It was well done though.

[Suzie B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Relatable in so many ways. Really good to see a genuine neurodivergent voice and all of the challenges which can be associated with maintaining relationships with others.

[Melissa Trevelion · Rating 4 out of 5]

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 memories, especially 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 add 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 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.

Thank you Beauty & Lace and Pan MacMillian Australia for the opportunity to r4ead and review.

[Tamsin Stanford · Rating 5 out of 5]

I felt this book deep in my bones. It was beautifully written, with the raw honesty that could have come straight from a personal journal. Many sentences felt like a gut-punch in their accuracy and made me "oof" out loud. Not ashamed to say that I did cry - while reading.

The blurb described it as "hilarious", which didn't fit with how I experienced this book. Perhaps it's funnier to neurotypical people, while ND folk may relate more to Nora's discomfort of just trying to 'be' in a family that won't let her.

Not a book I will forget in a hurry.

[Tiffanie Kendall · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

I really enjoyed the inner monologue of the main character Nora, so many passages hit me with that “oof” feeling. The writing and her perspective in the mess of figuring out herself and her relationships were the strongest parts of the book. Whilst I quite like a character driven book I did feel this lacked a little plot wise for me and there were parts where it dragged a little from a pacing pov. Nonetheless I think it was a well written and enjoyable book that I would recommend to someone who enjoys the style of character exploration through family relationships.

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ebook. It is somewhat mind blowing getting inside the head of someone with autism and adhd. The brilliant writing here does just that. We must all try and understand and it is hard. All of the characters in this book jump off the page and we care about them all because we understand their vulnerabilities and their stories. Thank God for Fran who we can come back to and can reset, just as Nora does.

[Raidah Idil · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The default of being at fault" SOB. IF this isn't the perfect encapsulation of neurodivergence, then I don't know what is.

I love this book! I am, admittedly, biased and adore everything written by Kay Kerr. However, 21 year old Norah's struggles hit harder because that was SUCH a hard age for me, too, as a late-diagnosed ND woman. Highly recommend!

[A · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s been a while since I was so thunderstruck by a book. The narrative voice and way of thinking is SO on point with my own experience of autism that I had to stop a few times to deep breathe and regulate myself.
The poignancy of it touched me deeply, especially dealing with a critical mother figure.
I think this book could be useful for other late diagnosed autistic women too. Recommended.

[Emma Faith · Rating 3 out of 5]

In some ways this felt very exhausting to read as you followed Nora’s character, the way it was written felt like you were living the character and the way Nora’s brain was working, very clever and heartfelt, I didn’t find it hilarious like it say on the book cover but nonetheless I’m not disappointed I read this

[Elijah Franco · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really fun book to read, I related hard to some of the themes of late diagnosed autistic and it had just the right amount of trauma with comedy. The characters were very well written and I felt like I was in their world.

[Elledog$$ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fantastically well developed characters. HORRIBLE writing style (in my OPINION)

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

What an interesting, thought-provoking and relatable narrative. Such a great insight to neurodivergence and the perceptions from family and friends, and their assumptions, projections and expectations.

I struggled a little with the pacing, but overall a unique and enjoyable read.

[Tammy O'Keefe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Might Cry Later is Kay Kerr’s debut adult novel, and I really enjoyed it.

The story follows Nora Byrne, a twenty-one-year-old self-described over-thinker and under-achiever who returns home after experiencing burnout and receiving an autism diagnosis. As Nora navigates complex family dynamics, reconnects with old friendships, and endures awkward holiday encounters, she tries to work out what she wants from life and what her next steps might be.

Not knowing a great deal about autism, I felt the author took me on a journey that helped me better understand just how challenging it can be to navigate yourself through the complexities of life.

The novel is thoughtful, relatable, and quietly moving in its exploration of identity, belonging, and self-acceptance.

[Nika · Rating 4 out of 5]

Might Cry Later – Kay Kerr ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Das perfekte Weihnachtsbuch, wenn man aus einer neurodivergenten Familie kommt.

Ich mochte die authentische Darstellung, der autistischen Protagonistin und ihre Erfahrungen mit der späten Diagnose. Wie ihre Familie damit umgeht und welche Tücken über die Feiertage auftreten.

Es ist eine sehr emotionale, aber auch mit vielen Erklärungen versehene Geschichte, die einen (meiner Meinung nach) sehr authentischen Einblick in die autistische Denkweise und alle ihre Vorzüge und Probleme gewährt. Das mochte ich persönlich sehr!

Klare Empfehlung meinerseits! Habt ihr ähnliche Bücher, die ihr vorschlagen könnt? Mit neurodivergenter Repräsentation? Interessiert euch das?