Rebecca, Not Becky

A Novel

By: Christine Platt, Catherine Wigginton Greene

Narrated by: Christine Lakin, Nicole Lewis

In the vein of Such a Fun Age, a whip-smart, compulsively listenable novel about two upper-class stay-at-home mothers—one white, one Black—living in a "perfect" suburb that explores motherhood, friendship, and the true meaning of sisterhood amidst the backdrop of America’s all-too-familiar racial reckoning.

De’Andrea Whitman, her husband Malik, and their five-year-old daughter, Nina, are new to the upper-crust white suburb of Rolling Hills, Virginia—a move motivated by circumstance rather than choice. De’Andrea is heartbroken to leave her comfortable life in the Black oasis of Atlanta, and between her mother-in-law’s Alzheimer's diagnosis, her daughter starting kindergarten, and the overwhelming whiteness of Rolling Hills, she finds herself struggling to adjust to her new community. To ease the transition, her therapist proposes a challenge: make a white girlfriend.

When Rebecca Myland learns about her new neighbors, the Whitmans, she's thrilled. As chair of the Parent Diversity Committee at her daughters’ school, she’s championed racial diversity in the community—and what could be better than a brand-new Black family? It’s serendipitous when her daughter, Isabella, and Nina become best friends on the first day of kindergarten. Now, Rebecca can put everything she’s learned about antiracism into practice—especially those oh-so-informative social media posts. And finally, the Parent Diversity Committee will have some… well, diversity.

Following her therapist’s suggestion, De’Andrea reluctantly joins Rebecca’s committee. The painfully earnest white woman is so overly eager it makes De’Andrea wonder if Rebecca’s therapist told her to make a Black friend! But when Rolling Hill’s rising racial sentiments bring the two women together in common cause, they find it isn’t the only thing they have in common. . . .

©2023 Christine Platt and Catherine Wigginton Greene (P)2023 HarperCollins Publishers

I learned some things about myself and others

I like the two person protagonists and I especially appreciated both perspectives. We all still have a lot to learn and unlearn and with books like this there is a beginning to those conversations.

A Great Book!

This book is so appropriate for the times we are living in now. I loved the different voices & perspectives. It helped me view things from the other side. Can’t wait to chat with the authors about this! Bravo Ladies!

Best Book of 2024 so far!

One of the best books I've read so far in 2024! Outstanding character development, outstanding storylines, would have given it 10 stars if it were possible. Two women at different paths in their lives, initially they don't seem to have much in common, but life has a way of showing us that we all have more in common than we don't. This book touches on so many important topics in today's world - Alzheimer's, Dementia, elderly care and the astronomical cost; family and how it can bring happiness and pain; friendships and how they're needed to create a more well-rounded life for each of us; prejudice, racism, and ignorance; how we show up in our lives when outside influences test us; children's innocence. The authors have done a great job rolling all of these societal woes into one book and making it make sense!

Educate while Entertaining

Storytelling is an excellent teacher. I think when people can see themselves in a character, they can connect, be inspired and forever changed.

Honest and authentic

Loved it, it felt like an authentic look at white and back friendships/relationships. The writing was so “real” and current, I was constantly identifying with so many aspects of both women, wanting to understand them both when I didn’t, wanting to tell each of them to cool it sometimes, wanting to be friends with them both - and just generally wanting the best for them. Endearing and heartfelt - highly recommend!

A Solid representation of perspectives

The contrasting perspectives of the main characters provide a different experience for the reader. in doing so, this method not only provides the spark for much needed conversation for topics such as racism, stereotyping, and sitting with ourselves to assess and change our own personal biases, it provides the gasoline.

Book Club Book

Sure to ignite discussions on racism that are critical for these times. Highly recommend.

Amazing and IMPORTANT!

Great book, engaging story and an important read. The characters were well developed and the way the story is told is very real and timely.

Great book club discussion book!

This book looks at our present day cultural situation from two sides. I initially did not like either of the 2 main characters, but gradually found them to be very real and honest. Great book!

Who was this for?

Eh nice try, I guess. Two stereotypical well off housewife's, being stereotypical. I'm sure this was great and eye opening for someone, that someone was not me. I didn't hate it, I just didn't enjoy it. Nothing about this was for me. I only liked the title.