✨Book Review ✨

My Friends by Fredrik Backman
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️


Fredrik Backman is a literary genius in my eyes and will forever be one of my favorite authors. His ability to tell stories and capture the human experience is unparalleled. This book is no exception!

My Friends paints an exquisite story about the friends you have when you are 14. The complex story is told when an artist finds “one of us” in 18 year old Lousia. The story is woven between past and present, but as Lousia she says when hearing the story, “it’s happening to me now”. To me the story felt so lifelike I felt like I was on the train with them listening to the story. I had the same fears and emotions while listening. I literally laughed out loud and cried so many times while reading this book, it truly is a beautiful journey about the capacity for humans to love.

I have nothing but praise for this book and can’t wait to get my hands on a physical copy on pub day!



P.S. Please learn from my mistake and read this privately, unless you don’t care about laughing out loud and crying in public 🤷‍♀️

✨Pub Date 5/20✨




*Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for the eARC in exchange for an honest review 💌




Review will be posted on both Goodreads and instagram on publication day

I really loved A Man Called Ove but have struggled with some of Backman's works that have characters with deeper trauma. This new book probably fits more comfortably in the latter category. But, as always, it was very nicely written and absorbing and I think Backman fans and new readers will both probably be quite happy with this sad and sweet read!

A very moving book that ties in themes of art, friendship, belonging, grief and more.

Louisa is turning 18, and has just run away from a foster home. She is determined to see a piece of art that’s become a life line to her. But then her life changes again when she bumps into a set of friends whose history is filled with trauma, belonging and love; this is their story.

I love how Backman sees the world and especially flawed and vulnerable characters. I went back to his Instagram page to see what he said about this book, and he notes it is based on his own friendships and the language we use in those lifelong cliques. If you have ever had a group like this you’ll know exactly what he means and it’s a love letter to friendship and belonging even if you don’t feel like you belong anywhere else. The ending was satisfying, the messages were lovely. I want to shout “tomorrow!” To my friends every day (this was a phrase the friends used in the book). I think fans, ironically, of Tomorrowx3 will adore this one.

Some might think my review is biased simply because Backman is a favorite author of mine.
Given that, this is a wonderful superb book. It is about profound friendships of 4 teenagers under difficult circumstances and secondarily, but absolutely essential to the novel, about art and initially undiscovered genius. It will make you laugh heartily but tear up and cry just as deeply. It’s about true deep friendships ("I love you and I trust you”) and the sacrifices we make for friends. It is a story of dysfunctional families and the harm they can cause their children (physically and emotionally). And for me, it is above all a story about love. All of us could only wish to have/had such profound friendships in our lives. I read and reread so many sections that I can’t tell you if the book is long-all I can ask of you is that you read it and I hope it speaks to you as it did to me.

Fredrik Backman does it again! A heartfelt, emotional story of two unlikely friends. Beautifully written.

Wow, he's done it again. In a most unconventional way, Backman has woven together a touching story of friendship. I loved the multiple POVs used to tell the story. I have given this 5 stars, which is rare for me. One of the things Backman does so well is develop characters (Beartown series is a great example as well). Through his unique storytelling method, he makes the reader fall in love with these people. Incredible.

What an emotional ride. This depicts friendship in the most amazing way. The characters each stand out in their own way. Easily could see this being the best book of 2025.

In this beautifully crafted coming of age novel, Backman illuminates the mantra "friends are the family we choose." (Although more than once that choice began after literally running into the person.). Backman once again shows his deep understanding of neurodivergence and the impact of childhood trauma. He has a unique way of infusing humor and hope into a potentially heart breaking and depressing story.

Thanks to NetGalley, Fredrik Backman and Simon & Schuster for an ARC of My Friends! My Friends is a brilliant masterpiece of fiction. On the surface, it is a story about the summer that a group of friends lost the glow of childhood. But it’s so much more than that. The emotional depth and breadth of this novel is both uplifting and crushing all at once. You will feel everything while reading this book. Louisa, Ted, the artist, Joar, Fish and Ali are written so clearly that you leave the book feeling like these are people you have known for years.

I really enjoyed the storytelling format that Backman used for My Friends, where it felt as though I was sitting in the train car with Louisa and Ted and got to experience the story in the same way as Louisa. This is one instance where time jumps truly added to the story vs. taking away.

Even though they lived decades apart, Louisa has a special bond with the artist, Ted, Ali and Joar.

“She’s one of us.”

Many reviewers are gushing about My Friends. I completely agree. Its impact is deep. It’s a darker, complex story with moments of happiness.

The novel covers sad subject matter, but Backman writes so beautifully you won’t want to miss a sentence. It’s so amazing. I paused and reread so many paragraphs. Sigh. I will reread this book again.

I come from a large reading family. I’m always thrilled to tell them when a new Fredrik Blackman book is coming out.

Thank you NetGalley, the author and publisher for the ARC of My Friends. I received this complimentary ebook in exchange for an unbiased and honest review.

Fredrick Backman writes stories and characters that sneak under my skin and bones and shove me face first into my feelings. My Friends might have been the story that made me feel the most. By the second chapter, I felt seen. By the sixth chapter, I was in tears. This is a beautiful story that is simultaneously heart-warming and heart-breaking; I’m sure it will be one of my favorite books of 2025.

My Friends is a book for those who
- Love Beartown with everything they have
- Need another character like Benji
- Are fine laughing and crying in the span of one page
- Feel a connection to art
- Would do anything for their friends
- Love annotating/highlighting their books

Once again, Fredrik Backman knocks the ball out of the park with another incredibly powerful story. My Friends shows the lengths that a person will go to for those that one loves. A truly moving story about friendship, grief, love, and the life-changing power of art.

17 year old artist Louisa's entire life fits in her worn-out backpack. Inside is a postcard with an image of a world famous painting that has become her motivation and hope. When she unexpectedly meets the artist of the painting while she is on the run, and the priceless painting ends up in her care, her world is changed. Now on a new adventure, she is given the true meaning behind the three figures in the piece of art. Four teenagers each with tragic backstories who give each other a reason to dream. Backman's writing style makes the story come to life before your eyes and gives every character such depth that you feel their emotions personally. I laughed, I cried, I celebrated with the characters, and I will never forget this memorable experience of a book.

4.5 stars rounded up.

“My Friends” by Fredrik Backman is a highly emotional and brilliantly written novel. It’s about a teenage girl who has been in foster care for most of her rough life and has just lost her best friend. As an aspiring artist her drawings and love of art are what’s kept her alive. She has one treasured item that she has kept with her, a postcard of a world famous painting that she identifies with. As she flees the foster system to see the painting with her own eyes in a museum, she very unexpectedly meets the artist in a back alley. This is the begining of the fantastic and sad journey told in dual timelines about the artist’s life, the masterpiece he painted and the important humans that kept him alive. This encounter will forever change her life as she comes to terms with her own tragedies and uniqueness.
Nobody has the ability to describe human behavior and flawed characters like Mr. Backman. The book is an extraordinary lesson in friendship, loyalty and the power of love even through the darkest moments of one’s life. I highly recommend this book to everyone!

Thank you NetGalley and Altria Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Backman, consistent with his distinctive approach, adeptly crafts a narrative and characters that elicit a range of emotions, from humor to sorrow. I hold a deep appreciation for this author, as he is my preferred choice when seeking respite from the intensity of thrillers.

My Friends is ultimately the story of friendship and how it shapes, and sometimes saves, us. From the first page; Backman reaches in, grabs your heart, and doesn’t let go until the last page. He is one of my favorite authors and the way the story unfolds, often in unexpected ways, is masterful.

The story is told both present day and with flashbacks and is the story of a group of friends, as well as a new friend in present day. It was at times quite sad but in others very funny. I love how he writes his characters; whether good, horrendous, or somewhere in between they all play an important role in the story.

It’s really rare that a book makes me cry, the reticent Swede I am. This one had me in tears by chapter 8, a record for me. Mildly embarrassing too as I was reading while dining solo in a restaurant in Porto.

Just a caution for my fellow tenderhearted readers. If there is content that is an issue for you, I highly recommend checking the content warnings for this one. There are several very difficult subjects covered that were at times an issue for me. I’m very glad I read it and think it is a really important book, but wasn’t always an easy read.

I highly recommend the newest book by Fredrik Backman, and I am sure fans of his Beartown series will love this story.

Thank you to the publisher Atria Books, author Fredrik Backman, and NetGalley for the gifted digital ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria books for an ARC of this e-book in exchange for my honest opinion.

All I can say is "Wow"!! This book met my expectations and more. I wish it was possible to give this book more than 5 stars. I am going to go out on a limb and say this even if this is only the start of the year, that this will be my favorite book of 2025. I have been a huge fan of Fredrik Backman for years, but this may just be my favorite. No one writes like Backman. If someone gave me one of his books without a cover or title page, I am positive that I could identify his writing. When I read his books, I can't devour them in a short time because I have to savor his sentences. I have so many of his passages bookmarked so that I can go back and reread them. Years from now, I am sure that I will remember each one of his wonderful, quirky, flawed, but lovable characters. Ted, KimKim, Ali, Joar and Louisa feel so real that you will feel their pain and joy as if they were your own friends. If you are a Backman fan, you are in for a real treat when the book comes out later this year!

5 ⭐️

As a huge Backman fan, I was both excited and nervous to read this latest book. I can happily say that it did not disappoint! I am already looking forward to a re-read when it is published in May. I will say that the subject matter is a little darker than other Fredrik Backman reads, but this is definitely one of my favorites.

Like his other books, Backman once again excels at creating a storyline and characters that make the reader laugh out loud and cry easily. I lost count at the number of times I teared up while reading. I also had a few moments where I had to set down the book, cry, process what I just read, and then continue reading. This one will give you all the feels and, if you’re anything like me, that’s your favorite part of a Backman book.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for an advanced copy of this novel.

I was so excited to be approved for an early copy of My Friends by Fredrik Backman. I was almost nervous to read it as my expectations were so high. My Friends absolutely did not disappoint!! Fredrik Backman continues to amaze me with his writing. Characters to cheer for, an amazing grasp of the human experience and absolutely beautiful writing. This story of a group of teenage friends and their impact on a lonely stranger had me laughing and crying. It is a story I won't soon forget. Thank you to NetGalley, Atria Books, and Fredrik Backman for the advanced copy.

A postcard of a famous painting is one of the few possessions nearly 18-year-old Louisa has carried with her through the foster care system. She's looked at the postcard countless times, so when the opportunity comes to see the real thing in person, she comes up with the perfect plan. Unfortunately, she's never been great at sticking to plans and soon she's being thrown out of the auction and literally running straight into the person who completely changes the course of her life.

Louisa's journey to uncover the muses for the painting takes her on an adventure that proves kindred spirits exist, and you often find them in the most unexpected places. Told from the present to reflections of the past, the dual-timeline flows beautifully as the full story unfolds from the friends 25 years ago who depended on each other through the tragedies they faced, to Louisa who has no one to count on.

Full of humor, heartache, and hope, Fredrik Backman pens a beautifully written story about the impact of love and art. It's been a long time since a book left me feeling so attached to its fictional characters. The weight of their struggles, the pain in their losses, and the pull to each other felt so authentic, that I felt lost when I finished the last page. This is a story that will stay with me for a long time and has become my first favorite of 2025.

A huge thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for providing me with this eARC, I'm so grateful!