You say it was all meant to be. You and me. The way we met. Our secrets in the woods. Even the way it all exploded. It was simply a matter of fate.
Maybe if you were here to tell me again, to explain it one more time, then maybe I wouldn’t feel so uncertain. But I’m going back to the beginning on my own. To see what happened and why.
Luisa “Lulu” Mendez has just finished her final year of high school in a small Virginia town, determined to move on and leave her job at the local junkyard behind. So when her father loses her college tuition money, Lulu needs a new ticket out.
Desperate for funds, she cooks up the (definitely illegal) plan to make and sell moonshine with her friends, Roni and Bucky. Quickly realizing they’re out of their depth, Lulu turns to Mason: a local boy who’s always seemed like a dead end. As Mason guides Lulu through the secret world of moonshine, it looks like her plan might actually work. But can she leave town before she loses everything – including her heart?
The summer walks the line between toxic and intoxicating. My Best Everything is Lulu’s letter to Mason – though is it an apology, a good-bye, or a love letter?
Review:
I got this ebook from Netgalley in return of an honest review.
Before requesting this book, I wasn't prepared for how different and interesting it was going to be.
First of all, I had never read a book that featured that moonshine element that was so prominent in this story. I felt like it turned it into a very unique story, opening windows to escape from the usual YA clichés. Besides that, you can read between the lines the work that went into creating that plotline, the research and time it took to understand such an unusual element in a YA book.The writing was also a pleasure to experience. Although it was a bit hard to get used to, like diving into a cold pool, once you were in it, you didn't want to get out. It honestly felt like I was swimming through the story, enjoying every bit.
The only problem I think I had with this book has to do with the characters, specifically the main character. I absolutely loved Mason. I felt like I got to know him and create serious bonds with him. He was a real boy and his story was incredibly fascinating. However, the other characters felt a bit two-dimensional, particularly Lulu's friends, Roni and Bucky. They got their story and it was interesting, but it wasn't enough to make me feel any kind of empathy for them, there wasn't enough for me to know who they were before the story started. The same goes for Lulu. Although I could definitely relate to her on many levels (like her longing for more than what her small town could give her), I couldn't exactly like her. Frankly, she was rather annoying at times and I couldn't force myself to understand her reasons for some decisions she made and some of her actions. I found myself roling my eyes at her thoughts at certain points, despite her many redeeming qualities: she was determined and, when she wasn't being stereotypical tenagery and a rebel, she was incredibly inteligent and even strong.
I really adored the relationship that grew between Mason and Lulu, as well as seeing all the other characters grow and their relationships transform into more meaningful things. I must give kudos to the author, Sarah Tomp, for her exceptional work at character development.
Lastly, I loved the scene where Lulu and Mason meet through Mason's perspective that I read during the Spring YA Scavenger Hunt. It was available during a short period of time, and it was an incredible deleted scene I loved reading.
With all that said, I must acknowledge that this was an immensely enjoyable and fascinating read and could become one of my favourites of this year. Sarah Tomp has a natural talent for storytelling, and that comes through in My Best Everything.
