Thank you to the publisher for giving me the chance to read an early digital copy of My Friends by Fredrik Backman. I have been a fan of Backman since my pre-bookstagram days when I first read a Man Called Ove. I have read most of his other works as well, and he is definitely one of those auto-read, auto-buy authors- he never lets me down! My Friends was no different. I had high expectations going into this one, and Backman didn't disappoint. This was a beautiful story and one that will stay with me for a long time. It even made me a bit weepy. All the stars for My Friends!

The value of Fredrik Backman’s writing for me is through his storytelling aspect. He has the phenomenal talent of telling a deeply impactful story that explores trauma while still maintaining the importance of seeing the beauty of life and finding chosen family. Some deeply troubling things occur, but it only makes the story richer as it comes full circle.

To have a male author be as emotionally intuitive and witty as Backman is so refreshing. To be a grown man and be able to write about childhood as if we are all going through it in real time again is heartwarming. I would read anything this man writes!!

I enjoyed the storytelling in My Friends—Backman has a way of crafting emotional moments that really land. There were several scenes that moved me deeply, and I found myself genuinely affected by the characters and their relationships.

That said, I did feel the pacing was off. The story progressed slowly, and at times it felt repetitive. I think some of that stems from Backman’s poetic and reflective style, which works beautifully in moments but can also make the narrative feel like it’s circling the same ideas.

Despite that, I was satisfied with how the story wrapped up. It felt true to the tone and heart of the book. I’d definitely recommend this to fans of Backman, who are familiar with and appreciate his unique voice. For casual readers or those new to his work, though, I might hesitate to suggest this as the first one to pick up.

“I sometimes think,” she whispers to the postcard, “that the artist who painted all that must have been in so much pain, but he must also have been the world’s happiest person. It’s like he must have felt every single feeling inside himself all at the same time, and it must have been almost unbearable, because otherwise no one would be able to paint like that. You know?”

OVERWHELMING 5 STARS! WOW!!
Backman absolutely breathes humanity into his books and he outdoes himself in MY FRIENDS. The storytelling here sucks you in from the start, and takes you on a marvelously swirly path of interconnectedness between the characters, to the rest of the world, and through the power of art. I had to slow down reading because I didn’t want it to end and afterwards needed time to reflect before a review. Even just reading my highlights brought me to tears.

This is the story of a tribe of misfits that may not be understood by society as a whole, but completely known within. I LOVED every character. Most everyone is multidimensional, not all bad nor all good. Friends are EVERYTHING. Some of my favorite moments are between Ted and his brother, Christian and the artist, Christian and his mother. There were moments I felt Backman was sharing HIS most vulnerable thoughts as “the artist.”

The power of art comes across so strongly, it’s like another character in the book. Quotes by various artists underscore the value and how one lives through art (e.g. the poet Mary Oliver: “Tell me, what is it you plan to do, with your one wild and precious life?”). The painting (THE ONE OF THE SEA) is so precious, telling the story of the friends very subtly, but unraveling embedded secrets if you know where to look.

The book is about friends, family, the enormity of parenthood, grace, misfits and found family, abuse, grief, loyalty, anxiety, wanting to be enough and to be loved. It’s about art, it’s power, it’s relevance, it’s importance.

My soul needed this.

I’ve never wanted to reread immediately after reading a book, but I am excitedly waiting for the audiobook to relive it. And Marin Ireland is an exceptional narrator, so looking forward to her delivery.

“Once you’ve seen his art, you can’t imagine a world without it,”....this, to me, is Backman.

Thank you NetGalley for this most incredibly beautiful ARC!

this is simply a standard fredrik backman novel. I loved it. the melancholy way he tells his story whilst keeping you hooked.

loved this one and would definitely recommend

Backman is an expert at character and writing. This was devastating but hopeful. Nostalgic and wholly it's own. I love his work and this was one that had me sobbing at the end. Found friendship. Love. Adventures and mishaps. This has it all.

This is another masterful book by Fredrik Backman. His signature style hooks the reader from the first sentence and doesn't let go until long after the last page has been turned. He has managed to write a book that is at once hopeful and despairing while always being achingly true to real life. The reader is introduced to the characters in an organic way that feel true to life and seems to intertwine their life with what is happening in the story. Everyone should add this book to the top of their to be read list.

No one will ever be able to write the way Fredrik Backman writes. His books are, and forever will be, such an absolute treat to experience.

Fredrik Backman never fails to impress me with the emotional depth he brings to every story. “My Friends” is a character driven story that follows teenager Louisa after she inherits a piece of art from a famous artist, and Ted, the artists childhood friend. Ted slowly reveals stories from his childhood with the artist and two other friends - Joar and Ali. What follows is a simultaneous tale of childhood antics and profound grief. I really enjoyed how Backman sets you up to expect the story going one way and then it goes another way completely.

My main critique is that I found it a bit repetitive, and wanted more from the ending. While I’m glad to have read it, it wouldn’t be the top Backman book that I’d recommend.

Some books quietly steal your heart. My Friends is one of them.

It starts with Louisa, a young artist who becomes obsessed with three nearly invisible figures at the edge of a famous painting. Her search for their story leads to a cross-country journey and a deep dive into a long-forgotten summer on a weathered pier, where a group of misfit teens once found refuge, laughter, and the kind of friendship that changes everything.

Told in beautifully woven dual timelines, this is a story about chosen family, the healing power of art, and how we hold each other up when the world gets heavy. The characters feel achingly real and Backman evokes the full spectrum of emotions.

I cherished every moment with these characters and I think you will too.

Read this if you:
-love stories where art and emotion collide
-enjoy Backman-style insights that stop you mid-page
-are overdue for a good cry

My Friends is a heartbreaking and also heartwarming story about the unbreakable bonds of true friendship.

The book covers friendship, love, dedication and loss. Told in 2 timelines - present day and 25 years ago and multiple POVs (artist/CYAT, Louisa, Ted and others).

I LOVED every moment reading this book and can’t recommend it enough. “I’ve found one of us!”

Fredrik Backman is one of my favorite authors. The characters are so real - flawed and authentic and his stories are charming.

Thank you to NetGalley & Atria Books for letting me read this ARC.

Fredrik Backman’s writing is perfection to me and My Friends was absolutely beautiful.

Louisa, our aspiring artist main character, becomes entranced by deciphering the kids in a painting. It turns out, the children featured, were based on the artist’s real life crew of childhood best friends.

I laughed at out, I teared up. There were many lines that stopped me in my tracks. It’s not a short book but i would’ve happily consumed more.

5 big stars.

A big Thank You to Netgalley and Atria Books for the complimentary DRC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

This coming-of-age novel was an absolute delight to read about these four friends growing up in a small seaside town, and a painting that became renown worldwide. My heart ached for the hardships that these kids had to endure on a daily basis, 0but was later remended with the secondary storyline of 18-year-old Louisa, an orphan and recent runaway from the foster care system and Ted, the older version of one of the friends.

This book is ideal for readers who appreciate emotionally resonant stories about the enduring power of friendship and art, blending humor and heartache to explore how unexpected connections can shape lives across generations.

A book of hope, loss, joy, sadness, basically there is not an emotion this book doesn't evoke. Characters with intense depth, a maturity in children that will break your heart. And love. Love, love, love! Friendships that are true and lasting. The minute I closed this book on it's final page, I truly just wanted to flip it over and read it again. This novel is perfect.

Louisa is a teenager without family who has lost her only friend. She meets Ted and follows him back to his town. Along the way he shares the story of his friends, namely The Artist, who left his painting to Louisa.
I absolutely loved this book and thoroughly enjoyed this emotional story of friendship. The characters were vivid and had depth. Louisa was my favorite! I enjoyed how the story alternated between the past and the present. Backman’s writing was original and entertaining. Some people may say his books are too wordy, but I enjoyed the voice he creates when he writes. If you have read and enjoyed other books by Backman, I highly recommend you read this one too! Thank you NetGalley and Atria books for this arc!

5 out of 5 Star

As per usual Frederik Backman proved once again why he's my all time favorite author.

I switched between the audio, physical, and kindle for this book because I needed to be reading it at all times. It’s by far my favorite book of 2025 and a new all-time favorite! I have never cried so much from a book, so proceed with caution. Thank you again, Atria and Simon.audio for my copies!

I might return to this at a later point, but the going was so slow that it was difficult for me to immerse myself fully in the story, especially as the features of Backman's storytelling that do legitimately get critiqued in his previous works also rear their heads here.

Backman either seems to be a "loooooove him or leave him" author. As I said in my review of Beartown, he has a way with words and the human condition that are well-suited for the social media reader. His observations about humanity lend themselves well to being decontextualized quotes that get shared widely online, in a way that's reminiscent of John Green and Matt Haig.

Unfortunately, in MY FRIENDS I think Backman goes the way of Matt Haig. I can't put my finger on it. Perhaps something about the overly forced cutesy/quirkiness of Louisa, or the scatterminded, haphazard way in which Ted attempts to recount his childhood memories to her on the train. Oh gosh, the train. They seemed to be on the train forever, and the entire time Ted struggles with his inability to tell a story chronologically, so that we get flashbacks, then interruptions, then flashbacks to explain the flashbacks, then flashbacks to explain the interrupts, and so on. I'll admit, it slowed the pacing down to an agonizing turtle crawl, and annoyed the heck out of me.

I still might come back to it, because apparently the second half is good? But for now, it was just not grabbing my attention.

4.25 stars

I just love Fredrik Backman’s quirky characters and the specific stories he builds. I loved being sucked into the lives of these characters and while sad, it was so hopeful too. My one qualm is that there were sections that were very repetitive and it didn’t seem to be for a reason. Entire sentences would repeat sometimes and I felt like it could have used a few more rounds of editing. Audio was great, Marin Ireland is perfection as the narrator.

Absolute perfection!!

This story will have you experience a wide range of emotions . From tears to laughter I was completely drawn into this amazing story of friendship, love, sacrifice and family. There are so many amazing quotes and passages in this book that resonated with me. It is rare to experience a book like this and I know I can always expect a great story from Backman. He has a true gift of story telling, this one is one of his best.

5 ⭐️