BEST DAY EVER, by author, KAIRA ROUDA

In the bestselling, page-turning vein of The Couple Next Door and The Dinner, Kaira Rouda weaves a gripping, tautly suspenseful tale of deception and betrayal dark enough to destroy a marriage…or a life. 

“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. 


Praise for Best Day Ever ~

"A tensely written, shocking book that will hold readers on the edge of their seats to the very last page." –Publishers Weekly

“An unreliable and chillingly unrepentant narrator.” — Kimberly McCreight, New YorkTimes bestselling author of Reconstructing Amelia and The Outliers 

“Highly entertaining and truly surprising!” — Kate Moretti, New York Times bestselling author of The Vanishing Year


Some Q & A with Kaira:

Tell us a little bit about yourself, and how you started writing.

I’ve been writing all my life. My career included stints as a newspaper reporter, magazine editor, advertising copywriter, and brand creator. But, my dream always was this: to write a novel. After writing a book for women entrepreneurs, REAL YOU INCORPORATED: 8 Essentials for Women Entrepreneurs, I traveled the country giving speeches encouraging people to put their passion into action, Finally, in 2011, I did and my first novel came out.

What are some things you enjoy when not writing?

My family, reading, walks on the beach, playing with my dogs.

Do you have a 'day job'?

Nope. This is it and it’s fabulous.

Where do you get your ideas?

I really have no idea – fortunately, so far, they’ve just popped into my head.

Is there a particular author or book that influenced or inspired your writing or decision to write?

My third-grade teacher had us write to the person you wanted to be when you grew up. I sent a note to Robert McCloskey, author of Make Room for Ducklings. I love his stories. Later in middle school, it was Emily Dickeson, Nancy Drew, all kinds of books, all types of writing.

Can you tell us about your challenges in getting your first book published?

My first novel, Here, Home, Hope, had representation by a wonderful agent and made it to the editorial decision room before a publisher passed. Repeat that sentence for four more novels. Instead of waiting, I published Here, Home, Hope with Greenleaf Book Group. All the Difference and In the Mirror are self-published. My romance series is published by Tule Publishing. I’m truly a hybrid author and I love that. When BEST DAY EVER was sold to HarperCollins/Harlequin for their new imprint I was so excited. It’s a new path, and it’s great to have a really big team behind me.

If you had to go back and do it all over, is there any aspect of your novel or getting it published that you’d change?

Nope. Best Day Ever’s path has been perfect.

How do you market your work?

Like this ;-) Seriously though it’s social media, partnering with bloggers and the like. My publisher has been doing some advertising for Best Day Ever – including an ad in Entertainment Weekly! – so I can’t complain. It’s been a dream come true.

What are you working on now?

Another psychological suspense novel.

Is anything in your book based on real-life experiences?

Just the setting. We used to live in a suburb of Columbus, Ohio, very much like Grandville – and we had a cottage in Lakeside, the lovely community nestled on the shores of Lake Erie.

Do you have a favorite chapter or scene?

I like the dinner scene and the lunch scene. I like restaurant scenes, reading them and writing them.

Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?

Don’t give up.

What are the downfalls of your writing career? The best parts?

It’s truly all good. It’s my dream.

Is there anything you’d like to say to your readers and fans?

Thanks for reading my books – and please, let’s connect online:

Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest: @KairaRouda

Facebook: KairaRoudaBooks

My website: www.kairarouda.com