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A review by louisa_pre
Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Did I find the characters loveable? YES I DID!!!
The book follows four siblings for 24 hours on a day in August in 1983. The reader knows from the very beginning that by the end of the day, their house will have gone up in flames. That already had me hooked, and I wanted to know under which circumstances that would happen.
And while the story leads up to that fire, we get to know Jay, Hud, Kit and Nina Riva. I read riva and was like- wait a second Riva, like Mick Riva? Evelyn Hugo’s third husband Mick Riva? Yes Indeed, he’s their father…
There were multiple Easter eggs connecting to „the seven husbands of Evelyn Hugo“. Although this book was not about her, I just loved to notice the little connections and being in the same world. However, this story isn’t set in LA or NYC but Malibu.
It has perfect surfer vibes and the setting felt like summer to me. During the 24 hours we get flashbacks starting in the fifties leading up to the 80s. These are about the Riva Kids parents and I liked getting the entire background information on the family.
Later when the party at the riva mansion begins, TJR introduces MANY characters- like at least 15? - but I feel like she did it so well that I wanted to know about all of them. There is depth in every character and we get to understand all their motifs and emotions because they are so well written. I love the bond that the siblings have, I think it would make sense to turn this into a movie or a tv series.
I felt all the emotions when mick left and then showed up almost 20 years later. I think I would read his small part in Evelyn Hugo differently now that I know he already had three children at that point. I was angry at his betrayal on June and his kids and I was very glad when Nina spoke up to him in the end.
The book follows four siblings for 24 hours on a day in August in 1983. The reader knows from the very beginning that by the end of the day, their house will have gone up in flames. That already had me hooked, and I wanted to know under which circumstances that would happen.
And while the story leads up to that fire, we get to know Jay, Hud, Kit and Nina Riva. I read riva and was like- wait a second Riva, like Mick Riva? Evelyn Hugo’s third husband Mick Riva? Yes Indeed, he’s their father…
There were multiple Easter eggs connecting to „the seven husbands of Evelyn Hugo“. Although this book was not about her, I just loved to notice the little connections and being in the same world. However, this story isn’t set in LA or NYC but Malibu.
It has perfect surfer vibes and the setting felt like summer to me. During the 24 hours we get flashbacks starting in the fifties leading up to the 80s. These are about the Riva Kids parents and I liked getting the entire background information on the family.
Later when the party at the riva mansion begins, TJR introduces MANY characters- like at least 15? - but I feel like she did it so well that I wanted to know about all of them. There is depth in every character and we get to understand all their motifs and emotions because they are so well written. I love the bond that the siblings have, I think it would make sense to turn this into a movie or a tv series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism
Moderate: Death of parent