Editorial review
Bless This Hot Mess
By Charlie David
A delightful homage to local ’90s radio culture, Bless This Hot Mess tunes into the camp, chaos, and community of life behind the microphone.
Reviewed by CANREADS
A delightful homage to local ’90s radio culture, Bless This Hot Mess tunes into the camp, chaos, and community of life behind the microphone.
Full of unapologetic camp and many a pop culture reference, Bless This Hot Mess follows Rebekkah, Japheth, and Ronald as they step into their debut roles as hosts of WWJD’s weekly Trinity Radio Hour. The trio’s chemistry, faith, and talent are undeniable, but they soon find themselves at the centre of the turmoil threatening the small town radio station they call home. Between cease-and-desist letters alleging stolen music, WWJD’s mounting financial troubles, and the mysterious disappearance of the station owner’s parents, it’s up to their small, determined team to save the future of the Trinity Radio Hour.
Perhaps the strongest element of Bless This Hot Mess lies within its distinctive writing style. David’s writing is witty, clever, and quippy, making a vastly entertaining read. Smart, humorous wordplay drives much of the novel, while an original soundtrack gives the story an inventive, interactive dimension. With so many playful elements in motion, the novel could easily have felt overworked or uncertain in its intentions, but David keeps it grounded by weaving moments of genuine gravity throughout the surrounding chaos. The result is a reading experience as lively and unpredictable as the radio show at its centre.
That same creative abundance occasionally creates challenges with pacing and resolution. Some plotlines are introduced and resolved within a chapter or two, giving parts of the story an episodic quality, while others remain unexplained or lack the space to reach their full potential. Still, the memorable characters and central conflict provide a cohesive foundation amid the book’s many moving parts.
The novel finds some of its greatest emotional cohesion in its thoughtful treatment of faith. While religion plays a significant role in the plot of Bless This Hot Mess, at no point does the book feel as though it spirals into proselytizing. Instead, the novel takes its time to explore the diverse cast of characters’ beliefs, self-identification, and relationships with themselves and others. These explorations lend emotional weight to the otherwise lighthearted story and make each character’s journey feel convincing and satisfying. David’s ability to layer energetic camp with thought-provoking questions of faith and identity demonstrates an incredibly impressive command of tone.
Overall, Bless This Hot Mess is a fun, spirited comedy that captures the eccentricity and communal energy of a small-town radio station. Readers who loved Jennifer Crusie’s Charlie All Night will find much much to appreciate in its endearing ensemble, romantic complications, and behind-the-microphone mayhem. Hilarious, clever, and heartfelt, Bless This Hot Mess never misses a beat.
—CANREADS BOOK REVIEW
Purchase Bless This Hot Mess on Indigo