Told in alternating POVs as Jen and Riley react in the aftermath of a shooting of an unarmed Black teenage by Jen’s police officer husband, We Are Not Like Them is a timely novel. It explores systemic racism within the police force, and there are some interesting conversations the characters hold to show how the lived experiences of white people are different to the experiences of Black people, even those who grew up together
.
There are some important and thought provoking passages in this book. It may be fiction but there is a truth to the novel. I liked the chapters from Riley’s POV. She is a strong character to follow and the conflict she feels seems real. I would have preferred to read more of Riley’s thoughts rather than Jen’s which seemed to want to garner sympathy for the situation of her and her husband
.
The book also covers the theme of motherhood, through Tamara, whose son is shot, and Jen, who after years of miscarriage and failed IVF attempts is finally pregnant. The difference in their situations is heartbreaking and I thought the scene they meet was very emotional
.
An issue I had with this novel is the relationship between Riley and Jen. I struggled to feel the deep bond that this book tells readers they have. Yes they grew up together and have shared memories, but from the first chapter there is a disconnect between them. I felt it needed more time to explore their relationship before they are torn apart by the events of the shooting. Also it felt one-sided on Jen’s part, and I really didn’t see what Riley got out of it
.
I found the conclusion of the story wrapped a little too quickly. The build up is slow as it deals with important topics but the ending was over too fast. I didn’t dislike the book but I needed more
…
Thanks to NetGalley and HQ Stories for the ARC of this book to read and review

3,5* rounded to 4
it's a book that talks about relevant topics like racism, the friendship between different women and it's one of those book that requires you to be patient because you will be rewarded.
There's plenty of food for thought and it's poignant but it's also very slow and it took more than 50% before I was feeling hooked and the gist of the friendship was showing.
i liked it even if it's not a favorite.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

I enjoyed the style of writing and the emotive topic of this book. It feels very relevant and current, and the main characters are well rounded. I would have liked more depth with some of the supporting characters in the book but I would recommend this book, it is eye opening in places and challenges your thoughts and your biases.

Thanks to Netgalley and HQ for the ARC of this book.
Absolutely loved the book. The characters are so different but the same. This book sets out the way we all should think, we are all the same we are not defined by the colour of our skin. Obviously the storyline is very current and on people’s minds but it should not be about colour it is just about the actions people take.

I absolutely loved this book, not my usual genre, but just wanted to keep reading. Two friends since childhood and how they overcome their differences in race to be there for each other. Loved how it helped you understand the turmoil, insecurity that being friends from different backgrounds is a challenge, but friendship wins through.

A really important book that forced me (as a white woman) to question my own unconscious biases. It’s about two women - one white, one black - who have been best friends since childhood, then as adults something happens that forces both of them to deal with issues that their friendship has never dealt with before. I found it a really insightful, powerful book with a plot that kept me interested until the end. The dual perspectives was a really effective tool to convey the key messages of the book, and I loved that it was written by a pair of authors so was real in a way that an author with one perspective could never capture.

A very topical subject of life in America for a black woman, Riley and a white woman, Jen, who have been best friends since childhood and don't appear to see their differences. Then Jen's policeman husband is involved in the death of a young black schoolboy and their differences open up.
Although the situation is nothing new and this story is not a new one these two writers bring more to the situation than the usual problems. They explore the inner feelings of each woman and how they feel about themselves and do not discuss their differences, which can tear their relationship apart. They each need to be more honest with the other.
A well written, absorbing book that will keep me thinking long after I finished it.
Many thanks to Netgalley/Christine Pride/Jo Piazza/HQ for a digital copy of this title. All opinions expressed are my own.

This book is absolutely phenomenal!! Wow!
I was hooked from the start, and genuinely didn't know where this book was going. I didn't want this book to end!
This book felt like a piece of non fiction because it just felt so real and so so relevant.
The writing style was so filmic, and the whole time I could picture each moment so vividly. The characters were brilliantly written, and I could empathise with both protagonists - Riley and Jen equally.
When toying with the star rating for this book, I wasn't sure whether to do 4 or 5 stars. But since reading this book it has really stayed with me, and I cannot stop thinking about it.

This book has to be my favourite book of 2021 so far!!

#bookreview of We Are Not Like Them by Christine Pride and Jo Piazza.

Jenny and Riley have been inseparable friends since they were kids. They know each other inside out and nothing could come between them not their different life experiences, careers or skin colours…that is until Jenny’s police officer husband shoots and kills an unarmed black teenager. Suddenly there is a chasm of unsaid words and unconscious bias between the two friends. Especially as Riley is not the reporter leading the media storm around the shooting.

I love books that rather than shy away from the important issues, shine a spotlight on them instead. We Are Not Like Them is definitely a book that belongs in that category. It’s a really clever idea to have dual authors. I felt this really showed in the writing and made Riley and Jenny relatable and authentic, well rounded characters. My sympathy changed and adapted with each narrative. It’s such an emotive read with an incredibly important message that is written into the plot with perfection.

Thank you to the authors, publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to review an advanced copy of the book in exchange for an honest opinion.

My thanks to Christine Pride:Jo Piazza, HQ and Net Galley for the ARC of WE ARE NOT LIKE THEM.
Thought-provoking and heart-rending, this story will prick the skin of all of us. Would we take sides and destroy a friendship that meant so much to us, or would we remain constant to the beliefs we hold dear? A sometimes uncomfortable read with prejudices that need to be addressed. Stomach-churning.

Thought provoking.

I felt the book told a story that is nearer to what is happening in society the world over than any of us would like to think. Although I enjoyable the read I was left wondering whether society can overcome the inherent prejudices that the storyline identifies. Quite disturbing.

This was a compelling book and one I will recommend to others to read for sure.

There were just a few areas I was ​struggling with and mainly it was with the authenticity of the friendship between best friends Jen and Riley. It seemed a little one sided in Jen's favour. I felt it very early on and was struggling to get through the first four chapters. That said, once I pushed past the 40% mark of the book the remaining chapters to the end were compelling and I found myself itching to see where the story went.

I also struggled to connect with Riley's character and her obvious flaws what I did enjoy and it surprised me was the little glimses of her relationship with Corey. This part of the story I enjoyed and would like to have read more about and to see how the rest of their relationship unfolded.

Thank you to Netgalley and HQ publishers for my advanced copy in return for my honest review.

As the blurb on this book states that not every story is black and white, this excellent novel covers all the grey areas in full colour. For anyone not understanding the substantial differences between how black and white people are treated in the USA, this book is the perfect read.
Riley is the black girl and has done well in life reaching a senior reporter's role for the local news channel, after changing her name to sound potentially more white?
Jen is her best friend and the white girl in this relationship. Her police officer husband has been involved in the shooting and death of a black teenager. For anyone who has read the news over the past two years, this is a frequent activity that has finally reached the news-stands around the world. For black people, this has been news for decades. Jen is pregnant, but her relationship with Riley has been blown open and cast aside as each must take sides as we read the different points of view about what happened and how everyone involved is being treated. Black Riley must report about her white best friend's white husband who was involved in the killing of a black teenager.
As you read the story, you live in hope that the prejudice and betrayal can be solved and the friends can be reunited, as in every good novel, but you will be surprised at the twists and turns as this excellent writer takes you back and forth across two distinctly different, yet very similar situations.
Everything about their friendship is explored and torn apart and although we hope for justice to be served, you will need to turn many more pages to find out what happens to this relationship and everyone involved. Two completely different sets of communities provide extreme points of view that do not help solve the issues.
This is an excellent thought provoking read and if you currently sit on one side of the fence you will certainly be torn to try and understand the views of everyone involved.

We Are Not Like Them is a thought-provoking, timely novel that I'm sure will be talked about a lot.

Riley, who is black, and Jen, who is white, have been best friends for most of their lives. Riley is a successful TV reporter and Jen is finally pregnant after several unsuccessful IVF treatments. While on a night out together, Jen receives a message. Her husband, a police officer, has been involved in the shooting of an innocent black teenager.

While I enjoyed reading the book and wanted to know whether the interracial friendship survives the tragedy, I struggled a bit to buy into the deep bond between Jen and Riley. The friendship seemed a bit one sided with Jen benefiting from it while Riley was holding back and not trusting her friend with much. It was hard for me to believe such friendship would last this long. Despite that I'd still recommend to read the book.

Many thanks to the publisher for my review copy in exchange for an honest review.

We Are Not Like Them is a collaborative effort from Christine Pride and Jo Piazza. This compelling and thought provoking book tackles themes like loyalty, friendship, racial injustice and police violence in a way that really engages the reader and forces them to confront their own thoughts and beliefs. The two authors each narrate the perspective of one of the main characters, Riley and Jenny
Riley is a black woman working as a tv journalist with a career that is on an upward trajectory and strong ties to her family and her best friend from childhood, Jenny.
Jenny, who is white, had a more turbulent childhood and views Riley's family as an extension of her own. Desperate to create a family of her own she married Kevin, a police officer, and is almost due to give birth after her latest round of IVF has finally worked. When Kevin is involved in the shooting dead of a young black boy, it brings his and Jenny's world crashing down, and drives a wedge between Jenny and Riley who is covering the story for her news channel. The tragedy forces both women to reexamine and reevaluate their friendship, which means they are forced to have some very honest and very difficult conversations. They learn more about themselves as well as each other in the process, and discover the value of real friendship.
This book tackles so many of the issues that have sadly made headlines over the past few years in a way that really engages the reader. The characters feel well crafted and believable, though I found it more difficult to warm to Jenny as she seemed a little too oblivious, almost naive at times. The pacing is on point, the dramatic and poignant prologue immediately hooks the reader and the rest of the book unfolds at a steady pace.
This would be an excellent pick for a book club and would certainly lead to some interesting discussion I'm sure .
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own.

This was such a thought provoking book about an inter racial friendship. Quite a powerful read and would recommend. Not my usual read so thanks to NetGalley for this ARC.

An inter-racial friendship bound since childhood is truly tested when a terrible accident occurs. Told in a dual aspect the injustice of what life throws at us is tackled in an emotional journey. Thought provoking. It may challenge how you view the world.

This is a hugely compelling story of racial injustice, loyalty, motherhood, betrayal, friendship, police violence and forgiveness set in the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Deeply intense and thought-provoking, We Are Not Like Them forces the reader to dwell on the way and why they might react in similar circumstances. A magnificently told tale, and very highly recommended.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from HQ via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.

We Are Not Like Them is an incisive and intensely compelling story of racial injustice, betrayal, loyalty, motherhood, lifelong friendship, police violence and the importance of forgiveness set against the backdrop of the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Riley Wilson and Jenny Murphy have been the best of friends since they were knee-high to a grasshopper and have both managed to become successful in their respective fields. Riley, who is black, is a local television news reporter who is in line for promotion to lead anchor, and Jen, who is white, is wife to equally white police officer, Kevin, who became a cop employed by the Philadelphia Police Department after throwing in the towel at a sales job some time ago. Jenny eventually manages to get pregnant after a series of failed IVF treatments and a loan from Riley who paid for the last round of it meaning she helped her friend to conceive. She is now going through her third trimester when tragedy strikes. 14-year-old black teenager Justin Dwyer is brutally shot by Kevin and his partner in the line of duty. It is difficult to understand why when they had been chasing a suspect with a completely different physical description to Dwyer. This tests their relationship to its ultimate limit, and this is only compounded when Riley is assigned to cover the story as Jenny's due to date looms ever larger.

Each is swept up in the intensity and divisiveness of the incident and its obvious connection to race relations and racial discrimination. Riley cannot understand how Jenny is more concerned about Kevin’s future and career and that he could be indicted on charges of murder should the boy pass away than the fact that an innocent man is currently in a coma on life support; this causes friction between the two women of the type that they have never experienced before. This is a ripped from the headlines, deeply affecting tale that very much reflects the multiple tragedies we have seen play out in the media over the past few years, including George Floyd, where systemic racism pervading institutions such as the police force rise to the fore. It features important social commentary on both direct and indirect racism and everything from microaggressions to lynching and the (clandestine) use of racial profiling. The plot does fall a little too serendipitously into place, but writing team Pride and Piazza certainly understand how to engage you in the story, pen a thoroughly enthralling yarn and pack it full of sublimely creeping suspense as the tension is ratcheted up adeptly. It's a character-driven novel in which we eagerly eye the fate of a previously solid friendship that had crossed both racial and class divides. Highly recommended.

This book is a story of love, friendship and trust. All of these tested to the hilt over the course of the book. A very compelling read that finds its reader questioning how and why you would react in similar circumstances.
Highly recommended.