Reviews with content warning for Toxic relationship - Malibu Rising

She did it again! I've gradually been going through TJR's backlist (this is my second to last one). And I was kinda scared going into this book because it's been almost a year since I've read her recent work. With that being said this book didn't disappoint. I was soo happy to see a little cameo from her previous novel, "The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo"

Though I wish the book would've mentioned Mick'd brief marriage with Evelyn considering they mentioned some of his other wives.

I love how everything unfolded as you go through the story and how the flashbacks from the past reflect the events of the present. Speaking, I'm not gonna lie I LOVED reading Mick and June's story (all things considered) and it broke my heart to read the events that transpired. Me, personally, I would've never forgiven him for any of that. Mick Riva is literally the scum of the Earth. Nina was the star of this book and it was nice to see her character develop from putting others first to putting herself first. Overall, a great and entertaining story!

I am nervous to read Carrie Soto Is Back though considering Carrie wasn't the most appealing character in Malibu Rising. She was so disrespectful and willing pursued a married man.

Content Warnings

samburkhouse's review against another edition

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emotional reflective 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

4.75

Content Warnings

mariakureads's review against another edition

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sad medium-paced

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

2.5

I liked Reid's 'Daisy Jones & The Six' that I decided to give this one a try and saddened to admit I'm not a fan.

It's ok. I'm not going to like all the books I read but honestly as the book wore on, I didn't like a single character and couldn't connect with any honestly to care enough about what happened to them as the book switched back n forth between past and present tense, especially Mick. A deadbeat dad, if I ever read one.

Mick is entitled and the cliché rich rock star that leaves his wife and kids that when he decided he wants to come back, is too late to be any kind of father figure and he's not wanted or needed. These kids grew up without him just fine as Nina, the oldest of the bunch, stood up and became the parent that she didn't want to be in order to make ends meet.
I feel for Nina, I do, but there were so many times that her character was just so meh and allowed herself to be touched and fondled all because she didn't want to "cause a scene" that I gave up on her growing a spine and when she does, kudos because she does, it's towards the last 20 mins of the audiobook and I was done.

But the thing that bothered me the most of this entire book, and I do mean the entire book, is Reid's choice of using the phrase "he said" or "she said" throughout the entire book! OMG there are other ways to go about phrasing this and have read it and heard it in other books. I seriously got annoyed about how many times throughout the book the phrase appears that honestly I could have turned it into a drinking game. It got annoying quick and nothing against Julia Whelan, who narrates this because she was great, but seriously it was grating.

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