Best Offer Wins

1. Margo's desperation for a house quickly escalates from minorly concerning behavior to an unhealthy obsession. When do you think she crosses a line?

2. Even as Margo crosses the line to get her dream house, did you find yourself sympathizing with her anyway? Why or why not?

3. What does the house come to symbolize for Margo beyond just being a place to live?

4. Margo discusses how she and Ian sold their "starter home" to upgrade to a bigger house. What does this say about Margo, or about American consumerism?

5. How do you think Margo's childhood and background influence her choices and desires as an adult?

6. How does Margo's fixation on the house affect her relationship with Ian?

7. Do you think Ian's infidelity drives Margo to the edge, or is it Margo's unhappiness and obsession that pushes Ian away?

8. Why does Margo ultimately decide she can live with Ian's infidelity? Why was she willing to overlook this major crack in the picture of the perfect life she wanted?

9. How might the story have unfolded differently if Ian had shared her obsession?

10. The novel satirizes the overheated housing market. How does the story highlight inequities in access to housing and the "American Dream"?

Book Club Talking Points:
This is such a good book club pick because everyone is going to have opinions. It's fast-paced, a little unsettling, and taps into that quiet pressure we all feel to succeed, keep up, and make the "right" choices. The real estate angle feels fresh, but at its heart, this is really a story about ambition, jealousy, and how far people will go when they feel backed into a corner. It's the kind of book that sparks great discussion about morality, privilege, and whether winning is ever really worth the cost.