Book Review: Best Offer Wins by Marisa Kashino
When I first laid eyes on Best Offer Wins, the tagline "dark, twisted, and wickedly funny" was enough to pique my curiosity. As a lover of stories that blend suspense with humor, I felt an immediate connection to Marisa Kashino’s debut novel. I settled in, ready to embark on what I anticipated would be a wild ride through the cutthroat world of real estate and personal ambition.
From the very first page, I was introduced to Margo Miyake, a 37-year-old publicist whose desperation to escape the confines of her dingy apartment and stagnant life makes her a force to be reckoned with. Margo’s obsession with buying the home of her dreams is more than just about real estate; it symbolizes her quest to revive her marriage and reclaim her ambition amid the raging chaos of life in Washington, DC. I found myself rooting for her, even as her increasingly morally gray tactics had me gasping in disbelief. After all, what’s more thrilling than an anti-heroine who’s brilliantly unhinged?
Kashino’s writing style is both snarky and clever, infusing the narrative with a wicked sense of humor that makes you chuckle even as you contemplate the darker aspects of Margo’s decisions. The pacing is relentless, with tension building as Margo delves deeper into her questionable schemes. This isn’t just a book about a woman trying to buy a house; it’s a sharp commentary on class, race, and ambition—woven into a story that’s equal parts breathtaking and hilarious. I found scenes where Margo stalks homeowners and trespasses with an air of endearing audacity almost too rich not to laugh at. Every twist had me exclaiming, “Oh. My. God,” under my breath, fully engaged as I turned page after page.
Margo is the crème de la crème of characters, evoking memories of Scarlett from They Never Learn and Lucy from Listen for the Lie. I delighted in her cunning schemes and couldn’t help but admire her tenacity, even as she crossed lines that would leave most readers recoiling. It’s a testament to Kashino’s skill that Margo doesn’t just win you over; she captivates you without restraint.
While the story zips along at a breakneck pace, it also provides a platform for thought-provoking themes about societal pressures and personal ambition. For anyone who appreciates biting social commentary alongside laugh-out-loud humor, Best Offer Wins will leave you both entertained and contemplative.
In conclusion, I genuinely loved every twist and turn of this novel, and I’m more than thrilled to recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good dose of dark humor mixed with their suspense. It’s a perfect pick for readers looking for a compelling anti-heroine who blurs the line between ambition and moral ambiguity. Best Offer Wins isn’t just a fun read; it’s a wild exploration of the lengths we’ll go to for our dreams, and the havoc that can ensue along the way. I was utterly entranced—and I think you will be too!
Rating: ★★★★½ (4.5 stars)
Mark your calendars for November 25, 2025, and prepare to dive into a world where ambition knows no bounds! Thank you to Celadon Books for my complimentary copy; all opinions are my own.