Malibu Rising

Rating: really liked it

You say Taylor Jenkins Reid
I say sold

Rating: really liked it

Finally! The goods are here!

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I swear I come here 15 times a day to find out if there's a cover, a proper blurb, or any other tidbits about this book.

Rating: it was amazing

What makes a book a great book? Is it writing? Is it the premise? Is it the characters? Or is it the author's voice? I don't know but I can tell you, I thought the Malibu Rising checked all the boxes above. It was superb!

I had so much fun with the multiple storylines which is weird because usually I’m against too many characters moving around all over the place. Nevertheless, in this case, it completely worked for me.

Let's meet the Rivas:

Mick Rivas, the father, an unfaithful man, a famous rock star. A sperm donor who has four children and a trail of ex-wives and broken hearts.

Nina, the oldest daughter. A supermodel. The one who made all the sacrifices for her siblings. The one that took over their care without thinking about herself. Her husband left her and she is not even sure how is she going to deal with the upcoming party.

Hud, the surfer photographer who's keeping a big secret from his brother, Jay.

Jay, the well-known surfer who has a secret of his own.

Kitt, the youngest daughter. The road to self-discovery has began, What better way to do it than during the famous Rivas party.

Is the 1980s and everyone wants to go to the party of the year! Everyone and anyone who is someone wants to attend the Rivas party. And what a PARTY it is. There is no invitation. The only condition to be a guest is to know the address. If you do, you can show up and have the time of your life. Or not....

Over the years, the Rivas party has become the one event the siblings enjoy together. Yet, this year things are going to be different.

I love all the Rivas kids. They had an unbreakable bond and surfing was their glue.

Of course, I had a soft spot for Nina.

I can't finish my review without mentioning the beautiful cover. I love it. It's perfect for these characters. I already preordered my copy.



Cliffhanger: No

5/5 Fangs

A complimentary copy was provided by Ballantine Books via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

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Rating: really liked it

Yeah, I'll read anything this woman writes.

Rating: really liked it

*rising from the depths of my Goodreads grave to add this to my TBR*

Rating: really liked it

Christmas came early for me this year, in the form of TJR’s latest novel.

Every year in Malibu, Nina Riva throws an annual end of Summer party. For anyone who is anyone, this is THE party to be seen at. Who wouldn’t want to party with the famous Riva family?

Nina is a famous surfer model. Her brother, Jay, is a highly talented and award-winning surfer. Her other brother, Hud, is a well known photographer. Then there is her youngest sibling, Kit, the sister everyone loves.

The year is 1983, and Nina is not looking forward to the party. She just got dumped by her cheating husband, and the whole world knows about it. Still, the party must go on.

Each chapter unveils family secrets as each hour gets closer to the party. Intertwined with those are flashback scenes involving the Rivas’ parents: June Riva, and the famous Mick Riva. If Mick’s name sounds familiar, it is because he is one of Evelyn Hugo’s 7 husbands (although that ended in annulment). These flashback scenes describe how they met and ultimately married and had children, while his singing career (and other indulgences) took him away from his family.

In the present, the party becomes OOC as the guests lose inhibition, courtesy of alcohol and drugs. One thing is for certain: This will be a night that nobody will soon forget.

This year was all about TJR for me. I read all of her books (in reverse order) and was thrilled to receive an advanced copy of this one. Can we talk about her writing? It’s phenomenal, as always. She writes in the most genuine style that really makes me feel like I am in the plot of her books. She has a delicate way of revealing intricacies between her characters. No exception here.

While I enjoyed reading about ALL of the Riva family, the scenes that resonated the most for me were the ones in the past...the relationship between June and Mick and everything leading up to the present day. These sections were so touching and emotional. The party itself was interesting, but I had a hard time imagining that Nina and family would allow the guests to behave in the destructive manner that they did. My anxiety and need to clean would have been at fever pitch!

All in all, this is another superb read that continues to cement my love for the author. While it doesn’t quite live up to DAISY JONES AND THE SIX or THE SEVEN HUSBANDS OF EVELYN HUGO, it is nonetheless an engrossing read, and I am certain many others will enjoy it too.

Thank you to Ballantine and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Review also posted at: https://bonkersforthebooks.wordpress.com

Rating: really liked it

Tatatataaaa, may I announce you one of the best of the best reads of 2021?

During my read:
I cried a lot...
I sniffled...
I giggled the sarcastic humor of the author when she described the party animal celebrities!
My heart warmed up when I read four siblings’ close, honest relationships.
I mesmerized by the whirlwind time travel ride between 50’s to 80’s!

I was shaken to the core, emotions are everywhere after reading Mick and June’s tragic, blasting, heartbreaking story!

TJR is one of my all time best historical fiction authors! She perfectly tells different and original life stories by creating flawed, broken but still standing, resilient characters who never give up to fight !

At this book she’s centered on Riva family and there are two main storylines : ( Riva family’s history starting from mid 50’s and Nina’s annual Malibu house party with the attendance of powerful societal, famous artists including popular actors, musicians, athletes, surfers, tennis players who really know partying wildly )

If this book is only about Mick and June’s heart wrenching story, I would give ten stars ! The flashback parts of the family history, the couple’s toxic, sad story and Nina’s sacrifices to become her own siblings’ mother, giving up on her life to protect them, providing them better life conditions broke my heart several times.

I loved the siblings’ devoted loyalty. Interestingly not only Nina, but also Jay, Hud and Kit acted like the mature ones of the family as their parents acted like their children. Especially the youngest one, Katherine/ Kit was quick witted, emotional, straightforward: she doesn’t hold anything back inside of her and her slow self discovery about her sexuality, her own capabilities, brave life choices.

The boys were a little overshadowed by her two tough, vivid sisters but I still love to see how they grow and how hard they fight to be more decent man than their father.

Only thing made me cut points was party theme which had “Little Fires Everywhere” ( two sisters, two brothers and a house on fire ) vibes. I enjoyed to read the entertaining, eccentric characters’ side stories throughout the night which ended scandalously! But I wish the story would be only focus on Rivas and the way of their facing problems about the past, their secrets, the things hold them back to move on.

When you add too many characters into equation it is still enjoyable to read, it is a little bit distracting your attention from the main story!

I loved the conclusion! Especially Nina’s changing. At the end she learns to stand up for herself, rejecting to be the victim of the story!

Even though I gave four fantastic historical, sweet sixties , viva X generation stars, I can honestly say I loved to read this book and to be introduced with those shiny, well-crafted characters.

This is gonna be one of the most thought provoking, sensational, popular fictions of the next year and I’m so happy to have privilege to read its advance copy! TJR is awakening the artistic soul of the readers with her extra creative and realistic story telling skills.
I highly recommend this book not only her fans but also addicted historical fiction readers.

Special thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group/ Ballantine Books for sharing this reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.

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Rating: really liked it

All I see is: Malibu+ 1980s + Taylor Jenkins Reid

I don't need the details, I need the book

Release date: May 2021

Rating: really liked it

she bout to write the next big thing

Rating: really liked it

Update: THE COVER IS SO PRETTY?!?!?! I love it so much.

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I have no interest in surf culture in the 1980s but Taylor Jenkins Reid is writing this book so obviously I'll be reading it.

Rating: really liked it

i will literally pay taylor jenkins reid to keep writing books every year. i won't truly be alive until this book is out and in my hands.

Rating: really liked it

'Malibu Burning is set against the backdrop of the Malibu surf culture of the 1980s. It follows the daughter of a famous singer who, once she finds fame, must grapple with the fact that her father abandoned her and her siblings when they were young.'

OMG YES

Source

Rating: really liked it

Am I close, Taylor?


I’m assuming the title change is out of respect for the huge swaths of the west coast that have been on fire all summer. Either way I’m excited we get a cover reveal as well!

Rating: really liked it

Do I care about surf culture in Malibu? No. But you had me at 80s and Taylor Jenkins Reid.

Rating: really liked it

Edit: why the heck did they change the title? I really liked 'Malibu Burning' hmmm

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FINALLY we have a cover and synopsis!

The cover is such a pretty shade of blue. I'm very excited. Also, the characters are Mick Riva's children??? This book is gonna be lit (get it? because there's gonna be a fire?). I'm predicting this will be in my top 3 reads of 2021!