If you are looking for a story with a solid plot that keeps you hooked from page one without making you feel bogged down, this one is definitely worth adding to your TBR list.

This book is definitely a slow-burn, but honestly, it totally works. Because the chapters are short, the pacing never feels sluggish. Instead, the story unfolds smoothly, almost like you’re binge-watching a really good television drama series. Every single chapter gives you a little something new to hold onto, keeping the focus strictly on moving the main plot forward. I will admit, the first few chapters threw me off a bit. A few random characters are mentioned early on without immediately explaining how they relate to the main cast, which caused a little initial confusion. But don't worry,as you keep reading, everything clicks perfectly into place. By the end, the title itself makes complete sense; the "Cadillac Wheels" represent the very catalyst that changes the course of the main character's life.

What I Loved:
There is so much heart in this book. Tanner is a fantastic protagonist. Sure, he makes some wrong choices, but his resilience is beautiful. He never gives up, and he fiercely cherishes the people who stood by him. The way he remembers the people from his past through their favorite songs is incredibly touching. Scott Saxberg did an amazing job creating highly relatable, nostalgic moments. There’s a scene where the characters gather around a bonfire, playing guitar and singing on their last night together before leaving for college. It completely hit home for me and made me reminisce about ending that high school chapter of life. Another emotional high point was a beautifully written street-busking scene involving a deeply moving, quiet interaction between a father and son. The author's descriptions during these emotional beats are heavy,there was a specific line about a character's eyes looking "cloudy, like they were about to rain" that absolutely broke my heart.
The book handles a tragic car accident in its backstory, and while it's deeply emotional and painful to read, I really appreciated that the author didn't overly dwell on the graphic details. It gives you the emotional impact without dragging you into unnecessary despair.
On a lighter note, I actually learned something new! I always thought a "donut" was just a pastry, but turns out it’s a car driving stunt. I only knew about drifting, so hey!you learn something new everyday! Also, the book features an awesome playlist. I found myself pausing between chapters to head over to Spotify to look up unfamiliar tracks. (Side note: I discovered the original version of I Melt With You by Modern English through this book, and the original is SO much better than the covers!)

A Few Critiques
To keep it completely fair and balanced, there were a couple of things that didn't totally land for me. First, I had a hard time picturing Jack as a middle-aged, grieving father. The way he interacts and works made him feel like he was the exact same age as Tanner and his friends.Second, while the book is marketed as a psychological thriller, it felt much more like a high-stakes contemporary drama with some dark elements. Jack is definitely controlling and manipulative, but some of his darker shifts and sudden impulses felt a bit abrupt rather than a slow, edge-of-your-seat build-up. For instance, I didn't quite get his extreme motivation for revenge. He doesn't even know Tanner or the people involved personally; his intense anger is triggered solely because Tanner's past car accident mirrors what happened to his own son. It felt a bit thin as a driving force for that level of vengeance, and it made his sudden behavior feel a bit forced. I felt like the transition into his more extreme, psychopathic traits could have been introduced or hinted at much earlier in the book to make it feel less sudden, as it occasionally diluted his impact as a grieving father.

Even though the thriller/suspense elements felt a little light in their delivery for me, the core story and the plot are undeniably strong. There are some fantastic, jaw-dropping "OMG" reveals and clever twists toward the end that I did not see coming at all! It kept me entertained through every single page, and the drama is incredibly gripping.

If you love a character-driven story with great music references, deep emotional beats, and a drama-series flow, definitely give Cadillac Wheels a read when it drops!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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