MWF Seeking BFF

When Rachel Bertsche first moves to Chicago, she’s thrilled to finally share a zip code, let alone an apartment, with her boyfriend. But shortly after getting married, Bertsche realizes that her new life is missing one thing: friends. Sure, she has plenty of BFFs—in New York and San Francisco and Boston and Washington, D.C. Still, in her adopted hometown, there’s no one to call at the last minute for girl talk over brunch or a reality-TV marathon over a bottle of wine. Taking matters into her own hands, Bertsche develops a plan: She’ll go on fifty-two friend-dates, one per week for a year, in hopes of meeting her new Best Friend Forever.

In her thought-provoking, uproarious memoir, Bertsche blends the story of her girl-dates (whom she meets everywhere from improv class to friend rental websites) with the latest social research to examine how difficult—and hilariously awkward—it is to make new friends as an adult. In a time when women will happily announce they need a man but are embarrassed to admit they need a BFF, Bertsche uncovers the reality that no matter how great your love life is, you’ve gotta have friends.

Advance Praise for MWF Seeking BFF

"In this sweet memoir...Bertsche's pursuit is grounded in what most everyone is looking for-more fulfilling relationships and a sense of belonging-and she bravely provides some of the tools, including openness, persistence, and self-awareness, needed to attain these rewards."--Publishers Weekly
"Friendship is one of the most important elements of a happy life-but it can be tough to make new friends. In MWF Seeking BFF, Rachel Bertsche weaves together her engaging and often hilarious adventures in search of a new best friend with the latest research about the science of friendship. I couldn't put it down."-Gretchen Rubin, author of The Happiness Project

"Reading about Rachel Bertsche's search for that special someone, you'll find yourself thinking about all the friends you've ever had -- and the ones you hope are right around the corner. Rachel writes with engaging humor and a measure of poignancy, too. You'll enjoy joining her on her journey."-- Jeffrey Zaslow, author of The Girls from Ames

"Genuine, funny and thoroughly inspiring, MWF Seeking BFF is a tribute to female friendships and a must-read for anyone who has ever found herself sunk into her couch and scrolling through the phone list feeling like there's no one to call for a last-minute drink or Sunday brunch." -- Rachel Machacek, author of The Science of Single

"Rachel Bertsche's yearlong diary of searching for best friendship in a new city is compulsively readable and will plant a smile on your face as you turn the pages. Funny, forthright, and honest as a midnight phone call, Bertsche's zesty hosanna to female bonding defines what it is to be a double-X Millennial."-- Sheila Weller, author of Girls Like Us: Carole King, Joni Mitchell and Carly Simon-and the Journey of a Generation

"MWF Seeking BFF is funny, charming, and so relatable. Throughout Rachel's journey to develop more meaningful, enduring relationships with other women, I found myself wishing she had my number."-- Robyn Okrant, author of Living Oprah

"I guess you could say Rachel had me at "Hello" - I found myself totally invested in her honest, earnest, oftentimes hilarious quest for meaningful female friendship. Whether you're actively seeking a ‘BFF' yourself or simply recognize the value in making quality connections with other women, MWF Seeking BFF underscores the profound rewards we women stand to reap when we simply open up, reach out to one another, and go for it. A smart, fun, and inspiring page turner that will surely resonate."-- Kelly Valen, author of The Twisted Sisterhood