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Female friendships are the real deal—they’re not just about having someone to gossip with or share a laugh.
These relationships go deep and you’ll get a kind of support that can lift you up when you’re feeling down and give you that extra push when you need it most.
They’re like a mirror reflecting your best and worst moments, all while cheering you on from the sidelines, and if you’ve ever experienced a friendship like this, you know how powerful it can be.
And sometimes, these friendships can throw curveballs your way that test your strength and resilience.
The best books on female friendship capture this perfectly and you will feel like the characters are right there with you, going through the ups and downs together.
They’re filled with those little moments that make friendships so special—the inside jokes, the late-night talks, and the unspoken understanding that comes from knowing someone so well.
But they’re also the kind of stories that might bring a tear to your eye, as they touch on the struggles and heartbreaks that come with any deep relationship.
It’s this blend of joy and sorrow that makes these books so relatable and powerful.
What’s great about these books is how real they feel. The characters aren’t just flat figures on a page—they’re fully fleshed out, with flaws, fears, and dreams just like you and me.
When you read about their friendships, it’s easy to see reflections of your own life.
Whether it’s the friend who’s always got your back or the one who challenges you to grow, these books capture the essence of what it means to be a friend and to have friends who mean the world to you.
So, if you’ve been looking for book recommendations for books that celebrate the friendship between incredible women who shape each other’s lives in big and small ways, these books are where it’s at.
1. The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan
Joy Luck Club follows four Chinese immigrant women in San Francisco who bond over mahjong and share stories of their past in 1949.
Their daughters, who are disconnected from their heritage, later grapple with their own identity crises, but they soon realise the significance of their mothers’ experiences.
This lovely book goes into the delicate, intricate relationship between mothers and their daughters and I especially loved how each storyline was laced with humour and empathy.
2. Before Everything by Victoria Redel
In Before Everything, we see a group of women who’ve been friends since childhood and, in time, face life’s ups and downs together, and the entire story hinges on the death of a member that makes them congregate once again.
Anna, is at the end of her life, so they all gather to support her in her rural Massachusetts home, but they all have their unique challenges, which is bared the more they reminisce.
If you do take any book recommendation for me on the best books about female friendships, then this one is a must.
Redel’s prose is at once heartfelt and poignant and you’ll get swept up in this lovely story about the inevitability of change and the power of friendship.
Each woman’s voice is so distinct, yet they all come together in this deeply emotional narrative that will remind you of the importance of holding onto the people who have known you the longest, especially when life gets tough.
3. Perennials by Mandy Berman
This coming-of-age novel set at summer camp shows the slow, heartwarming transition from childhood to adulthood through the friendship of Rachel and Fiona.
After a tragic event, these two are forced to confront their past and adulthood, as well as the many secrets and tensions that dogged their every move.
Perennials is a nostalgic and poignant book about adolescent longing and an enduring female friendship that’s lovely in the best way possible.
It’s the kind of story that pulls you back into those summer camp days, with all their innocence and intensity.
Berman captures that bittersweet transition from childhood to adulthood and if you’ve ever had a friend who knew you before you really knew yourself, this book will resonate deeply with you.
4. Swing Time by Zadie Smith
In this book about a friendship that receives a new breath, we meet two girls who dream of dancing, but only one, Tracey, has talent and this fractures their relationship.
The writing in Swing Time is so vivid that I could almost hear the music and see the dance moves as I read.
What I appreciated most was how our author doesn’t shy away from the messiness of life—whether it’s the shifting dynamics of a friendship or the lingering impact of our pasts.
This is one of those stories that sticks with you long after you’ve turned the last page and you’ll enjoy this exploration of the friendships that shape us and the memories that haunt us.
5. The Details by Ia Genberg
Bedridden with fever, a finds revisits a novel with a get-well message from her ex, Johanna and the more she flips through, the further she sinks into the recesses of her memory.
We meet Johanna, Niki, Brigitte, and Alejandro, and, even more importantly, we see the roles these very different individuals played in our unnamed narrator’s life.
I read The Details when it was long-listed for the 2024 International Booker Prize and I loved every page of it – This is an English language debut by a well-known Swedish author.
Genberg’s writing is so immersive that I felt like I was right there with the narrator, flipping through the pages of her memories.
6. The Last Year of the War by Susan Meissner
In 1943 Iowa, Elise Sontag’s life changes when her father, suspected of being a Nazi sympathiser, is arrested.
And when she’s sent to a Texas internment camp, Elise feels stripped of her identity until she befriends Mariko Inoue, a Japanese-American teen and their friendship gives them hope for a future beyond the camp’s confines.
This beautiful book about female friendship is set in the sunsetting years of the Second World War and every single beat will resonate with you.
It is a much needed reminder of the power of friendship to provide hope and a sense of identity, even in the darkest times.
If historical fiction with a strong emotional core is your thing, don’t miss this one – you’re going to absolutely adore every bit of it.
Also See: Top 26 Best Fiction & Non-Fiction About World War I to Read ASAP
7. Rules For Visiting by Jessica Francis Kane
RULES FOR VISITING follows May Attaway, a university gardener, who embarks on a journey to reconnect with four old friends over the course of a year.
At forty, May is more comfortable with plants than people, but she decides to visit each friend individually.
Through her adventures, May reflects on friendship in the digital age and the importance of genuine connections over curated online lives. Ultimately, she learns the value of being present in others’ messy analog lives.
This book truly surprised me in the best way possible. Following May’s journey to reconnect with her old friends made me think about my own friendships and how we often let them slip by in our busy lives.
Kane’s writing is warm and insightful, and I found myself rooting for May as she tried to rekindle her old bonds.
It’s very important that we make time for the people who matter most, even if it means stepping out of your comfort zone and this book about female friendship tells us how this could be achieved.
8. Best of Friends by Kamila Shamsie
Zahra and Maryam, childhood friends from Karachi, have remained close despite their stark differences.
They’ve built successful lives in London, but unresolved issues resurface when figures from their past reappear, forcing them to confront their differences and test the strength of their friendship.
What I loved about Best of Friends is how it examines the evolution of a friendship over time, especially when faced with challenges from the past.
Zahra and Maryam’s journey from Karachi to London is so vividly portrayed that you can feel the tension between their differing life choices.
It’s a fascinating look at how friendships can be both grounding and challenging, and how the people we’ve known the longest often hold the most power over us.
So, if you’ve ever wondered how your oldest friendships might withstand the test of time, this book is a must-read.
9. Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein
Code Name Verity tells the story of two best friends, a British spy and a pilot, whose plane crashes in Nazi-occupied France during World War II.
When Verity is captured by the Gestapo, she faces a choice: reveal her mission or face death.
As she confesses, she reflects on her friendship with Maddie, the pilot, and grapples with courage, failure, and the desperate hope of survival.
Elizabeth Wein’s harrowing and beautifully written novel explores the depths of friendship and the lengths friends will go to save each other.
This book absolutely gripped me from start to finish because the bond between the two friends, set against the harrowing backdrop of World War II, is both heartbreaking and inspiring.
I found myself on the edge of my seat, hoping against hope that their friendship would survive the impossible circumstances they were in.
Code Name Verity won’t disappoint if you’re into stories of bravery, sacrifice, and the unbreakable ties of friendship.
10. The Island of Sea Women by Lisa See
The Island of Sea Women by Lisa See follows the lifelong friendship between Mi-ja and Young-sook, two girls from different backgrounds, on the Korean island of Jeju.
Set against the backdrop of historical events like Japanese colonialism and the Korean War, the novel explores their bond as members of a female diving collective.
Despite their close relationship, their differing backgrounds and external pressures strain their friendship.
Through their story, See highlights the unique culture of Jeju Island and the role of women in it, showcasing themes of friendship and resilience.
A major highlight of this book, in my opinion, was the way our author handled the role of women in Jeju culture.
The friendship between Mi-ja and Young-sook is at the heart of the story, and See does an incredible job of showing how their bond is tested by external pressures and their differing backgrounds.
It’s a beautiful, heartbreaking story that stays with you long after you’ve finished reading and if you’re looking for a novel that doesn’t skimp when giving rich historical detail, The Island of Sea Women is an excellent choice.
11. Sula by Toni Morrison
Sula follows the friendship between two young black girls, Sula and Nel, as they grow up together in a small town in Ohio.
When Sula leaves to explore the cities, she returns to find Nel married with children.
Their friendship becomes strained as Sula’s unconventional lifestyle clashes with the town’s expectations, leading to tension and mistrust among the community.
Sula is a book that really made me think about the ever shifting dynamics of friendship and the ways in which our choices can define us.
Morrison’s writing is, as always, both powerful and poetic and I found myself completely absorbed in their story, which feels both universal and deeply personal.
12. The Color Purple by Alice Walker
The Color Purple, a Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award winner, is a powerful portrayal of African American women in rural Georgia in the early twentieth century.
Through letters exchanged between sisters Celie and Nettie over two decades, the novel explores themes of loyalty, hope, and resilience.
It bravely confronts issues of domestic and sexual abuse, offering a compassionate narrative of women’s lives.
This book is nothing short of a masterpiece. The relationship between Celie and Nettie, told through their letters, is one of the most moving portrayals of sisterhood and friendship I’ve ever read.
Walker’s ability to tackle such heavy themes with compassion and grace is truly remarkable.
If you haven’t read The Color Purple yet, I can’t recommend it highly enough – it’s a powerful reminder of the strength and resilience of women in the face of adversity.
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13. Give Me Your Hand by Megan Abbott
Kit Owens’ modest ambitions shifted when Diane Fleming entered her high school chemistry class, igniting a friendship.
But Diane’s revelation of a secret altered their relationship. Over a decade later, as Kit pursues her scientific dreams,
Diane reappears as her competition for a coveted research position, leading to a perilous rivalry.
What I loved about Give Me Your Hand was how it combined the intensity of female friendship with a gripping, suspenseful plot.
The rivalry between Kit and Diane is so well-crafted, and Abbott does an excellent job of keeping you on the edge of your seat as their story unfolds.
If you’re a fan of psychological thrillers that delve into the complexities of friendship, this one should definitely be on your list.
14. Fiona and Jane by Jean Chen Ho
Fiona and Jane follows the lives of two Taiwanese American women over two decades, exploring friendship, sexuality, identity, and heartbreak.
Best friends since second grade, Fiona Lin and Jane Shen navigate the ups and downs of life in Los Angeles, facing unfulfilling romantic encounters and family turmoil.
As Fiona moves to New York and Jane remains in California, their friendship is tested by distance and unintended betrayals.
Fiona and Jane is such a beautifully written exploration of the ups and downs of friendship over the years.
I really connected with the way Ho portrays the messiness of life and how friendships evolve (or don’t) as we grow older.
I highly recommend this book about female friendship if you’re looking for a book that captures the bittersweet nature of long-term friendships.
15. Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah
In the summer of 1974, Kate Mularkey finds herself at the bottom of the eighth-grade social hierarchy until Tully Hart, the coolest girl in the world, moves in across the street and befriends her.
Despite their differences, they become inseparable, forming a bond that spans over three decades. Tully, desperate for love and validation, pursues fame and success, while Kate dreams of a simple life with love and family.
Through the highs and lows of their friendship, they support each other until a betrayal tests their bond. Firefly Lane is a poignant tale of friendship, love, and the challenges faced by women over the years.
Firefly Lane is one of those books that just pulls at your heartstrings.
The friendship between Kate and Tully is so beautifully portrayed, with all its highs and lows, and Hannah does an amazing job of showing how their bond evolves over the decades.
It’s a deeply emotional character-driven story about the enduring power of friendship that will make you laugh, cry, and everything in between.
16. My Glory Was I Had Such Friends by Amy Silverstein
In her memoir My Glory Was I Had Such Friends, Amy Silverstein shares the profound story of the incredible group of women who stood by her side as she awaited a life-saving heart transplant.
Facing the urgent need for a new heart, Amy’s friends rallied around her, putting their own lives on hold to offer unwavering support.
Through empathy and selflessness, these women provided comfort and companionship, demonstrating the true essence of friendship.
This heartfelt tribute serves as a powerful reminder of the significance of being there for those we love in times of need.
The way Silverstein’s friends come together to support her through her heart transplant journey is nothing short of inspiring.
And, when you think about it, it’s very important important to have people who will stand by you, no matter what.
If you’re looking for a book that celebrates the best of what friendship can be, My Glory Was I Had Such Friends is a must-read.
17. Rayne and Delilah’s Midnight Matinee by Jeff Zentner
Best friends Delia and Josie grapple with tough decisions as their senior year of high school comes to an end.
Hosting a campy creature feature show on local TV, they face the dilemma of pursuing their individual futures.
Josie contemplates leaving for a big university to pursue her dream career in mainstream TV, while Delia sees the show as a connection to her estranged father and hopes for his return.
As they navigate the complexities of growing up and growing apart, they discover that uncertainty can be both daunting and transformative.
This book was such a fun and emotional read. The dynamic between Delia and Josie as they tried to survive their last year of high school and the uncertainties of the future felt so real and relatable.
Zentner captures that bittersweet moment when you’re on the cusp of major life changes, and the way friendship helps you through it all.
And, if you’ve ever had a friend who was your anchor during a transitional time in your life, you’ll find a lot to love in Rayne and Delilah’s Midnight Matinee.
So there you have it—some of the best books out there that capture the beauty, complexity, and power of female friendship.
So why not pick up one of these books, dive in, and celebrate the friendships that have shaped you? After all, there’s nothing quite like the bond between women.
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