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connie_joy's review against another edition
4.0
Taylor Jenkins Reid never fails. I read this in one sitting. It was incredible.
I had high hopes going into this, because of Daisy Jones and the Six (go read it now). And this book delivered.
Taylor's characters are all so real, her stories and so real. I have a hard time comprehending the fact that these aren't real people, living their lives. I think in my heart Taylor's stories and characters will always be real to me. I just wanted to reach through the pages and hold Nina, show her how to let herself be loved. The family dynamics and bonds were so beautiful and heartbreaking. Some parts of this book were tragic - others beautiful. Very thought provoking.
And, the last line of this book is one of my favourites.
Read it.
I had high hopes going into this, because of Daisy Jones and the Six (go read it now). And this book delivered.
Taylor's characters are all so real, her stories and so real. I have a hard time comprehending the fact that these aren't real people, living their lives. I think in my heart Taylor's stories and characters will always be real to me. I just wanted to reach through the pages and hold Nina, show her how to let herself be loved. The family dynamics and bonds were so beautiful and heartbreaking. Some parts of this book were tragic - others beautiful. Very thought provoking.
And, the last line of this book is one of my favourites.
Read it.
cxffee_addxct's review against another edition
5.0
I willingly and uncaringly let myself pull an all-nighter right before a 10 hour shift to finish this book because I loved it so much.
Taylor Jenkins Reid outdid herself once again with Malibu Rising. I loved every second of this book, and it made me wish I had been alive during the days when Malibu was just a small little surf town before it became the money pit that it is today. As a hobby surfer who lived in California for a large portion of her life, it made me so happy to see surfing and SoCal's surf culture highlighted as such a key factor of this book and its entire plot. Reid also did a phenomenal job of knitting together both past and present as the story went back and forth between flashbacks and the prep for the party, explaining the dynamic of the Riva siblings and showing just how things changed for them over the years as they grew up with their troubled mother and their absentee father, and how even though they have issues (as families do) they still come out of it close because ultimately, all they can count on is each other.
Their absentee father who was, in fact, the same Mick Riva that was mentioned in The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. When I realized that fact like 60% of the way through the book I felt really silly for not connecting the dots sooner.
Taylor Jenkins Reid outdid herself once again with Malibu Rising. I loved every second of this book, and it made me wish I had been alive during the days when Malibu was just a small little surf town before it became the money pit that it is today. As a hobby surfer who lived in California for a large portion of her life, it made me so happy to see surfing and SoCal's surf culture highlighted as such a key factor of this book and its entire plot. Reid also did a phenomenal job of knitting together both past and present as the story went back and forth between flashbacks and the prep for the party, explaining the dynamic of the Riva siblings and showing just how things changed for them over the years as they grew up with their troubled mother and their absentee father, and how even though they have issues (as families do) they still come out of it close because ultimately, all they can count on is each other.
Their absentee father who was, in fact, the same Mick Riva that was mentioned in The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. When I realized that fact like 60% of the way through the book I felt really silly for not connecting the dots sooner.
kyliea32's review against another edition
4.0
Certainly an interesting read about family, fame, the experience of redemption and loyalty. One which takes an interesting insight into celebrity culture and experience.
parkyodem's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Men are pigs. Nobody seems to know how to use condoms, and I, too, find surfers very attractive.
But in all seriousness, I am surprised by my rating. When I picked up this book, I didn’t think I would like it that much. I loved the relationship dynamics explored in it.
tinalee08's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
britany's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
sidsidstories's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
What I love about Taylor Jenkins Reid is that I can go into any one of her books and know that I will be satisfied and learna little about life in the process. Her stories are so immersive and captivating and the pacing of this book was brilliantly done. Malibu Rising is an experience of family, sacrifice, and love- all set in 1980s Malibu. At first I was skeptical on how she would write about 4 siblings cohesively, but after the first few chapters, I was addicted. You see yourself in each of the four siblings and root for them immensely. The themes of death, womanhood, sexuality, and generational trauma are also very intentionally written with sensitivity. The irony with the Riva siblings being surfers really hits you as you keep reading the book. If you need to get into the mood for summer, pick up this book and enjoy the waves.
isaacanator's review against another edition
4.0
Goodreads did me dirty. 2 stars!
Might post my official thoughts after I think about it some more.
Edit after 2 months:
Okay, I think about this book quite a bit. That by itself should be an indication of its impact. I also find myself using the characters as jumping off points when trying to explain a feeling or situation. I guess its actually good after all... 4 stars
Might post my official thoughts after I think about it some more.
Edit after 2 months:
Okay, I think about this book quite a bit. That by itself should be an indication of its impact. I also find myself using the characters as jumping off points when trying to explain a feeling or situation. I guess its actually good after all... 4 stars
ktkmay's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
There were too many characters involved
stefanireedmeyer's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0