Another book that has terrible characters, but I absolutely loved it. I have a thing for books with characters that are the worst, with storylines that are so freaking compelling that you simply cannot stop reading.

Cutter’s Neck is the beautiful gated community that Conor is calling home for the summer. With room and board paid for in exchange for tennis lessons, Conor is hoping to have a great summer out of Yonkers. When one of his tennis clients propositions him for something more, Conor goes with it… even if she is twice his age. Entering into a very steamy and intense affair, Conor happens to find that, even thought this older woman is compelling, he is falling for another girl her has met.

As Colon maneuvers through his escapades, juggling both women, I was CACKLING with incredulous laughter. Knowing there is no way for that kind of scenario to end well, I still wasn’t expecting that absolute unhinged events that proceed. At every single choice made, every action taken, I was like WHAT ARE YOU DOING??? And, it was SO much fun to read!!

The suspense really picks up toward the end. There is depravity and hilarity that melded so well together. I definitely recommend this one!

I was very intrigued by the cover and synopsis, but this book wasn't for me. I just could not connect with it. I felt this book was very slow. It took forever for anything exciting to happen. There was way too much talk about covid and masks. There were some good twists in the book and I was thankful for that.

I enjoyed This psychological thriller, The Winner, by Teddy Wayne. However, the ending leaves no answers so it left me unsatisfied. The book has themes of social class, love, and danger, a great mix.

Cutters Neck is a gated community near Cape Cod and Conor is calling it home for the summer. He gets free lodging in exchange for offering tennis lessons.

New clients are proving hard to come by, so when a divorcee appears and offers twice his already inflated rate, he takes it. It’s not long before he realized that she also wants a little something extra in addition to lessons, something unlike he’s ever experienced before.

It’s not long before Conor finds himself in a mess, and he makes an irreversible mistake.


The setting of this book was fantastic, a lavish estate on Cape Cod in the summer. I could just imagine myself there amongst yards. However, I struggled to get into the actual story because it was such a slow burn. I felt that the story was moving along at a glacial pace, and I found myself getting increasingly bored with everything. By the time I finally got into the story it did take off, but then it slowed again. It was just uneven which was frustrating. This book must have been written during the pandemic because the amount of covid references was also a lot. I don’t mind a few references to masks or how things were then, but it was bordering on too much. This is hard to say, but I read a lot of romance including dark romance, but this book was just too much when it came to how the storyline played out in regard to the sex scenes. I did enjoy how introspective this book made me when it came to social class, but overall, I felt that it was lacking in depth.

I don’t think that this was a bad read per say, it just wasn’t my favorite however, I would recommend it to those looking to explore social class in an interesting way. Just be prepared.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thrilling, sleek, and sexy. Teddy Wayne delivers an impossible to put down psychological thriller, that really ramps up in the second half. While the beginning erred a bit on the slower side, it really established Connor as a likable, relatable lead and the oceanfront community of Cutters Neck. The author did an excellent job at painting the setting in all its waspy glory. His relationship with Catherine was fraught with forbidden sexual tension from the jump. No spoilers, but the choice Connor makes had my jaw on the floor! And it's that decision that really puts the story into hyperdrive. COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN!!

I appreciate NetGalley and Harper Books for the opportunity to review this book
I wanted to like this book, as the description sounded promising.
A law school student/tennis pro who ends up in a lavish estate of sorts on Cape Cod for the summer, finds himself in a torrid love affair with a woman many decades his senior.
I lost count of how many times the author brings up covid or the main character needing to/being stressed about wearing a mask. His political standpoint pops into the book by mentioning both Trump and Biden in the story early on.
When I read fiction, I like to escape reality, and this was too much (and not for the better) at once.
The mask/covid piece was overkill for me, considering the pandemic is on the downslide.
If you can overlook this, then by all means, but it distracted me from the storyline.

The Winner was an intense thriller with a number of very predictable twists and turns balanced by equally unexpected twists and turns. A bit of a slow burn and laden with sexual scenes, this book was a bit trying at times but captivating at others. The horror of the main character’s changes throughout the story with him moving from a seemingly nice guy to a depraved liar was stunning to watch.

Thanks to NetGalley and Harper for the opportunity to read this ARC.

I really enjoyed this book. It was different than anything else I've read recently. I couldn't put it down! I will keep an eye out for this author's future work!

First off, I want to say that I absolutely love Teddy Wayne's previous novels, "The Great Man Theory" and "Apartment". I think he's a brilliant storyteller and I adore his gorgeous writing style. "The Winner" is the biggest disappointment of the year and it breaks my heart to say it. This did not feel like a Teddy Wayne book. This novel felt like it had been ghostwritten. The writing style was too simple, and the story was absolutely boring. The only thing that made it feel like a Teddy Wayne creation was the twist ending, but even that couldn't save it for me. Wayne needs to stick to writing literary fiction, instead of writing a sleazy sexual thriller. This book was uncomfortable to read. Also, I'm not interested in reading about whiny, stuck-up rich people. It was insufferable. I didn't care about the main character either, he was such a people pleaser. THIS. BOOK. IS. NOTHING. SPECIAL. Teddy Wayne, you can do better than this!

Thank you, Netgalley and Harper for the digital ARC.

This is the first new book I've read in a while where the hype matched my reading experience. Like so many other reviewers expressed, once I began reading this book I did not want to put it down. In Conor O'Toole, Wayne has created a character whose story is as compelling as it is cringey. He is at once someone to root for, question, and despise.

Connor is offered a cushy, if low-paid, tennis instructing job in picturesque Cutters Neck, a gated community neighboring Cape Cod. Conor is also a new law school graduate who intends to spend his free time studying for the bar exam and using the money he earns to pay for his mother's insulin. What begins as the story of a tenacious kid from Yonkers, New York becomes something dark and downright frightening.

In The Winner, as with Alana B. Lytle's Man's Best Friend , readers meet a protagonist who is introduced to and then becomes consumed by the world of the super wealthy. While both books offer a peek into the lives of the rich, and Wayne's book is described as "skewering the elite", neither book indicts the elite so much as they do the social climbers. El and Conor share a desire to play in the greener grass, and both characters pay dearly for their trespasses.

This book will satisfy readers of multiple genres. I can see The Winner on a few best of lists already.

Trigger warnings: Graphic sex on the page, mentions of suicide and mental health concerns, talk of infant death and miscarriage.


Thank you NetGalley and Harper, publisher, for the opportunity to read an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I started reading The Winner without much insight into what i was sitting down for, and the story kept me on the edge of my seat for 3 days. I couldnt wait to get back to the book and read more. There were some elements that reminded me of the ABC series Revenge - a rich meets poor guilty pleasure story, but this was much darker and more sexual. The book is a lot of fun and keep me on the edge of me seat.

"The Winner" by Teddy Wayne presents a thought-provoking exploration of ambition, competition, and the pursuit of success in contemporary society. Through the lens of a high-stakes academic competition, Wayne delves into the complexities of human nature and the ethical dilemmas that arise when individuals are driven by a desire to win at all costs.

One of the novel's strengths lies in its portrayal of the protagonist's internal conflict as he grapples with the pressures of competition and the moral implications of his actions. Wayne skillfully captures the protagonist's inner turmoil, highlighting the tension between his desire for recognition and his sense of integrity. This psychological depth adds complexity to the narrative, inviting readers to reflect on their own values and priorities.

Moreover, "The Winner" offers incisive commentary on contemporary society's obsession with success and achievement. Wayne explores themes of privilege, entitlement, and the commodification of education, shedding light on the systemic inequalities that shape our institutions and interpersonal relationships. Through the protagonist's interactions with his peers and mentors, the novel raises important questions about meritocracy and the true meaning of success.

However, while "The Winner" raises compelling questions and offers insightful commentary, some readers may find the pacing of the narrative to be uneven. The novel's slow build-up and introspective passages may deter readers seeking a more fast-paced or plot-driven story. Additionally, the protagonist's internal monologue may at times feel overly introspective, potentially distancing readers from fully engaging with the character's journey.

Furthermore, the novel's ambiguous ending may leave some readers feeling unsatisfied or uncertain about the protagonist's ultimate fate. While the open-ended nature of the conclusion allows for interpretation and debate, it may also leave readers longing for greater closure or resolution.

In conclusion, "The Winner" by Teddy Wayne is a thought-provoking exploration of ambition and ethics in contemporary society. While the novel offers insightful commentary and raises compelling questions about success and integrity, its uneven pacing and ambiguous ending may present challenges for some readers. Overall, "The Winner" is a nuanced and thought-provoking read that will resonate with those interested in exploring the complexities of human nature and the pursuit of excellence.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and publisher for an advanced copy to review for my honest opinion.

Solid thriller that keeps the reader on their toes the whole way through. I liked all the well-planned twists and turns in this book. Well done and well planned.

Thank you NetGalley for giving me the chance to read this book ahead of time in exchange for a review. You should read it!

This was an interesting read about a man who wishes he were part of the upper class of society and he manages to land a job in an exclusive location as a tennis pro where he can pretend he is part of that world for a bit. I feel like this took a while to get to any real action while it was setting up the backstory but it was a good read overall!

I would like to thank NetGalley and Harper for providing me with an advance e-galley of this book in exchange for an honest review. Look for it in your local and online bookstores and libraries on May 28, 2024.

This was an amazing book. I highly recommend it to everyone. Great characters and a great plot. I will be looking for more books by this author. The book is superbly written. Lots of twists, turns and shocking turns of events. Quickly becoming a go to author for me!!!! If you love to read a book and be shocked by the ending then check out this author for sure. You will love this book and this author

For me this book did not capture my interest. I felt that to much time was spent on his sexual escapades and once it did pick up it left you wondering what in the end did happen to Connor. It definitely did at times bring about the division of class but not in a way that was memorable. Unfortunately this book just wasn't for me.

This is my fifth read by Teddy Wayne. Guess that makes me a proper fan. All of his books have been good, some more than others, The Great Man Theory was my favorite until this one came along, and well … it’s a winner!
Wayne specializes in portraits of men, usually young (though not in TGMT), as they take on the American Dream. But Wayne had never his taken his protagonists quiet as far as he had Conor O’Toole, the twenty-five-year-old tennis coach who comes up from his native Yonkers to spend the summer with the glamorous moneyed population of a seaside community.
Conor O’Toole is an all-American sweetheart of a young man, a real bootstrapper, diligent and indefatigable, he pulls and pulls himself up to make something of himself. Learning tennis gave him the opportunity to attend college on a scholarship, propelling him toward his dream of becoming a lawyer. Conor is a principled studious young man, a devoted son, drop-dead gorgeous to boot. Sure, he may not be the most emotionally available of men, but that doesn’t stop women from throwing themselves at him.
All Conor wanted out of this summer was to make some money teaching tennis while he studies for the bar. The summer had other plans for him. The more he gets involved with the locals, the more he finds himself entangled in a love triangle so messy, it’s obvious it isn’t going to end nicely. But you may not expect just how “not nicely” it will end.
Against the backdrop of simmering privilege and entitlement, Conor O’Toole will unravel in the most spectacular manner.
There are some parallels that can be drawn here to Caroline Kepnes’ You (especially the season 4 of the TV adaptation which technically had almost nothing to do with Kepnes’ original vision, diverting wildly and smartly from the dud of the last book), but The Winner is fundamentally very much its own beast. Like some darkly twisted version of Gatsby, it has a classic feel to it. It’s also immensely readable and tough to put down, like snack food with all the quality and nutrition of a proper meal.
It’s so well written with such interesting, nuanced characters, and the way Wayne handles the mounting dread and that good ole’ walls-closing-in feeling is a thing of beauty.
So yeah, a winner all around. Loved this book. Recommended. Thanks Netgalley.

Set in a private, gated community during the pandemic, The Winner tells a story about a recent law school grad trying to earn money to cover his student loans and his mother’s costly insulin. Conor is given an opportunity to live in a private, wealthy community giving tennis lessons. Conor gets himself into an arrangement with an older woman who pays Conor for more than tennis. The story is slow and is a little predictable at times before ending more abruptly than anticipated. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for my honest review.