I had big expectations for this book being a devoted fan of Fredrik Backman and he delivers yet again! I needed this read right now as the world is a tumultuous and unstable place. Backman reminds us that there's joy and beauty in the small things - adopted flowers, lasagna - and in the big - art and friendship. Thank you for teaching us through story how to be human. Do yourself a favour and read this book immediately or "TOMORROW"! Thanks to NetGalley and Atria for a copy of this ARC for this honest review. Can't wait for Fredrik Backman's next book! I need it already.

This is a story of four teenage friends and their bond. It is so strong that 25 years later is completely changes the life of Louisa. A painting, done by one of the teenagers is unexpectedly given to Louisa. She goes on a journey to learn how the painting was created and what she should do with it. A true testimony to the power of friendship.

"This is a painting of laughter, and you can only understand that if you’re full of holes, because then laughter is a small treasure."

The story here of Louisa and her childhood friendships and struggles with loss intertwined with "the artist" of the past was both heart breaking and heart warming at the same time. I particularly loved the character development of Louisa and Ted. If you are a fan of Fredrik Backman, I am sure you are familiar with Ove and his grumpy-old-men style of life, yet with redeeming qualities of love and compassion for his late wife. Ted offered a similar encounter, yet Louisa balanced the grumpiness with a youth and spontaneity that left the adventurous pair admirable.

On the flip side, Joar definitely offered some Benji vibes (the best Backman character ever written....don't @ me), where a rough childhood develops into a loyal, self-less love for his friends.

Overall, the book ranks up there with Beartown as my favorite of Backman's works. I don't "love" some of his due to the heaviness on the emotional side, but this book was balanced well with humor and likable characters that made this book a solid 5 ⭐.

Thanks to NetGalley and Atria for a copy of this ARC for review.

Every time. Fredrik Backman does it every time. There are very few authors that I've read from that understand the human condition better than Backman. His descriptions of people and relationships and the ebbs and flows of time are beautiful and heartbreaking. If I were to sit down with a highlighter and annotate this book, a worthy quote could be found on every other page.

Now, referencing this book specifically, I loved it. The dual timeline, which is typically a hard sale for me, was handled well and I enjoyed it. I laughed and cried and read beautiful lines aloud just to give the sentiments voice.

I feel as though there are so many other things that I want to include in this review, but I would recommend you go into this book blind. If you've read other Fredrik Backman books and enjoyed them, this is a no-brainer for you. Pick up the book. If you've never read Backman, you should do yourself a kindness and pick up the book.

I thought A Man Called Ove was my favorite book by Fredrik Backman until I read this. His writing was so magical and perfect- I cried throughout the entire book. Bravo!

I received a temporary digital copy of My Friends from NetGalley, Atria Books and the author in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Louisa visits her favorite painting while being sold at an auction, is falsely accused of attempting to vandalize the painting and while running from the police runs into the artist of said painting knocking herself out. A few days later, Louisa becomes owner of her favorite painting, worth millions of dollars, a shocking twist to her foster-care-runaway-self. She and the artist's best friend find themselves on a long train ride and a lot of time to tell the story of the three kids on a pier next to the sea.

4.5 ⭐ rounded up - Another must read by Backman. His ability to articulate the emotional rollercoaster of the human experience, especially through the teenage perspective, is astounding. I am forever in awe of his talent; however, he loves to draw out the story which became a bit frustrating and somewhat repetitive at times hence the 4.5 rating.

A huge thank you to @simonandschuster and @netgalley for providing me with a free eARC of MY FRIENDS by Fredrik Backman, one of my most anticipated reads of the year. As a long-time fan of his work, I knew going into this one that I would need a box of tissues and a stack of highlighters to be ready.

MY FRIENDS is a story unlike any other, weaving a tale within a tale that speaks to the heart in the most profound ways. It’s a deeply emotional exploration of friendship, belonging, and the power of human connection. At the center of the novel are four teenage characters, who are as endearing as they are flawed. Backman has a gift for crafting individuals who feel real, whose lives and emotions you can’t help but become wrapped up in. There are moments that make you ache with empathy and cheer with joy. And per usual, Backman’s writing is nothing short of powerful. There were so many times I found myself stopping mid-page, needing a moment to fully absorb the weight of what I had just read. His ability to capture the nuances of human relationships and the unspoken truths between friends is staggering. It’s one of those books that makes you pause and think, to reflect on your own life and the people who shape it. This is a perfect celebration of found family, of believing in others even when they can’t believe in themselves, and the transformative nature of connection. MY FRIENDS is another masterpiece by @backmansk and I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys emotionally rich, character-driven stories. It will rip apart your heart and then sew it back together.

✨ MY FRIENDS publishes on May 20, 2025. ✨

Rating: I really enjoyed it 👏🏼

I will read everything Backman writes forever and it was so nice to be back in his brain for a full novel. I highlighted multiple lines per chapter and sometimes per page, and had to use a colour coding system for lines that made me laugh vs made me cry, such is the way with Backman books.

I loved Louisa and the gang, I loved how hopeful the ending was.

I’m always excited to recommend books that blend humor, emotion, and unforgettable characters—and *My Friends* by Fredrik Backman does just that. If you’re familiar with his writing, you know he has a knack for making you laugh one minute and get misty-eyed the next, and this novel is no exception.

At its heart, *My Friends* is a tribute to the kind of friendships that leave a lasting imprint on our lives. It follows a group of teenagers who find comfort in each other during one pivotal summer, and years later, their story resurfaces in an unexpected way. The narrative is framed around Louisa, a young artist who stumbles upon a painting connected to them and embarks on a journey to uncover its past—while also figuring out her own future.

This book is a beautiful exploration of the bonds we form, the art we leave behind, and the memories that shape us. It’s heartfelt, witty, and deeply moving—perfect for anyone who loves stories about friendship, nostalgia, and the unexpected ways our lives intertwine. Highly recommend!

Backman writes beautifully, period. His ability to create a heartfelt story about the things we consider so “every day” so poetically is outstanding. This book reminds you of the importance of the people in your life and friendships new and old. He has such a unique way of developing characters. The characters feel so “real”, readers are easily able to connect with them and connect with what they’re feeling.

Grief is a big topic in this book in more aspects than death but also loss and change. Reading this book for me at the time I’m at in my life was difficult which is why it took me over a month to finish but that does not take away from the beauty of the writing or the story itself.

A beautiful story about life, loss, love and friendship, a must read if you’re a general fiction lover and particularly if you’re a fan of Fredrik Backman.

Very grateful for NetGalley and Atria books for allowing me to read and review a digital copy of this beautiful book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you netgalley and the publisher for the arc - I was bouncing around my lounge when I saw the notification come through!!

This was a super anticipated book for me despite never reading from Bachman before. I hear nothing but astounding reviews for his previous books, so I was thrilled to be able to start this before its release.

The writing style caught me off guard to begin with, I wasn’t expecting him to write with such humor amongst the sadness and commentary. It is SUCH a quotable book, I have so many highlighted sections and parts that really resonated with me. Sometimes the humor felt a little off and childish which unfortunately drew me out of the story, though.

I did find it hard to get into the groove of the story. I kept picking it up and putting it down, not feeling super connected to the characters or what was unfolding. I think it was perhaps a little too long, or would’ve benefited from an immersive read with the audio to help move things along. But despite that I’m glad that I stuck with it and let myself get absorbed in his writing - Bachman has such a ‘simplistic’ yet strong writing voice, it truly is a joy to read.

Grab your highlighters and a box of tissues!!

I am devastated to give this book a 2 star rating. Backman is one of my favorite authors of all time but this story took me nearly 40 days to read because I kept getting so bored. I found that I couldn’t connect to any character and when ai got close, the chapter ended and it switched to present day.

Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book.

“Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?” - The Summer Day, Mary Oliver

As soon as I read this quote I knew this book was going to be magic. Fredrik Backman has a way of writing characters perfectly flawed while also being believable. Louisa and Ted were the perfect, unsuspecting main characters for this story and I loved the back and forth timelines. Learning the story of the friends along with Louisa kept me interested and at times felt eager to keep reading. Backman writes stories about human connection so beautifully. Definitely add this to your list of new releases to watch for!

• thank you to netgalley & atria books for an ARC of My Friends. All thoughts are my own :)

“I wouldn’t have swapped those idiots for a thousand childhoods.”

"It’s a funny thing. The person we fall in love with, we hardly ever call by their name. Because it’s somehow just so obvious that it’s you I’m talking to, that it’s you I’m always thinking of. Who else?"

i am speechless about how much i had loved this book and the experience i had while reading it. throughout reading this book i had felt every single emotion possible. i was crying, laughing & even laughing while crying at some points. no words could fully describe my feelings for this amazing book.

i love every single one of the characters and loved being able to learn more about them and what made them the way that they are. i do wish we had learned more about louisa and her past but still loved hearing about everyone else in the story. while reading this, i felt like i was in the story itself and experiencing everything that was happening and felt thoroughly connected to every character.

this book has instantly become one of my favorites and will forever recommend it to everyone i talk to.

Fredrik Backman has a way of capturing the depths of human emotion like few authors can, and My Friends is yet another masterpiece that tugs at the heartstrings. From the very first page, I was completely invested in the story, drawn into the lives of the characters with Backman’s signature blend of humor, warmth, and heartbreak.

Fans of his previous works will absolutely love this book. Backman’s storytelling remains as captivating as ever, weaving together moments of joy, sorrow, and deep introspection. His ability to make everyday life feel extraordinary is on full display, and the emotional weight of the story is undeniable.

I found myself tearing up multiple times, overwhelmed by the raw honesty in his writing. The relationships, the struggles, the quiet moments of love and loss—all of it hit hard. Backman doesn’t just tell a story; he makes you feel it in your bones. My Friends is a beautiful, moving novel that lingers in your heart long after you’ve turned the last page.

first off, I want to thank Atria Books and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I fell in love with Backmans writing from the moment I read his amazing book “A Man Called Ove” so I was incredibly excited and honoured to have received an ARC of this book. This book was phenomenal, heartbreakingly beautiful. I laughed and cried. The story was so beautifully written I couldn’t stop reading. I couldn’t believe he’d done it again. Wrote another masterpiece. The characters in this book reminded me of the characters in the movie “Stand By Me” coming from different homes, different backgrounds.. what they all went through and how the power of friendship truly can save a person from ending it all. I was invested in every line. Backman never misses. His messages always truly mean something.

I almost didn't give this book a fair chance when I began reading it... Thankfully I got over my hesitation, because by the end, I was barely able to read the words on the page through the tears welling up in my eyes. This was, simply put, a beautiful novel. Full of heartbreak, laughter, violence, death, and SO MUCH LIFE.

Backman has this way of writing about simple moments and turning them into the most heartwarming or heart-wrenching sentences you've ever read. His writing style is not for everyone, but I urge you to give it a shot. I compare the narration of this novel (and some of his others, quite frankly) to the zooming in of a camera lens... It's as if the reader is in the sky looking down on this cast of 4 teenagers and feeling so outside of their jokes, idiosyncrasies, insults, and hardships (even their names!) and as we learn more about them, their history, their plans for the future, and their drive to just live and be happy, you feel a part of them, completely absorbed by their love for one another, laughing alongside them, clenching your fists when they get hurt, and crying when they feel sad (and boy is there a lot of it).

This is a book about art, about love and friendship, a book about grief and the happiness of infinite nows, about small towns and breaking cycles; but most of all, it's a book reminding you to live life to the fullest and appreciate the beauty in everyone and everything around you.

I wish with all my heart that I could give this book 5 stars... Fredrik Backman is my favorite author of all time, his prose is just beyond this word!
And this book is good, it is really good, but sadly it isn't quite a 5.
A few tropes are a little overdone, a little too much is still left unsaid, a few switcheroo's that just didn't work for me. Still, a solid 4, definitely worth reading. So much to gain here, and Backman definitely delivers.
This book is about friendship and art, about belonging, find your people and finding yourself.
Four down and out kids grow up the best of friends in a small town, one gets out. He becomes a world famous artist. Near the end of his life he meets a young girl who he see's something special in. On his death bed, he tells his best friend to give her his most famous painting. Said friend finds the girl, also a down-and-out sort of person, and they begin a long journey home. Along the way the friend tells the girl the life story of the four friends. She gets invested in the lives of these people (so did I!) and it is interesting at the end to see how it all turns out.
Yes, I know this synopsis is a bit vague, but I don't want to give anything away - go read it for yourself!
Anything Fredrik Backman writes is worth reading!! (Just check out his Instagram page, his posts are the very best.)

This may be one of my top books ever. Backman has a way of making you want to highlight nearly every other sentence. He's thought-provoking and drops you into the soul of multiple characters all at once. You'll fall in love with every single one of his "friends" in this book and hang on every word. Brilliant!

As some who has a lot of Backman’s titles in my favorites of all time shelf, tragically “My Friends” was my first miss from this author. “My Friends” has an intriguing premise of reflecting on adolescence, what art represents & the power of human connection. We follow both Louisa in the modern day as a freshly turned 18 year old as she struggles to find her place in the world without her best friend. Her other main love in her life is the painting, On the Sea. On the Sea was painted by “the artist” 25 years prior and represents the love he had for his friends during that time and how all of them were trying to get out of what life expected from them. To not go into major details, the novel follows Louisa meeting that friend group now and the friend group when they were 15.

While I found some great nuance in the emotions surrounding grief and how art is viewed, I kept being taken out of the story due the excessive amount of fart jokes. I understand the intention but really every 10 pages, a fart joke, really? Also in my opinion that would have worked better if they were younger, but like at 15 … really. It read more as cringey, it wasn’t endearing and just felt like a basic way to convey a “childlike” character rather than the delve into more stuff they did as kids. I just never felt like I really knew the 15 year olds, just that they found farts funny.

This just seems to be a case of this book isn’t for me, I know a lot of people will adore this book but it’s not for me. I didn’t connect to Louisa at all and found her grating, which I love that Backman choses to show people flaws and all but just never clicked for me here. Would have loved this a heck of a lot more if the humor wasn’t so crude and surface level. And I’m not disagreeing that farts are funny, they are occasionally (key-word occasionally).