25 years ago, four teens sat on a long pier and became best friends. One boy, the artist, depicts their friendship in a now famous painting. Louisa, sees the laughter and friendship in the painting and the artist gifts her the painting on his passing. She struggles what to do with the gift and departs on a surprise filled journey with one of the friends from long ago, Ted. He tells the stories of the four teens, escaping their difficult home life by spending time together and laughing through adventures.

I was inspired by the selfless characters and the writing that made you feel like you, as a reader, were part of their inside jokes. This title was a funny and moving novel depicting the power of selflessness, love, art and the power of friendship.

"Art is coincidence, Love is chaos."

I really needed to read this book.

It was perfect. I have no other words to describe this masterpiece. Like, what the hell was I doing all these years?? How had I never picked up a Fredrik book?!? Because honestly, this was so good. It hit me so hard, and it's the kind of book where you actually sit and contemplate, but it's also very easy to read and so enjoyable!! I'm so glad that this was my first book by him because it's the perfect book to judge him by. To be honest, I was a little hesitant about reading his books—I was excited, yes, but I was also scared because they are so well-loved, and everyone who reads his books ends up loving them. It's such a relief to love it as well. But honestly, it's such an effortless 5-star book for me because it just hooks you, grips you, and is sooo consuming. I will admit that the first 19% was slow, and it took me a little time to adjust to his writing style, but when I hit that mark and was fully comfortable with this book, I FLEW THROUGH IT!

"I love you. I trust you.."

I was reading this book like I normally read all other books (lol), but then there would come a point where I would stop and think, like, this is quite literally how most friendships go and is most likely how my friend group is going to be. It hurts so much to know that there will eventually come a point where we won’t be able to meet or hang out as we do now. All of us would be away in different places, and with the constraint of time and the burden of responsibilities, the interaction would be so limited, and we would just drift apart. And if that's not the case, we just don’t know how long we’re even going to live. To imagine a place without your friends—I honestly cannot. I hate this book for making me feel like that. Like?? There was no need to be that brutal, Fredrik. Also, this is easily my most highlighted ARC because his writing style was just sooo beautiful.

"I'm not your reason, no one is your reason, your art is your own."

The characters here were so precious, and I LOVE THEM.

Louisa - She was such a sweet character. She was seventeen, yes. Did she act like a seventeen-year-old? Nope. I didn’t mind that, though, because I feel like, given how she was raised and where she was raised—with such limited exposure to life and such a wild imagination—it fit her character. Whenever she talked about Fish and how much she missed her, it was so sad because I think everyone would be able to relate to the feeling of missing a friend when you're in a different country, and you can't meet. You just want to meet and talk, but you can't, and you miss them so much. But what made it so much more sad here was the fact that Louisa could never do that, and I wanted to cry. Her being so curious and listening to Ted's story made this story so much better. She was such a lively character!!

The chance to feel that he had stolen more moments from death than death had from him"

The Artist - MY HEART BROKE FOR HIM. He deserved so much more than he got. Imagine being so talented and different from other people that even your parents think that there is something wrong with you instead of being proud of you. Uff, I hated them. How can you treat your son like that? I can't even fathom how that actually happens. I would love my child no matter what. The artist was so precious; he was literally like Louisa—lively and cheerful. His laugh was so addicting and contagious. Honestly, I need a graphic audio of this book just to listen to the artist laugh. But deep down, he was so troubled and sad, but he didn’t show it. He was always happy and laughing, and it's amazing how someone who got so little love could share so much love. I ALSO LOVED THAT ONE PAINTING HE DREW SO BAAAD. His interaction with Louisa was so cute.

"Children aren’t responsible for their parents' happiness, but they still try."

Joar - What would I give to get him out of his house :( His story reminded me so much of Joey, but it was so different at the same time. His relationship with his mother and his relationship with his friends were so good. I actually loved him so much because he was there for everyone and protected them. That one scene where his mother is crying on the floor broke my heart because of the lengths she would go to protect her son and the fact that Joar was willing to do the same thing for her. Joar's love was so immense, and I loved him so much. My heart broke hearing his perspective of the story near the end, and have you guys seen those memes where they just shut down the book when a sad/bad part’s about to come, and the caption says "The perfect end"? Yeah, well, this is exactly how my rereads of this book would go. I am shutting this book on that part.

"We all jumped off the pier. That was the last time I swam in the sea with my friends."

Ali - NO! I'm not ready to talk about her yet!!! You guys don't understand how much I loved her and how much I loved her with Joar. FREDRIK, THIS IS NOT FAIRRRRRRRRRRRRRR.

"It’s an act of violence when an adult yells at a child, all adults know that deep down because all adults were once little. Yet we still do it. Time after time, we fail at being human beings."

Ted - Yes, yes, I know it's getting repetitive—but I LOVED HIM!! If men like Ted exist, the question "Man or Bear" would never even be there because he was so pure, innocent, and lovely. I loved his story, and I loved how Fredrik tackled his story. I just love how he views humans and how all his characters are so deeply flawed. Because when I was reading Ted's story, I felt so bad for him, but then I read the part where his mom and Ali are talking, and I felt so bad for his mom, too. Ufff, I just don’t know how to put it into words, but wow, it was just amazing to read. His whole scene with his brother was so sweet, and the whole "how words can affect people" thing played out here with his brother, and how he got his life in order because of Ted—I LOVEEEEEED IT!

"Kimkim laughed, then Joar laughed, and then Ted and Ali laughed too, and perhaps that was the last time they all did that out loud, in such a liberating way, together."

The four most beautiful, loving, caring, precious, cute, lovable, amazing friends - Them together was the highlight of this book!! Sir, I need what they have. The way these four friends brought me to the verge of tears—how they cared for each other so much. They were the epitome of "die for each other" because I just know that they would die for each other. The way they loved so, so much but were never loved—it just hurt so much reading that because they were just kids, and they deserved so much better. I want someone to love me like Joar loved Ali and the way Ted loved the artist, also the way the artist loved all of them. It also shocks me how much happiness these kids could express while living under these circumstances because I am so sure that I could never. The little things in this book were so cute, like the part where Ted and Joar would bring cookies for the artist, the part where they would teach Ali how to swim, the part where Ali would give Joar the knife, the part where they would go back for the ashes, and the part where the artist drew them all together. It was all so good.

A very special thanks to Hoda, who's been nudging me to read Fredrik's books, and I am so glad she pushed me to read this as my first because I was going for Beartown, and I just know that it wouldn’t have hit as hard as this did. This was just amazing! I loved updating her at every scene, and her trying to make me cry and ordering me to blink a lot at every sad scene to force tears out of me. Also, loved her review... so check that out as well.

I think I wrote so much for this book, but believe me when I say this: no matter how much I praise this book, it will never be enough.

Some quotes/scenes that I love:
"Don’t cry for me, Ted. I got to experience everything. It’s been a long, long life, and at the end of it, I got to see something unbelievably beautiful”
“That girl’s paintings?”
“No. You. I got to see you.”
.
"My... birthday isn't until tomorrow," she says.
'I might not see you tomorrow,' the man whispers, with kind eyes."
.
"Is it a horrible thing being an adult?" the girl asked.
"Unbearable," the mother replied. "You fail with almost everything, all the time."
.
"Are you sure about that?" Louisa asks.
Ted raises his eyebrows, somewhere in the borderland between surprised and insulted.
"How do you mean?"
Louisa's shoulders bounce.
"I just mean... maybe you got the room in the basement so you wouldn't see how sick your dad was the whole time? And how sad your mom was? And maybe your mom was trying to protect you from your big brother?"
Ted stares across the sea, squinting at the sun, with shame washing through him. All these years, and he has never even considered that. It's hard to be little, hard to be big, hard to be everything in between. So he turns toward Louisa and says:
"It wasn't only bad. It was a love story at first, my mom and dad's marriage..."
Then her eyes grow wide in anticipation, because she loves love stories.
So he tells it to her the way it was once told to him."
.
"I could never have lived there without him. I would just have lain awake all night waiting for him to come home. I would have had to throw away all the eggs because he was the only one who ate them, but I would have forgotten not to buy them. I would have forgotten that he didn't exist, all the time. I would have gotten angry because the light in the bathroom was turned off, because I used to get so annoyed with him for always leaving it on. I would have saved all his shoes, all his shirts, and I would have been angry with the spring and hated flowers when they appeared because they drowned out the last smells of him. I would have always laid the table for two on the balcony. I would have had to eat all the popcorn myself. I would never have been able to pick a film."
.
"If anyone sees the painting, I don’t want them to know who I am. I only want to be who I really am... with you."
.
"Sometimes you don’t appreciate your own blessings until you see the envy in someone else's eyes."

I struggled with Beartown but this one was much more my style. I enjoyed the writing and the storytelling, and it felt much more my style, definitely a pleasant surprise!

My Friends is a heartfelt story about art, friendship, and the deep bonds we form in our youth. Backman’s signature warmth and humor shine through, though this is one of his more meandering works. The stream-of-consciousness style makes for an immersive read, but at times, it felt overly sentimental. While I didn’t connect deeply with the characters, the themes of belonging and nostalgia still resonated. Fans of Beartown will likely love it, but for me, it lacked the emotional punch of his best work.

Always a tear jerker from Fredrik. But so lovable. Always rooting for the characters. This one is one of my new favorites by him!!

Thank you Net Galley, Atria Books and Fredrik Backman for the advance copy of My Friends. I realize that I’m in the minority, but I did not think this book hung together. It felt implausible, disjointed, and immature. Not my favorite Backman story. #netgalley

Fredrik Backman’s My Friends is a beautifully poignant tale of friendship, growth, and the healing power of human connection. As always, Backman’s writing is rich with emotional depth, taking time to explore the intricate layers of his characters and their relationships. The story follows four teenagers, each facing their own personal struggles, yet finding solace and strength in each other. The heart of the novel centers around one of the teens, an artist, whose painting plays a key role in tying their stories together. While the artist remains somewhat of a mysterious figure—allowing others to shine around him—his quiet presence and the painting itself serve as a powerful symbol of hope and the bonds they share. Backman’s ability to show how people, no matter how flawed, can come together to save one another—both literally and figuratively—is what makes this book so deeply moving.

There’s a secondary narrative featuring Louisa, a troubled young woman who has grown up in foster care and is now trying to find her place in the world. Her journey brings the story full circle, as she uncovers the significance of the painting and its connection to the four friends. The narrative weaves between the past and present, offering insights into the lives of these characters, and providing a sense of nostalgia that resonates deeply. Backman’s trademark style, where he seems to reach out to the reader with a knowing glance or a subtle, almost conversational tone, makes it impossible not to feel like you’re part of this world. My Friends is one of those rare books that will leave you thinking long after you’ve finished it. It’s a celebration of found family, the complexities of youth, and the transformative nature of love and friendship. If you’re a fan of character-driven stories that challenge the heart and soul, this is a must-read.

What Fredrik Backman writes, I read. He is one of the most talented author's of our time, and I savor every beautifully written sentence. His books are ones that I never want to end. I am always left wanting to read more about each of the characters he writes about and they live forever in my heart.

Just like always, Backman creates THE most endearing characters. The action is subdued. For most of the book, two characters ride on a train and tell stories of their past friendships to one another, but it is MORE than enough.

This book is about the importance of friendship, role models, the power of art, true love, grief, jokes, "tomorrows", "Borrowed flowers", passions, and fragile hearts.

I love you and trust you. Just Spectacular.

Wow. This is my favourite Fredrik Backman book so far. Tragic, emotional, heart warming, hopeful. You feel so connected to all of the characters and feel like you are inside the story. I will be recommending this book to everyone I know!

My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, Atria Books, for letting me read and review an advanced copy of ‘My Friends’, by Fredrik Backman.

Fredrik Backman is one of my favorite authors, and I have read every one of his books. This book is another masterpiece in storytelling, providing humor, sadness, and pure joy. Four outcast, young, and very different, teenagers, each with family and personal issues, bond one summer by the sea. 25 years later another teen, Louisa, meets one of them, the artist, in an alley and paints on the side of a building. Thus begins a story, a journey, and a new beginning.

As Ted tells Louisa the story about him and his friends (Kim, Joar, and Ali), and how a very well-known and expensive painting was created, the reader is placed in the midst of the experience. The reader feels each emotion as it is happens, laughs at each joke shared, cries as sorrow is experienced, and rejoices at each small victory.

If you are a Backman fan, this is another must-read, and if you are not yet a fan, read it anyway.

I had big expectations for this book being a devoted fan of Fredrik Backman and he delivers yet again! I needed this read right now as the world is a tumultuous and unstable place. Backman reminds us that there's joy and beauty in the small things - adopted flowers, lasagna - and in the big - art and friendship. Thank you for teaching us through story how to be human. Do yourself a favour and read this book immediately or "TOMORROW"! Thanks to NetGalley and Atria for a copy of this ARC for this honest review. Can't wait for Fredrik Backman's next book! I need it already.

This is a story of four teenage friends and their bond. It is so strong that 25 years later is completely changes the life of Louisa. A painting, done by one of the teenagers is unexpectedly given to Louisa. She goes on a journey to learn how the painting was created and what she should do with it. A true testimony to the power of friendship.

"This is a painting of laughter, and you can only understand that if you’re full of holes, because then laughter is a small treasure."

The story here of Louisa and her childhood friendships and struggles with loss intertwined with "the artist" of the past was both heart breaking and heart warming at the same time. I particularly loved the character development of Louisa and Ted. If you are a fan of Fredrik Backman, I am sure you are familiar with Ove and his grumpy-old-men style of life, yet with redeeming qualities of love and compassion for his late wife. Ted offered a similar encounter, yet Louisa balanced the grumpiness with a youth and spontaneity that left the adventurous pair admirable.

On the flip side, Joar definitely offered some Benji vibes (the best Backman character ever written....don't @ me), where a rough childhood develops into a loyal, self-less love for his friends.

Overall, the book ranks up there with Beartown as my favorite of Backman's works. I don't "love" some of his due to the heaviness on the emotional side, but this book was balanced well with humor and likable characters that made this book a solid 5 ⭐.

Thanks to NetGalley and Atria for a copy of this ARC for review.

Every time. Fredrik Backman does it every time. There are very few authors that I've read from that understand the human condition better than Backman. His descriptions of people and relationships and the ebbs and flows of time are beautiful and heartbreaking. If I were to sit down with a highlighter and annotate this book, a worthy quote could be found on every other page.

Now, referencing this book specifically, I loved it. The dual timeline, which is typically a hard sale for me, was handled well and I enjoyed it. I laughed and cried and read beautiful lines aloud just to give the sentiments voice.

I feel as though there are so many other things that I want to include in this review, but I would recommend you go into this book blind. If you've read other Fredrik Backman books and enjoyed them, this is a no-brainer for you. Pick up the book. If you've never read Backman, you should do yourself a kindness and pick up the book.

I thought A Man Called Ove was my favorite book by Fredrik Backman until I read this. His writing was so magical and perfect- I cried throughout the entire book. Bravo!

I received a temporary digital copy of My Friends from NetGalley, Atria Books and the author in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Louisa visits her favorite painting while being sold at an auction, is falsely accused of attempting to vandalize the painting and while running from the police runs into the artist of said painting knocking herself out. A few days later, Louisa becomes owner of her favorite painting, worth millions of dollars, a shocking twist to her foster-care-runaway-self. She and the artist's best friend find themselves on a long train ride and a lot of time to tell the story of the three kids on a pier next to the sea.

4.5 ⭐ rounded up - Another must read by Backman. His ability to articulate the emotional rollercoaster of the human experience, especially through the teenage perspective, is astounding. I am forever in awe of his talent; however, he loves to draw out the story which became a bit frustrating and somewhat repetitive at times hence the 4.5 rating.

A huge thank you to @simonandschuster and @netgalley for providing me with a free eARC of MY FRIENDS by Fredrik Backman, one of my most anticipated reads of the year. As a long-time fan of his work, I knew going into this one that I would need a box of tissues and a stack of highlighters to be ready.

MY FRIENDS is a story unlike any other, weaving a tale within a tale that speaks to the heart in the most profound ways. It’s a deeply emotional exploration of friendship, belonging, and the power of human connection. At the center of the novel are four teenage characters, who are as endearing as they are flawed. Backman has a gift for crafting individuals who feel real, whose lives and emotions you can’t help but become wrapped up in. There are moments that make you ache with empathy and cheer with joy. And per usual, Backman’s writing is nothing short of powerful. There were so many times I found myself stopping mid-page, needing a moment to fully absorb the weight of what I had just read. His ability to capture the nuances of human relationships and the unspoken truths between friends is staggering. It’s one of those books that makes you pause and think, to reflect on your own life and the people who shape it. This is a perfect celebration of found family, of believing in others even when they can’t believe in themselves, and the transformative nature of connection. MY FRIENDS is another masterpiece by @backmansk and I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys emotionally rich, character-driven stories. It will rip apart your heart and then sew it back together.

✨ MY FRIENDS publishes on May 20, 2025. ✨

Rating: I really enjoyed it 👏🏼

I will read everything Backman writes forever and it was so nice to be back in his brain for a full novel. I highlighted multiple lines per chapter and sometimes per page, and had to use a colour coding system for lines that made me laugh vs made me cry, such is the way with Backman books.

I loved Louisa and the gang, I loved how hopeful the ending was.

I’m always excited to recommend books that blend humor, emotion, and unforgettable characters—and *My Friends* by Fredrik Backman does just that. If you’re familiar with his writing, you know he has a knack for making you laugh one minute and get misty-eyed the next, and this novel is no exception.

At its heart, *My Friends* is a tribute to the kind of friendships that leave a lasting imprint on our lives. It follows a group of teenagers who find comfort in each other during one pivotal summer, and years later, their story resurfaces in an unexpected way. The narrative is framed around Louisa, a young artist who stumbles upon a painting connected to them and embarks on a journey to uncover its past—while also figuring out her own future.

This book is a beautiful exploration of the bonds we form, the art we leave behind, and the memories that shape us. It’s heartfelt, witty, and deeply moving—perfect for anyone who loves stories about friendship, nostalgia, and the unexpected ways our lives intertwine. Highly recommend!

Backman writes beautifully, period. His ability to create a heartfelt story about the things we consider so “every day” so poetically is outstanding. This book reminds you of the importance of the people in your life and friendships new and old. He has such a unique way of developing characters. The characters feel so “real”, readers are easily able to connect with them and connect with what they’re feeling.

Grief is a big topic in this book in more aspects than death but also loss and change. Reading this book for me at the time I’m at in my life was difficult which is why it took me over a month to finish but that does not take away from the beauty of the writing or the story itself.

A beautiful story about life, loss, love and friendship, a must read if you’re a general fiction lover and particularly if you’re a fan of Fredrik Backman.

Very grateful for NetGalley and Atria books for allowing me to read and review a digital copy of this beautiful book in exchange for an honest review.