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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.
401 pages, Paperback
Published February 13, 2026
25 people are currently reading
278 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 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 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 15, 2026
No surprise - Zoë wrote an absolute home run for her debut novel. Highly recommend. Couldn’t put it down.
February 19, 2026
incredibly beautiful depiction of teenage limerence and bittersweet nostalgia!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews