4 stars

Louisa, 17, an aspiring artist, has always been fascinated by the three small films hires sitting at the end of a pier in “The One of the Sea,” the first known work of famous artist C. Jat, painted when he was a 14 year old prodigy. She desperately wants to see the painting in person and to know the story of those three people.

Twenty-five years previously in a town by the sea four teenagers escape their difficult lives by banding together as best friends, sharing their lives and acting out just a bit during their fourteenth-going-on-fifteenth summer. And from that summer comes an incredible piece of art and an artist such that the world has never seen.

Ultimately that work falls into the hands of Louisa who travels across the country to learn its origin story, and maybe a bit about how to begin to live the rest of her life.

Maybe I’m the only person who never read A MAN CALLED OVE? I may own it, but I’m not sure. Anyway, I read a short story by Blackman recently and though it was a bit more twee than what I usually like I still enjoyed it so I thought I would give this a try and I’m glad I did.

In this book, translated by Neil Smith, I fell a little bit in love with Louisa, Ali, Joar, Ted and the artist, all wonderfully flawed people who have been dealt a difficult hand but handle it all admirably in their own ways. Oh, how I loved Joar! So prepared to accept what small moments of grace the world had to offer. So, same thing here as in short story…this was much sweeter, more redemptive than my normal read, but I quite enjoyed it. I would guess that readers who have enjoyed Blackman in the past will find a lot to like here and will go away satisfied. I believe I will remember these characters for awhile, and that is saying something.

I live Fredrik Backman’s books and have read everything he’s written. I was thrilled to get an arc of his newest book. It did not disappoint! I loved it. I laughed, I cried. I fell in love with the characters and Backmans quirky written. So good. Thanks to NetGalley, Fredrik Backman and the publisher for an arc in exchange for my honest review.

This book was equal parts heartbreaking and equal parts hopeful all the way through up until the end. It had a perfect, hopeful ending and was very reflective of life itself!

Lots of trigger warnings and sensitive topics. Much heavier read than I’m used to, but a 5 star book nonetheless. Also, so many beautiful and awesome quotes throughout this book!

I’ll start by saying that Beartown is my absolute favorite book of all time. The entire trilogy, really. It’s perfect. I’d give a nonessential organ to go back in time and read it again for the first time. Fredrik Backman can do no wrong. I made the mistake of plowing through all of his published works, and I’ve been wallowing in my own misery ever since. I was counting the days until My Friends would be released in the US, so I was ecstatic when I received an advanced copy from NetGalley and Atria Books. I had high hopes that this novel would rival Beartown for the title of Greatest Novel Ever Written, but it just…didn’t.

Don’t get me wrong. I loved it. I found myself highlighting every other page. I laughed, I cried, I pondered. But I couldn’t connect with the characters the same way I connected with Benji, Maya, Kira, and the rest of the residents of Beartown. The boys - Joar, Ted, and the artist all kind of ran together. We knew next to nothing about Ali, so I wish she had been a little more fleshed out. I struggled to remain invested in the plot. The highlight of the storyline was the artist’s relationship with the janitor, but that was such a small part of the novel.

My favorite thing about Backman is the way he writes women. It’s masterful - better than any female author I’ve ever encountered. But I just couldn’t fall in love with Louisa, no matter how hard I tried. And the mothers of the “friends” were just background characters until the very end. I found myself wishing I could stretch out the last 10%, because that’s where all the pieces fell into place in true Backman style.

I couldn’t visualize the painting. Like I couldn’t see it in my mind, and it drove me crazy.

I just need to accept that while I did adore this novel, nothing will ever come close to Beartown.

Louisa, 17, keeps a postcard with her at all times, the postcard was from her mother and is of a famous painting called "The One of the Sea" by C. Jat. The painting is up for auction and all she wants to do is see it in person before a wealthy person acquires it for their own collection. This chance viewing of the painting leads her down an unexpected path as she stumbled into a once in a lifetime opportunity to learn everything about the artist and the friends that were portrayed in her favorite painting.

5 Stars, I would give it more if I could. This book was equal parts funny as it was heartbreaking. I'm not sure I've ever read a book that represents the importance of friendship as well as this. I loved everything about this book, the characters, the story telling, the banter, the way that art was described, and most of all, the friendship. Fredrik Backman is such a talented storyteller. I have so many passages highlighted but I won't be able to share them until this book gets published.

I read literary fiction but it's not my normal genre, it took me over a week to finish this book. I was so invested in the story and also didn't want the story to end. It's also a very emotionally draining book so it took a while. It's SOOOO worth it. Please, please, please read this!

Thank you SO MUCH to NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC!!!!

Format: ebook

Outside of an art show, Louisa meets a man and the two paint together connecting over their shared love of art. When he signs the work she realizes that he is her favorite artist; she has kept an image of his most famous work in her backpack for years. Louisa has just aged out of foster care and has no family, friends, money and nowhere to go.
When the artist dies he tasks his friend Ted to give the original artwork to Louisa and to take care of her. Ted and Louisa set off on a journey during which Ted tells her how the painting came to be 25 years ago when Ted, the artist and their friends were 15 and living in a seaside town. They both share stories of their lives while making their way back to the place where the painting came to be.
I loved this story of resilience and found family. I fell in love with the characters and loved hearing their stories.
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Thank you to NetGalley for an Advance Readers Copy of this title in exchange for an honest review.

I really loved the characters in the book especially in the second half. But I found the first half slow and I wanted there to be more happening with the plot. But overall I enjoyed myself.

Written in true Fredrik Backman style, My Friends is a story that addresses true friendship, poverty, financial success and the reality of what makes true happiness in one’s life. Backman’s sense of humor along, with his ability to articulate true emotions and feelings, is a testament to his unique writing skills. Unfortunately this story about teenage friendships and life as an adult did not grab me the way A Man Called Ove did. The story had sections that seemed to drag at times. I also found it difficult to connect to the two main characters, Ted and Louise. I am aware that my opinion is different from many other readers who enjoyed this book more than I did.

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My Friends by Fredrik Backman is a beautifully written exploration of friendship, loss, and the intricacies of human connection. While the pacing of the book is a bit slow at times, with moments that require patience as the narrative unfolds, the exquisite prose more than compensates for this. Backman’s ability to capture the subtle, often overlooked details of life is unmatched. Each character feels deeply real, their emotions and struggles intricately woven into a tapestry that is both heartbreaking and heartwarming.

The slow pace allows readers to truly sit with the characters and immerse themselves in their world, making the moments of connection all the more meaningful. It’s a slow burn, but one that pays off in layers of depth and reflection. Backman’s sharp, yet tender, observations on friendship are universal, and his writing style brings them to life in such a way that makes even the quietest moments feel significant.

While the book may require a bit more patience than some readers are used to, My Friends is ultimately a rewarding and enriching experience. If you’re a fan of introspective stories with a focus on the emotional complexities of relationships, this book will resonate deeply. Backman’s storytelling continues to impress, and this novel is another testament to his incredible talent.

"How could the sea be big enough to have room for their hearts? Incomprehensible."

As I was going through this book, I wasn’t sure how I would rate it. The content was so beautifully Fredrik Backman at his best, but the way it was written from a technical standpoint I wasn’t sure if I liked it. However, as the book went on, the more and more I was hypnotized, the more I was invested, and the more I had tears in my eyes (on the plane, again). His continual ability to paralyze us as readers with vivid and intentional storytelling makes this story impossible to forget.

My Friends is a testament to the fearlessness of childhood, the influence of grief and the fervour of art. At its core, it’s a story about love - between friends, lovers, parents and siblings. It’s about acts of love, and everything we do in our power to keep them alive.

I can’t wait for everyone to be able to read this book. A favourite 2025 release that will be remembered for years to come.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. All opinions are my own.

I rated this book five stars, and I thoroughly enjoyed every second if it. This is the third book of Backman's that I have had the privilege to read, having also devoured A Man Called Ove and Anxious People. Thanks to Net Galley and Atria Books for the copy. This book is about four friends, one of which is an artist. The artist paints these childhood friends, and this work of art eventually becomes famous. One of the friends, gives the artwork to a foster girl, who he hopes will sell it and use the money to start a new life. Louisa has no such intentions and even rejects the painting at first. Louisa has no one in the world. having lost her parents and more recently losing her closest friend Fish. Throughout the story, we learn more about these four friends: Ali, Joar, Ted and KimKim (the artist). This book is so beautifully written and features various themes of art, love, friendship, grief. It's about the people we lose and the people we manage to keep. It's about found family and the power of overcoming. This book had so many moments of humor and heart. At this point, Backman is an automatic read for me. Hopefully he will pen as many books as possible, because they are all such a delight!

Beautiful, heartbreaking and a tale of love. I love fredrik's work and this was no exception. I cried. Highly recommend.

” It’s a funny thing. The person we fall in love with, we hardly ever call by their name, because it’s somehow just so obvious that it’s you I’m talking to, that it’s you I’m always thinking of. Who else?”

A beautiful story of friendship and art and all things in between. Four young people spend a summer doing so many things together and then encouraging a young artist to enter an art competition because they recognize how talented he is. The way their stories intermingle and all of their backstories are heartbreaking and breadmaking sometimes in the same moment.

"The worst thing about death, that it happens over and over again. That the human body can cry forever.

The story is told during two points of time and the second one introduces another young lady who has her own backstory. She meets up with the artist in a strange way and immediately makes the artist take notice. What happens next is a long train ride where she gets to hear about that summer with the four friends and the story unfolds during the ride.

Poignant is the word that comes to mind the most and I was so excited to receive an ARC from #NetGalley for my review. Thank you to the author for writing such amazing stories and thank you to the publisher for giving me this experience.

I love Fredrik so much as an author, This book made me feel all the things. There was loss and friendship and love. I whole heartedly recommend this

I’ve never read a book by fredrik backman that I didn’t fall completely in love with. The way he can paint a journey that makes you feel like you’re also walking it is truly remarkable. I wasn’t ready for it to end but loved every single page. A story of grief, friendship, and belonging all tangled into one. Can’t wait to see what he comes up with next.

Y'all, Fredrik Backman might be the most prolific writer of my lifetime. His writing is lyrical, the characters are flawed and loveable and interesting, the plot is multi-faceted and engaging. I love Louisa and the four friends. I didn't want the story to end. If you are a Backman fan, you'll love My Friends. If you haven't discovered him yet, start here and then go to the Beartown trilogy.

- i did not want this book to end because i wanted to live in it
- truly a profound book that I think everyone will have to read
- i have never highlighted more quotes before, because so much of this book speaks to me and many that i know
- a warm, heartfelt, hug that will leave you with laughter, tears and longing for more

100/100 one of the best books ever - I will be recommending to everyone

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU NetGalley for the ARC!

Fredrick Backman has done it again. This book really comes to life through the ups and downs of Louisa and Ted’s friendship and the retelling of summer long ago with 4 teenage friends. These two worlds collide int this beautiful story. I felt like I knew the characters so well and I wasn’t ready to let go off them on the last page. If you’ve read any of Backman’s book and fallen in love with his style, you won’t be disappointed.


Thanks so much to NetGalley and Atria Books for the opportunity to read the advance review copy of My Friends in exchange for an honest review. Publication date is May 20, 2025.

This was an extremely slow paced books that gave a ton of details that were not needed and slowed the book down. There are two storylines that you need to follow (past and present) and I couldn’t connect with any of the characters. I enjoy being kept on my toes while I read and the length of the book just felt daunting.

Fredrik Backman really knows how to tell a story. I loved My Friends. Not as many characters as Beartown; characters to fall in love with ... and I did.

3 three boys and a girl (one then and one now).

Arts and farts and friendship.

Highly recommended. 448 pages, and I really didn't want it to end; can't say that very often.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for the opportunity to read the advance review copy of My Friends in exchange for an honest review. Publication date is May 20, 2025.

This will be one of the top books in 2025.