In one night, four friends make life-changing decisions. Will their friendships survive the worst life has to offer, as they hope and struggle for the best?

Dani, Wade, Ken, and JeriAnn were friends since elementary school. Now, as they graduate from high school, they each set their lives on a different course. Before their graduation party is even over, there will be a murder, innocence lost, a broken heart, and a plan of deceit set in motion. This book follows the lives of these friends as they live out the choices they made, and experience the logical and sometimes painful results of their actions.

Author Janet Mills has successfully captured the emotions of this age group. Recent high school graduates have a lot on their minds, as they leave the security of school and make major life and career decisions. Probably uppermost on their minds, are the tumultuous emotions of love and lust. The author has placed these characters in positions where they must decide on a specific action. Each of these four friends chooses a way that seems right to them, and the story chronicles the results.

Set in a sleepy little town, readers will be able to concentrate more on the characters than the setting. The dialogue and descriptions are realistic, and there is a strong emotional appeal. Life and death are contrasted, as well as lust and love. As the characters live out their decisions, they develop a maturity that is clear to see. The murder, which takes place near the beginning of the book, hovers in the background, waiting for closure. In fact, readers will be happy to know that the author is faithful to provide closure to all the loose ends. The story spans approximately twenty years, which provides a wonderful and thorough overview of their lives.

Best of All is about the best- and worst- things that can happen to four longtime friends.

Reviewed by Joyce
July 2004

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