So good! MAN OF THE YEAR proves a cautionary tale for anyone who marries the lover they stole from someone else. If it can happen to them, it can happen to you. Robert Hart is Man of the Year in his hometown of Sag Harbor and he appears to have it all. But when he begins to suspect that his son's friend is coveting his wife, well, let's just say his ego can't withstand the competition. Excellent writing with realistic characters and twisty plot that will surprise you, MAN OF THE YEAR is a fun and satisfying read. Great vacation book.

Man Of The Year is a wow kind of story. As in, wow didn't see that coming! It's a story about a very successful man coming unraveled. His downward spiral pulls you into its trap of paranoia, narcissistic mayhem and twisted creepiness. The story is so engrossing and well written that you'll be forced to keep reading. It's hard to put this book down. Truly enjoyed this one. Thanks to NetGalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

This is not a typical psychological thriller but more of an exploration of a narcissist's mind and his internal communications. There are a few alternating voices which are never truly fleshed out. This one dragged on for me and ended with an anti-climatic whimper.

MAN OF THE YEAR is a twisty, insightful, compelling, and dark read: a journey beneath the carapace of a successful man's soul--as we watch the collision between the public and private facades of a marvelously evoked man--and the disintegration of both.

“Man of the Year “ was a superior mystery/thriller. It is an utterly unpredictable study in paranoia. I loved this book, the characters, the plot and the twists. The ending was shockingly chilling. I read the entire book in one sitting and it held my interest throughout. Great read! I fortunate to receive this novel from Netgalley as an Advance Reader Copy, in exchange for an objective review.

I expected this book to be a typical twisty "whodunnit" kind of story. While it was certainly a whodunnit, it was not a typical one. It was a slow story, but in a good way. I think I actually liked it better than if it had been the thriller type. You'll think you got the end you expected, but then at the very last minute you get a bit of a surprise. It is definitely a satisfying ending.

I really enjoyed this.
Although it wasn’t really a psychological page turning thriller as I expected.
The last couple chapters fell flat for me. Elizabeth’s chapter at the end just rambles and rambles more than necessary.
I feel like the title doesn’t fit the story. In the beginning it did, but again, towards the end, it was more about all the characters deceptions/secrets. Not just “The Man of the Year”.

A three day star. Good writing, story line, but a bit too crazy towards the end. Nevertheless, a good read.

Dr. Robert Hart, Sag Harbor’s just-named Man of the Year, is the envy of his friends and neighbors.. It goes to hell in a hand basket from there. Caroline Louise Walker hits this one out of the park. This well written novel was suspenseful and full of twists. Loved it!

Over the weekend I finished up Man of the Year by Caroline Louise Walker. It is her debut novel and I’ve gotta hand it to her, it was very well done. On Goodreads, I do believe I rated this novel five stars- Which is a big deal to me as stars are not handed out lightly. The writing was easy to read and the plot was interesting, quite exciting and unique. If you’re looking for something to read on a cozy day, this would be an excellent pick.

....Trust no one.
....Everyone is telling lies
....There is an accident - or ‘perhaps’ a crime.
....What’s the right choice to make?
...,What’s the new ‘right’ choice to make?
....Who is protecting who?

Chew on this:
“Could it be that everything I’ve done—the hard work and the love, the steps forward, the backlash, all the bitter ends and bright ideas - has been wasted?”

This book was crazy enjoyable.
One of my favorite excerpts - almost a monologue- which I’d love to share - but sorry - cannot do - is so powerful - sooo truthful - I ‘paused’.....read it again - read it to my husband - ( thinking about the brilliant ‘background insight) ...
but I forgot about ‘this —awesome-awareness moment’ .....in relation to the overall story...

I thought I knew a ‘small’ part of the ending early on...
but doubted myself on and off...
One thing is for certain - I had no idea how the ending ( even with my gut red flag moment), would be ‘packaged’.
Great balls of fire fun!!!!

Thank you for the great pleasure enjoyment...
Netgalley, Gallery Books,
and Caroline Louise Walter

Dr. Robert Hart, Sag Harbor’s just-named Man of the Year, is the envy of his friends and neighbors. Even his wayward son, Jonah, is back on track, doing well at school, finally worthy of his father’s attentions. So when Jonah’s troubled college roommate, Nick, needs a place to stay for the summer, Hart and his wife generously offer him their guest house. A win-win: Jonah will have someone to hang with, and his father can bask in the warm glow of his own generosity.

But when he begins to notice his new houseguest getting a little too close to his wife, the good doctor’s veneer begins to crack. All the little lies Robert tells—harmless falsehoods meant to protect everything he holds dear—begin to mount. Before long, he’s embroiled in a desperate downward spiral, destroying the lives that stand in his way. It’s only the women in his life—his devoted office manager, his friends, his wife—who can clearly see the truth.

The paranoia is this book is so strong that it made me paranoid! It was a very unpredictable read and had multiple narrators, which helped make this so unexpected. Fast read, I loved the characters!

Thank you #NetGalley for the ARC of Man of the Year by Caroline Louise Walker
Pub Date: 11 Jun 2019

Dr. Robert Hart has just been named Man of the Year, and life in Sag Harbor is great. He loves his medical practice, and his son Jonah is doing well in school again. It seems nothing can go wrong until Jonah's college roommate asks if he can crash at their place for the summer. Robert and his wife agree, seeing nothing wrong with it. However, when Robert sees Jonah getting a little too close to his wife, he begins to dread his decision to let him stay with them.

received an advanced reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review

What a dark, depressive sulk of a book. I loved this book, the characters (well, I loved to hate the Doctor), the plot and the twist. Poured through it and the ending left me with chills, the good kind. Clever and genuinely suspenseful. 4.5 stars

I received an ARC of this book, due out in June (2019) from NetGalley.

This book is about a household with four very complex characters. The father is a doctor, very successful and just named Citizen of the Year by his community. He is on his second marriage, as both he and his new wife dumped their first partners for each other about a decade ago. The doctor’s son from the first marriage, now college age, has moved back in with him. And one of the boy’s friends makes it a foursome, moving into the guest house.

All of these characters are very flawed. Trouble brews and tragedy ensues. A book that begins as a study of complex characters now turns into a mystery. What really happened? Who was responsible?

This is the kind of book where you can’t trust the narrators, as they are all somewhat slimy. The principal narrator is the doctor, who above everything else is paranoid. His wife loves her alcohol and (perhaps) younger men. The college kids are, well, college kids.

A solid book with good pace, rapid-moving dialogue.

This was good mystery/thriller. It's short, so you don't get a lot of character development. It is a sort of study in paranoia. But it is utterly unpredictable, and I stayed engaged throughout. I look forward to her next book.

I really appreciate the ARC for review!

There are endless twists in this mystery about a family brought to its’ knees by the arrival of a guest. Dr Robert Hart had it all, beautiful wife, son and respect of his community that named him “man of the year”. But under the surface is his unease about his wife Elizabeth and his sons’ close friend Nick who is living in their guest house.

The plot is fueled by Hart’s jealousy and paranoia and his consistent belief that Nick is involved with his wife. Hart is an unpleasant protagonist. He shifts his focus to those around him to determine who the villain is. Others around him play into his suspicions, until an unlikely climax shifts the relationships.

This is a fast paced mystery, with a truly ironic ending.

There are errors that bothered me, since the setting is Sag Harbor, NY, why is there a plot point about paper prescriptions which are illegal in the state; nor could Elizabeth stand on a line in Penn Station and ask for a timed ticket on the LIRR...that’s not how they are sold.

This is interesting and fun for a summer read.

Intriguing plot, good twists, and a lot going on in the background of the story. I generally enjoyed it, though it lagged in some spots. I would have liked it more without the split narrative with occasional chapters from really minor characters (like the random aside from annoying book club lady). Great ending, though!