I've heard a lot of great things about this book so I really wanted to love it and, while I did enjoy it, it didn't quite live up to the hype for me.

The main thing that I enjoyed is the storyline. The exploration of Ben's identity and everything they've been through was interesting and I enjoyed reading about it. I also really liked the development of their friendship with Nathan and the progression of their feelings - this part was very sweet.

I did think, however, that the characters weren't very well developed, especially the side characters - I wanted to know more about them but they weren't really explored that much.

The timeline also jumped around a few times without much of an explanation to the time jumps which was a bit jarring occasionally.

Overall though I did enjoy the story, I just wish the characters were more developed.

I Wish You All The Best is a story of love, friendship and acceptance, as much as it is a story of prejudice and intolerance. It starts with Ben being thrown out of the house by their parents after coming out as nonbinary. Their hope before, and their shock and hurt afterwards, is pretty devastating to read about, and I think it's testament to the author's writing that I really felt it and was angry on Ben's behalf. But the hard moments are balanced out with some beautiful moments of Ben finding kindness in others, being able to trust, and coming out of their shell.

This is a lovely coming of age story that is full of powerful, realistically portrayed emotions. Recommended for all YA fans.

tw: misgendering, panic attacks, anxiety
Do I have the words to explain just how much I absolutely adored this book?? No, no I do not, but it was absolutely fucking incredible. I have so much love for so many of the characters. Ben was an incredible protagonist and I felt for them so much. They deserved so much better than their awful parents and I wanted to protect them from them. I’m so thankful that they had Hannah there to take them in and support them. I loved Hannah so much. She was so sweet and understanding, there were so many points she made me cry when she was so supportive to Ben and trying her best to understand and be there for them. Learning her past and why she left broke me. THAT entire scene after the art show in the counselling hurt me. They were both valid in their feelings and what they did, and they both hurt from it, but it was still so painful. And god, there were so many anxiety inducing parts. The art show, for example, made my chest throb and ache for the entirety of it. And any of Ben’s panic attacks, I could feel their fear and their panic.
I LOVED NATHAN SO MUCH!!! He was just so precious and one of those people that are the embodiment of sunshine or a puppy dog. He was just brilliant and truly golden. I loved him being mesmerised by Ben’s art, and just how soft and nice he was around them. And how sweet he was when they came out to him. I just love him so so so much!!
Also Mariam!!!! they were so hecking cool!!! I loved how out and proud and amazing they were!!!
I can’t articulate things well, but I truly loved this book so so so much and it means so much more to me knowing how special it is to and how much of my friend, Rhys, lives within this book, it’s a part of who they are and knowing that just made it all the more beautiful. This book is just truly special and it has a place in my heart forever now.

Not personally for me as I struggled to click with the main character but I can see how important this book will be for some readers in the subject matter it deals with.

I read this book back when it first came out in 2019 and safe to say, it was life changing. This book helped me realise I'm non binary so absolutely changed my life. It's super super special to me and I wish I could put it in the hands of every single person, it makes me sob more than any other book and I will ALWAYS love it as my favourite book of all time