I loved this book, I could not put it down. Just when I thought i had things figured out, plot twist! This book took me from feeling empathtic towards Paul to confused and then shocked. I think he even had me fooled! I loved every part of this book, I did think the ending lacked the fireworks it deserved...but perhaps this isn't the last we have seen of Paul!

Paul and his lovely wife, Mia are headed to their lake house for their best day ever. They have left their children in the hands of a young girl and are going to rekindle their marriage or are they? Paul loves his wife and has planned this weekend to show her how devoted he is or is it that Paul wants others to think he is the devoted husband and he really can't tolerate anyone who goes against his every desire. As the book progresses we begin to wonder if their relationship is all as it seems. Will this truly be their best day ever or is it the start of a nightmare they will never forget. Paul is the perfect unreliable narrator and you want to hate him but you will feel compelled to keep reading.
"Best book ever" My thanks to the publisher for the advance copy.

I couldn't put this book down. It's title is well used, and I had it finished in a little over 24 hours. The narrator is so unreliable, I flipped back and forth between diagnosing him as a psychopath or a sociopath...is it possible to be both? I thought, several times, that I had this book figured out. I was wrong each time. Kaira Rouda writes the male narrator so well that I almost assumed she was a male author. It's hard, as a female, to write from the male perspective, but she did this so well. This book shows how two married people can live in the same house and lead completely separate lives. It's almost scary how well this book was written.

I read this book in less than 24 hours. It kept me on the edge of my seat. I don't want to say a lot because I am afraid to give away the plot. I will be recommending this book to everyone.

I was lucky enough to get an advanced copy of Best Day Ever from Netgalley, a thriller told from the point of view of an unreliable narrator, one who only mentions what he wants you to know. Paul is taking his wife, Mia, for a weekend getaway at their lake cottage. They’ve hired a babysitter for their two young boys and just set off on the road trip when the story begins. At first it seems like a lovely gesture on Paul’s part. Mia hasn’t been feeling too well and he thinks she needs this time to recuperate.

If the story continues in this vain, it wouldn’t be a thriller, would it? So, that’s all I’m giving away. I want you to have the pleasure of reading this intense, revealing human drama like I did. The tension gradually increases throughout the pages until it explodes with terror. Don’t miss this one. Rouda is definitely an author to watch.

Wow! This was one scary story!! Paul is simply terrifying and the story is gripping, dark and disturbing and I absolutely loved it! Paul is a narcissist, probably a psychopath, has no conscience, needs power and control, lies constantly and has no shame! He and his wife, Mia, are out for what he planned as the "best day ever". But, best day for whom? And why? I will certainly be reading more of this author!

An entertaining thriller about a seemingly normal couple who are anything but. Paul and Mia Strom seem to be the perfect couple with two homes, two young sons and everything to look forward to. The novel starts with Paul and Mia going off for a romantic weekend to their summer home. As the pages turn, layers of Paul's personality and duplicity are revealed. I was glued to the screen, wondering if Mia would survive, and if so, how she would extricate herself from his clutches.
Well done!

Thank you, netgalley, for the e-review edition of this novel

Very suspenseful with various tiny revelations doled out throughout the story. You may figure out what is going on long before the end but that doesn't mean you won't continue to race through the pages to discover the final solution. Very reminiscent of Caroline Kepnes' YOU, and it wouldn't surprise me if a sequel were in the works.

Thanks to the publisher for the prettiest galley I've handled in a while - Best ARC Ever.

The Best Day Ever takes the reader into the world of a twisted man and a most unreliable narrator.
The story unfolds in twists and turns and I couldn't turn the pages fast enough. It's hard to read
a domestic suspense thriller story when one of the characters is so blind to the sociopath right in front of them. The ending was satisfying and a bit predictable but I enjoyed it just the same. The setting and area in Ohio was a bonus as it is one that I am familiar with. Highly recommend
for those who enjoy well written suspense.

Thank you to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for a free ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!

This book had me flipping pages and yelling at the narrator. I knew what was happening and I hated Paul and his narcissistic attitude, but I couldn't stop reading. I was in, hook, line and sinker until the end. The surprises in the book out weighed the stuff I was easily able to figure out. It was suspenseful, thrillerly, a tad bit scary and overall a good read. It read fast and kept me on the edge! Well done Ms. Rouda.

OMG! This book was so twisted and so is Paul. Well done, Kaira Rouda! I was on the edge of my seat with this thriller of a book.

READ THIS BOOK-- once I picked it up, I didn't want to put it down! The narrator, well you know there's something up with him, but just can't put your finger on it; he just makes these little comments once in a while that kind of make you stop reading for a second and think "hmm…. that's a little creepy". Finished this book in under two days, and only because I had to eventually put it down to go to sleep!! Cannot wait for this to arrive in stores to start recommending to my customers!

Slow plot, unlikable characters, no real closure in the storyline.

A totally different idea than mine of a BEST DAY EVER. Paul was a totally vile individual but very well portrayed. Getting inside his head, made me realize just how twisted some people can be. Interesting read.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to preview the book.

Wonderful, easy to read, entertaining and just what I needed to keep me on my treadmill. Loved this easy to read book.

The most disturbing protagonist I've ever read (in a good way!). This chilling story had me riveted (as you can see, I read it in less than a day). This is one of those great, creepy thrillers that starts out with a seemingly normal situation, but quickly gives the reader an unsettling sense that something is off. This was one of the most accurate depictions of narcissism and psychopathy. I loved this book! [ Redacted the rest of my review to avoid public spoilers]

Thank you to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for a free ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review! Best Day Ever is told from the first person point of view of Paul, over the period of 24 hrs. The title made me think the book might be silly, so I put off reading it. Boy, was I wrong! When I finally picked it up, I couldn't put it down and dragged into work sleep-deprived the next day. I absolutely love getting into the mind of a character completely, and once you get to know Paul, you understand the simplicity of the title. Paul surprises his wife, Mia, with an overnight trip to their cottage, just the two of them, while their two small children stay behind. As the day unfolds, and layers come off to reveal more layers, Rouda amps up the suspense. At first I was not sure the ending was satisfying. The more I really thought about it, the more I realized it was perfect! Really glad I discovered Kaira Rouda.

I just started Kaira Rouda’s new novel, Best Day Ever and a few pages in, I’m hooked. I honestly don’t want to know too much about it because I don’t want to ruin any surprises but already the hair on the back of my neck is standing up a little, something is brewing and it’s creepy and I LOVE IT.

Here’s what you need to know:

Paul Strom has a 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 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?

This is one of those stories where you have to pay attention to the details because I think some tiny little character trait will reveal itself to be much more than a simple gesture or look or tone.

Paul planned the "best day ever" - a getaway for himself and his wife at their summer cottage. Paul is a self-proclaimed success - perfect wife, kids and job. As the cracks start to show, we get to peek at the real Paul beneath the veneer of his perfect life. This story will make you wonder if anyone ever really knows the people they live with. This glimpse into the mind of a narcissistic sociopath illustrates how those we love and live with are often strangers to us.

This book was just delicious to consume. The mental issues this guy had and sitting inside his head and his thought processes were fascinating. Read this book in practically one sitting. Couldn't put it down.