“FABULOUS.” —B.A. Paris, New York Times bestselling author of Behind Closed Doors and The BreakdownTHE PERFECT MARRIAGE IS THE PERFECT ILLUSION.Paul Strom has the perfect life: a glittering career as an advertising executive, a beautiful wife, two healthy boys and a big house in a wealthy suburb. And he’s the perfect husband: breadwinner, protector, provider. That’s why he’s planned a romantic … beautiful wife, two healthy boys and a big house in a wealthy suburb. And he’s the perfect husband: breadwinner, protector, provider. That’s why he’s planned a romantic weekend for his wife, Mia, at their lake house, just the two of them. And he’s promised today will be the best day ever.
But as Paul and Mia drive out of the city and toward the countryside, a spike of tension begins to wedge itself between them and doubts start to arise. How much do they trust each other? And how perfect is their marriage, or any marriage, really?
Forcing us to ask ourselves just how well we know those who are closest to us, Best Day Ever crackles with dark energy, spinning ever tighter toward its shocking conclusion. In the vein of The Couple Next Door, Kaira Rouda weaves a gripping, tautly suspenseful tale of deception and betrayal dark enough to destroy a marriage…or a life.
Praise for Best Day Ever
“Highly entertaining and truly surprising!” —Kate Moretti, New York Times bestselling author of The Vanishing Year
“Best Day Ever is a creepy, spine-tingling and utterly addictive tale of domestic suspense.” —Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke, bestselling authors of The Good Widow
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A few pages were good occasionally, but overall this book wasn’t all that great in my opinion. The main male character is extremely unlikable through the whole book, this made him a bit predictable unfortunately.
Omg! An excellent read, could not put it down til i finished it. Everybody has a “Paul” in their life. Wonderful novel.
Well now, Best Day Ever by Kaira Rouda was a SUPER fast read. I was so sucked in by the book that I read it in 1 day. I stayed up past midnight to finish it as well because I just had to know how it ended.
What it’s about: Paul is a narcissistic control freak that loves his wife Mia and 2 sons. He has planned the best day ever for his wife and himself at their lake house in Lakeside, OH on Lake Erie.
The whole book is based on this one day and is broken up by times which was something I really enjoyed. I am saying nothing else about the plot because going into this book blind is ideal in my opinion. Paul is so full of himself and his “abilities” that it was interesting to read everything from his side. Sometimes I did think that got a little old, just because he was so obnoxious, but overall I really enjoyed the perspective of Paul. I liked it a lot better than the man’s perspective in Our Kind of Cruelty if that means anything to anyone.
Final Thought: I really don’t have too much to say about this one besides I think it is worth the read. It’s not going to be for everyone, but I think what Rouda was able to do in this book was very impressive. Pacing was great for me, and I think it was a good domestic thriller. I like the unique perspective from the man as well since so many books are from the woman’s viewpoint. I can’t wait to read Rouda’s upcoming book!
One of my favorite psychological thrillers of 2018. A Delightfully twisted and captivating tale of a couples “Best Day Ever” road trip to their vacation cabin. The husband takes the stage as the main character and you’ll love to hate him. I don’t want to give away one thing as it’s a thrilling, engrossing story that will having you reading it in one sitting. Not to overuse un-put-down-able, but this truly is one where pages will be flipping until the very last page and you will have instant book hangover. 5 stars and I’m ready to read anything Ms. Rouda writes.
Gave me chills to be in the villain’s head the entire story. The writer did a great job of revealing hints and clues; not too fast, not too slow!! Fast-paced and a great thriller to start off the school year.
Husband is a pathological narcissist. But wife eventually figured out how to best him.
Very good read
Paul and Mia Strom are determined to have the Best Day Ever. Despite Paul’s lurid past, and even shadier current dealings. Despite Mia’s slowly failing health. Despite the dishonesty (on both their parts) that is like a loose thread, about to unravel them both if either of them picks at it.
A seemingly enviable upper-middle class family struggles with a madman at the helm, manipulating and controlling everyone and everything around him to meet his self-serving agenda.
How far has Paul gone in his pursuit of the perfect life, and can Mia face all this head-on?
Best Day Ever is in the vein of Gillian Flynn’s Gone Girl in its exploration of perfect-on-the-surface-marriage, and is creepy in a style similar to Caroline Kepnes You. The story is largely told from Paul’s perspective (until the Prologue), and he is not a likable guy. He’s entirely interesting, but a disgusting chauvinist pig. A certifiable narcissist. You know something bad is going to happen. But what? And to whom? And man, did I keep my fingers crossed for someone to toss this guy off a bridge.
The writing is impactful. The characters, particularly Paul, well fleshed out. I hadn’t meant to get so completely wrapped up in this book, but as soon as a few chapters in, I had to know what happens. I’m not entirely satisfied with the ending, but a perfect ending is rare. Everyone will have some feeling about what should have happened, and even if I didn’t get what I was after, the fact that Best Day Ever is well-written enough for me to have a feeling one way or another says everything about how good a story it is.
A great read…took a while to see “the real character”
Gave insight into the psyche of a true sociopath/egomaniac. The world revolves around him and no one and nothing is important unless it effects him. He will do anything to protect his self image. The conclusion was expected but entertaining anyway
No my idea of a thriller.
I almost didn’t want to finish this book because the husband was so obnoxious, but when the wife became the crux of the story, my interest was piqued and I finished it.
This book is a psychological masterpiece. It is written in the voice of the main character, a criminal sociopath who has main streamed well into middle age without being caught. His crimes against humanity escalate until an chance friendship comes along. A truly great read.
This was a very different book for me, as I usually read mystery. I did enjoy the process this married couple went through during the couple of days the book covers. It just goes to show you……
It was okay, not great.
I like psychological thrillers. This was a good one. It was a little too obvious. The ending was a little surprising and that
Was good. It was ok for a quick read
I read this awhile ago and have read so many books since. I do remember this being quite the twisted story. But hey, I’m a little twisted too so I liked it.
You won’t want o put it down once yo start!
One of the best psychological thrillers I’ve read in a while! The slow unveiling of the characters allows the reader to draw conclusions, revise them as the story progresses, alter them again, and then end in a slap-your-forehead moment as the final chapters play out. This is a page-turner you’ll enjoy!
Good read