Malibu Rising: A Read with Jenna Pick: A Novel

I enjoy Taylor Jenkins Reid's writing style. This is the second book of hers I have read and I have thoroughly enjoyed both. I look forward to reading more from her. Its a quick and easy read. Nothing stressful or strenuous. A good pallet cleanser.

I give this a 3.5 rounded up to 4. The first section was awesome. We were seamlessly transported between characters and time, in a way that was a nice and flowed well- it felt necessary and satisfying to pop between current story (the 80s) and past (the 50s). Both were fun eras and I like the look into Hollywood of those times. Fast forward to the party. Now the jumping between characters gets a little annoying (and often felt unnecessary). All of a sudden we were reading about characters we knew nothing about and honestly cared nothing about. It felt like filler. Perhaps it was supposed to give us the feeling of hopping around a party and/or help set the stage. It was a little fun when in the end several of the stories came full circle with the arrests, however it just felt like filler and even annoyance. Overall though- I was really into it, entertained by it and breezed through it.

How do I even begin to describe the genius and delight that is Taylor Jenkins Reid?

When I read the description for 'Malibu Rising,' I was a little nervous that it couldn't possibly live up to 'Daisy Jones' or, my all-time TJR favorite, 'The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo.'

I should never doubt the great Ms. Reid.

How is it that Reid can write such deeply detailed characters that we, as readers, cannot help but fall in love with OR feel intense hatred for AND keep us turning the pages as fast as our fingers will let us? Reading about the lives of the Riva family, past & present, was riveting and heartbreaking. I loved how Reid wrote Part 1 as flashbacks to the love affair of June & Mick Riva and flashing back forward to their children's current (now adult) lives, especially since Part 2 is set only in the present and only within a couple hours at The Party at Nina's modern beachside mansion.

During the party scenes, we see all we need to in what's happening with the Rivas, but, as a fun aside, we get tiny peeks into moments of the other party guests, as well - such a fun sidebar to the drama happening with our main characters.

There are many, many fans of Taylor Jenkins Reid and the beautiful books she creates. However, I know there were also many that were turned off by her change of format with 'Daisy Jones.' (If you are one of those readers, might I suggest giving it a try on audio? Having different actors/voices made all the difference for me and let me sink into the story much easier.) But if you are a lover of all things 'Evelyn Hugo,' and all the other delight from Reid's backlist, you are going to LOVE 'Malibu Rising.'

Fingers crossed Reid keeps this 'Decades' trend going and we'll see her next novel set in the 1990s.

A HUGE THANK YOU to Netgalley & Random House/Ballentine Books for the opportunity to read and review this book. I cannot wait to get my physical copy when it comes out June 1st. Hands down a Five Star Read.

Malibu Rising is a family saga story with an unforgettable setting and characters you can’t help but be mesmerized by—all leading up to the most epic party the Riva siblings have ever hosted.

Reid has a talent for creating characters. She knows how to set them apart from each other, making them believable. BUT that doesn’t always mean they’re likable. Her honest, but somewhat removed or at a distance writing style, is what sometimes keeps her books from being five-star reads for me. I know I’m in the minority, but while I enjoyed the story of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, I never felt a connection with any of the characters. I did, however, gush about One True Loves. I have yet to read Daisy Jones and the Six, her most popular book. It remains at the top of my tbr, but I think I’m scared it won’t live up to the hype for me. And I really want it to. (Update: It didn’t.)

But back to Malibu Rising. The book alternates between the Riva family origin story of how the siblings’ parents met and started their family in the ’50s and ’60s to the events of an August day in 1983 when Nina Riva will be hosting her annual come-if-you-know-the-address party at her cliffside mansion in Malibu. I enjoyed both alternating stories, equally interested in how each one would play out. The two timelines converged at the start of the party, allowing the party be the main focus the second half of the book.

Nina, the eldest Riva sibling, is our main protagonist, and she’s the character I enjoyed the most. Nina has been forced to grow up fast, put the needs of her family ahead of her own, and women of all walks of life will find something in Nina to identify with.

Jay is the sibling I found least likable. He’s often self-centered. But, he still has a boyish charm about him.

Hud is grappling with a secret that threatens the easy relationship he’s established with his siblings.

And Kit, the youngest sister, has her own secrets. Kit’s wit and spunk is refreshing, and I enjoyed every page she appeared on.

This fearless foursome find solace in surfing, and it’s through that connection that their bond is strengthened.

Once we arrive at the party, we meet a lot of characters—including a few mentions of real celebrities from the ’80s. The reader gets to experience different scenes from the party from various guests’ points of view. Many of which the four siblings are not even present for, which only amps the epic-ness of the party.

I have a feeling Malibu Rising will be the beach read of 2021, and it rightly deserves that position. And I can totally see this one being adapted into a series or movie, reminiscent of the prime-time evening dramas of the ’80s and ’90s.

Thank you to Ballantine Books and Netgalley for providing me with an advance copy.

Check out my review at A Book Wanderer

#popsugarreadingchallenge2021 (prompt #40c - Book that takes place during the summer)

TJR delivers yet again with rich, layered characters and a story full of heart. The sibling dynamics were the highlight for me—complicated, loyal, and deeply moving. She has a rare gift for creating characters who feel real, and this novel beautifully captures both the intensity and the heartbreak of family. It's a fantastic read.