HOT WAX

I loved Hot Wax, but at the same time, I wanted to race through it. M.L. Rio is a great writer. Her portrayal of the music, the band and how they perform is just vivid! I was completely absorbed in the past scenes, which felt more real and gripping than much of the present-day storyline. My main frustration came from the way the book ping-pongs between past and present. While I adored Suzanne’s ‘younger-self’ experience with her dad on tour, the ‘present-day’ narrative sometimes felt like unnecessary baggage. Without giving too much away: the husband subplot felt like it could have been left out (her being just single could have been much better for the story), which might have allowed for a more focused story. The ending, of the past and the present, felt rushed and deserved more exploration. Despite these flaws, Hot Wax is a good read. Not something to read again and again, but should be read at least once. The mix of rock nostalgia and rich detail about music and performance makes it compelling. It’s not flawless, but it has plenty of standout moments.