Wow, this is definitely going to be on my best books of 2025 list. Five stars, and I rarely rate anything this high. A beautiful and moving coming of age story of friendship , art, and overcoming adversity. Told through multiple POV and timelines, the characters come alive and you are drawn into their world. Couldn't put it down till the end. Highly recommend!!

I have read Fredrik Backman before and i love his writing. This book is no different. It’s refreshing to read something new from him. This book was heartfelt, and sad. It was a coming of age story and brought up some good dicussions about art and inspiration. If you enjoy his style of writing, then you won’t be disappointed in this one.

I personally feel disconnected from the writing, but I’m not sure if that’s his writing or the translation. Once I got my head in gear to read his writing, I really enjoyed it. It did take me a bit to connect but I’m glad I pushed through. I highly recommend this book.

Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for allowing me to read this book early. The opinion in this review is my own.

I received a copy of the book "My Friends" by Fredrik Backman from NetGalley. My Friends starts at an art gallery auction. A very famous painting is up for auction. This painting was viewed by a teenaged girl who "got the painting" when she leaves the gallery she meets a man in an alley who says he 'gets her" she soon finds that she has been given this painting. Louisa teenaged girl has run away from the foster home. she is one day away from turning 18. When Ted the friend of "the artist" informs her is was the artists last wish she have this very expensive painting she is of course confused of "why me?" this is where Ted the friend of the Artist talks to Louisa over a few days on a train headed back to where Ted and the artist had lived. He talks to her about the childhood he spent with friends 25 years ago. Ted, the artist, Joar, and Ali were best of friends. all four kids had tough childhoods and bonded that summer. it was them in the painting on the Pier. Ted talks with Louisa of this particular year and the bonds they formed. Now in present day they are headed back to where Ted lives. this book is good one about the special friendship these three boys and one girl formed. the story that lead up to that famous painting that was painted by a 14 year old boy. Don't want to give spoilers. I enjoyed this book about the friendship that was bonded by kids who all had found each other and told the story of a painting from 25 years ago.

Backman's unique writing style has us once again rooting for the little guys. The entire book, characters included, was incredibly well written and emotional. The way Backman writes friendship is truly beautiful.

Utterly mesmerizing. A triumph of storytelling.

Backman’s gift lies in his ability shine a light on the quiet heroism, vulnerability, and resilience in each of his characters. Every conversation, every moment of shared laughter or silence, resonates with authenticity.

What sets this book apart is the careful balance of humor and heartbreak, with its moments of levity surfacing just when you need them most. This novel is a celebration of the human spirit, and it’s about showing up for the people who matter, even when it’s hard, and about finding grace in the imperfections of those we love.

It’s hard not to reread lines and passages over and over, asking yourself how a person can come up with such a perfect description of a feeling. It is magic what he does.

My Friends is an absolute treasure— I just cannot stop thinking about it. What an absolute masterpiece of storytelling.

Will highly recommend to adult readers and readers in their teens and up. It’s one that will have wide appeal across age groups.

As any reader knows … there are different reading experiences . Maybe it’s a page turning thriller, a beachy romantic romp, or a bodice ripping historic fiction … and then there is the literature masterpiece that one must slow down and ingest every word, sentence, and paragraph.
It’s the type of experience where one has to stop
And pause after one reads a word, sentence, or paragraph and stare out the window to catch your breath. I’m looking at you Demon Copperhead(Pachett) ,James(Everett), Himself(Kidd) and every thing that Fredrik Backman has ever written.
My Friends is no exception. This is a book about friendship, the importance of art in the world and the enduring powers of hope and love.
Backman writes about the fragile who are strong… the unloved who are loved…the scared who are brave.
He has a writing style that says one thing but means another, or drops a thought that seems to mean nothing and then circles back and explains it all.
The only bad thing is now I have to wait for the next Backman!
I’ll leave you with this…Good Night Ghosts!
Thanks Net Galley for the utter privilege to read this magnificent book

Fredrik Backman’s newest title, "My Friends" is a thoughtful and deeply layered story about art, friendship, and the way our connections shape us. The narrative alternates between two timelines: Louisa, an aspiring artist captivated by a mysterious painting featuring three small figures on a pier, and the teenagers who unknowingly inspired that painting decades earlier.

While I’ve enjoyed many of Backman’s books, I’ve sometimes found his point of view and writing style a bit challenging to connect with. However, My Friends captured my attention immediately. The story feels refreshingly unique, with a timeline that’s intricate yet easy to follow. The characters are deeply memorable and incredibly real.

Louisa’s journey to uncover the painting’s story takes her across the country, but it’s also a personal exploration of purpose and belonging. At the same time, the teenagers’ story is equally compelling—a group of “misfits” who find solace and connection on an abandoned pier during a difficult summer. The way their lives intertwine with Louisa’s makes for an emotional and satisfying conclusion.

I did find my interest waning a bit in the middle. The pacing slowed, and I wondered if it would hold my attention through to the end. But I’m so glad I stuck with it—the ending truly ties everything together in such a rewarding way.

What stood out to me most were the small, powerful insights sprinkled throughout the book—observations about art, love, and how even the smallest connections can leave a lasting impact. It’s a book that makes you pause and reflect without ever feeling like it's over the top.

My Friends is a subtle yet powerful story that highlights the transformative nature of art and human relationships. It’s an unforgettable read and one that will likely resonate with many readers in 2025.

Thank you to Atria Books for my free review copy.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Atria Books for sharing the ARC of this book. Fredrik Backman is a master at his art. Reading his work, you'd think he's 90 years old due to all of his insightful comments on life in general, but he's a young guy! This book brought me to tears more times than I can count. It's a story about friendship, hope, and so much love. Hug your friends, people!

♾️ 🌟

I love how Backman makes us care for so many individual characters. He has you rooting for them and worrying about how their stories will play out. My Friends for me was like one friend telling another an epic story. As per usual, he teaches us so many lessons about childhood, becoming an adult, dealing with grief, love, and more.
Ted and Louisa were so fun together. I never knew what she would say next that would ultimately embarrass Ted. Much like she was, I was enraptured by the story of Ted and his friends. Hearing about them broke my heart and yet filled me with so much joy. Like Louisa said (or close to it), it didn't happen in the past for me, it's happening right now.
I laughed, cried, and smiled thoughtfully while reading this book. I can't wait until it is released, so I can hold the physical copy in my hands and hug these characters.

I was a Fredrik Backman fan before reading My Friends, but I'm even more of a fan now. The characters are well written, the construction of the story and the timelines draw the reader in. This is a longer book but there is no fluff to cut out. There's both a sense of inevitability and triumph.

I read this book within 3 days of getting my Netgalley arc approval and the book does not even come out until late Spring of 2025.

My Friends is about the enduring power of childhood friendship. It is an emotional coming-of-age, found family story. It made me a bit jealous that I never had this kind of ride-or-die friend group.

The "friends" in the book have such a strong bond that makes it easier to deal with the hand they've dealt with in life. They have tough circumstances. Poverty, hopelessness and alcoholism are the backdrop of their childhood. But, men, do they love and support each other.

Backman tells this story in a non-linear manner. There is an Artist, one of the "boys" in the friend group, meets Louisa, a foster kid who has her own scars, both literal and psychological, right before his death. One of the "friends" of the Artist, Ted, ends up traveling with Louisa and the story slowly unspools.

There is an equal amount of hurt and love in this book. It's a sad but hopeful story. At the very center of the book there is a painting by the Artist. The story revolves around this painting. In a way the story is also about the ability of art to heal.

Backman, once again, creates the most beautiful characters. His words, the humanity in those words, are just as beautiful. I highlighted so many passages to come back to reread them again.

4.5 stars

HUGE thank you to NetGalley for the ARC! Overall, gorgeous, gorgeous book surrounding friendship, love, loss, and art! It made me laugh, it made me tear up. I read this on the Kindle app and I was highlighting every other page. I would highly recommend this to anyone who considers themself an artist, especially one who deeply values their friendships and/or is going through grief. My biggest reason for not rating it five stars was that it seemed that there was an implied romantic element to many of the friendships. Maybe it’s something I missed or maybe it’s just personal preference, but I do wish this book had seen more truly platonic soulmates. I really enjoyed this read, though, and I’m really thankful to have gotten the privilege to be able to read it early.

MY FRIENDS is quintessential Fredik Backman in the best way possible. Incredible characters. Emotional but also so funny. I absolutely loved it!

So good! First 5 star read of 2025. I always feel like I’ve been put through the wringer after reading a Fredrik Backman book. In only the very best of ways. He makes sure you feel every emotion dialed up to eleven. His characters are always well written and relatable. I read this one slowly, trying to stretch it out as much as possible. I also keep typing and retyping this review because I have so many things and details I want to gush about. So many thoughts and feelings I want to convey…Just read this book!
*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for a feee and honest review. Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books!*

Wow! This book made me laugh and made me cry! Beautifully written story about life and love! I highly recommend this read!

✨Book Review ✨

My Friends by Fredrik Backman
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️


Fredrik Backman is a literary genius in my eyes and will forever be one of my favorite authors. His ability to tell stories and capture the human experience is unparalleled. This book is no exception!

My Friends paints an exquisite story about the friends you have when you are 14. The complex story is told when an artist finds “one of us” in 18 year old Lousia. The story is woven between past and present, but as Lousia she says when hearing the story, “it’s happening to me now”. To me the story felt so lifelike I felt like I was on the train with them listening to the story. I had the same fears and emotions while listening. I literally laughed out loud and cried so many times while reading this book, it truly is a beautiful journey about the capacity for humans to love.

I have nothing but praise for this book and can’t wait to get my hands on a physical copy on pub day!



P.S. Please learn from my mistake and read this privately, unless you don’t care about laughing out loud and crying in public 🤷‍♀️

✨Pub Date 5/20✨




*Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for the eARC in exchange for an honest review 💌




Review will be posted on both Goodreads and instagram on publication day

I really loved A Man Called Ove but have struggled with some of Backman's works that have characters with deeper trauma. This new book probably fits more comfortably in the latter category. But, as always, it was very nicely written and absorbing and I think Backman fans and new readers will both probably be quite happy with this sad and sweet read!

A very moving book that ties in themes of art, friendship, belonging, grief and more.

Louisa is turning 18, and has just run away from a foster home. She is determined to see a piece of art that’s become a life line to her. But then her life changes again when she bumps into a set of friends whose history is filled with trauma, belonging and love; this is their story.

I love how Backman sees the world and especially flawed and vulnerable characters. I went back to his Instagram page to see what he said about this book, and he notes it is based on his own friendships and the language we use in those lifelong cliques. If you have ever had a group like this you’ll know exactly what he means and it’s a love letter to friendship and belonging even if you don’t feel like you belong anywhere else. The ending was satisfying, the messages were lovely. I want to shout “tomorrow!” To my friends every day (this was a phrase the friends used in the book). I think fans, ironically, of Tomorrowx3 will adore this one.

Some might think my review is biased simply because Backman is a favorite author of mine.
Given that, this is a wonderful superb book. It is about profound friendships of 4 teenagers under difficult circumstances and secondarily, but absolutely essential to the novel, about art and initially undiscovered genius. It will make you laugh heartily but tear up and cry just as deeply. It’s about true deep friendships ("I love you and I trust you”) and the sacrifices we make for friends. It is a story of dysfunctional families and the harm they can cause their children (physically and emotionally). And for me, it is above all a story about love. All of us could only wish to have/had such profound friendships in our lives. I read and reread so many sections that I can’t tell you if the book is long-all I can ask of you is that you read it and I hope it speaks to you as it did to me.

Fredrik Backman does it again! A heartfelt, emotional story of two unlikely friends. Beautifully written.