Always enjoyed Nick Hornbys books and this is no exception. Really enjoyed this one and regularly laughed aloud. Read it!

Severally underwhelming. I struggled to pass a few pages, but it started way too slow for my liking.

It is not clear to me what Hornby's purpose was with this book, but maybe I am wrong to look for a purpose other than to tell a story.
A man and a woman, but she is not only 20 years older, she is also a different colour. The background is London before and after the vote for Brexit, the subject is love, the moral could be: do you really need to be similar to be together? The answer remains, rightly so, open, because love stories should always be placed in a context and love is hardly enough for itself.

Non mi é ben chiaro quale fosse lo scopo di Hornby con questo libro, ma magari sbaglio io a cercare uno scopo che sia diverso dal voler raccontare una storia.
Un uomo e una donna, lei peró non solo é piú grande di 20 anni, ma é anche di colore diverso. Lo sfondo é la Londra prima e dopo il voto per la Brexit, l'argomento é l'amore, la morale potrebbe essere: serve davvero essere simili per poter stare insieme? La riposta rimane, giustamente aperta, perché le storie d'amore vanno sempre inserite in un contesto e l'amore difficilmente basta a se stesso.

THANKS NETGALLEY FOR THE PREVIEW!

This novel is a modern love story here there is a wide age difference between the protagonists. However, the twist here is that the woman is the older by about twenty years.
Lucy is single-parenting after throwing out her alcoholic husband. She is protecting her sons who have witnessed his over-indulgence too many times. She meets her love interest, Joseph, in the local butcher’s, one of his part-time jobs. Not only is he young enough to be her son, he is also black . It is whilst he babysits for Lucy that their relationship develops. This is aided by the fact that he has an affinity with her sons and a love for computer games.
There is a lot of introspection in the novel from both Lucy and Joseph, not least the discomfort at introducing their partners to parents and friends. Joseph panics that he will not be able to hold his own at a dinner party and his worry that she might embarrass him when at a club with his friends. They both discover that they can comfortably fit in each other’s worlds. The age gap could be a different matter.
I did enjoy this novel although it was not something I could identify with. The introspection did help with the development of the characters but I think I would prefer something with a bit more action and a better ending; I didn't want to exert energy imagining my own endings.

I’m afraid I didn’t think all that much of Just Like You. It’s perfectly readable but it all felt like very familiar terrain and didn’t add up to much in the end.

The story, set in 2016, is of Lucy, the white, 42-year-old Head of English at a tough North London comprehensive school and Joseph, a young black man, 20 years her junior who works in her local butcher at the weekend. They form a relationship and Nick Hornby explores the issues which arise. The trouble is, he doesn’t explore them very deeply or convincingly. It all meanders along amiably enough, but the background of Lucy’s privileged, wealthy North London acquaintances, awkwardness around race (and some out-and-out racism) and the Brexit referendum all seemed very stale. This is particularly true of the Brexit stuff, which has been extensively explored by a lot of writers and for me Hornby adds nothing new. Even the age-gap, class and interracial issues in Lucy and Joseph’s relationship seemed somehow rather trivially dealt with, so it felt more like a Richard Curtis romcom than much of an emotional or political exploration.

I also have to add a personal hobby horse. A head of department in a large tough school who has no work to do at home and limitless energy and time both in the evenings and at weekends? I’m prepared to suspend disbelief to a pretty large extent when reading, but there really are limits. Every such teacher is almost always either working, trying to cope with domestic demands or asleep. I will restrain myself from ranting further.

For me, Just Like You is readable but disposable and a long way from the insightful brilliance of classics like Fever Pitch or High Fidelity. I van only give it a very qualified recommendation.

(My thanks to Penguin for an ARC via NetGalley.)

This book is a love story set against the background of the Brexit referendum. Lucy, 42, white, Remain and Joseph, 22, black, Leave end up falling for each other despite the age, class and race barriers in the way. I found the love story less compelling than the account of how our society has become so polarized and tribal. It was interesting to see what Joseph does when he has to vote, to reconcile the internal conflict he feels. It feels as if there was a bit more room for "don't know" in our conversations with each other it would be easier to find a level of empathy that seems to be lacking from our discourse.

I was a little disappointed with this book. This is a tale of relationships, and age, class and ethnicity. All set to the backdrop of the European referendum, and Donald Trump being voted in as President. The world is changing, people are less tolerant of difference..
For me, there was too much dialogue in this story, at some points it was difficult to follow who was talking, and at other times it was as though I were reading teen fiction.

I really enjoyed this book. It is a very contemporary novel, with a sharp focus on the fall out from Brexit and also on issues relating to race. In that sense, its focus is much broader than the relationship between its two protagonists, but at the same time it is very much about them, their relationship, and then their need to position that relationship in the outside world. It touches on a real range of contemporary issues, but never feels at all preachy, precisely because of its intimate and sympathetic representation of the two protagonists. They are Lucy and Joseph. She I see a forty something English teacher with two children, separated from her addict husband. He is Joseph, 22, black, who works in a leisure centre, a butchers and as a baby sitter. Lucy meets him through the second of these and ask some him to baby sit for her boys. Even when she does so, she is aware of her attraction to Joseph but is also aware of the many differences between them that would seem To preclude a relationship. It turns out that the attraction is mutual, and they begin a relationship. They have to try to navigate their differences before they can take their relationship out into their daily lives. When they do, they are acutely aware of and sometimes surprised by the reactions of their friends and family. They have to question their assumptions, and Hornby encourages the reader to do the same.

As a huge Hornby fan I couldn't wait to pick this one up and it did not disappoint. Set against the backdrop of the EU referendum some point hit close to home and it was a hard read at times but as usual beautifully written and I absolutely loved the characters. Highly recommend.

Thoroughly enjoyed this book and the trials and tribulations that Lucy has in her dating life and why the one you think you need is not actually the one that is best for you. Lucy has been left by her alcoholic ex husband with two boys and doesn't really have time for dating but all that changes when she visits the butchers.
An uplifting tale of accepting life and what it throws at you.

This book is a joy. It has so much to say about the society we live in now, about the preconceptions we have about others and the judgments we make about ourselves. Rooted in the area of London Hornby clearly knows and loves, this book challenges our ideas of finding and pursuing happiness and shows us all that sometimes we can surprise ourselves.

I've read several books by this author and enjoyed them, but cannot say that I particularly enjoyed this one.

In making clear the distinctions between Lucy and Joseph (apart from the obvious ones of age and race), Lucy is obviously favoured by the author due to her status (headmistress), education, and political opinions (particularly regarding Brexit) - her "friends" look down on Joseph, as I fear does the author. I cannot see that this relationship would be sustainable in real life.

This is a book that will appeal to readers who live in the Metropolis (including the outer reaches thereof), and/or those who voted Remain in the Referendum.

People who are not in those categories (particularly anyone from Stoke - which is mentioned specifically for some reason) may not enjoy the book quite so much, as they are portrayed as ignorant, working class bigots (regardless of their race, nationality or creed).

My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC. All opinions my own.

Classic Nick Hornby humour in this story set in times of Brexit.
This story tells the tale of Lucy, Joseph and their relationship that battles against convention and social class.
Two very different lives join together and although they can overcome the differences that society enforces impact on their relationship.
Beautifully described characters and very funny moments, this is a tale of our times.
Very readable and a valuable addition to Nick Hornby's vast collection.
Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley in allowing me to read in return for a review.

'Just Like You,' by Nick Hornby depicts the relationship between Lucy (white 42yr old teacher) and Joseph (Black 22yr old man with multiple jobs). Set in the context of Brexit and the divisions it highlighted in society, it explores multiple types of difference, including class, age, race, gender, sexuality, financial security, and education.

For me, this books was incredibly heavy handed with it's subject matter. Forcing characters to constantly ruminate on the impact of their context and background, and focussing upon argument and difference. It would perhaps have worked more for me, if I had cared about Lucy and Joseph's relationship, but it felt like a vehicle for 'Just Like You' to make its arguments. There were some funny and insightful parts - I could relate to Lucy's difficulties when faced with an annoying friend, and I enjoyed Lucy's role of agony aunt to one of Joseph's friends. However, as a reader I didn't know what I wanted to happen at the end, and I'm not sure Nick Hornby really did either.

Tender, acute, funny and topical. What more do you want? A good light, frothy, Summer holiday read from an exceptional author who is at the top of his game.

A bit too much Trump and Brexit for my liking but I enjoyed it.

Let's preface this review with the fact Nick Hornby has written some absolutely fantastic novels - High Fidelity, About A Boy etc. This one though, it's a little, erm, middling. The plot was good, the writing just as strong as normal but it all felt a little flat and without nuance/any sense of urgency. Some great moments of humor, some parts were a bit sad but, for me, it doesn't reach the heights of a novel that will stick in mind. A good read but forgettable. Next time Nick!

Light, frothy and humorous, this is a sweet read, perfect if you're looking for a book to take on holiday, or want something not too taxing.

Lucy is in her early 40s, and finds herself attracted to Joseph, early 20s, and her babysitter... he feels the same. On to the beginning of a sometimes awkward relationship, as they discover the trials and tribulations of trying to negotiate the age gap.

With well-crafted and likeable characters, in a recognisable setting, this is a story for our times - we can all probaly recognise some characters here. An enjoyable, fun read.

An engaging story of two people who are complete opposites but they cannot resist the attraction between them. Lucy, a white teacher in her forties and Joseph, a twenty two year old with part time jobs who is an aspiring DJ. Joseph is also black.
This story charts their relationship, their triumphs and their concerns. They introduce one another to friends with surprisingly good results.
Joseph soured the romance when he had a one night stand.
He is a young man after all!! However they build back from this in baby steps.
An engaging and well written book.

Hornby has successfully crafted a tumultuous love story between the characters of Lucy and Joseph underpinned by thoughtful observations on race, class and politics. The novel refreshingly puts an interracial relationship with a large age gap at its forefront and Hornby unpicks the prejudices surrounding it in a compelling way.

I found it interesting that this novel was set in 2016 within the context of Brexit and Trump’s election. It gave the story an added layer of complexity as we see the divides between the characters. Finally, Hornby achieves a perfect balance of humour and seriousness within this narrative which made it, ultimately, a joy to read. Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin for this ARC.

3.5 stars rounded down.
Well this was a bit different from my usual crime fiction reads that I devour. But I am not against switching it up and delving into another genre as a bit of a palate cleanser and I did engage well with this book albeit it on a slightly different level than I usually do with the old crimey books. It's a light read but it's also substantial, something I do insist on with this genre book. I'm not a fan of airy fairy vacuous stories but this one did have just enough grit about it for me to hold onto and develop throughout the story, keeping my attention with it along the way.
So... Lucy is a 40 something divorced single mother of two. Her hopes and dreams have been shattered and, when we first meet her, she is merely ticking along in life. He best friend is the gregarious one, always flirting when they are out even though she herself is unavailable. But then Lucy meets Joseph. Well, she's know of him a while as he works in her local butcher shop, but they get to know each other when he starts to babysit her kids. Thing is though, he's two decades younger than her, and that's not the only difference they have. But they make each other happy, they rub along well, they can see the spark, but soon it will be time for the rest of the world to catch up, family and friends, but will they see what Lucy and Joseph already know is true...?
There's a lot of stuff going on in this book. The age gap, the interracial relationship, socio-econimic challenges too. Oh and there's Brexit - a LOT of Brexit. Maybe too much Brexit...! But, take the Brexit out and the rest of what you read here is tender, funny, hopeful, and quite entertaining to boot. To be honest, it would probably have been a four/five star book if it wasn't for Brexit which I am wholly sick of. It's exactly the right book to whisk you away to another place for a few hours to escape the mundane and banal that creeps into most people's lives, especially at this time pandemic uncertainty.
This author is well known for his observational and people watching skills and he hits the mark here again with what he delivers. He's also pretty nifty at creating characters that are easy to engage with, sympathise and empathise with along the way but, at the same time, will also annoy you a bit too.
I wish there was less Brexit about this book. Especially with how that has been integral in the way we are now handling the pandemic and it's not something that fills me with joy reading about again. See how annoying it is when I mention Brexit again in only just a short review, factor that up into a book and... well... sorry, probably just a me thing... if you can get past the referendum you'll probably enjoy this book better.
My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.