Promising Young Man

A Modern Caulfield Meets Harold and Maude with an ADHD Twist—Raw, Darkly Witty, Achingly RealBookLife Reviews Editor's Pick — BlueInk Review Notable Book (Starred) — Kirkus Reviews "e;Get it"e;Oscar Danielsson is eighteen, brilliantly ADHD, and about to ruin his life—again.He looks like a promise waiting to be kept. His biggest fear is everyone discovering he's not what they expect at all. Between his spectacular mistakes, self-medicating, and overwhelming existential dread, hiding in his room feels safe, even if it means blowing high school graduation. Then one hazy mistake too many launches Oscar on a mysterious cross-country road trip with his free-wheeling Grammy, who's done playing by the rules… and living a lie. Leaving behind his girl crush, beloved dog, and all his comforting vices is torture. But Grammy's secret changes everything—and Oscar discovers one of his own.Oscar is the defiant anti-hero you can't stop rooting for. Grammy is his unlikely wingman.Together they're almost okay.2026 In the Margins Top 10 Fiction Book, Promising Young Man is a powerful exploration of belonging, societal expectations, and loss of innocence that doesn't shy away from the messy truth of growing up or growing older. Perfect for readers who loved: The Perks of Being a WallflowerThe Virgin SuicidesI'll Give You the SunAnd anyone in high school, college, or deep in their career who's ever felt like a square peg in a round world or watched someone they love struggle to fit in."e;The writing and dialogue are so on point... the book is sweet and endearing with something for everyone."e;  — BlueInk Review (Starred Review)"e;Axel's writing crackles with energy and hard-won insight, capturing Oscar's inner monologue in a way that feels both authentic and deeply relatable."e; —BookLife Reviews (Editor's Pick)"e;(Henry Fielding's) Tom Jones suggested that the world, no matter how messy, ultimately has answers. Promising Young Man does the same."e; — Windy City Reviews (Recommended)"e;I love this book."e; — Jill Wine-Banks, author, The Watergate Girl, MS NOW legal analyst"e;Beautiful read… Oscar's voice is unforgettable."e; — Doug Bolton, author, Untethered: Creating Connected Families, Schools, and Communities to Raise a Resilient Generation"e;Oscar is breathtakingly real and appealing..."e; — The BookLife Prize "e;A deeply moving, sharply observed account of a troubled young boy's journey of self-discovery on the cusp of adulthood.  With its candid, absorbing, and often witty intergenerational plot, Promising Young Man is truly enjoyable and will appeal to readers of all ages."e; — Sarah C. Maza, Member American Academy of Arts & Sciences, Professor of History Emerita Northwestern University"e;a quiet masterpiece"e; — Samuel Durr, Learning Specialist, William C. Goudy Technology Academy (a 2025 Top Magnet School of Excellence)"e;a powerful story of survival, resilience, and hope"e; — Nathan Chung, Founder and Host #DisabilityDisrupted PodcastDark humor ~ Road trip adventure ~ Intergenerational friendship ~ ADHD representation done rightContains mature themes including mental health struggles, substance use, suicidal ideation, and self-harm.