Like many people, I loved Taylor Jenkins Reid’s previous novel, Daisy Jones & the Six. As soon as I finished that novel, I went out and picked up The Seven Husband of Evelyn Hugo, and eagerly awaited the author’s next new novel. That new novel is Malibu Rising, due out in May. I was lucky enough to get a DRC, and I read it as soon as I could. I’m very happy to report that it is another excellent, character-driven story of family, love, loss and life.

Malibu Rising is the story of the Riva children: Nina, Jay, Hud and Kit. It is also, to a lesser extent, the story of their parents’ doomed relationship: Mick, the superstar singer; June, his first wife, who is never able to relinquish the hope that he will return to her and restore her dream family. The novel alternates between the main night of the story, and flashbacks that inch closer to the novel’s present — each one adding a bit more to the Riva family story, adding nuance and layers to the children, their relationships with their parents, and their upbringing — all the while, “Mick Riva’s shadow excelled at haunting each one of his children.”

It’s a story that starts out suggesting a happy, great family life in Malibu, but it quickly becomes apparent that actually the children’s lives are ones that were difficult and painful. The author gives readers such great portraits of each of them: Nina, the hyper-responsible eldest sibling; Jay, the superstar surfer, struggling with a secret that might upend his future; Hud, the kind-hearted and gentle photographer; and Kit, the youngest, itching for a chance to shine on her own merit.

Malibu Rising is also, in some ways, a novel about Malibu itself — it’s not that it’s as much of a character as are the Riva children, but rather that it informs so much of their development and mentality (not to mention their interests — they are all avid surfers).

"What Nina loved about her hometown was how ants found their way to your kitchen counters, pelicans sometimes shit on the ledge of your deck. Clumps of horse manure sat along the sides of the unpaved roads, left there by neighbors riding their horses to the market. Nina had lived on this small stretch of coast her entire life and she understood she could do little to prevent it from changing. She had seen it grow from humble ranches to middle-class neighborhoods. Now it was becoming a land of oversized mansions on the beach. But with vistas this beautiful, it had been only a matter of time before the filthy rich showed up."

Finally, the novel is also an examination of the excesses of eighties celebrity and, in particular, Los Angeles fame. Not only do we see how fame and celebrity can twist characters’ morals and behaviour (especially Mick’s), but also when “legendary” parties happen, so too does some of the worst behaviour: things quickly spiral out of control as the Riva party progresses. There’s a nice little call-back to The Seven Lives of Evelyn Hugo, too, which I thought was a very nice touch (just a throw-away line).

Taylor Jenkins Reid’s writing is excellent throughout. Whether writing about the mundane, quiet moments of life, or the most heart-wrenching tragedies, she writes with an elegance and efficiency. The language is never florid, nor overwrought. It is all the more powerful as a result. Many of her descriptions are great, too. For example, when describing Nina’s ex-husband: “His face was attractive but forgettable, as if fate had not taken a single risk in composing it.” Each of the characters is brilliantly drawn, no matter of how central they are to the story: the Rivas, their friends and partners, and also characters who only flit in-and-out of their story… each comes alive on the page. Just an all-round brilliantly written novel.

"As she pulled out onto PCH, 'Hungry Heart' started playing through her speakers and Ashley felt just the tiniest bit of hope. Your whole world can be falling apart, she thought, but then Springsteen will start playing on the radio."

If you enjoyed Reid’s previous novels, then this is of course a must-read (and you’ve probably already pre-ordered it). If you haven’t yet read Reid’s work, then I would highly recommend any of them. The author’s latest three novels (including this one) have all been superb books.

Malibu Rising is another excellent, very highly recommended novel from an author who is, for me, a must read.

Malibu Rising is my first entree into the works of Taylor Jenkins Reid and goodness I enjoyed it. Taylor is a talented storyteller with the enviable gift of creating warm and believable families and making us care about what happened to them over the generations. This reminded me of the genius of Adriana Trigiani and her Big Stone Gap series.
The plot revolves around the Riva family against the gorgeous backdrop of Malibu. In the present day, it’s the early 80s and 20 something Nina Riva is the eldest of four siblings: brothers Jay and Hud along with youngest sister Kit who is just 18.
The four are orphans and Nina has raised them after dropping out of school and struggling to keep their house and family restaurant business going. We discover through back and forth story telling how their parents got together in 1960s Malibu and went on to create their family. Mom June stayed at home with their children and dad Mick went on to become a world famous singer. The storyline revolves around the family restaurant which tied Nina’s grandparents to the area, along with mom June and now threatens to do the same to her.
But all of her siblings are hiding secrets and at a party at her Malibu home – one that is owned by her now ex-husband – everything is exposed.
The tightly crafted storyline builds towards the party and the inevitable show down between Mick and his children.
I adored this novel. Nina and her family are really well thought through characters. Yes they surf, yes they’re gorgeous but they have heart. I cared about what happened to them – the ending was surprising but felt satisfying to me. Highly recommend for a beach read this summer!

Another smash hit from Taylor Jenkins Reid! At this point, I think fans know what to expect when they pick up one of her books, an entertaining plot, a cast of glamorous characters and some seriously clever writing. I found myself highlighting passages that were just so well written they jumped off the page, throughout the delicious novel.
The novel is about a part thrown by the Riva siblings but it is so much more than that. It is about love and loss, betrayal, family and the ties that bind. It is about finding your own home or niche, your place in the world. I loved the use of the two different timelines, that of the parents, Mick and June, and of their children as grown ups. Just a really well told story from start to finish. Having said that, this novel is true to life in that there isnt necessarily a happy ending, there are a lot of loose ends and mess left over and I am so hoping that some of these stories will be picked up in later novels.

Hard to beat Daisy Jones and the six, but this was still very enjoyable. The author has a way of creating compelling characters that are both believable, glamorous and reach your heart. This story centers around Nina Riva, who is throwing her annual summer party, attended by the rich and talented. She is the envy of all, but her life has been far from perfect, which we discover with flash backs to the past. Nina has the loyalty of her siblings, who have shared her struggles, and all these support characters have been handled with detail and care.

Its like curling up and following your favourite celebs in Hello magazine, The author creates bold, visual prose that play like a movie in your head and has a way of making even the most extravagant characters relatable. This was not my first novel from this author, and it wont be my last. I know I can depend on her for a delicious, sometimes scandalous escape.

I LOVED this! I was sucked in and swept away from the get go. Malibu Rising was such an engaging story that transported me back to 1980s Malibu and I felt like I was living and breathing the story every step of the way. Never have I felt such wanderlust whilst reading a piece of fiction. I truly loved this book, its characters, plot and especially its setting.

Without a doubt, Malibu itself was the shining star of this story. The writing was so vivid, so tactile and descriptive that I truly felt as if I was there. Whilst reading I could feel the sand in between my toes, smell the salty sea air, feel the warmth of the sun on my face and taste the sweet taste of candyfloss on my tongue. Having been to Santa Monica and walked along the pier eating candyfloss (true story!), I found myself shouting, "it's me! It's me!" whilst reading a similar scene. I felt seen and I instantly felt this deep connection with the story and its characters.

Oh, the characters. The Riva family. I adored them. They were dysfunctional and frustrating at times, but that made them all the more loveable. Especially the Riva siblings. I loved their complex relationships, fierce loyalty and deep love for one another. I felt so much for them especially Nina. I loved Nina. And Jay. And Hud. And Kitt. I loved them all. Whatever happened, they were always there for each other.

Now onto the plot. I was instantly gripped, instantly intrigued. I went into this completely blind, not knowing what the story was about. And it was a wonderful ride. I loved the alternating chapters in different times and the different perspectives - it added this sense of anticipation throughout, that slowly built as the story unravelled. This story also toyed with my emotions; I felt pure anger at times, intense sadness, pure joy and shock whilst the story played out. It was great.

Overall, Malibu Rising was just amazing. Whilst reading it, it was constantly on my mind and now, a few days later, the story is still on my mind. An unforgettable and impactful story that I'll definitely return to time and time again.

Malibu Rising - Taylor Jenkins Reid

This was one of my most anticipated releases of the year and one of the most exciting approvals from Netgalley, so did it live up to expectations?

Four famous siblings throw an epic party to celebrate the end of the summer. But over the course of twenty-four hours, their lives will change forever.
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.

This is a hard one for me because while I really enjoyed this, it isn't on the same level of 7 Husbands of Evelyn Hugo or Daisy Jones and the Six. It felt a little like Malibu Rising is the youngest child, overshadowed by its popular siblings. It isn't a bad book, it is still beautifully written and has Taylor Jenkins Reid's signature character exploration. It is much more subtle and a quieter story than the effervescent Daisy Jones or Evelyn Hugo, but that doesn't make it any less enjoyable.

Malibu Rising is a wonderfully exposition about four siblings, the children of rock star Mick Riva - who you might remember as one of Evelyn Hugo's seven husbands (and he was giving her a run for her money in terms of weddings). While he was a somewhat insignificant blip in Evelyn's story, he is an ever present shadow in this one.

If there is one thing I love, and those of you who have been here before will know this, it's a great family dynamic and that is pretty much the entire premise of this book. Each of the siblings is so well rounded and the relationship between them was so heartwarming, it made me feel all warm and fuzzy. Even when they don't like each other!
Another thing Taylor Jenkins Reid does well is discussing fame and how it affects people. The 7 Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is about a famous movie star at the end of her career, Daisy Jones and the Six follows a band dealing with rising fame and Malibu Rising is no different. Each of the siblings have to deal with how fame impacts their father and the family unit and now each of them are becoming more well known in their own right and seeing how that alongside being the children of a rock star has shaped their lives was really well done. It's always something that has fascinated me and how Taylor Jenkins Reid manages to craft these amazing characters that seem so human and yet so otherwordly at the same time blows my mind!

Malibu Rising is very much character driven, focusing on one night in the lives of the siblings intertwined with flashbacks to their parent's marriage and Mick's insistence on choosing fame over family time and time again. The main narrative takes place over just 12 hours at a party no one will ever be able to forget and while this isn't as in your face as some of Jenkins Reid's other books, it isn't one you'll forget easily either. This is set for release in the UK in May and makes for a fantastic book to while away the hot summer with - whether we're still in lockdown or not!

I'll start by saying I really enjoyed this book. I've read a number of the author's other works, so was already familiar with her writing style.
I liked that this was set in the same kind of world as The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, and as a fan of that book, liked the little easter eggs and nods to it - although it's completely accessible for someone who's never read Evelyn Hugo.

I think my one criticism is that it felt a little rushed. Obviously being set over the course of 24 hours, it was going to be hard to get everything in, but I think this possibly made some of the characters feel a little flat. Nina was ostensibly the main character, yet I feel like we found out the least about her. Maybe this was intentional, given the nature of her character, but I just found it hard to connect with her - like, what exactly was her job? I get that it was somewhere between modelling and surfing, but what exactly did she do? More insight into her rise to fame and the new experiences along the way would have been good. Ditto for Jay. Hud, i feel had so much potential to be such a strong character, but we never saw much out of him other than him panting after Ashley. Kit was probably the most developed out of the lot, but again, her sexuality is something that could have done with a bit more exploration and figuring out.
Overall, i really liked this story, this book, these characters... i just think they could have been done more justice with more flashbacks/conversations that fleshed out who they were as people.

Absolutely loved this book! This is my third Taylor Jenkins Reid book and it didn't disappoint. I loved how it had a nice nod to a character from Seven Wives of Evelyn Hugo.

Absolutely loved it! Third novel I have read by Taylor and all of them are 100% hits. Such well-crafted characters (as always), glorious setting. It was like being on vacation whilst stuck in the lockdown. A stunning read.

I was really looking forward to the new book from the author of the fantastic Daisy Jones & the Six. My expectations were too high and the result was disappointment.

The story is set in Malibu from the 1950s - 80s and follows the dysfunctional Riva family: Mick, June, Nina, Jay, Hud and Kit. There are break-ups, alcoholism, fires. Mick is a superstar who is never around, having left the family in pursuit of women and the rock 'n' roll lifestyle. Nina, the eldest child, who becomes a model, ends up looking after everyone. The story alternates between episodes in the family's history, and the day of the annual Riva party, the legendary party where celebrities have a wild time.

There were too many characters in this story, especially towards the end when further unimportant ones were introduced for no apparent reason. I also found it weird that Nina suddenly has a best friend turn up towards the end, having had no mention at all in the story until that point. There were too many descriptions of the characters' outfits. More significantly, I failed to be gripped by any of it, excepting the first and last chapters. I finished the book quickly, not because I loved it, but because I skim-read some of it. The descriptions of surfing and tennis bored me, frankly. I wasn't sure why the story took place mostly in the 80s, if not to shoehorn in some references for the nostalgia factor, such as Dynasty, shoulder pads, teased hair, etc. It could be transplanted to today and not need to be changed, other than the outfits and a few cultural details. I did like the sense of place; when I read it in February, exclusive California beaches populated by beautiful bronzed people were a welcome change from the freezing weather in the UK.

Thank you to the publisher Hutchinson for the advance copy via NetGalley.

[Note - this review will appear on my blog on 5th May]

A perfect bit of escapism - I want so much to be on the beach, in the sun, eating food someone else has prepared - as none of those things are likely to happen for some time this book is the next best thing.

The family saga set against the build up to the big party was an interesting structure. I very much enjoyed the Hollywood/LA gossip angle with people behaving badly, being beautiful and enjoying/hating their fame. Like 'Daisy Jones and the Six' the book is written as if it is a factual documentary, this did catch me out with 'Daisy' but now understanding the author's way of working I didn't question, I just sat, read and enjoyed.

I adore Taylor Jenkins Reid’s books, specifically her Daisy Jones and Evelyn Hugo. So when I managed to snag this one, I felt like I’d won the lottery (yes, I’m very easily pleased).

But then the nerves set in: what if it didn’t deliver? What if I didn’t get another Daisy? Another Evelyn? Well, I’m here to tell you all, fret not, with Malibu Rising TJR gives us Nina, and with her my personal TJR trifecta is complete!

The story takes place on a summer’s day of 1983. It’s the day of Nina Riva’s annual party, THE party of the season and anyone who knows her Malibu address is invited. This is the shindig where local waitresses, college students and pot-heads rub shoulders with Hollywood execs, musicians, TV-, movie- and sports stars. Nina, famous surfer and supermodel and recently dumped by her tennis-pro husband for another woman, her brothers Jay, a championship surfer, and Hud, renowned sports photographer, and their little sister Kit host the party that will quite literally set Malibu on fire.

The story is told in varying POVs, switching between the 1950s, when Nina’s mom, June, first meets Mick Riva, before his fame and fortune days (anyone remember him as one of Evelyn’s husbands?!) and the day of the party. We get exactly 24 hours in the day of Nina and her sibling’s lives — with a rundown of each of those hours, a steady buildup that climaxes just before dawn. Twenty-four hours that will change the course of each sibling’s life as they make discoveries about themselves, about their standing in the world, about their relationships, and about their family.

I adored this book. I loved the characters from the get-go. I loved the setting, basically my dream location — on a beach, surfing every day, I mean what else could you ask for? And I adored the siblings — perhaps because I’m one of four myself, also the eldest (luckily my parents are still happily married), I got the dynamics, the bickering, the caring for each other through actions rather than words, all of it felt very familiar and so very well depicted. And that’s what made this book a winner for me!

If you love a good family drama with plenty of glamour, flair and some serious surf action thrown in as well, then don’t miss this gem.

I am such a huge Taylor Jenkins Reid fan and was so excited about this - I wasn't disappointed. Escapism and glamour and raw humanity all at once.

Another fantastic read from Taylor Jenkins Reid. I'm a huge fan of this author and I've been waiting for her next release. Malibu Rising did not disappoint. The characters and the storyline, as always - came alive. 5 stars!

Taylor Jenkins Reid's latest offering is a dysfunctional family drama that revolves around the Riva clan, the tragedies, trauma, celebrity and surfing set in Malibu and the twenty four hours, the famous, drug and alcohol fuelled end of summer party in August 1983. In a story that shifts from the past and present, we learn of the intricacies of the painful relationship between iconic rock star Mick Riva, a character that will be familiar to those who have read the author's other books, and June, a June whose life revolved around Mick, despite everything he does to her, and the never ending betrayals. Siblings Nina Riva, brothers Jay and Hud, and Kitt, the youngest, have strong bonds with each other, a crucial rock as their father, Mick, had little to do with them as they grew up. Their lives are destined to irrevocably change as their personal histories and secrets are revealed as the party ends up going up in flames.

Nina is the eldest, a supermodel and surfer, is the one that held the family together, shouldering the burdens of responsibility, the one willing to pay the personal cost of doing so. Her marriage to husband Brandon has fallen apart, he has been cheating on her, in an echo of their family history. They are all messed up in their own ways, Jay is a surfer, and his illegitimate brother, Hud is a surfer photographer, whilst Kitt has her own issues as the party becomes ever more chaotic and wild. This is not my favourite book by the author, but I found it a light and entertaining read, an enjoyable emotional roller coaster of a family melodrama, with colourful and vibrant characters, that many of Taylor Jenkins Reid's fans will adore. Many thanks to Random House Cornerstone for an ARC.

It is Malibu's nature to burn...

Taylor Jenkins Reid's new novel is, like her previous ones, a delight. It follows the four children of legendary singer Mick Riva and his wife June - Nina, Jay, Hud and Kit - over one day and eventful night in 1983, also filling in the difficult back story of the family.

A story set in Malibu where the characters are surfers - and celebrities, in some cases - isn't necessarily something which would, on the surface, appeal to me, but it's actually far from what you might expect from that description.

Nina Riva is, like her champion surfer younger brother Jay, also a gifted surfer, but - being also a hot girl - finds she is valued far more for her body than her skills, becoming an iconic swimsuit model, Having just been very publicly abandoned by her tennis player husband, stranded alone in the clifftop house she never wanted to live in, Nina isn't exactly in the mood for a party. But then Nina's never been very good at prioritising her own needs over those of others, and the Riva party is a beloved local institution.

There are no invites (if you're cool enough to know about it, you're cool enough to attend) and nobody is turned away (though there are a few who probably should have been).

Once again Taylor Jenkins Reid has created characters to fall in love with. The Riva siblings - all four of them, but perhaps especially Nina and Kit - worked their way into my heart. Along with their stories though there are various little vignettes of partygoers and what they get up to (Wendy, really!) as it ultimately all gets a bit, OK a lot, out of hand...

I was totally invested both in the present and the past narratives, letting out a truly heartbroken "Noooo....." at one point.

Malibu Rising is an addictive and uplifting read about the importance of loyalty and kindness, love and self-determination. Fabulous!

I just love everything about Malibu Rising. This book has fame, family drama, surfing, a wild party, tons of interesting characters and the 80s.

Malibu Rising follows the four Riva siblings who children of a very famous singer Mick Riva, throughout the book we jump between "present-day" 1983 on the day of a wild party and back in time learning the backstory of how the family came to be.

Taylor Jenkins Reid writes in such a way that I just know after a few pages it's going to be my favourite book, the characters TJK creates are so vivid and well sketched out it almost reads like non-fiction at times which I love. As someone who is fascinated with celebrity culture, it's clear so much research has gone into creating this world. I have nothing bad to say about this, JUST READ IT!

I am a huge fan of Taylor Jenkins Reid’s books and Malibu Rising is an absolutely incredible story about the famous Riva family.

This story is set in Malibu in August 1983, on the day of the annual end of summer party at the home of Nina Riva, a talented surfer and supermodel. Everyone wants to be there alongside Nina and her siblings: Jay, a championship surfer, Hud, a renowned photographer and their younger sister Kit. The siblings are a source of fascination in Malibu and all over the world as their father is the legendary musician Mick Riva (a character who I remembered features in two of Taylor Jenkins Reid’s previous books; I love when characters are connected across books in some way)!

I love how from the opening of this book, we know that a fire starts at the home of Nina Riva during her party and how it becomes known as one of the most notorious parties in Los Angeles’ history. I liked having this knowledge at the back of my mind as I was reading. I really liked the way this book was split into two sections, Part One the 12 hours before the party (7am to 7pm) and then Part Two (7pm to 7am) as the party gets underway. I also thought it was really effective how in Part One, the present day narrative was interspersed with chapters of how the Riva siblings’ parents met, and then key moments throughout their childhoods. This provided such insight into how the siblings’ early experiences have shaped them all in such different ways.

The descriptions were so beautifully detailed throughout too, meaning I could really picture the Malibu setting and see the Riva siblings surfing the waves! I also really liked the depth to each of the siblings and how little pieces of information were revealed about them as the story progressed including the secrets and feelings they were each keeping back from one another. They are all such brilliant characters and I found myself racing through the pages to find out what they would all experience next!

I found reading Malibu Rising to be a really immersive experience and I felt like I was reading about a real famous family! I loved learning about the Riva’s family history, the siblings’ bond and their loyalty to one another. Just like I felt after reading two of Taylor Jenkins Reid’s previous books (Daisy Jones and the Six and The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo), I wanted to be able to look online to see what the family have done since that infamous party of 1983. I love how real Taylor Jenkins Reid’s characters always feel and how connected I am to them as I am reading. I really do forget they are fictional!

I will be recommending this incredible book to everyone and am so grateful to have been able to be immersed in the life of the famous Riva family!

I was so excited to read this book as I loved Daisy Jones & The 6 and I have to be honest and say I didn’t love it as much. I do find that the author is brilliant at setting the scene and introducing the reader to the characters. There are quite a few of them in this story and I liked most of the main ones but felt there were maybe two or three too many at the party.

I think if you enjoy easy family drama style stories then you will love this!

3.5 ⭐️ rounded to 4.

Thank you to #NetGalley for the copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. #MalibuRising #TaylorJenkinsReid

Malibu Rising is a rollercoaster of emotions. Set in the picturesque beach town, but what looks beautiful on the outside, might not be all that it seems.

The story follows the Riva family, in the 12 hours leading up to their annual end of Summer party. Even though each one of the 4 Riva children have other things on their mind in a place like Malibu appearance is everything & the show must go on.
I loved the way the story was laid out! Even though the main plot is set in just 12 hours, the chapters are interspersed with flashback chapters to the siblings childhood and their parents stories. This gives us a real insight on how they came to be the family that everyone knows, at least in the superficial sense.
The pacing of the book was phenomenal for the size of it. The fear I have with contemporaries is that they will become mundane after a while, but this kept me hooked right the way through. I found myself not wanting to put it down at all.

The characters have such dynamic personalities. They are each so different and that gives them such a realistic feel as siblings, who despite their differences will do anything for each other.

I am so impressed by this book! It has truly exceeded all my expectations of what an adult contemporary can be.