Cover Image: Malibu Rising

Malibu Rising

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Member Reviews

I absolutely devoured this book. Taylor Jenkins Reid can do no wrong! Everything from the brilliant cast of characters to the structure of the story was perfection. I particularly loved the cameos of other TJR characters like Carrie Soto and Mick Riva. 4.5 stars.

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4.5 stars

I can’t get enough of Taylor Jenkins Reid’s writing and the world she creates. There are moments where I almost forget that the characters aren’t real, she adds such depth and life to them. Even the side characters have personality quirks or individual experiences that further enrich the storyline without it getting too messy.

Although not my favourite of the 3 TJR books I’ve read (The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo has my heart), this comes a close second. I thought the flashbacks recounting the family’s history cleverly intertwined with that night in 1983 as events unraveled. We were able to understand the influence Mick and June’s story had on how the Riva children think and behave much more intimately.

Mick and June’s experiences themselves could have been their own book, there was so much to unpack about this emotional, heartbreaking relationship. This really carried through into Nina’s individual storyline, so perfectly encapsulating the cyclical nature of families, breaking through past trauma and learning to live, to breathe, for yourself.

The 1983 storyline only takes place over 24 hours and this does bring the pacing of the book down to a slower read, which I actually really enjoyed as I felt I could connect with the characters more deeply, despite the chaos of events that occurs.

It’s a captivating read about the sacrifices you make for your family and the bonds that tie relationships together.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House UK for the opportunity to read this ebook in exchange for review.

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Another great book by TJR.
Once again, it was superbly written and had an amazing characters.
The storyline was engaging and pacy.

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I am a big fan of TJR so I was excited but nervous after reading a few negative reviews about Malibu Rising. I had nothing to worry about because of course, I ate it up!

The majority of Malibu Rising is set over the course of an evening - Nina Riva's extravagant annual party, held at her cliffside home in Malibu with celebrities and movie executives in attendance.

If you have read The Seven Husbands Of Evelyn Hugo, you will remember singer Mick Riva as being one of Evelyn's husbands (for a short while anyway). We learn the story of Mick meeting his wife June and the births of Nina, Hud, Jay and Kit. From their childhoods to some hard-hitting events that the siblings had to go through until now. This is such a deep and emotional story. I had some real hatred for Mick Riva but serious love for Nina.

Reid has an absolutely gorgeous way of writing and although this novel is mostly character driven, I was fully enthralled even as a twisty plot-lover! The characters feel like real people with real secrets that I genuinely cared about. I am very excited to now read Carrie Soto Is Back.

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I absolutely love books written by Taylor Jenkins Reid, and this one also didn‘t disappoint me. The book followed two timelines of the parents in the past and kids in the future. We can find here a lot of family troubles, young love, and siblings support. I loved the story and highly recommend it.

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If you love books set over a relatively short period time which also manage to span decades and pack in so much of the character's history, Malibu Rising is the book for you. Following four siblings over the course of 24 hours as they attend one of the most famous and raucous parties of the year, we also get insights into the past, into their parents and grandparents lives, their childhoods, and their histories. I adored this book so much so I highly recommend it! It was full of drama, sibling rivalry but unconditional love, and a family bond so close you can't even burn it down

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I am a huge Taylor Jenkins Reid fan and I was delighted to get the opportunity to review Malibu Rising. I loved the plot of the book and how it jumped seamlessly back and forth telling the story of the Riva siblings up to the day of the party. I can’t wait to read more from the author in the future.

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The first Taylor Jenkins Reid novel I devoured was Daisy Jones and the Six. I listened to the audiobook and was instantly hooked. Since then I’ve read Maybe in Another Life and Malibu Rising. For one reason or another I started listening to this and then my Libby edition was returned to the library. So when I finally got another copy I started afresh and found it much easier to devour this time around.

Malibu Rising has a different feel from the two other Taylor Jenkins Reid books I’ve read previously. Just like Daisy Jones & The Six there’s an element of celebrity that had me hooked but that’s not the main focus of this novel. It’s a slow burn where we initially meet June and Mick and from then on, the story goes back and forth from their rollercoaster love story to that of the Rivas annual party of the year. The Riva’s are an interesting bunch but what I ultimately loved about them was their sense of loyalty and that of family.

Nina is the heart and soul of the Riva family and from a young age she had to be. I instantly warmed to her, yet at times I was like Nina you have to also think of you. What she done for her siblings and her mother was admirable but did she forget herself in the process?.

What I loved most was when Nina could see history repeating itself and her friend and her siblings made her realise that for once she had to be completely selfish and think only of herself.

Jay, Hud and Kit are great characters in their own right and I loved getting to know them. They each have their own secrets but it was Kit who surprised me the most in more ways than one. I know Carrie Sotto is linked to this family so I’ll be intrigued to see if any of them feature in that book.

The party of the year was an amusing aspect of this book, but this is where it gets a little complicated as there are so many characters vying for attention. In listening to the audiobook I don’t think it made too much of a difference but I can see how it confused people. When the party got really out of hand that was a fun read…granted the Riva’s were nowhere to be seen but Nina’s friend was the life and soul.

An all consuming story of family, love, loss and betrayal. Taylor Jenkins Reid has woven a story so well created that it’ll have you thinking long after you’ve finished reading. It will also make you feel grateful and will have you wistful for the beach. A beautiful and at times truly heartbreaking read.

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Every time I read a TJR book I declare it as my favourite one yet and this was no different. Amazing setting, characters storyline. Love how the narrative styles is always a bit different with the hours counting down and going back and forth in time. I adore how the author manages to write in such details about subjects you may have no knowledge nor interest in e.g surfing and yet makes it so engaging!

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First book I’ve read from the author and really enjoyed it. Gave me Jackie Collins vibes which is always good! Story flowed, addictive, looking forward to reading from this author

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Love it so much. Taylor Jenkins Reid creates such believable worlds and characters, draws the reader so fully in and crafts such brilliant stories. Cannot recommend enough.

For detailed review to follow.

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Malibu Rising Taylor Jenkins Reid
This is the first book I've read by this author, despite Daisy Jones and the Six being on my kindle since it was released.
I loved the writing style of this book. It drew me in at a nice pace, and once I was hooked I fell in love with the characters, especially Nina. I loved the past and present chapters, and how they all merged together when we reached present day.
Overall a really enjoyable read.

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The ultimate beach read, a slower start but by halfway through I literally couldn't put this book down. I loved the duel timeline and getting to know all the characters in the party, I'm now planning on reading her other books.

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This is a book people seem to have mixed feelings about and I must admit I fall into that category as well, but overall, my impression of it was positive. Malibu Rising is a story about family, mistakes, and repeating history. The characters are messy, but that’s also the point. The decisions made were very much human though at times also frustrating from the reader’s perspective (are we truly that blind in our own lives, does looking in from the outside really make things that much clearer), which is to say sometimes you wanted to scream at the characters a little and say wake up. My highlight was Nina, her role as the oldest and all the baggage that comes with that. Last words: now I really want to read Carrie Soto is Back.

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I couldn't finish it. And I really wish I did, but I couldn't. The writing is beautiful and the characters have depth, but halway through I lost my motivation to keep reading - so I dropped. Not forever; I intend on trying to read it again in the future. It seems a gorgeous book; I simply was betrayed by my own brain.

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Another standout book from Taylor Jenkins Reid! The family dynamics were so authentic and honest, that I truly felt like the siblings existed.

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Obsessed. Having come late to the party on TJR#s books, I am a full convert and I can't wait to read more books from her!

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Taylor Jenkins Reid is such a consistent talent.
This feels lighter than Daisy Jones & The Six, maybe a beach read - but still fantastic.

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Malibu Rising is another great installment in the Mick Riva universe. As always I love finding the connections between the books.

Taylor Jenkins Reid has a way of making each and every character so lifelike, such that I truly feel as though I am involved with these people. I have yet to read a title by this author that I haven't enjoyed. I eagerly await more.

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I really enjoyed this book.
Taylor Jenkins Reid is AMAZING with character driven books.
She writes characters as if they are real.
As if you know them.
I liked finding out about all the characters.
I look forwards to other books by this author!

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