"All Friends Are Necessary" by Tomas Moniz is a joyful, poignant and tender novel that highlights the love formed between a chosen family and a group of friends, both before and during COVID. I loved Moniz' exploration of different types of relationships and his examination of ways to play and get away from toxic masculinity. The author achieves great character depth in a short novel. The book also felt very real in terms of grief, and characters facing their own failings in the face of it. Oakland and Northern California provide a wonderful setting and almost felt like their own character. I love that Moniz's author's note ends with a request for readers to write him snail mail letters and a promise to answer. It feels like a fitting end to this kind-hearted book. I will miss these characters, especially Chino and Metal Matt. Thanks to Alongquin Books and Netgalley for an eARC.

Indeed, all friends are necessary and for platonic love to be featured so prominently (more so than the romantic relations) in a novel is precious to me. After a personal tragedy upends his life, Efren "Chino" Flores moves back to the Bay Area where his lifelong friends reside. Together, the friends go through the waves of life: dating, job opportunities/losses, protests, and, eventually, a pandemic. Yet, their love for each other is never tested but rather steadfast. Moniz conjures such evocative descriptions of both setting and characters. The redwoods and native ferns are as much characters as Chino and his group. You, the reader, feel close to these friends, it's as if you were there with them. Just an excellent portrait of a community.

I was sent an ARC by the editor of this book. Thank you to the team at Algonquin Books and Hachette Book Group. "All Friends Are Necessary" will be available in the US on June 11, 2024.

I think this book was good. I requested it because it sounded interesting, and it was. The cast of characters was interesting and all so different from one another. I love the setting and environment this book created it really helped to create well rounded and dynamic characters