I went into this novel fully expecting to love it, and I wasn’t disappointed. It was so great to read, not only because I loved the story and characters, but also because I’ve followed Mason on Twitter since this was a draft referred to as #EnbyLoveStory. There’s something inexplicably fascinating, to me at least, about reading something I’ve watched grow and come together. I Wish You All The Best was an incredible, poignant debut, deserving of every bit of love and hype it’s received thus far.

I loved every character so much. Ben was a wonderful protagonist, and I rooted for them from the beginning. As if their parents’ rejection wasn’t enough, they also dealt with anxiety, depression, a crush, and major indecision over their life beyond graduation. But they pushed through, and I’m so proud of them.

The supporting cast was also great. From Nathan and his friends, Meleika and Sophie, to Ben’s best friend Mariam, to their older sister Hannah and brother-in-law Thomas, everyone had a distinct personality and was generally just so likable. Together they formed an admirable support group for Ben, who had a lovely relationship with each person. My favorites were Hannah and Mariam, the former because she didn’t hesitate to take Ben in and educate herself, and the latter because they were amusing and sweet. I also liked that Mariam went around the country, giving talks to queer youth.

The only two I didn’t like, predictably, were Ben’s parents. They didn’t even try to understand or respect their child’s identity, instead choosing to misgender Ben and make jokes at their expense and get defensive when called out. That, combined with their gross manipulation and twisting of the truth, had me fiercely wishing they — especially Ben’s father — would take the hint and go the heck away. Or, if I’m really fantasizing, maybe that they’d walk barefoot off a cliff into a sea of Legos. But if one good thing came from their horrible parenting and personalities in general, it’s the new friends and family Ben made for themself.

While on the subject of Ben’s new friends, can we talk about them and Nathan for a minute? Can we talk about how their relationship is one of the best freaking things I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading in a YA contemporary novel? Because wow, I love them both so much. Their friendship was spectacular, and when Ben came out to Nathan and Nathan to Ben, I was a few steps away from spontaneously combusting. These two could be the reason my heart one day explodes. And even though their ending might not be perfect, it’s pretty close.

Two more minor elements I appreciated were Ben’s love of art and the therapy positivity. Painting and therapy sessions are both common scenes throughout the story, and I believe the inclusion of each added more depth to the novel as a whole.

I identify as cisgender, so I cannot truly or accurately comment on the most crucial aspects of the story. However, I have a feeling that this will be a ground-breaking YA novel, and I’m happy for Deaver and all of the nonbinary teens that have seen and will see themselves in this story.

All in all, I Wish You All The Best was an incredible, heartfelt debut that completely won me over. Deaver did a magnificent job balancing the lighthearted parts of the story with the heavy-hitting, creating a final product that kept me up past two in the morning, reading. Needless to say, I absolutely loved this novel and I can’t wait to see what they do next, in The Ghosts We Keep and beyond.

Representation:
• Ben is nonbinary, uses they/them pronouns, and identifies as bisexual. It’s stated that they’re attracted to guys and masculine-presenting people.
• Nathan is black and bisexual.
• Mariam is nonbinary, uses they/them pronouns, and identifies as pansexual. They’re Shia Muslim, and get a girlfriend later in the story.
• Meleika, a side character, is black.
• Sophie, also a side character, is Asian and has ADHD.

CW: homophobia, transphobia, misgendering, panic attacks, anxiety, depression