LOLA ON FIRE is that somewhat rare book that lives up to its pre-publication publicity. It is a multifaceted story that has attracted attention to some degree as a result of its occasional scenes of graphically described violence, perhaps at the expense of its other equally worthy elements.

We meet the Lola of the title almost immediately and unforgettably. The book’s prologue, set in 1993, is titled “The Unstoppable Lola Bear” for what proves to be an excellent reason. Lola Bear is an enforcer for Jimmy Latzo, the primary crime lord of Carver City, Pennsylvania. She is in the process of turning in her resignation to Latzo in the most extreme way possible and for all the right reasons. Author Rio Youers demonstrates that Lola is a force of nature --- “fire” is certainly the correct element --- and by the time she is done, almost everything is laid to waste.

"LOLA ON FIRE is that somewhat rare book that lives up to its pre-publication publicity.... The book’s pages turn so quickly that you will singe your eyebrows and a couple of other places as you’re reading, but you’ll love every minute of it."

The novel then shifts to late 2019. Twenty-four-year-old Brody Ellis is on the verge of robbing a convenience store using a stage prop pistol, which will be the mistake of his life on a list full of them. Brody sees himself as having little choice. He is the sole caretaker of his 21-year-old sister, Molly, who is moderately limited by cerebral palsy. They are behind on their rent and in desperate straits. Brody’s debut as a robber is successful to a degree, but he is still an amateur. Although he has the money from the heist, he discovers after the fact that he dropped his wallet at the scene of the crime. He soon finds out that the missing billfold, which of course contains his identification, is in the possession of Blair Mayo, an enigmatic young woman with a saucerful of secrets, so to speak.

Blair is willing to return Brody’s wallet to him, but there is a price to pay. She wants him to break into her father’s house and steal a sentimental piece of jewelry that her late mother had given to her but is now in her stepmother’s possession. Brody is extremely reluctant to go along with the plan, but does so anyway, believing he has no choice. When he arrives at his destination, Brody realizes that he has been played very badly --- to the extent that he and Molly must leave town immediately. With limited funds, unreliable transportation and almost no one to turn to, they travel slowly across the country as they are followed by a team of criminals dispatched by Blair. Brody and Molly appear to lose them, but he is getting played again, and for a much more dangerous reason.

As the narrative bounces back and forth across time, Brody and Molly --- not to mention the reader --- discover who and what these people are, and learn that they constitute a danger not only to themselves but also to someone they thought they lost long ago. Matters are resolved in a violent, climactic tableau that no one will walk away from undamaged.

While the carnage in LOLA ON FIRE may not be for everyone, it is ultimately a story of sacrifice, redemption and forgiveness. There is also an element of revenge as well, just to keep things interesting. The book’s pages turn so quickly that you will singe your eyebrows and a couple of other places as you’re reading, but you’ll love every minute of it.