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The Best of Everything
From the author of My Name is Leon comes an unforgettable story of found family and the love that steals into our lives... in spite of our best laid plans.
Paulette's the kind of woman who likes the future all mapped out: the wedding to Denton, the Caribbean honeymoon, the gingham quilt on the baby's crib. Until one morning Garfield, Denton's friend, arrives at her door with the news that Denton won't be coming around any more, that there won't be time for her to say goodbye.
Somehow Garfield finds his way into her bed, and sooner than anyone can believe there is a baby, and suddenly giving Bird, her son, the best of everything is what gives Paulette's life meaning.
So why is it another little boy, Nellie, who keeps Paulette awake at night? Nellie who is being raised a few streets away, with no sign of a mum. Surely Paulette is the last person who should be getting tangled up in any of that?
A tender celebration of kindness and its power to change lives, The Best of Everything is one of the most beautiful and uplifting novels you'll read this year.
Paulette's the kind of woman who likes the future all mapped out: the wedding to Denton, the Caribbean honeymoon, the gingham quilt on the baby's crib. Until one morning Garfield, Denton's friend, arrives at her door with the news that Denton won't be coming around any more, that there won't be time for her to say goodbye.
Somehow Garfield finds his way into her bed, and sooner than anyone can believe there is a baby, and suddenly giving Bird, her son, the best of everything is what gives Paulette's life meaning.
So why is it another little boy, Nellie, who keeps Paulette awake at night? Nellie who is being raised a few streets away, with no sign of a mum. Surely Paulette is the last person who should be getting tangled up in any of that?
A tender celebration of kindness and its power to change lives, The Best of Everything is one of the most beautiful and uplifting novels you'll read this year.
261 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 10, 2025
124 people are currently reading
2465 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 112 reviews
April 10, 2025
Review to follow nearer publication date.
I love Kit de Waals writing, I’ve read most of her books and they are all well written. She brings the characters to life and I feel like I know them.
The Best of Everything is a story of love and forgiveness. I felt for Paulette and Frank. The ending was perfect.
Thank you to Netgalley and the author for the opportunity to read and review this book.
I love Kit de Waals writing, I’ve read most of her books and they are all well written. She brings the characters to life and I feel like I know them.
The Best of Everything is a story of love and forgiveness. I felt for Paulette and Frank. The ending was perfect.
Thank you to Netgalley and the author for the opportunity to read and review this book.
May 19, 2025
My Rating ~ 4.5*
The Best of Everything by Kit De Waal published April 10th with Tinder Press and is described as ‘a tender celebration of kindness and its power to change lives…one of the most beautiful and uplifting novels you’ll read this year’. If, like me and many others, you have read My Name is Leon you can confidently pick up a copy of The Best of Everything safe in the knowledge that a beautiful and kind novel awaits you.
When Kit De Waal wrote about two minor characters in a previous piece of work, they stayed with her, hence this novel was born. It’s 1972 and Paulette works in a hospital as an auxiliary nurse. Her boyfriend Denton makes her happy leaving Paulette fantasizing about their future life together. Having everything mapped out in her head, she floats along in a bubble of sorts until the day she opens the door to Garfield, Denton’s friend. Garfield has a message that changes everything for Paulette and, just like that, her life is thrown into turmoil. Unable to comprehend how upended her days have become, she starts to rely on Garfield for support and, although she never truly could love him, she soon understands that he will provide and be there for her.
Yet Paulette has demons that she just cannot lock away and, as the years pass, Paulette struggles. The birth of their baby boy Bird injects new meaning into Paulette’s life and, for awhile, she makes sure that Bird is never left wanting, always having the best of everything but the shadow haunts her, leaving her restless and discontent.
One day, Paulette encounters a young boy, Nellie, who is one age to Bird. He lives with his grandfather, Cornelius, who is clearly struggling. Without too much thought, Paulette soon finds herself caught up in their lives. Paulette is a very warm-hearted individual. She has known pain but there is an underlying kindness that surfaces and her naturally caring nature comes to the fore. But why Nellie? What is it that connects her to this young boy?
As the years pass, relationships change and family dynamics shift and sway. As Paulette negotiates these years we witness her at her very worst and best. Her pain is laid bare for us to see yet also her desire to love and be loved is also very much evident.
The Best of Everything is very much a story about people, focusing on its characters’ development and their growth with the passage of time. Paulette is a beautiful person looking to be cared for. She deserves a good life but circumstances keep pulling her back down. Paulette is on a journey and, as we accompany her on her path, she learns how to navigate some very trying events that very much affect her emotional wellbeing. Kit De Waal has created a gorgeous and giving tale. The descriptions and narrative, the dialogue and the setting all combine to create a heart-warming and magical tale of self-discovery and self-worth. A tender story, The Best of Everything is a stirring human tale, one that pulls at all the heartstrings leaving readers in a more hopeful and better place.
The Best of Everything by Kit De Waal published April 10th with Tinder Press and is described as ‘a tender celebration of kindness and its power to change lives…one of the most beautiful and uplifting novels you’ll read this year’. If, like me and many others, you have read My Name is Leon you can confidently pick up a copy of The Best of Everything safe in the knowledge that a beautiful and kind novel awaits you.
When Kit De Waal wrote about two minor characters in a previous piece of work, they stayed with her, hence this novel was born. It’s 1972 and Paulette works in a hospital as an auxiliary nurse. Her boyfriend Denton makes her happy leaving Paulette fantasizing about their future life together. Having everything mapped out in her head, she floats along in a bubble of sorts until the day she opens the door to Garfield, Denton’s friend. Garfield has a message that changes everything for Paulette and, just like that, her life is thrown into turmoil. Unable to comprehend how upended her days have become, she starts to rely on Garfield for support and, although she never truly could love him, she soon understands that he will provide and be there for her.
Yet Paulette has demons that she just cannot lock away and, as the years pass, Paulette struggles. The birth of their baby boy Bird injects new meaning into Paulette’s life and, for awhile, she makes sure that Bird is never left wanting, always having the best of everything but the shadow haunts her, leaving her restless and discontent.
One day, Paulette encounters a young boy, Nellie, who is one age to Bird. He lives with his grandfather, Cornelius, who is clearly struggling. Without too much thought, Paulette soon finds herself caught up in their lives. Paulette is a very warm-hearted individual. She has known pain but there is an underlying kindness that surfaces and her naturally caring nature comes to the fore. But why Nellie? What is it that connects her to this young boy?
As the years pass, relationships change and family dynamics shift and sway. As Paulette negotiates these years we witness her at her very worst and best. Her pain is laid bare for us to see yet also her desire to love and be loved is also very much evident.
The Best of Everything is very much a story about people, focusing on its characters’ development and their growth with the passage of time. Paulette is a beautiful person looking to be cared for. She deserves a good life but circumstances keep pulling her back down. Paulette is on a journey and, as we accompany her on her path, she learns how to navigate some very trying events that very much affect her emotional wellbeing. Kit De Waal has created a gorgeous and giving tale. The descriptions and narrative, the dialogue and the setting all combine to create a heart-warming and magical tale of self-discovery and self-worth. A tender story, The Best of Everything is a stirring human tale, one that pulls at all the heartstrings leaving readers in a more hopeful and better place.
September 20, 2025
I did not want this story to end- sobbing into my tea at the pure beauty of this story- a genius in her craft. ❤️
March 16, 2026
4.5
Back to the 70s and the story of Paulette from
‘My name is Leon’. It will be interesting to see how the small minority of white men who read the women’s prize longlist review this. KDW always writes in an easy and accessible way that make the strong themes even more powerful. It follows a care assistant in the NHS of the 1970s when they were known as nursing auxiliaries. I can remember working in this environment then well and had occasional quibbles with accuracy. But mainly it is about Paulette‘s life. It is set in Birmingham, which makes a change from London and themes include racism, family, addiction, crime and diasporic communities plus both blood and found family. There is also a part set in Texas. The female characters are all very well drawn and realistic. Generally men are not seen very favourably for good reason
Back to the 70s and the story of Paulette from
‘My name is Leon’. It will be interesting to see how the small minority of white men who read the women’s prize longlist review this. KDW always writes in an easy and accessible way that make the strong themes even more powerful. It follows a care assistant in the NHS of the 1970s when they were known as nursing auxiliaries. I can remember working in this environment then well and had occasional quibbles with accuracy. But mainly it is about Paulette‘s life. It is set in Birmingham, which makes a change from London and themes include racism, family, addiction, crime and diasporic communities plus both blood and found family. There is also a part set in Texas. The female characters are all very well drawn and realistic. Generally men are not seen very favourably for good reason
September 28, 2025
“Paulette is mighty. She is righteous. She has heartbreak and grief and loss on her side.”
Paulette will stay with me for a long time. I cried for her, I sighed when she went after another married man. I admired her courage.
A story of kindness, and its consequences. Did she do the right thing in reaching out to Nellie? (we ask at one point) Who are we responsible for?
This line broke me for a bit-
“He nods and smiles. ‘He’s mine’ he says.”
Gorgeous.
Paulette will stay with me for a long time. I cried for her, I sighed when she went after another married man. I admired her courage.
A story of kindness, and its consequences. Did she do the right thing in reaching out to Nellie? (we ask at one point) Who are we responsible for?
This line broke me for a bit-
“He nods and smiles. ‘He’s mine’ he says.”
Gorgeous.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 27, 2025
kind of boring tbqh!
January 27, 2026
Sat in silence to collect my thoughts and to STOP CRYING.
December 21, 2025
If you're looking for a Christmas read this is it. Deeply moving, heartfelt and may spark some Christmas spirit in you to give - whether it be your time, your love, whatever you have...a poignant reminder that what you see on the surface is such a small representation of a life, and how influential small kindnesses can be.
May 13, 2025
I love Kit de Waal
January 20, 2026
The Best of Everything is one of those deceptively gentle novels that sneaks up on you. Kit de Waal lets the story meander, wander, and occasionally take sharp, unexpected turns (much like real life) without ever feeling unfocused or indulgent. I loved how unpredictable it felt; just when I thought I knew where things were heading, the narrative shifted, deepening the emotional stakes rather than chasing cheap drama.
The characters feel lived-in and human, carrying their histories with them in small gestures and unspoken regrets. And the ending? Quietly satisfying, emotionally earned, and lingering in that soft, thoughtful way that stays with you long after the final page.
Tender, unpredictable, and impossible to put down—this one gets under your skin and makes itself comfortable ❤️
The characters feel lived-in and human, carrying their histories with them in small gestures and unspoken regrets. And the ending? Quietly satisfying, emotionally earned, and lingering in that soft, thoughtful way that stays with you long after the final page.
Tender, unpredictable, and impossible to put down—this one gets under your skin and makes itself comfortable ❤️
July 10, 2025
What a gorgeous book.... Full of love, forgiveness, compassion... There's tragedy too and much of the story is created around loss.... Kit de Waal is a very skilled writer with insight and wisdom... I loved this book!
March 21, 2026
I absolutely loved this beautifully told story of Paulette and the lives she touches. Spanning several years, the novel captures life in all its messy, authentic complexity.
Paulette is a magnificent protagonist—a woman who wears many hats, from auxiliary nurse to devoted mother, often putting the needs of others above her own. She is flawed and relatable, making her journey feel deeply personal. The supporting characters are just as well-developed : the kind-hearted Bird, the troubled but compelling Frank, and the delightful yet complex Nellie. They all have a special place in my heart and I won’t forget them for a while.
This is a poignant exploration of family, friendships, regrets, and the circumstances that shape us. A fabulous read from the Women’s Prize longlist and a truly immersive read.
Paulette is a magnificent protagonist—a woman who wears many hats, from auxiliary nurse to devoted mother, often putting the needs of others above her own. She is flawed and relatable, making her journey feel deeply personal. The supporting characters are just as well-developed : the kind-hearted Bird, the troubled but compelling Frank, and the delightful yet complex Nellie. They all have a special place in my heart and I won’t forget them for a while.
This is a poignant exploration of family, friendships, regrets, and the circumstances that shape us. A fabulous read from the Women’s Prize longlist and a truly immersive read.
March 21, 2026
3.5 stars. In 1970s London, West Indian immigrant Paulette longs for love, marriage and a settled life. When her great love is killed, it seems all might be lost but she soon falls pregnant and invests all of her energies into the baby. He must have the best of everything.
In the neighbourhood, another boy of similar age is seemingly neglected and Paulette is drawn into his life.
The story follows Paulette and the two boys over almost 2 decades.
It was enjoyable, but lacked impetus for my reading taste.
In the neighbourhood, another boy of similar age is seemingly neglected and Paulette is drawn into his life.
The story follows Paulette and the two boys over almost 2 decades.
It was enjoyable, but lacked impetus for my reading taste.
October 31, 2025
A highly readable, although at times sad, novel, reflecting on family, home and loss. The first third was sufficiently plot-led to draw you in quickly, while the remainder was more ‘characters living their lives’ territory. Grief, love, loss, forgiveness all feature. I enjoyed the writing style.
March 21, 2026
High 4! And oh but I loved this. Loneliness and pain but joy too. Love - of a mother for her child, of a son and family chosen. Unwise choices and a life unravelling, but ultimately The Best of Everything.
August 11, 2025
I just want to give Paulette the biggest hug! 🩷
February 12, 2026
So beautifully written, loved it
February 14, 2026
Brilliant! A lesson to us all about the importance of forgiveness and second chances. Paulette is a legend!
April 2, 2025
The Best of Everything follows main character Paulette as she deals with fallout of a tragedy. She forms some new and unexpected friendships which will affect her life immeasurably, not necessarily positively.
Recommended if you like a character driven family drama.
Recommended if you like a character driven family drama.
October 5, 2025
This account of a West Indian woman in England and her relationships with her son and his unlikely friend and a whole host of other characters is a poignant but gripping read. Paulette was wonderful in her simple kindness. saying anything else would ruin the read.
September 1, 2025
3.5
This is hard to rate - not much is happening after the first third of the book, but all together it provides a deep dive into the meaning and purpose in life.
Even though the story is quite painful at times, the writing is really good.
Spoiler Alert: Not recommended to 'soon to be empty nesters' :-)
This is hard to rate - not much is happening after the first third of the book, but all together it provides a deep dive into the meaning and purpose in life.
Even though the story is quite painful at times, the writing is really good.
Spoiler Alert: Not recommended to 'soon to be empty nesters' :-)
August 23, 2025
The best of everything by kit de waal. Beautiful read about Paulette, Bird, Nellie, frank and Garfield . After a huge loss their lives become intertwined, book is about culture, loss, moving on and for me the biggest part was about trying to find a new purpose as life moves on . Loved it
July 24, 2025
this was really well written but super sad.
i thought the character writing and development was absolutely fantastic, i appreciated and / or liked all of the characters.
the plot was a little on the sketchy side for me, this was primarily due to the changes of time period, involving progression. a simple header indicating how much time had passed would have helped.
development throughout the novel was great, the progression through the lives of our main characters, particularly paulette, was very well done. the character of nellie was really deftly done too.
this novel was considerably sadder and emotive than i had thought it would be, the main character is hit by a constant barrage of awful and difficult events to deal with.
the ending left me a bit cold, i would have liked more from it.
i thought the character writing and development was absolutely fantastic, i appreciated and / or liked all of the characters.
the plot was a little on the sketchy side for me, this was primarily due to the changes of time period, involving progression. a simple header indicating how much time had passed would have helped.
development throughout the novel was great, the progression through the lives of our main characters, particularly paulette, was very well done. the character of nellie was really deftly done too.
this novel was considerably sadder and emotive than i had thought it would be, the main character is hit by a constant barrage of awful and difficult events to deal with.
the ending left me a bit cold, i would have liked more from it.
May 25, 2025
I loved this book. This is a book about kindness, love , grief and family. We meet Paulette who after losing the love of her life marries and has a son called Bird . The love she has for her son is so moving , she is a nurse at the local hospital and she does her best to keep him on the straight and narrow. They find it hard because of racial prejudice especially with the police. She helps Frank and Cornelius who then become a prominent part in her life. What follows is tragedy and loss. The characters are so real and Paulette is so full of compassion and love. It’s a tale that tugs at the heartstrings and after everything that life throws at her , her resilience shines through. I loved the relationship she had with her neighbour and how you can turn your life around .
April 17, 2025
Paulette is a wonderful character: complex, conflicted and convincing.
The Best of Everything is tragic in many ways, as Paulette loses Denton in a terrible car accident that has surprising consequences. Well plotted, with a good pace and a perceptive exploration of relationships by tge author.
Themes of grief, motherhood, betrayal, guilt and kindness.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.
The Best of Everything is tragic in many ways, as Paulette loses Denton in a terrible car accident that has surprising consequences. Well plotted, with a good pace and a perceptive exploration of relationships by tge author.
Themes of grief, motherhood, betrayal, guilt and kindness.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.
December 17, 2025
3.5 stars - good writing, just found this a wee bit boring and the ending unsatisfying. It felt like it wrapped up too quick after it meandered for most of it. The main character and her decisions confused me. Lots of reviews talked about the “kindness” present in this book and I guess it wasn’t really that much of a takeaway for me, felt more just like a slice of someone’s life.
November 20, 2025
This is the level of kindness I would love to see in the world.
Such a beautiful book!
Such a beautiful book!
April 10, 2025
In this book we meet Paulette. Initially she is ticking along with her boyfriend Denton. Although her hopes of marriage and a family and the happy ever after always seem to fall on his deaf ears. He works away a lot and promises a lot, but appears to deliver notsomuch. But they tick along... until the day that his best friend and supposed housemate Garfield knocks her door to say that he has been hurt in a car accident and that, no, she can not go to the hospital cos, well, reasons... but also that he will not be coming back to her. Eventually, after chipping away with his support, Garfield is happy to take his place in her bed, also giving her the thing she mostly craves, a son, Bird. But although Garfield is a good substitute to Denton in most ways, she does not love him and eventually they break up...
Life goes on and Paulette becomes close to a rather dysfunctional family, Frank and his grandson Nellie... but I'll leave you to find out about them and how they fit in with Paulette's past and present for yourself...
As well as all this, we also go back in time to see how Paulette got from St Kitts to the UK with her Gran. These are wonderful vignettes and give colour and clarity to both the story and Paulette's character.
This is very much a character driven novel and the characters that the author has created are brilliantly complicated, and delightfully dysfunctional on occasion. I did find Paulette to be a bit too naive and trusting at times but I think overall she was a well created character who also developed well as the book progressed. She is lonely and feels alone even when with people who obviously care about her. I think we can all relate to that, I definitely can. But she is also feisty and determined and, well, you'll see...
And the story, which spans decades, is both interesting and intriguing. It's chock full of emotions too but never gets too heavy. It's about living and learning and connection with other people. Most of all, it's about being human and making mistakes and forgiveness, it's also about grief, for more than just lost people. And lost opportunities. And family who aren't blood... But mostly it's about kindness and hope. The hope that things will eventually work out if you just try your best to be kind... and you'll have to read the book to find out if they do...
My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.
Life goes on and Paulette becomes close to a rather dysfunctional family, Frank and his grandson Nellie... but I'll leave you to find out about them and how they fit in with Paulette's past and present for yourself...
As well as all this, we also go back in time to see how Paulette got from St Kitts to the UK with her Gran. These are wonderful vignettes and give colour and clarity to both the story and Paulette's character.
This is very much a character driven novel and the characters that the author has created are brilliantly complicated, and delightfully dysfunctional on occasion. I did find Paulette to be a bit too naive and trusting at times but I think overall she was a well created character who also developed well as the book progressed. She is lonely and feels alone even when with people who obviously care about her. I think we can all relate to that, I definitely can. But she is also feisty and determined and, well, you'll see...
And the story, which spans decades, is both interesting and intriguing. It's chock full of emotions too but never gets too heavy. It's about living and learning and connection with other people. Most of all, it's about being human and making mistakes and forgiveness, it's also about grief, for more than just lost people. And lost opportunities. And family who aren't blood... But mostly it's about kindness and hope. The hope that things will eventually work out if you just try your best to be kind... and you'll have to read the book to find out if they do...
My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.
March 21, 2026
Paulette is a woman, mother, nurse, friend and side chick. She’s her own worst enemy sometimes. Or all the time.
I’m not entirely convinced that the third person narrator is telling us everything. It feels cagey and we’re often misled to think a certain thing until a different character shows up and tells us Paulette is being delusional. But I don’t think she is delusional, I think she chooses to not see what she doesn’t want to see, just ignoring the bad when it doesn’t serve her.
Like a parent believing their child is a saint and perfect, until they get into trouble.
Paulette is surrounded by an entire cast, her neighbor Maggie, her son Bird, Birds father Garfield, Frank, Cornelius, Angela and the girls. But for some reason we barely know anything about them. We only follow Paulette and her existence feels lonely and disconnected. As if she hasn’t really found “her people”.
This is set in England in the 70’s and 80’s and she’s a Caribbean immigrant, so that might be a factor in the feeling of isolation. Her otherness, the thing that has gnawed on her so much that it’s made her small, feeling like she’s not deserving of better.
“No, he can’t leave his wife to cope on her own. It would kill her. Paulette can be killed, though. Oh yes. Paulette can have her heart broken not once but twice by men who didn’t love her enough.”
I feel for Paulette, and it’s quite a feat as an author to get a reader to feel for a character that has a lot of morally gray areas. But it makes her very human and relatable.
The book is a little lacking in plot, but it is beautifully written, easy to read and a nice peek into a different life.
I read this as part of the women’s prize longlist, book 9/16, and it’s currently taken the fifth spot. The women’s longlist is proving to be a really fun longlist!
1. Dominion
2. Wild Dark Shore
3. A guardian and a thief
4. Correspondent
5. The best of everything
6. Heart the lover
7. Flashlight
8. The Mercy step
9. Kingfisher
I’m not entirely convinced that the third person narrator is telling us everything. It feels cagey and we’re often misled to think a certain thing until a different character shows up and tells us Paulette is being delusional. But I don’t think she is delusional, I think she chooses to not see what she doesn’t want to see, just ignoring the bad when it doesn’t serve her.
Like a parent believing their child is a saint and perfect, until they get into trouble.
Paulette is surrounded by an entire cast, her neighbor Maggie, her son Bird, Birds father Garfield, Frank, Cornelius, Angela and the girls. But for some reason we barely know anything about them. We only follow Paulette and her existence feels lonely and disconnected. As if she hasn’t really found “her people”.
This is set in England in the 70’s and 80’s and she’s a Caribbean immigrant, so that might be a factor in the feeling of isolation. Her otherness, the thing that has gnawed on her so much that it’s made her small, feeling like she’s not deserving of better.
“No, he can’t leave his wife to cope on her own. It would kill her. Paulette can be killed, though. Oh yes. Paulette can have her heart broken not once but twice by men who didn’t love her enough.”
I feel for Paulette, and it’s quite a feat as an author to get a reader to feel for a character that has a lot of morally gray areas. But it makes her very human and relatable.
The book is a little lacking in plot, but it is beautifully written, easy to read and a nice peek into a different life.
I read this as part of the women’s prize longlist, book 9/16, and it’s currently taken the fifth spot. The women’s longlist is proving to be a really fun longlist!
1. Dominion
2. Wild Dark Shore
3. A guardian and a thief
4. Correspondent
5. The best of everything
6. Heart the lover
7. Flashlight
8. The Mercy step
9. Kingfisher
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