There were so many great reviews on this book that I just had to get my own ARC copy! Once I was starting Upstanding Young Man, it got my blood pumping. The mystery and shock factor did it for me! Go read this book!!

Meg Hart lives in a suburbs and has an outwardly idllyc life that she has carefully cultivated. But when her youngest son, McClane, goes missing, dark secrets begin to come to light. The perspective alternates between Meg's point of view as the police and family work to solve the mystery, and McClane's in the days and hours leading up to his disappearance. The twists are unexpected and enjoyable, though at times the plot feels a bit convulated in order to keep the suspense going. A fun read for those who enjoy domestic psychological suspense and uniquely dysfunctional families.

Not a bad story, but a bit too long for me. Told in a way that features days/hours before McClane is missing alternating with time after he is missing, I really had to read the headings to put it all in perspective. Voices of Meg, McClane, were also interspersed which meant paying more attention before starting another chapter. I felt it took me out of the story a bit and would have preferred more of a straight storyline.

This family wins for totally dysfunctional. Mom & dad work from home, but we never really learn what dad does. Oldest daughter is away in college and oldest son is away working. Younger son is about to graduate from high school with a full ride ahead to wrestle in college, if he so chooses. He has a few other things on his mind besides lack of college expenses.

The subject of mental illness plays a role here as Meg was exposed to it with a brother who was violent, both towards her and others. Her fear of this carrying over into her life with her children feels real. Sometimes we really don't know the ones we love.

I'd give it a low 3 stars as it felt like too much detail for too much time. Also, I don't think we ever really knew what the hubby was doing mentally or physically.

Thank you NetGalley for an advance copy. Honest opinions expressed here are my own ad are freely given.

The narrative begins with the disappearance of McClane. Presented from two distinct perspectives, the reader is given the opportunity to become acquainted with Meg, McClane's mother, and McClane himself prior to his vanishing. I found the reverse structure to be fun, as it allowed me to enjoy the process of piecing together the puzzle.

The Hart family, oh my, they were certainly going through it! There were numerous secrets revealed that had my head spinning. This family drama is sure to make you ponder the intentions of each character, including the mother! Sharon's writing skillfully crafts a well-balanced plot, leaving no gaps and providing a satisfying conclusion that shows not every family is as perfect as it seems!

Sharon Doering, (a favorite author), is back with her compelling third novel, UPSTANDING YOUNG MAN —a hauntingly beautiful, lyrical, and thought-provoking domestic thriller that promises to keep you riveted until its explosive conclusion.

A Golden Boy.
A Devoted Mother.
A Murder No One Saw Coming.

This gripping tale revolves around the baffling disappearance of a star wrestler just weeks before his high school graduation. This shocking event not only disrupts his life but also shatters his mother’s meticulously crafted image of domestic perfection, pulling readers deeper into a web of suspense and intrigue with every turn of the page.

About...

A Mother's Love. A son's betrayal. A family on the edge.

Set against the backdrop of the suburban Chicago landscape, we are introduced to Joe, a rugged former boxer with a weathered face that tells stories of battles fought both in and out of the ring, and Meg, an ambitious woman and mother with an art history degree whose passion for beauty and perfection permeates every corner of their home as she strives to be the perfect mother.

Together, they nurture four vibrant children: Jamie, spirited and curious; Whitney, introspective and artistic; McClane, a promising star wrestler on the brink of adulthood; and David, the eldest, who is dedicated to his career in the FBI. Yet, beneath this seemingly idyllic surface lies the shadow of a lingering tragedy—the memory of Carson, their older brother, whose untimely death as a child has cast a long pall over the family.

As McClane prepares for the pinnacle of his high school journey, a mysterious darkness descends when he suddenly goes missing just weeks before graduation, obliterating the carefully constructed illusion of domestic bliss Meg has worked so hard to maintain. Desperate to cling to her vision of a perfect family, Meg finds her world unraveling, the threads of her carefully woven tapestry fraying beyond repair.

With the police investigation gathering steam, the family suddenly finds itself under the harsh glare of scrutiny. What buried secrets from their past have painted Meg as a potential suspect?

Compounding this tension, Joe exhibits increasingly erratic behavior, and inconsistencies emerge in Meg's recounting of events, raising unsettling questions. What truths lie hidden beneath the surface of their seemingly ordinary lives?

McClane, too, harbors his clandestine truths. He finds himself entangled in a web of deception, not only grappling with the weight of a pregnant girlfriend, Natalie, but also confronting a shocking revelation about the integrity of his wrestling career. To add to his turmoil, he comes to a horrifying realization: the person he trusts most has delivered the ultimate betrayal.

Meanwhile, Meg struggles with the burdens of family secrets, including the violent history of a brother whose past actions led to the tragic death of a friend’s son, haunting her thoughts and complicating her already fragile state of mind.

The story unfolds through alternating perspectives—Meg’s emotional turmoil in the initial days of the investigation juxtaposed with McClane’s frantic thoughts in the desperate hours leading up to his disappearance.

What twisted mysteries and dark secrets shroud this family, and what fate awaits McClane in the shadows?

My thoughts...

Immerse yourself in the gripping intensity of this deeply masterfully crafted narrative that will not only leave you breathless but will also challenge everything you thought you knew. In this tale, trust becomes a fragile illusion.

UPSTANDING YOUNG MAN unfurls as a spine-chilling domestic thriller that fearlessly explores the eerie complexities of family dynamics. The author’s prose is hauntingly beautiful, fusing lyrical elegance with a psychologically intricate depth that brings the characters to life in vivid detail.

Told through an ingenious split timeline, the story invites readers into the intertwined lives of Meg, a mother grappling with her turbulent past, and McClane, her son, whose fate hangs in the balance. This clever narrative structure reveals the chilling echoes of their histories, enhancing the suspense with each page turn.

The subject matter is undeniably heavy, traversing through themes of nature versus nurture, the specter of violence, the fragility of sanity, mental health struggles, and the depths of desperation. Yet, the author navigates these dark waters with remarkable sensitivity, ensuring that each theme resonates without feeling exploitative.

Meg emerges as a beautifully complex and deeply flawed character, whose unraveling mirrors that of the other richly developed individuals in the story. The emotional weight is palpable, enveloping readers in an intense atmosphere that compels them to ponder just how well we truly know those we hold closest to our hearts—and the lengths we would go to protect them.

As a devoted fan since the author's debut, I found great joy in her Author's Note, which offered a glimpse into the inspiration behind the story and an accompanying playlist that further enriched the reading experience. This is a narrative that stirs the soul and lingers in the mind long after the final page is turned.

Dark, haunting, unsettling, and twisty. One of her best!

Recs...

UPSTANDING YOUNG MAN is for fans of the author and those who enjoy well-written family dramas, domestic suspense, and literary fiction. It is also suitable for readers who appreciate works by Wendy Walker, Jennifer Hillier, Lisa Jewell, BA Paris, and Mary Kubica.

Special thanks to Hyperion Avenue and NetGalley for providing a digital advanced reading copy and the author for a gifted, stunning paperback copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.

Blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars
Pub Date: Aug 12, 2025
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Talk about a twist thriller!!! This book is exactly the kind of book that a person needs to read to see how smart they are! Just when you think you know what's going on, BAM!!! You get blindsided by something else! I believe all teenagers feel like their family is messed up, but the Hart family TRULY is messed up! This book evoked a range of emotions in me...I felt sorry for Meg, and I felt scared for McClane and Natalie. Every family has some secrets, but the Hart family seemed to have more than their fair share. This book is a keep-you-on-the-edge-of-your-seat thriller, and I loved it! Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC. I will recommend this book to my book club mates and all the thriller book fans that I work with!

I am very ambivalent as I start my review of Upstanding Young Man by Sharon Doering. I absolutely loved the first 3/4 of the book, and I'm still at odds with how I feel about the ending. The book is told from the voice of Meg Hart, a forty four year old mother of four living children: David; age 24 and an FBI agent, Jamie; age 22 and an aspiring journalist, McClane; age 18 and a high school senior and champion wrestler and Whitney; age 16, beautiful, smart and withdrawn. Meg and her husband Joe also had a child with special emotional and mental concerns that died in a tragic accident when he was five. Meg's marriage was once happy and cooperative, however Joe has become extremely withdrawn and secretive. Meg tries to be the best mom and wife she can be, yet she too is carrying secrets and burdens and is weary. The second voice is that of eighteen old McClane, a young man experiencing his first love with the beautiful and funny Natalie Marin, and all of the passion and angst it brings,as well as trying to decide his future educational goals and be a good friend to his best buddies Jack and Hudson. While it appears that no one in the Hart home is happy, they manage to keep up appearances and act "as if" all is well. Their already dysfunctional life is turned upside down when McClane goes missing, and Meg is pressured by Natalie to immediately call the police. In the event that isn't enough to pique your interest, there are many subplot that will captivate your interest and not let go. I read Upstanding Young Man in one sitting; it is very well written and I felt as if I knew, liked and cared for these people in spite of their many flaws. I'm still reflecting on the book a day later, and remain conflicted with the ending especially regarding Meg and the apparent resolution of the family dynamics. I found Upstanding Young Man to be an extremely powerful book; sometimes funny, sometimes tragic, sometimes brutal yet most of the time quite relatable. Thank you to NetGalley, Hyperion Avenue Books and the author Sharon Doering for the opportunity to read an ARC of this thought provoking novel; my review reflects my candid opinion. 4.5 stars.

I had hoped this would be a bit different from the normal type of this book. It was fine but more of the same.

The story is told from two points of view. First, we follow Meg, a mother trying to maintain the image of a perfect family, but behind closed doors, her husband is acting strangely, her son hasn’t shown up for school, and she’s harboring secrets from her past. The second perspective is McClane, her missing son, who before his disappearance is grappling with decisions about college and the unexpected news of a pregnant girlfriend. I really enjoyed the way the author wove together multiple layers in the story, gradually revealing twists and surprises that deepened the plot. It kept me engaged throughout, and many of the turns genuinely caught me off guard. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this advanced reader’s copy.

I could NOT put down this book. I was always sad when I had to stop reading and be an adult in life. This family has some secrets. Some real secrets. The end of the book was SO surprising. All of the doubts from the police to the youtube video that was leaked. Meg gets to the conclusion before anyone else, even as her world is starting to crumble and all their secrets bubble to the surface, she gets to the bottom of her missing boy.

Sharon Doering is at her best with this one. It is timely, twisty, and immersive. The perfect blend of a family drama with a lot of scandal and reveals I never saw coming. Featuring a dual timeline and multiple POV, this is one that will have you glued from page to page.

McClane Hart is a high school senior that lives in Chicago with his mom Meg, dad Joe, and sister Whitney. He also has a sister Jamie and a brother in the FBI, David. There was another older brother Carson who died in childhood. Joe was a former boxer and is acting strangely. McClane has secrets such a pregnant girlfriend, Natalie. Meg is struggling with secrets of her own since childhood.

The story is told from 2 POVs: Meg’s POV and McClane’s POV is told in reverse up till he disappeared. This was a tragic story that dealt with mental illness and family secrets. Meg had a lot to deal with as a wife and mother. I felt bad for Meg and all she had to handle from childhood to now. The story involved grief, shows desperation, struggles of family members, the love of a mother, how well you know your kids, the stress of parents of violent kids, how lives can unravel, people in desperate situations, nature vs nurture.

Thank you #netgalley and #hyperion avenue for the ARC

Book Review – ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Upstanding Young Man” by Sharon Doering Sharon Doering does it again. Upstanding Young Man is a sharp, suspenseful, and surprisingly funny ride through the minefield of family expectations, reputation, and the terrifying gap between who we think we are and what we’re capable of. From page one, I was hooked. The main character, a charming high schooler with a clean-cut image and everything going for him, is suddenly wrapped up in a mystery that threatens to blow apart not just his future—but his identity. It’s not your average whodunit. This is psychological suspense at its finest, with moments so painfully relatable you almost want to look away. Doering masterfully explores themes of pressure, privilege, morality, and those tiny decisions that spiral into huge consequences. What I loved most? The voice. There’s a wicked wit running through the narrative that balances out the darker material. It’s deeply human, with characters who feel authentic—flawed, confused, trying to do the right thing but not always sure what that is. You’ll root for the protagonist even when you’re not sure if you should. It’s that tension that kept me turning pages late into the night. Doering doesn’t spoon-feed the reader. She trusts us to sit with discomfort, with uncertainty—and that makes the payoff all the more satisfying. The twists are smart, not gimmicky, and the emotional core hits hard. If you're into thrillers that make you think, question, and feel, this one's for you. Upstanding Young Man isn’t just a great book—it’s the kind that lingers. Highly recommend. 5 stars. Absolutely gripping.

This book was phenomenal! So many red herrings, so many twists and turns, and so many times I thought I had it solved and I didn’t! This book was damn near impossible to put down and it seriously will go on the ‘to read again’ list! This was incredibly well written and I can’t wait for more from this author!

What a fun book. I was drawn in from the start. It's fast-paced and filled with pretty juicy secrets. I like the cliffhangers at the end of each chapter and was drawn in to the thriller aspect of this book. Overall, this is a winner I will be recommending to others.

Many thanks for my gifted copy.

Thank you Netgalley and Hyperion Avenue for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion. Upstanding Young Man has 2 prospectives from the mom, Meg and the main character, McClaine a high school wrestler and he goes missing right before graduation. McClaine is going through a lot and has many people trying to help him. This has many twists and turns with a surprising ending. This was enjoyable.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy of this book. Wow, Sharon Doering really wrote an incredibly relevant, gripping story that is at once terrible and wonderful. Upstanding Young Man is perfect for people who enjoy thrilling reads, the struggle for justice, and uncovering dangerous and horrible secrets.

Wow! This is an intense thriller. A suburban family, going about their business, when a LOT happens.
At first I thought the mother was very unlikable, but as the story picked up, I felt like she was doing her best to keep her family together.
Her high school age son goes missing and an investigation ensues.
Things are not as they seem and this kept me guessing and on the edge of my seat through the entire book. It is very fast-paced writing, too.
Highly recommend!
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for access to this eARC.

This was a beautiful blend of a twisty missing persons mystery and a really well written character driven narrative. I was quickly invested and found myself in a page turner situation in the latter half. Not everything is as it seems and we never know what happens behind closed doors.

This story was raw and human. The author did a really solid job of painting the portrait of a 'real' family, while delivering a 'ripped from the headlines' type of missing persons mystery like you'd find on Netflix.

Thank you NetGalley and Hyperion Avenue for the early release ebook. All opinions are my own.

The best way to explain this book is labyrinthian. The dual POV's were just hard to follow and not handled well. While the author attempted to build suspense, it just never quite came to fruition. There were many points alluded to throughout the book but they never came together to actually make a point.

The characters were unlikeable and, while it attempted to cover many topics, they just fell flat. This was my first book by this author and sadly will be my last.