Reviews

We Are Not Like Them by Jo Piazza, Christine Pride

mbrazz's review against another edition

3.0

Pretty good up until the end which was terribly written. They gave it a nice, neat wrapped with a bow ending and that’s not reality. Sure the epilogue is supposed to help with the reality of things but ending with Jen moving away with her family and then getting to start fresh, Riley is back with her white boyfriend (but why?) this wasn’t necessary to the plot) and that’s it. That’s the end. I had such high hopes for this.

n_ony's review against another edition

emotional informative inspiring sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

cgret's review against another edition

just lost motivation to read but I'm pretty sure I still have this somewhere and I want to reread it, it was great 

dondon1503's review against another edition

3.0

I’m very conflicted on what I think about this book. Did it make me feel all of the feelings? No. did I hate it? No. Did it make the impact I think the writer was trying to achieve? I don’t know. Perhaps, I cannot relate to the storyline. It seems like, the author tried to convey struggles of people of color while twisting it in with a ‘best friend’ scenario to magnify the stark life experiences? Maybe? Would it have been more effective as an autobiographical novel? Something fell flat for me. Could very well be my own ignorant getting in the way. I did sympathize with Riley several times though because Jen was uber self centered and annoying.

a_reading_xennial's review against another edition

challenging emotional informative reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This was such an interesting read with a great topic.  I come from an area that seriously lacks cultural diversity, so this gave me much to think about.  It was really well written and I highly recommend the audiobook.  

storiesandstacks's review against another edition

5.0

This one was sensational and will be one of my favourites this year.

Jen and Riley have been best friends since kindergarten. They are still as close as sisters and it's never mattered that Jen is white and Riley is black. Riley went on to go to college and become one of the first Black female anchors at a top news channel, while Jen married a police officer and is pregnant with her first child. One day, Jen's husband is involved in the shooting of an unarmed black teenager and Riley is covering the story. Their friendship is put to the test, with Jen expecting Riley's support and friendship but Riley wrestling with the implications of this tragic incident for her family and black community.

This one was heartbreaking in places and also joyful in parts. I really can't do justice to this novel and it will likely be one of my favourites this year, it was just that good. I loved the realistic portrayal of the characters, particularly Jen and some of her statements revolving about racism and her being excused simply due to her friendship with Riley. It was complex and completely drew me in and it's one that will stay with me for some time.

Thanks so much to HarperCollins for the gifted review copy.

eggbeater's review against another edition

challenging emotional informative reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

 This was a striking, compelling story about race relations and police brutality. It was written from two different points of view--the perspective of a Black woman and a white woman who were best friends. I feel like I got a lot out of this book. It was a meaty, thought-provoking story. 

sunshinefinch's review against another edition

challenging emotional sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.75

hambysmith's review against another edition

4.0

I felt really uneasy when I started this book, knowing that some of the content would be hard to read and probably make me uncomfortable. About halfway through, that feeling lessened significantly and I just wanted to see how the story played out. For the most part, it was a good book. It lightly touched on several important topics but I think it could’ve/should’ve been grittier. It was a tiny bit too gentle with its message in my opinion. I appreciated the epilogue— it was the realest portion of the entire book and it brought me to tears.

mindybraun's review against another edition

emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0