Fabulous! Loved this book. Kept my attention through the entire book. Character development was on par. Great story with in-depth storyline. Loved it.

4.25 ⭐️

Backman does it again with a unique and interesting narrative that provides excellent insights into human nature!

Ted and his friends were the subject of a painting by a boy who became a famous artist. Twenty-five years later, the artist bequeathed this famous and sought-after painting to a girl named Louisa he just met because she reminded him of someone he used to know. Ted was in charge of getting the painting to her after the artist’s death, and then Ted (almost 40 years old) and Louisa end up traveling together. Louisa learns about the story of the friends that served as inspiration for the painting.

➕ Backman’s insights on human nature are extraordinary, as usual. You smile when he says something true that applies to yourself and your friends. You laugh. And he can put you in a sentimental mood as well.
➕ Both Ted and Louisa are actively grieving, and I thought it was both heartbreaking and heart-mending to read their interactions with one another.

➖ There seemed to be a lot of bonding among the adolescents due to their life circumstances (i.e., they are alienated from others, parent-less or have abusive parents, etc.). I wonder if they would have come together otherwise. Still, I did enjoy seeing these relationships and how they endured.
➖ The reader might need to bring some patience. Toward the end of the novel (about 85% in), I was starting to lose some patience with the story and wanted it to wrap up. I think Backman’s human insights shined in the first and middle parts. The last part seemed to wrap up the story of Ted’s friends, but felt strung out too long.

I really enjoyed this most recent novel from Backman! A Man Called Ove remains my favorite of his, with this now in second place. I enjoyed this one more than the Beartown series (which I really liked!).

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for an Advance Reader Copy in exchange for an unbiased review.

It publishes May 6, 2025.

Wow. As a faithful reader of Backman, this book does not disappoint. This story of love, loss, and friendship is hard to describe. The way Backman builds the characters personalities, quirks, relationships, and the back and forth of the story is so incredibly fulfilling as a reader. I very much enjoyed this book and look forward to recommending it to fellow reading friends.

Backman has done it again! In this thoughtful and emotional story about the importance of friendship and art, Backman has again managed to write human emotions in the most authentic way possible. I was bawling my eyes out during the first and last 10% of this book!

Fredrik Backman never fails to write humanity in a way that makes me want to smile more at strangers and never let an “I love you” go unsaid. My Friends is a beautiful portrayal of friendship and manages to put all the awkward, anxiety-ridden thoughts of a teenager into writing. It made me feel like I was 15 again in the best way possible.

Thank you to Atria Books for the eARC!

I was thrilled to receive an advanced version of this book since Backman is one of my all-time favorite writers. I've read all of his books and was so excited to jump back into his brain for this one and I was not disappointed. My Friends tells the story of a small group of friends who loved each other as teens and never stopped, told through the lens of a new friendship between 18-year-old artist Louisa and Ted, whose friends are those in the story. The writing was beautiful, poignant, and funny, as his books always are. The story hit me in right in the chest over and over again but I just wanted to keep reading. It was so sad at times and so hopeful at others, and I just wanted to give everyone in it a hug. You've done it again, Fredrik. Thank you for reminding us what it is to feel.

It was so nice to be back with Backman's writing.

This book gave a good mix of the humorous vibes of Anxious People and the drama/trauma/emo vibes of the Beartown series. All with the typical Backman writing of evoking emotional connections and one liners a PLENTY.

If I'm being honest, the one liners (Idk what else to call them) got to be a bit much as the book got longer. And it felt LONG at a couple points. I think this could have been edited down. I suspect Backman is given a lot of leeway given his success. As a Backman stan, I wasn't mad about it but as I was trying to critique, that's what I can honestly say.

BUT, overall, I really liked, perhaps even loved it. I was in the perfect headspace for it and it filled my cup.

A Spellbinding Tale of Friendship & Art

Gather round, my friends, and let me tell you about a story that weaves friendship, love, and loss into a tapestry as rich and complex as an ancient spell. My Friends is no ordinary tale—it’s a story of broken souls and unbreakable bonds, a summer friendship that stretches across time.

The Painting That Captured a Summer

At the heart of this novel is a fragile artist who, one summer, is encouraged by his friends to create a painting—something that ends up capturing the raw intimacy of their youth. But this painting is more than just art; it becomes a symbol of transformation, of the way creativity can both reveal and heal. 25 years, and along comes Louisa, drawn in by the whispers of the past, unable to resist the pull of its mystery.

A Journey Through Memory and Friendship

Louisa embarks on a journey with Ted as he shares the story behind the painting. Through Ted’s memories, we meet each friend. They each carry their own darkness and struggles, yet what binds them together is something far more powerful—love, loyalty, and the kind of friendship that feels like a protective charm against the world.

Backman’s Spellbinding Storytelling

Fredrik Backman, as always, is a master witch of words, weaving magic into his storytelling. I find some stories are difficult to step into when told to me, but here? Oh, he casts a spell with his words—blending humor and heartbreak so seamlessly that I couldn’t help but fall under his enchantment. His characters are flawed, deeply human, and utterly unforgettable.

The Rhythm of the Story—A Slow Burn with a Fiery Payoff

The pacing? Ah, now there’s a tricky bit. The beginning lures you in with the suspense, its slow unraveling of what happened between these friends. The suspense kept me turning pages long past the witching hour. But then, the middle—ah, it slows, the momentum falters like a candle flickering in the wind. And though the magic dims for a moment, it reignites, pulling you back in with its emotional depth and quiet revelations.

Themes That Linger Like a Ghostly Whisper

Themes of transformation and healing through art shimmer like moonlight on water. And the friendship—oh, the friendship! Messy, raw, imperfect, yet steadfast to the very end. If you, like me, revel in the power of human connection, this book will leave its mark on your soul.

A Story to Savor

A long read? Yes. But worth it? Absolutely. So brew some tea, settle in, and prepare to be spellbound by a tale that lingers long after the final page is turned.

A Witches Words buddy read with Norma, Debra and Dorie. Thanks for sharing the magic while I completely geeked out over this one!

Fredrik Backman is an accomplished storyteller whose characters leap off the page and become stuck in the reader's brain, never to leave. Such is the case with Louisa, Ted, Ali, Joar, and the artist, outcasts whose friendship binds them together.

When eighteen-year-old aspiring artist Louisa sees an exhibition containing her favorite painting by the artist C. Jat being held, she sneaks in, only to be chased into an alley by security guards. There, she collides with an apparent homeless man, and together, they spray-paint a wall with their art. Only then does she realize that the man is her idol, C. Jat. This is the start of a cross-country journey with the artist's friend Ted and her quest to find the meaning of the painting.

Told from the present day and twenty-five years earlier through the trials of a group of fourteen-year-old friends, the story of the painting and the friendships depicted in it emerges. Louisa, now serendipitously the owner of the painting, feels burdened by the enormity of the painting's value and its historic beginnings. Her life is now intertwined with those of the artist and his friends.

This story is about love, trust, and the powerful bonds of friendship. Told with wit and compassion, the novel is heartwarming and sometimes gut-wrenching but never dull. I read the book in record time, unable to part with the characters and their lives. It was only toward the end that I slowed down, not wanting the book to end. This is another out-of-the-park homerun from Backman. 5/5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley and Atria Books, for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The publication date is May 6, 2025.

I have an unevenly relationship with Backman--LOVED Man Called Ove and Anxious People, HATED My Grandmother....., felt meh about couple others....this one just meh. Narrative was scattered, seemed to meander, and tedious and longer than it used to be.
However, Backman has a knack for quirky characterization, which i love, so I will always read him.
I received an ARC from netgalley in exchange for an honest review

This is one the best books I have ever read. I wish I could go back in time and start it over fresh. I will be recommending it to all my friends.

I really loved Anxious People, so maybe this suffered in comparison for me, but I found it rather repetitive and longer than it needed to be. Lots of superfluous F bombs, too. I almost felt like Backman was channeling Gary Schmidt, but it didn't quite land. Maybe a translation issue?

*Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an e-galley in exchange for an honest review.

This was actually my very first book by this author, and it definitely won’t be my last. This book… there are some books that change readers, and this is one of them. This is such an impactful story, it will stay with me for a very, very long time. I absolutely loved it and cannot wait to read more from him!!

Fredrik Backman does it again—delivering a story that hits deep, right where it hurts. Let me start by saying, his writing is truly some of the best I’ve ever read, and I’ve studied the classics, so that’s saying something. The way he masterfully builds tension, foreshadowing events and repeating key phrases that only make full sense the second or third time they’re used in the book is nothing short of genius. It adds such depth to the narrative and makes the reading experience incredibly engaging.

As for the plot and characters, it’s classic Backman brilliance. He has an unmatched ability to write imperfect, deeply human characters in such a way that you fall in love with them, flaws and all. This story was emotionally rich, beautifully capturing the innocence of childhood and the relentless perseverance of teenagers. You follow these kids through one unforgettable summer, and by the end, you feel like one of them.

In short, Backman’s storytelling pulls you in, tugs at your heartstrings, and leaves a lasting impact. Truly, a masterpiece of character, emotion, and the beauty of life’s simplest yet most profound moments.

I'm DNFing it don't do this often but this book really just did not capture my attention, did not feel like I wanted to read on. Don't get me wrong Backmans writing style is original and I loved it but the plot just wasn't doing it for me

Every time I read a Fredrik Backman book, it becomes my new favorite! 💙

This one was extra special because one of the main characters shares my name, Louisa,—what a fun bonus! Backman’s characters are always so deeply layered and unforgettable, and this book’s cast was no exception. His writing allows us to truly know them—their flaws, their hearts, their humanity.

I’ll admit, with so many characters, I was a bit confused at first—but as the story unfolded, everything fell into place. Yes, it’s a long book, but every word, every story, every moment is essential to the journey. Be prepared to set aside the time to read this book in it's entirety. You might need a weekend alone!

This book has it all: friendship, love, heartbreak, secrets, and humor—but at its core, it’s about the power of friendships, both new and old. Once again, Backman delivers a story that demands to be read the moment it hits the shelves.

Fredrik Backman is one of my favorite authors and this book did not disappoint. He has a way of writing so honestly and bluntly, infusing even difficult subjects with light. This is a story about different friendships that follows multiple timelines. It jumps around quite a bit, which bugged me at the beginning but really works brilliantly, almost like different strands of a friendship bracelet coming together. The characters are well-developed and were fun to read. Backman has captured the magic of an adolescent summer in a way similar to Dandelion Wine. Read it with more hope than the story seems to ask for.

Aside from the last 20% and a few gems here and there, this was a bit of a disappointment for me. I was excited when I heard this was about a group of teens as I loved the author’s Beartown. But the writing style for this one was nothing like that. I found much of the book depressing and quite a bit redundant. But I’m a bit of an outlier on this one. And I will still likely read whatever he writes next.

I honestly think this is Fredrik Backman's best book yet!

Fundamentally, this is a story is about the enduring nature of friendship. Backman is so good at capturing the how two people connect and become a part of each others lives. It is impossible not to connect with these characters! I was heartbroken at the end of the book because my time with them had come to an end. This novel has dual timelines, and I think it makes the story all the more powerful.

This story is so good! I cannot wait to hand it to every customer I encounter! I think his fans are going to absolutely love this story, and readers who haven't discovered him yet will also be delighted by this story.

Thank you, NetGalley and Atria Books, for the ARC of this title. Fredrik Backman has been one of my favorite authors for a long time now. His storytelling abilities are among the best in the world and yet there's humility and so much humanity in his writing.

My Friends is another just absolutely beautiful story that made me laugh, cry, think, yearn, dream, and sob. The book switches between present time where a young woman struggles to find reasons to survive and the past history of a group of friends whose survival seemed to depend on their finding each other when they did. And it all starts with a painting that only reveals its secrets to those who take the time to really look and connect with it. One would hope that we all have friends in our youth that we truly connect with not in spite of our idiosyncrasies but because of them. Sometimes it feels like they are all we have that is meaningful and, perhaps we view those times through rose-colored glasses. But the beauty of Backman's friend story is that the glasses are off and the sad, painful reality is stark and pointed. But almost simultaneously, there are moments of purest joy and love.

Synopsis: When Louisa has a chance encounter with the artist of her favorite painting after being thrown out of the museum where it hangs, she has no idea that she is about to learn all the stories behind the painting while also finding a new family with some of the artist's closest friends.