My Friends was one of my most anticipated releases for the year, and let me tell you My Friends (ha, see what I did there?), it did not disappoint! Fredrik Backman is a master of observing people in all their wonderful, splendid, wounded selves and making us love them in spite of their all too human frailties.

This time around, Backman shares the story of a group of teenage friends who find refuge from their difficult home lives by spending their days laughing and telling stories out on a pier. To no one's surprise, one of them becomes a famously celebrated artist. When the artist's most famous painting ends up in the hands of Louisa, a teenage girl, 25 years later, she is determined to learn the story behind it.

And what a story. On a cross-country train ride, the stories are slowly revealed. As we learn more about these four broken souls, we also learn more about Louisa and how very like them she is. Backman's empathy for the vulnerable is poignant, raw and deeply moving as he tackles themes of friendship and found family, frailty and resilience, grief and loss, and the importance of art to save us.

I adored each of these characters as their lives spilled forth in a meandering, non-linear kind of way that is Backman's signature style. I often found myself laughing one moment and reaching for a tissue the next. I can't recommend this book highly enough.

“Good night, ghosts.”

This book. It was utterly heartbreaking. It’s a story of friendship between 4 friends the summer before they turn 15. Do you remember being that age? Because this story reminds you of what it’s like. It’s a story of love, because the love between friends is sometimes stronger than any other kind. It’s already so special to me, I loved every minute, every word on every page. Backman’s writing style is very unique and much like his other works, it oozes out of every detail. While this story may be long and winding, to me it was worth it to hear him tell it.

I enjoyed this. A solid story about friendships and the impact friends have on your life.

It was a little hard to get into at first, wondering where the story was going. Also struggled a bit with the jumping around in time. But overall, I enjoyed this.

I received this book free of charge from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

romance has taken over the world by storm, because everyone wants to hear a love story. but how often do you hear about love in friendship? the power of learning to trust, to find your own- all within adventures and laughter and finding art in the world.

MY FRIENDS by Fredrik Backman delves into a true love story within friends: the platonic bond that grows and grieves with you.

it’s clumsy, it’s funny, it’s emotional, it’s quirky and it’s a tender story that’ll put its hooks in you until the story is over and craves you wanting more.

there’s something about Backman’s straightforward writing that i keep being pulled back to. i find a comfort in his characters and find myself wishing i could bump into them and say hello. if you’re looking for something that feels real, this is your way to go.

thank you to Atria Books for allowing me to have this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

As always Backman delivers endearing characters and beautiful writing. Louisa could be a young, misunderstood Ove. Ted, the artist, Joar and Ali have a beautiful friendship. Though not much seemingly happens in this book, it’s the story of true friendship and artistry. Being misunderstood, and finally finding “your people.” Backman is a must-read author for me. Everything he writes is heartwarming and gives me hope for the world.

Another contemplative read from Fredrik Backman. A perfect blend of depth and humor and memorable characters.

First and foremost, thank you to the publisher and the author for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. I loved this story and it was definitely worth the read!

Five stars. Always. Backman never misses and I loved every moment of this book. Thank you for the opportunity to read this early.

I love Backman’s writing. Anxious People is an all-time favorite. This one is different. It’s especially slow moving. I liked the characters, but felt like lost teens waxed too philosophical at times like they had been in therapy, which they had not. I loved Ted; a layered character who has a beautiful arc over the course of the book.
I was easily invested in the story of the painting and its journey. Lots of odes to art, sometimes too much as the storyline was illustrating the value of art time & time again.
This book is getting great reviews, and deservedly so, it just didn’t blow me away like I have felt in some of Backman’s previous books.

Backman books just make my heart happy and my spirit fulfilled in the way he is able to shine a light on all the beautiful parts of humanity. This story is about broken, forgotten and hurt people and the way they find healing, belonging and love through art and friendship. Part road trip adventure with a dose of intergenerational friendship we learn about the lives of four friends as two strangers bond over a dead artist's painting and travel back in memory of his life. Haunting, unforgettable and amazingly narrated by Marin Ireland. Another HUGE win from one of my very favorite writers. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Fredrik Backman’s "My Friends" is a beautifully poignant exploration of friendship, art, and the echoes of memory. It’s the kind of novel that sneaks up on you—gentle in its prose and devastating in its emotional impact.

At the heart of the story is Louisa, a young artist who becomes obsessed with a famous painting that most people see as a simple depiction of the sea. Louisa recognizes more—a trio of figures at the edge of the canvas, their presence hinting at something deeper. As she attempts to discover the story behind the painting, she learns of the lives of 4 friends, captured in one glorious moment in time.

Backman excels at crafting characters who feel achingly real, and "My Friends" is no exception. The novel is steeped in nostalgia, exploring how friendships forged in youth can shape a person’s life long after the moments themselves have faded. The narrative moves between past and present, weaving together the golden summer of these four friends with Louisa’s search for the meaning in their story.

What makes "My Friends" so compelling is its raw honesty. Backman doesn’t shy away from the pain of growing up, the weight of grief, or the way art can heal and haunt.

If you’re looking for a novel that will break your heart and then gently piece it back together, "My Friends" is a haunting must-read. It’s a testament to the power of friendship, the resilience of art, and the stories that shape us—even when we don’t realize it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the advanced reader copy in exchange for a honest review. This book was a solid 4 stars for me and is absolutely beautiful. Fredrik Backman does it again, but I am not surprised. The way he weaves the story of the past with a story from "now" is a work of art in itself. An homage to true friendship, art, complex family dynamics, and ultimately grief, this book broke my heart and put it back together again. We all need a little hope in today's world, and I truly believe this book provides just that.

Thank you to Netgalley, Fredrik Backman, and Simon and Schuster for an ARC of ¨My Friends¨ I cannot speak highly about this book enough!! This book made me laugh hysterically at all the right times, in between the most emotional and nostalgic parts of the book. This book will make you reflect on your own life´s passage, the friends you make along the way, and how the friends and family in your life influence who you are.

This book is told in the POV of a best friend as he tells the biography of the most precious person in his life, yet the world only knows him as a world famous artist. But to those who knew him - to those who REALLY knew him... he was so much more than just a world famous artist. I highly recommend this book for Backman´s thought-provoking storytelling and incomparable humor. You will not regret it!!

Fredrik Backman does it again. His writing is so singular, always poignant but with a touch of humor. My Friends is the story of four teenagers who are bonded by circumstance and are willing to do anything to save each other. They live in a small, poor working-class seaside town and deal with family issues such as alcoholism and abuse. Twenty-five years later, Louisa, an orphan who has just turned eighteen and has run away from her foster home, is deemed "one of us" by one of "the friends"
The book alternates between the two timelines while current-day Ted tells Louisa about the past. It all begins with a painting that Louisa, an artist herself, breaks into a museum to see up close just once.
This is a story of friendship, survival, self-acceptance, and fitting in. This is a story about art. This book will make you laugh and cry. Thanks to NetGalley and Atria for this ARC.

An absolutely gorgeous story. This is my favorite book of 2025 so far. I loved the characters and the way that the story unfolded (Backman is a master at this). I have loved all of his novels, and this one is his best yet! Read it if you are looking for something that will make you cry, laugh, and maybe give you goosebumps (it did me!). Highly, highly recommend!

I’ve never had a book hanger quite like this. My head and heart literally hurt. Was that a happy ending? The jury is still out.

I absolutely adore every Backman character I have read. I don’t know how the translator so beautifully translates Backman’s prose, but every time I’m swept away into the characters of his story. They become real to me. The prose it self is lyrical and leaves me contemplating life every time. I also quite enjoy how Backman uses foreshadowing but it never quite foreshadows what the reader infers. This story is a beautiful found family with tragic home lives that I absolutely loved.


Rating: 4.5 stars rounded up to 5

Im a HUGE Fredrik Backman fan, so getting this book was truly a treat.

This is the perfect coming of age story. You can tell (as usual) that Backman put so much thought and care into this one

4.5 stars:

Backman’s writing style is so unique but familiar at this point, and I can’t help but love his characters, flaws and all. This book tore a giant hole in my heart and filled it back up with characters that I wish I could protect and I won’t ever forget. I’ll be thinking about this story for years to come.

Unfortunately, My Friends was definitely not the novel for me. I found the writing to be incredibly cheesy and the characters felt a little too quirky.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the opportunity to read My Friends by Fredrik Backman. I received the ARC just two days before Christmas—it felt like the perfect early gift. Backman is my favorite author, and once again, he does not disappoint.

No one writes people the way Fredrik Backman does. His characters are rich, flawed, and deeply human. My Friends tackles difficult topics and blends heartache with humor in a way that feels both effortless and profound. It's sharp, funny, and unexpectedly emotional—I laughed and cried, sometimes on the same page.

Backman’s writing style is truly one of a kind. I often found myself pausing to reread passages and highlight quotes—something I rarely do. The story is unpredictable and layered, unfolding in ways that continually surprised me. His characters are at once deeply individual and universally relatable—mirroring people we know, and even parts of ourselves.

There’s something quietly powerful about the way he portrays life: raw, real, and messy. He strikes a beautiful balance between emotional weight and lighthearted moments, creating a narrative that feels incredibly authentic. At its core, My Friends is a story about found family and the transformative power of believing in someone. It's beautiful, hopeful, and lingers long after the final page.