Books about women’s friendships are among my favorites to read. This was no exception. The female cast Kakon created is different yet similar, likable, and flawed. I enjoyed this because it’s close to real life. I saw some of myself and my best friends in the characters she crafted. The secrets and self-discoveries were also the parts of the novel I liked most. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

This Is Why I Need You understands something many friendship stories try to capture but rarely articulate this clearly: longevity doesn’t guarantee closeness—it just raises the stakes.

What makes this debut stand out is its commitment to character over convenience. There’s no rush to smooth over tensions or force sentimentality. Instead, the narrative leans into the discomfort—the silences, the sharp comments, the moments where affection and frustration exist side by side. It feels intentional, almost observational, as though the reader is watching these dynamics unfold in real time rather than being guided toward a neat conclusion.

Each of the four women is drawn with enough specificity to feel distinct, yet there’s a shared emotional thread that ties them together. The novel does a strong job of exploring how individual growth can quietly disrupt long-standing relationships. The tension doesn’t come from dramatic twists, but from recognition—those subtle realizations that people you’ve always known may no longer fit into the life you’re building.

There’s also a notable balance in how the book handles its themes. It moves between friendship, identity, and personal change without letting any one thread overpower the others. The result is a story that feels grounded and reflective rather than overly polished.

This Is Why I Need You is less about the idea of friendship and more about the reality of it—messy, evolving, and sometimes uncomfortable. A thoughtful debut that trusts its characters enough to let them be complicated, and in doing so, feels all the more authentic.

Hands down one of the best books I’ve read so far this year. I couldn’t put it down.

It’s a story of friendships, life, grief, family, losing and finding yourself. It follows the life of four friends who try to navigate life through hardships and focuses on their individual connections. The book depicts friendships so real and raw and it’s impossible not to relate at least to one of the characters, because the author did such a good job portraying real people and struggles.
What I also found interesting is that, I think you’ll probably pick your favourite character (the one you relate to the most) after four chapters, just to realise by the end of it, that you love and understand all of them. That each character is there to teach you something, to give you another perspective, to make you understand that it’s in human nature to make mistakes and grow from them.

An aspect I enjoyed so much is the fact that you’ll read a chapter from one POV and form an opinion on a certain character, just to change it the next chapter when you see how their friends see them. This is especially true for Kiara, who is going through a toxic relationship and has a very distorted image of herself. I think the author’s best work is shown through this particular character.

Anyway, I hope this book will get recognition that it deserves!

This book was exactly what I wanted from it and so much more. Moving plot lines, beautiful characters with flaws and issues discussed in such lovely, truthful, heartfelt ways. I loved the multiple-POV structure of this, it gave this story so much heart and warmth and joy. I saw pieces of myself in all of these characters. This is a celebration of true friendship, love that requires work, and women in all our multitudes— it’s everything I’ve ever needed.

This is a heartfelt, character-driven story that really nails the complexity of female friendship — the kind that can both hold you together and pull you apart.

What starts as a girls’ trip turns into something way deeper — think unspoken tension, life changes, and the kind of honesty that cracks everything open. The characters felt so real it almost felt intrusive (in the best way).

I loved how it explores the complicated side of female friendships — not just the highlight reel, but the jealousy, distance, and growing pains too.

If you love character-driven stories with emotional depth and a little drama… add this to your list 🤍

What a dream of a book.

"This is Why I Need You" introduces us to four lifelong friends who are all struggling in life and in the roles they play to each other.

Zinnia, Fay, Kiara, and Valentina forged a bond decades ago that lasted through high school, college, marriages, and kids. But are they growing out of it?

We meet all four of them as they come together for an annual trip, each hiding some aspect of their lives and hoping that being together can help them forget. But the strain is real, and the fights are sharp. Readers watch and read the inner workings of all four and see the fissures start and, in some instances, break. There are no fights like the ones with people who know you better than anyone else, but there's also no level of forgiveness like the one you offer those people.

Alecsandra Kakon creates four very different women in very different places in their lives, all relatable and sympathetic —even when doing terrible things. The world around this group is vibrant and frustrating. Their relationships are sweet and sour.

Kakon creates such a realistic version of the bonds that hold us together that you feel part of the group when they come together to support each other.

A really enriching look at the relationships among women, the lies we tell ourselves and the people we need to help us unravel ourselves.

Really well-written book with some superb vibes and a great writing style. 5 stars. tysm for the E-ARC.