All My Bests

“All My Bests” by Britnee Meiser follows the friendship between Immie and Jack. When they meet in grade school, they are immediately drawn to each other and become fast friends. As the years go by and high school begins, they each discover that their feelings for each other extend beyond their childhood friendship, but they don’t know how to show or say this to each other.

The book is written in three parts, with the first being from Immie’s viewpoint, the second showing Jack’s perspective, and the third wrapping up their story and giving details about both of them. Seeing how their lives play out from these differing perspectives is interesting and thought-provoking. They each are nervous about what the other is thinking, wondering if there is even the slightest possibility that their love is reciprocated. When other love interests begin to take shape, they question the way they feel about each other all the more.

This debut novel by Britnee Meiser chronicles the ups and downs of young love. The book has tons of music references mentioned throughout it, from the beginnings of chapters to the content within each. Immie’s path to self-discovery and learning more about the father she never met, as well as Jack dealing with trying to live up to his family’s expectations and the legacy his older brother left seems daunting. Over time, they find that there is strength in dealing with these issues. Sometimes they find solace in each other, and other times they don’t know quite how to talk to each other about their issues, but one fact remains—they are there for each other through thick and thin, even if they aren’t talking, because their friendship truly matters to the both of them.

Immie and Jack have been friends and neighbors for years, and have a great time hanging out, watching movies the other person hates, and supporting each other at school. As they start high school, however, things start to change. For one thing, Immie finally is insistent that her mother tell her about her father. Immie's always known that she was conceived through IVF, and has never been shy about telling others this. She also hasn't wanted to know about her father, and now she does. Her mother is reluctant to say much, but gives Immie a collection of CDs from 2006 that her father put together. Utilizing technology to try to find her father, Immie puts together a fake social media account to try to figure out who her father was. Jack, who has parents who support his siblings but seem too busy to watch his soccer games, is struggling with several different issues. He isn't the soccer star his brother is, and has been prone to injuries lately. Not only that, but his feelings for Immie have changed. Every time he thinks he can make a move, Immie seems to be interested in someone else. She is; Elijah is very cute, but she also is starting to think about Jack in a new way. As high school begins, the two engage in an intricate dance of emotions where they are constantly treading on each other's toes. Set against the background of Immie's father's songs, and from Immie's viewpoint, then Jack's, and then from them both together, we see how their relationship evolves.