When I saw this book I absolutely wanted to read it - having travelled myself to Machu Picchu just over a year ago the idea of a book set hiking the Inca Trail to the ruins sounded perfect for me.

Unfortunately though the actual hike to Machu Picchu didn't appear in the book until the 86% mark. Though there were some references to other Peruvian locations which I loved having been to them, I felt this book was pitched as "they're hiking to Machu Picchu", not that it was just going to briefly feature at the end.

Also this book is not a light read, there are a lot of serious topics - which is fine - but that mixed with the constant bickering of the main characters took its toll on me.

I also tandem read this book with a copy of the audiobook - initially I didn't realise this was an American book as it is written by an Australian author - so I was confused when the audiobook started with an American accent. Personally I didn't overly enjoy this narrator unfortunately.

Best, First and Last by Amy Matthews
 
Best, First and Last revolves around the intergenerational relationships of Bonnie, her daughter Sandy, and granddaughter Heather.

None of them are truly satisfied with their lives for various reasons, but Bonnie is grieving her third husband and carries his urn everywhere she goes (to punish him for leaving her). Sick of everyone and everything, Bonnie plans an Eat, Pray, Love-inspired trip to hike the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.

Heather heads to Peru early and meets the mysterious 'Romeo.' When Bonnie and Heather arrive, things start to heat up; Bonnie shares long-held secrets, and Heather learns about her family and herself. And they are all forced to reconsider what they want.

Best, First and Last is a heartwarming story about relationships and choices and the importance of family dynamics. It'll have you laughing and crying and has as many twists and turns as the Inca Trail. Simon & Schuster Audio (Australia) provided me with the audiobook version of Best, First and Last for review via NetGalley. Best, First and Last by Amy Matthews is available on March 04, 2025.

If you enjoyed Eat, Pray Love, you'll love this. It's much more chick-lit than my usual fare, but I enjoyed the family dynamics and the humour, and it made me consider a trip to Peru.

Thumbs up 👍.

Go read a book!

Body count: 0

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Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Audio (Australia) for allowing me a copy of this audio book in return for an honest review.

Fresh from a breakup with an ex who won’t accept it’s over, Heather Russo cautiously agrees to accompany her depressed and divorcing mother, Sandy, and newly widowed (for the third time) grandmother, Bonnie, on a trip to hike to Machu Picchu. Along the way all three women will learn more about each other and themselves than they thought possible.

Charlotte North performed marvellously as each of the main women and the supporting characters. She gave the story additional heart, that had me at times laughing and at others crying.

What I liked: I’m a big fan of a multigenerational story, especially one with flashbacks, so this was a massive draw for me. I liked that there was romance but that it kept itself well entwined in the background of the story and the relationship between the three women took precedence. There was a plot twist that I thought I saw coming but was actually not expecting it to play out as it did, and I loved how every time I thought the plot was going to follow a regular trope it didn’t.

What didn’t work for me: Aside from the first chapter and flashback chapters, the rest of the narrative was from Heather’s point of view. I would have liked to have seen more from Bonnie and Sandy too.

Final thoughts: A heart-warming story about discovering different types of love.

Who would enjoy this: Fans of stories about personal growth, family drama, travel and love.

4.5 stars rounded up

I enjoyed this story so much! This is a multi-generational story with a great lineup of characters who each embark on a journey of soul-searching and healing. The story highlights the importance of building honest relationships and is a great example of how one person's experiences and traumas can have a lifelong effect on themselves and also have a trickle-down effect on others. Such an insightful story that left me reflecting on my own life. I loved Bonnie's sass and her no-nonsense attitude and I enjoyed her story the most. It's perfect for those who enjoy a quick, fun read that's insightful and thought-provoking without being too heavy and with a sweet romance. I look forward to reading more books by this author.

I loved the narration, with each character being given their own 'voice' and personality - very well done!

Thank you to NetGalley, Simon & Schuster Audio (Australia), and the author for an ARC for review. All opinions are my own and my review is left voluntarily.

Thanks to Simon & Schuster Audio (Australia) and NetGallery for an advance copy of the upcoming audiobook release of Best, First and Last that is due to be released on the 4th of March. Amy Matthews has been an author on my radar to check for a while so this was the perfect opportunity to finally check her out.

I’m not usually a rom-com reader but do like to pick them up every now and then. This one is an easy read that is enjoyable and interesting. It isn’t a book that tis going to change the world but that’s not the aim of this book is. It aims for be a fund rom-com book and that is exactly what it is. It’s the perfect book to escape the world for a few hours. I enjoyed the backdrop of tourists in Peru & Machu Picchu. It’s a place that is on my (and many other people’s) bucket lists so it’s nice to read about it. It’s also nice to read a book that isn’t set in the typical places.

Prose is pretty standard as is expecting for this kind of book and makes the book flow well. The pacing is perfect and there were no times where wondering when the story was going to move on. The characters are all likeable and easy to connect with making them so realistic. They are all grey and three dimensional which isn't always the case for rom-com books.

Matthews gives me similar vibes to Sophie Kinsella, Lindsey Kelk, Emily Henry. This is a perfect book if you need a light-hearted, easy to read book to cleanse the palette. I am definitely going to check out more of her writing.

Solid 3.5 but rounding up to 4.