Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for an advanced copy of this book.

Each book I have read by Fredrik Backman has been filled with profound observations of human behavior and depth of character. Aptly, this book is full of nuanced characters and relationships that felt deeply emotional. There were some light moments, but I definitely wouldn't call this book a light or easy read.

There were times that I felt the pace dragged a bit, but at the same time, there were so many so many revelatory statements about life, childhood, and friendships that it was appropriate and necessary to take time to let them sink in. I had a difficult time getting into the book, but it was well worth it by the end.

Backman has done it again. My heart swelled and broke into a thousand pieces as I remembered my own youth and lived the life of our beloved characters. My Friends is an ode to life, and to teens - the most resilient and lively of us all.

I have been crying non-stop. Why does Fredrik Backman keep doing this to us?

I’m constantly in awe of how Backman writes about life, love, friendship, and art with such clarity and precision. He has this incredible way of highlighting the best parts of being human, things you may have never put into words yourself, but instantly recognize the truth of the moment you read them.

His prose (and the translation) makes it feel like he’s speaking directly to you. It’s like he’s telling you the story, and you’re right there on that pier with those four friends by the sea, in on the joke, feeling every beat of it. He captures the entire spectrum of emotion and reflects it back in a way that feels both gut-wrenching and beautiful.

My Friends centers around art and friendship, and it left me wanting to call my friends just to hear their voices and remind myself that they’re still there.

Fredrik Backman does it again! This book is a wonder. Friendships new and old are explored. The past and present come together beautifully.

Fredrik Backman is an auto-read author for me, and I couldn’t wait to get into this new one of his. But I did - I waited for weeks. I just wasn’t sure if I was in a place to handle the emotions that I know he pours into all of his work. But I should’ve put my trust in him as I know I can, because even though many of his books involve some difficult plots and lots of emotions (this one included), there’s always more than enough hope and laughter to balance it out in the end for an unforgettable reading experience.

My Friends is a straightforward story on the surface about four friends growing up in a town by the sea over the course of one summer. But it’s also so much more than that. It’s about love, grief, storytelling, art, found family, nostalgia, and the list goes on. In one interview, Backman discussed how he didn’t write this book from the perspective of looking at a piece of art, but instead from that of a person watching the person looking at the piece of art, and I can’t think of a better way to describe the narrative. The way that he captures relationships and dynamics between all of the characters is masterful.

I would say that it’s a little more in the same vein as Beartown than Anxious People/Ove in the depth of emotions and seriousness sprinkled throughout the book, but any fan of Backman is sure to love this one too. I’ll be reflecting on it for a long time to come. Thank you so much to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Wow. Just wow. Another one knocked out of the park. Loves this so much. Full of heartache and inspiration and life’s lessons. Couldn’t put it down. Fell in love with every character. Thanks netgalley for the review copy.

Fredrik Backman’s, My Friends, will stay with me for years to come. It is heartfelt, funny, and an emotional rollercoaster in the very best way. This is the story of how one summer changes the course of four friend’s lives, as well as the life of one young woman 25 years later. The structure of the novel—intertwining past and present—allows readers to slowly uncover truths, regrets, and moments of joy that define these characters. I highly recommend this beautiful book.

My Friends was quite a bit different than the previous novels Fredrik Backman novels I’ve read.
His usual writing style is full of warmth and wit; his characters are often flawed yet endearing, all of which typically makes his stories relatable and engaging. However, in this instance, I found the narrative to be somewhat peculiar and had a hard time connecting with this story.
Thank you to the publisher/author for the opportunity to read and listen to this complimentary advanced copy. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This book was oppressively painful to read (non-derogatory). I absolutely love Fredrick Backman’s writing. No one can drop me into someone’s emotions the way he can.

I love Fredrik Backman’s writing and storytelling, and A Man Called Ove will always be one of my very favorite books! I was excited to read this new one, and it lived up to my expectations. The title, My Friends” is truly representative of the story.

My only problem was the length - there were parts where I felt like I wasn’t getting anywhere. But still a lovely story! Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this ARC!

This book made me feel so many emotions. I laughed a lot, I shed a few tears, and I felt warm like I was given a hug. This book is my introduction to Fredrik Backman and the way he brings his characters and their world to life is nothing short of magical. At times I found myself feeling the same frustration and longing with Louisa as Ted shared the stories. This easily ranked in my favorite books of all time for the journey of emotions I went through with the characters.

A huge thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for sending me an arc.

This book wrecked me in the best way. It’s a gorgeous exploration of grief, found family, and the joy of being young. I laughed out loud, cried real tears, and didn’t want it to end.

Louisa may be my favorite character I’ve ever met — hilarious, chaotic, and somehow the heart of it all. Think A Little Life meets The Collected Regrets of Clover, but with more warmth and perfectly timed jokes that carry through the whole story.

This was my first Frederick Backman and I can say he may be one of the most beautiful writers I’ve ever read. I’m excited to explore more of his works.

At times reading this book, I would have almost described myself as in a reading slump. It was taking me so much longer to read, I’d read a chapter here or there and then could read nothing else at all for the rest of the day or even the next day.

But it really wasn’t a slump at all. It was so beautiful and moving that I just needed time to process and experience it. It described the world, and love, and friendship in a way I have never read before. Which sometimes also made me laugh considering how much talk there was about farts and calling each other idiots.

I felt like I was seeing the book the way people in the book saw the painting. At first glance it’s just a book about childhood friends doing stupid childhood things and reminiscing about that time. But it was so much more. The kind of emotion you feel growing inside you, not just hitting you like a wave at a strong point.

I had such a hard time explaining it to others, it’s exceptionally deep and moving, but also so accessible and easy to read. It’s heavy and heartbreaking, but not anything I would say requires any trigger warnings or sensitive topics. It just so perfectly reveals human emotion through every day experiences and words that you feel like these characters are alive.

It was my first Fredrik Backman book (and I am almost embarrassed to admit that after the masterpiece that this was), but it absolutely will not be my last.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria for providing me with a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

This book has the charm of a Backman book, but lacked the readability. I was reading on my kindle and do think I want to try again with a physical book or audio. I just couldn’t get sucked in and it felt like reading it was a chore.

This book was everywhere on 2025 must-read lists—and for good reason. As someone who has loved nearly every book Backman has written, I went into My Friends with high expectations. It did not disappoint. In fact, it is my favorite read of the year.

I started this one during a hectic season of life and found myself reading it slowly, a few pages at a time. And honestly? I’m glad I did. It gave me the space to sit with these characters, to feel every emotion, and to appreciate the beauty of Backman’s storytelling.

At its heart, this book is about a painting, a pivotal summer shared by four best friends when they were 14, and the lasting bonds that form in youth. But it’s also about grief, memory, identity, and the ways we carry one another through life. The story unfolds 25 years later, told by one of the friends to a young artist who reminds him of the group they once were.

Backman has an unmatched gift for character development, and these characters will stay with me for a long time. I was moved to tears more than once and felt so deeply connected to the story and its message.

If you love books that explore friendship, found family, and the quiet moments that shape who we are—this is one you cannot miss.

“Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” @backmansk

This is a story about friendships made, lost, found, put on hold, and wished for. It’s a love story to those relationships that sustain you through the roughest seas and push you to be the best version of yourself. That first relationship that accepts you exactly as you are, and because of who you are, instills in you the truth that you matter and are seen. It becomes that part of you that reminds you that you have value and are allowed to take space in this world. The artist is our North Star in this story of a tale of 4 friends, and a new unlikely friendship. And it all starts with the sea and painted laughter.

@ masterfully interweaves past and present storylines as Louisa and Ted try and find their way home. The artist, Ted, Joar, and Ali did not have it easy in their little coastal town- but they did have each other. Together the poverty, loneliness, abuse, sickness, anxiety, and fear faded into the background. Together they were safe. Louisa lost her best friend in the world and has no one- until the day she meets the Artist… everything changes after that.

All of our friends find out that no matter how big the ocean is- the true love of friendship will always as endless as the deepest part of the ocean.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Read the triggers on this one, as always Backman will tear you apart and somehow also fill your soul.

Thank you to @netgalley and @atriabooks for this #advancedreaderscopy - it’s out now!!!

#2025bookchallengebook43of100
#netgalley
#myfriends

First off: Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for my ARC copy.

Where to start? Fredrik Backman had me at page one. So many emotions throughout the whole book - I could not put it down. This is currently my favorite book of 2025.

Thank you NetGalley, Atria publishing, and Fredrik Backman for my advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was a story so intimate and full of quiet wisdom that you just want to hold it close, yet push everyone you know to pick it up as well.

Backman’s prose, as always, walks the line between heartbreak and humor with startling ease. My Friends is a profound, deeply human exploration of connection, aging, regret, and above all, the quiet heroism of ordinary people trying to hold each other up. This book doesn’t rush; it lingers. And in doing so, it makes every emotional beat resonate.

Characters are Backman’s forte, and in My Friends, he gives us some of his most layered and tender portraits yet. These aren’t just characters—they’re people you want to know, or feel like you already do. Their fears and flaws are achingly familiar, their loyalty to one another and resilience to continue on together: inspiring.

The themes are classic Backman—grief, love, the ache of being misunderstood—but they’re approached here with a fresh maturity. Fans of Backman's other works will recognize the heart immediately, but My Friends stands on its own as a quietly powerful, contemplative reflection on what it means to show up for one another—even, and especially, when it’s hard.

Backman has once again delivered a novel that sneaks up on you. This is storytelling at its most compassionate.

Emotions galore with this read. Fredrik Backman knows how to take his readers on a trip and immerse them with wonderful characters. Just when you think you have things figured out he throws in a different possibility which pulls you further into his world. I knew from the beginning of this one that this book would emotionally wreck me, and I wasn't wrong. Brace yourself for the glorious ride of this one!

Backman fans will want to pick up he newest book My Friends. Themes of grief, sadness and how messy friendships can become and how they change. What does it mean to be a friend? Backman explores these themes through the world of four friends. Another heartwarming novel from a beloved author. Recommend.