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A review by abooknomad
Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was a beautiful story about how generational trauma and family struggles affect and shape us. How we are bound by our parents’ decisions, but at the same time we are free to shape a path that is entirely our own.
I think this one might take the prize for the TJR book I’ve read so far (Evelyn Hugo and Daisy Jones) that made me cry the most. It felt so very personal to see Nina, an older sister taking care of her family and being there for them every day while her world was falling apart. This is one of my favorite fictional families no doubt, the way each sibling completes the other to form a precious tight-knit unit warmed my heart. And June, our mom, I fell in love with her from the very first moment she was introduced.
This story had so much depth and I loved it. I also love that the ocean is a character in this book. If I could, I’d go to the beach tomorrow to just sit and look at the water and learn how to surf. I also wouldn't mind hopping on a plane and visiting Malibu.
The reason why this is not a full 5-star is that I personally think the final third of the book, the party we were all waiting for, was overdone. The sudden character introductions felt at times strange and uncalled for and it took away from the storyline of the Riva siblings in my opinion. I understood what TJR was trying to portray: a kind of satire of the depths of human selfishness and self-centeredness (a theme that is very present in the rest of the story), but I’m not sure it needed to be emphasized that much… it cheapened the family story for me.
I’m also salty because Mick River didn’t get nearly enough of what he deserved. And his supposed redemption, or more like the excuse for his behavior, didn't feel sincere.
All in all, this is another great book by queen TJR. I’d like to request a whole book about Kit and Tarine, please.
I think this one might take the prize for the TJR book I’ve read so far (Evelyn Hugo and Daisy Jones) that made me cry the most. It felt so very personal to see Nina, an older sister taking care of her family and being there for them every day while her world was falling apart. This is one of my favorite fictional families no doubt, the way each sibling completes the other to form a precious tight-knit unit warmed my heart. And June, our mom, I fell in love with her from the very first moment she was introduced.
This story had so much depth and I loved it. I also love that the ocean is a character in this book. If I could, I’d go to the beach tomorrow to just sit and look at the water and learn how to surf. I also wouldn't mind hopping on a plane and visiting Malibu.
The reason why this is not a full 5-star is that I personally think the final third of the book, the party we were all waiting for, was overdone. The sudden character introductions felt at times strange and uncalled for and it took away from the storyline of the Riva siblings in my opinion. I understood what TJR was trying to portray: a kind of satire of the depths of human selfishness and self-centeredness (a theme that is very present in the rest of the story), but I’m not sure it needed to be emphasized that much… it cheapened the family story for me.
I’m also salty because Mick River didn’t get nearly enough of what he deserved. And his supposed redemption, or more like the excuse for his behavior, didn't feel sincere.
All in all, this is another great book by queen TJR. I’d like to request a whole book about Kit and Tarine, please.