Best Day Ever is a compelling domestic suspense told from the point of view of a narcissistic, controlling husband, Paul Strom. Taking place over just 24 hours Best Day Ever opens with a killer hook as the reader meets Paul and his beautiful wife Mia as they set off on a road trip to their lake house for a “special weekend”. As Paul himself describes it, it’s the best day ever. Unbeknown to Mia, her husband’s plans for the best day ever, are to bump her off. On paper Paul seems to be the perfect catch. Great job as an executive with an advertising agency, good-looking, sophisticated and besotted with his kids. Looks can be deceptive though, and with a few choice words from Paul within the first chapter of Best Day Ever, it’s clear that there is more to Paul Strom than meets the eye.

I absolutely loved this book, I burned through it so quickly. Best Day Ever is fun and fresh, creepy and twisty and completely unputdownable. From the word go you can tell that something bad is lurking in that dark undercurrent, you can practically feel it. But, just like with any horrible news story unfolding you are glued to, unable to change the tv channel. You know exactly what is happening and what the outcome will be, but you also want to know the how and the why as you watch events unfurl in slow motion. Despite likely being able to predict the ending from early on, you still have so many unanswered questions that you carry on keep reading.

This type of domestic suspense is one that is going to give the readers a creepy and chilly feel almost till the very climax, where an unpredictable turn of events might disappoint a few readers or will satisfy some to their very core. As for me, I loved how things wrapped up and a clichéd ending was perfectly and successfully avoided by the author. The plot is thick with twists and turns and will definitely keep the reader on their edge of their seat, and the best part would be the book’s narrative, that is told from the perspective from the supposed-to-be-perfect husband, who is more the perfect unreliable narrator than the perfect husband.

The narrative is engaging as the pace is kept to a fast rhythm, as the author ratcheted up the tension bit by bit, until I was completely in the grips of this twisted story, something which is hard to acheive when the novel is set only over 24 hours, but Rouda gets it just right. An addictive read that I couldn’t put down, I can’t wait for more from Kaira Rouda!

An excellent psychological thriller. The bulk of the book is written from the perspective of the protagonist, whose true personality is slowly revealed. I do love an unusual narrative.

Sorry I could not finish reading this book. It was not for me.

A bit of a slow burner, but once it picks up its impossible not to finish, a satisfying ending to quite a disturbing domestic thriller.

Told from the point of view of Paul Strom, he is an unreliable narrator and the tension slowly builds throughout one day. I really enjoyed this book and I look forward to more from this author.

oh wow! This book had me gripped from the very first page! Loved it.

Paul Strom likes to be in control of his life, his wife and his family. From the very first page I hated him! It's an absolute rollercoaster of a read which had me at the edge of my seat.

His wife Mia has been with him ever since he spotted her at work all these years ago. He's the breadwinner and she's the perfect wife and stay at home mum. He decides they deserve a romantic weekend away at their lake house just the two of them. When things aren't going to plan Paul gets upset. He's determined to get his own way whatever the cost... A great read which I recommend.

This is a really slow story which drags on and on.
It would not be so bad if there had been a decent ending but even that is dragged out.
All in all a drag.

Kaira Rouda writes a compelling story of a relationship in crisis. Paul and Mia are driving to the countryside to spend the weekend at their lake house but, as the tension between them builds, the reader is given a glimpse of the so-called perfect marriage they have.

What really goes on behind the scenes in a relationship? How much do we hide from one another in order to maintain the facade of perfection?

A page-turning, suspenseful story that has the hairs on the back of your neck standing up. Paul is slowly unmasked as a controlling husband and the relationship seems to be dictated by his demands.

Very much in the same vein as ‘Gone Girl’ and “The Girl on the Train’ but perhaps not as cleverly written or with as much subtle subtext as the above-mentioned novels. Nevertheless, it was an enjoyable read.

Gillian

Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review

This is a really tense, and, at times, deeply disturbing read. I deliberately didn’t look at any reviews before reading, because I wanted to be surprised. And I was.
Paul and Mia are having a weekend away, some time together as a couple. But something isn’t quite right. Paul keeps calling it the best day ever, he seems desperate to make it so, but the dynamics between the couple tell a different story.
As the weekend unfolds, things are obviously falling apart - and Paul’s idea of the best day ever isn’t what the reader expects.
What works so well in this book is that we are in Paul’s point of view - a decidedly uncomfortable place to be. Paul is an unusual narrator. He is vile, and the author does a splendid job of revealing him to the reader. As we get to know him better, we slowly realise what he is and what he’s up to, and this is what makes for some difficult reading - his justifications and his motivations are really hard to accept, but they are completely believable too.
My one issue with the book is that I wasn’t keen on the epilogue. I won’t say too much here for fear of spoilers, but it felt very ‘told’ and, while it was necessary to have this information, from this point of view, I felt that it could have been done in a more interesting way.
That said, I really enjoyed this and would definitely read more by this author.

A very good novel, partly thriller partly an observation of the mind of a psychopath. In fact the book is narrated by Paul Strom himself and slowly we come to realise there is something very wrong with him. At first glance he is a married man with two kids, he does not seem to have any major problems in his life, until we read on.
The way he tries to own people and how he believes he is some kind of God's gift to women is rather sickening.
The crunch of the story happens in the space of 24 hours, when Paul Strom thought he could get away with anything. The problem with psychopaths is that they often believe they are smarter than anyone else and Paul is no different.
This book might appear a bit slow in parts but stick with it. Even if as a thriller it might not be extremely thrilling, it is a good contemporary novel, very well worth reading.

I ‘m grateful to Netgalley for an ARC of this book in return for an honest opinion. This is clever story telling. Absolutely compelling reading.

The book starts with the husband Paul Storm narrating from his point of view. Against the background of what he says that he intends will be” the best day ever”, when he organises a get away for himself and his wife, we gradually see what is really going on. Through this we come to understand his controlling,, manipulative character.. There are constant hidden messages in the text so that you know that something is going on. All these very obvious clues between the lines were a joy to read. as the day that started so apparently brightly, just gets darker and darker. Their neighbour, Buck, towards the end, defines Paul’s character as “ Classic malignant narcissist, possibly psycho pathetic “.Although all is not as it seems in the beginning, everything gets an awful lot grimmer by the end.. I loved reading this cleverly constructed different style of novel and would highly recommend it.

I *hugely* enjoyed Best Day Ever, so much that I read it in a few hours (despite having lots of other things I needed to get on with that day!). I just wanted to keep reading on to find out exactly what was going on, and the characters - some likable, some really not, drew me right into their story! This is a fairly slow burner of a novel, but there's nothing wrong with a slower build up, and this is definitely a novel that I found myself sucked into more and more.

From the very beginning you can tell that Paul Strom is not a nice man; at first I thought he seemed like a bit of an idiot really, but as I read on I realised things were getting quite dark. I was rooting so much for his wife to realise what was happening!

I don't want to give too much away but Best Day Ever is full of tension and uncertainty, for both characters, and it has its fair share of twists and turns. Not everything is as you'd expect, and though I picked up on some things happening, others took me by surprise and I loved that about it.

I found Best Day Ever really absorbing and, though it starts quite slowly, Kaira Rouda effectively draws you in, bit by bit, until you find you can't (and don't want to!) get out! Highly recommended.

Every couple deserves some time to themselves every now and again. With due care and preparation, this can be arranged. A weekend at a lakeside cottage whilst the children are being cared for. The Best Day Ever!

Paul is an advertising executive, married to Mia with two lovely sons. He is the envy of his neighbourhood. Successful businessman. Beautiful wife. Big house. What more could he want? Apparently, a lot!

Paul has meticulously planned this break. On the outset, it looks like he is the loving husband who plans to give his wife a day to remember. The journey doesn't start off as planned and the tension in the car becomes obvious. He doesn't understand why Mia should be upset. He is so self assured that he convinces himself that it's only a glitch. He couldn't be further from the truth!

This story is told in Paul's POV and it soon becomes apparent that he is not who he appears to be. It gives a paronamic view of his psyche! He is calculated, manipulative, patronising and controlling. Actually, the list goes on.

It turns out that his plan is not as romantic as it looks. He has ulterior motives and as the story develops, it becomes evident that money and women are his "raison d'aitre". He doesn't really care for anyone but himself and would go to any lengths to get what he wants.

This psychological thriller is mesmerising and skillfully woven. The twist isn't at all what is expected. Being told from Paul's POV, the repercussions of some of his destructive actions remain unresolved. Otherwise, this is one of the best thrillers that I have read so far, this year. Nicely done.

I was kindly issued with an eARC from the publisher via NetGalley and the views expressed are my personal opinion.

Great thriller. Paced quite nicely with a lead character you love to hate.

Very dark and a thrilling read. This book has it all. Full of suspense and really keeps you gripped.
4*. Would recommend.
My thanks to the publisher & NetGalley for the advance reader copy.

Oooh this was a really good creepy psychological thriller by an author I'd not heard of before. Loved it! Will def be looking out for more from this author.

What could be nicer than getting away with your partner, to your holiday home, whilst someone else is looking after your children. Hopefully it will be your "best day ever". And so we follow Paul and Mia through their day. He is an arrogant, opinionated and pompous man, obviously 'God's gift to women'. Mia on the other hand is quiet, perhaps subdued and somewhat nervous. She is a recent convert to whole foods. He likes to control where and who ever. She is not so so happy just as the 'little woman and mother' at home. How well do they know one another and do they have secrets? As the book develops we learn more about Paul and Mia but as the day develops so does the tension.
I was surprised to find that I did want to put the book down. It was not just about what do you make of what happes but rather what would happen next and how would it end. This is a powerfully written domestic thriller. There are plenty of threads you might put together but whether you can anticipate the finale is certainly something to ponder. Highly recommended. I look forward to reading more of Kaira's work.

I did enjoy this book, its very readable, and I liked the way that the whole total, twisted, mess of Paul's life is very slowly revealed through his own words. I liked that we only knew as much as Paul did about what Mia is thinking and that his lack of perception made it easy for her to keep things to herself. But I did think it was all a bit obvious after a while, I had enough of Paul's perceptions and wanted to hear another narrative for a while. I'm glad we got an epilogue in a different voice. A good, pacey thriller though.

When Paul takes Mia away for the weekend to their lakeside retreat he has, what he believes, is a secret agenda but this turns out to be wrong. Nothing is as it seems except for Paul being the most obnoxious, conceited, male chauvinist you could possibly imagine. Mia his wife of 10 years doesn't do things in the way he expects and in this lies the clue that Paul will have some grim shocks to face. The story rushes along at a terrific pace so don't expect to be laying it down on the bedside table. Enjoy Paul getting his come-uppance!

The book blurb tells us upfront that Paul is going to get rid of his wife, so no surprises there. I began reading the book, waiting to see how and when Paul was going to pull this off.

For about the first third of the book I wasn't really getting into the story. However, I was beginning to hate Paul with every fibre of my body as the pages went by. What a smug character he is. We are given flashbacks to exactly how Paul met his wife and subsequently married her with two children to follow. Flashbacks to Paul's office life and the brilliantly written HR scenes. Not hard to follow, nicely flowing in with the story line.

I began to wonder how did Mia stay with Paul when it seemed apparent what he was about i.e. himself and no one else. Surely she must have glimpsed his true character. Well as the book gets down to the action we realise just exactly why Mia didn't "cotton on" to Paul and makes him well and truly even more of a despicable person than I already had him pegged down as.

About the last quarter of the book, and literally all hell breaks loose. The action got very gritty and I was gripped, I really wanted to know how this was all going to end. Some clever twists and although I think the author dropped a couple of hints along the way the ending was still a good one.

That is why I personally didn't like that the book had an epilogue. I just don't think it needed it and I'm not sure I learnt anything new from it. Many a time I hate it when a book leaves you in mid air - but this time it was sewn up just a little too neatly.

I'm giving this book 4 out of 5 stars. My thanks to Netgalley and Harper Collins for a copy of the book to review.