The relationships and situations in this novel all seem skewed and unbelievable. None of the characters are likeable or have any redeeming qualities. The “twists” are predictable and the decisions made by supposed intelligent people are poor and unrealistic.

Man of the Year was an interesting and suspenseful read. The story was fast paced and had quite a few twists and turns throughout. Leading you in one direction before swiftly changing its path.

Robert feels like he's on top of the world. In his eyes life really couldn't get better. Well maybe one thing could be improved. The young man that his son has befriended. The young man Robert thinks is trying to worm his way into his family.

Once he agrees to letting Nick stay its the end of peace as he knows it. Events start to happen and otherwise innocent encounters are looking devious. All the while Robert is trying to stay professional and rationalized, even though he's getting crazier by the minute.

An insightful look into the rick, powerful and easily manipulated.

Man of The Year is brilliant. I repeat, it is brilliant! It's thought-provoking, it's extremely well-written, and I could not put it down. Very, very highly recommended.

Hauntingly dark and utterly enjoyed. I could not put this book down and still remember it months after reading. The cover, the characters and the rabbit hole you go down with this story is riveting. Definitely one of the more memorable books that I've read this year.

Man of the Year was such a twisty, enjoyable read. There weren't many characters that I particularly liked, but I think that's what makes this so enjoyable aside from the wonderful writing.
Definitely a psychological thriller you don't want to miss if that's your thing.

Thank you so much for the opportunity to read and review this book!

This was an interesting book. Not your typical psychological thriller. The story is set in the Hamptons and begins with the "Man of the Year" award being given to the main character of the story, a doctor. The story is told from several different people's perspectives and a horrible event leads to many lies and changes leaving the reader unsure as to what actually happened. And this is where the book is very interesting. The reader is led to believe that certain events took place but right at the end realises that all the main characters lied to each other and everyone is keeping secrets from each other. A real twisted plot. Quite dark, but suspenseful.

Man of the Year by Caroline Louise Walker is one of those books that has a completely unlikable/unreliable narrator in Dr. Robert Hart who has just become Sag Harbor’s Man of the Year as we join his story. Now as unlikable as Bobby is he may just run a few readers off before the story actually picks up on uncovering the secrets and lies.

On the outside looking in our Man of the Year has one of those wonderful, much envied lives with a beautiful new young wife, a son from a previous marriage and a thriving business. However, of course we find all is not perfect behind closed doors as Bobby seems to think something may be going on between his wife and his college aged son’s friend that she invited to stay despite his protests.

Some may call this a thriller but it’s more along the lines of suspense or domestic drama that dives into the lives of these characters. The second half picks up the pace a bit more than the first and while some some things seemed a bit predictable other twists were more surprising so if one can overlook the pompous narrator this one turned into a solid read I’d rate at 3 1/2 stars.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

Sag Harbor has just crowned Dr. Robert Hart as their Man of the Year! Dr. Hart is a successful, brilliant Doctor who seems to have it all. A thriving practice, devoted Son Jonah, and the stereotypical second wife, Elizabeth. All is well with the world, and our fair Doctor is riding on cloud 9. That is until he notices Jonas friend Nick giving a little too much attention to his sweet Elizabeth. To make matters worse, Elizabeth is flirting back and dares to invite Nick to spend the summer in their guest house. Does it sound like a Lifetime movie, to you?
The story reads in two parts. Part one is Robert’s point of view. Robert is a man that, seems to have it all, but deep down is a shell of a man. The way he talks will remind you of an egomaniac. When he thinks the Wifey is getting it on with the houseguest Nick, his paranoia goes into overdrive. Let’s not forget that both Dr. Hart and Elizabeth left their spouses for each other after a torrid affair. After all, he should know all the signs of adultery.
As we dive deeper into the story, we meet the other players in part two. We begin to learn everyone’s secrets and how the web of deceit becomes entangled. Are these characters relatable? Not really. Are they likable? Dr. Hart is the guy you’ll love to hate. None of these characters make me want to root for them, but I keep reading because I wanted to know how the heck they all got out of this mess. Man of the Year is another infamous story of the affluent with too much time on their hands. Thank goodness these always make for indulgent reads.
For a debut novel, Carolyn Louise Walker did a great job with character development. The story started slowly but thankfully picked up after the second half. The author used well-crafted character development for a debut novel.
I’m looking forward to future books by this author.


Thank you Netgalley and Galley Books for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Man of the Year by Caroline Louise Walker
This book kept me guessing on who did what and who caused what to happen. Talk about paranoia will destroy ya......this is exactly what happens when Bobby gets Man of the Year and begins to suspect his 2nd wife Elizabeth of cheating on him with his sons friend. Lives are impacted when secrets are held.....a twisting turning read. Thank you Netgalley and the Publishers for this book and letting me leave my opinion.

Do you really believe the annual ‘man of the year’ award goes to ‘only the best’? Nah, we know the recipient is going to be a real loser but wow, how despicable can one man be? Excellent narrative into the mind of a man who should get on his knees every morning thinking the universe for all his blessings. Instead, he is paranoid,
devious and on a downward spiral when they bring in a young college student for the summer. Dark, twisted, look at a deranged man.

Thank you Gallery Books and Net Galley for the advance copy of Man of the Year.
I really thought this book would be amazing by the description, unfortunately it fell alittle flat for me. I liked the premise but the story has been told over and over again.
While I didnt love the book, I do think other people might. I would tell readers to read it yourself and make up your own mind.

I enjoyed reading this book immensely. It was the perfect trashy (and I do mean trashy as a compliment!!) summer read. It had all the things I love - a dark secret, a marriage on the rocks, an unlikeable / unreliable narrator. And the twist was great. HOWEVER, I did think the end was a little lackluster compared to the rest of the tale. I did enjoy it though, and the novelty of the husband telling the story sets it apart for my readers. Thank you for this story!

It's been a long time since I've stumbled across a book that's left me wondering whether I enjoyed it or not.  That's a weird sort of pace to be, right?  But it's where I'm at right now with Man of the Year.  

On one hand, it started slowly, almost too slowly.  Normally that's not an issue for me because I read a lot of epic fantasy and they almost always drag a bit at the start.  But nothing really happened to engage me until midway through the book.  That's a bit too long for me normally, but I was curious who the guilty party was, so I stuck with it.  Something else that bugs me is that at the end, you're left unsure what really did happen to Nick.  

On the upside, practically every character is hiding something and that always makes for good intrigue.  You're not sure who is being honest and who isn't.  Also, the did they/didn't they that goes on with two particular characters got my attention.  Finding out the truth to that tidbit was one of the things that kept me reading.  While none of the characters were particularly likable, that's not an automatic dislike for me either.  Honestly, it's a credit to the author to write awful characters and still keep the reader engaged.  That was definitely the case here, so kudos for that.

In the end, Man of the Year was well worth the read, despite my frustrations with the ending.  All the town gossip and seeing how small communities worked in the modern day was fascinating to me, since I've never lived in anything other than a large city.  I'm curious to see what the author's next book brings and I'll definitely be on the lookout for it.  I love a book that makes me feel complicated things and causes me to think about what I've read.

Man of the Year of Sag Harbor, Dr. Robert Hart, appears to have it all. At 45, he's still in prime condition and health and able to keep up with his gorgeous, younger wife. However, when his son Jonah brings along a friend for the summer, we see that Robert isn't as internally composed as he presents himself to be. Their handsome, jack of all trades summer guest, Nick, sparks a latent jealousy in Robert, which spirals further and further out of control until the consequences from his paranoia affect an entire community.
Told with sharply insightful prose, Walker delves into the human psyche, unearthing the worst that could be lurking in any one of us. Her characters are real, their foibles uncomfortably relatable, their reactions the exact sort we hope we never stoop to while knowing all too well how easy it would be to do so. The slow burn is deliciously well done, inviting us into the crevices of each key character's mind, beautifully setting up the plot for the intense second half. .

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance copy. This did not influence my review.

A great book that delves into the psyche of Dr. Hart, who was just awarded man of the year by his community. Upon earning this honor, he is struck by a small incident that unravels him into a deep, dark paranoid state of mind and begins taking decisive steps to "fix" the situation. The writing is fantastic as we see how this seed of worry begins to undo him and causes catastrophic events. Not only is he affected, but choices by all those around him are deeply affected as well. Just when you think you know all the information, we see how the events play out from other's perspectives. Very well written and excellent plot! I'm knocking a star off for an ending that I wished had been brought a little more to fruition, but a solid 4.5 book.

So very good ! Sometimes a book sounds good and you're not sure especially where you do not know anything about this author. I was truly impressed. Excellent !

Sorry, folks, I couldn’t love this book. All the characters are miserable, unlovable, and snarky. I didn’t care if any of them would come to a bad end. I just wanted the book to end. ,

Man of the Year is a multiple point of view novel that delves deeply into the personal lives and inner worlds of many of the characters. It’s a stark look at love, paranoia, family, and what people will do to get or keep what they believe they deserve.

Thank you to Gallery Books for the ARC! The opinions in this review are honest and my own. #ManOfTheYear

This book just wasn't for me but I stuck with it and I'm glad I did! Overall 3★'s. I want to mention that I really like the unique cover!

"I fold the questionnaire and slip it into my lab coat pocket and head back to Exam Room Four, where I take a seat at the corner desk, crossing my legs, propping up my clipboard so Nick can’t see the blank page. I glance at my patient— my violator: hazardous waste—whose vulnerability is almost worth my pity. I see him clearly: the object of my wife’s desire . The sum total of her temptation: six foot, one-hundred-sixty pounds, BMI of twenty-one, no allergies, occasional hiccups, insomnia, regular exercise. Spoiled rotten with the passive riches of youth. The love of my life would betray me for this.
The anvil slams into my chest: the ache I’ve been avoiding, delayed by mantras and plans and an army of hypotheticals. Here he is, a terrorist in a cotton gown, holding his breath awaiting negative, secretly imagining positive, quietly burning. He is at my mercy. I could kill him or I could cry."

********
I always do my best to write my honest thoughts and feelings about a book, especially when the publishers and authors who approve my request to read an advanced copy of the book through NetGalley.

So, here's what I didn't like.
I had to really try hard to stick with this book. I struggled with the self centered, insecure, immature, paranoid, despicable Dr. Hart, AKA 'Man of the Year' and I'm wondering just how he even qualified for the 'Man of the Year' award, nevermind win it.
The overall pettiness most of the characters really grated on my nerves and I was left with the feeling that there were too many continuous lies flying around that the story to seemed to stall out, not going anywhere.

Here's what I liked...
The pace picked up a quite a lot near the halfway point and once the story got rolling I was completely drawn in and I had to find out how it ended!
In fairness to the author, she did an excellent job of creating Dr. Robert Hart and the other distasteful characters. After all, they were meant to be that way or the reason for the story itself wouldn't make much sense. I have to say that Caroline Louise Walker did a bang up job selling character's personalities to fit the meaning of the conclusion perfectly! I'm not sure if that makes any sense but there it is.
In the end I'm glad I stuck with it as it was worth the effort when the surprising conclusion was revealed.
I think I'm correct in saying that this is Caroline's first novel and I won't rule out reading another of her books if she writes any more.

With Thanks and appreciation to NetGalley, Gallery Books, and Caroline Louise Walker for this advanced digital copy to read and review.

This was a book that was hard to put down and when you think you’ve guessed what has happened, you got it wrong. I was sure I knew what the twist would be, but then I was totally wrong once the twist came. It is hard to think what the truth is and is why I docked it a star because I was a bit confused with the ending.