I think this is a major contender for my top read of 2024, surprisingly since it has to compete with every book I've read so far and it's currently the end of November.
Amy T. Matthews does an incredible job of capturing the differing perspectives of our three generations of women and gives them each a complex personality that has it's own strengths and flaws. These women love each other deeply but aren't without their arguments and secrets, which slowly unfold as they tackle a trek up to Macchu Picchu. At the same time as they physically tackle their hike, they are also battling their own inner struggles with grief, and the highs and lows of both familial and romantic relationships.

Through this book we mostly follow the perspective of Heather, the youngest of our three characters. I found her extremely relatable as a current day woman who acknowledges mental health and the impacts our upraising has on our own habits and relationships.
Her mother Sandra is one of our other main characters though tends to take a backseat in terms of perspective shift, we only see things from her POV once (if I recall correctly) and her role tends to be as a bridge between her daughter and mother and as a source of conflict due to the current state of her affairs. We often reference Sandra in relation to how others see her and reflect on her current situation, rather than actually hearing it from her and really getting to know her character. This wasn't a down fall in my opinion though as I was more interested in Heather and Bonnie's story arcs.
Bonnie is the other character we follow in this book and I was absolutely enthralled with her chapters. Matthew's has captured such a range of characters in what feels like such an authentic way, and reading Bon's perspective really felt like chatting to my grandmother and hearing stories of her life.
I don't want to go too far into the plot to avoid spoilers but this book just made me feel so strongly and I really enjoyed every moment reading it.

The characters especially the protagonist is highly relatable through her struggles and dealing with family and death. It's another emotionally charged story that is a timely reminder to enjoy life. While the background of the story is sad the forefront is fun and engaging.

"Best, First and Last" by Amy Matthews is a captivating novel that weaves together themes of love, loss, and the complexities of human relationships. From the very first page, Matthews draws readers into a world filled with relatable characters who navigate their personal struggles with authenticity and depth.

The protagonist's journey is both heartwarming and poignant, making it easy to empathize with her choices and challenges. Matthews has a knack for creating nuanced characters that feel like old friends; their joys and heartaches resonate on a personal level. The dialogue is natural and engaging, further enhancing the connection to the characters.

The pacing of the story is well-crafted, allowing for moments of reflection amidst the unfolding drama. Matthews balances light-hearted moments with deeper, more serious themes, creating a dynamic reading experience that keeps you turning the pages.

Overall, "Best, First and Last" is a thoughtful exploration of relationships and the impact they have on our lives. It’s a good read for anyone looking for a story that is both relatable and thought-provoking. Highly recommended!

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.