Great story of 2 friends Riley and Jen who have grown up together and shared everything despite their different backgrounds and their colour never mattered. Then Jen's husband a police officer and white shoots a black boy and their friendship is put to the test in every way possible.
This one act could destroy more than just Riley and Jen's friendship. As their community takes sides, so must Jen and Riley, and for the first time in their lives the lifelong friends find themselves on opposing sides.
But can anyone win a fight like this?
A gripping and powerful book that explores race, love and forgiveness.

The authors Christine Pride and Jo Piazza are a white woman and a black woman and they have each written sections of this different and powerful novel. While I have read a lot of non-fiction in the late two years to learn more about my white privilege and the causes of racism in both the US and the UK, reading a relatable and personal account in a fiction form provides a different angle which makes the theory feel more real somehow.
I applaud the authors and thank them. This is a novel that everyone should read. It pulls no punches and shows the reality of life, particularly for young black men, in the US. Maybe this story will open eyes and encourage a wider understanding? I hope so.

A thought provoking story that is sadly so topical in today's world. Riley and Jen are lifelong friends. Riley is black and Jen is white but their colour has never come between them until a policeman shoots an unarmed teenage black boy .The policeman is Jen's husband. It's a well written novel that raises awareness of not only race and colour, but on family relationships, loyalties, friendships and American history too.
I enjoyed the book and would recommend that everyone reads it, and hopefully learns from it.
Thank you to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for an arc of this book.

Not Every Story is Black and White.

Riley and Jen have always been opposites, but their differences never stopped them being friends.

Riley is a news reporter climbing the ladder, Jen is happy being a receptionist and trying for a baby with her husband.

Jen is agressively friendly and magnetic, Riley prefers her spotlight being on the screen only.

Jen doesn't know a loving family, Rileys family always has room for one more.

Riley is black, Jen is white.

When Jens husband, a police officer, shoots an unarmed young black man and Riley is assigned lead reporter on the case, they suddenly find themselves on opposite sides for the first time ever.

Lives have been taken, lives have been ruined - can their friendship survive the fallout?



We Are Not Like Them is a powerful, blazing statement about the world we live in and the need for us to stick together in trying times to overcome the forces that oppress us. Heartbreakingly realistic for too many people, this story explores the wider fallout of racism and police brutality - not just to the victims and their families but the communities that grieve for them and fear that they could be next.

This story is not a story about 'we' vs 'them' in sense of identity, but the 'we' vs 'them' of people versus injustice - each side of the story is heartfelt and honest, trying to show fully the impact that one moment can have and reach it can have. Jens husband, Kevin, has to try and understand the implications, the true consquences of his actions, Jen has to try and understand just why the death of a stranger would upset her best friend so much, and Riley has to try and figure out how to explain all of this to someone who has never had to think about the things she has.

With a different author writing each character, they both had stunning unique voices full of heartfelt honesty - encouraging readers to probe into the parts of society they might not usually think about and examine their own feelings.

This novel is a searing indictment of racism and prejudice, coupled with the powerful message that love can cross any boundary if you open yourself up to it.

A topical storyline that sensitively explores race and racism amidst the context of two long life friends Riley, who is black and Jen who is white. Whilst there have always been some unsaid lived experiences about being woman of different race, both characters suggest they didn’t notice this. However this isn’t entirely true and their friendship is tested when Jen’s husband who is a police officer is involved in the unlawful killing of a young black boy. Riley a reporter is torn between her career and the requirement to report the event with that of being a friend and support to Jen.
Both characters share their experience and perspective in alternating chapters. It is powerful, thought provoking and whilst steeped in the issue of race, it is ultimately about friendship. What I found pleasing and intriguing is that both saw in each other strength, confidence and personal attributes that each wished they could be more like, when in reality both lived with a lack of confidence and did not see the positives each saw in the other. They had in some respects drifted apart and this situation could potentially bring an end to their relationship.
At times when the media invasion of Jen’s life occurred and Riley’s ability to not be linked personally, didn’t always feel entirely realistic, but was well maneuvered to keep it as realistic as possible. Jen’s husband was cleverly crafted. He was for all intent and purposes a character kept in the shadows. Not saying an awful lot, you are unsure if he is a good guy or not until a long way into the book. Family characters are full of charm and wise messages, that also reinforces the importance of the extended family to ground and guide us all as we navigate the pitfalls of life. One to digest, share, discuss, reflect and embrace.

Such a powerful book exploring, race, prejudice and friendship.

Riley is black, Jen is white, and they’ve been best friends since they were little. But their friendship is tested when Jen’s husband who is a police officer, is involved in the shooting of an unarmed black teenager.

Riley and Jen share their stories, experiences and thoughts in alternate chapters. I felt both authors handled the subject matter objectively, honestly and with sensitivity.

It saddens me that lessons from the past still haven’t been learnt today and live in hope that one day we will live in an equal, harmonious world.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

Many thanks to Netgalley and HQStories for this copy of We Are Not Like Them to review.
It’s certainly a book dealing with current issues, at the same time though it reminds you that these aren’t just current issues. They’ve been around forever.
I’m going to tell you my honest feelings as a white reader of this book, but to be really honest I’m not sure exactly how I feel.
A tiny part of me wishes it weren’t based around Police. I accept there is a big problem within police forces world wide and things need to change, but it’s been done before in THUG and we need the police forces so I’d just hate if this bought any more hate their way. Yes changes need to happen but I can’t imagine more hate from people will help? I’m sure there’s racism in every organisation unfortunately so I just thought maybe the authors could have chosen a different setting.
Having said that I thought the writing was great from both authors. I mostly enjoyed the read but it did make me stop and think many times. I did feel slightly uncomfortable at some points, but I’m thinking that was the aim. I can’t ever know exactly how it feels to be a POC because I’m white.
I’d say it’s a good story. Very thought provoking. Well worth a read but be prepared for some truths.

#WeAreNotLikeThem
DESCRIPTION - 'Riley and Jen have been best friends since they were children, and they thought their bond was unbreakable. It never mattered to them that Riley is black and Jen is white. And then Jen's husband, a Philadelphia police officer, is involved in the shooting of an unarmed black teenager and everything changes in an instant.'

This is an important book that explores race, policing and justice. It's written by two authors (one black and one white) who alternate chapters from Riley's and Jen's perspectives. It's unflinching in its scrutiny of racism, friendship and the media. Interestingly, it also touches on class, an aspect often overlooked.

It can be difficult to explore important issues without tipping into lecturing or, at the other extreme, trivialising the reality of people's lives and losses. But this novel gives the topic the seriousness it deserves whilst also creating well-rounded characters. It's an engaging and well-paced read that I read in one sitting.

It would be wrong to view this novel as the answer to everyone's questions about how to address racism and police shootings. But it's the start of a conversation and Riley and Jen's interactions invite readers to question their own prejudices. The characters may be fictional but the tentative solutions and much-needed lessons are ones that readers will carry into their real lives.


Thanks to #NetGalley for this review copy.

Wow what a brilliant book this is! ‘We Are Not Like Them’ by Christine Pride and Jo Piazza is so very timely after the recent incidents in America namely George Floyd etc. This novel made me think really hard as a white person about how privileged I am and how I need to read and learn more about black issues.

The background to this novel is interesting and the two author approach really appealed to me for authenticity in the points made.

I was disappointed that the story followed the type of news we've heard far too often now. Black man shot, white police officer responsible, but not taking responsibility. It is horrible to see in real life, but I don't think writing a fictional novel about the same sat that well with me.

I've read many books on race, racial history, prejudice and white privilege so this didn't add much to my awareness, and ultimately left me feeling slightly let down as I had high hopes.

‘He knew better. No sudden movements. Don’t be a threat. Do what they say. His mom had drilled this into him since he was old enough to walk. He didn’t even have a chance though; his mind moved so much slower then the bullets.’

This is the most powerful book I’ve ever read. When an innocent Black teenager is gunned down by Philadelphia police in the street, it leaves a shockwave of pain and grief that grows bigger than the family could ever have imagined.

Riley, a Black woman, is the head news reporter on the case and her best friend since childhood is Jen, a white woman, who is married to one of the offending officers and heavily pregnant with their first child.

I was drawn in by the concept alone: two authors teaming up, one Black and one white, to show two alternating voices. I think this book will make its mark in history.

The book covers so much, yet the pages seems to fly by, and the plot details are so well placed that you really do feel your perspectives shifting back and forth.

It’s a painful and emotional book for sure, but there are incredible heartwarming rays of sunlight that appear now and then during the storm too. It’s a beautiful story of struggle, friendship, growth and hope. And I would recommend it to absolutely everyone.

Favourite quote:

“Better to be tried by twelve than carried by six…”

We Are Not Like Them will be available from 14th October 2021, thank you to NetGalley for the arc.

Jen and Riley have been best friends since childhood. Jen is white and Riley is black, but the subject of race has never come up between them. Jen is now married to a cop, and finally pregnant after years of trying to conceive. Riley is on track to become one of the first black female anchors at her news station. The two women know each other inside and out, and consider themselves closer than sisters. But then Jen's husband shoots and kills a black teenager in the line of duty, and their lives - and their friendship - is turned upside down...

What I liked about this novel: it was well-written and, at times, a discomfiting read which raised important questions. The characters were well-realised and their friendship believable, and the issue of race was dealt with sensitively and thoroughly. This was definitely a book that made me sit down and re-evaluate how deeply entrenched racism is in our culture, and left me wanting to both learn and do more to eradicate it.

What I didn't like as much: sometimes the dialogue was so earnest that it leaned a little into after-school-special territory which made me pull back a little and lessened the impact of some of the more dramatic scenes.

On the whole, I really enjoyed this novel, and will be recommending it to friends/my book club.

Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher who granted me a free ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.

A fantastic story offering some differing viewpoints of a challenging subject and the impact that this can have on relationships of different levels.

Riley and Jen have been friends all their lives. They have taken different paths: career orientated Riley is a television journalist, aiming for the anchor spot on the news, whilst Jen is a dentist’s receptionist, married to a police officer and desperate for the child she is now carrying as a result of her final try at IVF. Now an unarmed black teenager has been shot and Jen’s husband and his partner are the ones who fired their guns. Issues of race which neither woman has confronted before begin to infiltrate their friendship, and they re-evaluate events, actions and comments from the past in a new light.
This is a very even-handed book; the chapters alternate the points of view of Riley and Jen whilst moving the story forward, and all the main characters are multi-dimensional and believable, evoking empathy from the reader. The plot is gripping, the depiction of the way the media and politicians use the polarisation of the two groups to suit their own ends is alarming, and the trolling of the characters on both sides by those with extremist views is only too familiar in today’s world.
Thought-provoking and sensitive, this novel is a great read whilst emphasising the point that we cannot possibly know the experience of anyone other than ourselves, and unless we are prepared to talk about it, and even more importantly, know how to listen, we have no chance of understanding it or appreciating the impact it has on life. This book has certainly stayed with me since I read it, and whilst I cannot purchase it for my own (primary school) library, I will definitely recommend it to all the adult readers I know.

Jenny and Riley have been best friends since childhood. Sharing their life secrets and an intimacy only best friends can share. When a black teenager is shot by a white policeman the grief and argument across the city divides the people but divides Jenny and Riley as Riley is the reporter covering the short who is black and her white best friend, Jenny, is married to the policeman.
This is a thought provoking read and it’s difficult to put into words how I felt about this book but I urge you to read it.
Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for this arc in exchange for my honest review.

An amazing read!
This was a book that will stay with me for a long time as I was reading I found myself putting my kindle down to take a breath and to digest what I was reading. I really did live and breathe the book and also found myself questioning myself and asking myself the question “how would I deal with that” it really did bring out so many emotions. It’s a beautifully written book and the think I loved about it that although it was very intense and dealt with many issues it was also a damn good story with some amazing characters.
So this was a read that had everything you want in an exceptional story it made me think, it made me cry but most of all it made me realise this is why I love reading to come across books like this one.
I’m not one for rehashing the a storyline and this one is impossible to describe I feel this is a book to go into with no preconceived ideas I devoured it, loved every single page and it’s a book I won’t forget.
Please don’t miss this it’s too good to miss, it’s too important to miss and sends a message to us all,I think it’s going to be a huge success and it deserves it, many thanks to Christine Pride and Jo Piazza you nailed it !
My thanks also to NetGalley and HQ for giving me the chance to read the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

"We Are Not Like Them is the most important novel you'll read this year" - I could not agree more with this statement!

We Are Not Like Them is a story about two friends - a black women and a white woman. They've been friends since early childhood. Riley is breaking through as a successful black female reporter, and Jen is finally pregnant with her policeman husband. When Jen's husband is involved in the police shooting of an unarmed black teenager, Riley & Jen's friendship is tested to its limits.

Written as a collaboration between a black author and a white author, We Are Not Like Them is a fascinating and timely read. It draws upon the authors' experiences to provide the reader with a well rounded, insightful story that focusses on some of the most pertinent issues of our generation. I recommend it to EVERYONE!

A powerful story on a subject that is all too real in today’s world.
Well written and riveting from start to finish.

An immediate unputdownable story! The friendship between the two main characters Jenny and Riley is so intertwined that it is sometimes difficult to tell them apart yet the two of them couldnt be more different - one white and the other coloured! One married to a Cop and the other an anchor woman for the local TV station! They grew up together, they know each other inside out - or do they! Jenny’s husband’s tragic accident causes an unforeseen rift and the friendship is sorely tested! I had several lump in the throat moments so vivid was the telling! The families come alive as does each and every character! Brilliant!

We Are Not Like Them is a powerful novel everyone should read.

The Writing duo of Christine Pride and Jo Piazza, one woman of colour and the other white, is inspired.

THE BLURB

Not every story is black and white.

Riley and Jen have been best friends since they were children, and they thought their bond was unbreakable. It never mattered to them that Riley is black and Jen is white. And then Jen's husband, a Philadelphia police officer, is involved in the shooting of an unarmed black teenager and everything changes in an instant.

This one act could destroy more than just Riley and Jen's friendship. As their community takes sides, so must Jen and Riley, and for the first time in their lives the lifelong friends find themselves on opposing sides.

But can anyone win a fight like this?

We Are Not Like Them is about friendship and love. It's about prejudice and betrayal. It's about standing up for what you believe in, no matter the cost.


This is a difficult but necessary read. As a white woman I learned so much about privilege and how easily it comes by dint of skin colour.

This kind of story, unfortunately, is nothing new. The insight into how it affects the victim's and cop's family is insightful. More than this, the relationship between Riley and Jen is powerful.

I expect this will be a novel that provokes discussion and rightfully so. Read and be open to learn.

To be published 5th October.