Bad Friend
Why Friendship Breakups Hurt and How to Heal
Will be published approx. on 7. May 2026
Book
Paperback/Softback
448 pages
978-1-4087-4949-4 (ISBN)
Description
We live in a society that heroises romantic love over platonic love, yet despite the attempts to revolutionise Valentines to Galentines and even Malentines, we still prioritise romantic relationships over friendships. Just look at the language we have for each stage; from seeing each other to dating, committing to one another to getting engaged and married. We even have multiple options for the same meaning, whether it's fuck buddies, non-exclusive, no strings attached, friends with benefits or a casual relationship. But when a person will have on average seven to ten romantic relationships in their lifetime and twenty-nine friends, why is it that the conversation on love is far greater than the conversation on friendship? And when only six of these friendships will stand the test of time, this means that the average person will experience the ending of twenty-three friendships in their lifetime - that's three times the amount of romantic breakups.
As someone who has gone through a dozen friendship breakups, Michelle began to think she was A Bad Friend. She grieved in silence, shrouded by shame and secrecy, because when society doesn't make room for a conversation about friendship breakups, you learn not to either. Just like a romantic break up, have one too many and society starts poking flaws in why your relationships keep ending. But what if you aren't the problem? What if the problem is the way we think about friendship breakups?
Bad Friend will remove the stigma from friendships breakups. It will spark a much-needed conversation around friendships, making us question everything we have been taught about them. It will help the reader identify what they're looking for in a friendship, explore friendship during life changes, help the reader heal from fractures in friendships, and give advice on how to end a friendship, rules for better friendships and how to make new friends. Bad Friend is the book for anyone who has ever been hurt by a friend but it's also the book to read to know that you are not one.
As someone who has gone through a dozen friendship breakups, Michelle began to think she was A Bad Friend. She grieved in silence, shrouded by shame and secrecy, because when society doesn't make room for a conversation about friendship breakups, you learn not to either. Just like a romantic break up, have one too many and society starts poking flaws in why your relationships keep ending. But what if you aren't the problem? What if the problem is the way we think about friendship breakups?
Bad Friend will remove the stigma from friendships breakups. It will spark a much-needed conversation around friendships, making us question everything we have been taught about them. It will help the reader identify what they're looking for in a friendship, explore friendship during life changes, help the reader heal from fractures in friendships, and give advice on how to end a friendship, rules for better friendships and how to make new friends. Bad Friend is the book for anyone who has ever been hurt by a friend but it's also the book to read to know that you are not one.
Reviews / Votes
Friendship breakups are so painful and so many people need this book. Our broken platonic hearts are in such safe hands with Michelle's expert advice and insight -- Holly Bourne Insightful, wise, compassionate. This book is going to help so many people -- Louise O'Neill Michelle's writing is my emergency contact - I always come away with pluck in my step and a plan of action -- Lenna Norms This is a truly game-changing book highlighting the importance and complexities of female friendships. It's a brilliantly researched book, and a book we should ALL read -- Louise Pentland This book is your new best friend. The guide to friendship breakups we all so desperately need. An incredible, no-bullshit, kind and warm guide to navigating the difficulty of friendships ending. We've needed this book for years - I'm so happy it finally exists! -- Sofie Hagen Female friendships can be core of a healthy, happy, fulfilled life. Their complexities are so often overlooked, but not anymore. Michelle Elman has perfectly summarised their complicated importance. Bravo -- Anna Whitehouse It's time for a new narrative around platonic love, and to heal from the wounds those heartbreaks have left. I can think of no better person than Michelle - who loves deeply, heals phenomenally and is truly a great friend - to show us the way -- Megan Jayne Crabbe Michelle is the queen of boundaries -- Katie Piper The world would be a much better place if every woman read Bad Friend and learned to communicate as clearly and directly as Michelle teaches us to. A game-changer which made me feel a million times better about friendships that have gone wrong in the past, while arming me with the tools I need for the future -- Ellie Middleton This book is a must-read for anyone who's ever questioned a friendship, felt the sting of outgrowing someone, or wondered how to be a better friend themselves -- Shivani Pau This is a long overdue conversation about friendship: the joys, the break ups, the frustrations, and the tricky points of conflict that we all navigate over the course of time -- Abigail Mann Michelle's ability to share her wisdom with wit, honesty, and heart - whilst tackling subjects often untouched - is a testament to her generosity and fearless spirit. With a wicked sense of humour, confidence and an uncanny ability to connect with people at every level, Michelle is truly one of a kind -- Michelle ZelliMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
United Kingdom
Publishing group
John Murray Press
Dimensions
Height: 195 mm
Width: 127 mm
Thickness: 30 mm
Weight
312 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-4087-4949-4 (9781408749494)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
05/2025
Renegade Books
€6.49
Available for download
Person
Michelle Elman, also known as the "Queen of Boundaries", is a five-board accredited life coach, author, broadcaster and public speaker. Michelle is often praised for her straight-talking approach and has appeared on ITV daytime show, This Morning as their resident life coach. Along with her three best-selling books, Am I Ugly? (2018), The Joy Of Being Selfish (2021) and The Selfish Romantic (2023), Michelle's debut children's book, How To Say No (2023), sparked a crucial conversation between teens and boundaries. Michelle's popularity continues to grow with her books being sold in 16 countries and amassing an online following of over 250k on Instagram and 200k on TikTok. A firm media favourite and core industry spokesperson, Michelle is celebrated by the likes of Glamour, Stylist and Grazia, with Cosmopolitan naming The Joy of Being Selfish as one of the best books to read on mental health.