Thank you to atria books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

Fredrick Blackman is a master of writing about characters on a redemption arc. This is another of his stories. Britt-Marie is a strict set in her ways when her lift is turned upside didn’t by moving to a small town that is really shutting down. She gets a job at the rec center and takes over as couch of the soccer team. Her tell it as it is style rubs some people the wrong way but she charms many around her. She also learns a lot from the people around her and takes those lessons to heart. My only complaint about this book was we had a very similar arc in a man called ove. Both were cranks who become lovable. I loved each of them

I have loved all of Fredrik Backman's books, & this was no exception. Nice to read more about Britt-Marie coming into her own. Quirky but loveable.

This was next on my quest to catch up on Backman's backlist titles that I had been putting off. I actually watched the movie of this one before reading it, but it didn't spoil the reading experience, I still very much enjoyed my experience with Borg and Britt-Marie.

She's such an irascible character, but I loved her all the same. I loved her heart and how she just wanted to be SEEN by those around her. It frustrated me how, in the previous book My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry where we met her, she was so totally misunderstood and underestimated. It was the same in this book, but her growth as a person and learning more how to communicate with others was just a delight to read.

I love Backman's writing style and how familiar and almost stream-of-consciousness it is. I truly connect with it and can't wait for the next book of his that I read. I listened to this one on audio and loved the narrator and her portrayal of the characters.

Man Fredrik Backman really gets human nature. This is about Britt-Marie who we first me in My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry. It was so fun to see her grow.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book.

One should never miss an opportunity to praise the work of Fredrik Backman.
This story emphasizes the understanding that each of us has a place in this world no matter who we are or where we live.
His ability to capture the essence of the children’s soccer team as they impact Britt-Marie is realistic and heart felt.
A book to cherish especially during these times.

While at times starting at slow, Britt-Marie Was Here is such a rewarding book that I have been able to confidently recommend it to a wide variety of people. Full of wit and emotion, this unique character will be hard to forget.

I liked Britt-Marie, but not as much as My Grandmother Asked me to Tell you she's sorry. Grandmother was wholly original and fascinating, Britt-Marie was the prickly porcupine with a heart of gold story, different from Ove and yet not so much. I liked the ensemble cast, and I love that we still don't know the name of the pizza shop owner "Someone"

I loved and reviewed A Man Called Ove. So I was excited to read Britt-Marie was Here. But what a disappointment. It lacked the empathy and heart of Ove - and the story line is soooooo slow.
I gave up about halfway through. Perhaps this was one of the authors earlier novels? Not as accomplished as Ove.

I loved Britt-Marie as much as I loved Ove. Both are people on the fringes of society who, despite themselves, step front and center into the heart of their respective societies. I’m looking forward to reading more books by Fredrik Backman.

I loved this book! Fredrik Backman creates characters that make you laugh and cry at the same time. He's one of my favorite authors and I recommend his books to everyone.

This novel could be read as a follow up to "My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry" or it can read as a stand-alone. I read it immediately following "My Grandmother" and enjoyed it that much more. Focusing on the "villain" from "My Grandmother," Backman works his magic to make you fall in love with a person that seems unlovable. By the end of the book I was really rooting for Britt-Marie. Another enjoyable story from Backman!

I think I am in the minority with this author. Something is missing for me when I read his books. However characters and story are relatable.

Frederik Backman writes such quirky, yet believable characters. I just find his books so superb!

Initially Britt-Marie's exactness can come off as strange and irritating, especially to other characters in the book. However, after learning the pain and heartache that has contributed to her compulsive need for cleanliness and organization in order to hold her life together, the reader finds themselves cheering her on not only in her order, but her break from it.
Backman has the reader invested in the outcome of the lives of the characters throughout the book. You don't have to like soccer in order to enjoy this book. In fact, not being a soccer fan myself, it helped me see the European soccer obsession in a new light.

(I received an ARC from the NETGALLEY)

Rating: 3 STARS

Britt-Marie is a true character. After living her life in a very regimented way, Britt-Marie at 63 is in a tailspin when she finally leaves her husband after 40 years. She no longer had her identity as a wife and must move to Borg, the only place she can find a job. Borg loves the one thing she hates, soccer. When the children need a new coach they look to fastidious set in her way, Britt-Marie. She slowly finds she can provide them with something they need, but in the end they may be what she needs.

The comments that Britt-Marie made me chuckle out loud, and at the same time shake my head. She is the kind of old lady we inspire to be - say what we want. Yet, they can be stinging so I also felt bad for the person she aimed her "wisdom" at. This was an entertaining read but I think I expected more from the story.

This was a cute story, but at times I thought it was redundant and a bit boring. I think it would have been better if it was a little shorter.

After reading A Man Called Ove and My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry, I knew I was going to love this book the second I picked it up, and I was not disappointed! With an amazing main character (plenty of personality, as the characters in the author's previous works had), as well as a story that will move you to tears, this touching tale is definitely a favorite.

Such an odd little story. Eccentric protagonist who somehow managed to endear herself to me. Though I thought about the putting the book down, the story kept compelling me to return to it. The action is slow, but in a thoughtful way.

Britt-Marie Was Here

Fredrik Backman



BRITT-MARIE WAS HERE is my first time ever reading Fredrik Backman but it won't be the last. Britt-Marie is married to Kent for forty years. That is until his mistress calls her to let her know Kent has had a heart attack. She was totally dedicated to Kent until that moment. She has no friends and hardly ever left their apartment. But all that has to change now. She goes to the unemployment office to find a job. How is she ever going to find a job she is qualified for when all she has done for the past forty years is take care of her house and her husband? She is sixty three years old and after completing hundreds of crossword puzzles, she thinks that will help her find employment. Her story is going to have you laughing out loud at the things that come out of her mouth and the situations she finds herself in.


Britt-Marie does find a temporary job as a caretaker of a recreation center In a small town called Borg. Borg is a town that is slowly dying and as you read BRITT-MARIE WAS HERE, you are overcome with such sadness for Borg. She meets some loony characters there and if you let them, they will worm their way into your heart. Just like Britt-Marie will. As Britt-Marie finds her way in life, she also helps the towns people of Borg. Could this be the second chance that Britt-Marie needs?


Fredrik Backman has the gift to create characters to perfection. You find yourself wondering if one of them could be you or one of your neighbors. The emotions Mr. Backman pulls out of you while reading are going to surprise you. The person you hate the most at the beginning of BRITT-MARIE WAS HERE could very well be the person you love the most by the end of the story. The combination of heartbreak and humor will have you laughing while reaching for another tissue. I love when an author can do that to me. BRITT-MARIE-MARIE WAS here is filled with grief, pride, second chances, OCD, and community spirit. Once you start reading, you will not be able to stop until the very last page. I can't wait to read more by this very talented author.

Thank you to Net Galley and Atria for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I've read all of Fredrik Backman's other books and have really enjoyed them all, and this book was no exception.
This is the heart warming story of Britt Marie and her arrival in the town of Borg after she leaves her husband. Britt Marie is very regimented and has a very particular view of the world and how everything should work. She is forced to get a job in the only place she can, at a rec center in Borg, a town that has been devastated by the economic crisis. Here she has to deal with everything she can't stand, noisy children, dirt and mud, and a lot of people who live in a way she can't comprehend.
For those left in this desperate town, the only thing that unites them is their love of soccer. And when Britt Marie winds up becoming the coach of the children's soccer team, even though she doesn't like the sport, she winds up learning a lot of lessons about life, the resilience of people and her own hidden strengths.
A book for anyone who has faced adversity and has discovered something in themselves they didn't know that they possessed. I can't wait to read the next book of Fredrik Backman's.