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Lola on Fire
Arthur Ellis Award nominee Rio Youers combines vengeance and deceit, love and bullets, secrets, and twists in this high-octane action thriller with a vibrant emotional core.
Brody Ellis is short on luck and even shorter on cash to buy the medication his sister Molly needs.
Desperate, he robs a convenience store, but on the way out, he bumps into a young woman and loses his wallet. Just when he expects the cops to arrive, the phone rings. It’s Blair Mayo—the woman he bumped into—and she’s got the missing billfold.
Brody will get it back, but only if he does her a steal her late mother’s diamonds from her wicked stepmom. But when he gets to the house, he finds a gruesome crime scene—and a security camera. Brody knows he’s been framed.
Back home, the terrified young man gets another call. The police won’t get the incriminating video footage, Blair says. Instead, her daddy, the notorious mobster Jimmy Latzo, will exact his own kind of revenge.
Hitting the road to save their lives, Brody and Molly realize that they’ve become pawns in a mysterious game—one that involves a notorious enforcer named Lola Bear who brutally crossed paths with Jimmy Latzo twenty-six years before. . . a ghost from the past who is intimately connected to their lives.
Brody Ellis is short on luck and even shorter on cash to buy the medication his sister Molly needs.
Desperate, he robs a convenience store, but on the way out, he bumps into a young woman and loses his wallet. Just when he expects the cops to arrive, the phone rings. It’s Blair Mayo—the woman he bumped into—and she’s got the missing billfold.
Brody will get it back, but only if he does her a steal her late mother’s diamonds from her wicked stepmom. But when he gets to the house, he finds a gruesome crime scene—and a security camera. Brody knows he’s been framed.
Back home, the terrified young man gets another call. The police won’t get the incriminating video footage, Blair says. Instead, her daddy, the notorious mobster Jimmy Latzo, will exact his own kind of revenge.
Hitting the road to save their lives, Brody and Molly realize that they’ve become pawns in a mysterious game—one that involves a notorious enforcer named Lola Bear who brutally crossed paths with Jimmy Latzo twenty-six years before. . . a ghost from the past who is intimately connected to their lives.
396 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 16, 2021
80 people are currently reading
5705 people want to read
About the author
Rio Youers
90 books433 followersRio Youers is the British Fantasy and Sunburst Award–nominated author of Lola on Fire and No Second Chances. His 2017 thriller, The Forgotten Girl, was a finalist for the Arthur Ellis Award for Best Crime Novel. He is the writer of Refrigerator Full of Heads, a six-issue comic series from DC Comics, and Sleeping Beauties, a graphic novel based on the number-one bestseller by Stephen King and Owen King. Rio’s latest novel, The Bang-Bang Sisters, was published by William Morrow in summer 2024.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 253 reviews
February 17, 2021
Lola on Fire had me on the edge of my seat the whole time I was reading. There is so much action in this book. I really enjoyed the story and liked how it was mainly action but there was also family drama mixed in. I liked the characters. Brody is trying to do the best he can to raise his sister while still grieving his father’s death. Molly is the most important person to Brody. Molly has hardships to deal with but still sees the world in a positive light. Molly looks up to her brother. She sees the world in black and white with things being right and wrong. The infamous Lola is a very interesting character. She is smart and a strong fighter that could take out any opponent in her prime. I loved finding the connection between the stories and seeing them converge. I recommend Lola on Fire to anyone that likes fast paced, action packed thrillers.
I listened to the audiobook narrated by Jim Meskimen and enjoyed his narration. The narration fit well with the story and Meskimen was the perfect voice for Brody.
Thank you Harper Audio, William Morrow and NetGalley for Lola on Fire.
Full Review: https://justreadingjess.wordpress.com...
I listened to the audiobook narrated by Jim Meskimen and enjoyed his narration. The narration fit well with the story and Meskimen was the perfect voice for Brody.
Thank you Harper Audio, William Morrow and NetGalley for Lola on Fire.
Full Review: https://justreadingjess.wordpress.com...
April 20, 2021
If you found yourself entering into your Rio Youers fandom through WESTLAKE SOUL, HALCYON, or THE FORGOTTEN GIRL, let me urge you to pick up LOLA ON FIRE and jump into it immediately. It's exactly what you're looking for. If you know Rio from his horror/supernatural stories, let me set some early expectations: this is a straightforward thriller.
But it has all the dynamic relationships and heart fans have come to expect from Youers. Full review coming to Cemetery Dance!
But it has all the dynamic relationships and heart fans have come to expect from Youers. Full review coming to Cemetery Dance!
February 2, 2021
Exciting! Lola On Fire was a great non-stop action thriller with incredible plotting.
Read the blurb or description for Lola On Fire and you will know exactly what you're getting into. Part all-action chapters that you can visualize like they're a movie scene, part an emotional underdog story of a badass family, and part a mysterious and suspenseful unraveling of the character Lola Bear.
What I love about books like this is that you know that every single aspect is being set up meticulously for a huge explosive ending. That's exactly what I wanted and exactly what I got, and I couldn't put it down once I neared the final seventy-five pages. The fight scenes are deliberate in the way we are getting a war between our four "main" characters (Brody, Lola, Jimmy, Blair). I loved the deliberations we got between both sides of the battlefield of how they were trying to outmaneuver their opponents no matter how immoral, those chapters especially were so fun to read.
I don't have much of any complaints, I could see this easily being a book trilogy possibly? Lots of room to possibly emplace a series, and I for one would definitely be somebody ready to buy a second book!
Read the blurb or description for Lola On Fire and you will know exactly what you're getting into. Part all-action chapters that you can visualize like they're a movie scene, part an emotional underdog story of a badass family, and part a mysterious and suspenseful unraveling of the character Lola Bear.
What I love about books like this is that you know that every single aspect is being set up meticulously for a huge explosive ending. That's exactly what I wanted and exactly what I got, and I couldn't put it down once I neared the final seventy-five pages. The fight scenes are deliberate in the way we are getting a war between our four "main" characters (Brody, Lola, Jimmy, Blair). I loved the deliberations we got between both sides of the battlefield of how they were trying to outmaneuver their opponents no matter how immoral, those chapters especially were so fun to read.
I don't have much of any complaints, I could see this easily being a book trilogy possibly? Lots of room to possibly emplace a series, and I for one would definitely be somebody ready to buy a second book!
January 18, 2021
A dark, fast-paced thriller
Brody Ellis has lost his job: desperate for cash to pay rent and to help take care of his younger sister, he robs a gas station. On his way out, he bumps into a woman. It's only once he's home that the realizes he's lost his wallet. He's waiting for the cops to arrest him when he receives a call. A woman named Blair Mayo, the one whom he ran into, has the wallet. She'll return it if he'll do something in return: steal her late mother's diamonds from her father's hateful new wife. But when Brody executes Blair's plan, he finds something else: a murdered woman and a security camera watching his every move. After he flees, slipping in blood, Blair tells him someone has already taken care of the footage. The woman's husband, the notorious mobster Jimmy Latzo. But he wants his own special revenge on Brody (and his sister, Molly, by default). The two flee, with the mob hot on their tail, and get caught up in a tangled web that involves Jimmy, Blair, and a woman named Lola Bear who came up against Jimmy years ago.
This book was amazing: completely raw, emotional, and brutal. Reading it felt like watching a "shoot 'em up" movie (one with a little heart, though). It's gory and dark, so if you're not able to handle some blood and violence, this read isn't for you. However, I found it nearly impossible to put down. I was completely invested in Brody, Molly, and Lola. This book weaves a tangled web, and I was there for every little spin.
It was honestly great to read a book where there's a pretty clear delineation between "good versus bad." Still, the story is certainly complex, filled with deep emotions and complex familial tensions, but you always know who to root for. It takes your mind off things (aka real life) for a bit.
Overall, I really enjoyed this one. I love violent movies, where the good guys are good and the bad guys really bad. It was fun seeing that translated into a book. I also loved the rawness of this book and the underlying tenderness that accompanied it. It's a fast, dark read. 4.5 stars.
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and William Morrow / Custom House in return for an unbiased review. It releases in the U.S. on 2/16/2021.
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Brody Ellis has lost his job: desperate for cash to pay rent and to help take care of his younger sister, he robs a gas station. On his way out, he bumps into a woman. It's only once he's home that the realizes he's lost his wallet. He's waiting for the cops to arrest him when he receives a call. A woman named Blair Mayo, the one whom he ran into, has the wallet. She'll return it if he'll do something in return: steal her late mother's diamonds from her father's hateful new wife. But when Brody executes Blair's plan, he finds something else: a murdered woman and a security camera watching his every move. After he flees, slipping in blood, Blair tells him someone has already taken care of the footage. The woman's husband, the notorious mobster Jimmy Latzo. But he wants his own special revenge on Brody (and his sister, Molly, by default). The two flee, with the mob hot on their tail, and get caught up in a tangled web that involves Jimmy, Blair, and a woman named Lola Bear who came up against Jimmy years ago.
This book was amazing: completely raw, emotional, and brutal. Reading it felt like watching a "shoot 'em up" movie (one with a little heart, though). It's gory and dark, so if you're not able to handle some blood and violence, this read isn't for you. However, I found it nearly impossible to put down. I was completely invested in Brody, Molly, and Lola. This book weaves a tangled web, and I was there for every little spin.
It was honestly great to read a book where there's a pretty clear delineation between "good versus bad." Still, the story is certainly complex, filled with deep emotions and complex familial tensions, but you always know who to root for. It takes your mind off things (aka real life) for a bit.
Overall, I really enjoyed this one. I love violent movies, where the good guys are good and the bad guys really bad. It was fun seeing that translated into a book. I also loved the rawness of this book and the underlying tenderness that accompanied it. It's a fast, dark read. 4.5 stars.
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and William Morrow / Custom House in return for an unbiased review. It releases in the U.S. on 2/16/2021.
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April 20, 2021
Lola on Fire was simply an explosion of a book! I heard it compared to John Wick, and in a hot second I was there for it. Let me tell you, it did not disappoint.
We are introduced to Brody, who has possibly the worst luck of any character you've ever met. Or does he? Life has always kicked poor underachieving Brody in the balls, but lately it seems like it's more than a few underachieving missteps keeping him and his sister Molly down and out.
Now we meet Blair, who works for a mobster named Jimmy Latso, ready to take full advantage of Brody's desperation. Ooh, how we love to hate this young woman and the thug, Jimmy, who's raised her to do his sick bidding.
What results is a terribly dysfunctional "partnership" grown out of betrayal and manipulation, as everything seems to point back to a badass of a woman named Lola. How does it all tie together? Strap in for one helluva ride and find out!
If you like hard and non-stop action, despicable characters and dark twisty turns on every page, then Lola On Fire should be high on your to-read list. Be sure to grab it and read it soon, because I have no doubt a movie studio is going to grab this wild ride and fuel it up for the big screen asap!
A special thanks to Harper Audio and NetGalley who honored me with a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
We are introduced to Brody, who has possibly the worst luck of any character you've ever met. Or does he? Life has always kicked poor underachieving Brody in the balls, but lately it seems like it's more than a few underachieving missteps keeping him and his sister Molly down and out.
Now we meet Blair, who works for a mobster named Jimmy Latso, ready to take full advantage of Brody's desperation. Ooh, how we love to hate this young woman and the thug, Jimmy, who's raised her to do his sick bidding.
What results is a terribly dysfunctional "partnership" grown out of betrayal and manipulation, as everything seems to point back to a badass of a woman named Lola. How does it all tie together? Strap in for one helluva ride and find out!
If you like hard and non-stop action, despicable characters and dark twisty turns on every page, then Lola On Fire should be high on your to-read list. Be sure to grab it and read it soon, because I have no doubt a movie studio is going to grab this wild ride and fuel it up for the big screen asap!
A special thanks to Harper Audio and NetGalley who honored me with a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
August 6, 2021
25 years earlier Lola Bear had left Jimmy Latzo for dead having exacted revenge after Jimmy had killed her lover. Jimmy, however, hadn’t died. Recovering from his almost fatal injuries , he is now ready to get back at Lola if only he can find her. I really hated the mindless high octane shoot ‘em up that was the prologue, and also hated the final high octane showdown at the end of the book. I really never get much from that kind of thing. What was the bulk of the story, however, the part that was sandwiched between those two things, was a real joy to read. It’s a pacey thriller with subtle twists and a hell of lot of good characterization. The Blair Mayo character stands out as one of the most memorable ones in recent memory. An enjoyable read!
March 9, 2021
3.5⭐! If you love crime action movies, this is definitely for you. This was non stop action all the way through. This honestly would make a great movie!!
Brody Ellis needs cash to pay for his sister's medication. He's desperate, and decides to rob a convenience store. On the way out he bumps into a woman and drops his wallet. Then when she gets ahold of him, she blackmails him to do something for her. When he does this, he realizes he's been framed. It's one thing after another in this one. There is also a lot of violence, which isn't one of my favorite things! But I do think people who love action packed reads should check this one out!
Thank you to the publisher for the gifted copy! All opinions are my own!
Brody Ellis needs cash to pay for his sister's medication. He's desperate, and decides to rob a convenience store. On the way out he bumps into a woman and drops his wallet. Then when she gets ahold of him, she blackmails him to do something for her. When he does this, he realizes he's been framed. It's one thing after another in this one. There is also a lot of violence, which isn't one of my favorite things! But I do think people who love action packed reads should check this one out!
Thank you to the publisher for the gifted copy! All opinions are my own!
March 18, 2021
Oh snap! Brody Ellis just wanted to get some money to buy his sister, Molly’s medication. Desperate and seeing no way out he attempts to hold up a convenience store but things go downhill very quickly. Soon Brody and Molly are on the run from a deranged gangster and his devious assistant. What?! Why?! So begins Lola on Fire by Rio Youers.
The blurbs on the back cover compare this novel to Killing Eve, or the Keanu Reeves John Wick series of films. And yes, Lola on Fire is fast-paced and fun, but honestly it is nowhere near as fun as it thinks it is. In this way it is like your neighbor’s precocious toddler’s singing. Sure their rendition of the Starland Vocal Band’s Afternoon Delight is cute and incredibly inappropriate, but there is no way on God’s Earth that they are good enough to ever get past round one of American Idol. Signing a major record deal? Ha! Sorry kid, but your best case scenario as a singer is a career working in ramshackle lounges across the Midwest where weary businessmen play grab-ass and all the furniture is stained yellow from cigarette smoke and despair.
Author Youers has been given no help from his publisher who inconceivably spill the beans of what happens in the first third of the book on the inside jacket description. Over a hundred pages can now be skipped. The plotting and action is workmanlike and would fit in well on a CBS procedural from the 1980’s. Like a well-tended comb over, Lola on Fire does its job. It may even bring some moments of lighthearted thrills and entertainment. But on closer inspection you can see that this story is just abnormally long neck hair swirled around a shiny balding area.
The blurbs on the back cover compare this novel to Killing Eve, or the Keanu Reeves John Wick series of films. And yes, Lola on Fire is fast-paced and fun, but honestly it is nowhere near as fun as it thinks it is. In this way it is like your neighbor’s precocious toddler’s singing. Sure their rendition of the Starland Vocal Band’s Afternoon Delight is cute and incredibly inappropriate, but there is no way on God’s Earth that they are good enough to ever get past round one of American Idol. Signing a major record deal? Ha! Sorry kid, but your best case scenario as a singer is a career working in ramshackle lounges across the Midwest where weary businessmen play grab-ass and all the furniture is stained yellow from cigarette smoke and despair.
Author Youers has been given no help from his publisher who inconceivably spill the beans of what happens in the first third of the book on the inside jacket description. Over a hundred pages can now be skipped. The plotting and action is workmanlike and would fit in well on a CBS procedural from the 1980’s. Like a well-tended comb over, Lola on Fire does its job. It may even bring some moments of lighthearted thrills and entertainment. But on closer inspection you can see that this story is just abnormally long neck hair swirled around a shiny balding area.
October 11, 2025
I really enjoyed this. The pacing, the characters and the structure of how the book was written was pitch perfect for me. Loved Lola and Brody. Lola was truly badass and I do have a soft spot for that kind of character. I had not read this author’s work until reading his short story in The End of the World as we Know it, stories from Stephen king’s The Stand universe and his was by far my favourite of the stories, so I had immediately downloaded several of his books on my kindle. Happily, I wasn’t disappointed and look forward to reading more.
February 16, 2021
LOLA ON FIRE - by Rio Youers
Source: NetGalley/Audiobook Review
Publisher: HarperAudio
Scheduled To Release: February 16, 2021
Have you ever said to yourself, after reading a book that encompasses all the feels, ‘How in the world can I do this book justice in a review?’ LOLA ON FIRE is that book for me, at this moment.
Youers’ writing pulled me in immediately with the action, then slowly tightened up on my heartstrings and refused to let go until the very end.
I want to share an enticing tidbit without revealing too much, so here goes: Lola is essentially the female version of John Wick; in other words, Bad A##, and her nemesis?
Well…No spoilers. ;)
Like the movie I referenced above, LOLA ON FIRE is more than tension-filled gun fighting throughout; there's more to the story, A lot more. I will let you discover these gems on your own, but I will say, at its core, it's about love, loss, family, friends, sacrifice, and forgiveness.
‘Empathy is a valuable resource when it comes to forgiveness.’
My Thoughts About:
Narration
The narration enhanced my reading experience from the very beginning, delivering heartfelt moments that brought tears to my eyes, the tension so thick through sinister inflection coated with calm from the red lips of one foe, had me eagerly waiting—anticipating— for that moment when calm meets the firestorm.
Jim Meskimen brought life and emotion to all of the characters in a distinct voice; each is discernible from one another, which is no easy task when the cast is so varied.
Pacing/Flow
The pacing of an audiobook is a tricky thing. In this reader's opinion, I find that I tend to speed up the narration in all the audiobooks I listen to, except for a narrator who has a thick accent, then I slow it down a bit from my norm.
The flow and pacing of the narration are perfect. I have hearing loss in both ears, so the ability to speed up or slow down an audiobook helps tremendously.
Brief Overview Of The Story:
When life deals Brody Ellis with a lousy hand, he finds himself in need of cash to buy the medication his sister Molly needs, so he robs a convenience store. As he flees the scene, he bumps into a young woman and loses his wallet.
Expecting the police to arrive on his doorstep at any moment, he gets a phone call from Blair Mayo, the woman he bumped into; she has his missing billfold. If he wants it back, he has to do something for her, first: steal her late mother’s diamonds from her wicked stepmonster.
When Brody enters Blair’s house, he soon discovers that he’s just walked smack dab in the middle of a gruesome crime scene, in front of a security camera. Brody knows he’s been framed.
After arriving back at home, Brody gets another call from Blaire, who tells him her mobster father, Jimmy Latzo, won’t provide the security footage to the police because he wants exact his own kind of revenge.
Highly Recommend!
Overall: 5.0/5.0 Stars
Performance: 5.0/5.0 Stars
Story: 5.0/5.0 Stars
Thank you, NetGalley and HarperAudio Publishing, for loaning me an Audiobook of LOLA ON FIRE in exchange for an honest review.
Source: NetGalley/Audiobook Review
Publisher: HarperAudio
Scheduled To Release: February 16, 2021
Have you ever said to yourself, after reading a book that encompasses all the feels, ‘How in the world can I do this book justice in a review?’ LOLA ON FIRE is that book for me, at this moment.
Youers’ writing pulled me in immediately with the action, then slowly tightened up on my heartstrings and refused to let go until the very end.
I want to share an enticing tidbit without revealing too much, so here goes: Lola is essentially the female version of John Wick; in other words, Bad A##, and her nemesis?
Well…No spoilers. ;)
Like the movie I referenced above, LOLA ON FIRE is more than tension-filled gun fighting throughout; there's more to the story, A lot more. I will let you discover these gems on your own, but I will say, at its core, it's about love, loss, family, friends, sacrifice, and forgiveness.
‘Empathy is a valuable resource when it comes to forgiveness.’
My Thoughts About:
Narration
The narration enhanced my reading experience from the very beginning, delivering heartfelt moments that brought tears to my eyes, the tension so thick through sinister inflection coated with calm from the red lips of one foe, had me eagerly waiting—anticipating— for that moment when calm meets the firestorm.
Jim Meskimen brought life and emotion to all of the characters in a distinct voice; each is discernible from one another, which is no easy task when the cast is so varied.
Pacing/Flow
The pacing of an audiobook is a tricky thing. In this reader's opinion, I find that I tend to speed up the narration in all the audiobooks I listen to, except for a narrator who has a thick accent, then I slow it down a bit from my norm.
The flow and pacing of the narration are perfect. I have hearing loss in both ears, so the ability to speed up or slow down an audiobook helps tremendously.
Brief Overview Of The Story:
When life deals Brody Ellis with a lousy hand, he finds himself in need of cash to buy the medication his sister Molly needs, so he robs a convenience store. As he flees the scene, he bumps into a young woman and loses his wallet.
Expecting the police to arrive on his doorstep at any moment, he gets a phone call from Blair Mayo, the woman he bumped into; she has his missing billfold. If he wants it back, he has to do something for her, first: steal her late mother’s diamonds from her wicked stepmonster.
When Brody enters Blair’s house, he soon discovers that he’s just walked smack dab in the middle of a gruesome crime scene, in front of a security camera. Brody knows he’s been framed.
After arriving back at home, Brody gets another call from Blaire, who tells him her mobster father, Jimmy Latzo, won’t provide the security footage to the police because he wants exact his own kind of revenge.
Highly Recommend!
Overall: 5.0/5.0 Stars
Performance: 5.0/5.0 Stars
Story: 5.0/5.0 Stars
Thank you, NetGalley and HarperAudio Publishing, for loaning me an Audiobook of LOLA ON FIRE in exchange for an honest review.
November 9, 2020
There is a quote on the back cover of LOLA ON FIRE saying that it's a wild, relentless read, but for me, that pins a sort of cocaine-fuelled WOLF OF WALL STREET vibe onto it, an overbearing feeling that really doesn't do it much justice.
This one has a big heart running all the way through, and there's not just one story going on here either. Every character has one to tell, and you'll be rooting for more than one of them. I guarantee it.
Rio's writing is always great.
The action never feels over the top.
The pacing is spot on.
Everything feels just right.
I've said it before, but it's only a matter of time before one of Rio's books hits the big screen. This could well be the one, and hopefully the starter for many more. His back catalogue is something else. I talk about his work all the time.
I'm also delighted to hear that Jim Meskimen is voicing the audiobook of this. I've been a fan of his impressions for a good few years now. Check him out on YouTube. He's incredible.
My most anticipated read of next year came early. I feel so very fortunate to have received this ARC.
It didn't disappoint.
Look out for LOLA ON FIRE in February 2021.
Add it to your TBR list now.
5 stars all the way.
This one has a big heart running all the way through, and there's not just one story going on here either. Every character has one to tell, and you'll be rooting for more than one of them. I guarantee it.
Rio's writing is always great.
The action never feels over the top.
The pacing is spot on.
Everything feels just right.
I've said it before, but it's only a matter of time before one of Rio's books hits the big screen. This could well be the one, and hopefully the starter for many more. His back catalogue is something else. I talk about his work all the time.
I'm also delighted to hear that Jim Meskimen is voicing the audiobook of this. I've been a fan of his impressions for a good few years now. Check him out on YouTube. He's incredible.
My most anticipated read of next year came early. I feel so very fortunate to have received this ARC.
It didn't disappoint.
Look out for LOLA ON FIRE in February 2021.
Add it to your TBR list now.
5 stars all the way.
April 6, 2022
Man, I loved this book by Youers. Just non-stop pacing, pulse-quickening action, lots of great characters that are easy to root for (or to hate), and barrels and barrels of violence that are a hundred percent appropriate for this kind of thrill-ride.
I'd read a couple others by Youers, but this one is a different beast simply because it's just balls-to-the-wall from the first page to the last. Think I read it in 3 sittings, and it's a decent-size novel.
On one hand, part of me wants more LOLA, but on the other hand these characters have been put through so much you kinda just want them to find peace (that said, a sequel would be fire).
Thanks for the great read, Rio, can't wait to pick up the new one. Highly recommended for fans of crime thrillers, especially in the vein of S.A. Cosby, Michael Koryta, et al.
I'd read a couple others by Youers, but this one is a different beast simply because it's just balls-to-the-wall from the first page to the last. Think I read it in 3 sittings, and it's a decent-size novel.
On one hand, part of me wants more LOLA, but on the other hand these characters have been put through so much you kinda just want them to find peace (that said, a sequel would be fire).
Thanks for the great read, Rio, can't wait to pick up the new one. Highly recommended for fans of crime thrillers, especially in the vein of S.A. Cosby, Michael Koryta, et al.
March 2, 2021
Rating: 8.0/10
Thanks to the publisher and author for a copy of Lola on Fire for review consideration. This did not influence my thoughts or opinions.
Lola on Fire is a pedal to the medal, pulse-pounding crime caper turned action thriller that was as explosive as it was heartwarming. I’m always down for what Youers brings to the table and this one was no exception.
I have been a fan of Rio Youers for a while now, having devoured some of his more recent novels like Westlake Soul, The Forgotten Girl, and Halcyon as soon as copies were in my possession. He has a penchant for bringing the reader directly into the story on page one and having you emotionally involved with the characters seamlessly. On top of that, his stories are some of the most original I’ve read and quite unputdownable.
With Lola on Fire, while we have seen crime capers/action thrillers with BA male and female protagonists, this one just felt different; and it could be the way in which Youers framed the story. While the reader becomes familiar with Lola in the onset, the main storyline actually revolves around Brody Ellis and the absolute mess he has gotten himself into: the robbery, the frame job, and, well, the fact that he is now running away from a mobster with little to no cash and his sister. How in the world do they actually expect to get out of their predicament?
This was a very straight-forward thriller, unlike some of the author’s previous works that took a little bit of imagination and perhaps some re-read pages. It was also a bit more cinematic which kept the adrenaline up and allowed for continued engagement with the story; it read more like a movie, one with a quicker pace that allowed for a faster read (if that makes any sense). It also helped that I felt an instantaneous connection with Brody, especially through the struggles he and his sister endure on the daily. While he doesn’t like the prototypical “savior” type at the beginning, he does some very quick growing up as they put rubber to the streets across the states.
All in all, if you enjoy action packed thrillers that are more on the crime side of things, this is an excellent grab from one of my favorite authors.
Thanks to the publisher and author for a copy of Lola on Fire for review consideration. This did not influence my thoughts or opinions.
Lola on Fire is a pedal to the medal, pulse-pounding crime caper turned action thriller that was as explosive as it was heartwarming. I’m always down for what Youers brings to the table and this one was no exception.
I have been a fan of Rio Youers for a while now, having devoured some of his more recent novels like Westlake Soul, The Forgotten Girl, and Halcyon as soon as copies were in my possession. He has a penchant for bringing the reader directly into the story on page one and having you emotionally involved with the characters seamlessly. On top of that, his stories are some of the most original I’ve read and quite unputdownable.
With Lola on Fire, while we have seen crime capers/action thrillers with BA male and female protagonists, this one just felt different; and it could be the way in which Youers framed the story. While the reader becomes familiar with Lola in the onset, the main storyline actually revolves around Brody Ellis and the absolute mess he has gotten himself into: the robbery, the frame job, and, well, the fact that he is now running away from a mobster with little to no cash and his sister. How in the world do they actually expect to get out of their predicament?
This was a very straight-forward thriller, unlike some of the author’s previous works that took a little bit of imagination and perhaps some re-read pages. It was also a bit more cinematic which kept the adrenaline up and allowed for continued engagement with the story; it read more like a movie, one with a quicker pace that allowed for a faster read (if that makes any sense). It also helped that I felt an instantaneous connection with Brody, especially through the struggles he and his sister endure on the daily. While he doesn’t like the prototypical “savior” type at the beginning, he does some very quick growing up as they put rubber to the streets across the states.
All in all, if you enjoy action packed thrillers that are more on the crime side of things, this is an excellent grab from one of my favorite authors.
December 4, 2020
I have received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Honestly, the synopsis mentioned John freaking Wick - so I had to get Lola on Fire. Anything that will remind me of those awesome movies or amazing character, I'm down. I don't care if it's good or not, I will read it with zero hesitation.
Luckily for me, I LOVED this book. Maybe loved isn't the right word for how I felt while listening to this wonderful ARC but that's the word I'm going with. So much happens from the very beginning until the very last second. Lola was a complete bad ass through and through.
Then there's Brody and Molly. Both were completely likable but I felt bad for them SO many times. I get it, they were pawns in this huge cluster of a hot mess but I still ended up feeling bad for them. With each twist and turn, I was on the edge of my seat for this entire book. I loved how people helped these two along the way because they just weren't expecting all of that.
In the end, I definitely look forward to my next book by Rio!
Honestly, the synopsis mentioned John freaking Wick - so I had to get Lola on Fire. Anything that will remind me of those awesome movies or amazing character, I'm down. I don't care if it's good or not, I will read it with zero hesitation.
Luckily for me, I LOVED this book. Maybe loved isn't the right word for how I felt while listening to this wonderful ARC but that's the word I'm going with. So much happens from the very beginning until the very last second. Lola was a complete bad ass through and through.
Then there's Brody and Molly. Both were completely likable but I felt bad for them SO many times. I get it, they were pawns in this huge cluster of a hot mess but I still ended up feeling bad for them. With each twist and turn, I was on the edge of my seat for this entire book. I loved how people helped these two along the way because they just weren't expecting all of that.
In the end, I definitely look forward to my next book by Rio!
January 30, 2021
In 1993, mobster Lola Bear attempts to settle a score with Jimmy Latzo following the murder of her lover. Unfortunately, she underestimates Jimmy and leaves him alive, albeit gravely injured. Now, 25 years later, Jimmy is finally close to getting his revenge.
This is bad news for Brody and his sister, Molly, who, in the years since their father's suicide, have been barely making end's meet. After a desperate convenience store robbery, Brody finds himself sucked into an even worse crime and set-up as a patsy as he's dragged deeper into the criminal underworld and a decades-old feud that just might cost him and his sister their lives.
Lola on Fire is one hell of an action-packed crime thriller, and Rio Youers hits the ground running right from page one. Our introduction to Lola is an intense and violent all-out assault that involves plenty of wicked gunplay and even some heated flamethrower action! It's a grandly exciting opener that really establishes Lola's bonafides as a not-to-be-messed-with, bad-ass woman. It also makes you salivate for more crazy Lola action!
And this is where my one big complaint comes in, but do consider this to be a modest issue within the context of an overall really good book. We're given a bit of a bait-and-switch after this opening chapter as Youers shifts focus to the present-day and Lola disappears for rather a very long time. Lola, for the most part, becomes the book's central MacGuffin throughout much of the first half of the book, motivating and pushing the characters. The real focus of Lola on Fire is on Brody and his entanglements with the Latzo crime family as he and Molly are forced to run for their lives with the bad guys constantly nipping at their heels.
While I'll be the first to admit that I absolutely, positively wanted more Lola, Brody's story is pretty damn interesting (even if, like Jimmy Latzo, I found myself getting a bit frustrated wondering where the hell is Lola?!). He does dumb things, driven by hopelessness and the earnest desire to protect his disabled sister and keep a roof over their head. He's easy to root for and, despite his questionable choices, it's pretty clear he's not a bad guy, especially not in comparison to the actually bad guys who are after him. He's just a schmuck in over his head and as much a target of opportunity as the convenience store he robs with a fake gun.
You want to see Brody worm his way out from under Jimmy Latzo's thumb, even as it becomes more than clear that won't be an easy job. Latzo's a raving, murderous psychotic, but it's his brainy, beautiful underling, Blair, who's the real problem. She's got the smarts and runs Latzo's operations with finely tuned perfection, always one step ahead of everyfreakingbody. Blair, in fact, quite nearly steals the whole show here with her brains, schemes, and manipulations to put everyone where she wants them to be with clockwork precision in order to get what she wants. She's an awesome character, and the perfect counterweight to Lola, once the now-50ish killer makes her grand reappearance in the book's latter half.
That Youers is able to craft such a bright, exciting, and deeply satisfying crime caper isn't much of a surprise, given how adeptly he handled the criminal enterprises underpinning the operations of Mother Moon's cult in his previous horror thriller, Halcyon. Still, it's nice to see him flex his authorial muscles and go all-in on a standalone action-crime caper. Youers's writing is brisk, cinematic, and the story charges full speed ahead, right from the get-go. And while, yes, I wanted more Lola than we actually got, when she is on the page, her scenes absolutely rock, whether its a more emotional beat or a frenetic beatdown of some heavyweight mobster, she's just such a well-constructed joy to read about. Linda Hamilton might want to get her agent on the line.
This is bad news for Brody and his sister, Molly, who, in the years since their father's suicide, have been barely making end's meet. After a desperate convenience store robbery, Brody finds himself sucked into an even worse crime and set-up as a patsy as he's dragged deeper into the criminal underworld and a decades-old feud that just might cost him and his sister their lives.
Lola on Fire is one hell of an action-packed crime thriller, and Rio Youers hits the ground running right from page one. Our introduction to Lola is an intense and violent all-out assault that involves plenty of wicked gunplay and even some heated flamethrower action! It's a grandly exciting opener that really establishes Lola's bonafides as a not-to-be-messed-with, bad-ass woman. It also makes you salivate for more crazy Lola action!
And this is where my one big complaint comes in, but do consider this to be a modest issue within the context of an overall really good book. We're given a bit of a bait-and-switch after this opening chapter as Youers shifts focus to the present-day and Lola disappears for rather a very long time. Lola, for the most part, becomes the book's central MacGuffin throughout much of the first half of the book, motivating and pushing the characters. The real focus of Lola on Fire is on Brody and his entanglements with the Latzo crime family as he and Molly are forced to run for their lives with the bad guys constantly nipping at their heels.
While I'll be the first to admit that I absolutely, positively wanted more Lola, Brody's story is pretty damn interesting (even if, like Jimmy Latzo, I found myself getting a bit frustrated wondering where the hell is Lola?!). He does dumb things, driven by hopelessness and the earnest desire to protect his disabled sister and keep a roof over their head. He's easy to root for and, despite his questionable choices, it's pretty clear he's not a bad guy, especially not in comparison to the actually bad guys who are after him. He's just a schmuck in over his head and as much a target of opportunity as the convenience store he robs with a fake gun.
You want to see Brody worm his way out from under Jimmy Latzo's thumb, even as it becomes more than clear that won't be an easy job. Latzo's a raving, murderous psychotic, but it's his brainy, beautiful underling, Blair, who's the real problem. She's got the smarts and runs Latzo's operations with finely tuned perfection, always one step ahead of everyfreakingbody. Blair, in fact, quite nearly steals the whole show here with her brains, schemes, and manipulations to put everyone where she wants them to be with clockwork precision in order to get what she wants. She's an awesome character, and the perfect counterweight to Lola, once the now-50ish killer makes her grand reappearance in the book's latter half.
That Youers is able to craft such a bright, exciting, and deeply satisfying crime caper isn't much of a surprise, given how adeptly he handled the criminal enterprises underpinning the operations of Mother Moon's cult in his previous horror thriller, Halcyon. Still, it's nice to see him flex his authorial muscles and go all-in on a standalone action-crime caper. Youers's writing is brisk, cinematic, and the story charges full speed ahead, right from the get-go. And while, yes, I wanted more Lola than we actually got, when she is on the page, her scenes absolutely rock, whether its a more emotional beat or a frenetic beatdown of some heavyweight mobster, she's just such a well-constructed joy to read about. Linda Hamilton might want to get her agent on the line.
January 12, 2021
I usually prefer psychological thrillers, but this crime thriller caught me from the first shoot-em-up scene and kept me turning pages through to the big bang ending. It is a fast-paced read full of colorful characters--both good and bad guys--and a great plot.
Brody Ellis is down on his luck and needs money to pay his debts and pay for his sister Molly's medications. He makes his first bad decision when he decides to rob a convenience store. He loses his wallet at the convenience store when he runs into a woman as he is making his escape. The woman, Blair, turns out to be the daughter of the notorious gangster, Jimmy Latzo. Blair has Brody's wallet and will return it only if Brody steals her late mother's diamonds from her evil stepmother. Brody agrees, but when he gets to the house he finds the stepmother brutally murdered and a security camera recording his every move; Blair has framed him for the murder. Brody and Molly go on the run to escape Jimmy's vengeance and continue to make bad decisions at every turn but they somehow keep one step ahead of certain death.
This book is a wild ride across the U.S. as Brody and Molly look for someone who can help them stay hidden. Along the way they discover secrets about their family and learn the skills necessary for survival. This is an enjoyable read and I recommend it for those who enjoy a good thriller.
Thank you NetGalley and William Morrow for an Advance Reader's Copy of this book. It goes on sale February 16, 2021.
Brody Ellis is down on his luck and needs money to pay his debts and pay for his sister Molly's medications. He makes his first bad decision when he decides to rob a convenience store. He loses his wallet at the convenience store when he runs into a woman as he is making his escape. The woman, Blair, turns out to be the daughter of the notorious gangster, Jimmy Latzo. Blair has Brody's wallet and will return it only if Brody steals her late mother's diamonds from her evil stepmother. Brody agrees, but when he gets to the house he finds the stepmother brutally murdered and a security camera recording his every move; Blair has framed him for the murder. Brody and Molly go on the run to escape Jimmy's vengeance and continue to make bad decisions at every turn but they somehow keep one step ahead of certain death.
This book is a wild ride across the U.S. as Brody and Molly look for someone who can help them stay hidden. Along the way they discover secrets about their family and learn the skills necessary for survival. This is an enjoyable read and I recommend it for those who enjoy a good thriller.
Thank you NetGalley and William Morrow for an Advance Reader's Copy of this book. It goes on sale February 16, 2021.
April 10, 2021
My podcast interview with Rio...
https://youtu.be/4FzdZeetfYY
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast...
This is my fourth Rio Youers novel, and he has now achieved with me a very important status. As an author, he has become his own genre and one I am willing to follow anywhere. My first experience was his beautifully weird debut novel Westlake Soul. That novel is about a champion surfer who transcends his body after an accident. It is a sorta modern sarcastic Johnny Got His Gun. It is a slow burn but a perfect showcase of his talent and I was sold.
Youers took a few years to work his way into the mainstream and his first novel with a major publishing house was one of my top read of 2017. The Forgotten Girl is a weird crime thriller that pleasantly paid stylish homage to psi-thrillers like John Farris’ The Fury or King’s Firestarter. That is just the plot, but it is the characters and the easy flow of the pages that made this weird crime thriller a must-read.
Youers third novel Halcyon didn’t work quite as well for me but it cemented for me what we are getting are novels like great popcorn flicks by an arthouse director. That third novel seemed like a thriller about a cult on the surface but it was a pretty neat exploration of trauma. Don’t get me wrong I liked this novel but compared to the strength of The Forgotten Girl and now Lola on Fire it just didn’t floor me.
OK, enough history lesson we are here to talk about Lola on Fire. The blurb on the front cover invoked John Wick a movie I loved, but besides that, the title and the strength of the author I went into this reading experience knowing nothing. I avoided reading blurbs, dustjacket anything, and opened this book knowing as little as I could.
So if you trust me enough let me just say this thriller is worth a read by any measure. I read this 400 pages in three days, while still managing to get stuff done in my life. The characters are so rich that you will be sucked in and you will find pages flying past. The action is great, the story engrossing and it is one that on paper doesn’t sound that appealing to me but that didn’t matter.
By that I mean, I read science fiction and horror because I like mind-expanding concepts and ideas. I like with authors can write real and extraordinary characters in weird settings. There is absolutely nothing special about the plot of this book. Normally I would think it was a great idea for a movie probably starring Charlize Theron who seems to do the insane action movies well. That may sound like an insult but Youers proves here that does matter if you focus on the right things.
A story doesn’t have to have something you never have seen before if it is well told. That is 500 words before I get into the nuts and bolts of this novel. This is a revenge story, and it would be fair to say it is a gender-flipped John Wick. Comparisons to Kill Bill and Killing Eve seem less fair to me but you will see them. Lola Bear is a character who through a set of circumstances, namely her war hero grandpa and the gangster who recruited her at a young age has become a legendary killer. The story opens in 1993 when Lola burns down that gangster’s empire. This prologue is great and feels part Elmore Leonard / Part Kill Bill.
“I mean I’m Jimmy Fucking Latzo. I don’t lose. You fucking know that. And geuss what, baby doll…you tried to bring me down-fucking end me- I brought you down. The unstoppable Lola Bear. I’m going to go from legendary to godlike.”
And if he killed her, he probably would. It didn’t matter that his army was torn apart and his house in ashes; killing Lola Bear would add considerably to his resume.”
For this reader who didn’t know the plot came 100 pages of reading with new characters and I was not sure how they connected. The style of the prologue doesn't push through with the change in characters, and story wise that made sense. That said the opening is probably the most fun part of the book. Because I didn't read about the plot I was wondering how these characters connected but I trusted Youers and I am glad I did. Eventually, it is clear these new characters Brody and Molly are Lola’s children. After their father’s murder, and their mother leaving them they are struggling to survive. Brody is coming to the conclusion that crime might be the only way out.
Holding up a liquor store was his first step into crime and it backfires. The next steps in the plot are a bit of a stretch until you figure who is pulling the strings. Brody and Molly are forced to run and the only person who can save them their mom. If only they can find her and deal with the War that would bring.
Minor spoilers from here on…
One crazy thing is my hometown of Bloomington Indiana is one of the locations the characters travel to and one of the most important scenes of the book takes place in the park where I played basketball growing up. It is a scene when Renee a family member Brody and Molly tracked down tells them the truth and finally convinces them of the depth of the trouble they are in, and the level of killer their mother was.
“It was a set-up, Brody. Jimmy is using you to find Mom.”
While everything in this scene is elaborate it is unrolled in a way that works. This is a hard narrative trick not every scene of exposition can be smooth. Brody could come off in this scene like a moron, but instead, Youers did a wonderful job of making me feel sorry for Brody and Molly.
I want to give a compliment to this novel that may sound like an insult. Lola on Fire is an action movie more than it is a novel. Rio plays power cords like any good writer but the notes he effectively hits are the stuff of movies more than novels. In this case that is perfect because the bottom line is always, always the story.
Blair who sets up Brody is the new Lola, in her job and training. She is the hot young replacement with that one thing that makes her more dangerous. Her ability to plan and stay one step ahead. She and Lola are like two cars driving full speed toward each other in the same lane. We know they will collide and in the end, the only advantage Lola has is what she became free of Jimmy.
She is a mother.
This leads to my favorite part of the whole book when Brody gets Molly to safety and tells her he has to go back. On page 339 of this narrative, I was conflicted reading. Wanting to yell at the book, get out of their Brody, but knowing he had to go. Why? Because Jimmy Latzo is a perfect action movie bad guy. Ruthless beyond reason who wanted to hurt their mother more than he wanted all the money and power in the world.
“His eye drifted back to the drop of blood on the hood. It had lost its shape, but not its color – its redness. And it was no longer just his mom’s blood. It was his dad’s, Renee’s, and Karl Janko’s. It was every drop of blood that Jimmy had ever spilled. It was every vile he’d done.”
He could return to the farm with Molly, leave his mother to die in pain, but he would spend his life consumed by the same hated. The action films are built on the same foundation that every great story is. Anyone can stage a car chase or have Chow Yun-Fat run around with two guns killing a million people. The best action stories are built on parallels and reversals. Character arcs are even more important in stories that appear action-driven.
I suspect Rio Youers wanted this to be the action movie that played in his head. He is a novelist so that is how he told the story. All the reviews and blurbs will tell you about the action and thrills but I am happy to recommend this character-driven coming of age that has lots of bullet casings.
https://youtu.be/4FzdZeetfYY
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast...
This is my fourth Rio Youers novel, and he has now achieved with me a very important status. As an author, he has become his own genre and one I am willing to follow anywhere. My first experience was his beautifully weird debut novel Westlake Soul. That novel is about a champion surfer who transcends his body after an accident. It is a sorta modern sarcastic Johnny Got His Gun. It is a slow burn but a perfect showcase of his talent and I was sold.
Youers took a few years to work his way into the mainstream and his first novel with a major publishing house was one of my top read of 2017. The Forgotten Girl is a weird crime thriller that pleasantly paid stylish homage to psi-thrillers like John Farris’ The Fury or King’s Firestarter. That is just the plot, but it is the characters and the easy flow of the pages that made this weird crime thriller a must-read.
Youers third novel Halcyon didn’t work quite as well for me but it cemented for me what we are getting are novels like great popcorn flicks by an arthouse director. That third novel seemed like a thriller about a cult on the surface but it was a pretty neat exploration of trauma. Don’t get me wrong I liked this novel but compared to the strength of The Forgotten Girl and now Lola on Fire it just didn’t floor me.
OK, enough history lesson we are here to talk about Lola on Fire. The blurb on the front cover invoked John Wick a movie I loved, but besides that, the title and the strength of the author I went into this reading experience knowing nothing. I avoided reading blurbs, dustjacket anything, and opened this book knowing as little as I could.
So if you trust me enough let me just say this thriller is worth a read by any measure. I read this 400 pages in three days, while still managing to get stuff done in my life. The characters are so rich that you will be sucked in and you will find pages flying past. The action is great, the story engrossing and it is one that on paper doesn’t sound that appealing to me but that didn’t matter.
By that I mean, I read science fiction and horror because I like mind-expanding concepts and ideas. I like with authors can write real and extraordinary characters in weird settings. There is absolutely nothing special about the plot of this book. Normally I would think it was a great idea for a movie probably starring Charlize Theron who seems to do the insane action movies well. That may sound like an insult but Youers proves here that does matter if you focus on the right things.
A story doesn’t have to have something you never have seen before if it is well told. That is 500 words before I get into the nuts and bolts of this novel. This is a revenge story, and it would be fair to say it is a gender-flipped John Wick. Comparisons to Kill Bill and Killing Eve seem less fair to me but you will see them. Lola Bear is a character who through a set of circumstances, namely her war hero grandpa and the gangster who recruited her at a young age has become a legendary killer. The story opens in 1993 when Lola burns down that gangster’s empire. This prologue is great and feels part Elmore Leonard / Part Kill Bill.
“I mean I’m Jimmy Fucking Latzo. I don’t lose. You fucking know that. And geuss what, baby doll…you tried to bring me down-fucking end me- I brought you down. The unstoppable Lola Bear. I’m going to go from legendary to godlike.”
And if he killed her, he probably would. It didn’t matter that his army was torn apart and his house in ashes; killing Lola Bear would add considerably to his resume.”
For this reader who didn’t know the plot came 100 pages of reading with new characters and I was not sure how they connected. The style of the prologue doesn't push through with the change in characters, and story wise that made sense. That said the opening is probably the most fun part of the book. Because I didn't read about the plot I was wondering how these characters connected but I trusted Youers and I am glad I did. Eventually, it is clear these new characters Brody and Molly are Lola’s children. After their father’s murder, and their mother leaving them they are struggling to survive. Brody is coming to the conclusion that crime might be the only way out.
Holding up a liquor store was his first step into crime and it backfires. The next steps in the plot are a bit of a stretch until you figure who is pulling the strings. Brody and Molly are forced to run and the only person who can save them their mom. If only they can find her and deal with the War that would bring.
Minor spoilers from here on…
One crazy thing is my hometown of Bloomington Indiana is one of the locations the characters travel to and one of the most important scenes of the book takes place in the park where I played basketball growing up. It is a scene when Renee a family member Brody and Molly tracked down tells them the truth and finally convinces them of the depth of the trouble they are in, and the level of killer their mother was.
“It was a set-up, Brody. Jimmy is using you to find Mom.”
While everything in this scene is elaborate it is unrolled in a way that works. This is a hard narrative trick not every scene of exposition can be smooth. Brody could come off in this scene like a moron, but instead, Youers did a wonderful job of making me feel sorry for Brody and Molly.
I want to give a compliment to this novel that may sound like an insult. Lola on Fire is an action movie more than it is a novel. Rio plays power cords like any good writer but the notes he effectively hits are the stuff of movies more than novels. In this case that is perfect because the bottom line is always, always the story.
Blair who sets up Brody is the new Lola, in her job and training. She is the hot young replacement with that one thing that makes her more dangerous. Her ability to plan and stay one step ahead. She and Lola are like two cars driving full speed toward each other in the same lane. We know they will collide and in the end, the only advantage Lola has is what she became free of Jimmy.
She is a mother.
This leads to my favorite part of the whole book when Brody gets Molly to safety and tells her he has to go back. On page 339 of this narrative, I was conflicted reading. Wanting to yell at the book, get out of their Brody, but knowing he had to go. Why? Because Jimmy Latzo is a perfect action movie bad guy. Ruthless beyond reason who wanted to hurt their mother more than he wanted all the money and power in the world.
“His eye drifted back to the drop of blood on the hood. It had lost its shape, but not its color – its redness. And it was no longer just his mom’s blood. It was his dad’s, Renee’s, and Karl Janko’s. It was every drop of blood that Jimmy had ever spilled. It was every vile he’d done.”
He could return to the farm with Molly, leave his mother to die in pain, but he would spend his life consumed by the same hated. The action films are built on the same foundation that every great story is. Anyone can stage a car chase or have Chow Yun-Fat run around with two guns killing a million people. The best action stories are built on parallels and reversals. Character arcs are even more important in stories that appear action-driven.
I suspect Rio Youers wanted this to be the action movie that played in his head. He is a novelist so that is how he told the story. All the reviews and blurbs will tell you about the action and thrills but I am happy to recommend this character-driven coming of age that has lots of bullet casings.
September 3, 2024
Lola on Fire tells a not-so-original tale of a mobster's love interest/assassin/turned enemy. THANK GOD I did not read the cover copy, which literally highlights all the cool twists that occur in the first third of the book. Had I read that in advance, I would not have enjoyed the most enjoyable part of this book. After the initial page-turning third, the story slows down into a slow burn of predictable events. I'm giving this book four stars for the tight writing and strong character development. The story itself is GREAT to start out, but kind of fizzles as it moves forward with a marked a slowdown in the action.
February 25, 2021
Holy crap on a cracker! I couldn’t put this one down! And when I had to, to go to work, I was terribly upset! Nonstop action from cover to cover! That and the fact that he had one of the characters living in B-Town! I lived in Bloomington, IN for 5 years, 4 years in University and 1 year in the glorious town. Just visited this past November! “The bus depot was at the intersection of South Walnut & East Third Street.” Know right where this is! Great characters, guns, mobsters, with revenge driving one mobsters life! Who will be left standing?
November 20, 2020
This book was a combination mobster gun fight and coming of age story. The book opens with a huge gun fight and high body count. While gun fights books aren't typically my thing, I really did enjoy this one because of the other parts of the story. I found Brody and Molly likeable and I really felt sorry for them. They were in a terrible position and that made Brody make some really bad choices. I was rooting for them throughout the book. I enjoyed how Brody grew and learned throughout the book. Many characters and situations weren't always what they seemed. It definitely kept me intrigued. I listened to the audiobook and enjoyed the narrator quite a bit. He did a good job with doing different voices for different characters. Overall, a pretty good book. I'd recommend it.
April 5, 2021
This isn't my preferred type of story, but after reading Youers's Halcyon I was eager to see what he had in store next. HIs masterful writing shown through once again. The book drops you in right as the action is about to kick off and has a steady build up through to the climactic end. A lot of internet sites and comments about this book is that it's very John Wick-esque. I felt it was more like the Johnny Depp film Nick of Time - an average guy is pulled into a nefarious plot and given no choice to follow through with it or a loved one will suffer for it - though it eventually does turn very John Wick-like towards the end. Youers is definitely an author I will reading more of in the future.
June 11, 2023
This one had it's pros, it was fast paced, had short chapters, and the writing was ok. The cons were that it was unrealistic (think if Beatrix Kiddo and Lisbeth Salander had trained not one but two women to be killing machines...) and played out more like an action movie than a book.
So in summary it was a fast paced, terribly unrealistic, and violent book but not a terrible book to read. It was alright. No more, no less.
So in summary it was a fast paced, terribly unrealistic, and violent book but not a terrible book to read. It was alright. No more, no less.
November 27, 2020
Full review to come
April 27, 2021
I've said it in other reviews, but it's worth reiterating here: I'm not usually a thriller fan. And I should clarify the "usually" by saying mass market paperback thrillers, not unlike Hollywood blockbuster thrillers, just don't do it for me. I find them mostly vapid, badly written, and filled with one-dimensional characters doing predictable things while muttering stupid dialogue like "let's do this" through gritted teeth. Not my jam.
Which is not to say I don't like popcorn and candy entertainment. I do. I just like good popcorn and candy entertainment. It exists in movies like the first Pacific Rim, the John Wick trilogy, or Kong: Skull Island. And it exists in the thrillers of Rio Youers.
This is because Youers addresses all of the complaints I listed above. First, his stories aren't vapid. Do they contain the sorts of tropes one associates with action-packed thrillers? Yes. But Lola on Fire never feels dumbed-down. Youers has a respect for his readers and trusts that they'll take a side of vegetables along with the popcorn and candy. Second, he's an excellent writer. His sentences are lean, muscular, and efficient, pushing unnecessary verbiage out of the way so that the pages fly by. He's a master at showing, not telling while never appearing showy or flashy. Finally, and I think the thing that really separates Youers books from others in the genre, nobody writes characters like he does. They're believable, they have heart and depth and a reason for being. He also writes great baddies with backstories that let the reader empathize with them.
I won't bother with a plot synopsis. All you need to know is on the dust jacket. Great characters and fantastic action in a story with heart. What more could you want from a thriller...or any book, really?
Which is not to say I don't like popcorn and candy entertainment. I do. I just like good popcorn and candy entertainment. It exists in movies like the first Pacific Rim, the John Wick trilogy, or Kong: Skull Island. And it exists in the thrillers of Rio Youers.
This is because Youers addresses all of the complaints I listed above. First, his stories aren't vapid. Do they contain the sorts of tropes one associates with action-packed thrillers? Yes. But Lola on Fire never feels dumbed-down. Youers has a respect for his readers and trusts that they'll take a side of vegetables along with the popcorn and candy. Second, he's an excellent writer. His sentences are lean, muscular, and efficient, pushing unnecessary verbiage out of the way so that the pages fly by. He's a master at showing, not telling while never appearing showy or flashy. Finally, and I think the thing that really separates Youers books from others in the genre, nobody writes characters like he does. They're believable, they have heart and depth and a reason for being. He also writes great baddies with backstories that let the reader empathize with them.
I won't bother with a plot synopsis. All you need to know is on the dust jacket. Great characters and fantastic action in a story with heart. What more could you want from a thriller...or any book, really?
November 8, 2020
If you love Eve Duncan or Jack Reacher, Lola will be your new best friend!
This book had non-stop action from the very first scene (but if you don't care for violence, skip this book - that first scene left 16 people and 7 animals butchered or torched). This is a story that has no clear lines between the good guys and the bad guys. Everyone is out to get someone else, although some of the reasons why may seem more reasonable than others.
The best part of the book is seeing the relationships form between Lola and her kids, showing it is never too late to start over.
This book had non-stop action from the very first scene (but if you don't care for violence, skip this book - that first scene left 16 people and 7 animals butchered or torched). This is a story that has no clear lines between the good guys and the bad guys. Everyone is out to get someone else, although some of the reasons why may seem more reasonable than others.
The best part of the book is seeing the relationships form between Lola and her kids, showing it is never too late to start over.
March 7, 2022
Damn that was smokin good!
May 1, 2021
Lola On Fire... this whole book is on fire. Burning up with excitement, action, emotion, pain, and the need for revenge. Think John Wick meets Jane Hawk. This book has vengeance and deceit, love and bullets, secrets and twists, redemption and forgiveness. How often does a ferocious action thriller get your emotions involved? Well this one does! Strap yourself in for a rollercoaster ride!
February 24, 2021
Full review can be found here: https://www.criminalelement.com/book-...
November 13, 2020
Can you escape a violent past and try to live a normal life? Sometimes you get knocked down only to get up stronger.
This book starts off with one of the best opening action scenes ever. Lola Bear is a total kick ass warrior reminiscent of Denzel Washington in The Equalizer. You can’t help but cheer on every kill.
It is this brilliant beginning that propels you through the story of 24 year old Brody and his younger handicapped sister Molly. They are struggling to make rent when Brody makes a mistake that has them fleeing the state unable to shake the trouble following them. Help comes from unexpected people.
Youers has created some absolutely amazing characters in this thriller that never slows down. I want to discuss this more but it is impossible without spoilers.
Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review
This book starts off with one of the best opening action scenes ever. Lola Bear is a total kick ass warrior reminiscent of Denzel Washington in The Equalizer. You can’t help but cheer on every kill.
It is this brilliant beginning that propels you through the story of 24 year old Brody and his younger handicapped sister Molly. They are struggling to make rent when Brody makes a mistake that has them fleeing the state unable to shake the trouble following them. Help comes from unexpected people.
Youers has created some absolutely amazing characters in this thriller that never slows down. I want to discuss this more but it is impossible without spoilers.
Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review
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