The Best of Everything

This is excellent - and we all know how hard a marker I am when it comes to books. Starting in 1972 in Birmingham, this stetches over the next 20 years. Paulette is an auxillary nurse, working hard, trying to make ends meet and to save up for her perfect life with Denton, who turns out to not be all that perfect,as he has a wife and children across town. Denton's been killed in a car crash and to say that Paulette ends up caring for the grandson of the man who killed the love of her life makes this sound highly improbable - and yet, it really isn't. Such acceptance and forgiveness happens slowly, by degrees, and by being gradual, with no big gestures, it feels entirely rational and is not at all sentimental. It's also not exactly a show more smooth road, there are lumps and bumps along the way. We move through Paulette's life from her late 20s to late 40s. We see her second best relationship with Garfield, Denton's friend and the way she brings up their son, Bird, as a single mother while negotiating Garfield's moving on and his second family. She has such dreadful taste in men that you want to shake her and comiserate with her in equal measure. She has her ups and downs, she has friends that she loses track of as her life twists and turns and yet she remains completely herself.
Paulette is real, I would know her if I met her. She has all the flaws and foibles of a real person. She also has that great heart and really does pour her heart and soul into her son, Bird and his friend Nellie. She gives her best to all of them, and who can ask more of anyone else in this life. I loved Paulette and she is so well constructed that I didn;t want to leave her show less

In 1972, Paulette is an auxiliary nurse, working hard in a Birmingham hospital, saving hard, looking forward to marriage and children with the man she loves, buying a nice house. Then one day, a knock at the door brings her world crashing down, putting a sudden end to her dreams. Her boyfriend Denton's no-good friend Garfield has come to break the bad news - Denton has been killed in a car crash, and no, Paulette can't rush to the hospital, because his wife, kids and mother are there.

She drifts into a relationship with Garfield, and they have a son, Bird. He is a loyal, loving dad, but Paulette continues to feel that her life has been snatched away by the drunk driver who apparently caused the crash. Then she meets the man who she show more thinks ruined her life, Frank, and his grandson Nellie. Frank is still struggling with alcohol and struggling to look after Nellie properly. Paulette is furious with Frank, but can't help wanting to reach out and help Nellie.

Any description makes The Best of Everything sound rather sentimental but somehow Kit De Waal's writing balances anger and sadness with dark humour, and it is a powerful, moving story of unlikely friendships and a different kind of love. show less

A woman's dreams are shattered when the man she loves is killed in a car accident; she takes the broken pieces of her life and rebuilds her self a new, and unexpected, one.

I can't remember the last time I read a realistic novel with characters who are so...realistic. De Waal has created people who are so beautifully, messily human that I couldn't help but cry for their pains and cheer for their triumphs.

This is the first book I've read by Kit de Waal, but it definitely won't be the last.

Oh, and I think the original title, The Best of Everything, fits the book better than its American title.

Received via NetGalley.

Set in 1970s Britain, The Best of Everything is the story of a West Indian woman called Paulette, foolishly committing her future to a man she should have known was married and then bearing a child to his friend Garfield while both are grieving his loss. When finally she realises that she doesn't love Garfield and never will (because *sigh* she's still in love with Denton despite the betrayal), the child 'Bird' becomes the mainstay of her life.

Although somewhat idealised, the positive portrayal of a single mother is refreshing. Paulette supports her child with her work as a nursing auxiliary which gives her both job satisfaction and security. Though she would have liked to realise her dreams of home and family with Denton and a couple show more of daughters, her child with Garfield becomes her entire life and he brings her great joy. (He's an easy, placid baby who grows into a good-natured boy.)

As Bird grows, she plays with him endlessly, not ever too tired after her day at work; not ever exhausted by the responsibilities that come with being a single parent. Within her means she gives Bird 'the best of everything' that she can afford. However, she lets some of her friendships fall by the wayside, (along with any potential suitors) which puts her at risk of a worse-than-usual 'empty nest syndrome'. As if in defiance of the blurb which says she likes 'to map out the future', she doesn't look too far ahead. It will be a long time, she thinks, as she ponders her ambitious plans for him, before he finishes university and leaves home.

One of the ways Paulette expresses her love is by cooking the West Indian cuisine that she learned from her grandmother in St Kitts, and her pantry and fridge are always well stocked for impromptu visitors. However, De Waal's poignant portrayal of the way Paulette has 'all her eggs in one basket' is revealed by her dependence on Bird's presence in her life. Garfield had developed a strong and loving relationship with Bird before Paulette sent him on his way, and he insists on maintaining contact with financial support and regular access visits. There are long, lonely times when Garfield takes Bird away for these access visits which expand to overnight and then weekends, and then Those Special Days when everyone else is celebrating with family and she is alone. It is loneliness that makes her take refuge in drinking.

To read the rest of my review (which does have some spoilers) please visit https://anzlitlovers.com/2026/04/04/the-best-of-everything-2025-by-kit-de-waal/ show less

Paulette knows what she wants, a family with her man Denton. Then Denton dies and suddenly Paulette's future is not the same. She starts a relationship with Garfield but despite having a son realises he is not the man for her so her love is poured into Bird. She also comes into contact with Frank, the man who killed Denton, a lost soul caring for his grandson Nellie. As Bird and Nellie grow up, Paulette learns that love has many different forms.
This is a lovely book that wraps itself around the reader like a great big hug. Paulette is a wonderful character and it was great to read of her redemption at the end. There are so many really strong strands to the story, not least the immigrant experience in the 1970s and 1980s, but also mental show more health and bereavement in many forms. Despite this, the story is life-affirming and the writing tender and heartfelt. show less

Paulette is an auxiliary nurse who lives in 1972 UK. She lives alone, but has a boyfriend Denton, who she hopes to marry and have a child with. One morning, Denton's friend Garfield, is at her door to tell her that Denton has been in an accident and won't be coming around anymore. Soon, Paulette is an a relationship with Garfield and gives birth to Bird. The relationship with Garfield does not work out, and she is left grieving the loss of another relationship. This is a character driven novel, exploring relationships, loss, forgiveness and grief. A touching story.

Recommended.