
NPR's Book of the Day In ‘Best Offer Wins,’ an ambitious millennial is driven mad by the homebuying process
Dec 8, 2025
Marisa Kashino, a journalist and author whose real estate reporting inspired her debut novel, explores the cutthroat homebuying journey of an ambitious millennial woman named Margot. They discuss the obstacles millennials face in securing homes and how Margot’s ambition stems from her humble origins. Kashino humorously reveals why readers will end up rooting for Margot despite her questionable tactics. The conversation also dives into the pressures of motherhood and the evolving definition of the American dream, serving as a cautionary tale about obsession with homeownership.
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Ambition Meets Resentment
- Marisa Kashino modeled Margot as a driven, self-made striver pushed to bend life to match her merits.
- Her choices reflect the tension between ambition and entitlement in competitive D.C. culture.
Reader Reaction Shifts Midbook
- Andrew found Margot deeply unlikable for the first 100 pages, citing a cringe-worthy dinner scene.
- Yet he admitted he began rooting for her even though she didn't change.
Wealth Doesn’t Erase Feeling Poor
- Kashino intentionally made Margot wealthy yet dissatisfied to explore subjective scarcity.
- A million-dollar offer can feel insufficient when peers possess inherited advantages.

