Review: Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Taylor Jenkins Reid
Publication date: June 1, 2021
Genres: Adult Fiction
Format: Hardcover
Source: Purchased
4.5 Stars

Malibu: August 1983. It's the day of Nina Riva's annual end-of-summer party, and anticipation is at a fever pitch. Everyone wants to be around the famous Rivas: Nina, the talented surfer and supermodel; brothers Jay and Hud, one a championship surfer, the other a renowned photographer; and their adored baby sister, Kit. Together the siblings are a source of fascination in Malibu and the world over--especially as the offspring of the legendary singer Mick Riva.

The only person not looking forward to the party of the year is Nina herself, who never wanted to be the center of attention, and who has also just been very publicly abandoned by her pro tennis player husband. Oh, and maybe Hud--because it is long past time for him to confess something to the brother from whom he's been inseparable since birth.

Jay, on the other hand, is counting the minutes until nightfall, when the girl he can't stop thinking about promised she'll be there.

And Kit has a couple secrets of her own--including a guest she invited without consulting anyone.

By midnight the party will be completely out of control. By morning, the Riva mansion will have gone up in flames. But before that first spark in the early hours before dawn, the alcohol will flow, the music will play, and the loves and secrets that shaped this family's generations will all come bubbling to the surface.

Malibu Rising is a story about one unforgettable night in the life of a family: the night they each have to choose what they will keep from the people who made them . . . and what they will leave behind. 

Malibu Rising is the story of the Riva family – particularly the Riva siblings – in all their beautiful, talented, flawed glory.

While we are introduced to the Riva siblings – famous surfer/model Nina, champion surfer Jay, photographer Hud, and feisty Kit – in 1983, in the hours leading up to their much-anticipated party, Reid quickly takes us back to 1956 and the first meeting of June Costas and Mick Riva. The dual timeline continues throughout the first half of book, unraveling the tangled, unhappy history of Mick and June, while showcasing the aftermath of their tumultuous relationship and its effects on their children.

Each of the siblings was dealing with potentially life-changing catalysts in their lives on the day of the party and a delicious kind of tension built as the story progressed. The legacy of their famous father loomed large over their lives, as did the love and the shortcomings of their mother. And, in some cases, it seemed history was repeating itself.

My favorite aspect of this gripping story was the unshakable bond between the Riva siblings. The sacrifices that were made, the support that was so freely given, the connection they had through shared loss – they were a testament to family and loyalty and love.

If I were to have one quibble (and it’s such a minor one), it’s that as the epic party progressed late into the night (and on into the morning) Reid started to include the points of view of various revelers who weren’t integral to the story. I imagine it was choice to display the evolution of the night into absolute chaos, but it also had me itching to get back to the story that was rapidly unfolding.

I was completely captivated from the start of this remarkable story. Taylor Jenkins Reid has long been a favorite and Malibu Rising is a perfect example why. Her incredible gift of storytelling is almost unmatched. She creates nuanced characters who feel completely authentic and I slide easily into their lives as they navigate the highs and lows. I fell in love with the Riva siblings and was completely invested in their lives. I ached for their past and yearned for a better future.

In short, Malibu Rising was one of my most anticipated books of the year – and it totally delivered.

HAVE YOU READ MALIBU RISING?

26 comments

  1. I haven't read this yet, but definitely plan to this summer. I'm so glad to hear it delivered, although I expect nothing less from TJR!

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  2. Glad to hear this was another hit for your from TJR. It is an interesting choice to add extra and extraneous POVs. I think I would be ok, if I found them entertaining.

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    1. They definitely were entertaining! And I think they really served their purpose... I was just dying to get back to the big story. :)

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  3. What a great review! I was also captivated by this book. I was so caught up in the family.

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  4. Great review! I have yet to read one of Reid's books. My besties keep telling me I need to read The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo.

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    1. That's still one of my favorites by her. I hope you'll love it if you decide to give it a try one day.

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  5. Ooh...this does sound good. That whole sibling thing is always a draw for me in books. :)

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    1. Same here! Having two sisters, I usually enjoy stories about siblings.

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  6. Yay! You're the second person I trust that liked this one. I have it coming up on audio.

    Karen @For What It's Worth

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    1. I did a combination of reading the hardcover and listening on audio and both were excellent!

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  7. Oh, I love it when a story lives up to my expectations! This does sound like an engrossing story and I like that the siblings were there for each other no matter what.

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    1. That aspect was such a highlight for me. These siblings were rock solid together.

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  8. I have this one coming up, so I'm happy you enjoyed it! This author is quickly becoming a favorite.

    Lindsi @ Do You Dog-ear? 💬

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    1. This is probably my 5th or 6th by TJR and she has yet to disappoint. I hope you'll love this one!

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  9. Great review! I also loved this one. Reid knows how to weave a great story. :)

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    1. Thanks Dedra! So right about TJR - she is such an amazing storyteller.

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  10. Yaay so happy it lived up to expectations! I'll be starting my audiobook shortly.

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    1. I went back and forth between the hardcover and the audio and I thought the audio was really well done.

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  11. This sounds really good! I just love when a book I'm hyped for actually delivers!

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    1. Yes! It's horrible to have a highly anticipated book leave you feeling like "that was it?" But TJR always delivers for me. :)

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  12. Mick Riva... Wasn't he one of Evelyn Hugo's (super short lived) husbands?

    I've only read Evelyn Hugo and Daisy Jones but I agree completely that this author has a gift when it comes to story telling... Her characters are so life-like and she captures the messy complexity of life. (Especially when it comes to larger than life characters!)

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    1. Yep! Mick Riva was one of Evelyn's earlier husbands. And there's a vague mention of her in this one. This one was another hit for me!

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  13. Glad to hear this one delivered for you. I had that same quibble about the party itself but otherwise thought it was a pretty great read too.

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    1. I could why she did it, but I still wanted to get back to the Riva's. :)

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