Not what I expected but still pretty decent. I don't know how much I could really recommend this one. But I appreciated the opportunity to read it.

I really loved this book. I thought it was very engaging and moved along at a great pace. It had some massive twists that I did NOT see coming! And I love that. I don’t know if I wasn’t looking for them or if I was just so engrossed I was caught off guard but wow, this was a well crafted book! Thank you to Netgalley for the copy! I will definitely be buying this book for my shelves when it’s released on June 11th!

I enjoyed the pace of this book, and the fact that it kept me guessing. Each time I had a grasp, the tone of voice changed and I got someone else’s insight, changing my perception of the characters and storyline.

I received this book from NetGalley in return for a review.

Robert Hart is a Physician and has just become the Man of the Year in Sag Harbor. He is married to his second (trophy) wife, Elizabeth, and living in an old home that has been updated on the inside, however he has never had repairs made to the Widow’s Walk. During this period his 20 year old son, Jonah, has returned to their home for the summer. Jonah’s friend Nick is also staying in their guest house for the summer. Robert and Elizabeth met and began an affair while both were married to other people. They were the community scandal and have now reached their tenth anniversary...and ennui. Robert begins to suspect that Elizabeth is engaging in an affair with Nick and decides to get him out of their home. Paranoia sets in and as the novel investigates each character at length it is easy to see why. Everyone is increasingly dishonest with each other and with the Police. In my opinion they deserve each other and what they get in the end. Thanks to Net Galley and Simon and Schuster for an ARC for an honest review.

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC. Man of the Year follows Dr. Robert Hart, who at the opening of the story is set to receive a prestigious Man of the Year award from the town he lives in. He is successful, has a beautiful wife, and a son, and is generally well-liked in his community. The picture-perfect quality of his life begins to unravel when his son Jonah brings his college friend Nick home with him. Robert and his wife are thrilled with Nick because Jonah does not have many friends. Nick is invited to stay in their guesthouse over the summer. Robert begins to suspect there’s more than meets the eye with Nick. He begins to obsessively analyze Nick’s every move, which ultimately leads everyone closest to Robert down some interesting paths. I enjoyed this novel and found myself surprised just when I thought I knew what was going to happen. Great debut novel!

Man of the Year was absolutely fantastic. Caroline Louise Walker has an incredible writing style that leaves you guessing until the end.

The characters are well-developed, and the plot is thick. The number of times I didn't see what was coming before it happened was... well, all of them, for this novel. Highly recommend this when you need something to keep you going. I finished it in just a day, because I didn't want to put it down.

*Read via NetGalley.

I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book so I could give an honest review.

Man of the Year by Caroline Louise Walker is a memorable thriller.

Dr. Robert Hart seems to have it all - a beautiful wife, a great house, his wayward son is back on track and willing to have a relationship with him, a thriving medical practice, a beautiful and well loved boat, and was just named Sag Harbor's Man of the Year. All of that perfection begins to crack when he begins to wonder if his wife is getting too close to his son's friend/roommate who is staying with them for the summer. It would not be the first time she strayed. Robert and her were both married to other people when they met. Doesn't the saying go, "Once a cheater, always a cheater"? As much as he wants to believe he is just imagining things, doubt creeps in.

The beginning of the book built slowly and I was not sure where it was going to go. I am glad I continued reading because, by the end of the novel, many surprising secrets have been revealed.

Man of the Year is Caroline Louise Walker's debut novel and, as of 4/15/19, no future work has been listed on Goodreads.

Review published on Goodreads on 4/15/19. Will publish review on Philomathinphila.com, Smashbomb, Twitter, Facebook, Amazon, and Barnes and Noble on its release date, 6/11/19. When available, the review will be published on Scribd.com and, using Overdrive, will be rated in 9 libraries.

I found this book flawed just as the characters in this work are. Surprised by the ending and thought the ending I had envisioned the author would choose would have been so much better.

Dr. Robert Hart is being honored as "manoftheyear" but should have been honored as "liar of the year". Though he starts off as a very unlikable character, cold to his son, Jonah, suspicious of his wife, Elizabeth and his son's best friend, Nick, and taking his office manager for granted, he seems to be the only person telling the truth (as a narrator). The reader comes to learn that ALL of the other characters have secrets and questionable motivations for what they do leading up to, and after the death of one of the characters. I thought I knew where this was going, and I may have guessed right, Because there are so many twists and turns and an ending that leaves the truth up in the air, I'm still not sure I know what happened! A great first novel and I would love to read more by Caroline Walker.

Be warned, these are not likable people (for the most part). <i>Man of the Year</i> by Caroline Louise Walker begins at the tony charity gala honoring Dr. Robert Hart as Sag Harbor's "Man of the year" He is attending with his second wife, son and son's roommate, being fetted by the town in grand style. As the days unfold, Hart's life of luxury and privilege grates on him. His son's friend is invited to stay the summer (against his wishes), his office manager seems to want more and misinterpret his intention, his wife is distracted, and perhaps attracted to the roommate. One lie spins into another, and then a death occurs. Is it a suicide? Who was home at the time? who will, and will not, lie for him? In the end, as I said, he's not a likeable guy. His family is not honest with him, nor is he with them, and you will be left with questions to ponder and what was the actual scenario of that day . . .

Good and quick read, twists you won't see coming. Highly recommend.

3.5

What a tool, the main narrator, Dr. Bobby Hart. He was a despicable character to his core. The rest of them aren’t much better.

The writing is good in this one. I was completely unmoored throughout wondering what actually happened the night of the incident.

The conclusion was good, definitely thought provoking. I was entertained by this story but it also made me a bit sad. It’s a group (town actually) of horrible people that I only see continuing to be horrible... I would read more by this author.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and Gallery, Pocket Books for a copy in exchange for a review.

YES! I have not read a novel like this in a long time... wow, wow, wow. Seriously this was one of those novels that at first I didn't know what would come of it but I am sure glad I stuck it out. Excellent book! The characters felt so real, like someone you might even know in your life. A must read!

Dr. Robert (Bobby) Hart, Man of the Year recipient, the envy of all in his community. He's married to his 2nd wife, Elizabeth, whose beauty knows no bounds. Of course, it should be known that their relationship began while both were married to other people. Infidelity, being the most hurtful of all betrayals, but yet they've managed to make their relationship work over the last ten years. Bobby's 20 year old son, Jonah, has decided to spend his summer with them for the very first time which is a sign that old resentments may be mending. Jonah's friend Nick has also come along and is invited to spend the summer in their guest house.

"Beware the Man of the Year. You may praise him, resent him, even want to be him: but beneath the elegant trappings that define him, danger looms."

What happens when Man of the Year suspects that his faithful wife and his sons young, handsome, and virile friend appear to be having an affair?

"The nerve. My God. The recklessness. My power simmers and shines, daring me to fight for this precious life I've built. For Christ's sake, Bobby, take a stand."

When a relationship begins on infidelity I suppose it would be hard to overlook flirtatious smiles and coy glances especially when they aren't aimed at you but at someone much more youthful. Bobby let's his blood boil and his imagination run away with him and what a hoot it is to witness. I probably should have hated this guy but I didn't and I have no idea what that says about me.

With so many lies being spun who is telling the truth? You'll have to read it to find out!

Walkers' writing is on point and I am stunned that this is her first novel. She's made a fan of me! 4 stars!

Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery Books for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I really liked this book. The story was well written and the characters were well developed. I give this book 4.5 stars and a strong recommendation.

The book started off a little slow for me but it really picked up speed. The family dynamic of the dad, stepmom. son and his friend was very well done. The constant twist near the end of the book were very well done.

Psychological thrillers are a bit too much the rage right now. In the past, I have enjoyed them on occasion, but the glut on the book market make them more and more prevalent. The narrators of these books tend to fall into two categories: the gaslit female unreliable narrator and the male narcissist. This one has the latter and he was so unlikeable, that I didn't finish this one.

Dr. Robert Hart is named Sag Harbor’s Man of the Year. He has a picture perfect life - he is a prestigious physician with a stellar reputation, he has a wonderful second wife, Elizabeth, and a glorious home. He has a son from his first marriage, Jonah. Dr. Hart helps Jonah's troubled college roommate Nick by letting him live in the guest house. Dr. Hart becomes suspicious that Nick and Elizabeth are a little too cozy.....and becomes unhinged.
This was a good book - a little slow at times, but still good. It's more a story about narcissistic behavior and trying to "save face" at all costs. It was a little all over the place but I finished it in a couple of days because I wanted to find out what really happened! I give it a 3.5/5 stars.
Thank you to Caroline Louise Walker, Gallery Books and NetGalley for the ARC of this book.

Ummm wait what?
I thought I knew where the story was going.. super captivating, filled with suspense.. and when I got to the end.. I realized.. I was way off on my theories. And I was so impressed.
“Whoa.. I didn’t see that coming!!”
So, it’s only fair for me to tell you a little bit about this novel.. it’s got all the lies, maybe crime? And one thing is certain.. Trust.. No One!
Find out what happens when the Man of the Year (Dr. Bobby Hart) suspects his beautiful wife of having an affair, with a man he calls his friend?
What may or may not be? Is this Man of the Year, paranoid, a liar, hiding a dark past?
I thought I knew.. but that was one twist I did NOT see coming!

Thank You #GalleryBooks for the advanced digital copy of the novel through #Netgalley in exchange for an honest review!

I didn't want to put it down! It was well written and the characters very fleshed out. Many twists, turns and surprises. I loved it!

This novel started and went along easily and quickly. All the while I thought, "Oh, I can see which direction this is going". Well, was I ever wrong. Each character has their own story and they are all a surprise and make for a rich and compelling read. I haven't been so caught off guard by a novel in a long while.