Reviews

Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid

savannalope's review

fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

TJR books for me are like brain candy. Something about the way she tries to make her cast of characters diverse is off putting, not because I don't like diversity but because her diverse characters often feel like they are on the verge of being token characters, in a way that makes me uncomfortable. This was the first book where I figured out that all her books are intertwined by a small thread of overlapping characters, which for some reason actually made me annoyed instead of delighted. I dunno, I guess I'm kind of a hater? And yet I still find myself listening to her audiobooks when I need something to listen to while working and doing chores?

readwithkrissy's review

emotional funny inspiring lighthearted reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

rkibler24's review

emotional fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

4.0

grace_muriithi's review against another edition

3.0

I am one of the readers who discovered this book after The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, which I absolutely adored. That being said, I really felt as though this book was a 3-3.5 stars because it was basically about the whole "pull yourself up by your bootstraps" thing (admittedly, not at all by choice because of the terrible hand that the Riva kids were given). Also, the whole thing was about (mostly) rich white people problems that I couldn't relate to personally. That being said, I enjoyed the first 50-60% of the novel, but I felt as though things slowed down significantly towards the end with the grand reveal and the multiple POVs that I had trouble remembering, character-wise.

beccalakatos's review

adventurous dark emotional funny inspiring reflective 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

4.0

bpina92's review against another edition

emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

laurengenin7's review against another edition

emotional hopeful sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated

2.5

junyan's review against another edition

4.0

Hmmm I don’t know about the ending…kind of like it?
I love the TJR’s realistic way of writing, which makes me wonder if the Riva siblings are real people.

valentinalopez's review

medium-paced

3.5

risaroundzworld's review

emotional reflective 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

4.0