4.08 AVERAGE


"That is why I like you, Britt. You are also human."

It's a lovely story, and I really enjoyed getting to know quirky nag-bag Britt-Marie better, but I'm over Backman's common premise of the lovable band of weirdos that grow into an unlikely family. Make sense?

A Man Called Ove was just so good that, unfortunately, anything too similar is a letdown.

4.75. Charming and joyous. A woman and a town hard to like but so very easy to love. I wish we had more closure on just one story thread, but this is definitely my favorite of Backman’s more heartwarming books.
emotional funny hopeful reflective medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Started off really slow which I’ve noticed this with other Fredrik Backman books. I think it’s because he sets the stage soo well that if you stick with it the story comes to life but it’s very hard not to give up in the first chapters.
You’ll feel all the emotions when you read this book. There’s romance, adventure, unknown, grief, healing, joy and most importantly soccer ;)

backman can’t write a bad book. his writing makes you feel, and is generally uplifting.

this was a spinoff for one of the characters in his book My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry, which provides background on Britt-Marie’s early life but isn’t necessary for the book (although i recommend).


“Plants reminded her of Ingrid, because Ingrid loved things that were alive.”

“Because life is more than the shoes your feet are in. More than the person you are. It’s the togetherness. The parts of yourself in another.”

3.5 stars.

Hot take maybe? This is the prototype of Beartown. Another hot take? It's better.

I did not particularly care for Britt-Marie when I read My Grandmother Asked Me To Tell Her She's Sorry when I read it a whole year ago. I also didn't totally love the book.

I appreciate Britt-Marie a lot more now, and I liked this book a whole lot more. It might be my favorite Backman book I've read yet.

The characters are great, the plot was great, the town was great. It was funny and sad.
adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
hopeful inspiring lighthearted slow-paced
Loveable characters: Yes

This author really is one of my favorites. I love how he can take characters that we usually wouldn’t like and give them such a complex and lovable story arch. A perk for this book is it’s in the same universe as my grandmother told me to tell you that she is sorry. Definitely read that one first because this book will pick up right after.

This is the first time a book has made me want to go back and read the other already. Getting so much information on Britt Marie changed my perception of her not only in this book but especially from the last.

Another great read by Frederick Backman! 3/10 books down! I’m determined to hit all 10!