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A review by selbs2004
Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
T.J.Rs writing has always gotten me emotional, and this book was no different in that way. I still very much had my moments of feeling the heavy feelings of the characters and feeling it relate to my own life. What I love about T.J.R is even though we can feel exactly how things may turn out as you read, it never changes how much you anticipate it, and how excited you get when "that part" finally comes up, and that aspect was absolutely flooded throughout this book, making it honestly really magical for me. The parts where we were focusing on the Riva family (especially in part one) were written nicely and gave the reader a lot of space to interpret things as they see it in different ways. My only criticism is the writing of June. Her character fell flat by being consumed by Mick and truly not having any aspirations outside of him, we should've seen more of her and desires and strength that didn't revolve around him. But overall, part one was decently done.
Part 2, though, was filler upon filler. Now I don't mind filler (it can be fun and definitely add some layers), but my problem was the repetitiveness of the fillers. We learn about different people and celebrities that are this party and their desires, but they all want the same thing every time sex or their one true love. It was atongnizly annoying to go through these half assed written stories of romance for absolutely zero payout at the end. Overall, you started to care less and less about the book altogether. The chapters surrounding the Riva family, though, were beautiful and truly wish this book focused more on them and their family dynamics in part 2.
Edit: The more that I think about this book more I realize how much I loved it, so I am improving my rating to 4, but as more previous grievances still stand it will most likely stay at a 4
Part 2, though, was filler upon filler. Now I don't mind filler (it can be fun and definitely add some layers), but my problem was the repetitiveness of the fillers. We learn about different people and celebrities that are this party and their desires, but they all want the same thing every time sex or their one true love. It was atongnizly annoying to go through these half assed written stories of romance for absolutely zero payout at the end. Overall, you started to care less and less about the book altogether. The chapters surrounding the Riva family, though, were beautiful and truly wish this book focused more on them and their family dynamics in part 2.
Edit: The more that I think about this book more I realize how much I loved it, so I am improving my rating to 4, but as more previous grievances still stand it will most likely stay at a 4