We Are Not Like Them

A Novel

By: Christine Pride, Jo Piazza

Narrated by: Marin Ireland, Shayna Small, Kevin R. Free, Chanté McCormick

A GOOD MORNING AMERICA BOOK CLUB PICK

Named a Most Anticipated Book of Fall by People, Essence, New York Post, PopSugar, New York Newsday, Entertainment Weekly, Town & Country, Bustle, Fortune, and Book Riot

Told from alternating perspectives, this “propulsive, deeply felt tale of race and friendship” (People) 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.

Like Tayari Jones’s An American Marriage and Jodi Picoult’s Small Great Things, We Are Not Like Them takes “us to uncomfortable places—in the best possible way—while capturing so much of what we are all thinking and feeling about race. A sharp, timely, and soul-satisfying novel” (Emily Giffin, New York Times bestselling author) that is both a powerful conversation starter and a celebration of the enduring power of friendship.

Critic reviews

"Shayna Small and Marin Ireland provide a nuanced and deeply emotional narration of this audio page-turner, ably assisted by brief but well-crafted performances by Kevin R. Free and Chante McCormick. The narrators splendidly illuminate this timely exploration of race and the enduring importance of friendship."

What about your friends?

What about your friends?
Will they stand their ground?
Will they let you down? hey yay,” (TLC, What About Your Friends). It was just one of many songs that popped into my mind as I read the novel - We Aren't Like Them, written by Christine Pride and Jo Piazza.

A life-changing event tests the friendship of the book's two protagonists, Riley and Jen. Both faced their reckoning on what it truly means to be a friend amid a criminal trial that will vastly change their life trajectories.

The book took me through a wave of emotions from the nostalgia of childhood friendship transitioning with age and time through distance, laughter, heartache, confusion, and frustration. But, I guess a good book should, undoubtedly a good book would. And this is a good book. I rate it a four on a five-point scale.

Shonda Moore
Moderator, TBGR

Perspective is everything

I love that this gives this different perspectives for a topic that is so prevalent in our day. I loved the readers and finished in two days. I’m now searching for more books by these authors.

Great Book

Excellent book dealing with emotions stemming from racism. Told from various points of view, really made me think. Definitely worth reading, loved the narration, kept my interest from start to finish.

Held my interest throughout the story. Finished in 2 days.

Especially for a book by 2 people it was very well done. Combination mystery & social commentary. Starting their second book now

Powerful

The reviews and praise for this book are completely merited. Friendship, racism, the harsh realities of our day handled in the most perfect way. I am ready to listen to it again.