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Best Offer Wins
A Good Morning America Book Club Pick * A Good Housekeeping Book Club Pick * An ELLE Best Mystery/Thriller of 2025 * A BookRiot Best Mystery/Thriller of 2025
An insanely competitive housing market. A desperate buyer on the edge. In Marisa Kashino’s darkly humorous debut novel, Best Offer Wins, the white picket fence becomes the ultimate symbol of success—and obsession. How far would you go for the house of your dreams?
Eighteen months and 11 lost bidding wars into house-hunting in the overheated Washington, DC suburbs, 37-year-old publicist Margo Miyake gets a tip about the perfect house, in the perfect neighborhood, slated to come up for sale in one month. Desperate to escape the cramped apartment she shares with her husband Ian — and in turn, get their marriage, plan to have a baby, and whole life back on track — Margo becomes obsessed with buying the house before it’s publicly listed and the masses descend (with unbeatable, all-cash offers in hand).
A little stalking? Harmless. A bit of trespassing? Necessary. As Margo infiltrates the homeowners’ lives, her tactics grow increasingly unhinged—but just when she thinks she’s won them over, she hits a snag in her plan. Undeterred, Margo will prove again and again that there’s no boundary she won’t cross to seize the dream life she’s been chasing. The most unsettling part? You’ll root for her, even as you gasp in disbelief.
Dark, biting, and laugh-out-loud funny, Best Offer Wins is a propulsive debut and a razor-sharp exploration of class, ambition, and the modern housing crisis.
An insanely competitive housing market. A desperate buyer on the edge. In Marisa Kashino’s darkly humorous debut novel, Best Offer Wins, the white picket fence becomes the ultimate symbol of success—and obsession. How far would you go for the house of your dreams?
Eighteen months and 11 lost bidding wars into house-hunting in the overheated Washington, DC suburbs, 37-year-old publicist Margo Miyake gets a tip about the perfect house, in the perfect neighborhood, slated to come up for sale in one month. Desperate to escape the cramped apartment she shares with her husband Ian — and in turn, get their marriage, plan to have a baby, and whole life back on track — Margo becomes obsessed with buying the house before it’s publicly listed and the masses descend (with unbeatable, all-cash offers in hand).
A little stalking? Harmless. A bit of trespassing? Necessary. As Margo infiltrates the homeowners’ lives, her tactics grow increasingly unhinged—but just when she thinks she’s won them over, she hits a snag in her plan. Undeterred, Margo will prove again and again that there’s no boundary she won’t cross to seize the dream life she’s been chasing. The most unsettling part? You’ll root for her, even as you gasp in disbelief.
Dark, biting, and laugh-out-loud funny, Best Offer Wins is a propulsive debut and a razor-sharp exploration of class, ambition, and the modern housing crisis.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published November 25, 2025
3941 people are currently reading
97382 people want to read
About the author
Marisa Kashino
1 book549 followersWelcome to my Goodreads page! I'm Marisa Kashino. I was a journalist for seventeen years, most recently at The Washington Post. But I spent the bulk of my career at Washingtonian magazine, writing long-form features and overseeing the real estate and home design coverage. I grew up near Seattle, graduating from the University of Washington with a degree in journalism and political science. These days, I live in the DC area with my husband, two dogs, and two cats, all rescues (the animals, not the husband). Best Offer Wins is my first novel.
Follow me on social media at:
Instagram @marisakashino
TikTok @marisa.kashino
Follow me on social media at:
Instagram @marisakashino
TikTok @marisa.kashino
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 6,143 reviews
January 12, 2026
to what lengths would you go to get your dream house?
this one kind of drug in the beginning and really picked up around 50%, but i also thought there was a whole storyline in here that could have been left out.. if you read it, we can discuss! the female main character was absolutely unhinged and initially i really loathed her, but you grow to accept her insanity lol. was also confused by the epilogue ending.. still had fun reading it + it’s a quick one!
this one kind of drug in the beginning and really picked up around 50%, but i also thought there was a whole storyline in here that could have been left out.. if you read it, we can discuss! the female main character was absolutely unhinged and initially i really loathed her, but you grow to accept her insanity lol. was also confused by the epilogue ending.. still had fun reading it + it’s a quick one!
December 14, 2025
4.5/5 ★
”Only the best offer wins—and finally that offer will be mine.”
In Best Offer Wins, 37 year old publicist Margo Miyake becomes obsessed with buying the perfect house in the Washington, DC, suburbs after eighteen months and eleven failed bidding wars. When she finally discovers her dream home, she’s determined to secure it before it ever hits the market, refusing to let anyone else get the chance, even if that means playing dirty.
It’s rare that a book feels like it was made for me, and it’s even better when it’s a surprise. I LOVED this… until the end.
I’m really impressed by this debut thriller. It was super unique and the premise is genuinely unlike anything I’ve read before. There is no crime to solve or mystery at first, just a VERY dedicated main character who will literally do anything to get the house that she wants.
I found all of the characters memorable and loved the set up. There is even more focus on her work life than I expected, and some dark academia, two of my favorite tropes when done well.
Although Margo is meant to seem a little crazy with the lengths she is willing to go for the house, I found her clever as well. When she outsmarts people or makes discoveries, they felt believable. The setbacks she experienced also felt realistic, which made the book even more engaging.
There is so much drama in this book, and it was very fast paced. I would have finished it in one sitting if I had the time.
The last 30 pages are the only reason this isn’t a new favorite. Sadly, the ending felt very rushed and disconnected from the rest of the story. After such a strong build-up, it suddenly went in a direction that didn’t fully make sense to me and felt less believable than everything else in the story.
Still, I recommend this and think most people would enjoy it!
”Only the best offer wins—and finally that offer will be mine.”
In Best Offer Wins, 37 year old publicist Margo Miyake becomes obsessed with buying the perfect house in the Washington, DC, suburbs after eighteen months and eleven failed bidding wars. When she finally discovers her dream home, she’s determined to secure it before it ever hits the market, refusing to let anyone else get the chance, even if that means playing dirty.
It’s rare that a book feels like it was made for me, and it’s even better when it’s a surprise. I LOVED this… until the end.
I’m really impressed by this debut thriller. It was super unique and the premise is genuinely unlike anything I’ve read before. There is no crime to solve or mystery at first, just a VERY dedicated main character who will literally do anything to get the house that she wants.
I found all of the characters memorable and loved the set up. There is even more focus on her work life than I expected, and some dark academia, two of my favorite tropes when done well.
Although Margo is meant to seem a little crazy with the lengths she is willing to go for the house, I found her clever as well. When she outsmarts people or makes discoveries, they felt believable. The setbacks she experienced also felt realistic, which made the book even more engaging.
There is so much drama in this book, and it was very fast paced. I would have finished it in one sitting if I had the time.
The last 30 pages are the only reason this isn’t a new favorite. Sadly, the ending felt very rushed and disconnected from the rest of the story. After such a strong build-up, it suddenly went in a direction that didn’t fully make sense to me and felt less believable than everything else in the story.
Still, I recommend this and think most people would enjoy it!
November 25, 2025
SOLD!!
NO-I am NOT talking about 5423 Stonebrook Ave-the 1940’s Colonial with the renovated kitchen, deluxe Master suite and the great yard-that Margo Miyake has set her sights on.
I am referring to Margo SELLING her SOUL to the Devil, to make sure she doesn’t miss out on yet another property in the competitive (cutthroat) Real Estate market in the suburbs outside of D.C.
EIGHTEEN months and ELEVEN lost bidding wars, has made Margo feel a little bit DESPERATE to escape the cramped one bedroom she shares with her husband Ian. She has started to detour through her target neighborhoods, hoping to spot a moving truck or an estate sale sign that might give her the jump on a “soon to be listed” property.
Because they cannot compete with the unbeatable ALL CASH offers coming in at TRIPLE FIGURES over the asking price.
When she and Ian sold their starter property, in their gentrified neighborhood she knew they might have a double move, but she never expected this apartment to be more than short term solution. She ALMOST misses their row house where debating “Gunshots or Fireworks?” occurred almost as frequently as “Thai or Mexican?”
The Plan: Perfect Marriage-Perfect House -Perfect Baby - should NOT be taking this long to achieve !
So when Margo gets a tip TWO weeks before the perfect house will be coming on the market she becomes a little (okay, A LOT) obsessed with buying the house before it’s publicly listed.
She will do ANYTHING, and I do mean ANYTHING to not miss out a twelfth time.
She will stop at NOTHING!
This entertaining DEBUT is a fast paced, page turning psychological thriller, with a DIABOLICAL protagonist! Margo is definitely UNHINGED and has almost no moral compass-although she does have a soft spot for animals. Only a cute dog named Fritter and a neighborhood cat named Lunchbox are safe.
EVERYONE ELSE?
WATCH YOUR BACK!
Maybe it’s over the top? Maybe not….
My sister sells real estate in the competitive Portland, Oregon market and I have heard some stories! 😉
AVAILABLE NOW!!
Thank you to Celadon for the gifted ARC provided through NetGalley. As always, these are my candid thoughts!
NO-I am NOT talking about 5423 Stonebrook Ave-the 1940’s Colonial with the renovated kitchen, deluxe Master suite and the great yard-that Margo Miyake has set her sights on.
I am referring to Margo SELLING her SOUL to the Devil, to make sure she doesn’t miss out on yet another property in the competitive (cutthroat) Real Estate market in the suburbs outside of D.C.
EIGHTEEN months and ELEVEN lost bidding wars, has made Margo feel a little bit DESPERATE to escape the cramped one bedroom she shares with her husband Ian. She has started to detour through her target neighborhoods, hoping to spot a moving truck or an estate sale sign that might give her the jump on a “soon to be listed” property.
Because they cannot compete with the unbeatable ALL CASH offers coming in at TRIPLE FIGURES over the asking price.
When she and Ian sold their starter property, in their gentrified neighborhood she knew they might have a double move, but she never expected this apartment to be more than short term solution. She ALMOST misses their row house where debating “Gunshots or Fireworks?” occurred almost as frequently as “Thai or Mexican?”
The Plan: Perfect Marriage-Perfect House -Perfect Baby - should NOT be taking this long to achieve !
So when Margo gets a tip TWO weeks before the perfect house will be coming on the market she becomes a little (okay, A LOT) obsessed with buying the house before it’s publicly listed.
She will do ANYTHING, and I do mean ANYTHING to not miss out a twelfth time.
She will stop at NOTHING!
This entertaining DEBUT is a fast paced, page turning psychological thriller, with a DIABOLICAL protagonist! Margo is definitely UNHINGED and has almost no moral compass-although she does have a soft spot for animals. Only a cute dog named Fritter and a neighborhood cat named Lunchbox are safe.
EVERYONE ELSE?
WATCH YOUR BACK!
Maybe it’s over the top? Maybe not….
My sister sells real estate in the competitive Portland, Oregon market and I have heard some stories! 😉
AVAILABLE NOW!!
Thank you to Celadon for the gifted ARC provided through NetGalley. As always, these are my candid thoughts!
December 5, 2025
This book just wasn’t for me. Unhinged, unlikable main character. Lots of trusted reviewers loved this one, so if you think it sounds good, maybe you'll like it more than I did.
Margo Miyake and her husband sold their home during the pandemic with the hopes that they could take the profits and buy something they really want. However, after eleven lost bids and living in a tiny, cramped apartment, they are starting to give up hope. And they aren't getting any younger, Margo wants to start a family but not without a house. When she hears of a house that hasn't come on the market yet, Margo will stop at literally nothing to get the house of her dreams.
I just found this book to be the pinnacle of privilege. They have millions to spend and can't find the perfect house in the perfect neighborhood? Well boo hoo. That's not enough to stop Margo from doing illegal, immoral, and downright dangerous things to get her house. Um...how about move to a city you can afford instead of stalking and trying to blackmail people.
I absolutely despised Margo and did not want to spend even one more minute with her. I came very close to stopping this book but I hung on because Cia Court, the narrator of the audiobook, was fantastic and did keep me engaged. And the book is fairly short so that was a bonus.
Not for me, but it might be good for you.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
Margo Miyake and her husband sold their home during the pandemic with the hopes that they could take the profits and buy something they really want. However, after eleven lost bids and living in a tiny, cramped apartment, they are starting to give up hope. And they aren't getting any younger, Margo wants to start a family but not without a house. When she hears of a house that hasn't come on the market yet, Margo will stop at literally nothing to get the house of her dreams.
I just found this book to be the pinnacle of privilege. They have millions to spend and can't find the perfect house in the perfect neighborhood? Well boo hoo. That's not enough to stop Margo from doing illegal, immoral, and downright dangerous things to get her house. Um...how about move to a city you can afford instead of stalking and trying to blackmail people.
I absolutely despised Margo and did not want to spend even one more minute with her. I came very close to stopping this book but I hung on because Cia Court, the narrator of the audiobook, was fantastic and did keep me engaged. And the book is fairly short so that was a bonus.
Not for me, but it might be good for you.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
October 21, 2025
*3.5 stars*
Anyone who has ever gone through the process of buying a house, will recognise the despair and lost dreams that come with the process involving bidding wars, especially when you lose the bidding war!
In Washington, D.C. suburbs, 37-year-old publicist Margo Miyake and her husband Ian are well versed with the process after eighteen months and eleven lost bidding wars. However when Margo gets a tip about the perfect house, in the perfect neighborhood, slated to come up for sale in one month, she believes this is the one, this time it’s going to work out - it has to because this house really is the ultimate dream!
After living in a cramped apartment, she’s had enough, so nothing is off the cards in her quest to own this house, and I mean nothing! She inveigles her way into the house and wins over the owners, but then it all goes wrong, and that’s when Margo becomes increasingly unhinged in her obsession to own this house.
Margo is a particularly unlikeable character, but she drew me in with her increasingly crazy behaviour - I just had to know where this was going. In fact I didn’t warm to any of the characters, all except for Fritter the dog, who was adorable. Did I enjoy it though? I most certainly did!
*Thank you to Netgalley and Random House UK, Transworld for an ARC in exchange for an honest unbiased review*
Anyone who has ever gone through the process of buying a house, will recognise the despair and lost dreams that come with the process involving bidding wars, especially when you lose the bidding war!
In Washington, D.C. suburbs, 37-year-old publicist Margo Miyake and her husband Ian are well versed with the process after eighteen months and eleven lost bidding wars. However when Margo gets a tip about the perfect house, in the perfect neighborhood, slated to come up for sale in one month, she believes this is the one, this time it’s going to work out - it has to because this house really is the ultimate dream!
After living in a cramped apartment, she’s had enough, so nothing is off the cards in her quest to own this house, and I mean nothing! She inveigles her way into the house and wins over the owners, but then it all goes wrong, and that’s when Margo becomes increasingly unhinged in her obsession to own this house.
Margo is a particularly unlikeable character, but she drew me in with her increasingly crazy behaviour - I just had to know where this was going. In fact I didn’t warm to any of the characters, all except for Fritter the dog, who was adorable. Did I enjoy it though? I most certainly did!
*Thank you to Netgalley and Random House UK, Transworld for an ARC in exchange for an honest unbiased review*
November 7, 2025
Maybe this is a testament to the dumpster fire of my life lately, but this was EXACTLY what I needed!
It was fun, and I needed fun.
The books MC, Margo, is dealing with infertility, living in a one bedroom apt with her husband, and trying to find a house in the wildly competitive DC housing market.
How far would you go for the house of your dreams? It seems Margo will go very far, which was a wild ride for this reader. The humor kept me from taking it too seriously.
Give me a MC who is witty and snarky and you’ve won me over. This book had all that and more. Even better, Margo had mad skills as an investigative journalist. A smart witty protagonist absolutely ticked all my boxes.
I listened to the audiobook, and it was unputdownable. The narrator, Cia Court, nailed Margo and elevated the experience of reading this book. Audio is the way to go and this gets my highest recommendation!
* I received an audio digital review copy via NetGalley. All opinions are my own
It was fun, and I needed fun.
The books MC, Margo, is dealing with infertility, living in a one bedroom apt with her husband, and trying to find a house in the wildly competitive DC housing market.
How far would you go for the house of your dreams? It seems Margo will go very far, which was a wild ride for this reader. The humor kept me from taking it too seriously.
Give me a MC who is witty and snarky and you’ve won me over. This book had all that and more. Even better, Margo had mad skills as an investigative journalist. A smart witty protagonist absolutely ticked all my boxes.
I listened to the audiobook, and it was unputdownable. The narrator, Cia Court, nailed Margo and elevated the experience of reading this book. Audio is the way to go and this gets my highest recommendation!
* I received an audio digital review copy via NetGalley. All opinions are my own
August 26, 2025
3.5 Stars
Margo is desperate for the perfect home. She wants to start a family and she'll do anything to protect her dream. Her and her husband, Ian live in the Washington D.C. suburbs and finding a house isn't easy!
They have offered above asking price several times, but can't catch a break. Their last offer had seventeen bids and seven of those were all in cash! How can they compete!! No worries, because Margo has a plan, and she is determined to get the house of her dreams.
I loved the beginning and was imagining all kinds of scenarios that might play out. The pacing wasn't consistent though and I felt there was too much rambling. I'm not sure how Ian felt, but I wanted a break from Margo!! She was unbearable!
I still wanted to see how things would end and if my prediction was right. Did Margot get that dream house?
Thanks to Celedon for the invitation to read! Comes out on November 25, 2025
Margo is desperate for the perfect home. She wants to start a family and she'll do anything to protect her dream. Her and her husband, Ian live in the Washington D.C. suburbs and finding a house isn't easy!
They have offered above asking price several times, but can't catch a break. Their last offer had seventeen bids and seven of those were all in cash! How can they compete!! No worries, because Margo has a plan, and she is determined to get the house of her dreams.
I loved the beginning and was imagining all kinds of scenarios that might play out. The pacing wasn't consistent though and I felt there was too much rambling. I'm not sure how Ian felt, but I wanted a break from Margo!! She was unbearable!
I still wanted to see how things would end and if my prediction was right. Did Margot get that dream house?
Thanks to Celedon for the invitation to read! Comes out on November 25, 2025
January 14, 2026
if anyone has ever needed therapy in the history of human existence, it is Margo Miyake.
2.75
2.75
December 14, 2025
Margo Miyake and her risk-averse husband Ian endure 11 bidding wars in Washington, DC’s ultra-competitive post-pandemic housing market.
Each loss chips away at Margo's hope and sanity.
Her sense of self is inextricably tied to her vision of the perfect home and family.
She dreams of the quintessential house with window boxes, a lush front lawn, and a tire swing in the backyard.
The 37-year-old Margo's internal mantra: Perfect husband. Perfect baby. Perfect home.
When her realtor delivers a tip that her ideal home — a brick colonial in an affluent suburb, complete with tire swing, wide-plank oak floors, Carrara marble countertops, and Thermador appliances — is coming on the market in a few weeks, Margo decides she will not leave this one to chance.
As far as Margo is concerned, there will be no 12th bidding war.
She devises a killer strategy to obtain her dream home.
This is when Best Offer Wins, the debut novel from Marisa Kashino, quickly plunges into thriller territory with how utterly warped Margo becomes: her behavior escalates from mildly concerning to a very unhealthy obsession.
As Margo's fixation on the house intensifies, she manipulates friends, colleagues, and even her husband Ian to further her agenda.
To say Margo falls down the rabbit hole in pursuit of the perfect life, would be a gross understatement. Her capacity for ruthlessness is matched only by her determination to win, no matter the personal cost.
And who better than Marisa Kashino to write a novel about a woman driven mad by house hunting in an insane housing market?
Kashino, a longtime journalist who covered the real estate market for the Washington Post and Washingtonian magazine, brings authentic insider knowledge to every page.
As Margo slowly and steadily descends into madness, her stress and desperation just oozes off the pages.
I gotta say, Kashino skillfully blurs the line between relatable and downright terrifying, while at the same time, makes it fun to witness Margo unspool.
Darkly funny, genuinely disturbing, and impossible to forget, Best Offer Wins has already been optioned by Hulu for a streaming series.
December 17, 2025
This "WINS" book was a WINNER!
The "BEST" About "BEST OFFER WINS":
Quite simply, this "WINS" book checked all of my boxes.
☑️ I adore unhinged, deeply flawed female protagonists with superb investigative journalism and creative problem-solving skills.
I love them even more when they are skilled multitaskers.
❤️❣️♥️
✅ The author's nonstop snarky wit was unsurpassed.
☑️ The book was compelling, pacy, and refreshingly different.
✅ Just when I thought I had it all figured out, a new twist emerged.
☑️ Even the final "shock factor" ending worked for me.
A very impressive debut by author Marisa Kashino.
I will be eagerly awaiting this talented author's future releases.
I listened to the audiobook, expertly narrated by Cia Court.
Cia Court perfectly embodied the protagonist’s traits and quirks, capturing her personality and voice, spot-on.
Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
4.5 stars, rounded up.
July 10, 2025
3.5 rounded up
Margo and her husband Ian have been stuck in a cramped one bedroom apartment while they try to secure the house of their dreams. They’ve lost out several times in a very competitive market and when Margo gets a tip about the perfect house in the perfect area, she just has to have it. How far will Margo go in order to secure the property? That would be telling, but I’m sure you’ve probably guessed already.
Well, I don’t know whether to laugh, cry, cringe, gasp, dread or despair and I probably go through the whole lot in the course of the book. Margot is FAR from likeable, in fact she’s probably unhinged if truth be told. She will stop at nothing to get what she wants and trust me when I say the sky seems to be the limit for her antics which worsen with every passing day/week. Will she go too far?? There’s determination and then there’s Margo. As for her husband Ian, he doesn’t exactly cover himself with glory.
It takes me a while to get into this but as the novel progresses it becomes more engrossing, probably in line with the desperation of Margot‘s antics. I can’t say that I find it especially funny but I can say it’s entertaining and it’s well written. It’s over the top that’s for sure and as ‘thrillers’ go it’s certainly different and I don’t think I’ll forget Margo in a hurry.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Random House UK, Transworld for the much appreciated early copy in return for an honest review.
Margo and her husband Ian have been stuck in a cramped one bedroom apartment while they try to secure the house of their dreams. They’ve lost out several times in a very competitive market and when Margo gets a tip about the perfect house in the perfect area, she just has to have it. How far will Margo go in order to secure the property? That would be telling, but I’m sure you’ve probably guessed already.
Well, I don’t know whether to laugh, cry, cringe, gasp, dread or despair and I probably go through the whole lot in the course of the book. Margot is FAR from likeable, in fact she’s probably unhinged if truth be told. She will stop at nothing to get what she wants and trust me when I say the sky seems to be the limit for her antics which worsen with every passing day/week. Will she go too far?? There’s determination and then there’s Margo. As for her husband Ian, he doesn’t exactly cover himself with glory.
It takes me a while to get into this but as the novel progresses it becomes more engrossing, probably in line with the desperation of Margot‘s antics. I can’t say that I find it especially funny but I can say it’s entertaining and it’s well written. It’s over the top that’s for sure and as ‘thrillers’ go it’s certainly different and I don’t think I’ll forget Margo in a hurry.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Random House UK, Transworld for the much appreciated early copy in return for an honest review.
December 15, 2025
giving this one 4 stars! it was fun—and if you need a book to grab you right away and keep you entertained, this is the one!!!
this buzzy new release follows a very unhinged main character who is trying to buy her first home in a very competitive housing market in DC. it basically gets to a point where she would do literally anything to get this house she has her mindset on and when you see how she behaves and the things she does, you will be left speechless lol! 👀😳😱🤯
this is set in 2020ish when the housing market was crazy and candidly, i think it would’ve been more impactful had this come out 3-4 years ago. buttttt as someone who knows how competitive that housing market was, it was still very easy to follow and really realistic and relatable!
my fave part was that ending !!!!!!!! i did not expect this ending at all and some of my favorite thrillers have shocking endings. so, this definitely gets an A+ in my book from that aspect!
this was a very fun debut novel and i liked the authors writing style. will deff read what she puts out next.
plus it’s only like 250 pages so it’s a very quick binge to add to your TBR when you need something quick and on the shorter side!
this buzzy new release follows a very unhinged main character who is trying to buy her first home in a very competitive housing market in DC. it basically gets to a point where she would do literally anything to get this house she has her mindset on and when you see how she behaves and the things she does, you will be left speechless lol! 👀😳😱🤯
this is set in 2020ish when the housing market was crazy and candidly, i think it would’ve been more impactful had this come out 3-4 years ago. buttttt as someone who knows how competitive that housing market was, it was still very easy to follow and really realistic and relatable!
my fave part was that ending !!!!!!!! i did not expect this ending at all and some of my favorite thrillers have shocking endings. so, this definitely gets an A+ in my book from that aspect!
this was a very fun debut novel and i liked the authors writing style. will deff read what she puts out next.
plus it’s only like 250 pages so it’s a very quick binge to add to your TBR when you need something quick and on the shorter side!
January 5, 2026
'No house, no baby. No house, no family. No house, no life'.
For Margo, owning a home has become a pivotal point upon which the rest of her life hinges, but getting a home might just unhinge her. After many bids have proved as fruitless as her attempts to fall pregnant (and that's even with dipping into her retirement savings), it seems like a new tip on a perfect, yet-to-go-to-market house, in her yearned for area, might just be the ticket. As a seasoned PR exec, Margo is used to ingratiating herself with people in order to get results. Getting a propspective seller to sell to her off-market should be easy after she wangles a dinner invite with the unsuspecting vendor. When things take a turn for the worse however, Margo isn't prepared to give up. The lengths she will go to in order to secure her dream might just surprise everyone - including herself.
This turned out better than I expected. After reading the first few chapters, I thought we’d follow some crazy antics of a neurotic woman desperate to find and secure her perfect house, however took a darker, more thrilling turn and really was about a crazed woman! It begs the question: does getting what you thought was your dream, really solve your problems.
'Is that all the house is to him? A piece of property'?
For Margo, owning a home has become a pivotal point upon which the rest of her life hinges, but getting a home might just unhinge her. After many bids have proved as fruitless as her attempts to fall pregnant (and that's even with dipping into her retirement savings), it seems like a new tip on a perfect, yet-to-go-to-market house, in her yearned for area, might just be the ticket. As a seasoned PR exec, Margo is used to ingratiating herself with people in order to get results. Getting a propspective seller to sell to her off-market should be easy after she wangles a dinner invite with the unsuspecting vendor. When things take a turn for the worse however, Margo isn't prepared to give up. The lengths she will go to in order to secure her dream might just surprise everyone - including herself.
This turned out better than I expected. After reading the first few chapters, I thought we’d follow some crazy antics of a neurotic woman desperate to find and secure her perfect house, however took a darker, more thrilling turn and really was about a crazed woman! It begs the question: does getting what you thought was your dream, really solve your problems.
'Is that all the house is to him? A piece of property'?
December 10, 2025
Dark, twisted, and wickedly funny, Best Offer Wins took the best parts of a domestic drama, mixed it with a twisty thriller, and added an unforgettable satirical vibe. From the deliciously unhinged narrator to the downright brilliant plotting, once I started reading this original debut novel, I knew I was going to finish it in one single sitting. You see, while I loved the over-the-top storyline from beginning to end, Margo was the crème de la crème of this unputdownable tale. Snarky, clever, and beyond tenacious, I knew that I was in for the ride of my life with her at the helm. After all, her investigative journalist skills were easily on par with her morally reprehensible behavior. Willing to do whatever it took to get what she wanted, I had a blast watching all of her adversaries fall at her feet. The epitome of a *chef’s kiss* main character, she made this book sing.
I do have to say, though, that Margo wasn’t the only winning piece to this devilish good time. With plenty of sarcastic wit, a ratcheting pace, and quite the eye-popping ending, I absolutely loved this descent into madness. Somehow it managed to be both laugh-out-loud funny and also layered with thought-provoking themes. You see, this book cleverly explored class, race, and ambition in a brand-spanking-new way. Ultimately, though, it was Margo and her fiendishly cunning, conniving schemes that won me over completely. A delightful mix of Scarlett from They Never Learn and Lucy in Listen for the Lie, this compelling anti-heroine had me rooting for her until the end. So if you love biting social commentary, dark humor, and shocking twists, this is one book you’re sure to adore. After all, I couldn’t stop giddily saying “Oh. My. God.” under my breath. Rating of 4.5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
Eighteen months and 11 lost bidding wars into house-hunting in the overheated Washington, DC suburbs, 37-year-old publicist Margo Miyake gets a tip about the perfect house, in the perfect neighborhood, slated to come up for sale in one month. Desperate to escape the cramped apartment she shares with her husband Ian―and in turn, get their marriage, plan to have a baby, and whole life back on track―Margo becomes obsessed with buying the house before it’s publicly listed and the masses descend (with unbeatable, all-cash offers in hand).
A little stalking? Harmless. A bit of trespassing? Necessary. As Margo infiltrates the homeowners’ lives, her tactics grow increasingly unhinged―but just when she thinks she’s won them over, she hits a snag in her plan. Undeterred, Margo will prove again and again that there’s no boundary she won’t cross to seize the dream life she’s been chasing. The most unsettling part? You’ll root for her, even as you gasp in disbelief.
Thank you Marisa Kashino and Celadon Books for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: November 25, 2025
Content warning: stalking, infertility, infidelity, murder, mention of: miscarriage, emotional abuse, mental illness, blackmail
I do have to say, though, that Margo wasn’t the only winning piece to this devilish good time. With plenty of sarcastic wit, a ratcheting pace, and quite the eye-popping ending, I absolutely loved this descent into madness. Somehow it managed to be both laugh-out-loud funny and also layered with thought-provoking themes. You see, this book cleverly explored class, race, and ambition in a brand-spanking-new way. Ultimately, though, it was Margo and her fiendishly cunning, conniving schemes that won me over completely. A delightful mix of Scarlett from They Never Learn and Lucy in Listen for the Lie, this compelling anti-heroine had me rooting for her until the end. So if you love biting social commentary, dark humor, and shocking twists, this is one book you’re sure to adore. After all, I couldn’t stop giddily saying “Oh. My. God.” under my breath. Rating of 4.5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
Eighteen months and 11 lost bidding wars into house-hunting in the overheated Washington, DC suburbs, 37-year-old publicist Margo Miyake gets a tip about the perfect house, in the perfect neighborhood, slated to come up for sale in one month. Desperate to escape the cramped apartment she shares with her husband Ian―and in turn, get their marriage, plan to have a baby, and whole life back on track―Margo becomes obsessed with buying the house before it’s publicly listed and the masses descend (with unbeatable, all-cash offers in hand).
A little stalking? Harmless. A bit of trespassing? Necessary. As Margo infiltrates the homeowners’ lives, her tactics grow increasingly unhinged―but just when she thinks she’s won them over, she hits a snag in her plan. Undeterred, Margo will prove again and again that there’s no boundary she won’t cross to seize the dream life she’s been chasing. The most unsettling part? You’ll root for her, even as you gasp in disbelief.
Thank you Marisa Kashino and Celadon Books for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: November 25, 2025
Content warning: stalking, infertility, infidelity, murder, mention of: miscarriage, emotional abuse, mental illness, blackmail
December 20, 2025
This was so unbelievably good & FUN!! 4/5 stars. Review to come. 🫶
January 23, 2026
UMMM 4.5 ⭐️!!! if you’re reading this for a twisty psychological thriller, this might not be your thing… but if you’re reading it to watch a woman just absolutely spiral, welcome aboard 🤗
it’s more of a satirical literary suspense, but sharp & biting in the best way! margo is ELEVEN lost bidding wars deep in the D.C. suburbs and is absolutely losing it over her dream house. what starts as “just getting ahead” turns into stalking, trespassing, and crossing lines she absolutely knows she shouldn’t cross!
margo is unhinged but also weirdly relatable…? the whole book feels like watching someone act on every intrusive thought you’ve ever had. she’s insufferable but self-aware and completely committed to the bit. her wit and snark make the drama so entertaining, and underneath her unraveling there’s some interesting commentary about the cost of having it all…
such a smart, fun concept for a thriller. I read it in about 24 hours & genuinely could not put it down! the epitome of supporting women’s rights and wrongs 😌
it’s more of a satirical literary suspense, but sharp & biting in the best way! margo is ELEVEN lost bidding wars deep in the D.C. suburbs and is absolutely losing it over her dream house. what starts as “just getting ahead” turns into stalking, trespassing, and crossing lines she absolutely knows she shouldn’t cross!
margo is unhinged but also weirdly relatable…? the whole book feels like watching someone act on every intrusive thought you’ve ever had. she’s insufferable but self-aware and completely committed to the bit. her wit and snark make the drama so entertaining, and underneath her unraveling there’s some interesting commentary about the cost of having it all…
such a smart, fun concept for a thriller. I read it in about 24 hours & genuinely could not put it down! the epitome of supporting women’s rights and wrongs 😌
September 2, 2025
TL;DR: a book everyone will be talking about when it publishes later this year. a social satire about the lengths people are willing to go to for a house they want, I had so much fun with this book. it's dark and twisty and laugh-out-loud funny, with a VERY dark ending that I absolutely loved.
December 3, 2025
4.5, rounded down for slowness at the start, but WOW, from the middle on this one was a fast & unput-downable read that I stayed up way too late finishing!! VERY over-the-top, but I can see how the current housing market would make someone flip out! A FOMO read & glad I gave into it.
November 15, 2025
I think sometimes, writers think they are writing relatably flawed characters when really, they are just insufferable. I really wanted to throw the protagonist off a cliff in the first 10% of the book. The voice actor, Cia Court, was incredible.
The housing market can be wildly competitive, but 37-year-old publicist, Margo Miyake has lost eleven bidding wars and doesn't plan on losing another. She cannot last another day in her cramped apartment. She and her husband have the income to afford more. They also want to start a family soon. Margo has finally found the perfect house that will be listed for sale in one month. She wants it so badly that she's willing to stalk the owner...just a little...and get to know them so that they will sell it to her without listing it. In fact, there is nothing Margo won't do to have this house.
This protagonist didn't even "save the cat". I kept thinking she would do something redeemable. No. She didn't. To make it worse, the book dealt mostly with 1st-world whiny rich people problems. The stakes were clear: If we (2 people) don't move out of this apartment and spend this 1.3 mil burning a hole in my pocket, then I'm going to not make it. I just can't, y'all. The whole book was Margo whining and taking creepy, illegal action to get the mansion of her dreams. She didn't even have a rough upbringing. I could not root for her at all, at any point in the story.
Thank you NetGalley, Cia Court, Macmillan Audio and Marisa Kashino for this audio ARC in exchange for my unfortunately honest review.
The housing market can be wildly competitive, but 37-year-old publicist, Margo Miyake has lost eleven bidding wars and doesn't plan on losing another. She cannot last another day in her cramped apartment. She and her husband have the income to afford more. They also want to start a family soon. Margo has finally found the perfect house that will be listed for sale in one month. She wants it so badly that she's willing to stalk the owner...just a little...and get to know them so that they will sell it to her without listing it. In fact, there is nothing Margo won't do to have this house.
This protagonist didn't even "save the cat". I kept thinking she would do something redeemable. No. She didn't. To make it worse, the book dealt mostly with 1st-world whiny rich people problems. The stakes were clear: If we (2 people) don't move out of this apartment and spend this 1.3 mil burning a hole in my pocket, then I'm going to not make it. I just can't, y'all. The whole book was Margo whining and taking creepy, illegal action to get the mansion of her dreams. She didn't even have a rough upbringing. I could not root for her at all, at any point in the story.
Thank you NetGalley, Cia Court, Macmillan Audio and Marisa Kashino for this audio ARC in exchange for my unfortunately honest review.
November 30, 2025
There is NOTHING Margo Miyaki WON’T do to get her dream house!
37-year-old Margo Miyaki is determined to purchase the PERFECT house in the suburbs of Washington D.C. before it hits the market. She and her husband have been stuck in a tiny rental apartment for too long and desperately need to get their lives back on track. Time is ticking and she wants to have a baby! Margo becomes obsessed with buying the house before it's publicly listed and she will use ANY tactic necessary to get what she wants.
I love a slightly unhinged MC! I listened to the audiobook which is read by Cia Court. She is a fantastic narrator and completely brought Margo’s snarky attitude to life. I highly recommend listening to this one!
While I knew this book was a popcorn thriller (not my favorite genre), I just had to see what the hype was all about. I really enjoyed 2/3 of this book but the last 75 pages went a bit too over the top and i found myself shaking my head.
Overall, Best Offer Wins is a great debut from Marisa Kashino. I did have fun with it and will definitely be checking out her next book.
3.5/5 stars rounded up
Expected publication date: 11/25/25
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ARC of Best Offer Wins in exchange for an honest review.
37-year-old Margo Miyaki is determined to purchase the PERFECT house in the suburbs of Washington D.C. before it hits the market. She and her husband have been stuck in a tiny rental apartment for too long and desperately need to get their lives back on track. Time is ticking and she wants to have a baby! Margo becomes obsessed with buying the house before it's publicly listed and she will use ANY tactic necessary to get what she wants.
I love a slightly unhinged MC! I listened to the audiobook which is read by Cia Court. She is a fantastic narrator and completely brought Margo’s snarky attitude to life. I highly recommend listening to this one!
While I knew this book was a popcorn thriller (not my favorite genre), I just had to see what the hype was all about. I really enjoyed 2/3 of this book but the last 75 pages went a bit too over the top and i found myself shaking my head.
Overall, Best Offer Wins is a great debut from Marisa Kashino. I did have fun with it and will definitely be checking out her next book.
3.5/5 stars rounded up
Expected publication date: 11/25/25
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ARC of Best Offer Wins in exchange for an honest review.
December 9, 2025
3.5⭐️
In this case, I loved being inside this toxic, unhinged woman’s head 😂
Very fast paced, quick read!
In this case, I loved being inside this toxic, unhinged woman’s head 😂
Very fast paced, quick read!
November 3, 2025
A thriller for people who spend too much time on Zillow. This chugs along just fine, and whether it works for you will depend entirely on how you feel about Margo, the completely obsessed protagonist and narrator of the novel.
Kashino doesn't really want you to like Margo and she certainly isn't trying to justify Margo's actions. For a lot of readers, an unlikable protagonist like this is just a no go, though I think more than usual will go along for the ride since it's very smoothly readable. You know right away that Margo is going way too far, it's just a question of what inappropriate thing she will do next and how far will she go.
I liked it fine, it certainly goes down easy, but Margo was too flat for me to really enjoy it. Her single-mindedness works well for the structure but it means I get bored with her.
Kashino doesn't really want you to like Margo and she certainly isn't trying to justify Margo's actions. For a lot of readers, an unlikable protagonist like this is just a no go, though I think more than usual will go along for the ride since it's very smoothly readable. You know right away that Margo is going way too far, it's just a question of what inappropriate thing she will do next and how far will she go.
I liked it fine, it certainly goes down easy, but Margo was too flat for me to really enjoy it. Her single-mindedness works well for the structure but it means I get bored with her.
November 29, 2025
Best Offer Wins is a bingeable book, full of tension, as Margo and Ian (but mostly Margo) are on the hunt for their perfect dream home in the cutthroat D.C. real estate market. They have also been trying to get pregnant.
When Margo finds what she’s sure is “the” house, for real this time, she’ll stop at nothing to get it. To the detriment of her career, marriage, and personal life, Margo has no boundaries in attempting to buy this home.
I didn’t like many of the characters, including Margo, who was unhinged and ruthless, but I still wanted to see what her next move would be. The tension in Best Offer Wins was well done and had me turning the pages quickly, desperate, like Margo in her quest, to see what would happen next.
When Margo finds what she’s sure is “the” house, for real this time, she’ll stop at nothing to get it. To the detriment of her career, marriage, and personal life, Margo has no boundaries in attempting to buy this home.
I didn’t like many of the characters, including Margo, who was unhinged and ruthless, but I still wanted to see what her next move would be. The tension in Best Offer Wins was well done and had me turning the pages quickly, desperate, like Margo in her quest, to see what would happen next.
December 10, 2025
How far would you go to secure your dream home?
3.5.
Margo Miyaki is tired of the cramped apartment she shares with her husband, Ian. Their high-crime neighbourhood is hardly the place to raise the family they hope to have. After losing eleven bidding wars in eighteen months, her desperation is mounting.
So when Margo discovers a white-painted brick Colonial in the picture-perfect suburb of Grovemont is about to come on the market, she’s instantly obsessed. She needs this house - no matter the cost.
Best Offer Wins was a quick, easy, low-effort “popcorn” domestic thriller. I understood Margo’s motivations completely; who doesn’t dream of the perfect home in a safe, idyllic neighbourhood? The ending was satisfying, and I appreciated how the threads ultimately came together.
That said, nothing truly shocked me. I wouldn’t call it predictable, but I had a solid sense of the direction it was heading. I read a lot of thrillers, and genuine surprises are becoming harder to find. I also found the pacing a bit slow, with long stretches where not much happened.
Overall, it’s a middle-of-the-road thriller that likely won’t linger with me. Best Offer Wins is getting plenty of praise elsewhere, though, so definitely check out other reviews - my opinion seems to be in the minority.
3.5.
Margo Miyaki is tired of the cramped apartment she shares with her husband, Ian. Their high-crime neighbourhood is hardly the place to raise the family they hope to have. After losing eleven bidding wars in eighteen months, her desperation is mounting.
So when Margo discovers a white-painted brick Colonial in the picture-perfect suburb of Grovemont is about to come on the market, she’s instantly obsessed. She needs this house - no matter the cost.
Best Offer Wins was a quick, easy, low-effort “popcorn” domestic thriller. I understood Margo’s motivations completely; who doesn’t dream of the perfect home in a safe, idyllic neighbourhood? The ending was satisfying, and I appreciated how the threads ultimately came together.
That said, nothing truly shocked me. I wouldn’t call it predictable, but I had a solid sense of the direction it was heading. I read a lot of thrillers, and genuine surprises are becoming harder to find. I also found the pacing a bit slow, with long stretches where not much happened.
Overall, it’s a middle-of-the-road thriller that likely won’t linger with me. Best Offer Wins is getting plenty of praise elsewhere, though, so definitely check out other reviews - my opinion seems to be in the minority.
January 7, 2026
Zillow gone wild (and hilariously funny).
Perfect - and wildly relatable - for anyone who's ever scrolled through Zillow listings at 2 a.m. wondering how far they'd go for the perfect house, debut author Marisa Kashino's "Best Offer Wins" is darkly funny and deliciously unhinged.
After she and her husband have lost eleven bidding wars in the cutthroat D.C. housing market, 37-year-old publicist Margo Miyake is ready to snap. When she catches wind of a not-yet-listed dream home, she decides she'll do whatever it takes to make it hers: sneak around the property, befriend the owners, even manipulate her way into their good graces. Trespassing, stalking, and blackmail, you say? Just wait until you see how far Margo is willing to go as what starts as a light bit of suburban scheming quickly spirals into full-on obsession.
This is the kind of popcorn thriller that's impossible not to binge: sharp, satirical, and just off the rails enough to make you laugh out loud. Margo is the perfect antihero - self-aware, self-sabotaging, and scarily relatable even while becoming increasingly unhinged. The social commentary on class, ambition, and the cult of home ownership is biting but definitely takes a backseat to the novel's twists and humor.
Cia Court's narration is absolute perfection - she nails Margo's sass, snark, and attitude, and seems to have a lot of fun doing so, making the audiobook the ideal format for this story.
A propulsive, darkly comic debut about wanting more - and possibly losing your mind while trying to get it. Hilariously deranged in all the right ways, it's hard to believe that "Best Offer Wins" is a debut novel - I cannot wait to see what the author offers up next!
Perfect - and wildly relatable - for anyone who's ever scrolled through Zillow listings at 2 a.m. wondering how far they'd go for the perfect house, debut author Marisa Kashino's "Best Offer Wins" is darkly funny and deliciously unhinged.
After she and her husband have lost eleven bidding wars in the cutthroat D.C. housing market, 37-year-old publicist Margo Miyake is ready to snap. When she catches wind of a not-yet-listed dream home, she decides she'll do whatever it takes to make it hers: sneak around the property, befriend the owners, even manipulate her way into their good graces. Trespassing, stalking, and blackmail, you say? Just wait until you see how far Margo is willing to go as what starts as a light bit of suburban scheming quickly spirals into full-on obsession.
This is the kind of popcorn thriller that's impossible not to binge: sharp, satirical, and just off the rails enough to make you laugh out loud. Margo is the perfect antihero - self-aware, self-sabotaging, and scarily relatable even while becoming increasingly unhinged. The social commentary on class, ambition, and the cult of home ownership is biting but definitely takes a backseat to the novel's twists and humor.
Cia Court's narration is absolute perfection - she nails Margo's sass, snark, and attitude, and seems to have a lot of fun doing so, making the audiobook the ideal format for this story.
A propulsive, darkly comic debut about wanting more - and possibly losing your mind while trying to get it. Hilariously deranged in all the right ways, it's hard to believe that "Best Offer Wins" is a debut novel - I cannot wait to see what the author offers up next!
December 20, 2025
Margo just wants to purchase a house . She has $1.3 million and nowhere to spend it. She keeps getting outbid by better offers and is tired of losing. Upon hearing of the perfect house about to be put on the market, Margo is convinced this is her dream home and nothing will deter her from getting what she wants. She will not take no for an answer.
Our extremely unhinged FMC is taking her obsession with winning this house to the next level. It’s pretty cringe worthy. Also adding to the stress of purchasing a home Margo is having some work and home life issues that are bringing her inner rage monster to the forefront. To put it simply, Margo is about to lose her shit. And I’m all here for it.
The reviews were spot on with this one . It truly was a fun little book.
Our extremely unhinged FMC is taking her obsession with winning this house to the next level. It’s pretty cringe worthy. Also adding to the stress of purchasing a home Margo is having some work and home life issues that are bringing her inner rage monster to the forefront. To put it simply, Margo is about to lose her shit. And I’m all here for it.
The reviews were spot on with this one . It truly was a fun little book.
January 9, 2026
When I read the quote on the cover that compares it to Gone Girl, I thought, "That's a pretty bold claim."
A lot of quotes on book covers that compare one book to another almost always fell flat in my experience, but now that I finished the book, that claim was indeed true. I wouldn't say it is as thrilling and violent as Gone Girl, but the concept? Very close. And I love it!
If Margo were real, I wouldn't exactly want to get close to her, but in fiction books, she is the type of character I like to read about. I couldn't relate to or understand her obsession with the house, obviously, but I really enjoyed the way she became increasingly deranged with every chapter. And is it bad that I indeed root for her just like the blurb says I would?
There are parts that I mostly skimmed - mostly the chapters about her job, because I really don't care about what she does for a living. Aside from that, I am glued to the book. Margo is so unhinged that it's almost hilarious.
If you are hoping to read an actual thriller/horror that is a little more violent and bloody, this is not for you. But if you are looking for something light that still has suspense and twist, Best Offer Wins is definitely a fun read.
A lot of quotes on book covers that compare one book to another almost always fell flat in my experience, but now that I finished the book, that claim was indeed true. I wouldn't say it is as thrilling and violent as Gone Girl, but the concept? Very close. And I love it!
If Margo were real, I wouldn't exactly want to get close to her, but in fiction books, she is the type of character I like to read about. I couldn't relate to or understand her obsession with the house, obviously, but I really enjoyed the way she became increasingly deranged with every chapter. And is it bad that I indeed root for her just like the blurb says I would?
There are parts that I mostly skimmed - mostly the chapters about her job, because I really don't care about what she does for a living. Aside from that, I am glued to the book. Margo is so unhinged that it's almost hilarious.
If you are hoping to read an actual thriller/horror that is a little more violent and bloody, this is not for you. But if you are looking for something light that still has suspense and twist, Best Offer Wins is definitely a fun read.
August 29, 2025
This book was a quick read, and I did keep going mostly because Margo Miyake is so unhinged that I wanted to see how far she would go. But let’s just say it… she is completely unlikable. Spending a whole novel in her head was exhausting.
She has no redeeming qualities, she kills two women just to get the house she wants, and I could not have rooted for her less. On top of that, she is out here buying a million dollar house. It is really hard to feel any sympathy when the character is both awful and privileged. Like… it’s a house. Please touch grass.
I do think unlikable characters can be fun if they are done well, but this wasn’t that. Instead of feeling sharp or satirical it leaned into the “crazy woman” stereotype, which just felt tired and honestly a little anti-feminist. By the time I got to about 60 percent I was skimming just to see how it ended.
Also, there is a Harry Potter reference in here. It added nothing to the story, and I know a lot of readers prefer to avoid that since J. K. Rowling is… well, not someone worth supporting.
I will give credit that the idea of turning house buying drama into a thriller is very unique, and I liked that part of it. But overall the execution didn’t work for me. Two stars.
She has no redeeming qualities, she kills two women just to get the house she wants, and I could not have rooted for her less. On top of that, she is out here buying a million dollar house. It is really hard to feel any sympathy when the character is both awful and privileged. Like… it’s a house. Please touch grass.
I do think unlikable characters can be fun if they are done well, but this wasn’t that. Instead of feeling sharp or satirical it leaned into the “crazy woman” stereotype, which just felt tired and honestly a little anti-feminist. By the time I got to about 60 percent I was skimming just to see how it ended.
Also, there is a Harry Potter reference in here. It added nothing to the story, and I know a lot of readers prefer to avoid that since J. K. Rowling is… well, not someone worth supporting.
I will give credit that the idea of turning house buying drama into a thriller is very unique, and I liked that part of it. But overall the execution didn’t work for me. Two stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 21, 2025
I always appreciate an unreliable, clever, obsessive villain as the FMC, and Margo checks every box! I loved her. I despised her. I constantly wondered what she’d do next and couldn’t look away—she gave me Thursday from The Wives energy in the best, most unhinged way. I listened to the entire book in one day at 1.5x speed because I had to know how far she’d go for her dream home. (Spoiler alert: very far!)
Cia Court’s narration was a standout, breathing life into Margo with unsettling believability and dark wit. Her delivery amplified the whole experience and made Margo feel dangerously real—it felt like I was inside her mind at times.
What makes this psychological thriller shine is its fresh angle on obsession—focusing on a house as the object of fixation rather than a person. The result is a perfectly paced, suspenseful journey with just the right balance of tension, twists, and emotional depth. I was hooked from start to finish and genuinely enjoyed every minute of this story!
** I received an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to the author and publisher! **
Cia Court’s narration was a standout, breathing life into Margo with unsettling believability and dark wit. Her delivery amplified the whole experience and made Margo feel dangerously real—it felt like I was inside her mind at times.
What makes this psychological thriller shine is its fresh angle on obsession—focusing on a house as the object of fixation rather than a person. The result is a perfectly paced, suspenseful journey with just the right balance of tension, twists, and emotional depth. I was hooked from start to finish and genuinely enjoyed every minute of this story!
** I received an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to the author and publisher! **
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