It’s been awhile since I’ve read a Backman book but I’ve loved every one so I came into this with fairly high expectations. I’m bit shocked that this wasn’t an easy 5 stars for me. The writing felt repetitive and immature and I just couldn’t connect. I normally find Backman to be hilarious and it hurt me to feel a cringe as I read the jokes here. I felt this pushing me into a reading slump and decided I simply didn’t care where the rest of the book was going to go. I accept by the glowing 5 star reviews that I’m vastly in the minority so take this with a grain of salt. Not every book is for every reader. I’m happy it resonated for so many others, though!

in what i think could be fredriks best book, there is nothing not to like. i might start a petition to create a genre called fictional self help, because even fredrik book reminds you how to breathe and understand why you’ve become so grumpy, angry or sad as an adult. the key to life is being able to experience all emotions and that’s what you get in “my friends”. dark sunshine at its best!

**ARC Review
PUB Date: May 20th 2025

Fredrik Backman delivers yet another masterpiece with My Friends. The book is an emotional and raw exploration of human connection, packed with the incredible writing that has become his trademark. Backman’s ability to weave complex emotions into simple, everyday moments is truly extraordinary.

The main character initially comes off as irritating, but as the story progresses, she slowly reveals layers of vulnerability and strength, making her transformation deeply satisfying to witness.

Backman’s storytelling is both heartfelt and thought-provoking, drawing you into a narrative that stays with you long after you turn the last page.

Highly recommended for those who love deeply human stories about growth, friendship, and redemption.

Backman proves once again why he is one of the best story tellers of all time. He just has a way of making you feel every emotion. This book really makes you feel like you are in the story. Everyone should experience this book it’s such a masterpiece.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC! My Friends by Fredrik Backman is a witty, coming of age novel about a young girl whose aged out of the foster care system and a grown man whose aged just lost his best friend. Throughout their journey across miles by train, they learn about each others pasts, their hopes and their dreams. They realize that they have more in common with each other than either could have imagined. Though they grew up worlds apart, their stories are so similar that one might think they were from the same town. Their only common link was the artist of the famous painting but their time together will create a bond that is as strong as that of family which they have both desperately wanted their whole lives. Overall, a touching, true to life story that I would highly recommend.

This was a good story about friendship and definitely had some emotional bits , but nothing major that made me weep, which I kind of expected for some reason.

Unfortunately one of the main characters is an 18 year old but she is extremely immature I found , especially after all she’s been through. She acted more like a 12 year old .. this super bugged me .

The way everything played out was super underwhelming and once I finished the book my first thought was .. wow that was boring . 😴

Bleh . Also way too much farting in this book ... I was grossed out rather than finding it humorous.

Probably the best Fredrik Backman novel I've read, and I loved Ove. The character flaws and behaviors he gives Ali, Joar, Ted and KimKim are so believable and touching, you swear you know a child like each one of them.

So many great quotes from this book. "Art is empathy" "Winks from Heaven" and many others. I hope he wins a book award for this story and it's made into a movie. Backman deserves all the accolades for this one.

I don't really know where to start with this review. I feel like this book touched my soul. It made me cry, it made me laugh and it gave me chills. It was such an incredibly touching read. I felt like I was brought on an adventure with the characters and in the end they were my friends just as much they were friends. Each character was well developed and so well written that I have a hard time grasping that they're not real. It was such a magical story and don't think I'll ever forget it.

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for providing me with this ARC.

Absolute perfection. As if there was any doubt. I don’t want to give spoilers but if you’re a fan at all of Fredrik (and even if you’re not) please add this to your TBR! Such a stunning story of friendship, grief, and just life!

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!!! I was sooooo excited to get approved and dropped everything to read this book. WOW! It did not disappoint!!! Louisa is an 18 year old foster who is going to the art museum to see a famous painting. As she is accused of trying to destroy it , in her getaway she stumbles into a most unsuspecting character. The story iinterweaves between current day and of 4 friends 25 years ago. I loved all of the characters - especially Joar!!! Coming of age, discovering who we are, and the world around us. I will be thinking of this book for quite some time!!! DEFINITELY RECOMMEND!!!

Fredrik Backman never misses!!! There is no other author who can manipulate my emotions with words as easily as he can. I laughed, I cried, and I think I had goosebumps the entire time.
This book is like a beautiful collection of memories, absolutely bursting with nostalgia, that takes us along on a journey, both through the present and back to the past, with some of the most lovable yet realistic characters I've ever known. It is such a beautiful homage to not only art and artists everywhere but also to humanity. Backman's empathy bleeds off the page as he delves into the complexities of human relationships. He understands who his characters are on the most profound level, it makes you feel like he would understand you, too.

Thank you to NetGalley and publishers for an ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Every once in a long while, you read one of those books that changes your perception of everything. This book is one of those books, one that will have a mark on my heart forever. This was one of the most brilliant, emotional, and beautiful pieces of art I have ever had the honor of reading.

The way this book articulates what art is, what friendship is, what love is, and what trust is, was absolutely magical and life-changing.

3 tiny figures sit at the corner of one of the most famous, well-known paintings in the world. Louisa, an artist inspired by the painting, is determined to find out the story behind it. 25 years earlier, the painting arose from a group of teenagers were seeking refuge from their tumultuous home lives, giving each other a reason to dream and keep fighting: Joar, Ali, Ted, and the artist himself.

This story encompasses heavy topics, like grief, sadness, mental health struggles, addiction. It was also a story brimming with hope, love, friendship, and the importance of found family.

Fredrik’s writing spoke to me in a way very few authors have. The way he writes is mesmerizing; he is a breath of fresh air. This is not a book you simply move on from when you finish, this is a book that you will think about forever, that will have you phoning your loved ones and telling you that you love them and trust them.

Deep, moving, real, brilliant, and one-of-a-kind. One of my favorite books of all time, and the book that has changed my perception on life the most.

“For the janitor it was a blessing, for the boy who would become the artist, it was a miracle. Because all that spring the boy wanted to die.”

“We’re not allowed to die for our children, the universe won’t let us, because then there wouldn’t be any mothers left.”

“I believed in God when I saw him paint.”

My Friends is a beautifully written and heartbreaking story about friendship, dreams, and so much more. This book broke my heart multiple times and slowly pieced it together.

I knew this was going to be a 5 star read not even halfway through. It’s one that has left a mark on my heart. I don’t think I’ll ever get over Fredrik Backman’s writing and the characters he creates. His writing makes me feel as if Im right there with the characters and has a way of pulling each of my heartstrings.

I loved learning about each of the characters. Their friendship was so special. It’s a beautiful thing to have a group of people you can rely on and form strong bonds with that will last a lifetime. “I love you. I trust you.”. They all deserve the world and more.


Thank you so much Netgalley and Atria for the arc!

Much gratitude to Atria Books and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy. I do believe this is now one of my favorite Backmans. Who knew that Fredrik would gift us two books back to back - one a novella about trash and two a book about farts. Okay, this book is about more than farts, but about friendship. “In a good summer, everything is all just bicycles and comic books and salt water, time being wasted with the sun on your face. One or two small farts, one or two little giggles.” I keep remembering a photo of me and two friends, a friend farted before the take and we are all laughing so hard in the photo. Yes, we are giggling and look absolutely joyful. Oh, the memories. I absolutely loved The Goldfinch-ness (this book centers around one piece of art), and especially the call out to Donna Tartt. “It’s a secret whisper from an alleyway. Psst, you. Hey kid. Yes, you.”

Read this book!!! It will be released on May 20th.

Thanks to Netgally and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for honest review!
Wow. It is very rare for me to know a book is going to be fantastic from the first chapter. I knew immediately that I needed to savor every word in every chapter to try to make this book last as long as possible. I knew right off the bat that I would wish I could go back and read this book for the first time. Everything single part of this book gets 5 stars. The story, the characters, the feelings it envokes....all 5 shining perfect stars. The characters are funny, sad, idiotic and, completely relatable. This is a story about friendship, grief, life, art.....and farts. I honestly can't believe a book can be this utterly amazing while mentioning farts so many times lol
This book is going to win awards. This book is going to make you laugh and cry and reminisce on your childhood. Just read it. I think everyone should experience the hug that is this book.

Every time I read one of Backman’s works, it feels like catching up with an old friend I haven’t seen in a while. It’s comforting, makes me laugh, makes me cry, gives me a sense of nostalgia, and leaves me wanting more. My Friends was no different. Throughout the book I knew there would be heartbreak and sadness, but Backman always leaves you holding out hope that things will turn out for the characters involved. This was a beautiful story of friendship, new and old, and how it changes us for the better.

10 stars rounded down to 5 because I don’t have a choice. I don’t know how any book could possibly top this for me this year. What a privilege it was to read and experience. I’ve never highlighted so many things, PROFOUND things, in any book ever.

I won’t say what it’s about because finding that out as you go is part of the magic. But what a beautiful love letter to art, to friendships, to childhood, to humanness. Prepare to sob and then to laugh out loud while the tears are still running. I don’t know what noise I made when I finished, but it was some combination of a cheer and a scream. I didn’t want this to end, I could live inside this book. One of those books you’ll forever wish you could read again for the first time.

READ IT.

📖ARC Review

PUB Date : May 19th 2025
Pages : 448

My Rating : 💚💛🧡❤️🩵

I hope I can do this book justice with my review and like a quote referenced in the book I have learned I can Trust this author whom I’ve grown to love ❣️

“I’m insanely good at destroying things , lady .Everyone I love dies.”

“That’s all of life .All we can hope for.You mustn’t think about the fact that it might end,because then you’ll live like a coward , you never love too much or sing too loudly.”

This is a story within a story.

You’ll never have friends today like you did when you were 15.

Backman writes these imperfectly perfect characters that are so raw , real , tender & broken who we cheer for because they are One of Us 🫶🏼

The story jumps back and forth between past and present of 25 years and how an 18 year old girl named Louisa meets a complete stranger who changes her life forever and how another stranger finds friendship and leans to love 💛

I loved every moment in this book , my highlighter feature on my kindle got the best workout of its life , I am so thankful to have been introduced to this author ( thanks to Bookstagram) because he is one of my favourites that writes really , really special stories and this is one of them 🙏

And if you’ve come this far and need more convincing check out the photos 🎨

Thank you NetGalley , Atria Books & Fredrik Backman for this quirky heartwarming ARC !

"My Friends" is for all of us who are grown up, yet not grown up. It bridges friendship, being seen and known, and interweaves a beautiful story of growing up and becoming all while dealing with loss, grief, and moving forward despite the life and it's setbacks. I wasn't expecting "My Friends" to be what it was for me and here I am sitting in sadness that it is over. Fredrik Backman has a way to intertwine characters into your heart and share through memories and snaps of time that create a beautiful piece of work. I also believe that there is a level of artists in all of us that will love and connect naturally to the journey throughout. I loved, loved, loved the portrayal of C. Jat, and Louisa and how it spans generations of being part of "My Friends" and the life of artists. It makes me think of those of the past that have paved the way for the new and how many artists would respond with their art being what it has become. I mean I think of VanGogh, Monet, Seurat and the madness and brilliance that they brought to life. Did people think they were wacky? Absolutely. DId they go through extreme hardships and difficulties? Again, yes. Here we are as humans on the other side of the gallery marveling at the masterpieces that they created. C. Jat and Louisa, Ted, and Fish all are characters that will leave you longing for the soft moments of life.

Thank you to Fredrik Backman for this brilliant piece of work that I will without a doubt recommend to friends and buy on pre-order even after having read the ARC. Thank you Net Galley and Atria Books for the ARC to start 2025. I anticipate that "My Friends" will captivate others hearts as it did mine.

Such a beautiful story of friendship, found family and faith in others. Filled with Backman’s signature quirky humor softening the sadness. Just when you are about to lose hope for a happy ending, he crafts the most beautiful, sweet ending possible. Loved this.