A review by _booksandbells
Malibu Rising, by Taylor Jenkins Reid
5.0
CW: Death of a parent, grief, alcohol abuse, infidelity
Are we surprised that TJR has done it again? Because I’m not. I loved Daisy Jones and the Six, I loved The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo..but this Malibu Rising takes the gold for me. It’s been a long time since I’ve read a book in under 24 hours or in two sittings but that’s the magic of a story written by Taylor Jenkins Reid.
I’ve never read another author that can write characters the way that TJR can. They feel so real and tangible that they no longer feel fictional. I felt like I could put my book down and google these characters and have them be completely real. Each are given such minute details that make them feel as if they are someone you’ve know your entire life. You’re able to see yourself in each of these characters and feel sympathy for characters that you know don’t deserve it. Each character could have a book solely focused on their story and it still wouldn’t be enough. I could read an endless series of the Riva family and love every second of it.
The alternating timelines were genius to me, they were done so well. The Riva kids’ story takes place within 24 hours, whereas, June and Mick’s tragic love story spans decades. Despite being decades apart, the timelines were interwoven beautifully and played off of each other magnificently.
Nina Riva has to be one of my favorite fictional characters of all time. The strength she has is beyond inspirational. Her growth throughout this book hurt to read but had me cheering for her. June Riva is a character you just want to hug and reassure, giving her friendship and a shoulder to cry on. All of the Riva kids are written so colorfully that they almost jump off the page. I’m still mind blown they are fictional.
There will never be a book released by Taylor Jenkins Reid that I won’t read as soon as impossible can. She is able to tell such real and poignant stories in a way that breaks and fills your heart simultaneously.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House - Ballantine for the opportunity to receive this ARC.
Are we surprised that TJR has done it again? Because I’m not. I loved Daisy Jones and the Six, I loved The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo..but this Malibu Rising takes the gold for me. It’s been a long time since I’ve read a book in under 24 hours or in two sittings but that’s the magic of a story written by Taylor Jenkins Reid.
I’ve never read another author that can write characters the way that TJR can. They feel so real and tangible that they no longer feel fictional. I felt like I could put my book down and google these characters and have them be completely real. Each are given such minute details that make them feel as if they are someone you’ve know your entire life. You’re able to see yourself in each of these characters and feel sympathy for characters that you know don’t deserve it. Each character could have a book solely focused on their story and it still wouldn’t be enough. I could read an endless series of the Riva family and love every second of it.
The alternating timelines were genius to me, they were done so well. The Riva kids’ story takes place within 24 hours, whereas, June and Mick’s tragic love story spans decades. Despite being decades apart, the timelines were interwoven beautifully and played off of each other magnificently.
Nina Riva has to be one of my favorite fictional characters of all time. The strength she has is beyond inspirational. Her growth throughout this book hurt to read but had me cheering for her. June Riva is a character you just want to hug and reassure, giving her friendship and a shoulder to cry on. All of the Riva kids are written so colorfully that they almost jump off the page. I’m still mind blown they are fictional.
There will never be a book released by Taylor Jenkins Reid that I won’t read as soon as impossible can. She is able to tell such real and poignant stories in a way that breaks and fills your heart simultaneously.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House - Ballantine for the opportunity to receive this ARC.