We Are Not The Same

by Sabrina Grimaldi

Perfect for fans of The Summer of Broken Rules and You Have a Match , this sun-drenched coming-of-age story blends lighthearted summer fun with a heartfelt exploration of female friendships and personal identity.

Aspen has spent her life feeling like the average girl next door—until Henry. Dating him has
given her a new spark, and this summer, she’s ready to step out of her shell. When Henry
invites her to spend the Fourth of July at his family’s cabin in northern Arizona, she jumps at the
chance. Small-town charm, new adventures, and meeting his closest friends? It all sounds
perfect. What she doesn’t expect is Matilda—the girl who seems effortlessly at home in Henry’s
world, making Aspen question if she truly belongs in it at all or if she’s simply falling short in a
game she never agreed to play.

Matilda has spent every summer in Odell, where everything stays the same—the parades, the
traditions, and most of all, Henry. For years, their will-they-won’t-they dynamic has felt like a
slow-burning certainty. This was supposed to be the summer it finally happened. But when
Henry arrives with Aspen, Matilda isn’t just forced to rethink her future with him—she’s forced to
rethink why she’s spent so long believing she needed him in the first place.

As the town’s annual parade marches on and sparklers burn to embers, Aspen and Matilda
will have to decide if proving themselves is really worth losing themselves—or if there’s more to
their story than the boy between them.

204 pages, Paperback

Published May 11, 2025

Reviews

[ariel · Rating 4 out of 5]

i am so glad i stumbled upon this beta read last summer. although it has been a few months since reading it, i still recall finding the story endearing in so many ways. i'm excited for this book to see the shelves because i know it'll be so many people's favourites.

[Karen Nasralla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every teenage girl should read this book. I absolutely loved it!

[Cece G · Rating 5 out of 5]

Woah just woah this book was amazing. Mati started off annoying but towards the end just woah. Mati and Aspen truly learned true friendship throughout the book and that's so special. I love the whole wedding part at the end when Aspen and Henry get married and Mati gives the speech. I love the book playlist with all amazing songs. This book kept me wanting to know what happens next throughout the whole book. And I like how we got to know more about how the characters met and their stories that added more perspective into the book. Finished may 25,2025 5/5⭐️

[Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

We Are Not The Same by Sabrina Grimaldi- 4/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

We Are Not The Same tells the stories of Mati and Aspen, two very different young girls that are fighting for the same guy, Henry. Mati was his will they won’t they summer crush, and Aspen is his new girlfriend. The girls feel instantly jealous of one another and pitted against each other due to the pressures put on them by society and their loved ones.

This is an incredibly refreshing take on the classic love triangle- with characters that are easy to both love and scream at in frustration. Since this is dual POV, you get a clear perspective into both Mati and Aspen’s minds, fully understanding their conflicts and motivations. This story, to me, felt incredibly real. The thoughts and actions these two have and take were things I witnessed, or even participated in, growing up in a patriarchal society. The message of this book was truly beautiful, and without spoiling anything, I will say the ending of both of their character arcs had me tearing up.

Overall, this is a wonderful and quick-paced read, perfect for summer reading on the beach or at the lake, or if you’re like me- in the kiddy pool you set up in your backyard lol. I received this book as an ARC from Sabrina, and I hope to read more from her in the future!

[Emily Gerdes · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED THIS BOOK SO MUCH! Sabrina did such a good job describing Odell and I was hooked for every page! I felt like I was a part of the story! And it has a great message! I can’t wait for her next book!

[nikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

the last line gave me GOOSEBUMPS! what a debut!!

sabrina captured girlhood in so many different ways in “we are not the same”. throughout the entire book, I just kept thinking about how much highschool me would’ve loved it!!!

some of my fav moments:
- the story her grandma told her & the parallels there
- the epilogue!!!

this book is SO relatable and real. highly recommend!!

[Alyssa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was the absolute sweetest!! It’s one I’ll definitely be sharing with my daughters when they grow up. It has a great message but wasn’t done in a cheesy way, a perfect summer read to talk about with your girl group.

[Leila Heikkinen · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're looking for the perfect summer read to devour in an afternoon, look no further than We Are Not The Same. Bonus points if you're reading this on the beach near 4th of July. But even if you aren't, you will enjoy this story. Not only does the book contain the most lovable, green-flag boyfriend, who never makes his girlfriend question his commitment or her worth, it also contains a strong and beautiful picture of female friendship.

Mati and Aspen are so at odds all book long, because Aspen is dating the boy Mati's always had summer flings with. But the truth remains that Mati never acted upon her feelings for Henry because she never really liked him that much. Even still, Aspen is instantly a threat. Sabrina does a great job of dissecting why Mati feels this way. As girls, we're always placed in competition with one another, and that's so wrong. This book exemplifies this heartbreaking reality while still telling a great story.

As someone who has related greatly to both Mati and Aspen in the past, this book hit me deep. And also made me want to apologize to many fellow girls. Truly, if you're looking for a book that promotes healthy girlhood as well as healthy romantic relationships, this is the one for you. Plus, it takes place in an amazing setting, with great side characters and all sorts of fun adventures. If you want a light summer read that still makes you feel and changes your perspective on the world in the best way, I could not more highly recommend We Are Not The Same!

[Joseph · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great book! Sabrina Grimaldi has found a way to put such an important message for preteen/teen girls into a fun, quick read!

[Sally Pegram · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the summer vibes of this book, and even though Henry was there as a romantic interest, I loved how the relationship that was most important was the one between Mati and Aspen. Despite how they are clearly not the same, we get to see their judgments of each other dissipate over time. Aspen being considered a little more "basic" and Mati being "cool," I loved reading characters showing that there isn't a wrong way to be a girl/woman as long as we learn to embrace what makes us unique or even what makes us similar to other girls!

[Ella · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book is so amazing. it’s not a typical romance book. it focuses on two girls who meet and start competing and comparing themselves with each other and what they go through as young girls. it’s dual pov and it’s so well written. it’s such a wholesome story and one i think all girls need to read. the perfect balance between a happy summer and an emotional story.

[Dessie smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review

This book gripped me from the start; not just with its love triangle, but with the deeper, more powerful themes Sabrina explores throughout the novel. At its heart, it’s a story about women, identity, and ways society teaches us to compete rather than connect. I loved how Sabrina was able to peeled back the layers of each character, showing the complexity behind their choices and the quiet strength it takes to break out (or not 👀guess you’ll have to read it🤷🏻‍♀️) of expected roles.

It’s beautifully written, honest, and deeply relatable. I found myself thinking about my own friendships and the unspoken pressures women face every day especially when I was a teenager. This is a story I’ll be recommending again and again—to friends, to young women just finding their voices, and to anyone who’s ever felt the weight of comparison.

We Are Not The Same is a Thoughtful, empowering read that stays with you. I highly recommend pre-ordering or grabbing your copy come May 13th.

[Makena Cagle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arc review! Out May 13th!! 🇺🇸🪵🌊
A debut coming of age story about girlhood, love, & self discovery.
☀️(kinda) love triangle
☀️Small town charm
☀️friends who only see eachother once a year at the lake house!
☀️Rivalry
☀️Dual-POV
☀️will they won’t they vs true love
Such an easy summer read perfect for a beach or lake read! A wonderful & quick pace read. You know I love a good love triangle & although it’s not fully a love triangle, he still picked the right one! I’m a huge childhood friends to lovers fan (my fav trope) but I am team aspen. Sabrina goes into a lot more themes than just romance. It’s even more about girlhood & friendship. I hope to read more from Sabrina in the future!

[Alexa Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

a beautiful story of girlhood, debunking why we are taught to see each other as competitors rather than lift each other up.

i absolutely loved this book, it was such a quick, but truly heartwarming read.

i think every girl can relate to both main characters in some way and i adored the flipped love triangle perspective!!

perfect for fans of summer, harry styles, tsitp, and all things fangirl!!

preorder now!! releases on may 13, 2025

[Sam Halley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish I had this book when I was in high school. This book is so well written, from feeling the heat of AZ to the smell of the pines, the sounds of Flagstaff and the feelings these characters felt though the book from start to finish. I really enjoyed this book and the writing. Can’t wait to see what comes next from Sabrina!!

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a perfect book to read over the 4th of July weekend. Mati and Aspen are a couple of teenage girls who misunderstand each other. Their jealously and revenge almost ruined a beautiful friendship. But wise words from grandma taught Mati that there was never a competition to begin with.

I related to this book so much. As an az girly myself, I was blown away by accurately descriptive everything that she described in norther Arizona. I truly felt like I was there.

[Taetym Russell · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book has such an amazing meaning and everything is just mwah chefs kiss. so fun and girly and obviously i loved the taylor references

[Samantha]

Thank you to the author for providing me with an ARC. This book instantly had me captivated and was a quick and easy read. I loved the setting and the lesson this story had to teach. It really worked at uncovering why girls unintentionally compete against each other, and the dual pov helped to show both Aspen and Mati wanting what the other had.

[Liz Parks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my god.
How does a book manage to make you feel nostalgic for a place you've never been? Reading this felt like stepping back into my own sixteen-year-old self and had me remembering summer camp like it was yesterday. I would've eaten this book UP in middle/high school.
I love positive girlhood and girl friendships. This was so wholesome in the best way, and I was grinning and laughing through every chapter.
This book even made me think of myself and my own best friend, and I'm definitely sharing this with her!

Aspen throwing on better than revenge to literally plot her revenge? Iconic.

Those epilogues literally had me screaming. There's a part in one of the earlier chapters where Mati wonders what life will be like in six years, and something about the epilogue being THOSE SIX YEARS LATER killed me! What a beautiful happy ending. I loved every second of this.

[Johna · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨ARC Review✨

This story follows two teenage girls who are both battling internal insecurities in their own fashion.

I truly felt like I could relate to Mati the most through the whole story with her rough and rocky relationship with her mom, her tough home life, and a strong grandmother who guides her along the way.

I was so happy that while Mati was jealous and trying to steal Henry that Henry didn’t reveal himself to be a horrible individual. Henry remained faithful and kind through and through and that made me love him even more.

Ivan…. Ivan! I wanted to like him but he consistently cared more about his phone the entire time and when he finally spoke it was to be rude and disrespectful. I just can’t find myself liking him and I’m glad Henry stood up for Aspen.

Overall, this was the perfect coming of age book to empower girls to never compare themselves to each other and focus on lifting each other up.

[Alana · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredible debut that was equal parts beautifully written and relatable! A great book to kick off your summer reading.

[Kyra · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is so much pressure on young women to compare themselves to one another. To people you know, to people you don't, to models on magazine covers and actresses in movies to your classmates and friends. Reading the end of this book was a balm because it reminded me that the comparison most women struggle with is not rooted within us, but rather growing in society, and wrapping its branches around our ankles. Trying to pull us down. I would argue that what is growing within us is the only way to defeat it. Love. Appreciation. Understanding. Empathy. Friendship. All of these beautiful things that will grow if only we water them.

I loved reading this book, especially as an Arizonan, because I recognized a bunch of Flagstaff and Phoenix spots mentioned!

Definitely a good read for anyone looking for nostalgia, summer and the beauty of friendship.

[Sarah Desmond · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun story about girlhood/growing up I was easily able to relate it to my own childhood and going my parents cabin. Sabrina is a local AZ author and I am so glad she released this!

[Jemma Ochs · Rating 5 out of 5]

refreshing view on girlhood and a good reminder we all need to take a step back and think before coming to conclusions about others 🩷

[Brittney Jade · Rating 4 out of 5]

*I received a free copy of this book thanks to the author and I am leaving this review voluntarily*

This was a cute, YA frenemies novel.
The main characters, Aspen and Mati, meet during the summer in the small town of Odell (Arizona). Aspen is the girlfriend of Henry, Mati's longtime summer friend (a group of them vacation at the same time in the same town every year and formed their own group). Aspen is excited to meet Henry's summer friends and make new friends, while Mati is like "who is this and WHY is she here?!" Mati feels that Aspen is an intruder, and tries everything in her power to show Aspen she is not welcomed in their group - all because of Henry.
But after an incident (can't say - don't want to spoil it! lol) they both begin to question their true intentions and if they can have a peaceful rest of their mini vacation.

Overall, this book reminds me of how high schools girls kind of are - especially when it comes to a guy. I liked the writing and how it was a realistic portrayal of teens rather than some version that adults think teenagers act like. I really liked the end and found myself like oh, my shayla!

This is a cute book if you're looking for something quick and palette cleansing.

[kris · Rating 4 out of 5]

i was lucky enough to receive an e-arc by the author! here is my review copied from instagram:

perfect for those who love the summer i turned pretty; i thoroughly enjoyed We Are Not The Same, an anti-love triangle novel on summer flings, girlhood, and the villain of comparison.

the novel's dual pov ensures that you know exactly why aspen and mati act the way they do toward each other--out of jealousy, insecurity, and admiration--you can never hate either of them because in the end, they're just girls trying to be enough for themselves. though many times aspen and mati were at ends with each other, there was always that moment where they were wondering, what was the point of it all? and in those moments all the way to the end is where the beauty of girlhood lies in this web of feelings.

[The Lonely Girls Bookclub · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our members loved reading We Are Not the Same! The Arizona setting felt so familiar and relatable—it was special seeing places we know reflected on the page. The addition of a fictional town made it feel fresh and imaginative, adding just enough distance to keep the story from feeling overly familiar.

The Fourth of July theme added such a nostalgic and heartfelt touch, and Sabrina captured the spirit of Arizona and the holiday beautifully.

This book also does a wonderful job of highlighting the quiet, powerful moments of girlhood we all recognize, and the complexities of women’s friendships. It sparked so much reflection and connection in our group.

The ending took us by surprise in the best way, and now we’re all eagerly waiting to see what Sabrina creates next as a writer!

[Ranie · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨ Multiple POV
✨ Coming of Age
✨ Girlhood Life Lessons

Why are we, as girls/women/feminine persons, taught to compete with each other? There are infinite types of beauty in this world and this book does a fabulous job diving into this topic through the eyes of teenage girls.

Aspen and Mati are very different people and I loved getting to see the story through both of their eyes. There were aspects of each girl I was able to relate to and honestly felt validated in my own teenage experience.

I think this book is beautiful. It’s a quick read perfect for summertime with an interesting story that shows us that we are not the same and that makes us all the more beautiful.

[Colleen Conklin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the privilege of receiving an ARC of We Are Not The Same. It was a perfect summer read, and I loved getting to see both Mati and Aspen’s POVs. I loved the twist on the traditional “love triangle”, and the overarching message of how the patriarchy pits girls and women against each other, instead of being able to lift each other up. The fangirl references were so fun, and I loved that while it was a YA book, it was written in a way that readers of all ages would resonate with — I found myself having nostalgia for my high school and early college years as I read. Congratulations, Sabrina, on such a phenomenal debut!

[b · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was intrigued by the premise of the book, but the writing felt a little juvenile for my taste and I struggled to connect with the characters and care about their drama. Some things were interesting, but all in all I was a bit disappointed