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Good Friends
“We don’t get just one love in our life, but you never forget your first.”
13-year-old Andy Olson had almost entirely resigned himself to ambling aimlessly through his lackluster life in the small, sleepy town of Jasper, Nebraska until his first day of eighth grade, when cheery new kid Owen Ackerman spontaneously slid into the seat next to him in their first period health class and ruined everything.
Owen is everything Andy’s not - unmissably attractive, immediately outgoing, and almost annoyingly honest - but somehow, bound by their mutual loneliness, the two strike up an instant friendship nevertheless. And, despite his best efforts to fight it, Owen subsequently becomes the object of Andy’s affection as well.
Andy’s struggles with his sexuality and identity are nothing new to him, but when Owen arrives, any chance he has of controlling them anymore goes out the window. And even though the two drift in and out of each other’s lives over the decade that follows their first meeting, they always find their way back to one another, consistently blurring the line between friendship and “something more” as they age - despite all the dangers such a “something” would encounter in their small town and the rapidly changing world around them.
13-year-old Andy Olson had almost entirely resigned himself to ambling aimlessly through his lackluster life in the small, sleepy town of Jasper, Nebraska until his first day of eighth grade, when cheery new kid Owen Ackerman spontaneously slid into the seat next to him in their first period health class and ruined everything.
Owen is everything Andy’s not - unmissably attractive, immediately outgoing, and almost annoyingly honest - but somehow, bound by their mutual loneliness, the two strike up an instant friendship nevertheless. And, despite his best efforts to fight it, Owen subsequently becomes the object of Andy’s affection as well.
Andy’s struggles with his sexuality and identity are nothing new to him, but when Owen arrives, any chance he has of controlling them anymore goes out the window. And even though the two drift in and out of each other’s lives over the decade that follows their first meeting, they always find their way back to one another, consistently blurring the line between friendship and “something more” as they age - despite all the dangers such a “something” would encounter in their small town and the rapidly changing world around them.
427 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 13, 2026
24 people are currently reading
291 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
February 9, 2026
Zoë is not only my friend but probably my favorite author. Every time Zoë would email me more chapters of this book over the past couple of years, I’d drop everything to read them immediately. I think everyone should be prepared to do the same when the book comes out!
Queer stories of young people growing up in the Midwest are rare, especially ones written with this much authenticity and vulnerability. I needed this when I was younger, but I’m so glad it exists now too.
Queer stories of young people growing up in the Midwest are rare, especially ones written with this much authenticity and vulnerability. I needed this when I was younger, but I’m so glad it exists now too.
February 16, 2026
really got me emotional a few times. i flew through this, it was really addicting. structured in such a way to inflict maximum emotional damage. i look foward to reading whatever Zoë writes next because it is clear she has the talent for this.
February 21, 2026
This debut novel by Zoe Rose Bryant was beautifully written, being consistently engaging, very insightful, and emotionally moving. The characters are all very memorable, and they all play a significant role in this story. It also does a very effective job showing Andy’s relationships growing up, most notably the ones with his mom and Owen. It also does a great job showing the pains and heartbreaks that come with uncertainty, fear, and longing. I was very moved by several scenes throughout this novel, including the story’s ending.
Without question, I would highly recommend “Good Friends” to readers. I very much enjoyed this story, and it inspired me to return to my own roots and try to write even more than I already do. I am definitely looking forward to seeing what Zoe Rose Bryant publishes next. And if this book ever gets the cinematic treatment, I would not be surprised at all if it got an Oscar nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay. Happy I got the opportunity to read this book, and I wish the author and those close to her well.
Without question, I would highly recommend “Good Friends” to readers. I very much enjoyed this story, and it inspired me to return to my own roots and try to write even more than I already do. I am definitely looking forward to seeing what Zoe Rose Bryant publishes next. And if this book ever gets the cinematic treatment, I would not be surprised at all if it got an Oscar nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay. Happy I got the opportunity to read this book, and I wish the author and those close to her well.
February 15, 2026
No surprise - Zoë wrote an absolute home run for her debut novel. Highly recommend. Couldn’t put it down.
February 21, 2026
When I bought this book, I knew there were a few things to consider before I read it.
The first being that this was a debut book. Writing any book, regardless of quality, takes a great deal of consideration, time, thought, commitment and skill. Skill that whilst you can develop through studying, I feel you also develop through experience. Now I am unaware of Zoë Rose Bryant's experience with writing (with the exception of her film reviews), whether she studied or if it was just a hobby, but prior to beginning this book, I assumed the latter.
The other thing I had to consider is that I wouldn't have classified myself as a fan of straight romance prior to this book. I've enjoyed it in the greater picture of fantasy stories and sci-fi adventures, but Nebraska wasn't the place I thought of in terms of a world to escape to. So with all that in mind, I started the book and...
Good Friends is a book I struggled to put down.
The fear I had with the story running just shy of 400 pages, is that the romance between these two men from childhood to adulthood, would be surface level and become potentially stale. Yet this book just gave me so much more. Whilst the love story is magical with a lot of complexity and value, it isn't just about the love these two people share, it's the meaning behind it in the world that surrounds them. It's about the people that are directly involved in their lives. I absolutely loved how effortlessly the themes were explored in this book. The idea of how differently people connect with their sexuality from the beginning, to the years that follow. I loved how that played into the story. Given that we see these characters and their relationships develop of a number of years, I found it very interesting to see these characters grow into their identities. To cover "growing up" in less than 400 pages, with a number of different people, so effectively and with so much depth, on top of a love story, is just incredible to me.
I don't believe this is a spoiler but apologies if whoever may read this deems it so, but this book starts in the year 2012 and progresses over the years. Those years, especially in America I can imagine, had a significant impact on the youth as far as understanding the world around them and understanding themselves. I think Zoë does a wonderful job in honouring that and showing that impact. There's a particular part in this book where it touches on a horrific event that had happened at the time, and how it was effecting the characters. I think Zoë writes about it beautifully. It was so moving and heartbreaking. It offered a very real layer of perspective around how any person, young or old, may fear for the life they cannot help but live. It was devastating.
The characters are all wonderful. Andy and Owen have an amazing dynamic all the way through and page after page, I just wanted to root for them more and more. Each character felt unique, with a distinct voice. Again, they all had layers. I found none of the characters to be surface level, but rather individual. Each character has a certain amount of growth which I really liked. One thing I really liked is something I mentioned earlier, which is how the people directly involved in lets say Owen and Andy's lives, actually impacted them as characters. You can actually see the impact they have on how they view themselves and the world around them. When their relationships change and grow, these views also change and grow and I loved that you could see that in the story.
The writing was great. Everything had great pacing and none of the bigger moments felt rushed. There's a lot of attention on grief and trauma which I feel was written with great empathy. That grief and trauma actually served the story as well. For how much Zoë weaves into the story, none of it ever felt unnecessary. I found almost all of the details, character moments and politics discussed to be purposeful. There are some aspects in regards to the politics that I found to be a little less needed, but we spend so little time on the aspects I'm thinking of that for me, them being in the book was neither here nor there.
I think the cover for this book is also really great. As you read through the story, your understanding of the cover is deepened and I feel it's entirely representative of the relationship Owen and Andy have. I think Chelsea, the artist behind the cover, did a great job.
Something I have found in a couple of the books I've read is the fact that their value and meaning to the reader can change over time, depending on where they are in their lives. I recently found this with Frankenstein. I feel this book is no different. It certainly feels aimed towards a teenage audience, yet I can imagine those same teenagers reading this book again in their 20's or 30's and seeing it much differently. Reflecting on their own journey with their sexuality and identity, especially when moving from their childhood to adulthood. It's just a brilliant book.
This book surpassed my expectations and then some. It is so meaningful and important. Zoë wrote a beautiful story, one that I recommend to anyone with the time to read it.
The first being that this was a debut book. Writing any book, regardless of quality, takes a great deal of consideration, time, thought, commitment and skill. Skill that whilst you can develop through studying, I feel you also develop through experience. Now I am unaware of Zoë Rose Bryant's experience with writing (with the exception of her film reviews), whether she studied or if it was just a hobby, but prior to beginning this book, I assumed the latter.
The other thing I had to consider is that I wouldn't have classified myself as a fan of straight romance prior to this book. I've enjoyed it in the greater picture of fantasy stories and sci-fi adventures, but Nebraska wasn't the place I thought of in terms of a world to escape to. So with all that in mind, I started the book and...
Good Friends is a book I struggled to put down.
The fear I had with the story running just shy of 400 pages, is that the romance between these two men from childhood to adulthood, would be surface level and become potentially stale. Yet this book just gave me so much more. Whilst the love story is magical with a lot of complexity and value, it isn't just about the love these two people share, it's the meaning behind it in the world that surrounds them. It's about the people that are directly involved in their lives. I absolutely loved how effortlessly the themes were explored in this book. The idea of how differently people connect with their sexuality from the beginning, to the years that follow. I loved how that played into the story. Given that we see these characters and their relationships develop of a number of years, I found it very interesting to see these characters grow into their identities. To cover "growing up" in less than 400 pages, with a number of different people, so effectively and with so much depth, on top of a love story, is just incredible to me.
I don't believe this is a spoiler but apologies if whoever may read this deems it so, but this book starts in the year 2012 and progresses over the years. Those years, especially in America I can imagine, had a significant impact on the youth as far as understanding the world around them and understanding themselves. I think Zoë does a wonderful job in honouring that and showing that impact. There's a particular part in this book where it touches on a horrific event that had happened at the time, and how it was effecting the characters. I think Zoë writes about it beautifully. It was so moving and heartbreaking. It offered a very real layer of perspective around how any person, young or old, may fear for the life they cannot help but live. It was devastating.
The characters are all wonderful. Andy and Owen have an amazing dynamic all the way through and page after page, I just wanted to root for them more and more. Each character felt unique, with a distinct voice. Again, they all had layers. I found none of the characters to be surface level, but rather individual. Each character has a certain amount of growth which I really liked. One thing I really liked is something I mentioned earlier, which is how the people directly involved in lets say Owen and Andy's lives, actually impacted them as characters. You can actually see the impact they have on how they view themselves and the world around them. When their relationships change and grow, these views also change and grow and I loved that you could see that in the story.
The writing was great. Everything had great pacing and none of the bigger moments felt rushed. There's a lot of attention on grief and trauma which I feel was written with great empathy. That grief and trauma actually served the story as well. For how much Zoë weaves into the story, none of it ever felt unnecessary. I found almost all of the details, character moments and politics discussed to be purposeful. There are some aspects in regards to the politics that I found to be a little less needed, but we spend so little time on the aspects I'm thinking of that for me, them being in the book was neither here nor there.
I think the cover for this book is also really great. As you read through the story, your understanding of the cover is deepened and I feel it's entirely representative of the relationship Owen and Andy have. I think Chelsea, the artist behind the cover, did a great job.
Something I have found in a couple of the books I've read is the fact that their value and meaning to the reader can change over time, depending on where they are in their lives. I recently found this with Frankenstein. I feel this book is no different. It certainly feels aimed towards a teenage audience, yet I can imagine those same teenagers reading this book again in their 20's or 30's and seeing it much differently. Reflecting on their own journey with their sexuality and identity, especially when moving from their childhood to adulthood. It's just a brilliant book.
This book surpassed my expectations and then some. It is so meaningful and important. Zoë wrote a beautiful story, one that I recommend to anyone with the time to read it.
February 17, 2026
I really had no idea what this was about going in, but decided to give it a shot since Zoe Rose Bryant is one of my favorite people on film Twitter and man am I glad I did. It's an absolutely beautiful romance/coming of age story that really moved me and sunk it's teeth into me, I just couldn't put this book down. I can't wait to read whatever she does next!
February 21, 2026
It’s noon on a Saturday and I’m absolutely emotionally destroyed from finishing my friend Zoë Rose Bryant’s debut novel. The way she breathes life into these characters is incredible. This story clung onto my heart and it really stuck.
February 19, 2026
incredibly beautiful depiction of teenage limerence and bittersweet nostalgia!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews