We Are Not Like Them

More about the book

Told from alternating perspectives, this evocative novel explores the lifelong bond between two women, one Black and one white, whose friendship is irrevocably changed by a tragic event. Jen and Riley, best friends since kindergarten, have remained close as adults despite their different paths. Jen, after years of trying, is finally pregnant, while Riley is on the brink of becoming one of the first Black female anchors at a top news channel in Philadelphia. Their deep connection is put to the test when Jen's husband, a city police officer, is involved in the shooting of an unarmed Black teenager. As a six-month pregnant Jen grapples with the uncertainty surrounding her future, her husband's freedom, and her friendship with Riley, Riley covers the career-defining story and confronts the implications for her Black community and her ambitions. This poignant narrative delves into complex questions of race and its impact on personal relationships in a divided society. At its core, it is a story of enduring friendship—a love that perseveres through the most challenging circumstances.