This started off as a lovely, demure book about a summer age-gap romance. And then things got complicated and murder-y and I’m here for it!

I absolutely devoured this book. A tennis pro studying for the bar exam while living in a guesthouse in super-wealthy private enclave during the first Covid summer? An absolutely perfect setup. An unimaginably wealthy “older” (lol in her 40’s) woman chasing him? A murder? A cover up? So much deception?

The setup was perfect. And once the suspense started, it built all the way to the end of the book. Even when it ended, I had no idea how things would turn out after the book closed and the characters went on their way into the after.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper for providing me with an eARC of The Winner in exchange for my honest review!

Right from the start, The Winner crafts an alluringly affluent world for Conor O'Toole to explore as he takes up residence in the gated community of Cutters Neck for the summer and becomes mesmerized by the enigmatic Catherine. The marketing's choice to draw comparisons between this and The Graduate is fitting (although I must admit that I haven't seen the movie yet), but this doesn't stop The Winner from spreading its wings and becoming its own riveting creation. Class warfare, the tempting power of wealth and sexuality, the ample privilege that's possessed by rich people and men, and the shields that such people boast against COVID effectively comprise the foundation for this narrative. There's a certain point where it heads in a specific direction towards the second half, and I'm glad to see how superbly it's able to pull that off, extending all the way to a suitable conclusion.

Overall, I'm officially rating The Winner four out of five stars. I'll make sure to look out for more of Teddy Wayne's books.

Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this as an ARC. I can understand why some might not love this book. But I really enjoyed it. Conor heads out to Cutter’s Neck for the summer. He is going to work as a tennis pro while studying to take the Bar exam in the fall. He meets Catherine, a rich, spoiled woman who is definitely not easy to like or understand. They embark on a sexual relationship (albeit paid). However, Conor also meets Emily, who is his age and also lives on the Neck. He develops feelings for Emily even though their lives are worlds apart. There is a lot more to say- but I won’t because I don’t want to give any spoilers. What I will say is I wish I had read this as a book club read. There is a lot to discuss about this book. So if you’re in a book club, consider choosing this as a read. I think you will have a lively meeting if so!

At the beginning of "The Winner" we are very early into COVID days on Cutters Neck, a very wealthy East Coast community. (because of course).
Conor O'Toole got a cushy summer job as a tennis instructor at an exclusive gated community by the sea to make money while he studies for the bar. At the beginning he was motivated by trying to help pay for his mom's insulin and his student debt. Soon enough, an older divorcée offers to pay him double for his lessons and then he realizes she wants more than just tennis...he actually agrees and embarks on a torrid love affair with her...
However, whenever a woman that is closer to his age that ends up being ...interesting.
I loved how steamy it was, but feel like it didn't really TRULY pick up until the end.
Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for my eARC!

I didn't love this one. The female characters felt pretty one-dimensional, but I stuck it out — however, the misogynistic tone was hard to get through, even if it was a "choice." There was also a LOT of tennis in the beginning of this book, and though I happen to like tennis, it still felt like too much.

The Winner is one of those can't-put-it-down summer books, bet enjoyed while lying down by a body of water or on a porch swing. It's not a mystery, but it is a thriller, one that plays on the class divide between the summer tennis pro and recently graduated law student Conor and his clients in Cutter Neck, a well-to-do beach town where the wealthy go to while away the days between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Conor becomes entangled with a wealthy divorcee, Catherine, who pays him for tennis lessons and sex, and then Catherine's daughter, Emily. Neither know about the other's involvement with Conor, setting up an inevitable explosion. The only quibble I have with this book is that the ending comes abruptly—so much so that I thought my copy had cut off. But this book is a great bit of summer suspense, and very fun.

Rich people behaving badly? Sign me up!

The Winner is literary fiction with an element of mystery and my first read by this author. I was immediately sucked into the story of class divides and ambition, with love-to-hate characters and surprising twists. I'll be diving into his backlist for sure!

Thanks to Harper for the copy to review.

I really didn't expect to root for a sociopath, but alas, I did.

The COVID framing got a bit old, but it was definitely a fascinating story.

This was a spicy psychological thriller that I could not put down! It was a slow-burn when it comes to the thriller aspect of the story, but it REALLY took off in ways I did not expect!! The spiciness level cranked up to a 10 pretty quickly, and even though it was cringey at times, the paranoia was intense. I really liked the affluent vs poor element to the storyline, and how the characters use that to their advantage. I wasn't a fan of the politics thrown in, but it didn't ruin the story at all. The suspense and anxiety build-up was fantastically written, and that ending had my jaw on the floor. Definitely recommend!

Ok. This book. I feel like it gave You vibes without the stalking. A man wrote this. It’s so obvious. I feel like he was possibly writing out some fantasy he could only dream of, and I hope it was good for him because it wasn’t great for me.
Also, goodness gracious, could you be more political? And disrespectfully political at that.
It’s a huge turn off when an author makes his reader revisit Covid. #toosoon
All in all. Not my fave. I think the story could have been so good and interesting, but the graphic sex, Covid time period, and over political statements really ruined it.
Thank you netgalley for this ARC.

This book started off slow. But once it got going - I couldn’t put it down. The twists and turns had me on the edge of my seat and up all night.

When I saw this book described as 'The Guest' with a male protagonist, I knew I had to read it! You go back and forth between rooting for Conor and wanting to shake some sense into him, but you won't be able to put the book down. Highly recommend - perfect summer thriller!

This was so poorly written that I had to DNF at 70%! I couldn't even be bothered to continue to finish the story.

I requested this book because I thought it was more mystery thriller but was actually wrong. I would classify this as more of smut type book and domestic thriller if that. It was just not my type of book. I went in wanting more but it didnt really do what I wanted to. I wished it was better.

I've never read a Teddy Wayne novel. This one intrigued me so I started reading it and I'm loving it. So much so that I contacted his publicist to arrange having him on my podcast, Writers on Writing. Such a visual writer and a study in how interiority brings characters to life. So glad I discovered this book here! Thank you, NetGalley.

This is a compelling novel set in the exclusive Cutters Neck community near Cape Cod, where Conor O'Toole seeks refuge from his responsibilities in Yonkers by taking a summer job offering tennis lessons in exchange for lodging. In this oceanfront paradise, Conor faces financial challenges until Catherine, a sharp-tongued divorcée, offers him double his rate for additional, secretive services. Conor becomes embroiled in a steamy affair with Catherine while also developing feelings for an artsy girl he meets on the beach. As he navigates this complex web of relationships, Conor's choices lead to a critical mistake that alters the course of his summer and his life.

The novel explores themes of desire, temptation, and moral ambiguity against the backdrop of a luxurious yet deceptive setting. Conor's journey from financial strain to personal and romantic entanglements is portrayed with depth and realism, making this a compelling exploration of human relationships and the consequences of choice.

Fantastically written rich people behaving badly story. No character is even remotely likeable yet they are all fun to read about. This is perfect beach read—the setting is incredible, particularly if you know East coast beach towns well!!!

The Winner by Teddy Wayne is the perfect summer thriller page turner if you like getting really stressed out about fictional stories on vacation. It is about the lives of rich people living in a gated community near Cape Code for the summer. The protagonist is the outside - he isn't rich. He recently graduated from a un-prestigious law school and is there to teach tennis to the residents and then all the juicy drama unfolds. For fans of the tv show You and White Lotus (less the humor and more the drama).

I was immediately drawn in sat down to read a few pages and couldn’t put it down..Full of twists and turns perfect summer read,#netgalley#thewinner

*whispers* I was totally rooting for the murderer.

This is a gem of a book and one of my favorite reads of 2024 so far. This one may not sit well with readers who have a very absolute sense of right and wrong, but I thought the messy morality of it was excellent.

I’ve been up and down on Teddy Wayne’s work. The writing is always exceptional, but my enjoyment of his plots has varied wildly. This one is probably my favorite to date, though I also greatly enjoyed Apartment.

This book is sort of an elevated version of the rich people behaving badly novel, and also an interesting and though-provoking look at how a hero evolves into an anti-hero. Though it’s largely easy to class as Literary Fiction, there’s a quiet intensity to much of the novel that achieves the simmering tension of the best thrillers. It’s almost gothic at times. Which is a very good thing.

In all, a terrific piece of fiction, and probably Wayne’s best work thus far.