by Kaira Rouda
Special thanks for this novel’s existence goes to my wonderful agent Katie Shea Boutillier, to my brilliant friend Andrea Katz of Great Thoughts, Great Readers who pushed me to pitch this book and never stops pushing in the best possible way, and to Laura Garwood, my first go-to editor. What words can I use to adequately describe my fabulous editor Margo Lipschultz, who sought me out at the same time I was looking for her? Our partnership was meant to be, Margo, and I hope it continues for years to come. Your insights into the story, along with those of Brittany Lavery, made Paul’s adventure so much better, so much creepier. Thanks, too, to Tahra Seplowin #besteditorsever. I’m more than thrilled to be helping launch Harlequin’s new Graydon House Books imprint, and am amazed by the talent and creativity of the entire team, especially Loriana Sacilotto, Dianne Moggy, Susan Swinwood, Merjane Schoueri, Amy Jones, Ana Luxton, Diane Lavoie, Sheree Yoon, Erin Craig, Michelle Renaud and Lisa Wray. At HQ UK, thanks to Lisa Milton and Charlotte Mursell. At HQ Australia, thanks to Lilia Kanna and Jo-Ann Milne. Thanks to Dilan Swain and Michelle Kroes of CAA who took on the film rights, and believe Paul belongs on the big screen.
Thanks, too, to Laguna Beach Books for their continued support of my stories, to my fabulous author communities including the Tall Poppy Writers and the Women’s Fiction Writers Association. Special thanks to Jennifer Tropea O’Reagan from Confessions of a Bookaholic, Marlene Engel from Book Mama Blog, and all of the amazing book bloggers for cheering me on from the beginning.
And finally, to you, the reader. Thank you. I couldn’t be living the life of my dreams without your support. I hope you enjoyed Best Day Ever.
Reader's Group Discussion Questions
1. Paul Strom is an unreliable narrator. At what point in the story did you begin to realize he may be telling you only what he wanted you to know? How long did it take you to realize he was poisoning his wife?
2. What do you think of Mia? We see her largely through Paul’s point of view, and he hardly paints her in the most sympathetic light. Do you identify with her or did you think she should have made different choices in her relationship with Paul?
3. Does Paul legitimately think he is a good husband and father? He says his life revolves around his perfect family. Is he trying to fool you, the reader, or himself?
4. What do you think a young woman like Gretchen sees in Paul? Is she ultimately a victim, or is she part of the problem?
5. Caroline is the only woman we know of who resisted Paul’s advances. Do you think this rejection started Paul on his downward spiral?
6. If Mia’s parents weren’t wealthy, she’d be in bigger trouble when trying to extract herself from her marriage. If Mia’s parents weren’t wealthy, Paul would not have been interested in marrying her in the first place. What do you think of that dichotomy?
7. Paul implies that he was abused as a child. Does this justify or account for his behavior as an adult?
8. Do you feel sorry for Paul’s mom? Why or why not?
9. What motivates Buck? Is he more than just a protector? What does he symbolize in the story?
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ISBN: 9781489242136
TITLE: BEST DAY EVER
First Australian Publication 2017
Copyright © 2017 Kaira Rouda
All rights reserved. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, down-loaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of publisher:
HQ Fiction
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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
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