My rating: 4 of 5 stars
“For there to be betrayal, there would have to have been trust first.”
----Suzanne Collins
Kaira Rouda, a USA TODAY bestselling, multiple award-winning author, has penned a gripping psychological thriller called, Best Day Ever that is centered around a perfect married couple, where the caring husband plans a perfect weekend getaway for his darling wife at their lake house somewhere away from their two young boys and the bustling noise of their urban life style. Although the husband has planned everything meticulously to surprise his stupid wife, but gradually, the true colors of the husband's intention behind this trip comes out, but can the wife sniff that out or will it be too late before she figure things out. A crazy, psychotic marital tale of a perfect couple.
Synopsis:
“I glance at my wife as she climbs into the passenger seat, and I am bursting with confidence. Today will be everything I’ve promised her…and more…”
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.
Paul, a mid aged husband and father of two boys, has planned a surprise weekend getaway at for his darling wife, Mia at their lake house at Lake Erie away from their city life. As soon the journey started, this perfect couple's perfect weekend plan, starts to unfold in a dubious way. Is it all not perfect between Mia and Paul? 10 years of marriage, with two boys who are now happily living with their baby sitter at their home, why Mia is suspicious of her husband's intention after so many years or was she always doubted about her husband's failures and charades? Paul's perception of a stupid Mia turns heavy fatal on his plans to secure his future with his family. Read more to know how the couple's romantic and flawless weekend getaway turns into a tragedy by a cunning and psychotic man named Paul.
The type of psychological thriller 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, climax turned out to be neither that good nor too bad, as I felt the things were bit rushed near the end, whereas a cliched ending was perfectly and successfully avoided by the author. The plot is thick with twists and turns and will definitely keep the readers on their edges, and the best part would be the book's narrative, that is told from the perspective from the supposed-to-be-perfect husband, who gradually unfolds his childhood trauma, shortcomings and pain through his weekend trip with his wife.
The writing style of the author is articulate and is laced with enough tension to intrigue the minds of the readers. The narrative is quite engaging and along with the twists, the dialogues seem thoroughly provoking enough to keep the readers glued. The pacing is really fast, as with requisite depth and back story, the story unrolls in a rather compelling manner and it can be finished reading just within a couple of hours.
The mystery concocted by the author is tight, and is layered with enough suspense to keep the readers anticipating till the very climax. The twists are turns will slap on to the readers face out-of-nowhere, but the feeling of this kind of slap will much better to the readers. The author has peeled the layers gradually and in a subtle manner in order to keep the readers on their toes. That page turning factor can be easily found in this book. The hint of an approaching death is what will keep the readers turning the pages of this book frantically.
The characters are well developed, mostly the demeanor of the main character, Paul is very well portrayed. His psychological flaws to his psychotic nature to his obsession about his family, is makes him a perfect love-to-hate character in the eyes of the readers. Also Paul is depicted with enough depth through his tragic backstory, that will make the readers feel like them know him by the back of their hands. Although I must say, Paul's demeanor is hardly relatable. But then again, it is not everyday that I get to meet a mentally deranged man every day in my life. Mia's character is strong and headstrong and she gradually shows the real color of her identity and I bet readers will fall for such a housewife, besides feeling terribly sorry for her situation. The supporting cast is okay.
In a nutshell, I highly recommend this book to all the thriller fans as the mystery is absorbing enough to keep the readers engaged.
Verdict: A riveting read about a couple's romantic weekend getaway turning tragic.
Courtesy: Thanks to the publishers from Harper Collins India for giving me an opportunity to read and review this book.
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Author Info:
Kaira Rouda is a USA TODAY bestselling, multiple award-winning author of contemporary fiction exploring what goes on behind closed doors of seemingly perfect lives. Her next novel, BEST DAY EVER, is out September 19th.
She lives in Southern California with her family and is at work on her next novel. Connect with her on Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest: @KairaRouda; and on Facebook at Kaira Rouda Books.
Visit her here
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