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A review by mikesbooklife
We Are Not Like Them by Jo Piazza, Christine Pride
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.25
This book is a poor attempt at diversity of thought and perspective. The synopsis gives the entire them of the book away and the hidden tale in the store is lack luster at best. The prologue and the epilogue are clear example of the exploitation of Black pain for capitalist gain.
None of the Black characters in the book get true justice and the white family gets their HEA.
This book was frustrating to read as a Black women because Riley was exploited in a multitude of ways. By her friend, her friends husband and In laws, her job.
There is a quote in the book where Riley the Black MC states that people used to call her an Oreo. For those who don’t know it’s an insult to say someone is Black on the outside but white inside. When she first mentions being called an Oreo she states the hurt it caused her however at the end of the book they make light of it and she says that at least she’ll have her white best friend on one side and her white boyfriend on the other. This was a very pointless joke and never gave true action to the issue itself.
This book also uses Slurs to emphasize points including the slur N——ER. The use of these words in a book with on of the authors being the white is heartbreaking and they don’t further the narrative at all.
I think for this book to have been as moving as book list and reviews made it seem the authors should have had to dig much deeper.
Overall the book quite surface level and it was extremely unmoving and uncomfortable. If you are interested in seeing the exploration of Black pain for White gain in fiction then this is perfect if not there are way better books on the market.
None of the Black characters in the book get true justice and the white family gets their HEA.
This book was frustrating to read as a Black women because Riley was exploited in a multitude of ways. By her friend, her friends husband and In laws, her job.
There is a quote in the book where Riley the Black MC states that people used to call her an Oreo. For those who don’t know it’s an insult to say someone is Black on the outside but white inside. When she first mentions being called an Oreo she states the hurt it caused her however at the end of the book they make light of it and she says that at least she’ll have her white best friend on one side and her white boyfriend on the other. This was a very pointless joke and never gave true action to the issue itself.
This book also uses Slurs to emphasize points including the slur N——ER. The use of these words in a book with on of the authors being the white is heartbreaking and they don’t further the narrative at all.
I think for this book to have been as moving as book list and reviews made it seem the authors should have had to dig much deeper.
Overall the book quite surface level and it was extremely unmoving and uncomfortable. If you are interested in seeing the exploration of Black pain for White gain in fiction then this is perfect if not there are way better books on the market.