2024 the best fiction books ever review

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“FABULOUS.” —B.A. Paris, New York Times bestselling author of Behind Closed Doors and The Breakdown

THE 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 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

From the Publisher

Praise for Best Day Ever

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Graydon House; First Time Paperback edition (August 21, 2018)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 368 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1525811983
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1525811982
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 11.2 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.53 x 1 x 8.14 inches
Reviewer: BC
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Edge of Your Seat Read
Review: Brilliant. I read a lot of 'suspense' novels but this one is on a whole different level. The subtlety of the increasing tension is addictive. As the author says in her Author's Note at the end, "Sometimes it's more about what a character doesn't say than what he admits to doing." Paul is one narcisstic, rotten, evil character. With every revelation he provides about his past actions I was sucked in even more by his sick mind. The conversations between Paul and Mia had you walking a tightrope. Mia was ethereal. I was addicted to this novel from the get-go. I was grabbed from the start and not released till the very end. I usually do my reading in bed before sleep time but this one had me picking it up throughout the day. I can see why some people just poured through it in one straight shot. The ending was jaw dropping. Be sure to read all the on-target Editorial Reviews on your Kindle.I find passages I've highlighted better express what I could attempt to say to provide examples of an author's wonderful writing ability. I probably highlighted more in this one than any other, but here are a selection to 'whet your appetite":"I put the dirty dishes in the dishwasher. I can be helpful when I want to be, although I don't want to remind Mia of this fact as she may come to expect it.""For my part, I wonder if Mia thinks I have a dark side. Most likely, as far as she knows, I am just her dear loving husband.""Stopping on our way to the lake house at a bakery that will no doubt be out of croissants was not on my agenda today. She knows I'm a man of action and when I have a plan, I follow it. I just want to get up there already. But today, Mia's every wish is my command.""A black sports car passes us on our right, only a flash of metal actually, because it's moving so quickly. I hadn't even seen it coming in my rearview mirror. It's funny how things can sneak up on you, appear out of nowhere.""Buck does have this affinity for gardening, which to me is a woman's thing, so that makes him older, weaker than me in my book.""We have been arguing, disagreeing let's call it, over our phantom daughter....for six years. The whole thing is absurd. She should be counting her blessings, like her strawberry daughters at her beautiful lake house. She should be thankful for everything she has, everything I'd provided, not missing something, someone who never existed. I feel myself squeeze the steering wheel, watch my knuckles whiten.""I'm uncertain why after all of our years together, she hasn't grown and developed her cooking expertise. I know she's invested in cookbooks and cooking classes, but still, her best efforts can only be awarded a C. Barely edible, actually, when compared to fine dining. It's a shame, really.""Even though I cannot see her face, I detect a tone in her voice, something that sounds like the feeling you get when you can't understand a joke. Like you are the joke, like you are an idiot. Only someone you love can make you feel that way.""Soon the road will narrow, and it will be down to one lane, each direction. That's when I'll really need to pay attention. That's when it gets dangerous. If you make a mistake, there is no forgiveness on a two-lane country road.""I like the way I feel when I stand at the end of the dock. The backdrop complements me like a movie set: oh look, there's handsome, wealthy city-dweller Paul Strom enjoying a carefree day of leisure at his lakefront community. Very presidential.""Typically we do not take bathroom breaks on the drive to the lake house. The boys know this, Mia knows this. But in her weakened state, and on this, the best day ever, will make an exception without shaming her. I'm in a loving, flexible mood. "Gas station or fast food?" I ask Mia-I'm not about to be blamed for choosing the wrong bathroom for her. "I'll let you know when we see the options" Mia replied, reopening her magazine. I'll let it go, my disdain for the fact that she isn't more appreciative of my willingness to stop for her.""Before I can think to stop her, she has popped open the glove compartment and she's rummaging around in it. I check myself in the rearview mirror and notice my forehead is shiny, suddenly damp. It's so hard to keep secrets these days. People can find out anything, ruin all kinds of plans. Sometimes, all it takes is just opening the wrong door.""I'm sure she doesn't really mean this, that's why her voice shakes. She's in unfamiliar territory. This boldness is not like her. And I don't like it, not at all.""I ignore this old-man type of physical pain, just as I ignore cashiers and parking lot attendants. They are all a bother, beneath my wasting a breath or thought on.""She gets to eat and do whatever she wants all day long, and all I ask for is just that: respect.""And I told her what I told you: I knew we were perfect for each other from the moment we met. As long as she could become the wife I was looking for, of course.""I wonder if she is asking me for something, for some understanding. Some type of compassion or empathy. I'm not good at those emotions, or, if we're being honest, any emotion except anger. Rage lurks deep inside me, ready to lash out whenever it's needed.""It's not easy, feigning care.""But not if it means she'll be working with John. No way. Together, they each know too many pieces of me.""There should be a rule that adults cannot walk three abreast or even two across on crowded sidewalks. Everyone should walk single file, destination in their sights, briskly and with purpose. Unfortunately, humans are like sheep, most of the time. They need a shepherd or they are a milling-about mess.""I allow the Pilmers to see the boys, of course, ever since Mia told me they'd set up large trust funds for them. So nice, and she gave me access to the accounts so I could monitor them. I was sure old Donald wouldn't like that, but too bad. Mia was in love and what was hers was mine.""You don't discuss family dirty laundry, not at all. You smile and quietly accept what comes your way. Don't make waves, not until you're the one in control. Then you get your revenge.""I'm the opposite of my father in many ways. I fight to be like that, to be his opposite, every day, tamping down the anger that's there, the fire-filled rage he instilled inside me from an early age. It's like a wildfire that is 80 percent contained.""Most of the time, people don't notice their surroundings. They wouldn't even realize if the same car was following them for miles. It's the same following someone on foot, or, say, sneaking into someone's home. It's easy if you're quiet and methodical.""We're all like me, ladies, just differing degrees. We are more than willing to put up with your emotions, as long as you keep your end of the bargain. Look good, take care of the kids, maintain a clean home, have sex when we want it and for God's sake, don't question us or our motives. Never do that.""I notice she's holding the side door handle, as if she were anticipating an accident. It's a pose you'd assume if you knew something was coming at you head-on at any moment.""Mia looks at Buck like a lost puppy dog and nods a silent yes. Clearly my mutt needs a little retraining."

Reviewer: SallyAnn
Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars
Title: I hope I don't know a Paul!
Review: This was the most successfully suspenseful, prolonged, teasing arrival at a story climax I recall reading for a very long time. For so much of the book, the reader knew that something major was going to happen but just when and where it was going to occur was unclear. Clever, taut and gripping, the story was totally mesmerising and just the safe side of spooky. Just.The author did scenes superbly. As a reader, I almost felt I was there, squirming in the back seat of the car as Paul and Mia drove to their holiday cottage, and as for the scene in the restaurant, I could imagine being there at their table and urgently wanting to throw my linen serviette on the table and high tail it out of there.The author is terrific at writing 'squirm' content!My only criticism and the only reason I did not give the book five stars was because of the ending, In comparison with the rip roaring sustained pace of the book, the ending was a tad lame. Perhaps some innuendo re the protagonist resurfacing in Mia's life unexpectedly would have given the wowconclusion. The book was just so wow, I thought the ending needed to have more of the same, to sustain the superbly taut thread of tension.A really terrific read.

Reviewer: Avid Reader
Rating: 3.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Good read
Review: I enjoyed this book. Definitely not a thriller in any sense of the word but well written and interesting. Looking forward to reading the sequel.

Reviewer: Susan
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Black comedy + psychological thriller = a terrific read!
Review: Kaira Rouda has written one of the most entertaining novels I have read in a long time. BEST DAY EVER had me in its clutches until I reached the last page. Although the book is described as a psychological thriller, which it certainly is, I found myself laughing as I read about one day in the life of Paul and Mia Strom.The story is narrated by Paul, a self-described ideal family man, quintessential Casanova and advertising whiz. He is not only king of his castle; he is king of his world, which extends from Columbus, Ohio, to the shores of Lake Erie. Paul has it all: a beautiful rich young wife, two handsome intelligent sons, the best house in the best suburb of Columbus, a summer cottage in Lakeside, a closet filled with designer clothing and a Ford Flex. No luxury cars for Paul, for he is also an environmentalist. In a word, he is perfect...in his own mind.He has decided to bestow upon Mia, his sickly wife, The Best Day Ever at the cottage in Lakeside. Nothing is left to chance on this weekend excursion in the Flex. He even goes to the trouble of creating a special playlist for his beloved.The story is cleverly delineated by the time of day, a day that must have seemed interminable to Mia. As they cruise north in the Flex, Paul muses to himself about how lucky the world is to have him In it. Mia would be nothing if he had not rescued her from her boring job at the ad agency; the ad agency would go belly-up if not for his brilliance.When, out of left field, Mia announces that she is returning to work now that their sons are in school, Paul’s plans for The Best Day Ever experience their first hiccup. Before he knows what hit him, docile sweet Mia has had the unmitigated gall to substitute a country music radio station from Hicksville, no doubt, for his carefully crafted playlist. Things go from bad to worse when she refuses pizza at Sloopey’s, instead ordering a Cobb salad without the Cobb.By the time they reach the cottage, Paul is in a frenzy and is in no mood to see Mia’s gardening companion, a handsome widower named Buck, of all things. What kind of a low class name is Buck anyway, and what red blooded man would be interested in strawberry plants, Paul wonders.Despite the hilarious dark humor, I sat on the edge of my chair because The Best Day Ever has evil, malicious underpinnings. Paul has the characteristics of a malignant narcissist, and, no doubt, this weekend will not end well. I learned a lot about Paul as he sat behind the wheel of his prized Ford Flex. At times while laughing at his ridiculous misogynistic drivel, I wanted to slap him, but I was afraid of him. Kaira Rouda created an incredibly rich, complex character around whom BEST DAY EVER revolves.BEST DAY EVER is high on my list of recommendations. The story flows seamlessly, yet I have no idea how it will end. Read it and find out!

Reviewer: Angel
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: A book that exemplifies one can not always trust the narrator. Having said that I won’t give away the plot, the reader soon catches on that not all is as it seems to be. A really great read where you’re hoping that someone gets put in their place, and quickly.

Reviewer: em.dc
Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: 4.5 stars. Great book, I finished reading in 2 days. Easy reading, I liked how it is narrated and all the suspense.

Reviewer: Fee
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: This has got to be best psychological thriller I have read yet, and I am not sure how I am going to do this book justice with my review without spoiling it.This was sinister and creepy from the get go, Paul Strom has to be one of the most creepiest characters I have read in a long time, clearly a Sociopath who shows little emotion other than what he wants to show - he doesn't get called Poker Face Paul for no reason!Best Day Ever is set over a 24 hour period, Paul and his wife Mia are heading to their cottage for the weekend, just the two of them, child free. Mia has been sick for a while now and he sees this a perfect opportunity for her to recoup and relax, though it is clear from the get go that something is going to go down over the weekend but you really are left guessing as to what Paul has in store for him and his wife.Paul is one of those characters that you are supposed to hate but he hooked me right in that even I was beginning to believe his justification for some of his actions! He is a man who likes to be in control of everything so when his wife starts to act “unusual” in his eyes, over the course of the weekend the mask he has held in place for so many years begins to slip and the whole story begins to unfold.This story was expertly written and the tension twists and turns really had me on the edge of my seat, I devoured this book and this is far different from Ms Rouds other works, it is clear that she can wear the hat of writing different genres brilliantly!

Reviewer: Amazon Customer
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: Product arrived as advertised.

Reviewer: Lavender
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: Dark, gripping and extremely entertaining.The story takes place in a single day, with the exception of the last chapter. Paul takes his wife Mia to their lakeside house in Ohio. He plans to spend the perfect day with her. He wants to be alone with her and enjoy “the best day ever”. Unfortunately, not everything works as planned.The book is just fun. The story is told from Paul's point of view. We are in his head, so to speak. Paul is a psychopath and extremely narcissistic. He has a very high opinion of himself and precise ideas of how everything has to be to his liking. Mia was until this day the perfect and willing wife. She also has rich parents. But somehow apparently he does not have everything under control anymore. In his boundless confidence in his own genius he has missed that something has changed behind his back.You could complain about the lack of a story because there is not much happening. The plot is rather small. Paul drives with Mia in a car, goes out for lunch, goes shopping and then leads his wife out to dinner. We as readers are practically in his head the whole time. He basically has a long monologue. Paul is one of those characters you love to hate. I found him very amusing. He is an un-empathic psychopath and knows it. I enjoyed the book a lot. I think it's terrific written and Paul is a ghastly-fascinating character."Best Day Ever" is an exciting, amusing and dark reading pleasure. If you love a good psychopath, well here you are!