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Sunday, January 16, 2022

Review - Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid

 

 


Title: Malibu Rising

Author: Taylor Jenkins Reid

Pages: 384

Publisher: Cornerstone

Release Date: 27th May 2021

 

Blurb from Goodreads:

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 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.


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My Review:

*I received an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. My thanks to Random House UK and NetGalley*



The Riva siblings are famous for being the children of the singer Mick Riva, but they have all built a life for themselves: Nina is a surfer and model; Jay competes in surf championships; Hud's photographs have graced magazine covers; and Kit, the youngest, wants to become a professional surfer.

Every year, Nina hosts a party at the end of the summer. It is a huge event with celebrities attending as well as locals.

This year, Nina would rather cancel the party, but reluctantly agrees to go ahead with it. However, this year the party will be even more unforgettable than usual as it will end with the house burning down.


Having enjoyed, but not been blown away by the author's previous books, I was a little apprehensive as to whether this novel would go the same way as the others for me. However, already knowing part of the ending intrigued me and I decided to give it a go.

Possibly my favourite part of the book was the Riva siblings and their relationships. They were extremely supportive of each other and gave the book a lot of heart. I liked all the siblings, but Nina and Kit were my favourites. I really felt for Nina, who had put everyone else first her entire life and she'd had to give up so much.

The flashbacks were another favourite part of the book for me. They showed how the Riva siblings' parents, June and Mick, met as well as bits from their childhoods. I thought they were very well done and there weren't too many.

The plot was enjoyable and held my attention throughout. I had no idea what was going to happen, but I wouldn't say I was gripped.

The writing style was easy to follow and I got through the book quite quickly.

This ended up being my favourite book that I've read so far by the author, and I can see myself re-reading this in the future.


Overall, this was an enjoyable read that I would recommend. 

 


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