The MAN OF THE YEAR is a delightfully quirky story told from several points of view—Dr. Robert Hart; his second wife, Elizabeth; his son, Jonah; and his son’s friend and troubled college roommate, Nick Carpenter, who is spending the summer with them.

On the night of the event that honors Robert as Sag Harbor Citizen of the Year, he is on a high until his best friend makes a lewd comment about Elizabeth, and then later at home, Elizabeth bursts his bubble when she suggests to him that the reason he won wasn’t necessarily due to his character, but because of his generous financial contributions to the Children’s Hospital Fund all year. From there on out, Robert’s increasing paranoia, suspicions of infidelity, and compounding lies take the reader on a path that will keep you reading to find out how it all is going to pan out.

Many thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this debut novel by Caroline Louise Walker in exchange for an honest review. I definitely look forward to reading more from this talented author. Well done!

My enjoyment of this book waned as it progressed; it seemed to drag a bit in the middle. Good writing and characters, but ultimately not my cup of tea. For other readers, it may be a hit and I will pass it along as a suggestion where I think it will find a happy home.

You know those characters that we love to hate? Well, Man of the Year is full of them, some of which you won't even realize you should hate for quite some time. I suppose this one falls under the thriller genre, and the book does have the right pacing for it. The story does have its share of tragedy, but once things start happening, it has elements of dark comedy as well. As Dr. Hart piles mistake on top of mistake, it's a bit like a train wreck - you don't want to see, but you can't look away. This one has infidelity at its core, after all that's how the doctor's second marriage started, but it's really based on paranoia and how far one person is willing to go once that sets in. The story does have its share of twists, some I saw coming and some, not so much, but I have to say that this author's timing is quite good on that front. In the end, I can't say that I liked any of the characters, and I certainly didn't agree with their actions. That said, whether because of sheer incredulity or interest in how it would all play out, the story did hold my attention. Walker has shown definite promise in this debut novel, and I'll be interested to see what she has for us next.

Wow! I didn’t see that twist at the end!

This story took a few twists and turns and completely derailed my thinking. I went in with one perception and was blown away.

I didn’t find it a thriller as much as an engaging, got to find out more whodunnit.

I definitely recommend this book to anyone who wants to be wrong about what is going on. I loved that it wasn’t as predictable as most mysteries. Kudos!

The plot and writing of this book will have you hooked from the very first chapter. Page after page you think you know what's going on but are continually surprised by the characters and the obstacles that Walker throws at them. A great, quick read. Perfect for a plane ride or vacation.

Wow! That was definitely not what I was expecting! There were several twists I was not expecting to be there. Just when I thought that I had it figured out, something different came along. Excellent book with fantastic characterization. There are people you loved and people you loved to hate. You could feel the angst piling up, the anxiety, the determination, the anger.

You could feel this man's life falling apart and you had no idea as to where it was going. I totally recommend this book. I read it in one sitting, I did not put this book down. Five stars, definitely.

I would like to thank the author/publisher/netgalley for the opportunity to read this novel in exchange for a fair and honest review.

this book is a wicked juicy little gem of a novel that somehow surpasses the label of thriller/mystery/suspense novel

oh don't get me wrong - it is plenty that and plenty more

think lifetime movie /soap opera and i say that with affection because this book is so freaking good

so good i couldn't put it down

the flawed characters (boy are they ever!) are engaging and realistically drawn and to say more about this book might give things away - just trust me when i say you need this book!

Man of the Year by Caroline Louise Walker is a tale of domestic drama. There's a mysterious houseguest, wealth, infidelity, teenagers, and multiple narrators. All of it ties itself into a neat little package of storytelling. A quick read for those who like to breeze through a book. Read and enjoy!

Man of the Year is both a superb exploration of the many characters' introspective self-analysis and a spellbinding plot, but it is also much wordier than needed. There is copious irony, woven with a gossamer touch, but to a profoundly weighty effect. An exceptional debut novel.

Most of this story is told by Dr. Robert Hart with some chapters told by his wife Elizabeth, son Josh and others. Their accounts of events don't always agree. Who do you believe? Dr Robert Hart was just named Man of the Year, an award his wife said is tied to his financial contributions to charity. He thinks Elizabeth is having an affair with their summer guest Nick, Josh’s roommate, and he does everything he can to get Nick to leave. After an accident Dr Hart tells one little lie after another that only serves to make him look guilty. I can't say I loved this book. I didn’t like any of the characters. This family puts the “dys” in dysfunctional. For heaven’s sake people, talk to each other! But then we wouldn’t have a book if they did. This book was well written and interesting with several great twists, an excellent debut novel. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read and review it. I look forward to more from this author.

A version of this review previously appeared in Shelf Awareness and is republished here with permission.

Crowned "Sag Harbor Citizen of the Year," Dr. Robert Hart is at a fancy soiree with his wife and son, Elizabeth and Jonah. The one thing sticking in his craw is the presence of Jonah's visiting college friend, Nick. Although Nick has been good for Jonah, Robert's gut is telling him something about the kid isn't quite right, and he bristles when Elizabeth wants Nick included in the family photograph on Robert's big day.

Robert's antennae tingle further when Elizabeth suggests her stepson's friend stay in their guest house for the summer. As Nick accepts fresh towels from gorgeous Elizabeth, Robert's mind is assaulted by the possibilities. He knows what Elizabeth is capable of--the two met and carried on an affair while married to others. Is this the thanks Robert gets for rescuing her from a dreary existence?

Caroline Louise Walker takes readers deep inside the mind of an increasingly obsessed man, mining the depths of power, insecurity, image and assumption. Robert slowly swirls from semi-reasonable to outright paranoid as his suspicions about Elizabeth, Nick and his own son drive him to distraction and dangerous exploits. Tragedy leaves the survivors swirling with doubt, secrets and mistrust.

Man of the Year is an impressive slow burn that builds suspense and cracks the whip at the end, widening the lens from a Robert-centric narration to include the "truth" from other points of view. A debut redolent with menace and ego, Walker has expertly taken on the complex family dynamic. --Lauren O'Brien of Malcolm Avenue Review

STREET SENSE: A doctor with an image to protect loses his perspective to dangerous ends when he feels his family is threatened by an outsider. Fans of domestic drama and characters spiraling out of control should get a blast out of this one. Robert's arc pushing the bounds of realism a bit was offset by the varying points of view at the end, which I thought was a great finish.

COVER NERD SAYS: Wood, booze, good lighting (though if I was to pick a total nit, I'm not sure where that blue tint comes from). I was in before I had a clue what this book was about. Added points for good fonts that are appropriately sized and don't distract, a blurb that is at least tidily tucked away unobtrusively at the top, and this is a total win.

This book is definitely a character study into a man with paranoia. I guess I expected a bit more from this book, so I was a little disappointed overall in the way the characters played out. I think there will be some who love this book and others who do not. I very much appreciate being given the opportunity to read an advanced reader’s copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher.

I made it halfway, and just couldn't deal any longer with Dr. Hart's ridiculous paranoia. The long, meandering thoughts and self-analysis about all the ways in which things could be, or once were, just didn't always feel essential to plot, and actually made me skim for a bit, before finally deciding this is just maybe not the book for me. Well-written, and I could see maybe a different topic keeping my focus, but I kept expecting a murder, or everything to come to a head - maybe I've read too many mysteries - but it just keeps meandering. I guess I just wasn't patient enough, and it wasn't a book a looked forward to reading, mainly because the characters (Dr. Hart especially) are pretty loathsome.

Thrillers have come with a lot of unreliable characters lately. This is one of those thrillers. I don't have a problem with them, but most people don't like when narrators mess with their heads. I think what really stopped me in my tracks with this book was that the characters were not likable (something that I truly believe was supposed to be that way) and that the ending was super rushed. I felt like the twists were quickly placed just to make this advertise as a thriller. I did enjoy reading the second half of the novel much more than the first. Not a bad debut read, but not something I would read again.

Dr. Robert Hart is Sag Harbor’s Man of the Year. His beautiful wife is Elizabeth and they have a college age son named Jonah. Jonah is Robert’s son from a previous marriage. Nick is Jonah’s friend and is staying in their guest house. Tonight, there is a large party in Robert’s honor with many friends and neighbors attending.

Robert seems to be intimidated by Nick and thinks that perhaps he and Elizabeth may be having an affair. Robert needs to be seen as “King of the Household” and gets jealous at any attention that Nick gives Elizabeth. Nick lost his parents when he was young and enjoys being a part of the family.

When something very tragic occurs, truths emerge about the relationships of this family.

What do I say about this book? Robert is very taken with himself and Elizabeth is a total airhead floating on another planet. Lies flow like water as personalities strive to appear to be perfection. I’m sure a lot of people will find this story mesmerizing, but I found it simply pathetic in so many ways. Just remember that people are not always what they appear to be.

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

A great study of a man's paranoia taking over his life and the effects it has on his family. Also very interesting is how a family can seemingly pull together despite the web of lies woven between them. The novel was a bit too philosophical in many places but enjoyable none-the-less.

Thanks to NetGalley and Gallery Books for the ARC to read and review.

Loved the writing here and writing style. I had no idea what was going to happen, where there twists? and if so, what were they? I usually have guesses but it was pretty fun being completely in the dark with this story. I don't usually mind when the narrator is not a likeable character. This character felt real to me, and that matter so much more. Overall an enjoyable ride!

What happens when the Man of the Year begins to suspect his wife is cheating on him?

Dr. Robert Hart has it all. His job is rewarding—both emotionally and financially. Robert’s latest marriage, to Elizabeth, is happy. His son, Jonah, has turned his life around and is once again succeeding in college. He is named Sag Harbor’s Man of the Year. But then Jonah’s struggling college roommate, Nick, takes up residence in Robert’s guest house for the summer.

Robert slowly begins to believes his wife and Nick are having an affair. His response begins with insignificant lies that soon spiral out of control.

Told in first person by Robert, Jonah and Elizabeth alternately, Man of the Year is an addicting tale. It is an engaging tale of paranoia but just because you’re paranoid, doesn’t mean they aren’t out to get you. If you like domestic psychological thrillers, this is a good example of the genre. 4 stars!

Thanks to Gallery Books and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review.

Man of the Year - 3.5 stars. Interesting premise, but I struggled for the first probably 40 or 45% because I disliked the main character so very intensely. Dr. Hart was just not for me.

That said, Man of the Year was engrossing and full of secrets. Secrets, lies and misdirection. It's definitely a winner in this genre. For most of the first half we see life through Dr. Hart's eyes and what a life it is. He doubts everyone ~ their motivation, their honesty and their faithfulness.

Things really spiral when Nick is invited to stay the summer at the Hart's home. This is when the suspense really builds, as do the lies and misdirection.

The ending sneaks up quickly, but felt too too much for me. As always though, decide for yourself whether to read this or not. I was glad I did and am very much looking forward to author Caroline Louise Walker's second book. With a first like this, the second should be really something.

Thanks to Netgalley, the author and publisher for an ARC at my request. My thoughts in this review are my own and freely given.

This is a slow pacing psychological thriller. The beginning was fine if not a little jumbled but this was cleared up fairly quickly. The middle is where the "heart" of the story lays. Then there is the ending. It is where all of the secrets were revealed but it felt a bit rushed.

When I read the reveal, I did have a moment of "ah ha". Ok, I did not really see that coming. Always a good result of a psychological thriller. Yet, I was a bit disappointed in the fact that Robert's reaction to Nick was more reserved. I thought for a man who seemed to have a lot going for him with a successful career and a family that he would have gone off the deep end with rage over someone honing in on his space.

Despite some bumps along the way and the slow pacing, I did like this book. I would read another book from this author. Fans of these types of books may want to give this book a try.