Reviews tagging 'Drug abuse'

Malibu Renasce by Taylor Jenkins Reid

186 reviews

honeybunchesofoats06's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

Once again, Taylor Jenkins Reid did a phenomenal job on this book. It follows the complicated story of Mick Riva’s (who you might recognize from The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo) family and the beautiful relationship between his children. The writing in this novel is outstanding, just like Reid’s other works. I did find it to be a slower pace but that did not take away from the overall story. All the characters in this book were extremely lovable and the family dynamic between the Riva family is absolutely heart wrenching. I loved the character development of Nina Riva and it honestly almost had me in tears. The dual timeline really adds to the development of the plot in a interesting and tasteful way. I love love love how the information was revealed through out that helped builded up to the ending. The only thing I wish it had more of was the fire. It seemed like that was going to be a really big part of the story but it turns out it wasn’t. Still an amazing read and I would recommend it to anyone!

Fav quote:
“When there is only you, you do not get to choose which job you want, you do not get to decide you are incapable of anything. There is no room for distaste or weakness. You must do it all. All of the ugliness, the sadness, the things most people can’t stand to even think about, all must live inside of you. You must be capable of everything.”

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jdawg1's review against another edition

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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

4.5


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jenna_s_9's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

As it goes, f-ck Mick Riva.

I really enjoy Taylor Jenkins Reid, her novels always have a way of punching me in the heart. This one more pointedly.

This felt fast paced, I loved how the dual timelines played out and how the story came together in the second half. As readers we are offered so much insight to the characters and how they affect the people around them. It felt entirely immersive.

Her characters are unlikable in some ways but entirely human, Nina being the most compelling character for me. Maybe because I see some of what she is in myself, that feeling of having to accept but never allowing herself to be.  

Nobody is perfect. But once again, TJR captures what we all want from people so eloquently, we want them to try. Try. 


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ellamary16's review against another edition

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emotional lighthearted relaxing sad medium-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

4.25


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ptitirodactyle's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful lighthearted mysterious reflective relaxing medium-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

4.0


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dannythestreet's review against another edition

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emotional medium-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

4.25


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questingnotcoasting's review against another edition

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emotional reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I loved Daisy Jones and really liked Evelyn Hugo so I had quite high expectations for this, which it didn't quite live up to. It was still very fun though. Fictional famous people and dual timelines tend to work for me. I was very invested in the story from the beginning and I really enjoyed seeing glimpses into even the minor characters' lives. However I was expecting more of an explosive ending or final twist of some kind, so I was left wanting a bit more. I'm not sure if I'll read Carrie Soto just because I don't know if I'll be able to care about tennis, but I was a bit intrigued by the few glimpses of her in this. 

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aliyachaudhry's review against another edition

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emotional sad 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


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madelinedalton's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

Taylor Jenkins Reid writes excellent three-dimensional, unique characters, and that really shines in this book. Not only are the four Riva siblings compelling in their family dynamic, but each one of them is interesting and easy to root for. 

Part 1 of this book is so strong, but Part 2 is where it unravels. So many side characters are introduced at the Riva party, and I found it really distracting. The heart of the story is the Riva family, and it would have been even more impactful without random scenes of intoxicated celebrities doing stupid shit interspersed throughout. 

Overall, I would definitely recommend this story to people who like sibling and family dramas!! 

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madi622's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional reflective sad 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

3.5


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