Title: Promising Young Man

Author: Elias Axel

Genre: People with Disabilities Fiction, Young Adult Fiction, Contemporary Fiction

Pages: 220

Publisher: My Delightful Life Press

Reviewer: Jennifer Trethewey

Elias Axel has cooked up something truly inspiring in their debut novel, Promising Young Man. Begin with a stew of hormones known as an eighteen-year-old male. Combine liberally with the chemical qualities of ADHD and a creative mind. Next, set aside the doctor prescribed medications and replace with THC self-medication. Finally, blend everything with social awkwardness, insert into the pressure cooker that is senior year, and you have a recipe for disaster. High school is no picnic, not even for main stream kids. For a teen struggling emotionally and chemically, it’s a nightmare. Often, as with this story, a teen is presented with the unendurable pressure of “your entire future depends on this one final paper.” It’s a set-up for failure no matter how many second chances are on offer. In Promising Young Man, the main character, Oscar, fails spectacularly. Fortunately, he has people around him who care enough to help him limp out of his self-made chaos.

Promising Young Man will scoop you up and carry you along on what becomes a journey of discovery and healing. Like a Bing Crosby and Bob Hope road movie, Oscar and his grandmother take a road trip across country in her classic car. Along the way, they meet interesting people, learn new skills, encounter danger, uncover long held secrets, and discover love. But most importantly, Oscar sheds the fear that plagues all young adults, that fear of taking the first step out into the world on their own. What I find most compelling about Promising Young Man is the author’s ability to capture the voice, the mental gymnastics, and the hormonal logic of an eighteen-year-old young man without relying on slang or teen lingo. Yes, this novel will make you laugh and cry and cringe at times, but the story’s real gift is hope. Loads of hope. Without hesitation, five stars.

Reviewer Bio: Jennifer Trethewey is the pen name of Jennifer Rupp. She writes sexy, sweeping Highland romance combining on site research, wonderfully flawed characters, and a liberal dose of humor. Her first four historical romances from the Highlanders of Balforss series released by Entangled Publishing, have achieved critical success. She has placed in numerous regional writing contests and is a member of Chicago North Romance Writers of America, Wisconsin Writers Association, Red Oak Studios, Off Campus Writers Workshop, Regency Fiction Writers, and Chicago Writers Association. She is also Co-Founder and former Co-Artistic Director of Milwaukee’s Renaissance Theaterworks.