Review: Malibu Rising

Author: Taylor Jenkins Reid

Started reading: March 27th 2022

Finished the book: April 11th 2022

Pages: 365

Genres: Historical Fiction, Contemporary

Published: June 1st 2021

Source: Ebook

Goodreads score: 4.09

My score:

Synopsis

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.

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.

My thoughts

Thanks to Priss and Sam, my fellow BookMods at our book club, for reading this book with me! This was our chosen month-book for the book club and it did NOT disappoint. Of course, I've seen the hype around TJR, but she really did live up to it! Daisy Jones & the Six is waiting on my shelves and I can't imagine that I won't like it after reading this amazing book.

Pros

• Characters: The biggest pro in this book were the characters for me. They are so diverse, so well written. They feel like real people with flaws and a variety of personality traits. I feel like all characters have multiple layers and a real feeling of depth. There were real fears, hopes, dreams, emotions and thoughts. Amazing!
• Put it down: I could NOT put this book down. It was so easy to read. I was rushing through and was always excited to pick it up and keep on reading. There are not many huge plot twists or action scenes, but I feel like this book didn't need that. It's brilliantly written in a very flowy way.
• Beautiful: This book is so beautiful. It's about growth, family, forgiveness and unconditional love. This is the story of a family that went through so much. It really made me tear up at the end. After all, you can't choose your family... And in a way you can.

Cons

No way.

Overall

I see all the TJR books out in the blogging community. Sometimes you wonder: What is all this hype about? But if all her books are as good as this one; I totally understand now! Definitely a must-read for lovers of historical fiction, contemporary books. It's so good in a really poetic and beautiful way.

Other opinions on this book

"Reid has once again crafted a fast-paced, engaging novel that smoothly transports readers between decades and story lines."

- The Washington Post

"Taylor Jenkins Reid sure knows how to tell a story. It's an unforgettable book about an unforgettable night."

- HelloGiggles

Memorable quotes from this book

"Family is found... whether it be blood or circumstance or choice, what binds us does not matter. All that matters is that we are bound."

"There's no room for you in my life anymore. And I don't owe it to you to make any space."

Thanks for reading!

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