Oh my heart…

I’m not ashamed to say that I wrote an email begging to read this as an ARC and the book fairies granted my wish!

Fredrik Backman makes you think…makes you feel all the feels…and makes you want to give someone a hug.

This centers around a small town with a group of friends that don’t fit anywhere but together. It touches on all the great tragedies of life and how the simplest thing can make life worth living. I have no idea how this author can weave a story together that will tear you apart and put you back together better than before in a matter of 400 pages.

Thank you to the author and publisher for allowing me to read this early!

The premise of My Friends seemed so promising, but I could not get into this novel. Backman alternates between timelines, having the characters tell stories about the past and what happened with the friends that one fateful summer. This approach felt choppy to me and despite the humorous and heartfelt parts of the story, I just couldn't engage with the characters. Since the story is very character driven, it fell flat for me. I suspect I'll be in the minority on this one since he is such a popular author.

I have read all of Frederick Backman’s books. With each one , I say this is his best. I say now, that far and away, this is definitely his very best book.

"There is a time for everything. A time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot. A time to weep and a time to laugh. A time to mourn. A time to dance."

The way Fredrik Backman writes is unlike anything I've come across before. The depth and complexity he put in not only one or two characters but to every single character he writes amazes me. If you have ever loved a Fredrik Backman book, then "My Friends" will not disappoint. This story touched me so deeply, it's not only a story of hardship and loss but a story of friendship and trust. It shows that even in the weirdest of circumstance you can find friendship.

"I love you and I trust you."

Fredrik Backman has done it again with My Friends, delivering a story that is both deeply moving and beautifully written. The characters are richly developed, and their relationships feel authentic and profound. This book is a testament to the power of friendship, acceptance, and the courage it takes to truly connect with others.

Backman’s signature style—highly readable yet emotionally searing—makes this novel impossible to put down. The sensitivity with which he explores human relationships is remarkable, leaving the reader both heartbroken and hopeful. My Friend is a poignant reminder that love and connection require vulnerability but are always worth the risk.

I am an unabashed Backman fan, and I remain an unabashed Backman fan. Five stars, without hesitation.

This book is Backman at his very best. Equal parts laugh out loud funny and devastating, I didn't want to put it down. Backman touches a piece of the human soul that is so real, so vibrant, and so addictive. I want to go back in time to before I read this, just so I could read it for the first time again.

*My Friends* is everything readers love about Fredrik Backman—heartfelt, thought-provoking, and brimming with beautifully flawed characters. This novel masterfully intertwines past and present, following Louisa’s journey to uncover the story behind a mysterious painting and the friendships that shaped it. Backman’s signature warmth and wit shine through as he explores the deep bonds we form, the weight of memories, and the unexpected ways art connects us. With moments of quiet humor and poignant reflection, *My Friends* is a moving tribute to the friendships that shape our lives and the stories that live on long after we’re gone. A must-read for fans of character-driven, emotionally rich fiction!

Most people never see the three boys sitting in the painting, they just see the sea. Louisa however, sees what many miss, and wants to know the story behind it. When it was painted, 25 years earlier, the teenagers found refuge from their unhappy homes lives in their friendships. Friendships that created this famous painting. Somehow this painting is now in Louisa’s care, and she spends the book on a journey across the country to learn the story behind the painting.

GAH. Backman just has a way of writing that is unmatched. From the first sentence I could not put this book down, I just needed more. I don’t even know how to review this one, but if you have enjoyed Backman in the past, do not pass go, do not collect $200, just read this book, you will love it! I loved every second, and the worst part of this book is that it’s over!

do have to say I hope my girl Millie is getting a cut from these sales for the line “I love you and I trust you.” IYKYK, but if you don’t message me and I will send you the cutest video ever from @arielestewart

Thank you to @atriabooks for my gifted copy of this book!

"Adults always think they can protect children by stopping them from going to dangerous places, but every teenager knows that's pointless, because the most dangerous place on earth is inside us. Fragile hearts break in palaces and dark alleys alike. "

This book was something special; heartwarming despite so much tragedy just like real life can be. This story is about friendship and found family written in the most beautiful way, with art at its core. Louisa is a budding artist, and by chance meets the artist who has inspired her in an alley. He sees something in her, and with his dying wish gives her the painting through his friend Ted. We get to hear more about the artist's life and the fateful summer where the painting was created through stories Ted tells Louisa on a long train ride.

From the very first pages, My Friends establishes itself as something special. The story of a painting—what it means to Louisa and the way it ties past and present together—immediately signals Backman’s signature blend of heartache and hope. At its core, this is a novel about friendship in all its messy, beautiful, complicated forms. Through Louisa, an 18-year-old who has aged out of the foster care system and is grappling with profound loss, and Ted, a man carrying the weight of a decades-old bond, Backman crafts a narrative that is once more "all the feels". Their journey, both in words and events and emotions, is one of healing, connection, and the power of creativity, of art and expression to heal and to offer hope. The novel’s quiet simplicity allows its depth to unfold gradually, a pacing that works as the story continues to expand.

Backman’s storytelling is as masterful as ever, weaving humor with heartbreak, wisdom with wit. His writing, deceptively simple, carries an emotional confidence, phrasing that makes me go back and wonder at how words are also feelings. The novel explores grief, love, and the courage it takes to truly embrace living, even when things are hard, while offering moments of levity that contrast meaningfully with the grief. The dual timeline, which I often approach with hesitation as I tend to get lost in one POV and feel disconnected from the other, works seamlessly here: instead of feeling I was going back and forth I felt more that I was seeing how the past and present story were clearly all one bigger story, I I felt the chapters were paired effectively and seamlessly, My Friends is not just a book—it’s a testament once more to human connection, a reminder of the beauty in friendship and how relationships, art, and the simplicity of finding moments of being understood all matter deeply. Classic Backman emotionally resonant, uniquely insightful, and timeless

This book was definitely not what I thought it would be. Thoroughly implausible, tons of flashback, a lot of yelling. Even though implausible plots normally drive me wild, this one did not. I wish that things like this really could happen. That an 18 year old aging out of the foster system could find a welcoming family. That she would have a practically priceless painting given to her by the artist who recognized a kindred spirit. I wonder what the author was feeling as he wrote this? Was he focused on showing that a harsh world really has kindness moments? If so, goal accomplished.

At this point, it should probably be assumed that a new Backman novel will make you cry. Fredrik really outdid himself with My Friends because this had me pretty much sobbing in public at 10% in.

This is the story of a painting. It's about how the painting came to be, the person who painted it, and the friendships that made it possible. It's also about art and belonging and so many beautiful ideas in what can often be an ugly life.

I really loved this one and know that it is a book I will have to read again. I can't recommend it enough for both fans of Backman's work and those who haven't given this author a try yet.

I love Fredrick Blackman and this fabulous book gives me one more reason to-it’s a gem! Well written, with his trademark multi-dimensional characters; don’t miss it.

WOW. Wowwowowow.

The story centers around a young protagonist who, despite feeling somewhat out of place in the world, finds solace and meaning in the relationships that shape their life. Backman uses a minimalist approach, focusing on the protagonist's relationships with a group of friends and the nuanced, sometimes difficult dynamics that unfold between them. These friendships are not perfect, and they come with complexities and misunderstandings, but they are also a testament to the beauty and necessity of human connection.

Backman’s writing is as tender and insightful as ever. His ability to craft characters who feel fully realized, even in brief moments, is one of his greatest strengths. The dialogue is sharp, often layered with humor, yet it never loses sight of the emotional depth that underpins the story. As always, Backman knows how to balance the light and the heavy, finding the delicate equilibrium between joy and sorrow, laughter and tears.

While My Friends is a short read, it packs an emotional punch that lingers long after the final page. The themes of vulnerability, empathy, and the subtle ways in which we support each other will resonate with anyone who has ever been moved by the quiet strength of friendship. Whether you're familiar with Backman’s work or new to his storytelling, My Friends is a beautifully crafted tale that will remind you of the importance of human connection in its simplest, most profound form.

Backman proves once again that he is a master of finding beauty in the ordinary and in the moments that shape our relationships.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Backman has mastered the story of the damaged and lost misfit. As we learned about Louisa and Fish and Joar and Ali and Ted and the artist, I found myself going back to those same feelings I had for Benji in the Beartown series. I just want to scoop them up and protect them and love them. Louisa’s chaotic energy and non-stop talking make her jump off the page. I wasn’t sure if I could handle it at first, because she is A LOT! But then it just becomes so endearing. And Ted’s stories of his childhood adventures with his friends makes me wish I had friends like that growing up. I question a lot of things in life, but never that Fredrik Backman is an amazing storyteller!

This is the story of four friends, a teenage girl, and a painting.
Or we could also say that it is the story of a man telling a girl he just met (Louisa would insist she’s an adult) about an intense period from his childhood.
And maybe it’s also a story about how powerful art can be.

But in reality, these descriptions don’t do the book justice, because it is so much more.

It’s a story about friendship and family. It’s heartbreaking and heartwarming. It’s about grief and love. It’s sad and funny. It’s about being sensitive and artistic. It’s about being scared and full of hope. It’s about being yourself and being different. It’s about dogs and train rides, lasagna and the ocean. And it’s about farts (yes, I’ve never heard the word “fart” so many times in any other book).

My Friends is not just a story; it is an experience.

I don’t know how Backman does it, but his books are pure magic to me. No one else manages to make his protagonists and their experiences feel so real, that I not only feel like I know them inside and out, but as if I am standing right beside them.

I know that Backman’s writing style and storytelling might not be for everyone. But I love everything about it. I love his humor, I love all the little hints he drops and how they all come together in the end. I love that you can see a bit of Backman himself in his protagonists. I love how he manages to make me both laugh and cry with his words.

This book was my most anticipated book of the year and it might end up being my favorite book of the year.

I’ve been a fan of Fredrik Backman’s ever since I stumbled upon Anxious People, which is still one of my all-time favorite books. The way he fully develops all of his characters and his smooth, effortless writing gets me every single time. You get everything with this story…love, heartache, tragedy, friendship, nostalgia - just to name a few. It’s a beautiful story about the strong bond between long time friends. The dual timelines and flashbacks were a bit confusing at times, but that wouldn’t stop me from recommending this book. I can’t wait for his next one!

I finished this book a few days ago, but every time I sit down to write a review, I can’t seem to come up with just the right words to express how much I love this book. It has been a very long time since I have read a book so slowly, savoring each day I spent with it, and wanting it to never end. By the time I hit the 20% mark, I had already fallen so head over heels in love with it that I raced to my computer to pre-order a signed hardback copy for my bookshelf.

It’s also been a long time since I have highlighted SO MANY passages in a book, but Fredrik Backman has such an incredible way of describing the human experience that it’s impossible not to want to save those words forever.

This story was incredibly raw, honest, and moving, and I am sure that the story of Louisa, Ted, Joar, Ali, and the artist known as C. Jat is going to stick with me for a long time. Two thumbs up, highly recommended!

A handful of Backman’s books (Beartown series, Ove) rank among my favorite books of all time. I had high hopes for My Friends, but it lacked the poignant punch I was hoping for. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

Can Fredrik Blackman do any wrong? I love this book - it made me have the feels. Will be recommending!

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an E-ARC in exchange for an honest review