Review: I Wish You All the Best by Mason Deaver

I WISH YOU ALL THE BEST
Mason Deaver
Publication date: May 14, 2019
Genres: YA, Contemporary, LGBT
Format: Audiobook
Source: Hoopla

Narrator: MW Cartozian Wilson
Length: 8 hrs 34 min


GOODREADS  *  AMAZON





S Y N O P S I S

When Ben De Backer comes out to their parents as nonbinary, they're thrown out of their house and forced to move in with their estranged older sister, Hannah, and her husband, Thomas, whom Ben has never even met. Struggling with an anxiety disorder compounded by their parents' rejection, they come out only to Hannah, Thomas, and their therapist and try to keep a low profile in a new school.

But Ben's attempts to survive the last half of senior year unnoticed are thwarted when Nathan Allan, a funny and charismatic student, decides to take Ben under his wing. As Ben and Nathan's friendship grows, their feelings for each other begin to change, and what started as a disastrous turn of events looks like it might just be a chance to start a happier new life.

At turns heartbreaking and joyous, I Wish You All the Best is both a celebration of life, friendship, and love, and a shining example of hope in the face of adversity.


M Y   T H O U G H T S

This. Was. Wonderful. 

Ben identified as non-binary - and was kicked out of their home because of it. The first couple chapters absolutely broke my heart. This kid, standing outside in January, with no shoes on their feet, trying to call a sister they hadn't seen in ten years to come pick them up. It was like a gut punch

Ben was precious. They were so sweet and so loving but their coming out experience had left them fearful and distrustful of possible reactions from others. There were so many times when I was silently begging Ben to speak up, to open up to their sister, to share their fears. But when I thought of myself at that age, and all the times I stayed silent and kept my fears and my worries to myself rather than voice them... I understood and I empathized. Ben struggled with anxiety and depression and panic attacks and my heart hurt that they were traveling such a rocky road on the way to finding solid ground.

There were so many aspects of this story that I loved. Ben's friend Nathan was kind and patient and always so upbeat. Everyone should be so lucky to have a Nathan in their life. Hannah and Thomas, Ben's sister and brother-in-law, were supportive and tried so hard. The story was therapy-positive and presented Ben's experience with their therapist as so worthwhile and affirming.

There were a couple instances where it felt like some character reactions were a little too perfect. They managed to say the exact right thing at the exact right time, and that made it feel a tiny bit inauthentic during those moments, but that was my only quibble. 

There came a point in this story where my heart was breaking for Ben (yet again) for all that they had to deal with. For all the hurt at the hands of the people who were supposed to love them unconditionally. For all the confusion they felt and for the fear of rejection. For their desire to just be accepted for who they were even as they worked to fully understand that themself. I found myself crying for Ben but I reminded myself that this was a work of fiction and there was no need to be so heartsick.

Then I thought about how, even though Ben may be a fictional character, there are so many real-life Ben’s out there, facing the same hurt and confusion and fear. 
And then I cried even harder.

4.5/5 STARS


ABOUT MASON DEAVER

Mason Deaver is a non-binary author who lives in Charlotte, NC, where the word ‘y’all’ is used in abundance. 

Typically, they’re writing incredibly queer stories, but when they decide to take a break, they love gardening and baking.


Instagram: @MASON_DEAVER
Twitter: @MASONDEAVER

18 comments

  1. I've seen this one around a lot, glad you liked it so much.

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    1. Thanks Deanna - it was such an emotional reading experience.

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  2. Glad to hear this was a win. It does sound like an emotional and moving story. Wonderful review, Tanya! :)

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  3. I have this on my save list at the library - I think I'll dl'd it when I get a chance.

    Karen @ For What It's Worth

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    1. I hope you'll enjoy it, Karen. Ben was such a precious character.

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  4. Now this is the kind of representation that truly can make a difference in a person's life. There is a lot of discomfort surrounding non-binary people, especially in the south. Giving voices to their stories is so valuable!

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    1. Totally agree, Ethan. Deaver is giving a lot of kids (and adults) representation and proof that they're not alone.

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  5. I had this audiobook, and my loan expired before I listened to it. I heard it was really sad, and therefore, kept putting it off. I am ok with sad parts, but does it get more hopeful?

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    1. I listened on audio and at first I was unsure about the narrator. But then it was like he just became Ben and it totally worked for me. It was sad at parts but not all the way through. There were some genuinely good people in Ben's life and it ended on a very hopeful note. I hope you'll borrow it again and give it a try, Sam!

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  6. this looks heartbreaking and wonderful at the same time, but the book sounds like it can make a difference and something that some people can definitely relate to.

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    1. It really was heartbreaking at times but like you mentioned, I can see it being incredibly important and helpful to teens (or anyone) going through the same process.

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  7. I have this one on my list! I'm so glad that it hit the right notes for you. Ben and their story sounds so lovely. I can't wait!

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    1. Ben's story hurt my heart many times but it was still so honest and so hopeful. I hope you'll enjoy it, too, Nick!

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  8. I'm glad you loved this one. I really want to read it soon. Definitely a perspective we don't tend to get in books, especially YA, so that's awesome!

    -Lauren
    www.shootingstarsmag.net

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    1. This was the first book I'd read with a non-binary character so I don't really have anything to compare it to but I enjoyed it so much. Ben was a remarkable character.

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  9. I'm really really looking forward to I Wish You All the Best, it's at the top of my to-read list right now. It sounds so darn good, not only because nonbinary rep is very rare in fiction, but also because the relationship between Ben and Nathan sounds lovely. Great review, Tanya! :)

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    1. Thanks Veronica! This was such a special story and I really felt for Ben. It had such a hopeful ending, though.

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