Britt-Marie, whom Backman fans might remember from My Grandmother Sends Her Regards And Apologises, is the most nagging, intolerant woman you've ever met. She judges people by the cleanliness of their homes, the way they arrange their cutlery drawers, by their reserve during emotional times. She is an unhappily married housewife, and has no friends.

One day Britt-Marie can't take it anymore. She leaves her cheating husband and goes out to find a job for the first time in forty years. The job takes her out of the city and into the tiny community of Borg, if community is what this collection of empty buildings on a country road could properly be called. Her job is to clean the rec centre, and she does so with vigour and with all the sodium bicarbonate she can find.

It is to her great surprise that she accidentally ends up coaching a soccer team. She is also surprised by friendship, and by the attentions of a man, and by love for a young man raising his siblings on his own.

Britt-Marie's biggest fear is dying alone and having no one know that she is dead because there is no one to miss her, and her body not being discovered until the neighbours complain about the smell. Britt-Marie, however, is unforgettable, whether you are one of the other characters of the book, or whether you are lucky enough to have read 'Britt-Marie Was Here' as I did. I loved this book, almost as much as I loved A Man Called Ove, and I love Britt-Marie too. ( )

Britt-Marie: Nag Bag with a heart of gold

When the reader first encounters Britt- Marie, she is silent and closed off...quite rigid. Through her encounters in Borg, she develops the ability to assert herself, and make choices about her future.
4 out of 5 stars...I found the last chapter to be disappointing. The author doesn't really explain the choices Britt- Marie made, nor why. ( )

Another great story by Backman! Definitely officially one of my favorite authors. He has such a way with words and a gift at expressing such real emotions in his stories. This story was written similarly to A Man Called Ove (Beartown and Us Against You have a different vibe) with a main character that is easily disliked...until she’s not. It’s a beautiful story with a perfect ending. ( )

Absolutely astonishing. A side of Britt-Matie that is unexpected and heart warming. She reminded me of my own grandma in the loving way. This is the second book I have read by Fredrik Backman and I absolutely love it. A true tale of you are never too old to reinvent yourself and find a new passion. ( )

I enjoyed this book. The author has a way of taking everyday people and events and making them interesting. Britt-Marie is such a socially awkward person, but it's great to see her character development. This is my second book by this author and I'll definitely search for more. ( )