Every page of this book is infused with bittersweet nostalgia for summer breaks with your childhood friends. Backman is able to capture the pain and joy of growing up and growing apart. Each character is distinct and lifelike and added slowly enough to give the reader time to learn each of them. Despite using a split timeline to tell two stories parallel to each other, I found both equally interesting and rarely was disappointed to find us returning to one over the other. The writing style is very introspective, spending paragraphs between each event with the internal reactions from the characters to said event before moving on, this may be offputting to some readers but I found it very enjoyable and these sections contained some of my favourite moments of the book. The perfect summer read that will make you laugh, cry, and call your childhood friends. Check trigger warnings.

Storygraph review: https://app.thestorygraph.com/reviews/259fd41f-0c8b-4fdc-a370-a70f5426b318
Tiktok review: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8FcxA7X/
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As a massive Fredrik Backman fan, this is by far my favorite book of his, and that's not a small feat. This book takes a deep dive into friendship and a real love story, and about finding yourself while also learning to move on. I laughed and cried throughout this entire book and by the end, I was a blubbering mess.

This book follows four people who met at just the age of 15 and were a little lost in life but united through art. Regardless of the cards that were given to them, as long as they had each other, they were solid. There's not much to say without spoiling it however, I think it's safe to say that all four of these characters find their way and become the hero of their own story in their own right. I cannot rave enough about this book and insist that you read this. I truly believe that this might make the list of best books of 2025.


Favorite quote: " That's all of life. All we can hope for. You mustn't think about the fact that it might end, because then you live like a coward, you never love too much or sing too loudly. You have to take it for granted..."

Fredrik Backman’s My Friends is a deeply moving and beautifully written story about the enduring power of friendship and art. It follows a group of teenagers who find solace and purpose on a seaside pier, creating bonds that echo through time. Decades later, aspiring artist Louisa uncovers their story through a mysterious painting, embarking on a journey that transforms her life.

Backman’s signature blend of humor and heart shines in this novel, capturing the joy, pain, and resilience of human connection. The characters are unforgettable, and the exploration of how small moments can ripple across generations is masterful.

Rating: 5/5 stars

My Friends by Fredrik Backman is a novel that transcends time to tell the story of four friends, and their impact on the life of a teenage girl twenty-five years later. Louisa meets the man who painted her favorite work of art completely by chance. After running into the artist, Louisa slowly unravels the story behind her favorite painting, “The One of the Sea.” Both the painting and the novel tell the tale of four friends, one summer, the sea, and the inextricable threads that tie them together, even twenty-fives years later.

As usual, Fredrik Backman has created a beautiful book about youth, loss, and what it means to navigate being a person. Joar, Kimkim, Ali, Ted, and Louisa leap off the page, and tug at your heartstrings from the very beginning. Backman employs his usual wonderful writing, full of endlessly quotable lines and perfectly captures the aching joy of childhood friendships.

I did find this to be a bit slow-paced at times, and it felt as though the story ran a bit longer than it needed to; however, I’ll read anything Fredrik Backman writes, and this was no exception!

his had all the hallmarks of Backman’s work that make him one of my favorites. Lovable underdog characters, beautiful reflections on relationships, subtle social commentary, little twists.

I did, interestingly, find myself asking if this was teetering into corny in moments; almost like Backman turned the dials of what makes his work brilliant too far up. Maybe that’s more a reflection of me and my own cynicism in an especially tough week?

Overall, Backman will keep his spot on my Mount Rushmore of authors and I’d for sure recommend picking this up, especially if you liked some of his other stand alone novels.

Many thanks to Atria for the ARC!

I liked this book, but it was not one of my favorites by Fredrik Backman. The story was slow developing, and did not hold my interest. It wasn't until the very end that I didn't want to put this book down.

25 years ago 3 boys spent a summer avoiding their abusive homes and a painting was born that launched a career.
Now a young girl raised in foster homes owns the painting and creates a new life for herself while trying to decide what best to do with it.

Fredrik Backman is, simply put, a literary genius. Time and time again, he delivers novels that are not only original but so impactful. My Friends, his latest novel, might just be my new favorite—and that’s saying something, considering how much I’ve adored every single one of his books.

This witty, emotional, and deeply moving novel explores the power of friendship in all its forms—the unexpected bonds, the chosen family, and the relationships that shape our lives in ways we never see coming. The journey Backman takes readers on is raw, real, and utterly unforgettable. His characters, both main and supporting, feel like people you’ve known forever, and they’ll stay with you long after you’ve turned the final page.

My Friends is in a league of its own, a book that balances heartbreak and humor, leaving you both shattered and uplifted. Without a doubt, this will be one of my top reads of the year. I didn’t think it was possible to love his work more, but here we are—all the stars for this absolute gem!

Book reviews often begin with the description and, at times, quotes from the book to support why they like or dislike what they have read.

I’m not going to do that. I want you to experience every word, every sentence, every everything just as I did. All for the first time. 

Therefore this review is solely based on emotion.

That’s why we read books. Isn’t it?

To be stirred? Stimulate the imagination? Step in another’s shoes? Maybe we do so just because we want to feel.  

Every time we crack open a book we wish, and hope, for so much.

That’s why we read books.  

But then, there’s THAT book. That magnificent page turning beauty we hope it will be.  We all want it. When we hear that binding crinkle it’s first time we are hoping - wishing - it will be something we haven’t experienced before. 

I think we are all realistic enough to know we’re not going to find something amazing every time we open one.  But we are graciously willing to. accept a “that was good, I liked that,” book and we are on to the next. 

This book, however, is different. You CAN WISH for something extraordinary. 

Wish for something beautiful.

For something thoughtful and kind. 

Wish for something poetic and artistic. 

For a story not told before - even if you can liken it to others you’ve read (it was A Little Life for me).

Wish for picture-perfect imperfections with brief and calming respites for your heart. This way the rest of your body can catch up to how hard it is beating. 

One you could read again and again, finding more beauty in each experience.

Wish for the book you want to wake up with in the morning, nestled in your arms, not wanting to let these people go (I felt that with A Man Called Ove).

Because when you have finished you’ll realize My Friends will forever be a part of you. 

You will feel a want - maybe even a need - to be a kinder and more understanding person than you already are. 

You will be stirred by memories of your youth. 

You will feel something profound happening in your chest … You’ll realize it is your heart growing larger.

But most of all, and best of all, you will find your wish had come true.

That’s why we read books.

Thank you NetGalley for this advanced copy.

It’s hard for me to be critical about any Fredrik Backman book as he has been such a favorite of mine over the years. My Friends was charming, poetic, and heartbreaking. My favorite parts of any Backman book is when he holds off a piece of characterization or a small detail until it’s absolutely necessary. I loved these friendships and they will stay with me for a long time

Fredrik Backman does it again! This is a story about friendship, coming of age, grief, abuse and is tied together with humour. The writing was lyrical and made me pause to digest it multiple times. Backman has a way of bringing his characters to life and making the reader feel compassion for them. This book didn’t have as big of an emotional impact as some of his novels did for me. I personally wasn’t able to connect as deeply with these characters. Thank you for the arc!

4.5/5

Ugh why does this author ALWAYS make me feel such a range of complicated emotions on such a grand scale????

For real though... Fredrik Backman is one of my absolute favorite authors so I know this review will be slightly biased and frankly I don't care because he deserves all the accolades for his ability to write and express emotion.

The story starts in typical fashion of some repetitive scenes from different POV to set the emotional groundwork and connections between characters. I would say because this story takes place in different timelines the setup is longer but once the story kicks off you are already so invested in the characters and their inner feelings that it makes the situations the characters find themselves in a roller coaster ride.

Imagine present timeline is "My Dinner with Andre" and the past timeline is "Stand By Me".

That being said, I thought at certain points I knew how the story would end, but again, as I usually am, I am surprised to see different outcomes. This story, though it deals with heavy topics of grief, alcoholism, addiction, abuse, complicated relationships, and death, is done in a way that feels respectful to victims. BE AWARE OF TRIGGER WARNINGS. Some scenes are graphic.

We never know exactly where the story takes place (city/country), but I felt that not knowing that detail allowed me to connect my own memories and experiences to different parts of the world. And not knowing where Ted or Louisa immigrated from allowed for empathy to be the main focus instead of biases. I appreciate being allowed to see people as their sum of their hearts, memories, and experiences rather than where they came from.

I have worked with foster youth, mental health, and social work for years now. Reading Louisa's experiences and behaviors, while frustrating, is pretty accurate for traumatic responses. Every time she started to trust or to believe in more in her life, my social work heart cried for happiness for her journey. What made this book so special to me is that each character is seen a whole and their growth is from love and support. We need more belief in people in the world that they will do the best that they are able and with care and love.

This book felt hopeful and nostalgic in one. It has given me motivation and excitement to hear more about my family and friends lives.

Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for an E-ARC of this heartwarming, gut wrenching, hopeful story.

I wasn't sure how I felt about this book, but I could not put it down. This is a story of hope and nostalgia! A story of old friends and new friends.I will definitely recommend this book and I won't forget it any time soon.

Fredrik Backman's My Friends is a heartwarming and humorous story about the enduring power of friendship. The novel follows four quirky, relatable teens as they navigate life's challenges and find solace in their bond. Backman's beautiful and poetic writing explores themes of love, loyalty, and the impact of childhood experiences. While the plot may feel predictable at times, the ending offers a surprising and touching resolution. This is a must-read for Backman fans and anyone who appreciates stories about the beauty of human connection. I received a copy of this book for review purposes.

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.

“The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate not knowing…not healing, not curing…that is a friend who cares.” – Henri Nouwen

“My Friends” is a book you wish you could read all over again so you can laugh, tear up, and be absolutely shocked when you read the ending. I can safely say that I was not expecting what Fredrik Backman had written in this book, but it’s an expectation that I am glad wasn’t met. This is my first time reading his book, and now I know why his books are so hyped up. And I’m so happy his writing lives up to the hype because–boy, oh, boy,--this story was so raw and beautiful.

The characters were so dadgum funny and so real. I was rooting for every single one them, hoping that each one had a happy ending to their story because, good Lord, they had rough lives. Louisa won me over with her sarcasm, bluntness, and kind heart. Ted’s shyness and longing to be left alone while being so loyal to those he loves is admirable. Joar’s readiness to defend those he loved even when it meant leaving him battered and broken brought a tear to my eye. Ali was a real firecracker and a true fighter but a great friend who brought laughter to the lives of her friends. And then there’s the artist. I resonated a lot with him. The self-doubt and inability to find worth in yourself that leads to self-hatred is heartbreaking. But he found joy in his art and his friends saw that. There is nothing more precious in this world than loving friends who would risk everything to get you where you need to be.

The plot, I thought, was predictable, but in the end, I was so surprised at how things panned out. I’m not going to spoil it by saying if it was good or bad, but I will say that it touched my heart. Backman’s writing is literally so beautiful and poetic. I was nodding and tearing up when the narrator would express why humans do what they do and how the way we treat children follows them into adulthood. The theme of friendship, love, and trust was so wholesome and it made me all the more grateful for the friends and family that I have who are there for me and I them. This book will definitely make you reflect on life and how we treat others. As Plato said, “Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a harder battle.”

There are trigger warnings in this book, so keep that in mind.

All in all, I think this is a great book and I recommend it if you love Backman’s works or if you have yet to read any of his books. I will definitely be reading his other books because wow. He can really write.

I received an ARC from the publishers via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions and statements are my own.

ALL THE STARS for Fredrik Backman's latest, "My Friends"!!!!! Deeply moving this story of four friends and the painting about them was impossible to put down and I think it's the author's best work ever!! (yes, better than "Ove") The humor and "fart jokes" were just chef's kiss perfect, too. I laughed & cried and could not put it down. No spoilers here & I can not recommend it highly enough!! It will be a big, big seller & likely my favorite book of the year! Thank you, thank you, thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for my advance readers copy - I loved it and am grateful for the opportunity to review it!

another home run for fredrik backman and i can’t wait to see what he does next. as always, i laughed, i cried, i furrowed my brow, and i gasped.

TL;DR: I’m torn between a 3 and a 4 on this one. It was a good read overall, with parts I truly loved, but the parts I didn’t enjoy, I REALLY didn’t enjoy. I still believe it is worth a read for it's good parts.

This is a story about art—both its creation and consumption —as well as friendship, love, trust and grief.

I enjoyed the portrayal of the teenagers and their family dynamics, each challenging in its own way but layered and nuanced rather than black-and-white. The teenagers felt realistic. I also appreciated how, amidst the bleakness of their lives, there was light and hope woven through the story.

That said, I felt the author sometimes exaggerated the contrasts: some bad events were a bit too dark, while some good moments were overly sweet (especially close to the ending).

I didn’t love how the first half dragged, with long, detailed descriptions of the characters’ feelings while little actually happened. Additionally, the teenage characters seemed to have hardly grown 25 years later, behaving much the same as they did in their youth.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for the opportunity to read and review this book!

Fredrik Backman never fails to give me a book hangover. This story was so beautiful and masterfully written. Utter perfection