A review by erinj_96
Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid

adventurous emotional funny reflective fast-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? Yes

4.25

Not my favorite of tjr’s but still worth a read.  It took me FOREVER to finish and I think it’s because of the inserts of the partygoers towards the end of the book. Most of the book is a dual timeline between mick riva and june riva’s marriage and life and the present day and then towards the end

After June dies

that is replaced with random little chapters about party antics.  While that’s entertaining and helps paint a picture of how crazy the party is, it felt like it delayed plot development and took me out of the story.  Maybe that was the point? Idk.  I DESPISE mick riva and LOVE Nina riva.  So many good eldest daughter quotes and prose in this book about picking up the slack and being the dependable one and thinking that your best trait is the ability to endure when there’s actually power is refusal.  There are really great moments in this boom and most of them belong to the riva kids and June riva.  It’s no Evelyn Hugo but it’s such a good book!