There's a theory that what you're looking for in a partner is someone just like you - someone who shares your interests, your outlook on life, your politics. But Lucy's tried that already - and it didn't work out.
Now, over the butcher's shop counter she's met Joseph. She likes him. He likes her. That's about as far as their similarities go. Lucy's an English teacher in her forties with two children, a white 'Remain' voter. Joseph's twenty years younger, black, still undecided on so many things from career to which way to vote over Brexit. Can their mutual attraction be enough to base a relationship on?

I rather liked this book. It's the quiet gentle love story of a very unlikely couple. Insightful and funny it depicts a middle-aged woman and young man drawn to each other despite their differences. This isn't a case of Anna Karenina falling head over heels for dashing young Alexei Vronsky, or vice versa. Neither Lucy nor Joseph appear to be whisked away in a flood of passion - in fact one thing they do have in common is a gentle, cautious approach to their affair. Lucy's attitude is one of sensible middle-age, Joseph's of uncommitted youth, but somehow they fit together.

Something I particularly liked was that, although obviously not intended to be deep political analysis, it captured the confusion over Brexit well, giving an insight into why so many voted for an idea that others thought was idiotic.

On the whole it's light and fun, not a great love story or tragedy, but just as enjoyable in its way.

I haven't read any Nick Hornby for a while, though I have a well-stacked shelf of his novels. This I feel might send me back to rediscover them.

Gorgeous novel from one of my long time favourite authors.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for letting me access an advance copy of this book in exchange for my feedback.

Didn't really enjoy this book as I felt there was too many references to Brexit in it for my liking and the storyline was particularly slow throughout. A bit of a disappointment compared to the rest of Nick's books which I have read.

Loved this! I think Nick is such a good author and this book definitely didn't disappoint. The story was a bit different from the normal stuff he tackles, but I thought it was interesting, none the less.

Another brilliant read by Nick Hornby, not much else to add as he never disappoints...! Hopefully there will be a movie made about this. Thank you for my ARC.

Having never read a nick Hornby book i read this book and expected greatness. Don't know why but I'm still unsure about this book. Is it real, definitely not is it a canny read, yeah i suppose so but i didn't lose myself in it

Set in London in 2016 I thought this may be an interesting look at a a new relationship with the trials and tribulations of romance, race and Brexit Britain thrown in. I was sadly disappointed as there was so much focus on Brexit (which is boring enough without there being a book based on it) and little else happens to keep the reader entertained.

Found it hard to enjoy, the male protagonist being slightly weird as in he sounds like a robot sometimes...? This just didn't seem to gel at any point. Good setting, good realism in location and people's mindsets, but the main characters just didn't work together, and it all just seemed too much 'woven in the clouds and stars' to even be a little bit believable

I normally love Nick Hornby but this one just didn't really work for me and I felt like I had to keep pushing myself to read it. I'm not sure if this is just a result of continuous lockdowns and Brexit fatigue so me reading it at the wrong time. I wouldn't advise people to avoid it- but would say that you should be mindful of the fact that it is very Brexit related which might not appeal.

Sadly, the Brexit discussions bored me a bit and I found the relationship between the two protagonists 2-dimensional and not entirely believable.... Disappointed as I generally love Nick Hornby’s writing style.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I loved Nick Hornby's early work but haven't read any of his novels for around a decade so was looking forward to Just Like You. It is a contemporary novel set in Brexit Britain and considers race and age in the story of the relationship between 42 year old Lucy and 22 year old Joseph. Hornby excels at this kind of novel and his writing is insightful and empathic with dialogue that really brings the characters to life. My issue with this novel is that I didn't feel that the relationship was believable and so found it hard to get really invested in the story and it's conclusion. 3.5 stars.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a digital ARC.

Firstly, I would like to thank Net Galley for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book.

It is the story of Lucy and Joseph, a couple who unexpectedly fall in love amidst the backdrop of the Brexit referendum. The story explores the impact of how race, age and differing political beliefs, impact on a relationship.

It was a nice gentle story, as you would expect from Nick Hornby, along the style of About a Boy and High Fidelity.

Really enjoyed this book which told the story of an unlikely relationship between 40+ Lucy & 20+ Joseph. I liked both the characters and was rooting for them throughout. Some typical social scenarios as you’d expect from Nick Hornsby, but not in a bad way. Enjoyed reading about Brexit too.

Another great book by Nick Hornby.
Set against the background of Brexit, it is based on the relationship between Lucy & Joseph who are very much opposites attract and this is also applicable tot heir views on the current situation in the country.
Both characters were well etched out and I found myself liking Lucy more than Joseph.
Four stars instead of five as its didn't engage me as much as his previous books but a good read nonetheless.

I was very diappointed in this book. The writing itself is as good as ever, but it is very shallow and the story really didn't go anywhere. I am not sure how a 60 odd year old white male thinks he can get into the head of a 22 yo black man and depict his working class milieu. It didn't convince me. He appears to do a better job with Lucy, but as a 73 yo wm myself perhaps I am not entirely qualified to comment.
I was hoping there would be some proper writing about Brexit, and although there was some balanced debate to start, the out rationale was entirely characterised as being thick racists conned by Farage and co. How about including a character who voted against joining in the first place long before Farage's time, never saw any reason to think that vote was a mistake, worked all over Europe for over 30 years and met his Anglo-Danish wife while they were living in Italy in the 70s (him 2 years, her 10), both attended uni and fluent in French and Italian and her able to get by in Danish and German too ? After a spell in Texas and back in the UK they lived full time in France for 5 years in the 80s before taking early retirement and moving full time to Italy for 14 years. They have 2 children whose first language was French and with a daughter now married to an Italian with 3 lovely bilingual children. . And they take several holidays each year in summer and winter all over Europe and will do again once we can travel. Too unbelievable ?.
But of course in the jump forward to 2019 the reason breaks down into incoherent rage about betrayal (and Trump). Perhaps there will be a sequel depicting how all these poor souls are suddenly enlightened by the EU vaccine debacle and EU bad faith over the Withdrawl Agreement and the Belfast Agreement ? I won't be holding my breath.
Very poor. Book and review :/

I was keen to read this book as I'm a fan of Nick Hornby's funny but sensitive style from 'About a Boy' and 'High Fidelity'. I haven't read any of his recent work so I jumped on the chance to read this. "Just Like You " explores the idea of falling in love with someone unexpected.. The story explores how race, age, class and political beliefs impact a new relationship and how unavoidably others opinions become obstacles. The only part I questioned was what happened to Lucy's ex. He seemed to just disappear.

Overall a witty and entertaining read, which is exactly what I'd hoped for.

It's a good job that I didn't know that Brexit was such a large part of this book before reading it, because it probably would have stopped me from even picking it up.

Lucy used to handle her adult romantic life according to the script she'd been handed. She met a guy just like herself: same age, same background, same hopes and dreams; they got married and started a family. Too bad he made her miserable. Now, two decades later, she's a nearly-divorced, forty-one-year-old schoolteacher with two school-aged sons, and there is no script anymore. So when she meets Joseph, she isn't exactly looking for love--she's more in the market for a babysitter. Joseph is twenty-two, living at home with his mother, and working several jobs, including the butcher counter where he and Lucy meet. It's not a match anyone one could have predicted. He's of a different class, a different culture, and a different generation. But sometimes it turns out that the person who can make you happiest is the one you least expect, though it can take some maneuvering to see it through.

This is a relatively easy look at a quite ordinary relationship, set against the backdrop of Brexit. It’s classic Nick Hornby style and something you would like if you have enjoyed his previous work. Didn’t blow me away but a pleasant and comforting read all the same!

As with all of Nick Hornby's books, this was an absolute joy to read. Perfectly navigating the fraught nature of the Brexit debate and deftly tackling the complexities that can come with navigating interracial relationships, this book was funny and engaging and utterly readable.

Brexit and love an interesting concept but the characters were quite difficult to believe in. I didn't manage to become engaged which was disappointing.