Reviews with content warning for Lesbophobia - Malibu Rising

I was a little skeptical going into another TJR historical fiction novel after Daisy Jones, which it seems like the whole world loved but which I found a bit too cliche (I rated it a 4 though? idk perfect example of why I try to actually write reviews now). In any case, Julia Whelan is by far my favourite narrator, and I have been known to read books sight unseen if she's narrated them, so I knew I'd eventually get around to this one.

And I really enjoyed it! It felt like every scene was important to the story - nothing dragged on, the whole novel really kept to pace. I think there was potential for this not to be true with how many different perspectives were incorporated. Most importantly, I felt connected to all the perspective characters, even the minor ones (Not saying I felt for them all, to be clear lol). TJR has always been really good at writing complex, flawed, real people characters.

The one-day structure of the story was also well-executed. I appreciated that, even though we're told about how the 24 hours ends right at the start, the foreshadowing throughout isn't overbearing and there's room for other storylines to breathe and play out. Plus, while a number of predictable events happen, I was relieved to not come out of this reading feeling like I had been fed a cookie-cutter/play-on-real-life novel.

[April 9, 2022 update: I can't get these characters out of my head so I think that merits updating the rating to 4.75]

Content Warnings

aina21's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful reflective fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

omg. omg. omg

I was actually really scared when I started reading this book that it wouldn't live up to the hype that surrounds both it and its author. But it did. The characters that Taylor Jenkins Reid constructs are incredibly complex and nuanced, their fears and insecurities are ones that have understandable foundations and realistic portrayals. Yes, some things are generalized or brushed over but at no point are you left wondering why a character acted the way they did.

There is also an incredibly complex backstory to most if not all characters, which adds depth is done not only for the main cast of characters but also side characters (As a fan of anime I am especially fond of backstories). This makes one feel as if they too are humans, and not solely in the story to serve a purpose. In fact, some side characters where in the story to serve no purpose at all.

I don't think this is a book that changes the way you see the world, nor is it a book that revolutionizes the way stories are told, but I do think it is a book that does an exceptionally good job at telling a story. For that, it gets my approval and my heart. I think I will most likely be rereading this book.

This book has also gotten me out of a reading slump, not in one where I didn't read but one where I forgot how fun it is to read, and this book made me love reading again.

Content Warnings

eddine's review

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adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

i love the riva sibs

they deserve the world

idkk no words its just such a rollercoaster read

i was most scared abt how the relationship bet jay and hud would turn out in the end but im so happy and satisfied and heartbroken by the ending

def not the ending i anticipated

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