I Wish You All the Best

by Mason Deaver

336 pages

English language

Published Jan. 6, 2020 by Scholastic, Incorporated.

ISBN:: 978-1-338-60835-9

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 …

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.

4 editions

Lumen Benja Moretum reviewed I Wish You All the Best by Mason Deaver

What about the lobster?

4 stars

Content warning Spoilers ahead!

In contrast to many reviews that label this book as "wholesome" or "feel-good," I found I Wish You All the Best to be emotionally heavier and more complex. While it certainly has moments of warmth and kindness, the story is steeped in angst, self-deprecation, and the painful reality of toxic parenting.

Ben’s journey is deeply affecting, but the lack of redemption for their parents left me unsettled. I understand the need for conflict and antagonism in a narrative, but for the book to truly earn its “feel-good” reputation, I would have liked to see some form of growth or reconciliation in that relationship. Without it, the emotional wounds feel unresolved.

That said, many of the other characters—especially those who support Ben—are genuinely wholesome. Their ways of coping, connecting, and showing empathy offer a counterbalance to the darker themes and make the story rewarding in its own way.

Overall, this was a tough but worthwhile read. It doesn’t shy away from the hard truths of identity, rejection, and healing, and while it may not be the lighthearted comfort read some suggest, it offers something deeper: a raw, honest portrayal of resilience.

(the most important question remains unanswered, though: what happened with the lobster???)

lichen reviewed I Wish You All the Best by Mason Deaver

uplifting reading

No rating

great book for queer teens

Monika reviewed I Wish You All the Best by Mason Deaver

Review of 'I Wish You All the Best' on 'Storygraph'

5 stars

So cute and sweet! Nonbinary MC with anxiety and depression. Full of good examples of setting boundaries and what healthy relationships with family, friends, and romantic partners look like. This book does tackle serious themes (MC gets kicked out of their house after coming out), but it's a feel-good story overall. Such an important story for LGBTQ teens to have in their lives.

periwinkleReads reviewed I Wish You All the Best by Mason Deaver

Review of 'I Wish You All the Best' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

Darling, heartbreaking, real and necessary novel. I’m really glad this book was written and published. I learned things and loved the depictions and explorations of family. It also took me to a similar place as Rowell’s Eleanor and Park, is that I could again feel the joy of a crush.