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

[Michala · 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.

[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.

[Dr Martin 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.

[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 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[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!!!