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Recommend this book:
The Return of the Flying Boat
Dale Morton
2026 Finalist
384 Pages
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Fiction - Realistic
Reviewed by Pikasho Deka for Readers' Favorite
The Return of the Flying Boat is a historical drama by Dale Morton. It's the late 1990s. The Russian government has ramped up attacks on shipping corridors all over the Arctic and Atlantic with covert, cutting-edge technology-equipped stealth submarines. Among them, the USS Buffalo is the first United States attack submarine since World War II to be destroyed by the enemy. The US government soon realizes that the Galaxy fleet is outdated and no longer viable to enforce superiority over the seas. But eccentric millionaire Jeremy Kingsley has an audacious plan. Jeremy teams up with former test pilot and engineer Charlie Layton to design a class of seaplanes inspired by Howard Hughes's Flying Boat, the H-4 Hercules. However, the military is looking for a savior in the Goliath, designed by Jeremy's rival.
Historical fiction aficionados will absolutely love The Return of the Flying Boat. Author Dale Morton does a fantastic job of illustrating the arms race between two superpowers, and how it is triggered with increasing infractions on a small scale. The humor sprinkled throughout the narrative took me by surprise, especially considering the subject matter. Some of the interactions were really hilarious, particularly the dialogue between Jeremy and Faulkner. I also enjoyed the dynamic between Jeremy and Charlie. They work together well and make a great duo. The Spruce Goose was another highlight of the book for me, a true blast from the past. The mission is filled with tension and suspense. Overall, this was a very entertaining read, and I heartily recommend the book to historical and military fiction readers.
The Return of the Flying Boat is a historical drama by Dale Morton. It's the late 1990s. The Russian government has ramped up attacks on shipping corridors all over the Arctic and Atlantic with covert, cutting-edge technology-equipped stealth submarines. Among them, the USS Buffalo is the first United States attack submarine since World War II to be destroyed by the enemy. The US government soon realizes that the Galaxy fleet is outdated and no longer viable to enforce superiority over the seas. But eccentric millionaire Jeremy Kingsley has an audacious plan. Jeremy teams up with former test pilot and engineer Charlie Layton to design a class of seaplanes inspired by Howard Hughes's Flying Boat, the H-4 Hercules. However, the military is looking for a savior in the Goliath, designed by Jeremy's rival.
Historical fiction aficionados will absolutely love The Return of the Flying Boat. Author Dale Morton does a fantastic job of illustrating the arms race between two superpowers, and how it is triggered with increasing infractions on a small scale. The humor sprinkled throughout the narrative took me by surprise, especially considering the subject matter. Some of the interactions were really hilarious, particularly the dialogue between Jeremy and Faulkner. I also enjoyed the dynamic between Jeremy and Charlie. They work together well and make a great duo. The Spruce Goose was another highlight of the book for me, a true blast from the past. The mission is filled with tension and suspense. Overall, this was a very entertaining read, and I heartily recommend the book to historical and military fiction readers.
Recommend this book:
No Free Speech for Hate
Stephen Ford
2026 Honorable Mention
242 Pages
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Fiction - Realistic
Reviewed by Richard Prause for Readers' Favorite
No Free Speech for Hate by Stephen Ford presents readers with a fictional account of Britain's future. It is a bleak reality where universities hold total power over their citizens, and free speech is a thing of the past. In fact, freedom of expression is now replaced by new ideals of inclusion and identity-based thinking. Professor Jim Hubbings lives in a world where status isn't determined by one's skills but by one's acceptance of society's ideologies. This reality is darkened when dissenters are ousted from mainstream society, while social unrest gradually builds into a fierce rebellion led by marginalized citizens. Jim’s personal life begins to slowly unravel when he's torn between his ideals, career, and protecting his daughter, Amelia, who shows signs of ideological non-compliance.
No Free Speech for Hate is a political thriller that makes a bold statement about social control, sacrifice, and individuality. Stephen Ford's novel will help you to reflect on the consequences of surrendering control of your life for the promise of social security. While reading, the tension between what citizens gain and lose throughout the story will truly dawn on you as a reader. The world Ford builds is extreme, but that’s what makes this novel a thought-provoking read. It’s the kind of narrative that makes you ask critical questions about equality, freedom, and whether society sometimes ventures too far when trying to accomplish conformity and social groupthink. The characters are what really bring the book together. Jim Hubbings and the people around him are complex but identifiable. You can truly feel their struggles even when some of their choices frustrate you. I love how the author presents challenging concepts about societies without coming across as monotonous or preachy. For readers curious about social conformity and how individuals fare under social pressure, this is the ideal book to read today.
No Free Speech for Hate by Stephen Ford presents readers with a fictional account of Britain's future. It is a bleak reality where universities hold total power over their citizens, and free speech is a thing of the past. In fact, freedom of expression is now replaced by new ideals of inclusion and identity-based thinking. Professor Jim Hubbings lives in a world where status isn't determined by one's skills but by one's acceptance of society's ideologies. This reality is darkened when dissenters are ousted from mainstream society, while social unrest gradually builds into a fierce rebellion led by marginalized citizens. Jim’s personal life begins to slowly unravel when he's torn between his ideals, career, and protecting his daughter, Amelia, who shows signs of ideological non-compliance.
No Free Speech for Hate is a political thriller that makes a bold statement about social control, sacrifice, and individuality. Stephen Ford's novel will help you to reflect on the consequences of surrendering control of your life for the promise of social security. While reading, the tension between what citizens gain and lose throughout the story will truly dawn on you as a reader. The world Ford builds is extreme, but that’s what makes this novel a thought-provoking read. It’s the kind of narrative that makes you ask critical questions about equality, freedom, and whether society sometimes ventures too far when trying to accomplish conformity and social groupthink. The characters are what really bring the book together. Jim Hubbings and the people around him are complex but identifiable. You can truly feel their struggles even when some of their choices frustrate you. I love how the author presents challenging concepts about societies without coming across as monotonous or preachy. For readers curious about social conformity and how individuals fare under social pressure, this is the ideal book to read today.
Recommend this book:
As Time Goes By
W. Royce Adams
2026 Bronze Medal
272 Pages
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Fiction - Realistic
Reviewed by Bernadette Longu for Readers' Favorite
In As Time Goes By, W. Royce Adams has written an interesting book about the life of an ordinary person from a very ordinary family that could be anywhere in the world. The narrator of the story has no name but is referred to as the Old One. The book draws the reader in from the first page to the last page and they will find it hard to put down. W. Royce Adams introduces the reader to the lives of a young man and his family, showing how the decisions we make and what we are taught both at home, in church, and in school can influence the rest of our lives. The decisions that the Old One makes affect himself as well as his parents and those he comes into contact with during his journey. The Old One has lived through the Great Depression, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Iraq War, the Gulf Wars, and the Syrian mess.
As Time Goes By is written with candor and simplicity. Nothing is sugar-coated or made to feel as if it were the circumstances or someone else’s fault. The Old One takes responsibility for all his actions throughout his life. He laughs at himself and cringes at some of his behavior but, through it all, he always remains a gentleman and true to his upbringing. W. Royce Adams has written in such a way that the reader finds himself or herself reading and hoping that things come right for the narrator. The reader then finds that they have reached the end of the book and learned a very valuable life lesson. I enjoyed the references to the jazz songs as well as the different singers that sang them. This brought back wonderful memories for me and helped me to face the future again. Most of the songs I remember growing up with and listening to with my parents, others as I went through school, college, and then marriage, but later lost sight of them. I loved hearing about these famous songs and the various singers. Thank you, W. Royce Adams, for a book that has helped me through difficult times and all the wonderful musical references.
In As Time Goes By, W. Royce Adams has written an interesting book about the life of an ordinary person from a very ordinary family that could be anywhere in the world. The narrator of the story has no name but is referred to as the Old One. The book draws the reader in from the first page to the last page and they will find it hard to put down. W. Royce Adams introduces the reader to the lives of a young man and his family, showing how the decisions we make and what we are taught both at home, in church, and in school can influence the rest of our lives. The decisions that the Old One makes affect himself as well as his parents and those he comes into contact with during his journey. The Old One has lived through the Great Depression, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Iraq War, the Gulf Wars, and the Syrian mess.
As Time Goes By is written with candor and simplicity. Nothing is sugar-coated or made to feel as if it were the circumstances or someone else’s fault. The Old One takes responsibility for all his actions throughout his life. He laughs at himself and cringes at some of his behavior but, through it all, he always remains a gentleman and true to his upbringing. W. Royce Adams has written in such a way that the reader finds himself or herself reading and hoping that things come right for the narrator. The reader then finds that they have reached the end of the book and learned a very valuable life lesson. I enjoyed the references to the jazz songs as well as the different singers that sang them. This brought back wonderful memories for me and helped me to face the future again. Most of the songs I remember growing up with and listening to with my parents, others as I went through school, college, and then marriage, but later lost sight of them. I loved hearing about these famous songs and the various singers. Thank you, W. Royce Adams, for a book that has helped me through difficult times and all the wonderful musical references.
Recommend this book:
Crossing in One Piece
A Corporate Wake-Up Story About Bridges, Cape Codders, and Not Vanishing in an Open-Plan Office
Colleen Hoskins
2026 Silver Medal
Kindle Edition
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Fiction - Realistic
Reviewed by Jamie Michele for Readers' Favorite
In Colleen Hoskins' Crossing in One Piece, after nearly a decade at HarborPoint, senior analyst Cary Valente is whom executives rely on for numbers. Her models shape forecasts, performance reviews, and strategy across the company. When a long-expected promotion stalls during a corporate reorganization, Cary keeps working. At a coworker’s wedding with colleagues and leadership, an unplanned moment puts her in the center of a room filled with the people who influence her career. In the following days, HarborPoint launches the Strategic Performance Initiative, a company-wide effort that studies branch performances through data Cary helped design. As the project moves forward, the analysis begins affecting real employees and entire offices. While continuing to present her findings to senior leadership, Cary begins reconsidering what role she wants to play inside a system where numbers have consequences far beyond the spreadsheet.
Colleen Hoskins’ Crossing in One Piece is a great novel, and the author uses a plethora of brilliant metaphors, with Cary constantly crossing Boston bridges, and her whole “Bridge Plan,” when she begins thinking about how to move into a completely different career path. Cary is an analytical mathlete who completely bucks the traditional stereotypes. It’s not just abstract numbers either, because Cary starts realizing how those metrics affect actual people she knows, which changes how she sees her work. I love Brooke Santos, the best kind of work friend you could have. She checks on Cary after that completely awful wedding speech, pushes her to actually be seen during those initiative meetings, and even helps her rehearse answers before a panel interview with Itera. Well written, empowering, and entertaining, this is women's fiction at its finest. Very highly recommended.
In Colleen Hoskins' Crossing in One Piece, after nearly a decade at HarborPoint, senior analyst Cary Valente is whom executives rely on for numbers. Her models shape forecasts, performance reviews, and strategy across the company. When a long-expected promotion stalls during a corporate reorganization, Cary keeps working. At a coworker’s wedding with colleagues and leadership, an unplanned moment puts her in the center of a room filled with the people who influence her career. In the following days, HarborPoint launches the Strategic Performance Initiative, a company-wide effort that studies branch performances through data Cary helped design. As the project moves forward, the analysis begins affecting real employees and entire offices. While continuing to present her findings to senior leadership, Cary begins reconsidering what role she wants to play inside a system where numbers have consequences far beyond the spreadsheet.
Colleen Hoskins’ Crossing in One Piece is a great novel, and the author uses a plethora of brilliant metaphors, with Cary constantly crossing Boston bridges, and her whole “Bridge Plan,” when she begins thinking about how to move into a completely different career path. Cary is an analytical mathlete who completely bucks the traditional stereotypes. It’s not just abstract numbers either, because Cary starts realizing how those metrics affect actual people she knows, which changes how she sees her work. I love Brooke Santos, the best kind of work friend you could have. She checks on Cary after that completely awful wedding speech, pushes her to actually be seen during those initiative meetings, and even helps her rehearse answers before a panel interview with Itera. Well written, empowering, and entertaining, this is women's fiction at its finest. Very highly recommended.
Recommend this book:
Smoky Blue Sunrise
A Return to Elizabeth's Mountain
Lucille Guarino
2026 Gold Medal
277 Pages
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Fiction - Realistic
Reviewed by Jamie Michele for Readers' Favorite
In Smoky Blue Sunrise by Lucille Guarino, Jolie-Mae Buckley leaves her South Carolina hometown in the aftermath of her sister Katy-June's death in a car accident. Jolie takes a live-in nanny position with Amanda and Jesse, a physician and an attorney with two young children in Asheville, while quietly managing the guilt she feels about the tragic night and the beach party that preceded the crash. As Jolie becomes central to the household, conversations draw renewed attention to the party, the people who were there, and the drink she drank, but that was meant for her sister. New relationships and professional scrutiny start to reveal what Jolie hoped was in the past, forcing her to reevaluate her memory, responsibility, and incomplete facts so she can move forward.
Smoky Blue Sunrise by Lucille Guarino is a slow-burning novel that adds a bit of mystery to women's fiction. Guarino builds the plot around Jolie-Mae’s job inside a domestic household, immersing us in the daily life of her work, while showing how people carry responsibility over time. There's a lot of realism to Guarino's story, from running away and disconnecting from family to rumors and guilt that are genuinely relatable to most readers. There are some twists, particularly as we are examining suspects, and I love the inclusion of Hurricane Helene. Survival becomes collective, and Guarino grounds a second emotional arc in labor, endurance, and the community response to catastrophe. Also, there's love! Overall, this is a well-written story with so much heart. Recommended.
In Smoky Blue Sunrise by Lucille Guarino, Jolie-Mae Buckley leaves her South Carolina hometown in the aftermath of her sister Katy-June's death in a car accident. Jolie takes a live-in nanny position with Amanda and Jesse, a physician and an attorney with two young children in Asheville, while quietly managing the guilt she feels about the tragic night and the beach party that preceded the crash. As Jolie becomes central to the household, conversations draw renewed attention to the party, the people who were there, and the drink she drank, but that was meant for her sister. New relationships and professional scrutiny start to reveal what Jolie hoped was in the past, forcing her to reevaluate her memory, responsibility, and incomplete facts so she can move forward.
Smoky Blue Sunrise by Lucille Guarino is a slow-burning novel that adds a bit of mystery to women's fiction. Guarino builds the plot around Jolie-Mae’s job inside a domestic household, immersing us in the daily life of her work, while showing how people carry responsibility over time. There's a lot of realism to Guarino's story, from running away and disconnecting from family to rumors and guilt that are genuinely relatable to most readers. There are some twists, particularly as we are examining suspects, and I love the inclusion of Hurricane Helene. Survival becomes collective, and Guarino grounds a second emotional arc in labor, endurance, and the community response to catastrophe. Also, there's love! Overall, this is a well-written story with so much heart. Recommended.
Recommend this book:
The Torus Run
Harry Buck
2025 Finalist
402 Pages
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Fiction - Realistic
Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite
The Torus Run is a high-octane science fiction novel by Harry Buck. In the high-tech sprawl of post-Blackout San Francisco, Stash Novak’s future is about to be rewritten by his own creation. His AI Twin, Zero, is evolving fast, on the verge of becoming smarter than anyone alive. But not everyone wants that future. With enemies closing in, including NSA agents, corporate competitors, and rogue hackers, Stash is forced to make a dangerous choice: risk everything in the digital labyrinth of the Torus or let Zero be destroyed. This razor-sharp sci-fi thriller is where consciousness, morality, and technology collide in spectacular fashion. Part cyberpunk, part cautionary tale, it’s a chillingly plausible vision of AI’s next leap and humanity’s precarious role in it.
Author Harry Buck has a superb sense of pacing to keep readers constantly on the edge of their seats, and that has resulted in this relentless sci-fi thriller with heart, brain, and bite. I loved the unique combination of ideas, and each one is introduced with a natural sense of context that makes great sense. This author takes us on a mind-bending narrative where the future of AI isn’t just a concept, but a countdown. This is a chillingly apt premise for our modern day, and Buck brilliantly captures the tension between innovation and control in a world on the brink of chaos that feels disturbingly familiar. This made me root for Stash all the more as the stakes around his and Zero’s entwined fates increased. The emotive narration lets you sit on his shoulder and experience his anguish firsthand. Overall, The Torus Run is a brilliant read that’s as smart as it is cinematic, and I’d certainly recommend it as top-tier speculative fiction that keeps you guessing.
The Torus Run is a high-octane science fiction novel by Harry Buck. In the high-tech sprawl of post-Blackout San Francisco, Stash Novak’s future is about to be rewritten by his own creation. His AI Twin, Zero, is evolving fast, on the verge of becoming smarter than anyone alive. But not everyone wants that future. With enemies closing in, including NSA agents, corporate competitors, and rogue hackers, Stash is forced to make a dangerous choice: risk everything in the digital labyrinth of the Torus or let Zero be destroyed. This razor-sharp sci-fi thriller is where consciousness, morality, and technology collide in spectacular fashion. Part cyberpunk, part cautionary tale, it’s a chillingly plausible vision of AI’s next leap and humanity’s precarious role in it.
Author Harry Buck has a superb sense of pacing to keep readers constantly on the edge of their seats, and that has resulted in this relentless sci-fi thriller with heart, brain, and bite. I loved the unique combination of ideas, and each one is introduced with a natural sense of context that makes great sense. This author takes us on a mind-bending narrative where the future of AI isn’t just a concept, but a countdown. This is a chillingly apt premise for our modern day, and Buck brilliantly captures the tension between innovation and control in a world on the brink of chaos that feels disturbingly familiar. This made me root for Stash all the more as the stakes around his and Zero’s entwined fates increased. The emotive narration lets you sit on his shoulder and experience his anguish firsthand. Overall, The Torus Run is a brilliant read that’s as smart as it is cinematic, and I’d certainly recommend it as top-tier speculative fiction that keeps you guessing.
Recommend this book:
A Wolff in the Family
A Novel
Francine Falk-Allen
2025 Honorable Mention
392 Pages
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Fiction - Realistic
Reviewed by Carol Thompson for Readers' Favorite
A Wolff in the Family by Francine Falk-Allen is a riveting narrative based on true events, weaving together a tapestry of family strife and resilience against the backdrop of early 20th-century America. The story explores the complexities of the Wolff family, marked by themes of misogyny, prejudice, and profound passion. The story begins with Frank and Naomi Wolff, a couple whose marriage seemed destined for happiness. Settling in Ogden, Utah, their union flourished despite Frank’s demanding job as a railroad engineer, which frequently took him away from home. Naomi, a Kansas farmgirl turned devoted mother of fourteen children, epitomized the era’s ideal of domesticity, where her days were consumed with child-rearing and managing a bustling household. However, Frank’s decision to place their younger children in an orphanage far from home marks a pivotal scandal in the Wolff family history, shrouded in secrecy for eighty years.
What’s notably apparent is that Francine Falk-Allen has meticulously researched A Wolff in the Family to deliver a compelling tale that captures the essence of a bygone era. The narrative is compassionate, and Falk-Allen tells the story with emotional depth and historical authenticity. A glossary at the beginning of the book helps readers with keeping track of the many characters and their position in the family hierarchy. Naomi is a character readers will care about and root for as she has amazing resilience and determination. Without giving away too much, Falk-Allen wrote Frank so perfectly that readers may find they have a love/hate relationship with him. Overall, A Wolff in the Family is a poignant and thought-provoking read about the power of forgiveness and the enduring legacy of secrets kept hidden throughout generations.
A Wolff in the Family by Francine Falk-Allen is a riveting narrative based on true events, weaving together a tapestry of family strife and resilience against the backdrop of early 20th-century America. The story explores the complexities of the Wolff family, marked by themes of misogyny, prejudice, and profound passion. The story begins with Frank and Naomi Wolff, a couple whose marriage seemed destined for happiness. Settling in Ogden, Utah, their union flourished despite Frank’s demanding job as a railroad engineer, which frequently took him away from home. Naomi, a Kansas farmgirl turned devoted mother of fourteen children, epitomized the era’s ideal of domesticity, where her days were consumed with child-rearing and managing a bustling household. However, Frank’s decision to place their younger children in an orphanage far from home marks a pivotal scandal in the Wolff family history, shrouded in secrecy for eighty years.
What’s notably apparent is that Francine Falk-Allen has meticulously researched A Wolff in the Family to deliver a compelling tale that captures the essence of a bygone era. The narrative is compassionate, and Falk-Allen tells the story with emotional depth and historical authenticity. A glossary at the beginning of the book helps readers with keeping track of the many characters and their position in the family hierarchy. Naomi is a character readers will care about and root for as she has amazing resilience and determination. Without giving away too much, Falk-Allen wrote Frank so perfectly that readers may find they have a love/hate relationship with him. Overall, A Wolff in the Family is a poignant and thought-provoking read about the power of forgiveness and the enduring legacy of secrets kept hidden throughout generations.
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A Pleasant Fiction
A Novelistic Memoir
Javier De Lucia
2025 Bronze Medal
193 Pages
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Fiction - Realistic
Reviewed by Doreen Chombu for Readers' Favorite
A Pleasant Fiction by Javier De Lucia offers readers a raw and emotional exploration of familial loss, personal struggles, and life's unexpected challenges. The story follows Calvin, a man navigating the profound sorrow of losing his parents, brother, and uncle in quick succession. Calvin's family has always sacrificed for his brother, Jared, who faced various health issues. After their mother’s death, their elderly father, with whom Calvin had past conflicts, could no longer care for Jared alone. Consequently, Calvin, his brother Ryan, and their uncle stepped up to support the family, but tragedy continued to strike. By the end of this ordeal, Calvin reflects on this traumatic period and the memories that taught him resilience and the importance of holding on to what truly matters in life.
A Pleasant Fiction is a story about family, duty, and unconditional love. It delves into themes of sacrifice and personal ambition, highlighting how circumstances compel us to take responsibility while prompting reflections on our past actions. Throughout the narrative, Calvin examines his roles as a son, brother, father, husband, and friend, outlining his growth and the pivotal moments that define him. The story captures the struggles of losing parents and caring for a disabled family member. Despite addressing painful topics, the narrative also presents the bittersweet aspects of life, illustrating that even amid hardship, there is room for transformation. Javier De Lucia’s writing is non-linear, weaving together past and present moments from Calvin's life. This structure allows readers to understand the book's lessons and themes better. The connections are clear, painting a vivid picture of Calvin's state of mind. Whenever he encounters something from his family's past in his parents' house, he experiences flashbacks to significant moments in his life. This approach makes the story engaging and unpredictable. I found the book to be insightful, offering valuable lessons about life, family, loss, and responsibility. I highly recommend adding it to your reading list if you enjoy fictional memoirs that cover these topics.
A Pleasant Fiction by Javier De Lucia offers readers a raw and emotional exploration of familial loss, personal struggles, and life's unexpected challenges. The story follows Calvin, a man navigating the profound sorrow of losing his parents, brother, and uncle in quick succession. Calvin's family has always sacrificed for his brother, Jared, who faced various health issues. After their mother’s death, their elderly father, with whom Calvin had past conflicts, could no longer care for Jared alone. Consequently, Calvin, his brother Ryan, and their uncle stepped up to support the family, but tragedy continued to strike. By the end of this ordeal, Calvin reflects on this traumatic period and the memories that taught him resilience and the importance of holding on to what truly matters in life.
A Pleasant Fiction is a story about family, duty, and unconditional love. It delves into themes of sacrifice and personal ambition, highlighting how circumstances compel us to take responsibility while prompting reflections on our past actions. Throughout the narrative, Calvin examines his roles as a son, brother, father, husband, and friend, outlining his growth and the pivotal moments that define him. The story captures the struggles of losing parents and caring for a disabled family member. Despite addressing painful topics, the narrative also presents the bittersweet aspects of life, illustrating that even amid hardship, there is room for transformation. Javier De Lucia’s writing is non-linear, weaving together past and present moments from Calvin's life. This structure allows readers to understand the book's lessons and themes better. The connections are clear, painting a vivid picture of Calvin's state of mind. Whenever he encounters something from his family's past in his parents' house, he experiences flashbacks to significant moments in his life. This approach makes the story engaging and unpredictable. I found the book to be insightful, offering valuable lessons about life, family, loss, and responsibility. I highly recommend adding it to your reading list if you enjoy fictional memoirs that cover these topics.
Recommend this book:
Promising Young Man
Elias Axel
2025 Silver Medal
239 Pages
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Fiction - Realistic
Reviewed by Stephen Christopher for Readers' Favorite
Oscar Danielsson, nicknamed ‘Old Man’ by his fellow students, is a typical teenager. Well, almost typical, Oscar has ADHD. From Monday to Saturday, his life is one tedious cycle of going to school, then spending the rest of the day and night in his room. He looks forward to Sundays, for that’s the day he works at Oh Henry’s diner. This job gives him a sense of purpose, and despite being late every week, he feels appreciated by both Henry and the diner’s customers. Then, one fateful night, his world falls apart after some bad choices. Somehow, he escapes being arrested, and instead, he has to accompany his grandmother on a road trip from Chicago to California. As they set off in her Mustang convertible, nicknamed the Man Magnet, they had no idea of what was to come. How does the trip go? Do they reach California? Does Oscar have some life-changing experiences? You’ll need to read Promising Young Man by Elias Axel to find out. Believe me, you’ll be glad you did.
What I love the most about Promising Young Man is that it’s an opportunity to get inside the mind of someone with ADHD, and get a little more understanding. I live with someone who has ADHD, and now I’m more educated as to why he says and does the things he does. Inspirational fiction is a new genre for me. If the other authors can write as upliftingly as Elias Axel does, then it’s a genre I’m going to enjoy. I recommend this book to teenagers, with or without ADHD, parents, and teachers. If any of them get even ten percent of what I did from this story, then it’s worth it. Books like Promising Young Man need to be on school curricula. This is a story of resilience, hope, understanding, and realization. Highly recommended.
Oscar Danielsson, nicknamed ‘Old Man’ by his fellow students, is a typical teenager. Well, almost typical, Oscar has ADHD. From Monday to Saturday, his life is one tedious cycle of going to school, then spending the rest of the day and night in his room. He looks forward to Sundays, for that’s the day he works at Oh Henry’s diner. This job gives him a sense of purpose, and despite being late every week, he feels appreciated by both Henry and the diner’s customers. Then, one fateful night, his world falls apart after some bad choices. Somehow, he escapes being arrested, and instead, he has to accompany his grandmother on a road trip from Chicago to California. As they set off in her Mustang convertible, nicknamed the Man Magnet, they had no idea of what was to come. How does the trip go? Do they reach California? Does Oscar have some life-changing experiences? You’ll need to read Promising Young Man by Elias Axel to find out. Believe me, you’ll be glad you did.
What I love the most about Promising Young Man is that it’s an opportunity to get inside the mind of someone with ADHD, and get a little more understanding. I live with someone who has ADHD, and now I’m more educated as to why he says and does the things he does. Inspirational fiction is a new genre for me. If the other authors can write as upliftingly as Elias Axel does, then it’s a genre I’m going to enjoy. I recommend this book to teenagers, with or without ADHD, parents, and teachers. If any of them get even ten percent of what I did from this story, then it’s worth it. Books like Promising Young Man need to be on school curricula. This is a story of resilience, hope, understanding, and realization. Highly recommended.
Recommend this book:
Millionaire Janitor
Unlocking the Hidden Wealth in Everyday Choices
Lorn Bergstresser
2025 Gold Medal
Kindle Edition
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Fiction - Realistic
Reviewed by Doreen Chombu for Readers' Favorite
Millionaire Janitor by Lorn Bergstresser is a compelling story that follows Horatio Jefferson, a man raised by a determined single mother who instilled in him the values of respect and hard work. Through Horatio's journey, readers will learn important financial and moral lessons about life. From a young age, Horatio aspired to live a comfortable life, ensuring he could provide for his family and help others. After completing his education, he began searching for a job and was fortunate to land a position as a janitor at his former school. During this time, he met people who offered guidance, mentorship, and inspiration. He married his longtime sweetheart, Melody, and together they decided to save and invest for the future, using her accounting knowledge to change their life trajectories.
Millionaire Janitor presents an entertaining narrative along with valuable financial advice. Horatio and Melody are exemplary characters who live humble and respectful lives. The book explores their love story and highlights seven life principles they learned during marriage counseling, which helped them in various areas of life and in their investment practices that focus on long-term success. Lorn Bergstresser also addresses social issues such as systemic discrimination against ethnic groups, misogyny in the workplace, sexual harassment, and teenage delinquency. Despite these dark themes, the author offers hope to readers who have been told they will remain in poverty forever and that they can never achieve their goals. Attaining success is indeed possible, but it requires patience, dedication, and a positive mindset. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and was satisfied with the reflective ending, which illustrated what it means to live a happy and fulfilled life. Overall, this is great work.
Millionaire Janitor by Lorn Bergstresser is a compelling story that follows Horatio Jefferson, a man raised by a determined single mother who instilled in him the values of respect and hard work. Through Horatio's journey, readers will learn important financial and moral lessons about life. From a young age, Horatio aspired to live a comfortable life, ensuring he could provide for his family and help others. After completing his education, he began searching for a job and was fortunate to land a position as a janitor at his former school. During this time, he met people who offered guidance, mentorship, and inspiration. He married his longtime sweetheart, Melody, and together they decided to save and invest for the future, using her accounting knowledge to change their life trajectories.
Millionaire Janitor presents an entertaining narrative along with valuable financial advice. Horatio and Melody are exemplary characters who live humble and respectful lives. The book explores their love story and highlights seven life principles they learned during marriage counseling, which helped them in various areas of life and in their investment practices that focus on long-term success. Lorn Bergstresser also addresses social issues such as systemic discrimination against ethnic groups, misogyny in the workplace, sexual harassment, and teenage delinquency. Despite these dark themes, the author offers hope to readers who have been told they will remain in poverty forever and that they can never achieve their goals. Attaining success is indeed possible, but it requires patience, dedication, and a positive mindset. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and was satisfied with the reflective ending, which illustrated what it means to live a happy and fulfilled life. Overall, this is great work.
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