Promising Young Man

A modern Caulfield meets Harold and Maude with an ADHD twist—Darkly Witty, Achingly Real

Finalist, Next Generation Indie Book Awards for Inspirational Fiction, a troubled young man gets a shot at redemption in this fun yet powerful exploration of belonging, societal expectations, and loss of innocence BookLife Reviews calls "deeply relatable."

WINNER — 2026 IndieReader Discovery Award for New Adult Fiction
BLUEINK REVIEW — Notable Book (Starred Review)
KIRKUS REVIEWS — "Get It"
FINALIST — 2026 Next Generation Indie Award for Inspirational Fiction
BOOKLIFE REVIEWS — Editor's Pick

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.

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. Leaving behind his girl crush, beloved dog, and comforting vices is torture. But Grammy has a secret that changes everything—and Oscar discovers one of his own.

Oscar is the defiant anti-hero you can't stop rooting for. Grammy's his unlikely wingman. Together they're almost okay.

Perfect for readers who loved: A Man Called Ove, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, It's Kind of a Funny Story, or Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine.

A boy. A lie. And the Great American Highway.

Promising Young Man is character-driven fiction for emerging adults, parents, and educators as well as 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.

Mature themes: mental health struggles, substance use, addiction, suicidal ideation, self-harm.