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Upstanding Young Man
In a quiet Chicago suburb, a star wrestler goes missing weeks before his high school graduation, shattering his mother’s carefully curated image of domestic bliss.
Meg Hart has taken great pains to create her perfect All-American family. It looks effortless, but that’s because she’s been smart about it.
However, on a brisk spring morning weeks before his graduation, her son McClane goes missing. And as the investigation deepens, the police zero in on her as their perfect suspect. Tragedy has struck this family before, and all signs suggest that she is the source. Add in her elusive husband’s strange behavior and inconsistencies in her story, it becomes clear that she has plenty to hide.
Before he disappears, it turns out McClane has secrets of his own: a pregnant girlfriend, a shocking truth about his wrestling career, and a chilling discovery—the person he trusts most has betrayed him in the worst way.
Alternating between Meg’s perspective in the initial days of the investigation and McClane’s in the hours leading up to his disappearance, Upstanding Young Man is packed with relentless tension and short, fast-paced chapters that will keep readers up all night.
Meg Hart has taken great pains to create her perfect All-American family. It looks effortless, but that’s because she’s been smart about it.
However, on a brisk spring morning weeks before his graduation, her son McClane goes missing. And as the investigation deepens, the police zero in on her as their perfect suspect. Tragedy has struck this family before, and all signs suggest that she is the source. Add in her elusive husband’s strange behavior and inconsistencies in her story, it becomes clear that she has plenty to hide.
Before he disappears, it turns out McClane has secrets of his own: a pregnant girlfriend, a shocking truth about his wrestling career, and a chilling discovery—the person he trusts most has betrayed him in the worst way.
Alternating between Meg’s perspective in the initial days of the investigation and McClane’s in the hours leading up to his disappearance, Upstanding Young Man is packed with relentless tension and short, fast-paced chapters that will keep readers up all night.
432 pages, Paperback
Published August 12, 2025
16 people are currently reading
14631 people want to read
About the author
Sharon Doering
4 books259 followersSHARON DOERING has worked on Wall Street, in a lab, and as a science professor. She has also been a good waitress, a mediocre bartender, and a terrible maid.
She lives in Chicagoland with her family and a big, silly dog. Upstanding Young Man is her third novel.
Follow her on Instagram @sharondoeringauthor
She lives in Chicagoland with her family and a big, silly dog. Upstanding Young Man is her third novel.
Follow her on Instagram @sharondoeringauthor
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 126 reviews
August 22, 2025
Meg Hart is a mother with four children and a minor boxing celebrity for a husband. Her eighteen-year-old son, McClane (killer name btw) is about to graduate high school. McClane is a superstar on the wrestling team and has a beautiful girlfriend to boot.
Meg wakes to find McClane has been missing. Her perfect family begins to look like a façade. Where would McClane go and so close to graduation at that?
This story is told from two POV, Meg the mother, and McClane the missing son. We get the hours leading up to his disappearance and current situation with Meg.
This book was super juicy! All kinds of scandalous sh** going down. Secrets, lies and a tragic past that will make you flip the pages late until the night. This sucker is super twisty. Be prepared for some whiplash!
I thought Doering did a great job of separating the dialogue of a mother in her 40’s to the lingo of a teenager. Some of Meg’s sayings sounded just like me 🤣🤣. My only quibble was that the book is quite lengthy and slow in parts, however, I still highly enjoyed it.
4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you to the publisher and author for the gifted copy.
August 15, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and Hyperion Avenue Publishing for providing an ARC of Upstanding Young Man by Sharon Doering in exchange for honest feedback.
This book hooked me right away with its clever dual timelines - Meg’s perspective in the aftermath of her son’s disappearance and McClane’s in the hours leading up to it. The structure gave it a unique rhythm and kept me flipping pages to see just how their storylines would collide. The writing was sharp in how she was able to switch continuously from a mother’s perspective and dialogue to a teenage boys. It had emotional depth with just the right amount of secrets and dysfunction hiding in plain sight behind a seemingly normal family.
My only drawback was that I felt the twist happened about 75% of the way through and felt a bit dragged out for the remaining 25%. This took away from the tension and suspense in my opinion. Still a great read and would definitely recommend to anyone that loves a good domestic thriller!
This book hooked me right away with its clever dual timelines - Meg’s perspective in the aftermath of her son’s disappearance and McClane’s in the hours leading up to it. The structure gave it a unique rhythm and kept me flipping pages to see just how their storylines would collide. The writing was sharp in how she was able to switch continuously from a mother’s perspective and dialogue to a teenage boys. It had emotional depth with just the right amount of secrets and dysfunction hiding in plain sight behind a seemingly normal family.
My only drawback was that I felt the twist happened about 75% of the way through and felt a bit dragged out for the remaining 25%. This took away from the tension and suspense in my opinion. Still a great read and would definitely recommend to anyone that loves a good domestic thriller!
July 5, 2025
I received a free copy of, Upstanding Young Man, by Sharon Doering, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. McClane is a high school student in the burbs of Chicago. I also live in the burbs of Chicago, though I dont think its the same one McClane lived in. McClane is going through a lot, and his parents arent helping him, but he has a lot of secrets. This book goes back in forth between McClane and his mother Meg. I did not care for the language in this book, it took away from the story.
April 15, 2025
OKAY SHARON - this book was sooooo juicy. I love when a thriller absolutely snatches my attention, which is exactly what this one did. I also love when I can commit to a book in one sitting because it is THAT addicting.
Starting with the story, the mother was absolutely unhinged and she always felt like she was hiding something. I loved her storyline and really sympathized with her on many levels. But what was the best part of this story is how her story was told in tandem with her missing son's. I loved how his POV was told in reverse up until he disappeared. This provided the reader with so many opportunities to understand each character and really get a full picture of their relationships. Almost every person in this book was a suspect and that really gave a fun dynamic.
I was absolutely SHOCKED at who was to blame in this story. There were definitely moments leading up to it that made it more obvious now that I look back on it, but the amount of absolute slander and shocking revelations that happen in this book kept me distracted enough to not pay as much attention to every single detail.
This was juicy, wholesome, dramatic and nail-biting told in such a fun dual timeline and dual POV way and I loved every second of it.
Starting with the story, the mother was absolutely unhinged and she always felt like she was hiding something. I loved her storyline and really sympathized with her on many levels. But what was the best part of this story is how her story was told in tandem with her missing son's. I loved how his POV was told in reverse up until he disappeared. This provided the reader with so many opportunities to understand each character and really get a full picture of their relationships. Almost every person in this book was a suspect and that really gave a fun dynamic.
I was absolutely SHOCKED at who was to blame in this story. There were definitely moments leading up to it that made it more obvious now that I look back on it, but the amount of absolute slander and shocking revelations that happen in this book kept me distracted enough to not pay as much attention to every single detail.
This was juicy, wholesome, dramatic and nail-biting told in such a fun dual timeline and dual POV way and I loved every second of it.
July 22, 2025
Upstanding Young Man by Sharon Doering. Thanks to @goodreads for the gifted Arc ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
When Meg Hart’s teenage son, McClane, goes missing, her perfect family life is exposed as not so perfect. Not only are her secrets exposed, but apparently McClane had some of his own too.
This was an amazing story. I’m so glad that I picked it up! It was a lot more suspenseful and thrilling than I was expecting it to me. I always have loved stories of motherhood that make us think how we only see our children from our own eyes. There were a lot of components to the plot, including backstories that are slowly developed. The end gets very exciting with every chapter ending on a cliffhanger making it impossible to put down until the very end.
“Every mother has been a girl who has witnessed a monster lurking inside a seemingly harmless boy. Every mother, at some point ponders her teenage son and wonders if he could turn into one of those boys, if he could be a monster.”
Upstanding Young Man comes out 8/12.
When Meg Hart’s teenage son, McClane, goes missing, her perfect family life is exposed as not so perfect. Not only are her secrets exposed, but apparently McClane had some of his own too.
This was an amazing story. I’m so glad that I picked it up! It was a lot more suspenseful and thrilling than I was expecting it to me. I always have loved stories of motherhood that make us think how we only see our children from our own eyes. There were a lot of components to the plot, including backstories that are slowly developed. The end gets very exciting with every chapter ending on a cliffhanger making it impossible to put down until the very end.
“Every mother has been a girl who has witnessed a monster lurking inside a seemingly harmless boy. Every mother, at some point ponders her teenage son and wonders if he could turn into one of those boys, if he could be a monster.”
Upstanding Young Man comes out 8/12.
May 29, 2025
If I had to sum it all up in just one word it would be: convoluted. I could not wait to get through this book. I always try to give ARCs my absolute best effort and sometimes push through when it ought to be deemed a DNF. I really wanted to DNF this one. I thought the dual perspective would be a good way to experience the POV of two main characters. While the mother was handled well enough, the son was always off center--now I do understand that a small part of that is actually one of the twists in the story but it just did not meld well. Overall, there were far too many instances in which the author attempted to build intrigue and interest but, it generally all fell flat I often felt that I was being toyed with as a reader. There was so much alluding to one thing or another, without defining anything, throughout the book. I know it was intended to grip the reader and pull him/her in but, I actually found it annoying because there was so much of it. Dangle a carrot but never build it up. I ended up not even caring what the twist was going to be. It was an ARC so issues with formatting, editing and revision are to be expected. As for the formatting in this ARC, it truly distracted from the reading and should have been tweaked more before even reaching ARC status. I can overlook a lot of those issues and keep the purpose of an ARC in mind but the issues here were frustrating. Overall, this conglomeration of misfit characters covered a wide variety of mental health issues yet there was never any foundation built to support those key threads. I was not able to connect with a single character in either a positive or negative way.
August 11, 2025
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
Aug 2025 Must-Read Books
Aug Newsletter
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
Aug 2025 Must-Read Books
Aug Newsletter
June 21, 2025
3 1/2 Stars
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.”
I received this Advance Review Copy (ARC) novel from the publisher at no cost in exchange for an honest review.
Find all my book reviews at:
https://www.goodreads.com/
https://bookreviewer1955.wordpress.com/
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/
https://www.amazon.com/
https://www.facebook.com/martie.neesr...
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.”
I received this Advance Review Copy (ARC) novel from the publisher at no cost in exchange for an honest review.
Find all my book reviews at:
https://www.goodreads.com/
https://bookreviewer1955.wordpress.com/
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/
https://www.amazon.com/
https://www.facebook.com/martie.neesr...
August 6, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of
Upstanding Young Man.
I've never read this author before so I was curious to give her second book a chance.
Sadly, this missed the mark for me for a number of reasons:
1. I didn't like anyone, especially Meg. Most of the chapters are told from her perspective and I know she's a mom and she's human and she makes mistakes because we all do but her family is screwed up and so is she.
2. Every family has a black sheep (or 2 or 3) and plenty of drama but Meg's family was too messed up it was hard to suspend disbelief for.
Her husband is struggling after years of boxing has left him physically and mentally damaged; her kids all have their own lives and Meg is pretending they're all a happy family.
3. Some of the revelations came out of nowhere, such as how Dave, the eldest son, factored into the story.
4. The twists and revelations felt contrived, a product of what so many authors do now, throw twist after twist at readers hoping something will stick.
5. The premise had potential but it went off the rails quickly when it veered from a thriller into a domestic drama instead.
I've never read this author before so I was curious to give her second book a chance.
Sadly, this missed the mark for me for a number of reasons:
1. I didn't like anyone, especially Meg. Most of the chapters are told from her perspective and I know she's a mom and she's human and she makes mistakes because we all do but her family is screwed up and so is she.
2. Every family has a black sheep (or 2 or 3) and plenty of drama but Meg's family was too messed up it was hard to suspend disbelief for.
Her husband is struggling after years of boxing has left him physically and mentally damaged; her kids all have their own lives and Meg is pretending they're all a happy family.
3. Some of the revelations came out of nowhere, such as how Dave, the eldest son, factored into the story.
4. The twists and revelations felt contrived, a product of what so many authors do now, throw twist after twist at readers hoping something will stick.
5. The premise had potential but it went off the rails quickly when it veered from a thriller into a domestic drama instead.
Read
November 19, 2025Hey, thriller lover. What happened to high school senior McClane??? Here’s a missing-person mystery tangled with a dysfunctional family, a streak of psychological chaos, and yep, even a love story. My favorite part? The structure: 2 POVs unfolding almost simultaneously... Mom' story starting the moment McClane disappears, and McClane's story counting down from the day before, every chapter like a ticking time bomb. And I’m positive you won’t guess the twist. Can’t wait to hear what you think.
December 12, 2025
Rated 3.5
I really enjoyed the writing, characters and overall mystery but I do think it dragged towards the end.
I really enjoyed the writing, characters and overall mystery but I do think it dragged towards the end.
November 10, 2025
Dark and disturbing with an ending so intense I couldn't put it down.
Upstanding Young Man reveals the secrets and lies plaguing this seemingly well adjusted suburban family. When the youngest son goes missing, the truth unfolds and it breaks your heart.
I am left emotionally spent, in a good way. The book is so powerful.
The writing was superb with dual POVs and two timelines converging, so well done.
Upstanding Young Man reveals the secrets and lies plaguing this seemingly well adjusted suburban family. When the youngest son goes missing, the truth unfolds and it breaks your heart.
I am left emotionally spent, in a good way. The book is so powerful.
The writing was superb with dual POVs and two timelines converging, so well done.
November 9, 2025
The pacing and plot line of this was so weird. The first half felt like it belonged to a totally different book, parts of it didn’t make any sense, and some plot lines were never even addressed. I appreciated the short chapters and the dual POV, but that’s it.
March 12, 2025
UPSTANDING YOUNG MAN dragged me into the depths of family secrets and didn't let up for air until I hit the final page. Doering does it again in this taut suspense with gut-wrenching stakes. A must read!
May 28, 2025
I received an Advanced Reader Copy of this book and could not put it down...Fantastic read. McClane a Senior in high school goes missing and his mother Meg must come to terms with alot of family secrets as his disappearance is investigated. I loved the perspective change each chapter, the turns in the storyline ...overall an absolute A+
May 26, 2025
Multiple POV? A dual timeline where the two are the least spread out across time from each other that I’ve ever read? A twist I 100% did not see coming? Sign me up! 4.5 ⭐️ (rounded up from 4)
Thank you to NetGalley and Hyperion Avenue for the ARC of this book. This is my first, and what a start to giving advance reviews!!
This book defied a few of the typical mystery themes that we see so often for me. The use of two characters who are already so intertwined, instead of two characters who are seemingly unconnected until nearly the end, was an excellent way to really give the reader a great view into the family dynamics. But a great use of mystery also kept some pretty big gaps in that knowledge until the author was ready to reveal it! Having such a short difference in time between the two narrators was really fun. Usually it’s years or months apart and you’re waiting for the two to cross and provide the mystery. In this book, that mystery is right out in front and the timelines provide the suspense by dangling the specifics just out of reach. And finally, I loved that this mystery was solved/wrapped-up, but there was no pretty bow to be seen. It was messy, it was tragic, and it was also somewhat hopeful. I wasn’t quite sure how I felt about it all when I read that last page, but in the best way possible.
We learn right away that McClane, an 18 year old just about to graduate from high school, is missing from his mom’s POV/timeline (Meg). But then we are quickly taken just a couple of days back in time to McClane’s POV, written from before he goes missing. As a teacher of high schoolers, reading this book in May, I am HIGHLY impressed that I wound up really, really liking McClane. He is a senior boy in the throws of senioritis (the struggle is real), yet he still wound up being a character that I really believed was a great young man. He may have had just a bit too much “adult-ness” attached to him and his narration, but it worked. And Natalie, his girlfriend, although more of a secondary character, reminded me of those girls who are beautifully self-assured, and I enjoyed the fact that their relationship was yes, a bit grandiose, but didn’t wind up being a mysterious plot point on its own. It was just part of their story. Meg, on the other hand, is a big tougher. She is a flawed character to be sure, and some of the parts of her story were a little over the top for me, but much of it was very believable as life brings a lot to a middle aged mom of 4!! And her personal arc was interesting to read as she moves through all the things her life has become.
The structure of this mystery did pull me in right away, but it was really that last 100 or so pages that made me plunk down in my reading nook and not get back up until I was done. That “I have to know!” switch got firmly flipped in my brain and I had to answer the call.
I would not recommend this book to all high schoolers, but if you have readers that you know are mature and can handle some harder topics (trigger warnings would include violence, drug use, roofies, mental illness, CTE, death), it could still be a good recommendation for your mystery fans.
Thank you to NetGalley and Hyperion Avenue for the ARC of this book. This is my first, and what a start to giving advance reviews!!
This book defied a few of the typical mystery themes that we see so often for me. The use of two characters who are already so intertwined, instead of two characters who are seemingly unconnected until nearly the end, was an excellent way to really give the reader a great view into the family dynamics. But a great use of mystery also kept some pretty big gaps in that knowledge until the author was ready to reveal it! Having such a short difference in time between the two narrators was really fun. Usually it’s years or months apart and you’re waiting for the two to cross and provide the mystery. In this book, that mystery is right out in front and the timelines provide the suspense by dangling the specifics just out of reach. And finally, I loved that this mystery was solved/wrapped-up, but there was no pretty bow to be seen. It was messy, it was tragic, and it was also somewhat hopeful. I wasn’t quite sure how I felt about it all when I read that last page, but in the best way possible.
We learn right away that McClane, an 18 year old just about to graduate from high school, is missing from his mom’s POV/timeline (Meg). But then we are quickly taken just a couple of days back in time to McClane’s POV, written from before he goes missing. As a teacher of high schoolers, reading this book in May, I am HIGHLY impressed that I wound up really, really liking McClane. He is a senior boy in the throws of senioritis (the struggle is real), yet he still wound up being a character that I really believed was a great young man. He may have had just a bit too much “adult-ness” attached to him and his narration, but it worked. And Natalie, his girlfriend, although more of a secondary character, reminded me of those girls who are beautifully self-assured, and I enjoyed the fact that their relationship was yes, a bit grandiose, but didn’t wind up being a mysterious plot point on its own. It was just part of their story. Meg, on the other hand, is a big tougher. She is a flawed character to be sure, and some of the parts of her story were a little over the top for me, but much of it was very believable as life brings a lot to a middle aged mom of 4!! And her personal arc was interesting to read as she moves through all the things her life has become.
The structure of this mystery did pull me in right away, but it was really that last 100 or so pages that made me plunk down in my reading nook and not get back up until I was done. That “I have to know!” switch got firmly flipped in my brain and I had to answer the call.
I would not recommend this book to all high schoolers, but if you have readers that you know are mature and can handle some harder topics (trigger warnings would include violence, drug use, roofies, mental illness, CTE, death), it could still be a good recommendation for your mystery fans.
January 11, 2026
This book was exactly what I wanted out of a thriller/mystery and had me at the edge of my seat. I am giving 4 stars only because the ending seemed so quick and rushed. But I think this book was so well made and did such a good job at delving into all the characters and making them all imperfect which was so realistic.
August 22, 2025
Doering does it again with another razor-sharp suspense that pulls you in from page one. It’s a fast, compulsive read that blends emotional depth with a storyline that refuses to let go. At its heart, it explores motherhood in a way that feels raw, honest, and painfully relatable—equal parts gut-punch and edge-of-your-seat tension.
Doering nails the balance between emotion and suspense, and I found myself both hooked and deeply moved. If you want a book that delivers thrills and hits you in the feels, this one is it!
Doering nails the balance between emotion and suspense, and I found myself both hooked and deeply moved. If you want a book that delivers thrills and hits you in the feels, this one is it!
October 6, 2025
just like… huh? this one switched between the perspective of a teen boy and his mother, and i do not think ms. doering has talked to a teenager in a while. all of the thoughts and dialogue of the teen boy seem lifted from facebook posts about gen z. she uses the word “cringe” way too liberally. and the mom character… yikes. how can someone be such a pushover and yet so unwavering at the same time. just the weakest, least relatable person of all time. she reminded me of all of those “suburban mom” tropes in teen shows like pretty little liars or gossip girl. i started off intrigued, but then it went on approximately 150 pages too long. you cannot have the climax of the book 10 pages before it ends. by the time i got to the end of the big crescendo i wanted the thing to be over. what a slog.
maybe if i was just a faster reader this one wouldn’t have felt so slow and painful, or maybe this book just isn’t very good. who’s to say!
maybe if i was just a faster reader this one wouldn’t have felt so slow and painful, or maybe this book just isn’t very good. who’s to say!
May 26, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley for an e-arc of this book.
Unfortunately, this draft did not seem ready for ARC status. The grammatical and formatting errors were on every page, making it very distracting to read. Aside from that which is hopefully just an ARC experience, the story is an intriguing idea but lacks in execution. There are way too many side tangents and commentary about the “state of the world” and family/relationships that don’t advance the story. I also felt like the teenage son’s POV was not authentic at all - he and his friends had dialogue like caricatures of teenagers.
Overall the story was decent and I tried to push through to find out the twist, but at this time it was a DNF for me.
Unfortunately, this draft did not seem ready for ARC status. The grammatical and formatting errors were on every page, making it very distracting to read. Aside from that which is hopefully just an ARC experience, the story is an intriguing idea but lacks in execution. There are way too many side tangents and commentary about the “state of the world” and family/relationships that don’t advance the story. I also felt like the teenage son’s POV was not authentic at all - he and his friends had dialogue like caricatures of teenagers.
Overall the story was decent and I tried to push through to find out the twist, but at this time it was a DNF for me.
October 19, 2025
Families are complex. In this particular instance, the Harts are dysfunctional and have no control of their environment it seems. Sharon Doering explores the dark areas of human consciousness when it comes to family and parents/children relationships. The book is well written, but very wordy. I felt this story could be told in half the amount of pages with less detail and more proactiveness. Sharon came off very long-winded at times and none of her characters were relatable or interesting enough to make me intrigued by the personages that were used in this feature. I kept reading it mostly for closure. I guess that’s why it took so long to finish.
————————————————————————————
Meg comes off very moody and unhinged. McClane is missing and initially she is all about self-preservation. Her marriage is in danger of collapse, she has a lackluster relationship with her kids (from both perspectives), and now with McClane gone she is desperately trying to stay in control which makes her seem guilty. She is full of anxiety and refuses to actually address certain situations with her family. I won’t lie, the evidence early on certainly pointed to her as the perpetrator in McClane’s disappearance, but ultimately it was, Dave. Her other son. She just was so blind to who her kids were, to who her husband was. Maybe it was delusion or denial, but she refused to acknowledge that her family was not what she thought it was. However, I did enjoy reading her side of things rather than McClane; who comes off very entitled and immature. Every other character was him gushing over his fascination with Natalie, which by the end of the story, I had enough. I got the picture the first hundred times. The video. The one David took. Of Meg frustrated and tired saying she didn’t want Carson, her first born, who had similarities to her brother-who was violent-didn’t help her cause. Especially considering that he died hours later in the river that neighbored their backyard. She was all over the place throughout the book mentally. Her kids are the worse though.
McClane is a typical teenager who lives in his own little world. As mentioned, very spoiled and entitled. If nothing to compare his life to, his own friend, Hudson had it a lot worse. Although he does seem like a solid friend to Jack and to Hudson, he is a typical teenager-all about himself. I don’t agree with him not taking the wrestling scholarship to Indiana. Passing up on a life-changing opportunity was brainless(again, immature).
Joe. He is there but not there. A very peculiar person. A lackluster boxing career cut short due to an injury, turns to finance/broker but isn’t in it, all the coming-and-going, secretive movements, CTE-like qualities, just made him come off very unstable. It was also Joe who left the back gate open. The one Carson went through before he drowned. Joe, when he confessed, doesn’t know if he did it on purpose or it was truly an accident. He just thought he was going to lose Meg and couldn’t chance it. I think his guilt also swallowed him up and he lost a part of himself that he never got back when he lost Carson.
Hudson gets in a fight and McClane takes his backpack home. Hudson is in deep with some bad dudes. Yet, the evidence in the bag is pointing at McClane. The knife they found with blood and the picture of an underage girl isn’t McClanes or Hudson’s. The blood is from the guy Hudson stuck a knife to his throat and took the picture because he was pissed off.
40 minutes before he goes missing, he meets Dave at Denny’s. Why didn’t Dave mention this to Meg. Why did He tell the police about Carson and why did he film the video in the first place way back when, then, give the police potentially a smoking gun that pointed at his mom. Why didn’t he see worried. Why did drug McClane at the restaurant and take his keys, wallet, and phone. Why did he abduct McClane. Why? Because he believes that Meg actually killed Carson after he found the hard drive years later. He is also on drugs. It didn’t help that his work had gotten to him. It made him unhinged. He potentially killed a perpetrator-Angie Giano-because he lost his senses being tied up to so many gruesome cases. McClane ended up killing him with a rock after he attacked Natalie. Meg saw and still comforted Dave despite what he did.
Whitney, the baby of the bunch, and just as spoiled and entitled as the others, is the only one that has any common sense it seems. She is also the most sassy that’s for sure. She figured out why David is doing this and how to find McClane. She is very clever and can obtain abstract thoughts. She is very hard on Meg with her opinion of her.
Natalie ended up having a miscarriage.
McClane ended up going to Indiana University but not for wrestling.
Joe left Meg. She forgave him possibly killing Carson. He couldn’t forgive her about his boss.
Meg moved into the Shady Grove apartments like Hudson and his Dad.
Whitney moved in with friends because she didn’t want to choose mom or dad.
————————————————————————————
Meg comes off very moody and unhinged. McClane is missing and initially she is all about self-preservation. Her marriage is in danger of collapse, she has a lackluster relationship with her kids (from both perspectives), and now with McClane gone she is desperately trying to stay in control which makes her seem guilty. She is full of anxiety and refuses to actually address certain situations with her family. I won’t lie, the evidence early on certainly pointed to her as the perpetrator in McClane’s disappearance, but ultimately it was, Dave. Her other son. She just was so blind to who her kids were, to who her husband was. Maybe it was delusion or denial, but she refused to acknowledge that her family was not what she thought it was. However, I did enjoy reading her side of things rather than McClane; who comes off very entitled and immature. Every other character was him gushing over his fascination with Natalie, which by the end of the story, I had enough. I got the picture the first hundred times. The video. The one David took. Of Meg frustrated and tired saying she didn’t want Carson, her first born, who had similarities to her brother-who was violent-didn’t help her cause. Especially considering that he died hours later in the river that neighbored their backyard. She was all over the place throughout the book mentally. Her kids are the worse though.
McClane is a typical teenager who lives in his own little world. As mentioned, very spoiled and entitled. If nothing to compare his life to, his own friend, Hudson had it a lot worse. Although he does seem like a solid friend to Jack and to Hudson, he is a typical teenager-all about himself. I don’t agree with him not taking the wrestling scholarship to Indiana. Passing up on a life-changing opportunity was brainless(again, immature).
Joe. He is there but not there. A very peculiar person. A lackluster boxing career cut short due to an injury, turns to finance/broker but isn’t in it, all the coming-and-going, secretive movements, CTE-like qualities, just made him come off very unstable. It was also Joe who left the back gate open. The one Carson went through before he drowned. Joe, when he confessed, doesn’t know if he did it on purpose or it was truly an accident. He just thought he was going to lose Meg and couldn’t chance it. I think his guilt also swallowed him up and he lost a part of himself that he never got back when he lost Carson.
Hudson gets in a fight and McClane takes his backpack home. Hudson is in deep with some bad dudes. Yet, the evidence in the bag is pointing at McClane. The knife they found with blood and the picture of an underage girl isn’t McClanes or Hudson’s. The blood is from the guy Hudson stuck a knife to his throat and took the picture because he was pissed off.
40 minutes before he goes missing, he meets Dave at Denny’s. Why didn’t Dave mention this to Meg. Why did He tell the police about Carson and why did he film the video in the first place way back when, then, give the police potentially a smoking gun that pointed at his mom. Why didn’t he see worried. Why did drug McClane at the restaurant and take his keys, wallet, and phone. Why did he abduct McClane. Why? Because he believes that Meg actually killed Carson after he found the hard drive years later. He is also on drugs. It didn’t help that his work had gotten to him. It made him unhinged. He potentially killed a perpetrator-Angie Giano-because he lost his senses being tied up to so many gruesome cases. McClane ended up killing him with a rock after he attacked Natalie. Meg saw and still comforted Dave despite what he did.
Whitney, the baby of the bunch, and just as spoiled and entitled as the others, is the only one that has any common sense it seems. She is also the most sassy that’s for sure. She figured out why David is doing this and how to find McClane. She is very clever and can obtain abstract thoughts. She is very hard on Meg with her opinion of her.
Natalie ended up having a miscarriage.
McClane ended up going to Indiana University but not for wrestling.
Joe left Meg. She forgave him possibly killing Carson. He couldn’t forgive her about his boss.
Meg moved into the Shady Grove apartments like Hudson and his Dad.
Whitney moved in with friends because she didn’t want to choose mom or dad.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 2, 2025
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 as a child. Joe was a former boxer and acting strangely. McClane has secrets such as his girlfriend Natalie being pregnant. Meg is struggling with secrets of her own which included a brother who had issues and she was afraid of because he was violent. Her brother ended up killing her mother’s friend’s son. Also her son Carson had similar issues like her brother and doing violent things to Jamie as a child that Meg went through with her brother. When Joe stopped doing his job, Meg did it so they can pay there bills. She was also blackmailing his boss by videotaping her giving oral sex.
When McClane goes missing, Meg is a suspect especially after the detectives find out Carson died and a video of Meg wishing Carson dead surfaced. Meg said it out of stress after sleepless nights of protecting Jamie from violent Carson.
The ending
David drugged his brother McClane and took him hostage. When McClane was able to send a message to his girlfriend Natalie and when Natalie finds them, David takes her hostage. David worked for the FBI and focused on those who abused/killed children. David was the one who videotaped his mother saying she wished Carson dead and believed she killed Carson. He kidnapped McClane so the police can investigate their mother and what happened to Carson. Whitney finds David’s location so she and her mother go to where they are. Meg finds her sons and Natalie. McClane hit David with a rock, killing him, in order to protect Natalie who was punched in the stomach by David. Natalie later miscarried. McClane goes to college but refused the wrestling scholarship especially after the injuries he got from David. Meg ends up finding out Joe killed Carson. Meg and Joe divorce and Meg moves into a lower income apartment building where one of McClanes friend and his father live.
The story was told from 2 POVs: Meg’s POV and McClanes POV which was 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 with violent kids, how lives can unravel, people in desperate situations, nature vs nurture. David was portrayed as a woman hater and possible incel. It makes you think how much mental illness or violence is inherited or isn’t.
Thank you NetGalley and Hyperion Avenue for the ARC
PUB DATE: August 12, 2025
When McClane goes missing, Meg is a suspect especially after the detectives find out Carson died and a video of Meg wishing Carson dead surfaced. Meg said it out of stress after sleepless nights of protecting Jamie from violent Carson.
The ending
David drugged his brother McClane and took him hostage. When McClane was able to send a message to his girlfriend Natalie and when Natalie finds them, David takes her hostage. David worked for the FBI and focused on those who abused/killed children. David was the one who videotaped his mother saying she wished Carson dead and believed she killed Carson. He kidnapped McClane so the police can investigate their mother and what happened to Carson. Whitney finds David’s location so she and her mother go to where they are. Meg finds her sons and Natalie. McClane hit David with a rock, killing him, in order to protect Natalie who was punched in the stomach by David. Natalie later miscarried. McClane goes to college but refused the wrestling scholarship especially after the injuries he got from David. Meg ends up finding out Joe killed Carson. Meg and Joe divorce and Meg moves into a lower income apartment building where one of McClanes friend and his father live.
The story was told from 2 POVs: Meg’s POV and McClanes POV which was 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 with violent kids, how lives can unravel, people in desperate situations, nature vs nurture. David was portrayed as a woman hater and possible incel. It makes you think how much mental illness or violence is inherited or isn’t.
Thank you NetGalley and Hyperion Avenue for the ARC
PUB DATE: August 12, 2025
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 19, 2025
Thanks to Hyperion Avenue and Netgalley for this eARC.
Sharon Doering’s Upstanding Young Man is a tense, emotionally charged thriller that blends domestic suspense with a sharp exploration of family secrets.
📖 Sharon Doering’s latest novel, Upstanding Young Man, takes readers into the heart of a seemingly perfect suburban family whose carefully curated image begins to unravel when tragedy strikes. Set in a quiet Chicago suburb, the story follows Meg Hart, a mother determined to maintain her All-American façade, even as her son McClane—a star wrestler on the cusp of graduation—suddenly goes missing.
Doering excels at capturing the tension of suburban domestic life. The novel’s backdrop—a neighborhood that prides itself on appearances—becomes a stage where secrets fester beneath polished surfaces. The contrast between outward perfection and inner turmoil heightens the suspense.
Meg Hart is a fascinating protagonist. Her determination to protect her family collides with the suspicion of police and neighbors, forcing readers to question whether she is a victim, villain, or something in between. McClane, meanwhile, is not the golden boy he appears to be; his hidden struggles and choices add depth and complexity to the narrative.
This novel explores family dynamics, hidden truths, and the fragility of reputation. Doering probes how far people will go to protect their loved ones—and themselves—when the façade of domestic bliss begins to crack. The interplay of loyalty, secrecy, and betrayal makes the story resonate beyond its thriller framework.
The book alternates perspectives between Meg and McClane, allowing readers to see both sides of the unraveling mystery. This dual structure builds tension and provides insight into the generational divide, showing how parents and children often live in parallel worlds of misunderstanding and concealment.
Upstanding Young Man is more than a missing-person thriller; it’s a study of how appearances can deceive and how truth, once unearthed, can shatter even the strongest bonds. Doering’s writing is sharp, evocative, and emotionally layered, ensuring that the suspense lingers long after the final page.
Upstanding Young Man is a compelling, pulse-pounding novel that will appeal to fans of domestic suspense and psychological thrillers. Sharon Doering delivers a story that is gripping and thought-provoking.
Sharon Doering’s Upstanding Young Man is a tense, emotionally charged thriller that blends domestic suspense with a sharp exploration of family secrets.
📖 Sharon Doering’s latest novel, Upstanding Young Man, takes readers into the heart of a seemingly perfect suburban family whose carefully curated image begins to unravel when tragedy strikes. Set in a quiet Chicago suburb, the story follows Meg Hart, a mother determined to maintain her All-American façade, even as her son McClane—a star wrestler on the cusp of graduation—suddenly goes missing.
Doering excels at capturing the tension of suburban domestic life. The novel’s backdrop—a neighborhood that prides itself on appearances—becomes a stage where secrets fester beneath polished surfaces. The contrast between outward perfection and inner turmoil heightens the suspense.
Meg Hart is a fascinating protagonist. Her determination to protect her family collides with the suspicion of police and neighbors, forcing readers to question whether she is a victim, villain, or something in between. McClane, meanwhile, is not the golden boy he appears to be; his hidden struggles and choices add depth and complexity to the narrative.
This novel explores family dynamics, hidden truths, and the fragility of reputation. Doering probes how far people will go to protect their loved ones—and themselves—when the façade of domestic bliss begins to crack. The interplay of loyalty, secrecy, and betrayal makes the story resonate beyond its thriller framework.
The book alternates perspectives between Meg and McClane, allowing readers to see both sides of the unraveling mystery. This dual structure builds tension and provides insight into the generational divide, showing how parents and children often live in parallel worlds of misunderstanding and concealment.
Upstanding Young Man is more than a missing-person thriller; it’s a study of how appearances can deceive and how truth, once unearthed, can shatter even the strongest bonds. Doering’s writing is sharp, evocative, and emotionally layered, ensuring that the suspense lingers long after the final page.
Upstanding Young Man is a compelling, pulse-pounding novel that will appeal to fans of domestic suspense and psychological thrillers. Sharon Doering delivers a story that is gripping and thought-provoking.
August 10, 2025
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, an FBI agent, Jamie; age 22, an aspiring journalist, McClane; age 18, 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 grab you there are many subplots 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.
August 13, 2025
Wow!! This book was so unexpected, the twist blew my mind. The story was told in dual POVs, right up until the time he disappears, the reader gets a glimpse into the thought of both characters.
When high school senior, McClane "Mick" Hart goes missing after he has a big fight with his mother, Meg Hart doesn't realize something's amiss at first. Meg thinks that her son is giving her the silent treatment and staying with a friend. In reality, he's missing and Natalie, her son's girlfriend is the one who informs Meg that Mick is in trouble.
Meg has spent her whole life trying to portray that she has a picture perfect family, when the truth is just the opposite. Her husband, Joe, a former boxer, has fugue-like states where he's a completely different person for hours. Years of blows to his head have had lasting effects that Joe refuses to see a doctor for. He disappears every night and she has no idea where he goes. They have four children, David, Jamie, McClane, and Whitney. Each child is as different from the other. David works for the FBI, Jamie is trying to become a journalist, McClane earned a wrestling scholarship to Indiana University, and Whitney is still in high school.
Unbeknownst to each other, they all have their own secrets, and no one wants their secrets revealed.
So when Natalie demands that Meg call the police to find Mick, Meg does so to shut her up. But the police find things in his room that's concerning. With Meg hiding secrets from the police about what her family is really like, the police are more focused on what they found than actually searching for her son.
When Mick is gone for three days, Meg realizes that the police haven't been looking for her son. They've been building a case against her instead. With the help of Whitney, they figure out some disturbing things and they go in search of McClane. What both Meg and McClane never expected was to be betrayed by someone they loved.
A definite must read.
*I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
When high school senior, McClane "Mick" Hart goes missing after he has a big fight with his mother, Meg Hart doesn't realize something's amiss at first. Meg thinks that her son is giving her the silent treatment and staying with a friend. In reality, he's missing and Natalie, her son's girlfriend is the one who informs Meg that Mick is in trouble.
Meg has spent her whole life trying to portray that she has a picture perfect family, when the truth is just the opposite. Her husband, Joe, a former boxer, has fugue-like states where he's a completely different person for hours. Years of blows to his head have had lasting effects that Joe refuses to see a doctor for. He disappears every night and she has no idea where he goes. They have four children, David, Jamie, McClane, and Whitney. Each child is as different from the other. David works for the FBI, Jamie is trying to become a journalist, McClane earned a wrestling scholarship to Indiana University, and Whitney is still in high school.
Unbeknownst to each other, they all have their own secrets, and no one wants their secrets revealed.
So when Natalie demands that Meg call the police to find Mick, Meg does so to shut her up. But the police find things in his room that's concerning. With Meg hiding secrets from the police about what her family is really like, the police are more focused on what they found than actually searching for her son.
When Mick is gone for three days, Meg realizes that the police haven't been looking for her son. They've been building a case against her instead. With the help of Whitney, they figure out some disturbing things and they go in search of McClane. What both Meg and McClane never expected was to be betrayed by someone they loved.
A definite must read.
*I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
June 11, 2025
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.
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.
June 23, 2025
Sharon Doering’s *Upstanding Young Man* is a gripping psychological thriller that plunges readers into the disintegrating world of Meg, a mother navigating the chaos of a fractured family and a vanishing son. Meg, mother of four—two grown and two still at home—has long carried the weight of caring for her former-boxer husband, who she suspects suffers from CTE. Gone is the magnetic, adventurous man she once loved; in his place is someone unpredictable, distant, and increasingly unrecognizable.
When Meg receives a call from her son McClane’s school alerting her to his unexplained absence, she instinctively lies, convinced he’s simply playing hooky. But what begins as a small deception quickly unravels into something far more alarming. As Meg’s concern grows, so too does her awareness of just how disconnected she’s become from her children. Her focus on managing her husband's instability has come at a cost—one paid in fractured trust and emotional distance.
The story unfolds through a compelling dual narration from both Meg and McClane. This structure offers intimate glimpses into the minds of both mother and son, allowing readers to witness the unraveling through their alternating perspectives. Yet, neither voice can be fully trusted, deepening the sense of uncertainty that propels the narrative forward.
*Upstanding Young Man* is a taut, emotionally charged novel that explores the high price of silence, the fragility of family bonds, and the harrowing consequences of denial. Doering’s deft storytelling and unrelenting tension made this a read I couldn’t put down. The path to redemption in this story is anything but smooth—layered with grief, desperation, and ultimately, hard-won clarity.
When Meg receives a call from her son McClane’s school alerting her to his unexplained absence, she instinctively lies, convinced he’s simply playing hooky. But what begins as a small deception quickly unravels into something far more alarming. As Meg’s concern grows, so too does her awareness of just how disconnected she’s become from her children. Her focus on managing her husband's instability has come at a cost—one paid in fractured trust and emotional distance.
The story unfolds through a compelling dual narration from both Meg and McClane. This structure offers intimate glimpses into the minds of both mother and son, allowing readers to witness the unraveling through their alternating perspectives. Yet, neither voice can be fully trusted, deepening the sense of uncertainty that propels the narrative forward.
*Upstanding Young Man* is a taut, emotionally charged novel that explores the high price of silence, the fragility of family bonds, and the harrowing consequences of denial. Doering’s deft storytelling and unrelenting tension made this a read I couldn’t put down. The path to redemption in this story is anything but smooth—layered with grief, desperation, and ultimately, hard-won clarity.
August 12, 2025
Upstanding Young Man is a brilliantly executed thriller that takes its time to wind the tension tighter and tighter, until it reaches a breaking point that delivers in the most explosive way possible. From the very first pages, Sharon Doering pulls you into a world that feels both unsettling and irresistible, crafting a narrative so cleverly designed that you’re never entirely sure where the truth lies. Each chapter adds another layer to an already complex web of lies, secrets, and unexpected alliances, keeping you in a state of constant curiosity and dread.
Doering’s strength lies not only in her razor-sharp pacing but also in her ability to create multidimensional characters who are as flawed as they are fascinating. The people who populate this story feel real—each with their own motivations, vulnerabilities, and dangerous secrets—and that realism makes every betrayal and revelation cut deeper. Just when you think you’ve pieced the puzzle together, the story shifts, revealing new truths that throw your theories into chaos.
The novel’s climax is nothing short of breathtaking, the kind of moment that makes you realize just how carefully every preceding detail was placed. It’s a testament to Doering’s skill that the ending feels both shocking and inevitable, a perfect culmination of the tension she’s been building all along. Dark, intricate, and utterly addictive, Upstanding Young Man is a must-read for thriller fans who crave an unpredictable ride with genuine emotional impact. This is not just a story you read—it’s one you experience, heart racing and mind reeling until the very last page.
Doering’s strength lies not only in her razor-sharp pacing but also in her ability to create multidimensional characters who are as flawed as they are fascinating. The people who populate this story feel real—each with their own motivations, vulnerabilities, and dangerous secrets—and that realism makes every betrayal and revelation cut deeper. Just when you think you’ve pieced the puzzle together, the story shifts, revealing new truths that throw your theories into chaos.
The novel’s climax is nothing short of breathtaking, the kind of moment that makes you realize just how carefully every preceding detail was placed. It’s a testament to Doering’s skill that the ending feels both shocking and inevitable, a perfect culmination of the tension she’s been building all along. Dark, intricate, and utterly addictive, Upstanding Young Man is a must-read for thriller fans who crave an unpredictable ride with genuine emotional impact. This is not just a story you read—it’s one you experience, heart racing and mind reeling until the very last page.
May 1, 2025
If you want a domestic thriller that will lure you in and keep you captivated until the last page, look no further.
From outward appearances, Meg Hart has the perfect family. The Harts live in a nice neighborhood in a Chicago suburb; both parents have good jobs where they get to work from home; and they have four nearly grown children.
However, there is so much festering under the surface in this family. Joe, her retired boxer husband, seems to be suffering from CTE from all of his previous head injuries. Oldest son, David, snared a good job as an FBI investigator, but is acting rather elusive and strange. Daughter Jamie is trying to "find herself" and her career as a journalist. High school senior son, McClane, has been offered a full ride wrestling scholarship but seems to have so, so much more going on in his life - a pregnant girlfriend and friends who might be mixed up with the wrong side of the law. High schooler, Whitney, the baby of the family stays locked in her room most of the time she is at home. So, yes, things are certainly not as they appear.
It all comes to head one day three weeks before the end of McClane's senior year when he mysteriously disappears. Mom Meg becomes one of the main suspects.
The book is told alternately between Mom Meg's POV and son McClane's POV. It will definitely keep you on the edge of your seat until the last page. Thank you, NetGalley and Hyperion, for this ARC that gives us such an entrancing glimpse into familial discord.
From outward appearances, Meg Hart has the perfect family. The Harts live in a nice neighborhood in a Chicago suburb; both parents have good jobs where they get to work from home; and they have four nearly grown children.
However, there is so much festering under the surface in this family. Joe, her retired boxer husband, seems to be suffering from CTE from all of his previous head injuries. Oldest son, David, snared a good job as an FBI investigator, but is acting rather elusive and strange. Daughter Jamie is trying to "find herself" and her career as a journalist. High school senior son, McClane, has been offered a full ride wrestling scholarship but seems to have so, so much more going on in his life - a pregnant girlfriend and friends who might be mixed up with the wrong side of the law. High schooler, Whitney, the baby of the family stays locked in her room most of the time she is at home. So, yes, things are certainly not as they appear.
It all comes to head one day three weeks before the end of McClane's senior year when he mysteriously disappears. Mom Meg becomes one of the main suspects.
The book is told alternately between Mom Meg's POV and son McClane's POV. It will definitely keep you on the edge of your seat until the last page. Thank you, NetGalley and Hyperion, for this ARC that gives us such an entrancing glimpse into familial discord.
August 14, 2025
What happened to McClane? He was behaving like a normal 18-year-old with a wrestling scholarship on the line. Now the school is calling and his girlfriend is begging for his mother to call the police.
As time goes on we see a family unraveling. How long has it been going on and can it be stopped?
This is a new-to-me author and I was intrigued by the premise. Here are four things I loved about this new release:
🏡The Midwest setting was a plus for me. Sugar Glen is just down the highway from Chicago and not far from my home state of Missouri. I felt at home.
📝I liked the way Doering set up the narrative. Meg (Mom) has a POV running in real time starting the day of the call to the police. McClane gives his perspective beginning 28 hours before he is missing.
👨🦱McClane really does seem to be an UPSTANDING YOUNG MAN. Why would someone want to do him harm? He has a sports scholarship, loves his girlfriend, and works hard to be a good friend. There was that fight with his mom, but most teenagers have those once in awhile.
📚The Author's Note includes some intriguing clues to the making of this book. She also includes some great songs on her playlist. One of them -- "Lose Yourself" by Eminem -- was a motivator on my morning run today. Don't read it before you start the book to avoid spoilers.
Thank you to Hyperion and NetGalley for a DRC in exchange for an honest review. This book is available as of August 12, 2025.
As time goes on we see a family unraveling. How long has it been going on and can it be stopped?
This is a new-to-me author and I was intrigued by the premise. Here are four things I loved about this new release:
🏡The Midwest setting was a plus for me. Sugar Glen is just down the highway from Chicago and not far from my home state of Missouri. I felt at home.
📝I liked the way Doering set up the narrative. Meg (Mom) has a POV running in real time starting the day of the call to the police. McClane gives his perspective beginning 28 hours before he is missing.
👨🦱McClane really does seem to be an UPSTANDING YOUNG MAN. Why would someone want to do him harm? He has a sports scholarship, loves his girlfriend, and works hard to be a good friend. There was that fight with his mom, but most teenagers have those once in awhile.
📚The Author's Note includes some intriguing clues to the making of this book. She also includes some great songs on her playlist. One of them -- "Lose Yourself" by Eminem -- was a motivator on my morning run today. Don't read it before you start the book to avoid spoilers.
Thank you to Hyperion and NetGalley for a DRC in exchange for an honest review. This book is available as of August 12, 2025.
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