This wasn't my normal thriller or mystery. This was more of exploring the phrase, "anything can be a happy ending depending on where you end the story".

This story started with a death, and then we worked backward and forward exploring where else to add things to the story. Would it make it a happier story or a sadder one depending on where the story took us. This one made me cry at times, feel some emotions for the characters and I never truly knew when the story would end and how it would turn out.

Some aspects of this story were a little predictable but not in quite the way that you wanted it. The mirroring of the story from 25 years ago until now was poetic. I would read again, but in comparison to most of my reads I wanted to take this one slow.

Thank you NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for a review

3.5. Fredrik Backman is hit or miss for me usually. I’m not a fan of the emotional manipulation of Ove but Beartown is one of my favorite novels. This falls somewhere in the middle. I was fortunate to attend an event with Backman last week which probably helped to increase my rating of this one by half a star. He was really funny…it was a great talk. This book follows four fourteen old friends, 25 years ago, as they rely on each other to survive a tough town and even tougher home situations. The present day follows one of the friends and an 18 year old girl. This is a meditation on art and how art can change our worlds. I enjoyed how this book was tied together at the end, however, I find Backman’s writing repetitive at times which made this book a slog to get through. Overall, I liked the ideas behind this book and hearing Backman talk about it live made it that more enjoyable. I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.

My Friends by Fredrik Backman is a thoughtful, tender novel about the complicated, beautiful mess of human relationships. At its heart is a man reflecting on his life, friendships, regrets, and the moments—both big and small—that shape who we become. Through deeply personal storytelling and piercing emotional insight, Backman explores how connection, grief, humor, and love intertwine across time, offering a moving meditation on what it means to truly know—and be known by—another person.

Backman hits it out of the park once again. My Friends is quietly powerful, full of aching truths and unforgettable moments. Though the pacing lags in places, the emotional depth and richly drawn characters more than make up for it. The relationships feel real, flawed, and deeply human. His prose is stunning and his insights are unmatched; I found myself underlining lines and rereading passages just to sit with them a little longer. A strong 4.5 stars—Backman continues to prove he’s one of the most emotionally resonant writers of our time. It was such a joy having the opportunity to read this one early. Anything Backman writes, I am reading.

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU! This book was my most anticipated release of the year and it DID NOT DISAPPOINT! Backman writes stories that stick with you forever. He’ll rip your heart out but also write the most beautiful things that help stitch it back together. This book is perfection and I have no notes besides I wish I could read it again for the first time. If Backman writes it, you can bet I’m reading it. Thank you again for the advanced copy of My Friends! I loved it so much!!!

Four things will always be true about his books.

1. His character development will be superb. He truly is second to none.
2. You’re going to ugly cry multiple times.
3. For every ugly cry, you’ll laugh out loud 20 times.*
4. Every chapter will end on a cliffhanger. The cliffs just vary in size & the big ones will have you feel feeling some kinda way about Mr. Backman.

This is a *perfect* story about friendship & love.

Thank you Net Galley & to the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.


*estimate- no such studies have been conducted to my knowledge

I've loved every Frederik Backman book I've read and they've all made he ugly cry. The Friends was no exception. It broke my heart and filled it with love.

I normally absolutely love Fredrik Backman books, but for some reason I could NOT get into this one. It had some good moments, but overall I just was never invested and by the end was just reading to finish it. Will still continue to read Backman books, but this one was just not my fav.

QUICK GLANCE-
My format: ebook ARC
Other Formats:🎧Audio (13 hours and 7 minutes) and 📖Physical (448 pages)
Spice: 🌶️
Language: 🤐 🤐 moderate
CW: death; abuse; grief; violence

MY THOUGHTS-
I went into this book with high expectations, having loved everything I’ve read by Fredrik Backman. This story is a heartfelt exploration of friendship, art, and the bonds that shape us, packed with emotion and relatable characters. If you love character-driven stories infused with humor and empathy, this is definitely one to consider!

That said, My Friends is heavily character-focused, which isn’t my favorite style. At nearly 450 pages, the pacing felt slow, and I really had to push myself to finish. There were moments of brilliance—scenes that completely pulled me in—but overall, it dragged for me.

READ IF YOU LIKE...
• Beautiful, messy, best friendships
• Broken people lifting each other up
• Art
• Quotes galoire

Thank you, Netgalley, for my ebook copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

I LOVED this book so much! I think this is Fredrik Backman's best book yet. It is the story of art, friendship and life in general.

This is the story of four friends and 1 girl who needs to connect with them. The storyline goes back and forth from present to past. I don't usually like nonlinear story lines, but once this got going it felt like I was listening to a family member tell stories of days gone by. I will say the beginning is a little slow at first. However, once the story gets going there is no turning back!

I loved all the characters and felt all the feelings each of them felt. I laughed with them, cried with them, and learned the importance of being a friend.

READ this book! It is truly a beautiful story and It will make you appreciate your friends and your life more! My favorite book of 2025 so far!

Thanks to Fredrik Backman, NetGalley and Atria books for the ARC.

"All children are born with wings...it's just that the world is full of people who try to tear them off."

"It's art that helps me cope. Because art is a fragile magic, just like love, and that's humanity's only defense against death."

Another masterpiece by Backman! While this book focuses on the power of youth, friendship and art, this is another book that will appeal to a wide audience. The characters are endearing, even when they were being jerks to each other, and the humor made the book feel light-hearted even while discussing heavier topics! I fell in love with these characters as kids, just like the kids on the hockey team in Beartown, and appreciated Backman's ability to show their development as full individuals as they grew up. The intergenerational relationships also provide a glimpse of what our world can be if we are living in community. Readers will most definitely cry and laugh while reading this book, and they'll finish cherishing their childhood friends.

Wow. Just wow. I've loved many of Backman's books, but I think this is my favorite. This book had me tearing up and laughing...and highlighting like crazy!
My Friends is the story of artists, of lost souls, of friends who save each others' lives. It is a beautiful character study that is done with humor and raw emotion in a way that will stick with me for a long time. It follows Louisa, a teenager, as she meets Ted, who knew her favorite author. And Ted tells the story of their friendship as teenagers and across their lives.
I cannot describe it in a way that does it justice, so just read it!
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this copy in exchange for an honest review.

"I love you and I trust you" -- Fredrik Backman is definitely one of my favorite authors by now. The way he can make you laugh and cry in the same story is an experience like no other. The characters in My Friends are so relatable and I got so close to them, that now after I'm finished I feel like I can never be the same without them. I felt part of their story, a story about love, friendship and the power of art. Highly recommend it!

Fredrick Backman has quickly became one of my favorite authors this year.
My Friends is a story that jumps between two timelines. One in the present and the other from 25 years in the past. Backman knows how to capture the emotions of what it’s like to be human. This was a story about friendship and human connection. Once again, Backman shows that he can write about the human experience like no other, no matter the age. This was brilliant and a must read.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

First I want to thank Atria books for the advanced readers copy! I was so anxiously waiting for this book and was excited to hear I was approved for the early copy.

In general, I am a plot girly. I enjoy books with a plot and then good characterization. Backman's books are some of the only stories where plot is secondary and the primary focus is the characters and their relationships. And I adore his books for that! He excels at developing characters and their relationships, as well as tugging at your heartstrings along the way. His subtle (and sometimes not so subtle) foreshadowing was reminiscent to the Beartown trilogy. I loved Louisa from the moment we meet her and her journey with Ted is so heartbreaking and uplifting at the same time.

Backman, I love you and I trust you!

"Our breath consists of 80% nitrogen, 20% oxygen, and 100% anxiety"- "Rich people only notice mirrors in a room" - "Men have nothing to be afraid of when they are adults" - If you are into social commentary and you love characters that are all connected and influencing each other, My friends is the book for you. Whether you are a teenager, adult, youn adult, middle aged, you will love this book and feel represented!

This was a wonderful read and Fredrik Backman's beautiful writing shines yet again. I do think this could have been edited down a little bit more.

Fredrik Backman is one of my favorite authors of all time, he is my auto-buy author. He has a wonderful ability to write so wonderfully. He has a unique writing style that is instantly recognizable.
This book is a beautiful portrayal of friendship, trust, sacrifice, vulnerability, and love.
The writing is really fast paced and interesting. I really enjoyed reading the book.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

“It’s hard to listen to the end of a long story. Especially if you have a really important question that you don’t dare ask.”

Gah this book is perfect. I could have read double the pages about these characters, but Backman does such a an amazing job of pacing and character development. Top read of the year for me right now.

I needed a Backman book in my life. I have enjoyed every single book from this author and this was no exception. This book was so good for my soul. This wonderful story was truly a joy to read and deserves all the stars.

He’s done it again! This man can make words magical. There is no one like him and I’m absolutely thrilled to give his latest book, My Friends 5 amazing stars!

A story of childhood friendship that is so real and full of love during the ups and downs of being a teenager. I fell in love with the friendship group. My heart melted at how they were all there for each other. Not in loud moments or big words, but in actions and sayings that only they understand. A book about love, family, grief, kindness and the power of having a friend and learning to be a friend.

I knew to expect greatness with a new Backman but wasn’t prepared to be THIS destroyed. I adored every character because they had such depth. The sheer number of amazing quotes will make this one of the best books ever.. By the end of the book I truly felt like these were my friends too. It’s worth it to have your would crushed to read this one.