A review by sofiarodriguez
I Wish You All the Best by Mason Deaver

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

I am not a big fan of coming out arcs, but I feel like this book utilized it well. I encapsulated what it feels like to have to hide your queerness and the desire for safety and acceptance. This book was slow-paced, but I still wholeheartedly enjoyed it because the plot never felt like it was dragging on. However, for such a slow-paced book, the ending was a bit rushed. Nathan and Ben go from being friends to having their first kiss and starting dating in the last 20 pages, and the only insight we get into their relationship is them at the beach in the epilogue. I o understand how this was intended to represent freedom in expression and overcoming fears, but I believe there could have been a much more effective way of covering that.  Although I quite enjoyed this book, I do believe that there were some points at which the characters could have been explore more deeply. Both Nathan and Ben were loveable characters, but I feel like none of them truly completed their arcs. First, I wholeheartedly believe that the logical ending to Ben's arc should have been going to Prom in a polka dot dress, as they expressed love for throughout the whole book. I also think Nathan's arc as realizing he is queer was extremely underdeveloped. The only insight we get of Nathan coming to terms with his queerness is when Ben said "he suspected he was bisexual for a while now." For a book that grapples a lot with coming to terms with one's own queerness, I would have loved to see more from Nathan trying to figure himself out. Despite my critiques, I believe this was an adorable story that truly encapsulates the link between queerness and mental health, teaching readers about the process of coming to terms with themselves.
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