The coming of age story many authors wish they could write.
You'll laugh, cry, get angry, and make connections.
And when it ends you will be fulfilled.
Recommended.

…an endless sea, a great friendship, a true love story.”

This was quite the beautiful adventure, from beginning to end.

It is always an honor to read a Backman novel, whether as an ARC or on release day. But I’m especially pleased I got my hands on My Friends early. It was the best way to start the new year.

I don’t usually write reviews and thoughts as I read a book but with this one, I felt like I had to. In the first quarter, I laughed, cried, and full blown wept more than I could count. Backman has a tendency to make me feel like my chest is constricting and like I need to hold my breath with the turn of each page, but clinging to the knowledge that there WILL be hope that ties it all together.

This was such a beautiful story of deep, true friendship on so many levels. Of love. Of grief. Of art. Of being human.

A story of a teenage girl that collides with the story of four best friends. It’s heart-wrenching. It’s sob-inducing. It’s hope-inspiring. It’s brilliant.

I always say that Backman has a beautiful way of weaving characters together in a beautiful and intricate way and this was no different - despite this being such a different adventure from other stories he has told.

I knew right away that this would be one of my favorite Backman novels and I was right. It’s impossible not to love Louisa and the way her life intersects with Ted, Joar, Ali, and KimKim.

Gosh, I just loved this so much and am so thankful to NetGalley and Atria books for allowing me to read it early and be moved so profoundly. Backman never misses. He really never does.

Truly a delightful, funny read from one of my favorite authors. A story that keeps you guessing about the characters lives and whereabouts (and if they are still alive and out of prison) from the first page to the last. This is one I will recommend.

Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Backman’s books are so heartfelt that they fill you up in a way that no other books can, and his latest book, My Friends, is no exception. He has a way of completely pulling you into the world he’s created, and even if you don’t see why or how you’ll care about these characters at the beginning, you’ll always fall in love with them by the end of the book.

My Friends has a slightly smaller cast of characters than his other books—through a chain reaction of events, Louisa meets Ted in the present day, and he tells her the story of four friends 25 years ago whose lives are changed by one summer. What happened that summer will directly impact Louisa, and it’s ultimately a story of grief, the creation of art, and the transformative power of friendship.

Backman’s signature omniscient narrator is here again, alluding to past and present events, so even if you think it might end one way, it doesn’t. I didn’t cry like I did with Backman’s other books, but overall it’s heartfelt, quirky, and a wonderful addition to Backman’s shelf!

4.5 stars rounded up

The only thing wrong with books by Fredrik Backman is that they end up. This WILL be my favorite book of 2025. Read it without reading about it: skip the blurbs and reviews, just experience it.

Thank you @netgalley for the ARC

Brilliant! Beautiful! Tragic! Heartwarming! Heartbreaking! Fredrik Backman is a masterful storyteller. It is difficult to find adequate words with which to describe the experience of this novel because this novel IS most definitely an experience. This is a story of found family, the capacity of art to speak and heal, the power of friendship, and how trauma impacts who we are, how we perceive, how we love, and if we stay. Most importantly, however, it illustrates the reparative nature of the relationships with our humans and the beauty of finding someone who is “one of us”. Backman has a unique ability to build characters with insight and depth, helping readers to understand each character holistically. He beautifully integrates each character’s talents and strengths with their flaws and moments of less than genius judgment. You will laugh, you will cry, you will gasp, and you will absolutely fall in love with these characters!

I will forever read anything that Fredrik Backman writes, and I am confident he will never disappoint. I am so grateful to have gotten the complimentary ARC of this book. Thank you to NetGalley, Fredrik Backman, and Atria Books.

Ever read a Fredrik Backman book? I feel like there are two kinds of groups. You either love it or hate it. I rarely feel like there's an in-between to his writing. I've always been on the side that loves it. Heads up to reading, there are a few triggers. Just as I suspected, this book did not leave me disappointed. It's kind of like Beartown. Fredrik Backman does really well when it comes to character building. He truly makes you capture each person very well. The first several lines in this book already had me hooked. This story is all tragic and beautiful at once. What I find that I enjoy the most is putting two unlikely things together and making it work. I think that is what he's good at doing. Making something that might seem negative turn out to become positive or blossom into something else over time. Truly, I have never been disappointed in his storytelling!

Backman shows us the importance and beauty of platonic love. I think That we take platonic love for granted in a lot of ways. This is just the most beautiful and heart wrenching story of a group of friends growing up. The way he interconnects the past and present to show parallels of younger them and Louisa now, just amazing. His writing is some of my favorite, favorite pieces of art. I really loved this one and I can’t wait to annotate a copy!

Fredrik Backman's latest novel, My Friends, is a good addition to his growing list of great novels. My Friends is a reflective story of four friends who find each other in a small town. Their friendship and bond is forged through difficulties they face in their own personal lives. It is a tale of strength , love and unrelenting friendships. However, there is a darkness to the book that may be difficult for some readers. A large portion of the plot surrounds abuse both in a foster home and by a parent. Many times I would have to stop reading just to take a break from the hurt. This definitely needs to be disclosed as it could be impactful in a negative way for some readers. Another issue that may be off-putting to some readers is the frequent use of "GD" which some might find disrespectful or offensive, ( it was to me) . I'm sure Backman used the language to serve certain characters' emotions, however, it was unnecessary. This could also alienate other sensitive readers. I've always liked Backman's book but this one is just too dark for me. I'm sure there are others who will enjoy it.

Thank you so very much to NetGalley, Atria Books, and Fredrik Backman for allowing me to review this masterpiece! I have loved everything Fredrik Backman has written and this book is no exception. This is such a beautifully written novel about childhood, found family, art, and adulthood. You will feel all the emotions but over all this is a love letter to childhood and art (in my opinion). I imagine each reader will have a different interpretation based on their life experiences. This novel is that amazing that it will provide what each reader needs during their reading experience. I already have plans to reread this and I am sure I will have a different reading experience based on whatever I have going on in my life at that time. I can’t wait to reread this beautiful book. I highly recommend this to absolutely everyone! It is for everyone at any stage of life! Thank you so very much for allowing me to read and honestly review this book. It is a new all time favorite book of mine!

“My Friends” is by Fredrik Backman. I laughed, I cried, I rolled my eyes, I sighed and read this book in one day. This book started with a grabbing opening paragraph that made me laugh (thanks for that) and just rolled on from there. This isn’t an easy book to read - a lot happens in this town and amongst these teenagers. Is it all lovely? No. Is it all horrible? Thank goodness, no. It’s about a group of four kids who found each other at just that right time - when friendship bonds sometimes matter more than family bonds. It’s those friendship bonds that help you cope with the crazy world - especially when a teenager. This book is about art - and the wonders of that world. It’s about survival - mental and physical. It’s about life. This book is told in two timelines - the past (25 years ago) and present. The past is told mainly by Ted, though others get to interject their viewpoints. The present is with Louisa and Ted. There were so many great lines in this book - some that have that Backman view that you hadn’t thought of before, but once he writes it down, you go “oh, yes, that’s right.” I will say that at times I found this book a bit long, though Backman’s writing style flows as beautifully as ever. I’ll also admit that I’m not a fan of the cover (I’d much prefer the painting from the book). But a huge 4.75 stars from me - I’d re-read this book and I’d recommend it to those who like teenage friendship groups that evolve into lifelong friendship bonds.

Fredrik Backman is hit or miss for me. Although I loved the Beartown series, I struggle with his more fantasy-type stories. This was one of those stories for me. I didn't resonate or connect with the characters and the I struggled to stay engaged in the storyline. I will continue to try his books, but in the end this one was definitely not for me.

This book is a love letter- to art, artists, children, teenagers, broken people, and to friends. It’s devastating and joyful, it’s dark and it’s bright. This is Bachman’s best book yet and if you’ve ever had a friend, I can’t recommend it enough. Please note this book contains triggers- read with care.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for this stunning ARC given in exchange for my honest review.

This book is amazing! To me, it’s more similar to the storytelling of beartown or anxious people. If you preferred a man called ove, it’s not that format. However, it is beautifully written. The characters are complex, the painting is so well described. I kept wanting to look up The One of the Sea! Another five star read from Backman.

“ Art is what we leave of ourselves in other people.”

I could not believe my luck when I was approved for this ARC. There wasn’t a single doubt in my mind that I would love it; Fredrik Backman is one of my absolute favorite authors - I would gladly read his grocery lists.

“My Friends” absolutely didn’t disappoint. I laughed, I cried, I highlighted 134 passages, and I have a feeling that I will find myself thinking about these characters just like I do those from Beartown all these years later.

I am so grateful to NetGalley, Fredrik Backman, and Atria Books for the opportunity to read this masterpiece as my first book of 2025.

Fredrik Backman’s My Friends is a beautifully written and emotionally compelling story about loss, resilience, and the unexpected connections that shape our lives. The novel follows Louisa, a young girl who has endured the instability of foster care and is grieving the recent loss of her best friend, Fish. Feeling adrift, a chance encounter with a seemingly homeless man sets her on a journey to uncover the story behind her favorite painting, leading to the discovery of four unlikely friendships that change her life.

Backman’s unique storytelling structure, weaving between past and present, adds depth and intrigue to the narrative. While the book starts off a bit slow, it’s well worth sticking with—it quickly becomes a heartfelt, immersive experience. The characters are so vividly drawn that you can’t help but fall in love with them. My Friends will make you laugh out loud and cry your heart out, leaving a lasting impression long after you turn the final page.

What a book! Backman does such an incredible job of writing broken and beautiful characters. I felt like these friends became my friends and I kept putting the book down because I wasn’t ready for it to end! While I’m sure some people don’t love Backmans writing style, I love it. Being allowed into the thoughts of the characters makes me feel like I’m a part of the story, not just a reader. Backman paints such vivid pictures of the people in his stories and this is no exception. I loved how the story slowly unfolded. It kept me hooked the entire time!

5⭐️s - This one stole my heart. Friendship and art weave this one together. Beautiful characters highlight this book along with their journey together building an unforgettable friendship bond.

I love Bachmann’s expressive writing style. The characters animate right off the pages and while humorous at times, you can feel the sadness too in those dark moments.

I enjoyed what seemed like small stories that all add up together to show the journey of friendship, love, loyalty and grief. And how art has a way of tying all those together for those who are lucky enough to see the correlation.

Highly recommend when this one comes out and grab a box of tissues. Loved it!

Expected release: 5/20/25

✨Special thanks to NetGalley & Atria Books for this complimentary digital advanced copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.

My Friends is a story that will stick with you for years. The kind of book that you run to tell your friends about. Fredrick Blackman has a way of telling a real, raw, and authentic story that encapsulates you and takes your for a whirlwind. His writing style is lyrical. While I’m being quite vague with my review, this book is one that you jump right into blindly and read with your heart wide open. If i could rate this 6 stars, i would. This is fantastic.

Such a different book! I loved the idea of finding out the details of the painting and the people in them. This was a lovely book that was heartwarming and made me shed some tears. One of the best Fredrik Backman books ever!