Loved this book, especially the use of the third person omniscient narrator. The story was captivating and the genuine love shared between siblings was authentic and heartwarming.

Taylor Jenkins Reid can do no wrong. I fell in love with her books after reading After I Do. I’ve since reread that book multiple times along with all her other books. Malibu Rising may be my new favorite. I loved the story, the characters, they setting etc.  I laughed and cried and did not want it to end. 
It is the story of the four Riva siblings and how they created a life together in the absence of their famous father. It’s about the relationship between sibling, mother and children, husband and wife and of finding yourself and being true to you aside from any expectations. 
I just loved this book and will be talking about it to every one I know!

I am a huge fan of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, so when I discovered that Taylor Jenkins Reid was writing a novel about one of the characters from Evelyn Hugo, I was instantly intrigued.

Malibu Rising is set in 1980s Malibu and chronicles the lives of Nina, Jay. Hud, and Kit - the children of legendary singer Mick Riva. The entire book is showing the events of one day - the Riva children's annual end of summer party, with flashbacks mixed in from the 1950s and 1960s. 

TJR is an extremely talented writer. The pacing of this novel was perfect - it really became unputdownable for me as I yearned to read how it would all unfold. There were tender moments that made me cry and tear up. Funny moments of how rich people act. Juicy family drama. This novel had so much packed into it. Even with all of the minor characters introduced, I felt that it was easy to follow all of the subplots. 

Overall I gave this 5 stars because of the underlying messages of family. The Riva children were beautifully developed characters - hopefully we can see more of them in future novels. 

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for a copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

Taylor Jenkins Reed sucked me into her world with The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. She kept me with Daisy Jones and the Six. Malibu Rising, Reed's highly anticipated new novel felt like a mixture of both. 

Set in 1980's Malibu, Malibu Rising is the story of siblings Nina, Jay, Hud, and Kit, children of international singing sensation, Mick Riva. Their lives were built and shattered by his career. Deserted by Riva more than once in their lives, they watched their mother struggle and lose her battle with alcohol leaving them to raise each other. 

As everyone prepares for Nina's annual end of summer party, secrets among the siblings come out and by the end of the night, Malibu will burn and their lives will never be same. 

In her latest novel, Reed explores the relationships between siblings, the power of love, and the importance of family, even when it doesn't look like what we expect. .

Yet another AMAZING book from Taylor Jenkins Reid!! The siblings Nina, Jay, Hud, and Kit felt like part of my family. From their family backstories with parents Mick and June, to how their present-day (in the 1980's) lives intersect, I very much enjoyed following how everything was interconnected with each other. Add in the stories of the other secondary (but still important!) characters, it made for such a truly great storyline. I absolutely loved this book and  I didn't want it to end! 5 big stars to Malibu Rising!

In order to not feel completely nauseated...(such a let down book after “Daisy Jones and the Six”)...
around half way into this Southern California doozie-eye-rolling novel....
I decided it was up to me to turn the tables... and have a little fun. 
And so I did....( kinda)....
But oh dear....”Taylor, I love you...have enjoyed all your previous books....but “Malibu Rising”, is not your best work.  

It was 1983....
Malibu was a place were rich white people lived....
....home to beaches cradling the crystal blue waves of the Pacific Ocean.
“Beach houses are crammed along the side of the highway competing for views, narrow and tall”. 
     Early mornings, the beach was quiet. It was a glory time of day for serious surfers....
There was a small exclusive cove, protected on all three sides by fifty foot cliffs. Technically, the beach was public. But the only people who knew how to get to it were those who had access to private stairs or those willing to hike the jagged coast line and risk high tide. 

In 1956....
      .....a few years before “The Beach Boys” and a few months before “Gidget”—( thank you, Sandra Dee) —surfing was becoming popular among teenagers.  
     .....we get a little family history (family drama, character profiles) about the Riva family:
We get the scoop on June, Mick...and their kids: Nina, Jay, Hud, and Kit. 
 In the 50’s, Malibu was a rural fishing town with only one traffic signal. 
     ..... The town was coming into its adolescence. Surfers were setting up shop with your tiny shorts, longboards, and bikinis were coming into fashion. 
June‘s family owned Pacific Fish Restaurant (the oldest surviving offbeat restaurants in Los Angeles today) 
But....
The bulk of this story takes place in 1983....over one long 24-hour day.
BEWARE.....
                 THIS IS NOT A DUDE BOOK. It’s woman’s fiction for those who love gossip magazines about celebrities, family drama, and schlocky cringe scenes like the following:
     “Lara climbed on top of him and began to move, her shirt lifted to expose her breasts, her skirt around her hips. The top of her head kept hitting the ceiling of the truck and Jay, trying so very hard to focus on Lara, couldn’t help but wonder if HUD had fucked Ashley in this truck, just like this. If Ashley‘s head head also hit the ceiling”

MY EYES WERE ROLLING. 
My husband, Paul, had a few good laughs - (we were both reading books - side by side - yesterday, Saturday afternoon (nice lazy day).
Paul said....”ok, enough already, read to yourself”.  
He wasn’t interested in growing bigger boobies from estrogen overload. 

Maybe Taylor was stoned when she wrote this book....(I don’t think I could blame her if she was)....
but there were many pages of ‘bad writing’ and trite stereotyping. 

The ‘fun’ parts for me were the tidbits visuals of the day ...( laughable to boot):
Virginia slims, Marlboro cigarettes, Tab, Jeep’s, Jaguars, Airstream caravans, and Wayfarers classic sunglasses (popular among celebrities) were classic in 1983. 
So was long brown hair, 
lightened with lemon juice, slim toned bodies, string bikinis, and tanned skin.  
Love affairs, and Topsiders were nifty. 
Crop tops and Daisy Dukes, were stylin....
Backyard parties; threesomes with rock stars in the jacuzzi wasn’t shocking....
Cigarettes, vodka, tequila, whiskey: booze of all kinds, cocaine, multiple divorces, death, pregnancy, the local surf shop, surfing, ( hot pink surf boards were cool), Tennis stars, pop music stars,  
Keg parties, actors, models, writers, Directors, even a few Olympians, were apropos to Los Angeles, California.  
And....
‘Lame’, a popular slang saying in 1983 ... was kinda ‘lame’. 

Honestly, I don’t think I ever remember a book that Taylor Jenkins Reid wrote this bad.  But, like I said....I ‘went with it’....I rode the wave....
And luckily evacuated in time ....as to not get caught in the coastal cliff fire. 

Maybe Taylor was hurting and distracted when she wrote this novel, like many of us during the pandemic—
So I forgive her —and to be fair ... there were a few tender sweet emotional moments. 
Taylor Jenkins Reid fans will gobble this book anyway. Great work, mediocre...some of us simply love TJR ( me too). 

I leave you with one small except:
     “Every day of your life feels like you’re climbing up a mountain. And then you get there and you stay for a bit. And it’s nice at the top. But then you start sliding down the other side”. 

Thank you Random House, Netgalley, and Taylor Jenkins Reid

TRJ is one of my favorite authors, so I was very excited to get my hands on this arc. The story has a little bit of a Seven Husbands vibe and also reminded me of Daisy Jones a little. TRJ is an amazing story teller who really brings her characters to life and this book is no exception. I’ve been in a reading slump, and this was the first book I’ve finished to get me out of that slump this year. I thought this book was great, and gave it four stars. The only small disappointment was I thought there was going to be a big twist at the end/something big was going to happen so I kept reading anticipating something really bad to happen and it never did. I felt like the ending was a little rushed. I highly recommend this book if you are a TRJ fan, or just simply looking to read a great story.

I absolutely loved it! Teared up three times. I didn’t want it to end!! Honestly though in my opinion there should be one more chapter at the end. Also Kit needs her own book🙌🏻
I love how heartbreaking but beautiful Taylor Jenkins Reid’s writing is and this does NOT disappoint.

In all honesty, I didn't know what to expect from Taylor Jenkins Reid; I haven't read any of her works. But reading this one made me add all her other books to my tbr.

Vividly written and painstakingly real, Malibu Rising focuses on the story of the famous Riva family as they navigate their way through life in this highly anticipated book from Reid. It is set in 1980s Malibu wherein they annually hold a party--that everyone wants to be a part of--that is open to everyone who has the address.

I loved this book; from beginning until the end. There wasn't a single dull moment in the book. There's a lot of storyline incorporated within this book which I enjoyed. It was nice reading how each distinct character overcomes a certain situation in their own way. Every Riva siblings is fleshed out in such a relatable way. Their inner battles, their monologues, everything about them made the story 100% enojyable. Nina, Hud, Jay, and Kitt all have a special place in my heart after this book. Mick, on the other hand, I'm gonna say I disliked his character. That's all I'm gonna say about him.

Taylor Jenkins Reid writes beautifully and without limit. It would take me some time to recover from this rollercoster ride of a book; because believe me when I say it is. I laughed, and cried, and had my heart wrenched out of me. It was that painful.

5/5! I will be thinking about this book for a very long time.

Thank you Random House Publishing and Netgalley for sending me an early copy in exchange for an honest review.

Simply put, ‘Malibu Rising’ is spectacular. I couldn’t put it down after I started it - it’s certainly one of those read-in-a-day books, and already know it will be one of my favorite books of 2021. Telling the story of the Malibu-based Riva siblings, Taylor Jenkins Reid has crafted a world you want to get lost in and well-developed characters you’re instantly rooting for. As a huge fan of some her other books, I also enjoyed the nod to certain those universes as well. Highly highly recommend, you will not be disappointed.

I liked tots book overall. I felt really connected to the Rivas, their trials and tribulations. It was kind of fun to reminisce about the 80s, too. The house party, though, I couldn’t Jeri track of who people were. Nina’s best friend seemed to come out of nowhere, but it was a day in the life of..., so I wouldn’t really expect to know who she was. I think, by that point, I felt so invested in Nina that I felt I should know who her friends were. 

That was quite the party!

Wow!  I couldn’t put this book down!  The Rivas children have a famous dad, but their childhood was less than ideal. This is the story of the development of their parents’ relationship and also the lives of the children after they have grown up with the consequences of their parents’ relationship. The story of how the children pull together in difficult times was beautifully written. I look forward to reading another book by this author!

I had a definite bias when I started reading this, because I love everything Taylor Jenkins Reid has written, and this is no exception. Malibu Rising follows 2 main storylines - Mick and June 's history from when they met in the 1950s and their adult children in 1983. There's lots of heartbreak in this story. The characters and family issues are so real and honestly flawed you will see yourself at some point in this book. I'm partial to Nina and Kit, but I did love all the Rivas kids, flaws and all. 

Taylor Jenkins Reid has done it again with another great book that will make you cry and laugh and cheer.

Taylor Jenkins Reid has done it again, crafting another perfect novel. Every year Nina Riva, the estranged daughter of world-famous, Mick Riva throws the party of the year. There are no invites, you just need to know where to show up.  After years of struggle Nina, and her siblings are in what appears on the outside as great places in their lives but that couldn't be further from the truth. Nina has no interest in this year's party, after being very publicly dumped by her pro-athlete husband. But the party is a tradition, and the party will go on. Flipping back and forth between the story of Nina's parents, siblings, Nina, and other guests at the party I could not get through this book fast enough. Every chapter was another wonderful surprise. 

Thank you to NetGalley for this fabulous book. It's not even out yet and I'm counting down to TJR's next release.

Malibu Rising was really good. I enjoyed the setting, the backstory, and the characters, as well as the unique format of only taking place in one day with flashbacks intertwined, but something felt like it was missing for me and I don’t know what it was. I think I would have wanted to read an epilogue. I like closure and knowing what happens to everyone in the end. Other than that, it was great!

Daisy Jones and the Six was one of my favorite reads last year, so when I saw a new TJR title, I did a little happy dance. Admittedly, my wheelhouse is thriller/horror/suspense, but when the writing's this good, genre doesn't matter much. I ugly cried reading Daisy Jones, so I had equal expectations for Malibu Rising, and I was not disappointed. 

Siblings Nina, Hud, Jay, and Kit have taken care of themselves for as long as they can remember. Their father, famous musician Mick Riva, was never really part of their lives, their mother did the best she could with what she had, and as the four prepare for their annual Riva party--the IT event in Malibu where everyone who's anyone will be in attendance--an unexpected night of revelations will force them to confront their own personal demons.

One night changes everything. 

I *LOVED* this book.

Reid's writing is spectacular. She builds her fictional world with such an authentic voice that it's impossible not be engrossed by it. With her casual allusions to imaginary famous artists mixed with real-life references, it's an interesting way to set the tone and build the setting without relying completely on pop cultural references. 

And she does this not through high-stakes driven plot--although the stakes do feel high at different junctures--but through expert character development and emotional investment. This is definitely a character driven narrative, and Reid's storytelling shines. We get intricate backstories and layered anecdotes that draw out our characters in visual pieces. Indeed, even the minor characters are given a voice, if only for a chapter, and each new voice brings a slightly different level of connection to the main storyline. The alternating timelines worked well because of this, as we get to see the circumstances spanning decades that bring us to this one significant night. Not only does this emphasize how the little decisions matter as much as the big ones, but also how time is a construct, and the relationships we form (and how we form them) are based on our own life experiences.

I related to Nina's character so much. With beautiful moments of resilience and heartbreaking choices, I found her arc to be the most satisfying. No spoilers, of course, but her growth resonates for numerous reasons, and I think readers will fall in love with her. 

At its heart, this is a story about family. I'm glad to see this explosion of sibling-centered fiction coming to light. This Is Us, Umbrella Academy--the connections we have to our siblings--by birth or by choice--are just as important as the romantic endeavors we pursue. Reid explores the complexity of love through a mother and child. An estranged father and the daughter he never knew. An unrequited fling and the search for the real thing. 

Malibu Rising is a gut-wrenching, heart-exploding, smart story that will leave you in tears in the best possible way. Out in June, this is easily on my best-of 2021. 

Big thanks to Ballantine and NetGalley for providing an eARC in exchange for honest review consideration.

💫📖𝘽𝙤𝙤𝙠 𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙬 📖💫

📖 Malibu Rising
👩🏻‍💻 Taylor Jenkins Reid
📅 Pub date: June 1, 2021 

🌟𝗔𝗺𝗮𝘇𝗼𝗻: no reviews yet
🌟𝗚𝗼𝗼𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘀: 4.38/5
🌟𝗦𝗲𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝘆 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴!

🏄🏻𝐒𝐲𝐧𝐨𝐩𝐬𝐢𝐬: It’s August 1983 in Malibu and the annual Rivas end of summer party is the place to be at. Everyone wants to see the famous Rivas siblings; Nina- a model or Jay and Hud- pro surfers, or maybe their famous father - Mick Rivas. This novel tells the story of the Rivas family and the events leading up to the annual party and the party itself. 
🏄🏻𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐨𝐨𝐝: what I love most about TJR- is that she does such an amazing job of painting a landscape for her novels, the reader can visualize what is happening. She also writes so beautifully, creating a delicate backstory that the reader develops relationships with her characters. This novel had all of that, and reminded me of my all time favorite novel- daisy Jones and the six.
🏄🏻𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐚𝐝: There were some story lines I felt didn’t need to be added (some people at the party), which just added more characters and details that were unnecessary for the story line. Most novels I don’t like an epilogue- but I think I loved these characters so much, I wanted to see what happened to them in the future. (Unless there’s plans for a sequel- then I’m all for it) 
🏄🏻𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐔𝐠𝐥𝐲: Of course I am going to recommend this book, it tells the beautiful story of family and that family truly is everything, while brining in the eighties and Malibu. Another great novel from TJR, I have already preordered my physical copy! 
🌟 𝐌𝐲 𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: 4.5/5

Malibu Rising was slow to start as I was frustrated by the story of a philandering father and the mother that couldn't move forward for her kids. As the book shifted its focus to the Riva kids in the second half, I couldn't put the book down.  The lighthearted celebrity antics at the party offset the more serious portrayal of the siblings conflicts.  It was refreshing to see the loyalty and growth of the siblings as they chose not to repeat the mistakes of their parents.  Nina had all of the strength that I wish June had in the beginning of the story.

Could not put it down! Such a great read - I loved every character in the Riva family, even Mick. My biggest problem is no MW I need to know what happened after the ending!

I read the first 75% of this book in a few hours because I could. Not. Put. It. Down. I finally forced myself to go to sleep at 1 am because I knew I would have stayed up however long it took to finish it but the idea from parting from the Riva siblings was painful. The characters in this book are masterfully crafted and each side character has as rich and detailed a background as the protagonists. The writing is lyrical and the tone whips up as quickly as a party turning into a rager or a fire bursting from a spark until you’re left with something wild and exciting. I loved it and can’t wait to read it again!