We Are Not Like Them Christine by Pride & Jo Piazza, HQ

Penned by black and white writer mates, this superb novel interweaves thoughts of black newsreader Riley and white Philly cop’s wife Jen. Inseparable as girls – Rye’s gran Gigi stepped in for Jen’s negligent mum, who lounged with Rolling Stone in the bath. “If left to Lou, I would be a stripper,” says Jen, who confesses to feeling like trailer trash. But when white cop Kevin shoots unarmed black boy Justin, 14 – the wrong suspect in a convenience store robbery – the friendship unravels. BLM marches and protestors daubing MURDERER on Jen’s fence conspire to wrench the women apart. Riley feels like a shield with Jen’s “laughable cliché” to reporters asking are you racist? “My best friend is black.” Riley paid for pregnant Jen’s IVF, but no mention of repayment suddenly rankles. Breathe in love, out hate. Tingly.