What do you think?
Rate this book
We Are Not Like Them
Told from alternating perspectives, this novel follows two women, one Black and one white, whose friendship is indelibly altered by a tragic event.
Jen and Riley have been best friends since kindergarten. As adults, they remain as close as sisters, though their lives have taken different directions. Jen married young, and after years of trying, is finally pregnant. Riley pursued her childhood dream of becoming a television journalist and is poised to become one of the first Black female anchors of the top news channel in their hometown of Philadelphia.
But the deep bond they share is severely tested when Jen’s husband, a city police officer, is involved in the shooting of an unarmed Black teenager. Six months pregnant, Jen is in freefall as her future, her husband’s freedom, and her friendship with Riley are thrown into uncertainty. Covering this career-making story, Riley wrestles with the implications of this tragic incident for her Black community, her ambitions, and her relationship with her lifelong friend.
We Are Not Like Them is both a powerful conversation starter and a celebration of the enduring power of friendship.
Jen and Riley have been best friends since kindergarten. As adults, they remain as close as sisters, though their lives have taken different directions. Jen married young, and after years of trying, is finally pregnant. Riley pursued her childhood dream of becoming a television journalist and is poised to become one of the first Black female anchors of the top news channel in their hometown of Philadelphia.
But the deep bond they share is severely tested when Jen’s husband, a city police officer, is involved in the shooting of an unarmed Black teenager. Six months pregnant, Jen is in freefall as her future, her husband’s freedom, and her friendship with Riley are thrown into uncertainty. Covering this career-making story, Riley wrestles with the implications of this tragic incident for her Black community, her ambitions, and her relationship with her lifelong friend.
We Are Not Like Them is both a powerful conversation starter and a celebration of the enduring power of friendship.
336 pages, Paperback
First published October 5, 2021
2456 people are currently reading
74926 people want to read
About the author
Christine Pride
4 books633 followersChristine Pride is a writer, editor, and longtime publishing veteran. She’s held editorial posts at many different trade imprints, including Doubleday, Broadway, Crown, Hyperion, and Simon & Schuster. As an editor, Christine has published a range of books, with a special emphasis on inspirational stories and memoirs, including numerous New York Times bestsellers. As a freelance editorial consultant, she does select editing and proposal/content development, as well as teaching and coaching, and pens a regular column—“Race Matters”—for Cup of Jo. She lives in New York City.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 5,083 reviews
September 29, 2021
We Are Not Like Them will be a fabulous choice for book clubs, which is likely exactly what it was written for. In fact, it almost constantly throws up talking points as if the authors were working through a list of topics. I just wanted it to be more complex and interesting than it was.
The premise sounds great, but I don't think the book ever really lived up to it. The blurb posits that Jen and Riley, who are white and black respectively, are the bestest of friends, and have been for pretty much their whole lives. Like sisters, even. When Jen's husband, a police officer, is involved in the shooting of an unarmed black boy, politics and calls for social justice worm their way into the women's friendship.
I was curious about this. What happens when two people who are so close become divided by race? Except the authors never really take us there at all. From the very first time we meet Riley and Jen, we see the former inwardly cringing as Jen jokes about "CPT", biting her tongue as she recalls how Jen never gets her problem with strangers touching her hair. And Jen seems to use Riley to borrow money and get a free lunch. Is this the close friendship I came for? Seems one-sided at best.
This fact, I feel, weakens the impact of the rest of the book. Oh, suddenly Riley and Jen aren't talking? Well, not such a great loss after all. I found Jen incredibly selfish and I have to say, at the novel's close, I'm not sure what lessons she had really learned.
While it's nice that It also felt like a bit of a cop-out (no pun intended) that Jen's husband was the less culpable shooter, paving the way for .
The premise sounds great, but I don't think the book ever really lived up to it. The blurb posits that Jen and Riley, who are white and black respectively, are the bestest of friends, and have been for pretty much their whole lives. Like sisters, even. When Jen's husband, a police officer, is involved in the shooting of an unarmed black boy, politics and calls for social justice worm their way into the women's friendship.
I was curious about this. What happens when two people who are so close become divided by race? Except the authors never really take us there at all. From the very first time we meet Riley and Jen, we see the former inwardly cringing as Jen jokes about "CPT", biting her tongue as she recalls how Jen never gets her problem with strangers touching her hair. And Jen seems to use Riley to borrow money and get a free lunch. Is this the close friendship I came for? Seems one-sided at best.
This fact, I feel, weakens the impact of the rest of the book. Oh, suddenly Riley and Jen aren't talking? Well, not such a great loss after all. I found Jen incredibly selfish and I have to say, at the novel's close, I'm not sure what lessons she had really learned.
While it's nice that It also felt like a bit of a cop-out (no pun intended) that Jen's husband was the less culpable shooter, paving the way for .
October 13, 2021
5 stars for this powerful, riveting novel.
Riley, a Black news reporter, and Jen, a white pregnant woman, have been best friends since kindergarten. They’ve managed to stay close throughout the years despite distance and different life paths.
Just a short time after Riley moves back to her hometown, Jen’s husband, a police officer named Kevin, is involved in the shooting of an unarmed Black teenager. Riley is set to report on the story, but her relationship with Jen will forever be changed.
I don’t know if I can give this book the proper justice it deserves, but all I can say is WOW!
It’s an intense, raw look at racism, prejudices, police brutality, white privilege, and biases. It’s also a moving and powerful book that examines friendships, family ties, love, and loss. Some moments are uncomfortable, but we should all be reading about these uncomfortable moments and having uncomfortable conversations.
I found the story to be incredibly moving and powerful. It is clearly a relevant topic, and I appreciate how authors Christine Pride and Jo Piazza (real life interracial friends) let us into Riley and Jen’s headspace. I knew exactly what they were thinking at all given times...going through turmoil, heartache, rage, regret, etc.
We Are Not Like Them is thought provoking and timely. I felt like I was on an emotional rollercoaster, but didn’t want to get off. I was sad when it ended. Not only is this going to be one of my favorite reads of 2021, it’s also one of my favorite books I’ve read.
The Q&A with the authors in the physical hardcover edition is a real treasure as well.
Now available.
Review also posted at: https://bonkersforthebooks.wordpress.com
Riley, a Black news reporter, and Jen, a white pregnant woman, have been best friends since kindergarten. They’ve managed to stay close throughout the years despite distance and different life paths.
Just a short time after Riley moves back to her hometown, Jen’s husband, a police officer named Kevin, is involved in the shooting of an unarmed Black teenager. Riley is set to report on the story, but her relationship with Jen will forever be changed.
I don’t know if I can give this book the proper justice it deserves, but all I can say is WOW!
It’s an intense, raw look at racism, prejudices, police brutality, white privilege, and biases. It’s also a moving and powerful book that examines friendships, family ties, love, and loss. Some moments are uncomfortable, but we should all be reading about these uncomfortable moments and having uncomfortable conversations.
I found the story to be incredibly moving and powerful. It is clearly a relevant topic, and I appreciate how authors Christine Pride and Jo Piazza (real life interracial friends) let us into Riley and Jen’s headspace. I knew exactly what they were thinking at all given times...going through turmoil, heartache, rage, regret, etc.
We Are Not Like Them is thought provoking and timely. I felt like I was on an emotional rollercoaster, but didn’t want to get off. I was sad when it ended. Not only is this going to be one of my favorite reads of 2021, it’s also one of my favorite books I’ve read.
The Q&A with the authors in the physical hardcover edition is a real treasure as well.
Now available.
Review also posted at: https://bonkersforthebooks.wordpress.com
October 11, 2021
Real and raw, a ripped from the headlines story.
"It kills me how some people want so badly to believe racism is buried beneath layers and layers of history, 'ancient history' they say. But it's not. It's like an umpire brushing the thinnest layer of dirt off home plate: it's right there. Only too often the trauma, the toll of it, remains unknown generation after generation."
Jen is white, Riley is Black. The two women have been friends since they were children, now Jen is married to police officer Kevin and is pregnant after suffering from infertility and receiving IVF. Riley is a single television journalist making a name for herself in the large Philadelphia market. The two meet to catch up on their lives and are interrupted by a text--a fourteen-year-old unarmed Black teen has been shot by police, and Kevin is involved.
From here, the story is told by both Jen's and Riley's perspectives. Riley is covering the story and Jen is navigating things from the other side. Jen is caught between two worlds and Riley is hesitant to confront Jen about various issues. The two become estranged at times throughout the process, and eventually are able to be honest with each other about race, friendship, and loyalty.
There's a great deal to unpack in this story, and many of the issues brought up from Riley's point-of-view may cause discomfort with some readers who aren't ready to confront privilege and microaggression. I could see my own views and the views of people I know reflected in the narrative, and honestly appreciated Christine Pride's vulnerability with her writing. I read an interview that said that Piazza and Pride collaboratively wrote the book, rather than one writing the white characters and one writing the Black ones, and I think the book is better for that collaboration. This means the novel reflects the stumbling blocks we all face as human beings in addition to those that are specifically race related.
The examination of police culture, especially within families, is an important thread in this book and becomes more poignant at the end. Those who believe that there are simple explanations and solutions to the complex racial issues in our society can clearly see from this narrative that there is more to everything below the surface and will require some painful re-examination of long held beliefs and practices.
I highly recommend this powerful and meaningful novel. It is incredibly relevant to the world we live in today, and necessary if we want to change and grow into better people.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
"It kills me how some people want so badly to believe racism is buried beneath layers and layers of history, 'ancient history' they say. But it's not. It's like an umpire brushing the thinnest layer of dirt off home plate: it's right there. Only too often the trauma, the toll of it, remains unknown generation after generation."
Jen is white, Riley is Black. The two women have been friends since they were children, now Jen is married to police officer Kevin and is pregnant after suffering from infertility and receiving IVF. Riley is a single television journalist making a name for herself in the large Philadelphia market. The two meet to catch up on their lives and are interrupted by a text--a fourteen-year-old unarmed Black teen has been shot by police, and Kevin is involved.
From here, the story is told by both Jen's and Riley's perspectives. Riley is covering the story and Jen is navigating things from the other side. Jen is caught between two worlds and Riley is hesitant to confront Jen about various issues. The two become estranged at times throughout the process, and eventually are able to be honest with each other about race, friendship, and loyalty.
There's a great deal to unpack in this story, and many of the issues brought up from Riley's point-of-view may cause discomfort with some readers who aren't ready to confront privilege and microaggression. I could see my own views and the views of people I know reflected in the narrative, and honestly appreciated Christine Pride's vulnerability with her writing. I read an interview that said that Piazza and Pride collaboratively wrote the book, rather than one writing the white characters and one writing the Black ones, and I think the book is better for that collaboration. This means the novel reflects the stumbling blocks we all face as human beings in addition to those that are specifically race related.
The examination of police culture, especially within families, is an important thread in this book and becomes more poignant at the end. Those who believe that there are simple explanations and solutions to the complex racial issues in our society can clearly see from this narrative that there is more to everything below the surface and will require some painful re-examination of long held beliefs and practices.
I highly recommend this powerful and meaningful novel. It is incredibly relevant to the world we live in today, and necessary if we want to change and grow into better people.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
November 13, 2021
I loved the potential this book carried - two authors, one white and one black, explore the complexities of friendship and race after a devastating event.
What I was hoping to get: unique, authentic perspectives from each author on the topics of racism and social injustice.
What I got: an unauthentic, under-developed story of friendship that was frustratingly one-sided.
I wanted this to go deeper into the topics but instead this reads as a bulleted list of How Not to be Racist in 2021. It was a lot of Riley telling Jen but not a lot of showing . So many convenient choices were made when I feel like the authors should've been challenging these characters more.
I didn't walk away with anything here which is disappointing as there was unbelievable potential to deliver something profound. A missed opportunity to leverage two unique perspectives on critical topics.
Many wonderful reviewers are giving this 5-stars and I highly encourage anyone to read those reviews. This was underwhelming for me but it may be the right story for you. Cheers!
What I was hoping to get: unique, authentic perspectives from each author on the topics of racism and social injustice.
What I got: an unauthentic, under-developed story of friendship that was frustratingly one-sided.
I wanted this to go deeper into the topics but instead this reads as a bulleted list of How Not to be Racist in 2021. It was a lot of Riley telling Jen but not a lot of showing . So many convenient choices were made when I feel like the authors should've been challenging these characters more.
I didn't walk away with anything here which is disappointing as there was unbelievable potential to deliver something profound. A missed opportunity to leverage two unique perspectives on critical topics.
Many wonderful reviewers are giving this 5-stars and I highly encourage anyone to read those reviews. This was underwhelming for me but it may be the right story for you. Cheers!
August 22, 2021
5 huge stars.
This is a powerful and emotional co-written story of an interracial friendship whose strong bonds, forged since childhood, are severely tested by a devastating incident. Jen is finally pregnant thanks to repeated and expensive IVF treatment and Riley is now a successful TV journalist and hopefully poised to become one of the first black anchor presenters in Philadelphia. When we first meet them in a Philadelphia bar, their whip smart dialogue reveals a long and comfortable friendship in which they feel like loving sisters. When Jen receives a text message from her cop husband she rushes off and you take a deep breath because you just know deep in your heart that it’s bad. A fourteen year old black teenager Justin Dwyer has been shot and severely injured. The shocking story is told in alternating perspectives as Riley covers the story for her TV channel and Jen stands by her man. For the first time in their long friendship race plays a huge role in their relationship. Can it survive or will fault lines open the size of San Andreas and never be healed?
I don’t feel that whatever I say here can fully do this book justice as it’s a turbulent, gut wrenching and raw emotional rollercoaster as you realise through the two narratives that they see and experience the world very differently. The dual approach works brilliantly as it’s very balanced with the opposing perspectives and this is what gives the book such credibility. It’s very interesting to compare and contrast their views, both of them are in a state of turmoil although on occasions if I’m honest, Jen is hard to like. The interracial authoring gives the book a distinctly honest edge and an air of truthfulness. It’s extremely well written, perfectly paced and very hard to put down. Some of Riley’s sections are especially emotional as it reveals entrenched injustice in her family which goes back generations, it freezes your blood and fills your eyes with tears. Her grandmother Gigi is a wonderful character who imparts such wisdom and a sense of hope.
Overall, the book clearly raises very important questions and I think examining them from the narrower perspective of two friends makes it much more effective, powerful, very thought provoking and hard hitting so much so that you feel as if you have been in an emotional wringer. It’s fantastic and I highly recommend it.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to HQ for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
This is a powerful and emotional co-written story of an interracial friendship whose strong bonds, forged since childhood, are severely tested by a devastating incident. Jen is finally pregnant thanks to repeated and expensive IVF treatment and Riley is now a successful TV journalist and hopefully poised to become one of the first black anchor presenters in Philadelphia. When we first meet them in a Philadelphia bar, their whip smart dialogue reveals a long and comfortable friendship in which they feel like loving sisters. When Jen receives a text message from her cop husband she rushes off and you take a deep breath because you just know deep in your heart that it’s bad. A fourteen year old black teenager Justin Dwyer has been shot and severely injured. The shocking story is told in alternating perspectives as Riley covers the story for her TV channel and Jen stands by her man. For the first time in their long friendship race plays a huge role in their relationship. Can it survive or will fault lines open the size of San Andreas and never be healed?
I don’t feel that whatever I say here can fully do this book justice as it’s a turbulent, gut wrenching and raw emotional rollercoaster as you realise through the two narratives that they see and experience the world very differently. The dual approach works brilliantly as it’s very balanced with the opposing perspectives and this is what gives the book such credibility. It’s very interesting to compare and contrast their views, both of them are in a state of turmoil although on occasions if I’m honest, Jen is hard to like. The interracial authoring gives the book a distinctly honest edge and an air of truthfulness. It’s extremely well written, perfectly paced and very hard to put down. Some of Riley’s sections are especially emotional as it reveals entrenched injustice in her family which goes back generations, it freezes your blood and fills your eyes with tears. Her grandmother Gigi is a wonderful character who imparts such wisdom and a sense of hope.
Overall, the book clearly raises very important questions and I think examining them from the narrower perspective of two friends makes it much more effective, powerful, very thought provoking and hard hitting so much so that you feel as if you have been in an emotional wringer. It’s fantastic and I highly recommend it.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to HQ for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
September 13, 2021
This is a hard book to read, but it is an important one that realistically renders the current divisions in society.
Jen is six months pregnant and is sitting at a bar waiting for her best friend Riley to show up so the pair can catch up on each other’s lives. As the two friends are chatting, Jen gets a string of urgent texts from her husband Kevin, a police officer, that instantly alarms her and causes her to gather her belongings and leave, only telling Riley that “something happened. To Kevin.”
Riley, a news reporter, learns very quickly that Kevin and his partner shot an unarmed Black teenager named Justin Dwyer. Riley is put on the case and struggles to compartmentalize between doing her job, feeling the anguish of another Black member of her community harmed by police, and balancing her now rocky friendship with Jen.
Before all this happened Riley and Jen never spoke about race, but now the subject is unavoidable, and the stark differences of their life experiences put them at odds with each other. As a Black woman, Riley feels the hurt of another Black man suffering because of lethal police brutality. Meanwhile, Jen struggles to balance between supporting her husband and dealing with the horrible knowledge of his actions. Jen frequently fails to comprehend that the problem lies in racism and too often makes it about herself.
This novel sadly plays out true-to-life. It echoes what happened in the aftermath of when Derek Chauvin and his accomplices murdered George Floyd and everyone before and after him. It is a heartbreaking story of one too many BIPOC who suffer at the hands of police brutality.
We Are Not Like Them is a brilliantly written novel. This author duo did a superb job of getting to the heart of each character. Usually I’m iffy about co-authored books, but I cannot imagine this book written any other way. It highlights the obvious need for change, for police reform.
Thank you to Atria Books/ Simon and Schuster Canada for providing me with an arc via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Jen is six months pregnant and is sitting at a bar waiting for her best friend Riley to show up so the pair can catch up on each other’s lives. As the two friends are chatting, Jen gets a string of urgent texts from her husband Kevin, a police officer, that instantly alarms her and causes her to gather her belongings and leave, only telling Riley that “something happened. To Kevin.”
Riley, a news reporter, learns very quickly that Kevin and his partner shot an unarmed Black teenager named Justin Dwyer. Riley is put on the case and struggles to compartmentalize between doing her job, feeling the anguish of another Black member of her community harmed by police, and balancing her now rocky friendship with Jen.
Before all this happened Riley and Jen never spoke about race, but now the subject is unavoidable, and the stark differences of their life experiences put them at odds with each other. As a Black woman, Riley feels the hurt of another Black man suffering because of lethal police brutality. Meanwhile, Jen struggles to balance between supporting her husband and dealing with the horrible knowledge of his actions. Jen frequently fails to comprehend that the problem lies in racism and too often makes it about herself.
This novel sadly plays out true-to-life. It echoes what happened in the aftermath of when Derek Chauvin and his accomplices murdered George Floyd and everyone before and after him. It is a heartbreaking story of one too many BIPOC who suffer at the hands of police brutality.
We Are Not Like Them is a brilliantly written novel. This author duo did a superb job of getting to the heart of each character. Usually I’m iffy about co-authored books, but I cannot imagine this book written any other way. It highlights the obvious need for change, for police reform.
Thank you to Atria Books/ Simon and Schuster Canada for providing me with an arc via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
November 12, 2021
A powerful, emotional, and thought-provoking book that packs a real punch.
The book is narrated by two women, Jen and Riley, who have known each other since childhood but despite their professional and personal lives taking them in different directions, they remain close with an obvious deep respect and a strong bond.
However, the relationship between them which has stood the test of time and distance is to be tested and threatened by the death of a young black teenager Justin Dwyer, who was murdered by Jen’s husband Kevin and his partner. Riley a successful television news journalist, is on her own mission to become the next television anchor women, who will no doubt report the story and the names of her best friend’s husband Kevin, if shared.
The story takes us on an emotional journey like no other as we follow the events, the lives changed and lost, the prejudices and injustice felt by many as the court of public opinion kicks in, the wheels of the justice system start to turn and we see, a family traumatised by the untimely and dreadful killing of their son and brother and a man wrestling with he has done. All of this played out with the underlying tensions between two friends, one back one white, which brings home the realities, the different opinions, and perspectives of all those people affected, by one single brutal act.
I am not a fan of an author or film producer who uses their profession to jump on the band wagon of public opinion because they think it will help the sale of their book or film, the story needs to have significance, meaning and purpose. For me this story had real depth, a strong message and offered something different, it not only gave us an agonising insight into how a family struggled to come to terms with the untimely death of a child, but it opened us up to the knock-on effect of these incidents, deaths, and injustices on the everyone else who is touched by the victims, the accusers or murderers, and society as a whole. This is why I loved this book.
It was a very moving story of consequence and how lives change whether the act is intentional and premeditated, impulsive and reckless whether you are related to the victim or the killer, because in the end when a life is cut short, it means forever, and a family is left in mourning. Without being preachy, the book reminds us that society needs to believe that all lives matter and justice means impartiality and equality for all regardless of colour, religion, sex, age, physicality (and the list is long). It was a stoke of genius to introduce the birth of a new baby to Jen and Kevin, another innocent who has not any time to live in this world yet but will be forever tainted by the sins of the father. Because in the end all actions have consequences.
Highly recommended, wonderfully written with strong messaging and great characters.
The book is narrated by two women, Jen and Riley, who have known each other since childhood but despite their professional and personal lives taking them in different directions, they remain close with an obvious deep respect and a strong bond.
However, the relationship between them which has stood the test of time and distance is to be tested and threatened by the death of a young black teenager Justin Dwyer, who was murdered by Jen’s husband Kevin and his partner. Riley a successful television news journalist, is on her own mission to become the next television anchor women, who will no doubt report the story and the names of her best friend’s husband Kevin, if shared.
The story takes us on an emotional journey like no other as we follow the events, the lives changed and lost, the prejudices and injustice felt by many as the court of public opinion kicks in, the wheels of the justice system start to turn and we see, a family traumatised by the untimely and dreadful killing of their son and brother and a man wrestling with he has done. All of this played out with the underlying tensions between two friends, one back one white, which brings home the realities, the different opinions, and perspectives of all those people affected, by one single brutal act.
I am not a fan of an author or film producer who uses their profession to jump on the band wagon of public opinion because they think it will help the sale of their book or film, the story needs to have significance, meaning and purpose. For me this story had real depth, a strong message and offered something different, it not only gave us an agonising insight into how a family struggled to come to terms with the untimely death of a child, but it opened us up to the knock-on effect of these incidents, deaths, and injustices on the everyone else who is touched by the victims, the accusers or murderers, and society as a whole. This is why I loved this book.
It was a very moving story of consequence and how lives change whether the act is intentional and premeditated, impulsive and reckless whether you are related to the victim or the killer, because in the end when a life is cut short, it means forever, and a family is left in mourning. Without being preachy, the book reminds us that society needs to believe that all lives matter and justice means impartiality and equality for all regardless of colour, religion, sex, age, physicality (and the list is long). It was a stoke of genius to introduce the birth of a new baby to Jen and Kevin, another innocent who has not any time to live in this world yet but will be forever tainted by the sins of the father. Because in the end all actions have consequences.
Highly recommended, wonderfully written with strong messaging and great characters.
October 19, 2021
What I gained from reading “We Are Not Like them” by Christine Pride and Jo Piazza, is further understanding of the frightening undertones of living as a black person. These authors write an emotional story of a black teen being unjustly shot by police officers. Of course, one would expect the usual agony of the mother and family of the victim. This story takes it further. As a white person, I don’t think of race 24/7. The reader gets the “feel” of being black, living black, and surviving as black.
The authors added another dimension of the emotional toll of police officers and their families. Yes they provide the “just doing our job” rationale. But these authors also made the reader see how it affects officers who are horrified by killing an innocent person. The public doesn’t see that. It’s the Blue Line and no officer crosses the Blue Line, they must back The Blue no matter what. This story showcases the power of the Blue Line. This story shows that there are officers and families out there who agonize over killing someone.
How did the authors do this? Well, the story is told from two women’s POV. Riley is a news reporter for a local TV station in Philly. She went to Northwestern and worked her way up to be a lead reporter. Jen is her childhood bestie. Jen didn’t go to college, got married (to a police officer), and is 6 months pregnant as the story opens. How the girls became friends is that Jen went to a daycare run by Riley’s grandmother. Jen became a part of Riley’s family because Jen’s mother wasn’t interested in being a mother. What’s a bit unusual is that Riley is black and Jen is white. Both families are on the same economical class (poor). Jen gained a loving home by being part of Riley’s family. Jen did NOT gain a race perspective though. Jen never comprehended or saw the social differences of white versus black. Jen didn’t pick up the trials of being black in society.
So, as the story opens, Jen’s husband is part of a shooting of an unarmed innocent black teen. Right after the shot, when Jen’s husband sees the boy on the ground, he knows it’s not the suspect because the kid doesn’t come close to fitting the description. It was his partner who identified the kid as the suspect and yelled “gun” when the boy put his hand in his pocket to turn off his smart phone that he was listening to. Rye is placed as the lead reporter for her local TV station. Rye understands the horrors and unfairness of being black.
At first I felt there was an agenda here, as Jen’s in-law family is not represented well. Her husband comes from a family of cops, and “Backing The Blue” is expected, even when the shot is bad. Backing the Blue means supporting the police even when they are wrong. Jen and her husband receive heavy pressure from the family to back his partner, even when that partner was wrong. What I realized is that the authors were showing the powerful peer pressure officers receive. It takes tough and substantial personality to fight the expectations.
I liked Riley’s chapters the best because her character shows the tightrope people of color walk in assimilating into the world. Her chapters also included how white people inadvertently, or otherwise, demean people of color. The legacy of our country (systematic racism) has not been kind to people of color, Riley’s chapters show that without lecture. Riley herself navigates the politics of being black while working in the world.
Jen’s chapters were less informative to me (mostly because I’m a white person). The interesting part of her POV was being a policeman’s wife and part of a police family. Her in-law family did not come out well, to me. Jen’s struggle as a wife, as a new mother, of a police officer were interesting in that I didn’t think that police struggled with unfair shootings.
The two women are complex and not one dimensional. The strength of the story is the internal struggle each has during this conflict.
In in nonfiction world, I am hoping that the “Blue Line” has systematically changed after the George Floyd case. That case held national attention, and blatantly showed police force brutality in video. It was out in video the needless and unjust killing of a black man. Thankfully the “Blue Line” was crossed and the police force did not back the obvious crime of one police officer.
Hopefully with the George Floyd case and books such as this one, the people of America will re-evaluate racism and the police force. And hopefully this novel will also enlighten some people to the layers of racism that exists, which can be stopped.
The authors added another dimension of the emotional toll of police officers and their families. Yes they provide the “just doing our job” rationale. But these authors also made the reader see how it affects officers who are horrified by killing an innocent person. The public doesn’t see that. It’s the Blue Line and no officer crosses the Blue Line, they must back The Blue no matter what. This story showcases the power of the Blue Line. This story shows that there are officers and families out there who agonize over killing someone.
How did the authors do this? Well, the story is told from two women’s POV. Riley is a news reporter for a local TV station in Philly. She went to Northwestern and worked her way up to be a lead reporter. Jen is her childhood bestie. Jen didn’t go to college, got married (to a police officer), and is 6 months pregnant as the story opens. How the girls became friends is that Jen went to a daycare run by Riley’s grandmother. Jen became a part of Riley’s family because Jen’s mother wasn’t interested in being a mother. What’s a bit unusual is that Riley is black and Jen is white. Both families are on the same economical class (poor). Jen gained a loving home by being part of Riley’s family. Jen did NOT gain a race perspective though. Jen never comprehended or saw the social differences of white versus black. Jen didn’t pick up the trials of being black in society.
So, as the story opens, Jen’s husband is part of a shooting of an unarmed innocent black teen. Right after the shot, when Jen’s husband sees the boy on the ground, he knows it’s not the suspect because the kid doesn’t come close to fitting the description. It was his partner who identified the kid as the suspect and yelled “gun” when the boy put his hand in his pocket to turn off his smart phone that he was listening to. Rye is placed as the lead reporter for her local TV station. Rye understands the horrors and unfairness of being black.
At first I felt there was an agenda here, as Jen’s in-law family is not represented well. Her husband comes from a family of cops, and “Backing The Blue” is expected, even when the shot is bad. Backing the Blue means supporting the police even when they are wrong. Jen and her husband receive heavy pressure from the family to back his partner, even when that partner was wrong. What I realized is that the authors were showing the powerful peer pressure officers receive. It takes tough and substantial personality to fight the expectations.
I liked Riley’s chapters the best because her character shows the tightrope people of color walk in assimilating into the world. Her chapters also included how white people inadvertently, or otherwise, demean people of color. The legacy of our country (systematic racism) has not been kind to people of color, Riley’s chapters show that without lecture. Riley herself navigates the politics of being black while working in the world.
Jen’s chapters were less informative to me (mostly because I’m a white person). The interesting part of her POV was being a policeman’s wife and part of a police family. Her in-law family did not come out well, to me. Jen’s struggle as a wife, as a new mother, of a police officer were interesting in that I didn’t think that police struggled with unfair shootings.
The two women are complex and not one dimensional. The strength of the story is the internal struggle each has during this conflict.
In in nonfiction world, I am hoping that the “Blue Line” has systematically changed after the George Floyd case. That case held national attention, and blatantly showed police force brutality in video. It was out in video the needless and unjust killing of a black man. Thankfully the “Blue Line” was crossed and the police force did not back the obvious crime of one police officer.
Hopefully with the George Floyd case and books such as this one, the people of America will re-evaluate racism and the police force. And hopefully this novel will also enlighten some people to the layers of racism that exists, which can be stopped.
November 4, 2022
Note: I received a free copy of this book. In exchange here is my honest review.
This was a hard and important read. 🤓 Told from both sides, this story begins with a white officer shooting a black teenager. The emotions, the heartache, the assumptions. While this is fiction, it reads all too real. People by nature are sadly very judgmental of one another. 😢
Thank you @goodreads @cpride @jopiazzaauthor and @simonandschuster #goodreadsgiveaway
This was a hard and important read. 🤓 Told from both sides, this story begins with a white officer shooting a black teenager. The emotions, the heartache, the assumptions. While this is fiction, it reads all too real. People by nature are sadly very judgmental of one another. 😢
Thank you @goodreads @cpride @jopiazzaauthor and @simonandschuster #goodreadsgiveaway
December 11, 2021
Here comes an unpopular opinion…
After reading so many terrific 5 stars reviews I had high expectations. I even prioritize this book over so many that I have sitting on my shelves.
I really expected a powerful, unique and an outstanding drama about interracial relationships and social injustices.
What I got was a watered down story that lacks depth.
I did enjoy the writing, the structure and especially the two POV, as I like reading the different perspectives about the same situation, but I was not a fan of the development of the story. It certainly did not cause the impact that I was expecting.
The friendship between the two main characters was very one sided to make me believe that they were best friends. Also, they were really not open to each other. How can you have a friendship if you cannot be honest with each other? One of them was very immature and self absorbed throughout the story.
This book had a great potential but unfortunately it was over simplified and full of cliches.
After reading so many terrific 5 stars reviews I had high expectations. I even prioritize this book over so many that I have sitting on my shelves.
I really expected a powerful, unique and an outstanding drama about interracial relationships and social injustices.
What I got was a watered down story that lacks depth.
I did enjoy the writing, the structure and especially the two POV, as I like reading the different perspectives about the same situation, but I was not a fan of the development of the story. It certainly did not cause the impact that I was expecting.
The friendship between the two main characters was very one sided to make me believe that they were best friends. Also, they were really not open to each other. How can you have a friendship if you cannot be honest with each other? One of them was very immature and self absorbed throughout the story.
This book had a great potential but unfortunately it was over simplified and full of cliches.
October 12, 2022
**Lightweight Spoilers**
This book was written with training wheels. It danced around a critical issue in order to save face and feelings. I don't feel it forwarded the conversation. Jen was an insufferable character, but no doubt realistic one. I found her to be immature, selfish and self absorbed. Jen was a hypocrite in her friendship with Riley, demanding more from Riley but requiring less from herself. Kevin does not like Riley, nor does his family, however Kevin has the audacity to call Riley a traitor when he and his family cannot manipulate her position in the media to help his image. I felt no sympathy for the Murphy's, because they had no sincere sympathy for Justin or his mother. The goal was to absolve their responsibility and guilt and raise their son. As Jen said, "All our lives can go back to normal". And she sincerely means this, meanwhile Tamara's opportunity to raise HER son was forever ripped from her.
Riley is not off the hook. Her being black does not endure her to me-at all. I found her to be a pariah. Using her blackness as token of solidarity in a time of crisis, but the real motive being the advancement of her own career. It was literally a gross and a betrayal the way she willfully withheld from Justin's mother her relationship to the wife of the man who murdered her son. Who does that? How in good conscious could anyone do something so distasteful? If she was so objective and had nothing to hide why would she withhold that? She is no better than Jen in that respect when it comes to integrity in friendships.
Overall I was disappointed with this book. The only characters I could feel anything for was Tamara and Justin. The only victims here.
This book was written with training wheels. It danced around a critical issue in order to save face and feelings. I don't feel it forwarded the conversation. Jen was an insufferable character, but no doubt realistic one. I found her to be immature, selfish and self absorbed. Jen was a hypocrite in her friendship with Riley, demanding more from Riley but requiring less from herself. Kevin does not like Riley, nor does his family, however Kevin has the audacity to call Riley a traitor when he and his family cannot manipulate her position in the media to help his image. I felt no sympathy for the Murphy's, because they had no sincere sympathy for Justin or his mother. The goal was to absolve their responsibility and guilt and raise their son. As Jen said, "All our lives can go back to normal". And she sincerely means this, meanwhile Tamara's opportunity to raise HER son was forever ripped from her.
Riley is not off the hook. Her being black does not endure her to me-at all. I found her to be a pariah. Using her blackness as token of solidarity in a time of crisis, but the real motive being the advancement of her own career. It was literally a gross and a betrayal the way she willfully withheld from Justin's mother her relationship to the wife of the man who murdered her son. Who does that? How in good conscious could anyone do something so distasteful? If she was so objective and had nothing to hide why would she withhold that? She is no better than Jen in that respect when it comes to integrity in friendships.
Overall I was disappointed with this book. The only characters I could feel anything for was Tamara and Justin. The only victims here.
September 11, 2021
This is such a powerful read. It’s a punch to realism. It’s a kick in the gut to wake up calls to We Are Not Like Them.
I was dubious about reading co hosts authors.
Not all knit together well. But I also know there are those that do!
So in I went.
I couldn’t help to fully understand the friendship between a white woman and a black woman. Ones that grew up together not thinking about skin colour.
Because, my best friend I grew up with was black.
I related to quite a few things in this story.
You think when growing up the relationship is unbreakable.
Riley is black and Jen is white.
Jens husband is a Police officer who (and I’m not giving anything away here) shot a black guy. He’s unarmed.
Each sees it differently, each digest what happened differently.
Because We Are Not Like Them.
Both white people and black people have totally opposing life experiences and history.
Jen wants to support her husband and she wants to support and understand Riley’s thoughts, emotions and aspect of it all.
The We Are Not Like Them applies to both sides.
Then not to just contend with that….they are now on different sides, there’s no overcoming this emotive issue.
This is a strong subject matter that is definitely emotive.
It’s not a matter of just choice.
I was totally hooked into the pages of this.
These authors did some superb brilliant ways to bring out issues that can happen and make you think, make you think so hard!
I just struggle to find the words to express all my emotions. I saw my friend bullied, hurt, banned from places all because of the colour of her skin. I stood up! I got the same treatment because I was her white friend.
This hit home to me BIG TIME.
I so recommend this book to EVERYONE on my friends list.
Read it.
What would you do.
I was dubious about reading co hosts authors.
Not all knit together well. But I also know there are those that do!
So in I went.
I couldn’t help to fully understand the friendship between a white woman and a black woman. Ones that grew up together not thinking about skin colour.
Because, my best friend I grew up with was black.
I related to quite a few things in this story.
You think when growing up the relationship is unbreakable.
Riley is black and Jen is white.
Jens husband is a Police officer who (and I’m not giving anything away here) shot a black guy. He’s unarmed.
Each sees it differently, each digest what happened differently.
Because We Are Not Like Them.
Both white people and black people have totally opposing life experiences and history.
Jen wants to support her husband and she wants to support and understand Riley’s thoughts, emotions and aspect of it all.
The We Are Not Like Them applies to both sides.
Then not to just contend with that….they are now on different sides, there’s no overcoming this emotive issue.
This is a strong subject matter that is definitely emotive.
It’s not a matter of just choice.
I was totally hooked into the pages of this.
These authors did some superb brilliant ways to bring out issues that can happen and make you think, make you think so hard!
I just struggle to find the words to express all my emotions. I saw my friend bullied, hurt, banned from places all because of the colour of her skin. I stood up! I got the same treatment because I was her white friend.
This hit home to me BIG TIME.
I so recommend this book to EVERYONE on my friends list.
Read it.
What would you do.
March 1, 2024
I was deeply impacted by sections of this book and feel it had so much potential to teach - but I also wish it had taken each of the conversations it started so much further. It almost felt like the authors made a choice to coddle the reader, to make these topics more palatable to white women and their book clubs. As a white woman with a book club, I wish they hadn't. It would have been amazing to see more of those difficult conversations on the page rather than implying they'll happen in the future. To see the protagonists grapple with the reality of the disparity in their lives, despite their similar upbringings. This book was the perfect opportunity to model these conversations - to embolden readers to have similar ones in their own lives.
I also struggled to connect with Jen as a character, despite the apparent attempt to make her likeable and relatable. Jen was laughably ignorant of why the inciting incident of this novel (a police shooting of an unarmed Black teenage boy) would impact her best friend (a Black woman), and it was very frustrating to read. She was deeply selfish, and while I can understand why she would be afraid and in need of support, her lack of awareness was baffling. It would be one thing if she were quite young (though still hard to believe), but she was a full-grown adult and didn't seem to have basic empathy for her apparent best friend.
I did really love the sections that touched on long-distance friendship and interracial friendship, as someone who has only recently reconnected with my best friend after years apart with an ocean between us. There were quite a few quotes I highlighted and felt represented my experience so accurately, and reading this book when I did made those quotes even more impactful to me. I was also utterly heartbroken by the conversations with Justin's mother and uncle and wished we had spent more time with them over the course of the novel.
Overall this was quite a mixed bag. A book that dips its toe into a very complex relationship dynamic (interracial friendship) and a heartbreaking reality of our modern world (racially motivated police violence) but never fully submerges. I finished this book feeling frustrated by its lack of courage and conviction to have the conversations it repeatedly referred to, choosing to dance around them instead. This book had potential, but unfortunately, it fell short.
Trigger/Content Warnings: gun violence, racial slurs, racism, police brutality, racial microaggressions
You can watch me talk about all the books I read in February as I set up my reading journal here: https://youtu.be/NY7bgSmoggM
You can find me on...
Youtube | Instagram | TikTok
You can join our book club over on Patreon...
PBB Book Club
I also struggled to connect with Jen as a character, despite the apparent attempt to make her likeable and relatable. Jen was laughably ignorant of why the inciting incident of this novel (a police shooting of an unarmed Black teenage boy) would impact her best friend (a Black woman), and it was very frustrating to read. She was deeply selfish, and while I can understand why she would be afraid and in need of support, her lack of awareness was baffling. It would be one thing if she were quite young (though still hard to believe), but she was a full-grown adult and didn't seem to have basic empathy for her apparent best friend.
I did really love the sections that touched on long-distance friendship and interracial friendship, as someone who has only recently reconnected with my best friend after years apart with an ocean between us. There were quite a few quotes I highlighted and felt represented my experience so accurately, and reading this book when I did made those quotes even more impactful to me. I was also utterly heartbroken by the conversations with Justin's mother and uncle and wished we had spent more time with them over the course of the novel.
Overall this was quite a mixed bag. A book that dips its toe into a very complex relationship dynamic (interracial friendship) and a heartbreaking reality of our modern world (racially motivated police violence) but never fully submerges. I finished this book feeling frustrated by its lack of courage and conviction to have the conversations it repeatedly referred to, choosing to dance around them instead. This book had potential, but unfortunately, it fell short.
Trigger/Content Warnings: gun violence, racial slurs, racism, police brutality, racial microaggressions
You can watch me talk about all the books I read in February as I set up my reading journal here: https://youtu.be/NY7bgSmoggM
You can find me on...
Youtube | Instagram | TikTok
You can join our book club over on Patreon...
PBB Book Club
November 29, 2021
Riley Wilson and Jen Murphy have been best friends since they were in kindergarten. Riley’s now back in Philadelphia after a stint in Birmingham and is a TV news reporter with a shot at the anchor seat. Jen is married and six months pregnant, working part time until her baby is born. Their relationship is tested, however, the night Jen’s husband Kevin, a city police officer, accidentally shoots an unarmed and innocent young black teenager. See, Riley is black and is covering the shooting; Jen is white and is terrified for her husband’s fate.
Five minutes into this story and I knew I was in for an uncomfortable and sad journey. The premise is brilliant because it sets up the most gut-wrenchingly honest exploration of every aspect of both sides of the issues. Riley and Jen learned there were boundaries they’d subconsciously created in their relationship that surfaced, threatening to permanently separate them. Riley was often surprised at how clueless Jen was about the racism she faced regularly and she was disappointed in Riley’s lack of understanding of her own circumstances. They were surrounded by family and others who were entrenched in their points of view, wanting them to choose a black or white side (analogy intended) when there were so many shades of gray and nuances.
This is a timely, relevant and powerfully presented story without easy solutions. What I loved was how Riley and Jen weren’t willing to completely abandon their friendship, even when it felt like it was what they were doing. I also liked that there were people close to them that reminded each that they had a valuable history. I listened to the story, which I believe elevated it to a stronger place, at least for me. The narrators for Riley and Jen were absolutely perfect in every way, including their expressions in emotional moments (anger, sadness, frustration, etc.). I hated the situations but loved that I was forced to face issues I needed to confront through these characters. What an outstanding performance and kudos to the writers for getting everything right, even though they didn’t have all the answers. Its honesty is stunning.
Posted on Blue Mood Café
(Thanks to Simon & Schuster Audio for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
Five minutes into this story and I knew I was in for an uncomfortable and sad journey. The premise is brilliant because it sets up the most gut-wrenchingly honest exploration of every aspect of both sides of the issues. Riley and Jen learned there were boundaries they’d subconsciously created in their relationship that surfaced, threatening to permanently separate them. Riley was often surprised at how clueless Jen was about the racism she faced regularly and she was disappointed in Riley’s lack of understanding of her own circumstances. They were surrounded by family and others who were entrenched in their points of view, wanting them to choose a black or white side (analogy intended) when there were so many shades of gray and nuances.
This is a timely, relevant and powerfully presented story without easy solutions. What I loved was how Riley and Jen weren’t willing to completely abandon their friendship, even when it felt like it was what they were doing. I also liked that there were people close to them that reminded each that they had a valuable history. I listened to the story, which I believe elevated it to a stronger place, at least for me. The narrators for Riley and Jen were absolutely perfect in every way, including their expressions in emotional moments (anger, sadness, frustration, etc.). I hated the situations but loved that I was forced to face issues I needed to confront through these characters. What an outstanding performance and kudos to the writers for getting everything right, even though they didn’t have all the answers. Its honesty is stunning.
Posted on Blue Mood Café
(Thanks to Simon & Schuster Audio for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
December 2, 2021
Life isn’t black or white — it’s a million gray areas!
“We Are Not Like You”, feels as if it was ripped straight from the headlines … but I agree with others that it would make for an interesting book club discussion.
With already over a thousand reviews- I’m keeping mine short —
[lots to do this week before flying to Hawaii]….
…It’s captivating - but also pretty predictable —
…The characters same stereotyped - yet the effect accomplishes a greater purpose: for us to examine our thoughts, opinions, our biases, points pf views >> then do it all over again —
…Plenty of grief —but also plenty of unconsciousness —
…A friendship is tested to the max —
…The shooting of a Black, unarmed teenage boy, is at the heart of this story revealing the different ways in which the characters (especially two best - interracial - friends), respond — showing just how much racism is prevalent in our lives.
Personally— I wasn’t OVERLY inspired — but I respect the authors personal passion - and understand why many readers found it gripping…
My problem— I read too much! Lol I’m getting a little jaded. ( not proud of it -but worth recognizing it.
3.5 I only rated higher because it’s an above average choice to ‘bookclub’ chat about —
“We Are Not Like You”, feels as if it was ripped straight from the headlines … but I agree with others that it would make for an interesting book club discussion.
With already over a thousand reviews- I’m keeping mine short —
[lots to do this week before flying to Hawaii]….
…It’s captivating - but also pretty predictable —
…The characters same stereotyped - yet the effect accomplishes a greater purpose: for us to examine our thoughts, opinions, our biases, points pf views >> then do it all over again —
…Plenty of grief —but also plenty of unconsciousness —
…A friendship is tested to the max —
…The shooting of a Black, unarmed teenage boy, is at the heart of this story revealing the different ways in which the characters (especially two best - interracial - friends), respond — showing just how much racism is prevalent in our lives.
Personally— I wasn’t OVERLY inspired — but I respect the authors personal passion - and understand why many readers found it gripping…
My problem— I read too much! Lol I’m getting a little jaded. ( not proud of it -but worth recognizing it.
3.5 I only rated higher because it’s an above average choice to ‘bookclub’ chat about —
December 19, 2021
To be fair, I probably should’ve shelved this in the DNF pile once I realized I wasn’t excited about the story anymore. Though an important read, I found it depressing and ended each session feeling hopeless and exhausted.
The story was about two best friends, one white, one black. One’s husband is charged with the unarmed murder of a black teen and the other one is covering the story. The story was filled with despair that frankly, as a black woman, I’m tired of feeling. There are many conversations in the book about injustices black people face and the quiet, casual racism they face on a regular basis. I felt as though that took over the story, I wish there had been more room to over the current state of the friendship. I felt as though the author spent more time talking about the depths of the friendship than actually showing it in action, which is the direction I would’ve preferred.
I also didn’t get the reasons behind Riley’s breakup with Corey. That seemed like a lame reason to end a three-year relationship with someone you love.
The discussion about why many black men prefer white women would’ve been better utilized if it weren’t paired with explorations about black women desiring black male partners. I want black women to value themselves first, and I’m tired of the rhetoric that they have to carry the burdens of the community on their backs. We deserve happiness too, with whoever makes our hearts soar. Black women, I beg you, PLEASE go and stay where you are appreciated. All relationships have issues, all types of families have some level of disfunction, and life is far too short to wait for a unicorn because society tells us so.
The close of the book left too much in the air for me as well. How did the trial go? Did Jenny and Riley remain close? How did Sean’s life turnout?
I wasn’t blown away, but I do think those who are heavily rooted in social justice causes might really enjoy it. At this point in my life, I want to read books that leave me feeling hopeful and this book just didn’t. It was well-written, however. 3 stars.
The story was about two best friends, one white, one black. One’s husband is charged with the unarmed murder of a black teen and the other one is covering the story. The story was filled with despair that frankly, as a black woman, I’m tired of feeling. There are many conversations in the book about injustices black people face and the quiet, casual racism they face on a regular basis. I felt as though that took over the story, I wish there had been more room to over the current state of the friendship. I felt as though the author spent more time talking about the depths of the friendship than actually showing it in action, which is the direction I would’ve preferred.
I also didn’t get the reasons behind Riley’s breakup with Corey. That seemed like a lame reason to end a three-year relationship with someone you love.
The discussion about why many black men prefer white women would’ve been better utilized if it weren’t paired with explorations about black women desiring black male partners. I want black women to value themselves first, and I’m tired of the rhetoric that they have to carry the burdens of the community on their backs. We deserve happiness too, with whoever makes our hearts soar. Black women, I beg you, PLEASE go and stay where you are appreciated. All relationships have issues, all types of families have some level of disfunction, and life is far too short to wait for a unicorn because society tells us so.
The close of the book left too much in the air for me as well. How did the trial go? Did Jenny and Riley remain close? How did Sean’s life turnout?
I wasn’t blown away, but I do think those who are heavily rooted in social justice causes might really enjoy it. At this point in my life, I want to read books that leave me feeling hopeful and this book just didn’t. It was well-written, however. 3 stars.
November 17, 2021
This is what I call an agenda book. I have written other reviews regarding this style of writing that I truly do not care for because instead of delving into the heart of what had such fantastic potential was nothing more than talking points to engender book clubs discussions. That's terrific if your book club has been sequestered for their entire lives and don't know the controversy of police shootings involving black men, suspected of a crime.
My second issue is that it is supposed to about two women, who have been life long friends and know each others dark side as well as their good points. Yet, we are later told that the black woman has always been hiding her true emotions about her race for most of their lives. I find this surprising for a number of reasons. First, this is a time in history where few people don't share their every thought in social media, public places (the origin of Let's Go Brandon, is a great example) and in every day conversations in public. Second, most of my life have had more friends of color than my own race. These friends often shared their feelings about being non-white with me, some of these conversations are still very vivid in my mind some 40 years later. Additionally, I have been involved in urban ministries and social groups where I was the only white person present. In these experiences, I heard very unpleasant comments about "whitey". I didn't take it personal because I knew that some comments were from experience (that I had no control or involvement in) and some were seemed to be spoken to see if I would react in hostility (I didn't). Sometimes, those being attacked need to realize that certain generalizations about ANY group aren't always justified (consider the MGTOW and INCEL movements). That said, I don't know how I would feel as a person of color, I will never know. That's why I read this book, but I came away not feeling I learned anything new or insightful.
Additionally, the white character was poorly developed. She seemed rather flat and even in their conversations of race discrimination and bias (which came at the end of the story). She didn't shine. Furthermore, she was seldom included in the story (20-25% of the story) and it is obvious that Jo Piazzo, who wrote this portion isn't even given billing on Goodreads author section (as if she didn't exist). I felt that her portion was limited perhaps to appear "balanced", almost an afterthought or a necessary addition to cover for the "agenda".
What really puzzled me is that the two officers involved in the shooting had very little attention. The one officer is only mentioned by name. The officer married to the white character has little to say. This could have been very powerful but again he was played as very weak (bullied by family members) and cardboard. A missed opportunity to create a dynamic story in my opinion.
One positive was the story moved quickly and had it not been for the pacing, I don't think I would have finished it. This compensated for the numerous writing errors as well as really poor editing (was there an editor?) which given that Christine Pride is billed as being an editor was disappointing. A second or third pair of eyes is of great value, I suggest this for any future stories.
My suggestion is that if you haven't read any historical fiction about racial discrimination in the U.S. you may want to dip your toes in this one. However, I have probably read 50+ books on this topic and I was truly disappointed. If you wish, click on the "African-American", "Authors of Color", "Interracial-relationship", "Controversial", "Interracial-per" tabs to see books that I've rated about white and black interactions. I would recommend authors such as Tayari Jones, Brit Bennett, Natashia Deon, Delores E. Johnson, Ernest Gaines, James Baldwin as authors that deliver truer insights into the black experience.
Synopsis, so instead of telling a story, this was a thinly veiled talking points book. Oh, and there is a book club discussion points at the back. So, tell your friends, who are totally disconnected from current American reality because they only watch HGTV and Survivor to check it out.
2.5 rounded up
My second issue is that it is supposed to about two women, who have been life long friends and know each others dark side as well as their good points. Yet, we are later told that the black woman has always been hiding her true emotions about her race for most of their lives. I find this surprising for a number of reasons. First, this is a time in history where few people don't share their every thought in social media, public places (the origin of Let's Go Brandon, is a great example) and in every day conversations in public. Second, most of my life have had more friends of color than my own race. These friends often shared their feelings about being non-white with me, some of these conversations are still very vivid in my mind some 40 years later. Additionally, I have been involved in urban ministries and social groups where I was the only white person present. In these experiences, I heard very unpleasant comments about "whitey". I didn't take it personal because I knew that some comments were from experience (that I had no control or involvement in) and some were seemed to be spoken to see if I would react in hostility (I didn't). Sometimes, those being attacked need to realize that certain generalizations about ANY group aren't always justified (consider the MGTOW and INCEL movements). That said, I don't know how I would feel as a person of color, I will never know. That's why I read this book, but I came away not feeling I learned anything new or insightful.
Additionally, the white character was poorly developed. She seemed rather flat and even in their conversations of race discrimination and bias (which came at the end of the story). She didn't shine. Furthermore, she was seldom included in the story (20-25% of the story) and it is obvious that Jo Piazzo, who wrote this portion isn't even given billing on Goodreads author section (as if she didn't exist). I felt that her portion was limited perhaps to appear "balanced", almost an afterthought or a necessary addition to cover for the "agenda".
What really puzzled me is that the two officers involved in the shooting had very little attention. The one officer is only mentioned by name. The officer married to the white character has little to say. This could have been very powerful but again he was played as very weak (bullied by family members) and cardboard. A missed opportunity to create a dynamic story in my opinion.
One positive was the story moved quickly and had it not been for the pacing, I don't think I would have finished it. This compensated for the numerous writing errors as well as really poor editing (was there an editor?) which given that Christine Pride is billed as being an editor was disappointing. A second or third pair of eyes is of great value, I suggest this for any future stories.
My suggestion is that if you haven't read any historical fiction about racial discrimination in the U.S. you may want to dip your toes in this one. However, I have probably read 50+ books on this topic and I was truly disappointed. If you wish, click on the "African-American", "Authors of Color", "Interracial-relationship", "Controversial", "Interracial-per" tabs to see books that I've rated about white and black interactions. I would recommend authors such as Tayari Jones, Brit Bennett, Natashia Deon, Delores E. Johnson, Ernest Gaines, James Baldwin as authors that deliver truer insights into the black experience.
Synopsis, so instead of telling a story, this was a thinly veiled talking points book. Oh, and there is a book club discussion points at the back. So, tell your friends, who are totally disconnected from current American reality because they only watch HGTV and Survivor to check it out.
2.5 rounded up
June 18, 2024
so many thoughts. so many mixed emotions.
July 24, 2022
Tragic, Powerful, Thought-Provoking.
Best friends since childhood: Jen, a married, pregnant, white woman. Riley, a successful, black, news reporter. Though they come from completely different backgrounds, they've always found common ground.
One night everything changes. The night Jen's husband, a Philadelphia Police Officer, is involved in the shooting of an unarmed black teenager. As a news reporter, Riley, of course, is asked to cover the story.
Though this book is fiction, this story is unfortunately extremely prevalent. Delving into such topics as unconscious biases, racism, police brutality, and social justice.
What hit home for me while reading this book is that it's not enough to be just there, to try, and to simply just listen. There are times when we need to be called out, when others need to push us to think harder and to speak and act differently, as that is the only way anything is truly going to get better.
Huge thank you to Atria Books for sharing this brilliant novel with me.
Best friends since childhood: Jen, a married, pregnant, white woman. Riley, a successful, black, news reporter. Though they come from completely different backgrounds, they've always found common ground.
One night everything changes. The night Jen's husband, a Philadelphia Police Officer, is involved in the shooting of an unarmed black teenager. As a news reporter, Riley, of course, is asked to cover the story.
Though this book is fiction, this story is unfortunately extremely prevalent. Delving into such topics as unconscious biases, racism, police brutality, and social justice.
What hit home for me while reading this book is that it's not enough to be just there, to try, and to simply just listen. There are times when we need to be called out, when others need to push us to think harder and to speak and act differently, as that is the only way anything is truly going to get better.
Huge thank you to Atria Books for sharing this brilliant novel with me.
December 31, 2025
b>“It’s a privilege to never think about race.”
Jen and Riley have been best friends since they were children. As adults they have never had to question their friendship and their race. Jen is a White woman and Riley is Black. When Jen’s husband who is a police officer comes under heat after shooting a innocent black boy, the two women friendship is about to be tested.
This is a first for me by this author and I really enjoyed her writing style. This was a book I couldn’t put down and I had a lot of emotions for all involved from the beginning to end.
The novel is told in the two perspectives of Jen and Riley and how they are both dealing with the aftermath and the impact the horrible situation is having on their friendship.
I needed MORE. Throughout reading I was waiting for the deep moment to hit within both women, and I never received it. It all felt quite sugar coated. Jen got on my nerves because her monologues clearly knew she was aware of her privilege, but she also constantly playing victim. Riley also needed to do better. There were so many instances she should have called out Jen on her BS and she decided to turn a blind eye till it suited her.
The story is a complex novel that delves into how interracial friendship can be tested but I didn’t think both women really went through a test. The way they stopped communicating was so abrupt without a buildup or correct dialogue, and when communication was had it was mostly with other people and when they did finally speak to each other it read like they were still skirting around the issue.
I got to the end of the book feeling dissatisfied. I wanted this book to push the narrative further and be more impactful and rawer, but it was very surface level throughout.
I enjoyed the book, but I didn’t love it.
3.5 ⭐
Jen and Riley have been best friends since they were children. As adults they have never had to question their friendship and their race. Jen is a White woman and Riley is Black. When Jen’s husband who is a police officer comes under heat after shooting a innocent black boy, the two women friendship is about to be tested.
This is a first for me by this author and I really enjoyed her writing style. This was a book I couldn’t put down and I had a lot of emotions for all involved from the beginning to end.
The novel is told in the two perspectives of Jen and Riley and how they are both dealing with the aftermath and the impact the horrible situation is having on their friendship.
I needed MORE. Throughout reading I was waiting for the deep moment to hit within both women, and I never received it. It all felt quite sugar coated. Jen got on my nerves because her monologues clearly knew she was aware of her privilege, but she also constantly playing victim. Riley also needed to do better. There were so many instances she should have called out Jen on her BS and she decided to turn a blind eye till it suited her.
The story is a complex novel that delves into how interracial friendship can be tested but I didn’t think both women really went through a test. The way they stopped communicating was so abrupt without a buildup or correct dialogue, and when communication was had it was mostly with other people and when they did finally speak to each other it read like they were still skirting around the issue.
I got to the end of the book feeling dissatisfied. I wanted this book to push the narrative further and be more impactful and rawer, but it was very surface level throughout.
I enjoyed the book, but I didn’t love it.
3.5 ⭐
January 24, 2022
A story about two women whose multi-decade long bond is threatened when one’s husband shoots an unarmed black youth and the other is the reporter covering the story.
This book is one that has all of the markings which make for a good book club selection. It’s current, relevant, contains a hot button topic as the driving force behind the story, etc. It’s a book designed to start conversations. But therein lies the problem and the question I was left with throughout. Can a friendship really be considered a friendship if you’ve never actually talked???? While this book was completely readable in its non-soap-boxy style of delivery - it still missed the mark a bit for me. How can someone be your best friend if you’re two different races, but you’ve literally never talked about race??? Pretty much because Jen would probably be one of those people who in real life would say something absolutely ridiculous like “she doesn’t even seeeeee color” . . . .
While not intentionally a bad person, Jen did leave me with the impression that who needs enemies if this is your ride or die? But I guess that’s better than every other person in this book who happily word vomited out whatever sort of bigoted racial commentary that came into their head.
I’m not trying to bash this book, though. I wasn’t a fan of every implicit bias being worn on the characters' sleeves, but as I said this is a readable/relatable story. It will get people talking and that’s the whole starting off point for making a change. Book clubs of all ages and races will gravitate toward this easy to consume choice that covers such an important subject and that is a good thing. It’s just too bad in a book that was supposed to be about this great friendship between two women that I felt like Riley was used as more of “some of my best friends are black” and taken advantage of by the already privileged by birth Jen rather than a true bestie.
This book is one that has all of the markings which make for a good book club selection. It’s current, relevant, contains a hot button topic as the driving force behind the story, etc. It’s a book designed to start conversations. But therein lies the problem and the question I was left with throughout. Can a friendship really be considered a friendship if you’ve never actually talked???? While this book was completely readable in its non-soap-boxy style of delivery - it still missed the mark a bit for me. How can someone be your best friend if you’re two different races, but you’ve literally never talked about race??? Pretty much because Jen would probably be one of those people who in real life would say something absolutely ridiculous like “she doesn’t even seeeeee color” . . . .
While not intentionally a bad person, Jen did leave me with the impression that who needs enemies if this is your ride or die? But I guess that’s better than every other person in this book who happily word vomited out whatever sort of bigoted racial commentary that came into their head.
I’m not trying to bash this book, though. I wasn’t a fan of every implicit bias being worn on the characters' sleeves, but as I said this is a readable/relatable story. It will get people talking and that’s the whole starting off point for making a change. Book clubs of all ages and races will gravitate toward this easy to consume choice that covers such an important subject and that is a good thing. It’s just too bad in a book that was supposed to be about this great friendship between two women that I felt like Riley was used as more of “some of my best friends are black” and taken advantage of by the already privileged by birth Jen rather than a true bestie.
October 22, 2021
Sitting with this one before I rate - review to come.
10/13/21 update: OKAY I’ll rate it. I’ve been hemming and hawing on finally reviewing this one, because I just think I’m a dissenter against all of the love for this book. I just could not get past the friendship between Riley and Jen and just - could not find empathy for Jen. We truly did not see her be a good friend to Riley once, and I feel like we saw no growth on Jen’s part, practically at all. Perhaps this was part of the intent, but it just didn’t land for me and I could not understand nor believe this friendship at all. It’s not to say I hated it - but I did set it down and not come back to it for a few weeks, and ultimately think it was just far too hyped for what it was. Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for a chance to read a review copy.
10/13/21 update: OKAY I’ll rate it. I’ve been hemming and hawing on finally reviewing this one, because I just think I’m a dissenter against all of the love for this book. I just could not get past the friendship between Riley and Jen and just - could not find empathy for Jen. We truly did not see her be a good friend to Riley once, and I feel like we saw no growth on Jen’s part, practically at all. Perhaps this was part of the intent, but it just didn’t land for me and I could not understand nor believe this friendship at all. It’s not to say I hated it - but I did set it down and not come back to it for a few weeks, and ultimately think it was just far too hyped for what it was. Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for a chance to read a review copy.
December 21, 2021
3.5 stars!
As much as I really enjoyed the writing, I just think this book was written only with a certain type of person in mind - the white women who don’t know a thing about microaggressions, or what Black women and men have to deal with on a day-to-day basis. The book club people, so to speak.
I really thought this was going to be the book of the year for me, and I just don’t know why it didn’t work. It was a little underwhelming. And I know that Jen is supposed to make the reader uncomfortable, but she’s also an extremely entitled character who just didn’t deserve Riley as a friend.
Would i recommend this? Sure. But is this book for everyone? I have a hard time saying yes, only because it’s more of a story about two women navigating race than anything. I was expecting something with more depth , if I’m going to be completely honest. But I do see the value in this book though, just not for me.
As much as I really enjoyed the writing, I just think this book was written only with a certain type of person in mind - the white women who don’t know a thing about microaggressions, or what Black women and men have to deal with on a day-to-day basis. The book club people, so to speak.
I really thought this was going to be the book of the year for me, and I just don’t know why it didn’t work. It was a little underwhelming. And I know that Jen is supposed to make the reader uncomfortable, but she’s also an extremely entitled character who just didn’t deserve Riley as a friend.
Would i recommend this? Sure. But is this book for everyone? I have a hard time saying yes, only because it’s more of a story about two women navigating race than anything. I was expecting something with more depth , if I’m going to be completely honest. But I do see the value in this book though, just not for me.
July 12, 2023
I wasn't sure how I would feel about this book since I grew up in the 1950's in rural Georgia, but I did really enjoy it although it is mostly about friendship and racial issues. I loved the story of the two best friends, one black, one white who grew up together, their lives changed but they remained close and tried to always talk things out. I also liked that even through trials and troubles, both characters had a pretty happy ending in the story. Definitely recommend.
November 2, 2021
Set in Philadelphia, the lifelong friendship of Jen and Riley is tested like never before. Jen, a white woman, is married to Kevin, a local policeman. She had struggled to get pregnant and is now happily expecting. Money has been an issue for the couple so Riley, who is Black and a TV news reporter on the rise, helped pay for her IVF treatments. When Kevin and his partner shoot Justin, a Black teenager, in a case of mistaken identity, it deeply affects Riley, who is assigned to cover the story for her station. This could pave the way for an anchor position for Riley yet it puts a strain on her friendship with Jen, who trying to deal with her own feelings about Kevin’s actions as well as the health of her unborn child. Both women have to deal with this life-changing event all while hoping their friendship won’t be forever fractured.
Riley’s beloved grandmother tells her, “I want the world to be better, baby girl. We gotta do better.” And that is the main point of this emotional book which deals with systemic racism. When Riley confronts Jen, she shouts, “It’s a priviledge never to think about race. I don’t have that priviledge.” We Are Not Like Them is written by interracial friends Christine Pride and Jo Piazza. They serve as the voices of Riley and Jen to tell this powerful story from very different perspectives. This is a timely book that is direct and thought-provoking. Riley’s mother has one of the best words of advice, “You can’t expect everyone to get everything. Sometimes you’ve gotta meet people where they are and bring them along.”
This book is perfect for book clubs and should stimulate lots of meaningful discussions. Perhaps it will help bring us all along. We must do better.
Rated 4.5 stars.
Review posted on MicheleReader.com.
Riley’s beloved grandmother tells her, “I want the world to be better, baby girl. We gotta do better.” And that is the main point of this emotional book which deals with systemic racism. When Riley confronts Jen, she shouts, “It’s a priviledge never to think about race. I don’t have that priviledge.” We Are Not Like Them is written by interracial friends Christine Pride and Jo Piazza. They serve as the voices of Riley and Jen to tell this powerful story from very different perspectives. This is a timely book that is direct and thought-provoking. Riley’s mother has one of the best words of advice, “You can’t expect everyone to get everything. Sometimes you’ve gotta meet people where they are and bring them along.”
This book is perfect for book clubs and should stimulate lots of meaningful discussions. Perhaps it will help bring us all along. We must do better.
Rated 4.5 stars.
Review posted on MicheleReader.com.
September 19, 2021
Jen and Riley have been best friends since kindergarten. As adults, they remain as close as sisters, though their lives have taken different directions. Jen married young and after years of trying, is finally pregnant. Riley pursued her childhood dream of becoming a television journalist and is posed to be one of the first black female anchors of the top news channel in their hometown, Philadelphia. But the deep bond they share is severely tested when Jen's husband, a city police officer, is involved in the shooting of a black unarmed teenager.
Not only is this a story of Jen who is white and Riley who is black, the book is also written by two authors, one black the other white.
Jen's husband, Kevin shoots and kills an unarmed fourteen year old black youth and Jen and Riley are forced to confront racism. When the friends since kindergarten are forced to pick sides, the women have to choose between history, family and friendship. This is a sensitively written and thought provoking read. I found the prologue heart-breaking. Loved this book.
I would like to thank #NetGalley, #HQ and the authors #ChristinePride #JoPiazza for my ARC of #WeAreNotLikeThem in exchange for an honest review.
Not only is this a story of Jen who is white and Riley who is black, the book is also written by two authors, one black the other white.
Jen's husband, Kevin shoots and kills an unarmed fourteen year old black youth and Jen and Riley are forced to confront racism. When the friends since kindergarten are forced to pick sides, the women have to choose between history, family and friendship. This is a sensitively written and thought provoking read. I found the prologue heart-breaking. Loved this book.
I would like to thank #NetGalley, #HQ and the authors #ChristinePride #JoPiazza for my ARC of #WeAreNotLikeThem in exchange for an honest review.
January 3, 2022
This book really had the opportunity to share a lot of social justice themes and it failed at that. It just seemed like a story suited for the white gaze with no real lessons learned in the end. It once again pitted the work of the friendship to be on the Black friend. There was no accountability for the white characters in the book.
July 12, 2021
I have tried to write a review for this book about 10 times now and I just do not know how to place into words how amazing this book is. In current times with the murder of George Floyd whilst people stood around with black voices being louder than ever calling out for change, we are not like them absolutely nails it!
Riley and Jen are best friends and have been since pre k. Jen grew up with a mum who was absent picked men over her and disappeared for days sometimes weeks at a time. Where as Riley almost had an idyllic childhood two parents a fantastic grandmother and her brother. Riley's family quickly became Jen's family and it's been that way ever since. That is until the fateful night on which Jen's police officer husband shots and kills an unarmed black teen. Riley is told she is the lead reporter on the case. Suddenly the fact Jen is white and Riley is black starts to play a huge role in their relationship dynamics, as the topic of race is an area they cannot ignore.
This book had me angry, sad joyful, sad again but mostly it had me wanting to recommend of to every single person whose ever lived who doesn't understand the concept of white privilege. What this book doesn't do is tell you that one of their view points is correct. Jen is clearly not consciously bias and neither is Riley. Yet both women have been raised to see the world completely different. Sometimes not in either favour.
What the book really demonstrates is the importance and urgency for change. Espically regarding police procedures in America (although this isn't just an American problem, we just hear more about racism in America), however what this story demonstrates so well is unconscious bias and racism.
Is sitting and ignoring someone's racist comment partaking in racism or rising above? So many great questions are answered like this throughout the story.
What the authors also do so well is recognise the role that the BAME community have to play to help reduce ignorance. Its something I myself really struggled to come to grips with last year, being bombarded with questions about my experience as a black woman, but how will others learn without further education?
So to anyone and everyone I highly recommend we are not like them. It's one of the best books I've read this year and it's really hard to write a review about the actual storyline because it feels more than a plot. It's the here and now it may be fiction but none research gone into writing this book is outstanding. 5+ stars
Thank you to the amazing authors, the publishers and netgley for the digital advanced copy of we are not like them in exchange for my fair and honest opinion.
Riley and Jen are best friends and have been since pre k. Jen grew up with a mum who was absent picked men over her and disappeared for days sometimes weeks at a time. Where as Riley almost had an idyllic childhood two parents a fantastic grandmother and her brother. Riley's family quickly became Jen's family and it's been that way ever since. That is until the fateful night on which Jen's police officer husband shots and kills an unarmed black teen. Riley is told she is the lead reporter on the case. Suddenly the fact Jen is white and Riley is black starts to play a huge role in their relationship dynamics, as the topic of race is an area they cannot ignore.
This book had me angry, sad joyful, sad again but mostly it had me wanting to recommend of to every single person whose ever lived who doesn't understand the concept of white privilege. What this book doesn't do is tell you that one of their view points is correct. Jen is clearly not consciously bias and neither is Riley. Yet both women have been raised to see the world completely different. Sometimes not in either favour.
What the book really demonstrates is the importance and urgency for change. Espically regarding police procedures in America (although this isn't just an American problem, we just hear more about racism in America), however what this story demonstrates so well is unconscious bias and racism.
Is sitting and ignoring someone's racist comment partaking in racism or rising above? So many great questions are answered like this throughout the story.
What the authors also do so well is recognise the role that the BAME community have to play to help reduce ignorance. Its something I myself really struggled to come to grips with last year, being bombarded with questions about my experience as a black woman, but how will others learn without further education?
So to anyone and everyone I highly recommend we are not like them. It's one of the best books I've read this year and it's really hard to write a review about the actual storyline because it feels more than a plot. It's the here and now it may be fiction but none research gone into writing this book is outstanding. 5+ stars
Thank you to the amazing authors, the publishers and netgley for the digital advanced copy of we are not like them in exchange for my fair and honest opinion.
January 4, 2022
Christine Pride and Jo Piazza's new novel,
We Are Not Like Them
, is powerful and thought-provoking.
Wow. I’m a little late to the party on this one but thanks to my friend Jenni for sending me a birthday gift off my wishlist. I devoured it quickly, as this really was fantastic.
Jen and Riley have been best friends since childhood, so long that Jen remembers when Riley went by her given name, Leroya. Even though one is Black and one white, and their lives have taken different paths, their bond is as close as sisters in many ways. Jen is married and has finally gotten pregnant after years of trying, and Riley is on her way to becoming a news anchor—one of only a few Black female anchors in Philadelphia history.
One night it all changes. Jen’s husband, a policeman, is involved in the shooting of an unarmed Black teenager. Much to Jen’s dismay, Riley is the network’s choice to cover the aftermath of the shooting and the investigation. While the difference in their races hasn’t always been an issue in Jen and Riley’s friendship, the shooting may prove too big to overcome.
As Jen struggles both with her pregnancy and the public outrage against her husband, she has to examine her own feelings and biases. At the same time, Riley has to try and separate her feelings for her friend from her feelings not only about the shooting and the inequities of race, but also her ambitions and whether she’s being used as a pawn for the very reason her star is rising.
We Are Not Like Them is a tremendously thought-provoking book, one that would be great for a book club. The characters are not perfect—I often felt like the friendship was a little one-sided and that Jen was a bit of a brat—but thinking of how you’d react in a situation like this is eye-opening.
See all of my reviews at itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com.
Follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/the.bookishworld.of.yrralh/.
Wow. I’m a little late to the party on this one but thanks to my friend Jenni for sending me a birthday gift off my wishlist. I devoured it quickly, as this really was fantastic.
Jen and Riley have been best friends since childhood, so long that Jen remembers when Riley went by her given name, Leroya. Even though one is Black and one white, and their lives have taken different paths, their bond is as close as sisters in many ways. Jen is married and has finally gotten pregnant after years of trying, and Riley is on her way to becoming a news anchor—one of only a few Black female anchors in Philadelphia history.
One night it all changes. Jen’s husband, a policeman, is involved in the shooting of an unarmed Black teenager. Much to Jen’s dismay, Riley is the network’s choice to cover the aftermath of the shooting and the investigation. While the difference in their races hasn’t always been an issue in Jen and Riley’s friendship, the shooting may prove too big to overcome.
As Jen struggles both with her pregnancy and the public outrage against her husband, she has to examine her own feelings and biases. At the same time, Riley has to try and separate her feelings for her friend from her feelings not only about the shooting and the inequities of race, but also her ambitions and whether she’s being used as a pawn for the very reason her star is rising.
We Are Not Like Them is a tremendously thought-provoking book, one that would be great for a book club. The characters are not perfect—I often felt like the friendship was a little one-sided and that Jen was a bit of a brat—but thinking of how you’d react in a situation like this is eye-opening.
See all of my reviews at itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com.
Follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/the.bookishworld.of.yrralh/.
October 14, 2021
I hate writing negative reviews but, I can’t keep this one quiet in my head.
In a nutshell: Cliched, caricatured, over simplified, displaying black grief for entertainment purposes whilst pandering to white guilt.
The book centres around Jen and Riley’s ‘close’ friendship which appears to be extremely one sided with Jen appearing as a selfish white woman who demands sympathy from the reader for all that she’s suffered. Jen has never discussed race with her lifelong friend although does at one point claim she isn’t racist because “her best friend is black”. I told you, cliched. I don’t think Jen’s voice was necessary in the narrative, it felt like a cheap device and took Riley’s voice out of the spotlight. Yet again handing the mic over to white privilege.
Their friendship becomes strained when Jen’s husband Kevin, shoots a black teenager whilst on duty as a police officer and Riley, a journalist and aspiring news anchor covers the story. Whilst this is a huge topic that deserves thoughtful discussion I felt that it was brought in a way that didn’t serve to deepen the conversation and instead commercialised it.
I’m not sure who the audience of this book is supposed to be. But perhaps this’ll be popular amongst book clubs and aspiring woke white women.
Ugh… I hate writing this because I also really appreciate that these two women worked insanely hard to produce a book together that attempts to tackle important current issues. But it just didn’t work. Did it need to be co-authored? Was that an attempt to give it validity?
It did lead me onto an exploration of commentaries on police violence…
Recommended reading:
📖 Freedom is a Constant Struggle by Angela Y Davis (reread)
📖Forced Out by Kevin Maxwell (read - review to come)
📖The End of Policing by Alex S Vitale (tbr)
In a nutshell: Cliched, caricatured, over simplified, displaying black grief for entertainment purposes whilst pandering to white guilt.
The book centres around Jen and Riley’s ‘close’ friendship which appears to be extremely one sided with Jen appearing as a selfish white woman who demands sympathy from the reader for all that she’s suffered. Jen has never discussed race with her lifelong friend although does at one point claim she isn’t racist because “her best friend is black”. I told you, cliched. I don’t think Jen’s voice was necessary in the narrative, it felt like a cheap device and took Riley’s voice out of the spotlight. Yet again handing the mic over to white privilege.
Their friendship becomes strained when Jen’s husband Kevin, shoots a black teenager whilst on duty as a police officer and Riley, a journalist and aspiring news anchor covers the story. Whilst this is a huge topic that deserves thoughtful discussion I felt that it was brought in a way that didn’t serve to deepen the conversation and instead commercialised it.
I’m not sure who the audience of this book is supposed to be. But perhaps this’ll be popular amongst book clubs and aspiring woke white women.
Ugh… I hate writing this because I also really appreciate that these two women worked insanely hard to produce a book together that attempts to tackle important current issues. But it just didn’t work. Did it need to be co-authored? Was that an attempt to give it validity?
It did lead me onto an exploration of commentaries on police violence…
Recommended reading:
📖 Freedom is a Constant Struggle by Angela Y Davis (reread)
📖Forced Out by Kevin Maxwell (read - review to come)
📖The End of Policing by Alex S Vitale (tbr)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 5,083 reviews