Thank you NetGalley for the free ARC! This book was quite enjoyable. The beginning chapters were a bit chaotic, but once I got in the swing of things the writing flowed smoothly. I liked the engaging storyline and flawed characters. It was realistic and suspenseful. It was an interesting book . I have already downloaded more books by Sharon Doering, and I would recommend this novel for psychological fiction fans.

Book Review: Upstanding Young Man
⭐️⭐️(2 out of 5 stars)

Upstanding Young Man is a slow burn that eventually rewards the patient reader—but you’ll need to stick with it until Chapter 37 to really feel the payoff. The novel’s structure, alternating perspectives between Meg and McClane, adds texture to the story. While this dual POV helps drive the narrative forward, it doesn’t fully compensate for the book’s sluggish first half.

The characters are well-drawn and the premise has promise, but much of the early pacing feels uneven. Once Chapter 37 hits, however, the story kicks into gear and begins to deliver on its potential, pulling you in with greater tension and emotional weight.

Overall, Upstanding Young Man is a decent read with a strong finish, especially for those who enjoy character-driven storytelling and are willing to stick with a book that takes its time getting where it’s going.

Genre: Family Drama/Psychological Suspense
Publisher: Hyperion Avenue
Pub. Date: Aug. 12, 2025

This novel has a grim vibe with good twists. “Upstanding Young Man” is a family drama with a theme of what kind of mother. Meg is the mother. Her 18-year-old son, McClane (MC), goes missing right before his high school graduation. The story has two narrators, mom, and son, as well as two timelines, from when mom was young with four children to now. MC’s narration commences several days before his disappearance. Meg’s narration begins with MC’s disappearance. I was afraid that with this title, I’d be reading a story written many times before—McClane turns out to be a monster. I was surprised to discover that the story has interesting, believable scandals and a suspenseful conclusion. The author evokes the emotions of a mother’s love that carries an emotional punch. I recommend “Upstanding Young Man.”

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-ARC! I love a good two POV story, especially an unreliable narrator.

First, the son goes missing. Then the story unfolds from both the mother and son’s perspectives leading up to that day, weaving multiple potential motives and suspects throughout. The plot and angle to this book is unique - the family is far from perfect and you’re not sure who to root for. Where’s McClane? Who knows where he is? The author does a great job of keeping you guessing throughout.

Unfortunately, there is a lack of character development here that leaves some gaps in the book. Rather than fill in a lot of unnecessary details about the parents’ marriage, I would suggest focusing more on other characters to make the twist more exciting. I also found the inclusion of the journal entries more confusing than helpful, and many scenes did not seem realistic.

For my fellow readers, if you don’t mind disliking the narrators, this fast-paced thriller might be something to add to your TBR, but personally, my dislike for the characters and dialogue made the book hard to finish.

Given that this was an ARC and there are likely edits to be made, I’ll round up from 2.5 stars to 3! ⭐️

I wanted to enjoy this book but I found it to be too convoluted. I never got a good feeling for who the son was and there were a lot of plot points that were built up and then never went anywhere. It had potential but needed a stronger hand.

Thanks so much for the ARC!! This cover and synopsis really drew me in. And also I liked that it was set in Chicago. A really deep story and dynamic eith the other too. Thank you!

I reviewed a copy for review. All opinions are my own. The way this story played out was wild and so thrilling. As it went back and forth in the timeline from different POVs, I found myself trying to figure out what really happened and was so eager to find out that I finished this whole book in one sitting. I really enjoyed Meg’s character and I felt everything she felt as the book went on. This is a book I will definitely read again.

This book was so good! I highly recommend it.

SUMMARY:
Meg Hart is a pretty awful mom. Not a particularly good person, either. So when her teenage son goes missing, it isn't long until suspicion falls on her. Honestly, that is probably as much of a summary as I can give without spoiling anything. You will want to go into this one blind.

MY THOUGHTS:
I really enjoyed this one. It has been a while since I read a book where I both didn't see the antagonist coming AND it didn't feel out of nowhere.

I really enjoyed all of the characters. Which is saying something, because I didn't actually LIKE a few of them. Like Meg, for instance. Genuinely makes the worst possible choice any time she gets the chance. However you do really feel for her by the end. You never really get the feeling that she is doing things out of actual malice. She is just so stressed out constantly.

I really, really, REALLY wound up loving the main teens in this story. I feel like it is rare in stories lately to get a group of teens, especially boys, who are just honestly good people.

The family dynamics explored in this book are really interesting. The interactions between everyone feel very well thought out, with a lot of history behind them. Everything in this book felt pretty realistic and grounded to me, which can be hard to pull off in a thriller.

The main antagonist deserves to die purely for his Mike and Ike slander. And all the murdery stuff too, I guess.

FINAL OPINION:
I had a very fun time reading this. Normally I read my ARCs from my laptop during downtime behind the circ desk. I got so invested in this one that I read the last 40% on my phone once I got home. Be sure to grab this one once it comes out, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

Thank you to NetGalley and Hyperion Avenue for the ARC! All opinions are my own.

I thought the writing was really good but unfortunately this was a DNF for me because I can't read books about domestic violence, particularly sibling-on-sibling violence.

While I liked Upstanding Young Man by Sharon Doering, I can’t say I loved it.

I understand this is a domestic suspense meant to show the pitfalls and stress of living the perfect suburban life, it was too over the top for me. The sheer amount of dysfunction not only in their immediate family, but extended family and neighbors was just….pushing the limits of belief for me.

I’d probably read another book by this author since I did like her writing style, but I wouldn’t clamor to seek one out.

⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. Upstanding Young Man by Sharon Doering was quite a ride. It was told in alternating points of view, which was a bit hard to follow at times. We learn that there are many secrets in this family as the plot twists and turns.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Publication Date: August 12, 2025

#UpstandingYoungMan #NetGalley

This book needs a serious edit and format work. At time it was extremely difficult to read as an ARC because of the formatting issues and I almost gave up several time. The author has some good plot points but has TOO many plot points in one book. She needed to take a few out and smooth out her story, or was messy and jumbled with so many things going on at the same time. It was a fine read but nothing amazing or I would say anyone had to read.

I received an Advanced Reader Copy of this book and was interested but left somewhat underwhelmed. The storyline was great, and the twist did really get me! However I found it to be somewhat convoluted and hard to get through. I think the writing style just isn’t for me at the end of the day, and that’s okay.

The premise of this book hooked me, but the writing felt a little lackluster. Maybe it just isn’t my cup of tea, but it was hard for me to discern the change of voice when the point of view changed, and I was not a big fan of how both mom and son’s inner monologue felt immature for lack of better term. Maybe after this one is released, I will read it again and enjoy the story, but it just didn’t hit the mark for now.

Meg Hart has created the allusion of a perfect family, but her son goes missing right before his graduation, and the police think she had something to do with it. Lots of twists and turns.

I did enjoy this book. The twists were surprising, and kept me guessing and wanting to keep reading to figure it all out. My only criticism would be that it was a little longer than necessary; and could do without less irrelevant details overall. I think it could be shorter, but still be a great book overall.

Wow. Did I read this was a debut novel? I read the reviews beforehand, heard some good stuff but was not prepared to be blown away. This book is phenomenal & deep, explorative & explosive & horribly perfect. It takes an unthinkable situation & allows you to feel for each character. Whether young & self absorbed or older & jaded, each perspective is fully appreciated for the human-ness we all have. To think of this author improving with her next novel is mind blowing, just as Upstanding Young Man was. Love!!

With 'Upstanding Young Man' Doering hits the ground running, somewhat dabbling in the 'unreliable narrator' genre while telling the nail-biting story of a missing high school senior/all-star wrestler from a seemingly perfect family

Told in alternating first person chapters - going between mother Meg Hart beginning the day her son went missing, and the other being from McClane Hart, the missing boy, though with him his chapters are a countdown to his disappearance.

What unfolds - quite quickly - are a series of family secrets, neighborhood rumors, police investigations, and unsettling revelations, all building neatly towards finally finding out what really happened.

A terrific read. Fast and engaging, with the shiny veneer of the ideal suburban family dissected for all to see.

Highly recommended!

With some clever plot twists, some dysfunctional family dynamics, and a shocking ending, “Upstanding Young Man” is gripping and addictive.

Meg Hart tried to be a good mother, and she truly thought she had succeeded, until her high school aged son disappears. After involving the police, she realizes that she has made mistakes and might even be to blame for her son’s disappearance. She no longer understands her husband, her children, or some of the choices she’s made in life. But nothing matters anymore except finding her child, and she will do anything to try and keep him safe.

The plot is brilliant and the writing is superb. If you love a good thriller, you’ll want to read this. Thank you, NetGalley and Hyperion Avenue for the advanced copy of this 5-star book.

Could be a very very good book but it fell flat in a-lot of places. The story dragged on really with no purpose. And the character dynamic was all over the place.