MWF Seeking BFF: My Yearlong Search for a New Best Friend

(Paperback)

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My Yearlong Search for a New Best Friend When Rachel Bertsche first moves to Chicago, she's thrilled to finally share a zip code, let alone an apartment, with her boyfriend. But shortly after getting married, Bertsche realizes that her new life is missing one thing- friends. Sure, she has plenty of BFFs-in New York and San Francisco and Boston and Washington, D.C. Still, in her adopted hometown, there's no one to call at the last minute for girl talk over brunch or a reality-TV marathon over a bottle of wine. Taking matters into her own hands, Bertsche develops a plan- She'll go on fifty-two friend-dates, one per week for a year, in hopes of meeting her new Best Friend Forever. In her thought-provoking, uproarious memoir, Bertsche blends the story of her girl-dates (whom she meets everywhere from improv class to friend rental websites) with the latest social research to examine how difficult-and hilariously awkward-it is to make new friends as an adult. In a time when women will happily announce they need a man but are embarrassed to admit they need a BFF, Bertsche uncovers the reality that no matter how great your love life is, you've gotta have friends.

Reviews

Advance Praise for MWF Seeking BFF

This charming, funny chronicle of an experiment in extreme friending explores the bonds between women and the idea that the world is peopled with potential BFFs
People, 3 stars

"Bertsche's skill as a writer and the myriad ways she finds potential dates keep things interesting. The book is also peppered with intriguing research on topics like what makes friends click, how many friends we need and the health benefits of having friends. A reader cannot help but root for Bertsche, cheer her successes and consider trying out some of her ideas. Associated Press

Written with verve, insight and humor, Bertsche somehow manages to be clever but not judgmental. In contextualizing her personal experience with recent research, Bertsche writes cleverly, but not glibly, about the challenges young women face today.
Chicago Tribune (Editors Choice)

Illuminating and funny. New York Post

Bertsches natural voice and easy, honest prose may leave readers wanting to befriend the first-time author themselves.American Way Magazine

A humbling, hilarious journey.Put MWF on your book club list now. Chicago Magazine

A charming exposition of the latest research on social connections. [MWF SEEKING BFF] combines personal narrative and social research in an upbeat and approachable manner. Booklist

"In this sweet memoir...Bertsches pursuit is grounded in what most everyone is looking formore fulfilling relationships and a sense of belongingand she bravely provides some of the tools, including openness, persistence, and self-awareness, needed to attain these rewards."--Publishers Weekly

Friendship is one of the most important elements of a happy lifebut it can be tough to make new friends. In MWF Seeking BFF, Rachel Bertsche weaves together her engaging and often hilarious adventures in search of a new best friend with the latest research about the science of friendship. I couldnt put it down.Gretchen Rubin, author of The Happiness Project

"Reading about Rachel Bertsche's search for that special someone, you'll find yourself thinking about all the friends you've ever had -- and the ones you hope are right around the corner. Rachel writes with engaging humor and a measure of poignancy, too. You'll enjoy joining her on her journey."-- Jeffrey Zaslow, author of The Girls from Ames

Genuine, funny and thoroughly inspiring, MWF Seeking BFF is a tribute to female friendships and a must-read for anyone who has ever found herself sunk into her couch and scrolling through the phone list feeling like there's no one to call for a last-minute drink or Sunday brunch. -- Rachel Machacek, author of The Science of Single

Rachel Bertsche's yearlong diary of searching for best friendship in a new city is compulsively readable and will plant a smile on your face as you turn the pages. Funny, forthright, and honest as a midnight phone call, Bertsche's zesty hosanna to female bonding defines what it is to be a double-X Millennial.-- Sheila Weller, author of Girls Like Us: Carole King, Joni Mitchell and Carly Simonand the Journey of a Generation

MWF Seeking BFF is funny, charming, and so relatable. Throughout Rachels journey to develop more meaningful, enduring relationships with other women, I found myself wishing she had my number.-- Robyn Okrant, author of Living Oprah

I guess you could say Rachel had me at "Hello" I found myself totally invested in her honest, earnest, oftentimes hilarious quest for meaningful female friendship.Whether you're actively seeking a BFF yourself or simply recognize the value in making quality connections with other women,MWF Seeking BFFunderscores the profound rewards we women stand to reap when we simply open up, reach out to one another, and go for it. Asmart, fun, and inspiring page turner that will surely resonate.-- Kelly Valen, author of The Twisted Sisterhood

Author Bio

Rachel Bertsche is a journalist in Chicago, where she lives with her husband. Her work has appeared in Marie Claire, More, Teen Vogue, Every Day with Rachael Ray, Fitness, Women's Health, CNN.com, and more. Before leaving New York (and all her friends) for the Midwest, Bertsche was an editor at O- The Oprah Magazine.