Them and Us: The sequel to Joe with an E

by Paul Rand

Three months after Joe, Nats, and Cain disappeared in the island’s only boat, a mysterious flying machine hovers above the community they left behind. Eva must choose who to trust, and who to put first – her children, or her partner Sandra.

Four days ago, Joe left Nats in a barn near Dover and didn’t come back. Still nursing an injured ankle, Nats must decide how long to wait, where to go if she doesn’t, and whether to trust the neut child who’s feeding her.

Meanwhile, Joe’s parent, Georgy, is on trial for assaulting police officers – pleading not guilty on grounds of protecting their child from a greater harm, determined to open eyes and change attitudes.

If it’s Them against Us, first you must decide who is Them and who is Us.

404 pages, Paperback

Published December 12, 2024

About the author

If you’re on TikTok, the best way to get to know me is through my TikTok profile, where I am an active member of the booktok community.

I love writing and particularly exploring the ‘what-if’ questions of life through my writing. I am passionate about inclusion and envisioning a society in which all are welcomed and valued, without prejudice. It feels like the world we currently live in is a long way from that.

I have two published novels - Joe with an E and its sequel, Them and Us. My current work in progress is a prequel to Joe with an E called Sam is not the Same which I plan to publish in December 2026.

I’m not a full-time writer, so I have to find time to write in the spare moments – mostly at the beginning of the day, before I start work. I’m lucky to be able to work from home most days, so I can write in the time I would spend commuting.

My day job is doing bookkeeping and finance administration for Methodist churches and circuits, through a small not-for-profit organisation. Before that, I spent 15 years as a secondary school Maths and Business teacher, and before that I was an electronics and software engineer. I think in all these careers, I have been able to use my creativity and my writing skills which come to the fore in my novel writing.

I was born and grew up in Hampshire, on the south coast of England, but have spent my adult life in more northerly places, in Yorkshire, Cumbria and now Derbyshire, where I live with my wife, Jo (without an E). We have two adult children – one studying performing arts, the other working as a structural engineer.

Reviews

[Shaun Trott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Was worried about this book as Joe with an E was 5 stars but this surpassed that and I am amazed at how incredible this story is. We want more!!! Amazing series 👏🏻

[Mel Reads and Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow amazing I didn't think Joe with an E could be topped but this was even better I was hooked from the very first page and couldn't put this book down. An Amazing story and I can't wait for the prequel ☺️

[Ishani Guha-Shepherd · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 🌟
What a phenomenal way to bring this story to a close (or is it?). Them and Us takes everything that made Joe with an E so compelling and expands it into something even more emotional, thought-provoking and surprisingly tense.
I loved getting deeper into characters like Joe, Nats, Eva and Georgy, while the shifting perspectives give the story a much broader sense of what this divided society actually means. The themes around gender, identity, prejudice and belonging never feel like they're simply there to make a point — they're woven naturally into the characters and their struggles.
There are moments that genuinely hurt, moments that made me angry, and plenty that reminded me why I became so invested in this world in the first place. Most importantly Paul Rand gives these characters an ending that is happy and feels earned.
Overall: A really heartfelt, unusual and important duology along with Joe With An E; Them and Us is a satisfying conclusion to a story about difference, acceptance and the ridiculousness of dividing people into "them" and "us". I genuinely don't want to say goodbye to these characters.

[Jazz · Rating 5 out of 5]

So I was meant to leave around 40 pages at checkpoint for book club, however I got to checkpoint and I just couldn’t stop!! I really do think this is one of the best sequels there ever was. I adored Joe With An E and think I may have loved Them and Us even more!!! Excellent duology and I didn’t want it to end.

[Kayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love to annotate my books, and Them and Us, the sequel to Joe with an E, had me tabbing nearly every page, filling sticky notes, doing everything but scribbling directly on the paper. One thing I don’t do is write in my books, but it was becoming harder and harder as I got further in, but alas, I resisted.

It’s rare for me to feel truly satisfied with how a story ends, but I can say with certainty that this conclusion left me deeply content.

Getting to know the rest of the island’s community, really seeing the family they’d built, through Eva and Nats this time, was such a gift. Suspenseful, tender, and grounded in the truth that different is good, Them and Us is the perfect conclusion to Joe with an E. A story where someone new is welcomed in, where the lost are brought home, and where we mourn those who didn’t make it to France.

Them and Us was a beautiful read. Georgy, Tom, Joe, Nats, Cain… Maggie, all the kids, Lori and Tris and Cris — it takes more than a village, and what a beautiful one they are.

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the sequel to Joe with an E. I actually thought this book was better than the first book. It was really lovely to pick up Joe, Cain and Nat's story. I loved the court room/trial elements of the book, these really kept me gripped and wanting to know what happens next.

I think it was just a me thing but I felt that the ending was a bit rushed. I can't put my finger on what it was, maybe I was expecting more from the ending, I don't know. I did really enjoy the epilogue and it's good to see them all at the end of their stories.

This duology is not something I would have ever picked up if it wasn't for book club. I am shocked how much I genuinely loved this duology and how it makes you think deeply long after you have turned the last page.

[Danielle Sharp · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great follow up from Joe with an E. This book felt like it had more going on than the first, probably because our characters are now all split up so we follow Joe, Eva, Georgy/Cain and Nats so instead of one main plot and character we have 4.

This story is entirely plausible which is what makes it so compelling. The sides of the argument as to what should happen with 'abnormal' children are very believable.

I enjoyed the court transcripts, much like I enjoyed the science logs from book 1 as these parts are what gives us a glimpse into what is happening in the big picture across Britain.

A propulsive read with a satisfying conclusion.

[Eleri Bristow · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so glad my husband bought me both books for Christmas - it meant I was able to dive straight into this after finishing 'Joe with an E'.

I read regularly at bedtime to help settle myself to sleep... but it's been a long time since I've made a point of snatching opportunities at other points in the day to read. I was so engaged in this story that I could hardly put it down. Thank you, Paul, for helping me rediscover the true joy of immersing myself in another world via your super novels.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Could not put this one down. I found myself missing Joe’s POV from Book 1, but as the author points out in the Acknowledgements.. he’s just not the main character anymore. I was on the edge of my seat, trying to read faster. Blew right past the stopping point for bookclub and had to know how this book ended. Loved these characters and this story and especially the message that everybody is different, and different is good!

[Martin A. McKee · Rating 5 out of 5]

The sequel to Joe with an E by Paul Rand.

This completed the duology brilliantly. More set up to develop knowledge and connection with more characters. 3 strands to follow and all come together superbly.

Paul writes about diversity, inclusion and equality but delivered with a fun, engaging, dystopian coming-of-age Sci-Fi thriller. Loved it.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, just wow!

I absolutely loved the 1st book in this duology, Joe with an E, so I always panic with a second book that its not going to be as good as the first. I think Them and Us was even better!

Absolutely loved everything about it, it is such a unique plot, that I have never seen anyone else do. If you have not read both of these books, you are missing out!

[Kyrenia Boucher · Rating 5 out of 5]

brilliant read, in this book we reconnect with characters from Joe with an E, we also say hello to new ones. this series is such a joy to read. and happy to hear there will be a third book. highly recommend ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[ani harding · Rating 5 out of 5]

Them and Us is a remarkable follow-up to Joe with an E. What makes this sequel so effective is how Paul Rand bravely veers away from focusing solely on Joe, shifting the lens to concentrate on the journeys of the other characters. Watching their individual paths unfold gives the entire world a much richer, more expansive feel.

​The story hits an absolute peak with the rescue of Nats—and the accidental rescue of Cain—which had me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. Balancing that intense tension, the introduction of the neut child was a genuine shock, adding a profound emotional layer to the narrative and raising powerful questions about identity, belonging, and compassion. It’s a beautifully written, deeply introspective novel that handles its ensemble cast with care and stays with you long after the final page." Dare I say,...Them and Us is even better than Joe with an E....5 stars are not enough.

[Jeanette Greaves · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great sequel to 'Joe with an E' that wraps up the story. No spoilers here, but I enjoyed the character development and exploration of different relationships.

[Sophie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so glad I stumbled across Paul Rand’s books on TikTok. Them and Us is the perfect and most satisfying follow up to Joe with an E. The characters feel so real and raw that you can’t help but get completely pulled into their world. Rand has a way of balancing heart and grit that makes the story both emotional and impossible to put down. I finished it in just a couple of sittings and was left thinking about it long after. If you enjoyed Joe with an E, this one will hit even harder. Highly recommend!

[Kristie Eve · Rating 5 out of 5]

Them and Us, like the previous book from the same author, is a real page turner. I was invested in what was happening for each of the characters and really drawn in to the plot. As well as having a great storyline, I have found it food for thought about the society we live in and just how much emphasis we place on gender. It’s had me notice where I try and ‘guess’ gender, and reflect on how I might do that less in my own life. A timely and important read.

[J S Marples · Rating 5 out of 5]

My daughter raved about Paul Rand’s books - and being a Joanne (Jo with an E!) I had to read them - really enjoyed this dystopian novel and couldn’t wait to finish the sequel - Them and Us…highly recommend - interesting themes and exciting story. Wasn’t expecting to enjoy it so much - but now want a number 3! Great writing

[Maddie · Rating 5 out of 5]

love love love, can’t stress how much i love the characters and relationships!!!