I Wish You All the Best

3.5 stars. I agree with other reviewers who described this as a very important book, but I wish it were a bit more of a good book as well. I'm glad that nonbinary teens can read about an MC like themselves who finds friends, fulfillment and love after their parents kick them out of the house. “It gets better” messages are so critical in reducing the high rate of LGBTQ+ teen self-harm and suicide.

But the book isn't perfect, and the biggest weakness IMO is the love story. Ben's crush object Nathan is unfailingly friendly, understanding, funny, and extremely patient with Ben's initial rejection and ongoing anxiety. He doesn't seem to have a fault or any issues of his own, which makes the relationship feel one-sided. I understand that a sweet uncomplicated love story is a nice counter balance to the trauma Ben experiences after the planned coming out experience with his parents goes so poorly. Plus Ben also has conflicting feelings about his older sister who takes them in - gratitude because Hannah rearranges her life for Ben and anger because she left their parents' house ten years ago and never contacted Ben. So Ben is truly dealing with a lot of shit. But it would have made the story even stronger if Nathan had some problems of his own - he's a teenage boy dealing with his senior year of high school, he must have some! - and Ben had the opportunity to demonstrate their own empathy and support.

Still, if this is one of the first mainstream YA books to feature a nonbinary main character, it's a good place to start, and I hope it reaches a large audience.