Girls Our Age

by Phoebe Thompson

Three women navigate their late twenties together in a bittersweet novel about female friendship, identity, and growing up—from the hope and promise of college to the realities that lie beyond.

Lily, Ana, and Margot have been best friends ever since Hawthorne Res Life assigned them as roommates during their first year of college.

Ten years later and Lily is planning her wedding to the endlessly supportive and entirely symmetrical Jack. Ana is a fourth-grade teacher at the prestigious Horizon Academy, alma mater of her long-term boyfriend, who’s finally asked her to move in. Margot is about to land a life-changing promotion at ad agency McQueen O’Doul.

It all looks good from here.

But when the three friends converge on Maine for the wedding, the real challenges they’ve been able to keep from each other begin to surface. It’s finally time to open up about the very private struggles they’ve hidden for too long and the risks they’ve taken to protect themselves, and those they love, from the truth.

Genres: Contemporary, Fiction

Kindle Edition

Expected publication May 5, 2026

Reviews

[cate · Rating 5 out of 5]

i'm in my late twenties, so the premise of this book immediately caught my eye. in general, i'm not the biggest fan of "woman in her twenties doing Things" type of media (see: girls on hbo), but PT's writing and her way of handling these characters was so refreshing i got to enjoy this exactly how i wanted.

this book perfectly encapsulates what it's like to be in your late twenties. it highlights how daunting it can be to watch everyone around you do something with their lives and how that makes you feel like you've stagnated. there are so many different paths to take, and you're not sure which one is the right one for you. people are getting married, having kids, doing drugs, and then there's you, doomscrolling in your bed. and, dude, it IS hard making/maintaining friendships as an adult. i think all the struggles of being grown and still feeling overwhelmed were handled quite well.

i wish it were longer, though. that's the only reason the book doesn't get a full 5-star rating for me. but i enjoyed it a lot

thank you to netgalley and the publisher for sending me an arc in exchange for a honest review

[Sabrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

maybe it’s bc I’m getting married next year and this is all so real and so topical or maybe it’s because I am lucky enough to have such lovely friendships with complex women or maybe it’s because I love my mom or maybe it’s because it’s so easy to feel lost in your job and life as a young woman or maybe it’s because I came out in my late 20s but this was perfect for me

the writing feels true to life in a way I don’t often find and it made it feel like you were really there with these girls navigating their lives and maybe some people might dislike that but I love the way the dialogue reads the way I speak to my friends.

I wish it was longer and had more time to settle at the end bc the resolution came so late but also I kinda loved that there wasn’t just an easy wrap up to 2 years in the future or something.

cannot wait to read what the author writes next!! 4.5 stars rounding up since it’s a debut

did make me cry!! ana & margot & lily are my close personal friends!!

thank you NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the ARC 🫶🏼🫶🏼

[trixie ⋆⭒˚.⋆ · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐️ From the cover, to the title, and to the premise, I was immediately drawn to this book, and it did not disappoint!

“Girls Our Age” is a story about three women in their late 20s navigating rough patches in their relationships, careers, mental health, sexuality, and, inevitably, their friendship too.

I really enjoyed the writing in this book, it truly felt like you were going through the characters’ thought processes with them. When they started getting anxious and spiraling, you could see it in the way the writing flowed, and it made me feel everything with them! The character’s inner monologue was filled with so much nuance and commentary, while being slightly sarcastic, and that’s my absolute favorite type of writing.

The characters were complex, and even though their actions could be frustrating at times, they felt real and raw, making mistakes just like we all do in our everyday lives and in our relationships. Because of that I ended up feeling more connected to these women, and I could see a piece of me in every single one of them. So much so that it made me cry in the last few pages!

This book touches on so many important topics, but I especially appreciated the eating disorder conversation, the way it can affect your every single thought every single day.

The only reasons why this isn’t a perfect 5⭐️ is because I think the ending wrapped up too quickly and I wish there were more chapters in Margot’s POV, because she started to feel like a side character towards the second half of the book.

Overall, this was truly an amazing read, and I’ll be recommending this book to everyone as soon as it comes out! I can’t wait to get my own physical copy and eventually reread it.

Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC!

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. I want every woman I know to read this book. So insanely good, cried multiple times (I am currently 30 and all of it was way too relevant, sue me).

Thompson writes self-worth, doubt, and the shifting terrain of female friendships with such sharp accuracy it almost hurts. The book digs into self-image and the loneliness of independence and eating disorders in a way that feels intimate and truthful. Each character’s internal world feels lived-in, messy, and heartbreakingly familiar.

What really stayed with me is how it shows the growing pains of your late twenties: realizing the plans you made at 20 (or 22, or 25, or 28) don’t fit anymore, watching friends grow in different directions, and confronting the stories you’ve told yourself about who you’re supposed to be. So good and raw and beautiful. God I love women.

I did think it ended a little too quickly, I wish the girls had talked sooner than the like like 5% of the book so we could see the fall out a little more BUT also in love with the way it’s written anyways. Also great cover artwork.

Also this was an arc book from NetGalley, I think I’m supposed to say that.

(Spoiler: fuck Silas, absolute loser status. And we all know a Silas)

[Danielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book follows 3 college friends (the story told through a rotating POV) and their lives post grad. The story explores female friendship, identity, and the complexities of becoming an adult, as each woman navigates a personal issue they’re going through. The pacing was sometimes off but it’s a heartfelt character driven story with emotion which I liked.

Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest interview.

[Brittany Burrell]

Award for most captivating cover 😍

[Emily Polonus · Rating 4 out of 5]

s/o netgalley for the arc!!! i love female friendships and people overlapping lives and reconnecting and loving each other ❤️ good girls book for sure for sure

[Sasha K]

**Thanks to netgalley for providing me with a free e-arc in exchange for an honest review.**

Some poignant scenes and some challenging bits. More thoughts available upon request.

[Courtney McCorkle · Rating 4 out of 5]

*advanced reader copy*
This book truly is the raw and real telling of life after college and personal battles you don’t speak about. As someone who has been single for 5 years and moved across the country from all my loved ones to figure my life out, it truly felt like this was written for me. Especially in this season of watching my friends get married and have their own lives separate from what used to be ours together. Highly recommend everyone read this when it comes out.

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for this eARC

"She had needed to become who she was outside the confines of the limits that had been imposed on her, to learn what she was capable of when the options weren’t held up in front of her like a magicians hand of cards"

The book opens with three old college friends experiencing major life changes: an upcoming wedding, moving in with a longtime boyfriend, and being a slight workaholic up for a big promotion. The story switches between each of their perspectives, showing how each woman is struggling with something but feels she has to internalize it and handle it alone while keeping a composed face. This inevitably creates tension that soon comes into play. Seeing each of their perspectives really highlights how important communication is in relationships, especially friendships.

It truly felt like everyone’s fault but also no one’s fault, which made it feel very real and human. No one was innocent, but they all had things going on, and each made mistakes with the others. I loved seeing how friendships age and how you grow from a group-mentality person into more of an individual. As freshman besties and roommates, each girl had her “role” in the group, but as they get older, they become more independent and eventually form a healthier relationship—not desperately holding onto what once was, but choosing each other in a more intentional way. It does take conflict for them to reach that open, communicative place, but that growth felt authentic. The mistakes each character makes show the strength of friendship and the importance of admitting when you’re wrong and apologizing. Their personalities also foiled each other really well. I especially resonated with Lily because of her mental health struggles. So many of her thoughts mirrored my own, and her experience with therapy was very similar to mine. I highlighted a lot of her thoughts because of how deeply I connected with them. Her perspective was my favorite to read, but I never saw the other two girls as villains. You can’t blame your friends for what they don’t know when you aren’t communicating your feelings. I felt Lily’s character development and growth the most.

I think this book would appeal to people of all ages, but I especially think women in post-grad life would appreciate it and relate to at least one of the challenges the characters face. Long distance, different life paces, and varying relationship statuses are all big parts of post-grad life and can be difficult to navigate. The book shows both individual growth in each of the girls and how close friendships evolve over time. The ending honestly made me want to meet up with my college roommates and give them all a big hug.

[Haley Sparks · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 —This was one of my most anticipated reads of 2026 and I think I even went so far as to beg the author for an ARC in her instagram comments? So imagine my delight when it became “Read Now” on NetGalley—I swooped it up QUICKLY.

As a 30 year old with a bit of a nostalgia problem and a deep fondness for my college years, I am absolutely the target audience for this book and it really worked for me. I want to say that I could’ve written this story based off how some of the feelings described in it seem to bit lifted directly from my own life, but 1) I’ve been trying to write a book for years and haven’t made it past 60 pages and 2) I know these experiences are not exactly unique to me but. Still.

While I like to challenge myself to read outside my own experiences regularly, there’s a certain specialness about reading a plot that feels so familiar. The story made me feel less alone. Is there anything more important to the human experience than that? I was sneaking in pages whenever and wherever I could because reading it felt like a little hug from the universe or a really impactful therapy session. While all the characters are deeply flawed, it would be incorrect to write them any other way. Their rawness and messiness and realness was what endeared me to them so easily. In the grand scheme of unlikability, these girls are also pretty mild. I found it impossible not to cheer for them individually and collectively, although I will say I wasn’t totally impressed by how they handled their conflict. But again, that just made it feel REAL.

As I mentioned above, this book definitely has a target audience and I’m not sure how it’ll land in the mainstream market. I do think most women will enjoy it, but I’m not totally sure. Honestly, if you hated college, you might hate this. If you aren’t a sentimental person or someone who considers HBO’s Girls the Holy Gospel, you also might hate this. If you have your shit together fully, you may not be the target audience either. But I hope those who need it find it—those like me, who are sometimes messy and sometimes lonely and sometimes feel like they are the only ones one who don’t have a social media worthy life.

I do wish it was longer and that the girls had their reunification a bit earlier in the story because the ending reminded me that all that messiness and loneliness isn’t quite so scary when you have friends that know and love you through it all.

(Oh and shoutout and thanks to Netgalley for the ARC!!)

[aja ౨ৎ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for providing a review copy of this book! .ೀ

Okay… wow. Being a girl in her early 20s—feeling so stuck in time, unemployed, and probably depressed—while her closest friends from elementary school are moving on with their lives (one is engaged, one is doing her internship, and one is in her final year of nursing school abroad), this book felt like a warm hug.

The story revolves around three girls who met and became roommates during their college years. Now, in their late 20s, they are facing different life experiences: Lily, who’s set to get married; Ana, who’s moved in with her long-time boyfriend; and Margot, who is career-focused. Each character is driven by different motivations, struggles, and insecurities that shape their individual arcs—different conflicts that still felt grounded, authentic, human. As their lives converge once more for Lily’s wedding, the story explores the complexity of friendship and how it evolves with age.

The author did a wonderful job portraying the complexity of being a girl in your 20s, with a whole life that feels like it’s already passed you by while you’re still simultaneously living it, and another life that’s still yet to come. I liked how the characters grew as the story progressed, how they recognized their strengths, weaknesses, and shortcomings, and how they learned to accept what they truly deserve and put themselves first. ⋆𐙚₊˚⊹♡

[Marta Artigas · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was really curious about this book since the main characters are literally my age and it didn't disappoint me.

Margot, Ana and Lily have been close friends since college and now, at 28, they all face different problems regarding adulthood that are really easy to relate to. This is a book about friendship and the way it changes when we grow older, when it's more difficult to keep up with the lives of your friends. I feel that this is a very important topic than not many books talk about it.

My only complain, however, is that sometimes it was a little bit difficult to relate to them since they are all quite upper class (especially Lily). I think that I would have loved to have more diverse perspectives. Ana is the only one that comes from a more humble environment, but by dating Silas she also has access to the privilege that money entails.

Overall, I think that this is a great novel about friendship and adulthood and I can't wait to read more books by Phoebe Thompson.

Thanks NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the ARC.

[Madeline Church · Rating 4 out of 5]

Girls Our Age was the epitome of girlhood! Genuinely, it could not have shown post-grad life in a better light. I definitely recommend it to anyone who is past their early 20s, or even those in college getting anxious about life afterwards.

The creative choice to follow three women was perfect for this novel. It was enough to get a good grasp of the intention behind the story. It wasn't too many that I was getting lost or confused while reading. Each woman was different in their own way, and that was a beautiful way to show the different ways realities can occur.

If you typically love a good female friendship, you will adore this novel. It is so real, raw, and intentional. The author did a great job making it feel incredibly realistic down to the details. You will feel for each and every character.

Thank you NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing, & Phoebe Thompson for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Girls Our Age will be released on May 5, 2026!

[Booksopi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read Girls Our Age.

It is soon to be Lily’s wedding and we are following her life as well as her friends’s- Ana and Margot.

I thought it was such a great read that made me relate to all the characters and reflect on my own life too. I enjoyed how it makes us realise that we are all going through something and we don’t necessarily see it in our friends because of our own issues.

This is a book that also highlights big societal topics/issues that women still face everyday- beauty standards, sexual orientation, getting married, having children, work- and I liked that the author addressed them regarding each character’s perspective.

I would highly recommend it.

[Charlotte · Rating 3 out of 5]

**Thank you NetGalley for an e-Arc in exchange for an honest review!

While the threads around female friendship were engaging, the pacing was a bit hot-and-cold for my taste. I enjoyed the varied emotional backgrounds & "fatal flaws" the MCs had to work through-- these girls definitely were not passive!-- but some of their decisions irked me (while being understandable). There was plenty of conflict, but I thought having it all be wrapped up between the three of them with one nice, neat conversation was too tidy. Also, Silas sucked.

The last chapter of watching ur college BFF get married got me bad

The millennial speak— “girlypop”, Instagram reels, girlbossing too close to the sun, unproblematic king— was very hard to get thru

Ana was whiny and annoying, Silas was a certified bitch, Margot was too self-involved, Lily was a waffler at all times….and yet i needed to know what happened next

Ngl they REALLY fucked up ignoring Lily and her warning signs that she was relapsing. Like I get that you have personal stuff going on but wtf???

The ending would have been perfect if it ended at the “Ana tearing up watching Lily walk down the aisle to unproblematic king Jack”, rather than the “all these friends + random acquaintances run into the ocean like little kids and chasing to reclaim their youth” MFA-esque ending

Pace was very fast and also extremely slow? Baffling

[Deanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an extremely good story centering around women trying to find their place. It’s an interesting look on how different events and pacing of different peoples lives can directly influence their growth as people. This definitely made me feel seen and I could relate to a lot of what the girls were experiencing which made the read even more interesting to me. I would for sure recommend it to any women who are just trying to find their place. It’s a well written take on how the world around us and our own thoughts and experiences directly impacts who we become as people.


Thank you Netgalley and Lake Union Publishing for this arc.

[arianna ✮⋆˙ · Rating 5 out of 5]

phoebe thompson writes about girlhood, female friendships, relationships, and life with quiet contemplation, almost melancholia, and yet, an irrevocable joy. honest musings on life that every woman in her twenties can not only relate to, but feel inside of her, viscerally.

for fans of coco mellors, dolly alderton, and literary fiction.

if this doesn't become a bestseller, well then, i know nothing about books.

5 stars. thank you netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Alissa DeRogatis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nostalgic, aching, and sharply observed, Girls Our Age is a story about the friendships that shape us, the lives we think everyone else is living, and the quiet heartbreak of realizing we only ever see the polished version. With tender precision, Phoebe Thompson reminds us that girlhood never really leaves us and that the people who knew us then often know us best now.

[Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super good book that encapsulates what it feels like to grow up. You start facing new challenges, you get in your own way sometimes, you grow closer to people, grow apart from them and learn the tough life lessons. Ana, Lily and Margot all have relatable aspects about them which makes the book more endearing. I think we can all find something of ourselves and our loved ones in these characters.

[Steph Bird · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book transported me back to those late nights spent laughing in bed with my best friends while simultaneously capturing the heartbreak and quiet comparison that come with watching those same friends move into new life stages, collect achievements, and drift closer or farther as the inevitable ebb and flow of longtime friendships naturally takes hold. Excuse me while I go hug my best friends.

(Trigger warning for disordered eating.)

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

[Calli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this read. Phoebe perfectly encapsulates post grad growing pains and the evolution of female friendships as we navigate life. Perfect read for the late 20 - 30s crowd, but likely nostalgic at any age.