Dear Friend is a beautiful and uplifting companion for anyone looking to cultivate mindfulness, self-compassion, and personal growth throughout the year. With 365 short reflections, Michelle Maros offers a daily dose of encouragement and wisdom that feels like a gentle nudge from a trusted friend.

I loved the approachable format—bite-sized entries that can be read in just a few minutes make it easy to weave into a busy day. The tone is warm and supportive, reminding readers to slow down, realign with their values, and embrace self-care without guilt. It’s a perfect fit for those navigating stress, burnout, or simply wanting to live with more intention.

The only reason I didn’t give this five stars is that some reflections felt a bit repetitive, which is common in daily meditation books. That said, the overall experience is calming, motivational, and impactful, especially if you commit to reading it consistently.

The packaging is gorgeous as well—this would make a thoughtful gift for anyone beginning a new year or season of life. If you’re seeking a gentle guide to help you reconnect with yourself and find peace amid life’s chaos, Dear Friend is a wonderful choice.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the gifted copy in exchange for my honest review.

ARC from NetGalley
Thank you to the author and publisher.
Publish Date: Nov 04 2025 

Rating: 4/5

Initial thoughts:
I wish I had discovered this book in my early years. It may have made a bigger impact on my life; however, I still came away with quite a bit. I also wish I could have followed along day by day. This may have limited the sense of repetitiveness that these types of books frequently have.

Plot:
The book guides you through a full year of “letters” from a friend with daily affirmations, journaling prompts, advice, education, etc...

Praise:
- Good writing
- Excellent topics
- Didn't use the same “formula” for each day
- Good questions for introspection throughout the book, but not necessarily on every reading
- Summary of each page's take away

Critiques:
- Repetitive (this would be less noticeable if not read straight through)

Fav Quote:
So many to choose from...
“Remember, there is room enough for all to win, achieve and succeed. Honor the people in your life for their successes and the same sentiment will be returned to you.”

This book would make a great gift for pretty much anyone. In a series of 365 friendly ‘letters’ each topic will take you on an internal journey for betterment or at the very least, introspection. The writing is casual and feels as though a friend is getting deep with you. I will be purchasing this for others when it is formally published. Thank you.

This book has a lovely tone and manner about it. The “dear friend” format along with the author’s opening note make the whole book feel more personal than others like it. That being said, apart from the direct address format, the daily advice and encouragement notes are fine but nothing that stand out. This would be fine for someone looking for a fairly standard daily motivational reading. The cover and print are both attractive. This would likely make a nice gift for someone older or someone feeling lonely or distant (dear friend format).