“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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One of THE best books ever. Couldn’t put it down. Recommended to several friends….they all agree.
Be prepared to finish this book once you start it. It’ll grab you and won’t let go.
Interesting premise. Initially I wondered a bit but it didn’t take too long for the author to guide the reader, apparently intended, to realize the truth of the monster in the story, but how to deal with it? And was it a reality? One must read on to find the truth. That we do! All the truth, pretty creepy and I certainly am glad for the choices that I’ve made in my life! Makes one happy with boring normality! A good reed, different and fast paced.
A great portrait of a completely narcissistic man. Very original
Really enjoyed this book. Would recommend! An ever evolving story told from a unique prospective.
Do we ever really know anyone? Does anyone ever really know us? This book really gets into the mind of the main character and shows us how an egotist, narcissist, and sociopath thinks. When we are looking for what we want to see, we can be so deceived–at least for a while. Very revealing about others (and ourselves I might add). Stays with you long after you have turned the last page.
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.
*Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for providing an advance reader copy (ARC).
After reading a review of this book. I just had to get it! This book was an OMG, dark, and twisty read!! I highly recommend reading!!!
Very different plot
Slow start, but wild finish.
i made myself read this book. I didn’t enjoy it as much as most people. I found it very tiring.
Good story, particularly if you are interested in narcissist/sociopathic personalities. The build was slow, providing a perspective from the mind of a narcissist, then just got more captivating as the plot unraveled.
This was a dissapointment in light of the preview. A cast of wooden characters with the husband being drawn as of taken from the pages of the abusive husband manual. The end is awful.
Best Day Ever was one of the most unique and suspense filled puzzlers I have read in a while. Highly recommend it!
Predictable
Color-by-numbers thriller with absolutely no originality
You have to read this book if you like good plot twists. It keeps you guessing – my kind of book.
Wanted to like this book but could see it all coming from halfway through Good premise but lackluster execution
This book held my attention and I enjoyed it. Turns out it really was the Best Day Ever after all.
You know from the beginning pages that something is wrong, but you have no idea until the surprise ending. This book has great character development and original twists. You will not be able to put it down until the end!