What an amazing story! Told as a middle-aged man speaking to a younger person. You will laugh, cry and laugh again. This is one not to be missed!

Louisa is at an art gallery to view the painting that has shaped her life. When she is mistaken for a vandal, she flees and in the alley, she runs into a homeless man. Together they paint the wall behind the gallery and Louisa's life is changed forever.

Gorgeous. A tale of teenage friendship and pain, Ted recounts the story of himself, the artist of the painting, and their friends to Louisa as the pair travel to complete the circle. This is heartbreaking and funny all at the same time and left me feeling all the feelings about the characters. I couldn't help but love them all and wanted to both hurry up and find out their stories but also wanted this book to never end. I think this is my favorite Backman book to date.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for providing me with an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Available May 6, 2025.

Some books don’t just speak to you—they settle into your soul. This one completely stole my heart. I cherished every single page and didn’t want it to end. I even made myself stop reading in the middle of the night just to stretch out the experience for one more day!!

Fredrik Backman has an extraordinary gift for weaving together friendship, loss, grief, love, and hope—wrapping them all in "long stories' laughter, tears… and even farts! This book was everything. Beautifully messy and unforgettable. All the stars—then all of them again!

Review was posted (Instagram, Goodreads, bookishlytara blog, Storygraph) on May 7, 2025. An additional post (with a reposted review) will was posted on Instagram on the publication day as well as an Amazon Canada review. (links below)

Fredrik Backman is one of my favorite authors. I've been really excited to read his new book - My Friends.

Art and friendship are at the core of My Friends. The story starts at an art sale in current day. A painting of a pier is one of the most famous paintings in all of the world. There’s more to see on that pier - if you can. The paths of the artist that created that painting and a young woman who also wants to be an artist cross…

The past and the present are used to tell the story. There’s 25 years between then and now.

I love Backman’s characters. Three fourteen year old boys are spending the summer school holidays on the pier. It’s safer than a lot of their homes. The dialogue amongst them would sound not kind to those that don’t know them. But it’s the way they talk to each other and it’s perfect.

Flipping to the other narrative, we travel with Louisa and one of those teenagers that’s grown up now.
I couldn’t put the book down. I couldn’t stop reading. I needed to know what happened then and what’s going to happen now. I ached reading their situations, but also laughed along with them. Backman excels in creating characters that are just a step out of cadence with the rest of the world. Those that you want to save.

The different descriptions of art were quite interesting and had me seeing things from a different perspective.

Simply brilliant.

Backman meandered a bit in this book, which is why I was going to rate it just under 5 stars. Except...

Nobody...and I mean NOBODY...writes characters the way Backman does. It doesn't matter the gender, identity, age, or whatever of the character, he is truly the master of introducing us to fully-developed, complicated characters you INSTANTLY love. Even better, the reader can see themselves in so many of them. He's also one of the few men who know how to write women; you can see how much he loves his wife and reveres women in his interviews, and it translates beautifully to the page.

I ADORED all of the characters in this book. C. jat's friends became my friends. I could feel myself on the train with Ted and Louisa (oh how I wish I was more Louisa than Ted, but I'm very much a Ted lol). Despite needing to go to bed early due to total sleep deprivation the night before, I stayed up late to finish the book. It took me even longer because I would have to stop and have a good cry before continuing. There were several used tissues on my nightstand when I went to bed. I don't know how he does it, but Backman can make you cry and laugh on the same page. He has such a way with words; you often get a right hook directly to your soul and you can go from zero to sobbing in 2 seconds flat. He has a true gift of ripping your heart out and stitching it back together.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria for the opportunity to read and review this book ahead of publication!

Fredrik Backman has once again written a story that reaches deep and resonates with your soul. My Friends is a tender love letter to art, the enduring power of friendship, and the profound comfort of finding your true people. It follows four friends, who might seem like outsiders to the world, but within their circle, they find belonging and perfection. Their bond is one of deep care, unwavering love, and constant encouragement. Beautifully, this support extends beyond their own group; as adults, they become champions for struggling young people they recognize as "one of us," offering the help and encouragement they did not receive from adults themselves. Backman's signature character development shines through, drawing the reader in from the very first line and holding them captive until the final, satisfying sentence. You'll likely find yourself wanting to immediately reread it, just to experience the beauty again. This is a story that tugs at your heart and serves as a reminder of the beauty and strength of human connection.

Whenever I begin a book written by Fredrik Backman, I feel like he is talking directly to me. Backman has a way of finding humor in the mundane, and his observational humor is unmatched. I just love it. This story, while different than Beartown, follows a trajectory similar to Anxious People. While the storytelling and character-building were the clear winners, and the plot was almost an afterthought, I didn’t mind. This was a story I wanted to hear, and I was sitting like a child in bed to listen to its end—five full stars from me.

Quick recap without spoilers:
Louisa is nearly eighteen when she runs away from her foster home to wait for adulthood. Her only constant is a postcard of a painting. The story behind the painting involves fourteen-year-old kids looking to escape the cruelties of their lives one summer. The painting was created twenty-five years ago and affected not only the children who lived it but those who viewed it. After viewing it in person, Louisa quickly feels the ripple effect of this decades-old painting. Art has the power to change lives.

Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for the advance copy! I will post a review and recommendation on my site the week of the book release.

My Friends by Fredrik Backman is a moving story of love, loss, and friendship. Beautifully written with a cast of characters that will get under your skin in the best way, this is a book that you don't want to miss!!

When four friends, each escaping their own personal demons, meet up on a pier, telling stories and sharing dreams, they don't realize the impact that their relationship will have twenty five years later. Louisa is just about to age out of the foster care system. Her one prized possession is a postcard of a famous painting called "The One of the Sea". When she learns that the painting is up for auction, Louisa knows that she must see it for herself. A chance encounter with a man leads her on an unforgettable journey to discover the story behind this painting and the magic of friendship.

Backman's writing style is so unique and I am here for it! This one does get off on a bit of a slow start but it is well worth it in my opinion. The character development is always top notch from Backman, and My Friends does not disappoint! Thought provoking, moving, realistic, and humorous this is one of those books that has it all! If you loved The Beartown series you will want to add this to your TBR!!!

Thank you to NetGalley, Fredrik Backman, and Atria Books for this ARC!! Publication date: May 6th 2025.

Fredrik Backman strikes again! Oh, my beating heart.
My Friends follows 18 year old Louisa as she is gifted a famous painting she doesn't know what to do with and goes on a cross country trip to where the artist first painted. She travels with the famous artists' best friend while learning about the background of the painting and the life of the people portrayed in the renowned piece.
Twenty five years before, the artist was a teenager, laughing and farting with his best friends. Louisa learns from one of the friends what the backstory of the artists' most famous painting was about, and the story of that
summer.
This book was fabulous. I loved the story and the timeline of events. I think my favorite part was when we got to hear the story from another persons perspective, as we mostly hear from one person. This book had heartbreak, laughter, confusion, and some suspense. The feelings from Louisa specifically really resonated as well, because (we are told often) while it happened 25 years ago, it is happening now for us.
This book definitely kept me on my toes. I feel like we were intentionally misled to assume some things and then 'bam!' it's something totally different! But I enjoyed the journey. I had to take breaks while reading as there are some heavy topics and it was really sad to let go of some characters as we learn what happened that summer.
My Friends was also reminiscent of one of my favorite movies, 'Stand by Me. Similar vibe of before/after. Great read, and very unique.
Thank you to netgalley and atria books for the arc of this novel.

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Wow. This book was so beautiful. Fredrik Backman's storytelling is so unique and captivating. This is a love story between friends and how their friendship one summer changed a random stranger's life 25 years later. It is so full of love and heartbreak. I felt as though my heart was being squeezed the whole time I read this book.

Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

A group of teenagers find refuge from their difficult home lives by spending time together at the pier. Their figures sitting at the end of a long pier are almost unnoticeable in one of the most famous paintings in the world. To the normal eye, the painting is a depiction of the sea. But to Louisa, an artist herself, she wants to find the story behind the people in the corner.

I have no doubt that devout Backman fans will consider this a good read, but I will not recommend it. I am disappointed in the boring plot and unrealistic actions of characters to force a connection. I had to constantly fight the urge to not skim pages at a time. Maybe every Backman book isn't for me.

Happy Pub Day, Fredrik Backman! My Friends is now available.

Disclaimer: An advance copy was received directly from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are my own and would be the same if I spent my hard-earned coins. ~LiteraryMarie

Thank you to NetGalley, to Atria Books, and to Mr. Backman for the opportunity to read an ARC of this title. An honest review was requested but not required.

I struggled to start this - the almost florid, quote-fodder language was an adjustment for me - but once we got onto the train things were really moving. I will say this, this is not really a book that can be rushed; it is a story that unfolds in its own time. The foreshadowing did make me very nervous. Ultimately you have to approach this book like a painting: the closer you get to it the more details jump out, and then you need to back up again at the close to re-assemble everything you've absorbed into the full picture. I felt the friendships were the highlight, the amber bubble of childhood and friendship and the golden years of laughter. It's also about grief and grieving, which was harder for me at the moment for personal reasons. I agree with other reviewers, the character development is absolutely stellar. Each character is a gold mine.

My book club partner and I have already selected this as our library's August read and I think our book club members are really, REALLY going to like it. They are definitely in for a treat.

This book started out slow for me. I am very familiar with Backman's rambling writing style (and I am a huge fan) but the plot in this one is a bit rambling too. The story is not quite linear and it took a bit to get into the rhythm, but it was so worth it!

As is typical of a Backman book, Fredrik has a way of capturing the best and worst of humanity, and My Friends is no different. A single sentence could make me laugh and break my heart all in one go. This story centers around a group of teenagers who share a bond that is unbreakable. I lived and breathed with these kids throughout the entire read. I wanted to scoop them in my arms and save them all, and at the same time, I wanted to be fourteen sitting on a pier with them.

This book has Pay It Forward vibes but in a much more subtle and impactful way. It left me spent in the best way and will have me thinking about it for weeks to come.

Happy pub day to this wonderful novel. feel incredibly lucky and am exceptionally grateful to NetGalley, Atria Books, and Simon & Schuster for offering me an e-arc this newest book by Fredrik Backman’s. This is hands down my favorite book by Backman and the best book I’ve read thus far in 2025. The writing is poignant and deeply moving and I was immediately captivated. (Also the fact that he quotes Anton Ego from Ratatouille after his dedication was an unexpected delight) Unlike some of his other books, like Beartown, that I flew thru very quickly, I found myself reading this much more slowly - not because I wasn’t enjoying it but actually because the writing was so rich that I desired more time to unpack the intensity and beauty of Backman’s words. (I was slowest through the first 20-25% of the novel) I am someone who rarely cries in response to a book or movie - in fact, I truly can’t remember the last book that brought me to tears (it’s been several years) but I cried multiple times while reading this book, including even the first few chapters. Backman’s characters (in particular Louisa and also the artist) had depth and intricacies that will stay with me for a very long time and the writing itself was as beautiful as the characters he created. Although I received an e-arc copy, I intend to purchase a hardcover copy of the book for my bookshelf and look forward to rereading it with a physical copy in my hands (it should also be noted that rereading books is some thing I rarely do but this one stands out and is one I will certainly come back to again given all that can be unpacked from it). I couldn’t recommend this novel more and strongly suggest you request it from your library or purchase it right away!

“I love you. I trust you.”

25 years ago, four teenagers meet and form a friendship with such an unbreakable bond that will wind up changing the life of a stranger forever.

Fredrik Backman has such an amazing writing style. One so brilliant and beautiful. The character depth he creates is simply phenomenal. This is the second book I’ve read by him and I must read more.

“Art is coincidence, love is chaos.”

This is a story about love, friendship, and found family. A story that will tug at all your emotions. It is a slow-burn, one you must stick out because it is absolutely worth it. There were many moments that made me laugh, and some that nearly brought me to tears. “My Friends” is a must add to your TBR.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for this ARC opportunity. This is an honest and voluntary review.

I loved this book 😭 Backman’s writing is, as per usual, so unique and beautiful. I finished this book feeling like I just lived nine lives alongside all of these characters .

Louisa is our main character that has run away from foster care. She finds herself suddenly in possession of a very famous and very expensive painting. Ted, one of the boys in the painting, tells Louisa the story of how it came to be and it. is. masterful.

I don’t even know how to properly describe this book - it’s about friendships, childhood, family, love and probably a hundred other things I’m too simple to have noticed.

All I can say is: trust the process. The foreshadowing will have your stomach in knots but somehow everything comes together in a perfectly imperfect way.

I read this one with my actual eyeballs (I know, who is she?!) but I definitely want to do a reread on audio. Marin Ireland is the queen of narrators and she does such an amazing job on all of Backman’s books. Knowing what I know now, I feel like the book will be an entirely different experience the second time 🥹

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Can’t wait for my physical copy to arrive so I can proudly display it next to its more emotionally damaging siblings - looking at you Beartown 👀

First of all, I will read (and enjoy) anything this man writes. I read this back in February and it’s taken me three months to write a review, but the story has stuck with me.

My Friends is like a love letter to summertime and friendships. During that deeply influential time in our youth when our friends are our whole world. Like every Backman book, this story will have you laughing in one moment and sobbing in the next. I really enjoyed it and it’s safe to say he’s got another winner here. My only gripe is that the pacing felt a little off. But, that could just be me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for an eARC!

**Thank you to Atria Books for this free digital review copy.**

Fredrik Backman may be my favorite living author. I read everything he writes and am constantly recommending his books to all different types of readers. So I was so pleasantly surprised to be approved to read a digital ARC of his latest, "My Friends."

As I expected, I loved this story from the jump (and I teared up in public while reading it). Backman writes in a way that makes you fall in love with his characters so quickly. You can feel their pain and their desires deeply, and you just want good things for them. Throughout "My Friends," Ted is telling Louisa the story of his childhood, particularly the summer he was 14 and one of his best friends painted a now world-famous painting.

What seems like it could be a simple story of course isn't as straightforward as it first appears. Anyone who has ever heard or told a story knows what happens when you start talking; there are interruptions, you get off track going on different tangents, but in the end you finally get where you were going. That is how this book feels, in the best way. You're simultaneously learning about Ted and his friends as well as Louisa and her best friend. There is a lot of grief involved, but also a lot of laughter — and honestly, that's life.

This book is for anyone who loves art, who loves adventure, who has loved someone and lost them, and who is still telling their stories.

My first ever read of Mr. Backman’s and it won’t be the last! Wow! I loved his storytelling, his character development, the way he drops a line so profound you have to set the book down and let it ruminate.

"He would often try to think that perhaps that has to be the case: that our teenage years have to simultaneously be the brightest light and the darkest depths, because that’s how we learn to figure out our horizons."

“Tell me, what is it you plan to do, with your one wild and precious life?”

There are no words to describe what this book is about or what it will make you feel as you're reading it. So I will just use Backman's own words because they always manage to be filled with all that needs to be said.

This is a book about friendship. About childhood summers. About finding your humans. About painting like the birds sing. About what a painting can do to a person. About one really good "now". Bad ideas. "One of us". "I love you and I trust you". "Good night, ghosts". Calling out "tomorrow!" at the crossroads. How hard it is to be a child. How hard it is to be an adult. How hard it is to be everything. It's about how art transforms us and about all the ways in which it exists around us: art is empathy, context, a moment, what we leave of ourselves in other people, a coincidence, a nakedness, your homeland. Art is what can't fit inside a person. Art teaches us to mourn for strangers. Art needs friends.

I smiled, I laughed, I cried, I got angry, my heart broke, sometimes all within the same page. I've said it time and time again that Backman has such a unique talent with capturing and encapsulating the complexity of the human experience in so few words. I stupidly began highlighting the lines that resonated with me until I realized there was no point because I really just wanted to highlight the entire damn book. I fell for these characters. Hard. I was crying for them by the second chapter even though I had just met them. And now I feel like I've known them forever and can't think of the time before they existed (ironically, a resounding theme within the novel itself). There's no point giving a synopsis or trying to explain what this book is about because Backman puts it all on the page and no summary or additional amount of words would do it anymore justice, so I won't even try. All I'll say is this is a book that everyone needs, now more than ever. It's a gift really. A solace. A way to cope. It will make you take life for granted, as we should, because that's the whole point of being here. Because it's crazy that we exist. And it's cool, really cool, that we happened at all.

“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. That we create and paint and dance and fall in love, that’s our rebellion against eternity. Everything beautiful is a shield. Vincent van Gogh wrote: ‘I always think that the best way to know God is to love many things.’”

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.