This book blew me away, I never wanted it to end. I am utterly in love with all of the Riva siblings and could read about their lives forever. The setting is completely immersive and Taylor Jenkins Reid really captures the feel of Malibu in the 80s. It’s not a world I’ve ever been familiar with but now I feel like I know it intimately. A novel that had me gasping in shock, and weeping in grief, this is utterly wonderful.

I have read all of Taylor Jenkins Reid’s books (including her short story “The Evidence of the affair”) and there’s not one of them that hasn’t delivered a gut-punch. “After I Do” and “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo” are one of my all-time favorite books, so it’s safe to say I was thrilled when I got the chance to read “Malibu Rising” early!

I loved all the Riva siblings and I was truly invested on their stories, but it was June’s downfall that hurt the most. TJR did a great job alternating both timelines and, as always, the characters were raw, flawed and heartbreaking.

However, I have a main complaint with “Malibu Rising”: the writing wasn’t as polished and fleshed out as in some of her previous books. TJR is always reinventing herself and I admire that, but there were some passages that ended up being downright sloppy. As is, every time a new character was introduced, we had a detailed description of their outfit, which I don’t feel was necessary at all.

I would have loved a slower version of this book, so I could get the chance to know more about the Riva family, but I really enjoyed it as it is. I devoured it in a day and I can see myself re-reading it in the future. And I can’t wait to know what TJR is planning to write next!

"Your whole world can be falling apart, she thought, but then Springsteen will start playing on the radio" Oh yes girl I hear you on this one.

I have not read any of Taylor Jenkin’s Reid other novels (although Daisy Jones and the Six is on my TBR list), so I was excited when I saw there was a flutter on interest on this ARC being on Netgalley, and having read the synopsis was delighted to be approved. Thank you Netgalley and the publisher.

From my reading of the synopsis the party was the main event of the novel that everything was going to swing around. I suppose I was expecting family secrets and possibly a dead body. So, I was a bit bewildered when I got to 47% of the novel on my kindle and the party had not even started.

What I realised is that I expected something completely different to what I got. This was not a bad thing atall as this is an excellent read. It just went to remind me that you can’t always judge a book by the cover, or even judge a book by the synopsis you just need to get stuck right in with the reading.

What this novel is, is a character driven family drama. The young family are not victims they are plucky, stick together and know there their priorities are looking after each other. They have been horrifically let down by their parents, but the novel does not dwell on issues of neglect or abuse. Instead it gives a good glimpse into a family looking out for each other and enjoying life.

The party is a big event in the novel, and as an event it’s a showstopper. I laughed out loud at parts, thinking we don’t do parties like that anymore. I came away from the novel feeling light and refreshed. There were no bodies at the party, and no who done it.

A lovely character driven family drama set in the unusual backdrop of early 1980’s Malibu with more than a big nod to the Jackie Collin’s blockbusters of the time (and I mean that as a compliment).

Another fantastic book by Taylor Jenkins Reid!

The setting of Malibu in the 1980s was wonderfully described and I loved all the Riva siblings and their stories. I also loved all the Easter eggs from The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo!

I would definitely recommend this book! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for a review.

Taylor Jenkins Reid’s ability to create such rich, character driven stories made Malibu Rising one of my most anticipated reads of 2021. I’ve loved every book she’s ever written so I wasn’t even a bit nervous going into this. Again, she has created an emotional story with characters that just evoke all sorts of feelings in a reader – they all have detailed back stories and a million dimensions to them. Not to mention that Taylor manages this in a story that takes place over 24 hours (albeit with flashbacks included).

If you read The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, you’ll be familiar with Mick Riva, the overnight husband. This is not his story, but rather the story of the wife and four kids he abandoned multiple times.

Nina is the oldest, the responsible one, the one who does anything for her family including becoming a swimsuit model which isn’t exactly her thing. Jay is next, a talented up and coming surfer, followed around the world with his brother, Hud, an amazing photographer. Finally, there’s Kit, the youngest, always being looked after, never treated like a grown up even though she’s 20 now. Together, they are the Rivas, having made their own way despite their deadbeat superstar father who left them alone.

I was definitely drawn to the female characters in this story the most. Nina’s sense of responsibility was heart-breaking, Kit was so confused about who she wanted to be in life. We also get flashbacks about their mother, June, Mick’s first wife. Basically, Mick Riva can choke for what he did to his family, he evoked a lot of hatred from me!

Between the flashbacks and the activities of the present day, there is so much going on but it is also easy to follow. I cried at the end of this story of complex family dynamics. The tension builds all the way through to the stunning conclusion. There are also random insights into side characters’ lives that were a little odd – I’m still not sure how I feel about them but it didn’t take away from my love for this story.

Overall, another 10/10 for Taylor Jenkins Reid. I’m not sure it’s my favourite novel of hers, but it’s 5 stars all the same.

This is the first Taylor Jenkins Reid book I read fully and enjoyed. Daisy Jones never gripped me even though it was hugely popular.
Malibu Rising, on the other hand, I found an easy and enjoyable read.

The Rivas, four siblings with a famous father who deserted the family when they were children, hold an annual party at the luxurious Malibu home of the eldest sister, Nina. This family saga takes place over the day and night of the party with flashbacks to the children's lives as well as that of their parents, Mick and June.

The characters of Nina and June are particularly well portrayed, especially that of June left alone to bring up the children and run the family beach cafe while never losing her love for Mick however badly he behaves. Everyone suffers as a result but Nina protects and encourages her brothers and sisters as best she can.

A good summer beach read and escapism at its best. Thanks to NetGalley and RandomHouse UK/Cornerstone/Hutchinson for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Another stellar novel form Taylor Jenkins Reid, perhaps her most ambitions and sophisticated work as of yet. This has everything you'd wish for when diving into a new title from an already favourite author - Reid keeps familiar themes and elements one loved about her previous titles (messy marriages and families, tired yet driven female characters that are nothing short of unforgettable, the glitz and glamour of the famous and rich etc), yet she manages to breathe new life into them and deliver something altogether new to her audience.
I truly think TJR could manage to present the same theme from so many different angles that it'd never get old, which is what she does in many ways. That being said, it's only natural that some iterations of it may speak more to a particular than others, either on an intellectual or emotional level; for me, Malibu Rising didn't quite hit the same mark as EVELYN HUGO and DAISY JONES, yet I feel like it's likely to be the most marketable TJR novel from a bookselling perspective and I look forward to the day I can put it into the hands of my customers (if ever this hellscape we live in ends and I get to see my beloved bookshop full of life once more).
Where EVELYN and DAISY had felt like strong caffeine injected straight into my veins, so quick and intense my attachment to them, MALIBU RISING was more like a hot, syrupy drink that needs to be savoured. It may have been the pacing (with which TJR experiments throughout the novel, perhaps to outline the way interior time manifests so much differently than clock time) or it may have been initial difficulty to connect to some of the cast, but I feel like there is a much sweeter aftertaste this book has left in my mind in retrospect than it may have felt while actively reading it.
Eventually, however, MALIBU RISING had me laughing and crying in all the rights parts, an intense rollercoaster of an emotional journey that I'm bound to look back on fondly and could easily see myself rereading.

🔎 Meet the Rivas. 4 famous siblings host an annual end of summer party that everyone is just dying to be invited to. However, this year, 1983, the party will end very differently and Nina Riva’s Malibu mansion will go up in flames 😬 What happened? How did the party go so wrong?... Let the Rivas tell you!⁣
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✨ THIS BOOK... I’m still processing how I feel about it, but initial thoughts 👇🏻⁣
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📆 I absolutely love a dual timeline and I really enjoyed going back to where it all began with Mick and June’s story and how the Riva’s sibilings came to be. Alongside that timeline we have the hours leading up to the party and just after the fire 😬⁣
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👩 A character driven book, there was so much to love about each of them. Nina of course was my favourite 💛⁣
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🏎 Despite finding the pace good, and feeling pretty gripped throughout!⁣

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ easy to read 4 stars

So let me start by saying Evelyn Hugo was one of my favourite books the year it came out.

Daisy Jones disappointed me.

I’d put this one in the middle of the two.

It’s easy to read, you really feel for the characters and I loved the first two thirds of the book with June & Mick.

But when we get to the party section, it loses a little something for me. It’s like a different author takes over. Did we need Mick? What was the Tarine, Greg, Ricky, Vanessa bit for? The drugs and vandalism?

But whatever, it’s pure escapism and I will be snapping up the next book by the author.

Malibu Rising is a glamorously thrilling and crafty exploration of family bonds, inherited burdens, and the pretentious price of fame. It follows four famous siblings: Nina, Jay, Hud, and Kit Riva, as they prepare to celebrate the biggest (and wildest) party of the summer.

Taylor Jenkin Reid’s quick and punchy wit is back in full force in Malibu Rising. Paired with her vivid descriptions of the Californian coast, Reid really transports the reader to Malibu. You can almost hear the waves, see the narrow canyons and feel the early Santa Ana winds. Still, there’s an emotional weight to Reid’s tone that is perfectly balanced by its sunny setting.

As the oldest sibling, Nina Riva is the real protagonist of Malibu Rising. And I love the way she was written. She’s both grounded and complex. From a young age, her personality and traits are branded, then moulded by her environment and experiences as she grows up. Reid brilliantly depicts her role as the first born and first female sibling, without draining too much strength from her dynamic character. She’s certainly the most memorable, much like Daisy and Evelyn.

Malibu Rising dives deep into family ties, which it sits at the heart of the novel. It's not just a book about a party and a fire. It’s a book about family and resilience. And it’s a book about forgiveness. The plot’s biggest events push the reader to wonder if the experiences and mistakes of our parents imprint on our own lives. And if that’s something we can ever really escape from.

Malibu Rising is a family saga, chronicling the lives of the Riva family. We follow siblings Nina, Jay, Hud and Kit over the course of one 24 hour period in 1983, the day of the annual Riva party. We also flash back to the 1950s when their mother June fell in love with their father Mick, setting her life on course for intense joy and heartbreak.

I did really enjoy this. Reid is known for her characterisation. The plot may not blow you away but you will know the Riva siblings inside out. You will feel a connection to them and you will have a clear picture of each of them in your head. You will find yourself casting the movie as you read. Small criticism however; After also reading (and loving) Daisy Jones & The Six and The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, I have to ask, can this author write a character that isn't impossibly beautiful?

A great choice for a summer/beach read.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House UK for the free copy in exchange for an honest review.

This is a brilliant book and unputdownable.

It’s not the sort of book I would usually pick up, set in Malibu with a glamorous, unattainable crowd, but I enjoyed’Daisy Jones and the Six’ so thought I would try it.

The scene is set from the start when we learn of a fire in Malibu at a party. From then the book is divided into two parts: the 12 hours before the party, and the 12 hours during and after, as we build up to the cataclysmic conclusion.

The first part explores the relationships between four siblings, and introduces their father, Mick Riva, an A list musician.

The writing style is brilliant, it sucked me in from the start, I couldn’t stop reading, as the events leading to the party meant that you knew there would be fireworks.

I would definitely recommend this book. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was such a fabulous, and gripping novel. loved all the characters it all felt real. Though I don't get the surfing culture I do recognise the impulse and the freedom of sailing on the waves. I found the story poignant and filled with little tit bits of family love, resentment and jealousies that always rumble in the depths. This was a powerful tale of family loyalty and destruction. loved every minute of it.

Taylor Jenkins Reid has done it again. Shattered my heart through a single novel, having me want to abandon all responsibilities and go live in Malibu. I don’t know how she consistently writes these strong novels full of powerful women and heartbreaking consequences, but she does it flawlessly.

Both June and Nina have a sadness to them, the product of broken families and broken men. But despite this, they shine through everything. They’re written as a perfect balance of women who have had their lives ruined but still persevere in spite of it all. I think their characters are the strongest and most well written, they had such development to them that I forget while reading that they weren’t real people. In saying that, all the side characters were incredibly well developed, considering this is a stand alone. The development we see from them is something I almost expect from a duology, something about these characters feels like we’ve known them a long time, even though they are brand new to us. Every named character added something to this story, I think without even one of them it wouldn’t have felt complete.

As with her previous books that I’ve read, I know this one will stick with me for a while. It was a pleasure to read, from the very first sentence to the last word. Jenkins Reid has earned her places as one of my top authors and this book further solidifies this, it was a masterpiece.

Malibu Rising is the story of the Riva family but focuses primarily on Nina who is about to host the party of the year in her cliff top mansion in Malibu. We find out that she has recently split from her tennis pro husband and is a top surfing model herself. The first part of the story focuses on Nina’s childhood and provides flashbacks to the love story between her mum June and her father Mick while he tries to become a famous singer. We learn how Nina grows up feeling responsible for her siblings; Jay, Kit and Hud, and how everything she does is for other people. The second part of the story focuses on the party at Nina’s house and is an hour-by-hour account of the night. Many people will read this story because they loved Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid and while this is an easy read, it is not like Daisy Jones. There are a lot of characters and interconnecting storylines - particularly so in the second part of the story - and this makes it very difficult to invest in themor keep track of them. I did really like the protagonist Nina and her mum June but did not really care about any other characters and felt there wasn’t enough depth to any of them. The writing style is short and punchy which makes for a very quick, easy read but, for me, fails to create any emotional impact. It would make a good summer/holiday read.

I could have read hundreds more pages of this book, just to stay in this sunny, glamourous world a little longer, and I am so upset with myself that I didn't stretch it out for longer. Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid isn't out till May, and you would be wise to use that time to read The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo and Daisy Jones and the Six. Not only are they also fun, immersive reads, but they both take place in the same world as Evelyn and Daisy, though those two characters aren't explicitly mentioned. While the first book dealt with Hollywood in the 60s (and more widely) and the second with the LA music scene, this new novel is set in Malibu, about a famous family of surfers.

Nina Riva is a surfer babe, swimsuit model, estranged daughter of world famous musician Mick Riva and wife to a beloved pro, but is getting tired of being seen as an extension of the men around her, or purely for their gaze. She has spent her young life raising her siblings: a surfer pro, a photographer, and a student who may be more of a natural than the rest of them. Tensions come to a head at a massive party that gets out of control and goes down in Malibu history as legendary.

I missed the interview or documentary elements of the other two books, as this had more of a traditional structure, though it jumps around in time a lot, but it's probably unfair to group them all like this as they aren't a series. I'm also less drawn to the surfer/party celeb vibes than I was the old Hollywood/Fleetwood Mac type drama of the other two, but that's just personal taste. The only thing that I imagine could turn readers off is that it feels like its written for screen/Netflix. I felt that sometimes the author was showing AND telling, really emphasising visual elements such as how Nina looked, exact details in photographs or exactly how the house is decorated. Each character is imbued with a really dramatic importance, and everything seems to be fated, from the cold open of the book that compares the fire at the houseparty to wildfire in the area, to the choices and consequences even the small characters make and have. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, and is a feature of a few novels I've read lately and enjoyed, but I think this is an influence of a lot of recent longform TV shows adapting books or being written more like novels themselves. This turns some readers off but personally I would just call this cinematic!

I enjoyed each of the perspectives in the novel and found something to like in each of the characters, and found the flashback sections to their younger selves or parents lives really compelling, as well as the hour by hour lead up to the party itself. Taylor Jenkins Reid has a gift for writing family drama and about celebrity culture, and really understands how, from the inside of a family with big personalities, these two things can be more similar than you realise.

While the "reality" of the world was grounded in the other two novels, and I just love when books are interconnected quite loosely, though this would be a fabulous read on its own, perfect by lounging by a pool or the sea on your summer holidays - or read to lift you out of the depths of winter as I did!

Amazing from page one I was hooked. Telling two stories from the past about June and Mick Riva, to the present day which follows their children over twenty four hours this story is packed with drama, heartbreak and strength. I loved the characters even Mick and was left wanting more. If I could give this a 100 stars I would. Thank you so much for letting read an advanced copy. This is a must have book that I will be telling everyone to buy.

Taylor Jenkins Reid trifft wieder einmal meinen Geschmack. Ihre Figuren, Geschichten und Auflösungen gehen unter die Haut. In Malibu Rising verfolgen wie die Familiengeschichte der Famillie Riva. Mick und June sind Anfangs das perfekte Traumpaar, aber das ändert sich schon bald.

MALIBU RISING
“I’m just really sick and tired of people thinking they can treat me like I don’t have a heart. Like mine doesn’t break, too.”
You say Taylor Jenkins Reid, I say sold! Thanks to NetGalley & random house, UK for the advanced copy. Malibu rising will be released on the 25th of May 2021.

I laughed, I sniffled, I smiled and went through a whirlwind of emotions. Malibu rising centred around the Riva Family flashing between June & Mick’s toxic marriage and their children in the present day; Nina, Jay, Hud and Kit, each well known in their own way. A model, a surfer, a photographer and little sister Kit living in their shadows. I got little fires everywhere vibes from this, which I loved!

The parts about June & Mick’s marriage and the past, I would have rated 20 stars, I loved them so much. I felt as if I could actually feel June’s pain and anguish, her inner turmoil. Doing exactly what she had never wanted.

I still enjoyed the present day parts, seeing where the four Riva children had ended up.

I adored this book and now need to read the rest of TJR books!

I was a big fan of the Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo and enjoyed Daisy Jones and the Six, but to a lesser extent. So I was really pleased to be offered this review copy of Malibu Rising, Taylor Jenkins Reid’s new book.

It took me a little while to get into it, but once I got to know the characters I was hooked. While the book is set in the 80s, it goes back in time to provide historical content for the characters. It was once we started to get to these contextual sections that I began to “care” more about them and got properly into the book properly.

The story is set around the implications of a large and raucous party that takes place in the main character’s house one summer night. By the time we get to the party we’ve already learnt a lot about the main characters so it’s interesting to see what we have learnt change over the course of one evening. At this point the reader is also introduced to a number of new characters, which gives us a sense of how the party is progressing outside of the main story arc.. I liked this device, but I found it hard to keep track of these new characters (which could be because I was gobbling up the book to find out what happened, of course!).

There are some lovely bits of writing in this and some very profound and thought-provoking sections that had me highlighting in my kindle.

This is a great story and I’d be very happy to recommend it to people who enjoyed Jenkins Reid’s other books.

Thank you for my review copy in return for this honest review.