A really good book! Maybe it should be required reading? Trying to determine what age though ... when I requested to read the advance read copy, I thought it might be helpful for my young niece. But this book is really for adults (in my opinion). But would be a great book for high school and colleges as well.

Love and friendship is not quantitative. If I have 4 friends and one moves 5 states away and I'm not connecting with them any longer, does my friendship with the others increase by some proportion? No. Does it increase at all? Probably not. It is not a mathematics equation.

I found some of the unusual friendships between famous folks interesting. I found the entire book interesting. So glad I read the Secrets of Successful Friendships!

Many thanks to NetGalley and The School of Life (publishers) for approving my request to read the advance read copy of The Secrets of Successful Friendships in exchange for an honest review. Not very long at 168 pages. Sept 9, 2025 publication date.

The Secret of Successful Friendships examines the complexities of human connection in today’s world. It blends psychology, philosophy, and cultural insight to explore why friendship is both deeply rewarding and surprisingly challenging. The book analyses how we perceive friendships, the role of personality in forming bonds, and even draws on examples from well-known figures.

Few things enrich life as much as strong friendships, yet many of us struggle to build and sustain them. Through The School of Life’s distinctive lens, this guide offers a refreshing perspective on why friendships are more nuanced than we often assume and provides practical strategies for fostering meaningful connections.


WHY I LOVE THIS BOOK

The Secret of Successful Friendships tackles pressing questions like: Why do we feel lonely? What barriers prevent deeper relationships? And how can we develop the emotional intelligence needed for lasting bonds?

The book addresses the difficulties some face in making friends, offering guidance on self-understanding and self-compassion, especially when social interactions feel awkward.


WHO IS THIS FOR?

Aimed primarily at adults navigating the complexities of modern friendship, this is a wise and reassuring read for anyone seeking to strengthen their relationships or simply understand them better.

Thank you, The School of Life, for the advance reader copy.

I had a fun time reading this book on friendships, the types of friendships we have and what they mean.

I love the examples given; what factors affect friendships and what it takes to make a solid foundation in friendships!

I wish there were more of examples from today’s scenarios. But yes, I enjoyed reading about the famous people in the past and their stories on their friends.

I have read several books from The School of Life, but this one feels different. It’s relatable and important. Having true friends is very important, especially as an adult with many responsibilities and mental burdens. I agree that even having just a few friends you can count on one hand is a blessing.

This book is not only about friendship but also about loneliness. It’s okay to sometimes feel lonely because it’s truly hard to find friends who understand the uniqueness of who we are.

Reading this book made me appreciate the friends in my life, whether we’ve lost contact or are still in touch. Be good to them and be there for them.

Thank you, The School of Life, for the digital arc.

An excellent informative look at how to build a successful friendship.How to deal with all aspects of being a friend emotionally and intellectually.Another excellent book the school of life’ series #netgalley#schooloflife

Just with most other TSoL books, The Secrets of Successful Friendships invites the reader to have an honest conversation with themselves and those around them; in this case about friendships.

And just like most of TSoL books do, this book makes you feel you have reached familiar but not fully explored territory.

This book was very thought provoking. It drove home points that I previously struggled with. Whenever I heard about how we make friends out of need or different ones at different times in our lives, it never settled well with me and always led to a panicked discussion where I would explain in great detail how all our friendships are the same and should be treated equally. The author completely changed my mind by explaining specifically why we struggle to make friends as humans, and the labels we put on our friendships due to expectations. But also that alot of our behavior is learnt and stems from deeply rooted personal fears. I would 10/10 recommend this book to anyone who wants to go with the eb and flow of life and their ever changing friendships.

The Secrets of Successful Friendships is an insightful book that explores the nature of friendship in a meaningful way. At its core, the book reassures us that true friends see and accept our most authentic selves. Our flaws and struggles are accepted and true friends still choose to stand by us.

The chapters are clearly laid out and cover a wide range of themes, including different types of friendships, substitutes for friendship, and even the potential enemies of friendship. I found the book engaging and appreciated the inclusion of historical context and photographs.

One of the key messages that resonated with me was the importance of honesty in friendships and not presenting a facade, but showing up as we truly are. We don’t need to behave 'normally' or hide our quirks. In fact, I’ve always believed that vulnerability makes a person more likeable, and this book reinforced that beautifully.

It also offered insights I hadn’t considered before. The writing is well-researched, and accessible. I’d recommend it to anyone looking to reflect on their friendships. I received a free ARC from NetGalley and this is my honest review.