Best Offer Wins Summary, Characters and Themes

Best Offer Wins by Marisa Kashino is a psychological drama that explores the complex emotional and relational struggles of Margo Miyake (Tanner), a woman caught in the throes of a difficult house hunt and the turmoil of her personal life. The novel follows Margo’s obsessive desire to secure a specific house, believing it will be the key to her happiness and future.

As she battles with her strained marriage, a turbulent career, and a growing obsession with the property, her life begins to spiral. Margo’s actions become increasingly desperate, leading her to make morally questionable decisions that put her at odds with those around her. Best Offer Wins delves into themes of control, obsession, and the emotional cost of striving for a perfect life.

Summary

Margo is struggling with the pressures of her life, particularly the ongoing hunt for a home that she believes will solve all her problems. She and her husband, Ian, have been renting a small apartment for 18 months after selling their previous home, and their hopes of finding a dream home quickly have been dashed.

The housing market is fiercely competitive, with many potential homes snatched up by all-cash buyers, leaving Margo and Ian frustrated and disheartened. Their attempts to find a new home have become a seemingly endless cycle of disappointment, leaving Margo emotionally drained.

As Margo struggles with the pressure of the house hunt, her desire to start a family adds another layer of complexity to her life. The emotional strain builds, leading her to freeze her eggs as a precaution in case she and Ian need to explore fertility treatments.

Despite the advances in their careers and lives, Margo feels stuck, with the mounting pressure of trying to settle into a home weighing heavily on her.

The tension in Margo’s relationship with Ian continues to grow. While Margo becomes fixated on finding a house, Ian seems less concerned and disconnected from the process.

Margo’s obsession with securing the perfect home grows, and she starts imagining it as a key to her future—one that will allow her to start a family and settle into the life she’s always dreamed of. However, when Margo gets a tip from her real estate agent, Ginny, about an off-market house in the ideal neighborhood, her hopes are reignited.

The house, located in the neighborhood of Grovemont, is reportedly in excellent condition and owned by a seller who is motivated to sell. Margo and Ian visit the house, but as they arrive, a tree-pruning truck obscures part of the view, adding a layer of disappointment to her excitement.

Margo’s emotional investment in the house grows, and she begins to feel that securing it would finally offer the sense of stability and happiness she longs for. She becomes increasingly obsessed, and this obsession begins to strain her relationship with Ian, who is frustrated with Margo’s behavior and her inability to focus on anything else.

Margo’s fixation on the house deepens when she meets Jack, one of the owners, at a yoga class. Jack and his husband, Curtis, are planning to sell the house, and Margo sees an opportunity to secure an off-market deal through her connection with Jack.

Although Jack remains unaware of Margo’s ulterior motives, she starts to form a friendship with him, hoping it will give her an edge in the house-buying process.

Despite the growing tension with Ian, Margo continues to pursue her goal of buying the house. She attends yoga classes in the hope of seeing Jack again, and eventually, her persistence pays off when she has a conversation with him.

She subtly tries to position herself as the ideal buyer, but things become more complicated as their relationship deepens. Margo’s desperation leads her to spend more time with Jack and his family, particularly his daughter Penny, in an effort to build a rapport that could give her an advantage in the deal.

During their time together, Margo begins to share her own struggles with starting a family, which further reinforces her belief that the house represents more than just a physical space—it is a chance to build a future for herself and Ian.

As Margo’s obsession with the house intensifies, so does the strain in her relationship with Ian. The mounting pressure creates a rift between them, and Margo’s behavior becomes more erratic.

In an attempt to push the deal forward, Margo takes increasingly drastic steps, including attempting to manipulate the situation by befriending Jack and his family. The tension in her marriage culminates in a heated argument, and Ian becomes increasingly frustrated with Margo’s actions.

Despite this, Margo remains resolute in her belief that securing the house will solve all their problems.

Margo’s life begins to unravel as her obsession with the house takes over. At work, she faces increasing pressure and criticism from her boss, Jordana, as Margo’s focus shifts entirely to the house.

Her professional life suffers as she makes more mistakes, culminating in a VIP event that goes awry. Jordana gives Margo an ultimatum, further compounding her sense of failure and frustration.

Meanwhile, Ian becomes more distant, and Margo suspects that he may be having an affair. She finds a burner phone in their apartment, and the growing suspicion only adds to her emotional turmoil.

Desperate to regain control of her life, Margo begins to research ways to manipulate the situation. She considers blackmailing Curt, Jack’s husband, by digging into his past and trying to find dirt on him.

Margo uncovers a cryptic Amazon review and other suspicious information but struggles to make a breakthrough. As Margo’s obsession with the house continues to dominate her thoughts, her emotional and professional life spiral further out of control.

She is unable to focus on anything other than securing the property, and her actions grow more desperate with each passing day.

Ultimately, Margo’s obsession with the house leads her to a breaking point. She begins to question the choices she’s made, both in her personal life and in her pursuit of the house.

The consequences of her actions start to catch up with her, and Margo is left to confront the impact of her obsession on her marriage, career, and sense of self. The story concludes with Margo reflecting on the choices she has made and the emotional toll of her relentless pursuit of perfection.

Characters

Margo Miyake

Margo is the central character of Best Offer Wins, a woman who is caught in the midst of personal and professional turmoil. Throughout the story, Margo is portrayed as deeply obsessed with the idea of securing her dream home, which she believes will solve all of her problems.

Her intense desire to buy a specific house begins to consume her, overshadowing her relationship with her husband, Ian, and her professional career. Initially, Margo’s character is driven by a sense of hope, imagining that the perfect home will be the key to starting a family and providing a stable future.

However, as the story unfolds, her obsession with the house becomes all-encompassing, eroding her relationships and her mental stability. Margo’s actions become increasingly desperate, including attempting to manipulate situations and people to achieve her goal, like using blackmail or forming a relationship with the house’s current owners, Jack and Curtis.

Her pursuit of this house eventually alienates her from Ian, highlighting the emotional strain between them. Additionally, her professional life at a PR agency is deteriorating, as she becomes distracted and her performance declines.

Margo’s character is marked by a deep internal conflict as she grapples with her desire for control and perfection in her life, which ultimately leads to her unraveling. By the end, Margo is left confronting the consequences of her actions, realizing the complexity of her motives and the dark aspects of her character that have driven her to extremes.

Ian Tanner

Ian Tanner, Margo’s husband, serves as a contrast to Margo’s emotional intensity and obsession. While Margo is consumed by the idea of buying the house, Ian appears more detached and calm, often unaware of the depth of her desperation.

Ian’s lack of urgency about securing a new home causes significant tension in their relationship, as Margo feels increasingly frustrated by his indifference. His emotional distance becomes a source of conflict, as Margo interprets his behavior as neglectful or even disinterested in their future.

Despite this, Ian’s character also reveals a more passive side, as he does not push back against Margo’s increasingly extreme actions. As Margo’s obsession grows, Ian becomes more alienated, and their marriage is tested to the breaking point.

This culminates in a heated argument, where Ian’s frustration with Margo’s single-minded pursuit of the house becomes evident. Ultimately, Ian’s character represents the emotional and relational imbalance that Margo’s actions create, illustrating how her desire to control her future and perfect her life leads to the unraveling of their relationship.

Jack Bradshaw

Jack Bradshaw, one of the current owners of the house Margo is desperate to buy, is a pivotal figure in Best Offer Wins. He is portrayed as friendly, approachable, and unaware of Margo’s ulterior motives when she befriends him in an attempt to secure an off-market deal for the house.

Jack’s character is important because he provides a window into Margo’s manipulative tendencies. Despite his openness, Margo sees him as a means to an end, someone she can leverage to gain access to the house.

Jack’s relationship with his husband, Curtis, and their plans to move to London add another layer of pressure to Margo’s pursuit. As Margo spends more time with Jack, their bond grows, and she begins to see him as more than just a business connection.

Jack’s interactions with Margo highlight the emotional conflict within Margo’s character, as she balances her personal desires with the need to remain friendly and nonchalant. While Jack seems like a genuine, well-meaning individual, Margo’s increasing manipulation of him to further her own interests underscores her growing obsession and moral descent.

Jack’s role in the story serves as a catalyst for Margo’s character development, exposing her flaws and revealing the depths to which she is willing to go to control her future.

Curtis Bradshaw

Curtis Bradshaw, Jack’s husband, plays a significant role in the story, though he is more of a background figure in Margo’s pursuit of the house. His suspicion of Margo’s intentions creates tension when she tries to ingratiate herself into their lives, pushing the limits of ethical behavior.

Curtis’s character is characterized by his protective nature over his family, especially when he begins to suspect that Margo’s actions are not as innocent as they appear. He becomes wary of Margo’s intentions, particularly after the dinner where she tries to make an offer on their house, and his discomfort grows.

Curtis is the one who ultimately calls out Margo for overstepping boundaries, forcing her to confront her manipulation. Although he is not as deeply involved in the emotional turmoil as Margo, his presence serves as a counterbalance to her obsession, acting as the voice of reason in contrast to her escalating desperation.

Curtis’s role in the story underscores the moral boundaries Margo is willing to cross, while also providing a necessary counterpoint to her relentless pursuit of the house.

Jordana

Jordana is Margo’s boss at the PR agency where she works, and she represents the professional side of Margo’s life. While Margo is embroiled in her personal crisis, Jordana’s character serves as a reminder of Margo’s obligations at work and the expectations placed on her career.

Jordana is demanding and expects Margo to be competent, but Margo’s deteriorating focus and performance at work put her job in jeopardy. As Margo’s emotional and personal struggles take over, Jordana becomes increasingly frustrated with Margo’s mistakes, and this tension escalates when Margo fails to handle a VIP event successfully.

Jordana’s ultimatum is a pivotal moment in the story, marking a point where Margo’s professional life begins to collapse under the weight of her personal obsessions. Jordana’s character represents the external pressures Margo faces in balancing her career and personal life, further highlighting her inability to manage both worlds effectively.

Dottie Ross

Dottie Ross, a former student of Curtis Bradshaw, becomes a key figure in Margo’s investigation into Bradshaw’s possible misconduct. Dottie’s disappearance and her connection to Bradshaw form a mystery that Margo is determined to unravel.

As Margo digs deeper into Dottie’s story, she uncovers the trauma Dottie faced after her work was plagiarized by Bradshaw for his book. Dottie’s character is a catalyst for Margo’s investigation, as Margo believes that exposing Bradshaw’s plagiarism could be the key to securing her future and stability.

Dottie’s reluctant cooperation with Margo, as well as her struggles with the aftermath of Bradshaw’s actions, highlight the complexity of her character. Dottie’s decision to live under an alias and her wariness about getting involved in the story reveal the emotional and psychological toll that Bradshaw’s actions have had on her.

Her character is important because she serves as a mirror to Margo’s own emotional turmoil, showing the lengths to which people go to hide from their pasts or seek justice.

Themes

Obsession and Its Consequences

Margo’s obsession with securing the perfect house encapsulates a central theme in Best Offer Wins. Initially, her search for a home is rooted in a genuine desire to provide stability for her family, but as time goes on, it morphs into an all-consuming fixation.

Her relentless pursuit of a particular house represents her need to control an aspect of her life that seems to be spiraling out of control. This obsession extends beyond just the physical space of the house; it becomes a symbol of her hope for a future that promises happiness and fulfillment.

Margo believes that by obtaining this house, she can fix all the issues in her personal life, including her troubled relationship with her husband, Ian, and her struggles with starting a family. However, the more she fixates on this goal, the more she distances herself from her partner and professional responsibilities.

Her emotional health deteriorates, and her professional life begins to unravel. Margo’s desperation leads her to manipulate situations, including her interactions with Jack and his family, even considering extreme measures like blackmail to secure the house.

This behavior shows how unchecked obsession can blind a person to the consequences of their actions, causing harm to themselves and others. The theme suggests that the pursuit of an idealized version of success or happiness can often backfire when it turns into an unhealthy fixation, highlighting the dangers of losing sight of what truly matters in life.

Relationship Strain and Disconnect

The strain on Margo and Ian’s relationship is a significant theme in the narrative of Best Offer Wins. Initially, Margo and Ian’s shared goal of finding a new home brings them together, but as the house hunt becomes more intense, their differing levels of urgency create friction between them.

Ian’s lack of urgency and emotional detachment only heighten Margo’s anxiety, as she feels a growing sense of pressure to secure a home before it’s too late. Margo’s emotional isolation intensifies when she perceives Ian’s indifference, and her obsession with the house drives a wedge between them.

Ian, on the other hand, becomes increasingly frustrated with Margo’s actions, particularly her manipulative attempts to secure the house through her connection with Jack. Their once stable relationship unravels as Margo becomes more desperate, and their communication falters.

The emotional disconnect between the two is further exacerbated by their differing views on starting a family. While Margo sees the house as the key to their future, Ian remains nonchalant, unsure if it should be their priority.

As Margo’s obsession consumes her, she alienates Ian, and their inability to reconcile their differences leads to a breakdown in their relationship. The theme of relationship strain reveals how personal desires, when taken to extremes, can erode the trust and understanding that form the foundation of a partnership, leaving both individuals feeling lost and misunderstood.

Professional Ambition and Moral Boundaries

In Best Offer Wins, Margo’s career trajectory is intertwined with her personal struggles, creating a conflict between her ambition and her moral compass. Throughout the story, Margo is portrayed as a driven professional, handling high-profile events at her PR agency with skill and efficiency.

Despite her success, she finds herself emotionally drained and disconnected from her work as she becomes consumed by her personal life. Her obsession with the house leads her to make reckless decisions, and her professional life begins to suffer as a result.

She faces increasing pressure at work, and her mistakes during high-stakes events culminate in a warning from her boss. However, Margo is willing to sacrifice her professional integrity to gain an edge in her personal pursuit.

She tries to manipulate her career situation to secure a spot at Georgetown University, willing to exploit the situation surrounding the plagiarism case involving Bradshaw. This willingness to compromise her ethics, including using blackmail and coercion to get what she wants, signals a shift in her character.

The theme of professional ambition contrasts sharply with the loss of moral boundaries, suggesting that when one becomes too focused on personal gain, the consequences can be far-reaching, leading to ethical compromises that undermine both professional and personal integrity.

Identity and Self-Realization

Margo’s journey in Best Offer Wins is also a story of self-discovery, albeit one shaped by her emotional turmoil and mistakes. Throughout the book, Margo is caught in a constant struggle to define herself in relation to the expectations of others and her own desires.

Her fixation on obtaining the house symbolizes her belief that it will serve as the cornerstone of a life she has always envisioned—one where she has control, stability, and fulfillment. However, as the story progresses, she begins to question her motivations and the true cost of her desires.

Margo’s efforts to secure the house push her to extreme lengths, including manipulating her relationship with Jack and contemplating blackmail. These actions cause her to realize that her obsession with the house may be a manifestation of deeper issues, such as her desire for validation and her fear of failure.

Through her emotional journey, Margo confronts the reality that the house cannot provide the happiness and fulfillment she is seeking. The theme of identity and self-realization is crucial in showing that true fulfillment comes not from external possessions or achievements, but from understanding and accepting oneself.

By the end of the book, Margo’s journey is one of grappling with the consequences of her actions, ultimately leading her to a point of introspection about the choices she has made and the person she has become.

Consequences of Manipulation and Deception

The theme of manipulation and deception plays a significant role in the events of Best Offer Wins as Margo’s actions become increasingly ethically dubious. Throughout the book, Margo is willing to bend the truth, manipulate situations, and deceive others in her quest for the perfect home.

Her relationship with Jack, which starts with innocent intentions, gradually becomes a tool for her to manipulate the situation to her advantage. She engages in covert behavior, such as attending yoga classes in the hopes of running into Jack, and tries to subtly influence his decisions without revealing her true motives.

This manipulation extends to her personal life as well, particularly with Ian. Margo’s secrecy and dishonesty about her obsession with the house deepen the divide between them, as Ian becomes suspicious of her actions.

As the tension between the characters escalates, Margo’s willingness to deceive becomes more apparent, culminating in her decision to research blackmail material on Curt to force him into selling her the house. This theme highlights the dangers of manipulation, showing how it can corrode relationships and ultimately lead to unintended consequences.

The ultimate price Margo pays for her actions is not just the loss of her relationship with Ian but the realization that her manipulations have led her further away from the life she wanted, leaving her emotionally and morally bankrupt.