Thanks to Netgalley & Atria Books for the E-ARC! Another tear-jerker from this author. Great characters & loved the friendships. Beautiful story.

Where to begin… when people ask for a book recommendation from me, my go-to is always Beartown. My Friends will be my newest rec. While any Fredrik Backman is an automatic read for me, this may be his best. It is so thoughtful, humorous, heart-breaking, but life-affirming. Every page was perfection, especially the very end. Though I was of course sad for the book to end, the resolution was perfect and felt complete.

This story is told as just that, a story, that bonds two people for life. A death connects Ted and Louisa and sees them through an adventure that is equal parts nerve wrecking and hilarious. It is for anyone who was ever a child and hopes to be one again. I smiled and teared up so frequently throughout this novel. This is why Fredrik Backman is the best author. Thank you, thank you, thank you to Backman, Atria, and NetGalley for the ARC.

“I love you and I trust you.”

Fredrik Backman, you have written yet another book that caused me to feel every single feeling there was to feel, and I loved every second of it. Louisa and Ted were such lovely characters, along with the artist, Joar, Ali, and Christopher. I really was entranced with each of them and found myself wanting to read more to hear their stories. It felt like I had the pleasure of living out the summer with them.

What an incredibly powerful story about grief and fate and meeting someone at just the right time. And how all of that can change your life’s entire trajectory.

This book is, at its core, about friendship. About new friends and old friends. About how the people who are your friends during your formative years will shape everything you do going forward. How reminiscing about those days can help you to move forward after a tragedy. And about how people you’ve just met can heal you. But it’s also a book about art. About how art can immortalize a moment. About how art can bring together unlikely companions.

This might just be my new favorite Backman book which is high praise considering almost every book is a 5 star from me. It’s amazing that a book this brilliant talks about farting a lot. Like more than what you’d ever think. But a big part of this story is retelling a story of a particular summer with a group of fourteen year olds.

If you love Backman’s writing style, you will definitely love this. It’s a beautifully written and told story.

I don’t think I have the right words to describe how much I loved this book and why. Just know that I do and I feel so grateful to be able to read a book that stirs up so much emotion in me.

This book is about profound friendship, a love story (not the typical love you expect) and how it all shapes you. The stories of these friends made me laugh, made me cry and made me just reflect on the special people that shaped my life.

There really isn’t much I can say without spoiling it so do yourself a favor and read it. Bring the tissues with you, ya know? And prepared for this very long story.

Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC in exchange of an honest review.

This wasn’t my favorite of Backman’s books but it was well written. It was a poignant story. There are humorous and sad parts like in other Backman novels. He is a great writer. This story just didn’t capture me.

Fredrik Backman creates characters that are so real and so flawed and you can't help but get emotionally involved in their lives. This story of four high school misfits who find hope and friendship in their support of one another are the center of this novel. Their bond is so powerful, they have profound effects on other people's lives. The story is told from two of the friends in their forties, who meet a teenager, Louisa, whose had a rough life. When one of the friends sees in her what they had as teens, the gift of a painting leads to an unlikely friendship and we hear about that special summer when the four friends were fifteen. Fans of Backman's writing will not be disappointed . May 2025 Pub date,.

I feel like I need to truly sit with this novel for a bit before I try to rate it, only for fear that I will just be babbling about how amazing it is without first gathering my thoughts-
But truly, it’s just that. Amazing. Backman’s unrivaled characterization is on full-display here in this story about 4 friends (as teens and again later in life) and the people they collect along their journey through life. It’s funny, it’s tragic, it’s silly, it’s heartbreaking, it’s inspirational, it’s everything the human experience truly is- all in one beautiful story.
Reading this leaves me thinking about life’s true friends, the heroes that have been put in my path, and how interwoven our stories all can be. And after saying all of this, I still don’t believe I’ve properly captured the grip this novel has on me.
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria books for the digital ARC.

Another amazing book by Backman. The relationship between Louisa and Ted was so heartwarming. Knowing more about the group of friends felt like I was there with them. The kids deserved a better life which made me want to continue rooting for them. Always expect an emotional rollercoaster with a Backman book.

Another masterpiece by one of my favorite authors! This may be my favorite of his to date. Backman has a unique, quirky, humorous way of writing but always with real depth to the characters and their experiences. In one sentence you want to laugh and cry all at the same time. The beginning was a little slow to start and I wasn’t sure about the stream of consciousness writing, but by the second to third chapter, I was fully invested. There are so many beautiful quotes in this book about friendship, overcoming life’s hardships, and finding beauty even in the ugly. My Friends is about friends who become family, and how our best childhood friends shape our lives. It delves into childhood trauma, but also explores resilience and hope. I laughed out loud at several parts but also cried and wanted to hug my best friends close when it ended.
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria books for the advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.

Holy cannoli, can Fredrik Backman write! He has a remarkable talent for storytelling. This book might have been my favorite of his so far. It was about the beauty of art and the depths of friendship. I fell in love with Louisa and Ted, and I nearly felt like I was a part of this story. I laughed, I cried, I sobbed... I felt everything, ran through the gamut of emotions reading this book, and I couldn't stop smiling for hours after I put this one down. This book was everything I didn't know I needed! I plan on purchasing and re-reading a physical copy of this book, as there were hundreds of lines and passages that I wanted to highlight and save forever. Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for an ARC of this masterpiece!

This is a book about friendship and art, and hurt people, about burials and about birds. It's a story about a very tumultuous train ride and also a story about a summer twenty-five years ago. It's really funny and also very sad, but it maintains a hopeful outlook even though the people in the book have no reason for much hope. Well, they do have their friends, and art, which are more than enough reasons.
Its a beautiful book that will make you laugh through so much heartbreak, and you will be so happy about it because its so witty and funny, and the characters have so much personality they feel alive. They contradict their own actions and sometimes don't really behave like fourteen year olds at all, but that's why they feel real.
It's also a book about art. It comes through in every page, art as a way of connecting and sharing with others.
In today's age of individualism, this book feels particularly relevant, because it's about friends (obviously) but it's also about community.
Its truly a beautiful book that I'd recommend to just about anyone, it reads fast and it stays with you. Read it!

Four teen best friends spend the summer together changing their lives forever. The result is a painting so beautiful that the artist becomes rich and famous beyond belief. Twenty-five years later, a young homeless woman artist who has kept a postcard picture of that painting as inspiration breaks into a gallery where the painting is being auctioned, setting off a chain of events that gives her hope if she can learn to trust and accept it.

You’ll laugh and you’ll cry. You’ll read passages over and over, remarking on Backman’s ability to put life’s ironies into words.

Thanks to NetGalley and Atria books for an early copy of this beautiful book in exchange for an honest review.

Okay, I love Fredrik Backman. And I wanted to LOVE this book like I loved Anxious People. I did really like it, but I just couldn't love it due to the repetitiveness and the length. I don't mind length when it needs it, but this did not need to be as long as it was. Literally half the length would have been more than fine. It's a good story, but there's not a lot to it. Because of this I found myself getting annoyed by the writing style, even though I do love Backman's signature heartwarming style.

We do have some great characters and situations, and if you like Backman's stand alone novels you probably will like this one too, just be prepared for a LONG book that meanders quite a bit and takes a long time to land the plane.

Four misfit teenagers are broken by dysfunctional family situations, by grief and the heartaches that sometimes come with self discovery. They manage to survive their sad existences because they have each other . “I trust you . I love you” they say to each other. The depth of friendship they feel for and show each other is everything when you believe you have nothing .

Twenty five years later, two of the friends connect with , through one of the friend’s paintings, a misfit teenage girl who is broken by loss , grief and the foster care system. They immediately recognize she is “ one of them.” Our journey begins with Louisa’s present story and takes us back twenty five years as Ted telling the story of the four friends in the painting to Louisa while forging a bond of friendship between them.

If you can manage their sadness, if you can manage their pain sometimes emotional and sometimes physical, if you can manage the violence , it’s totally worth it getting into their hearts and minds and learning their stories. It’s not always all heartbreak as there are moments of love and caring, fun, and many funny moments that have the four friends laughing their heads off over their corny and clever jokes. The majority of the story is about these teenagers, but this should not be mistaken for a teenage novel. This is a story about the depth of friendship that helps them survive the worst things in their lives. It’s also a commentary on life and art and hope when it seems there isn’t any to be found. The emotional connection I feel with Backman’s characters is immediate and deep . I felt it in all of his novels, especially The Beartown series, but then I read this book. Backman’s understanding and ability to express the twists and turns of the human heart in this novel is nothing short of stunning.

I received a copy of this book from Atria through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this book so much — I found there were a hundred lines I wanted to highlight and repeat because they just felt so true to the human experience. This book truly has something for everyone and I can not wait for its release!

Having only read one of his short stories I was unsure what to expect. I requested an early copy and am giving my review voluntarily. At first it took awhile to enjoy, the story is long and told with lengthy monologues, but eventually I was able to dig in. People don’t really keep friends for long anymore but this group saw everything together. Their story is told by Ted to a young lady, Louisa, about their childhood and a love of art. It’s because of a painting by a child twenty five years ago that we are even hearing their story. It might be because it was translated, I think, but the writing style was the reason I struggled with the story. As a reader I enjoy dialogue, this book had the best sarcasm and witty conversations, but when a character is lost in their head the story loses its steam and thrill. It was definitely worth my time because I think this story has sticking power.

I have never had a bad word to say about a Fredrik Backman book. The emotions that he writes into his books is something that I have never experienced with another author - from tears, to laughter and back again!

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to receive this book for an honest review.

Frederik Backman is not a new author for me. I find his books enjoyable and inspirationable.

This one did not dissapoint. Its about friendships and relationships.

I highly recommend this book

**Book Review: My Friends by Fredrik Backman**

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Fredrik Backman, known for his heartwarming and insightful storytelling, delivers yet another touching narrative in "My Friends." This book beautifully explores the complexities of friendship, love, and the human condition through a series of interconnected stories.

**Plot and Characters:**
Backman introduces us to a diverse cast of characters, each with their own unique struggles and triumphs. The way he weaves their lives together is nothing short of masterful. The characters are deeply relatable, and their journeys are both heart-wrenching and uplifting. Backman's ability to capture the essence of human emotions is truly remarkable.

**Writing Style:**
Backman's prose is both lyrical and accessible, making it a joy to read. His use of humor and wit adds a lightness to the more serious themes, creating a balanced and engaging narrative. The dialogue is sharp and realistic, further immersing the reader in the world he has created.

**Themes:**
"My Friends" delves into themes of friendship, loyalty, and the impact of our connections with others. Backman explores how friendships can shape our lives, for better or worse, and the importance of understanding and empathy. The book also touches on mental health and the struggles many face in silence, offering a compassionate and hopeful perspective.

**Overall Impression:**
"My Friends" is a testament to Backman's talent as a storyteller. It's a book that will make you laugh, cry, and reflect on your own relationships. While it may not have the same immediate impact as some of his previous works, it is a deeply satisfying read that stays with you long after you've turned the last page.

If you're a fan of Fredrik Backman or simply enjoy stories about the intricacies of human connections, "My Friends" is a must-read. It's a poignant reminder of the power of friendship and the beauty of finding those who truly understand us.