Jenny and Riley have been best friends since they were in kindergarten and Jenny's mother, Lou, was desperate for childcare. The girls remain best friends throughout their childhood, high school, college, and well into adulthood. Now Riley has moved home to Philadelphia to be one of the first Black female anchors in Philly. Jen is pregnant with her first child, married to a local police officer.
Their relationship is put to the test when Jenny's husband, Kevin, is involved in the shooting of an unarmed Black teen boy. A very pregnant Jenny is worried about their future. Will Kevin lose his job? Will he go to jail? Will she have to raise their baby by herself? Meanwhile, Riley is reporting on the tragedy of yet another innocent Black child being murdered. Will Riley and Jenny be able to navigate these waters with their friendship intact?
We Are Not Like Them is a book for the ages, told from the alternate perspectives of Jenny and Riley, you get to see both sides of a story that was ripped from the headlines. Jenny was so wrapped up in her world that she failed to see the greater implications of what happened with her husband. And as a reader, I could understand that. That doesn't mean I think it was right, but I understand it. Riley was trying to remain objective about the situation but also was frustrated because of Jenny's shortsightedness about the situation. It really made for an interesting dynamic for the reader. I also think that the authors did a great job of wrapping things up. It was hopeful. CLICK HERE FOR SPOILERS.
Bottom Line - We Are Not Like Them was the perfect last book to read of 2021. I thought it provoking and an important book to read in today's climate.
Details:
- We Are Not Like Them by Christine Pride and Jo Piazza
- Pages: 336
- Publisher: Atria Books
- Publication Date: 10/5/2021
- Buy it Here!
- Thank you to NetGalley for the book in exchange for an honest review.
Post a Comment