#1 New York Times bestselling author Fredrik Backman returns with an unforgettably funny, deeply moving tale of four teenagers whose friendship creates a bond so powerful that it changes a stranger’s life twenty-five years later.

Most people don’t even notice them—three tiny figures sitting at the end of a long pier in the corner of one of the most famous paintings in the world. Most people think it’s just a depiction of the sea. But Louisa, an artist herself, knows otherwise and she is determined to find out the story of these three enigmatic figures.

Twenty-five years earlier, in a distant town, a group of teenagers find refuge from their difficult home lives by spending their days laughing and telling stories out on a pier. There’s Joar, who never backs down from a fight; quiet and bookish Ted who is mourning his father; Ali, the daughter of a man who never stays in one place for long; and finally, there’s the artist, a boy who hoards sleeping pills and shuns attention, but who possesses an extraordinary gift that might be his ticket to a better life. These four lost souls find in each other a reason to get up each morning, a reason to dream.

Out of that summer emerges a transcendent work of art, a painting that will unexpectedly be put into eighteen-year-old Louisa’s care. As she struggles to decide what to do with this bequest, she embarks on a surprise-filled cross-country journey to learn the story of how the painting came to be. The closer she gets to the painting’s birthplace, the more she feels compelled to unleash her own artistic spirit, but happy endings don’t always take the form we expect in this fresh testament to the transformative power of friendship and art.

Despite owning a few of his other books and hearing so much hype (especially around “Bear Town”), this was my first time diving into Backman’s writing—and it won’t be my last. This was one of those books that really snuck up on me. I’ve heard nothing but rave reviews, so I went in a bit of a skeptic. Often, I find my expectations get too high when books are hyped, and then I’m let down. That was not the case here.

The story follows Louisa, a foster kid about to age out of the system. She hasn’t had a good go at life—especially not recently. Her best friend died, and Louisa is feeling less than grounded. The only thing she has is her art, and she has become obsessed with three tiny figures in the corner of a famous painting. One fateful night, a chance encounter with the artist of the painting changes the course of Louisa’s life. It’s not long before she finds herself on a cross-country trip back to the place where it all started. A place where four friends lived, laughed, and held each other up—lifelines to happiness in a world that seemed to push against them.

The book alternates between Louisa in the present and the group of teens in the past, and the author does it seamlessly. I loved how both stories felt equally important, and when they finally merge, it’s done in a way that is not only emotionally satisfying but surprising as well.

This one is charming and heartfelt and had several moments that hit unexpectedly hard. The themes of friendship, art, and finding purpose in unexpected places all come together beautifully. Plus, there’s humor scattered throughout, balancing out the more serious moments. Though I will admit—there were a lot more farts in the book than I’m used to. These kids could have used some Gas-X. Not that I’m against a good fart joke; it’s just that it felt like one was mentioned at least once a chapter.

One of the book’s strongest points is its characters. Backman has a real knack for making fictional people feel completely alive. Louisa, with her mix of hope and doubt, felt like someone I could know. The group of friends from the past—each with their own bruised hearts and dreams of something better—made me feel like I was right there on the pier with them. The found family dynamic is really strong, and I couldn’t help but think about how different their lives might have been without each other. It’s a reminder of how sometimes the people you choose end up being more family than the one you’re born into.

While I was reading, I couldn’t help but admire how Backman captures the messy, beautiful parts of being human. He doesn’t shy away from showing the flaws of his characters, but he also highlights their capacity for kindness and growth. You root for them because they’re imperfect, and that makes them feel even more authentic. And I loved that the painting at the heart of the story is more than just a piece of art—it’s a symbol of resilience, love, and survival. It’s a connection between past and present, linking Louisa’s journey with that of the friends who once found solace on the pier and in each other. The story has this quiet, hopeful undercurrent that sticks with you long after you close the book.

I also really appreciated how Backman plays with expectations. I was certain the story was headed in one direction, and then it took a turn, totally shoving my assumptions out the door. And it wasn’t even that he misdirected or changed course—I just assumed the story was going to have a very specific outcome, and it didn’t. In the end, I was ok with that.

Overall, this book is a love letter to the friendships that shape us, even when life pulls us apart. It’s about finding the courage to move forward, even when the past feels too heavy to carry. This is the perfect summer read and one you don’t want to miss. It’s a story that reminds you to hold onto the people who make life worth living—and to keep looking for beauty, even when it feels just out of reach.

Book Club/Book Box: