Malibu Rising: A Read with Jenna Pick: A Novel

It’s the end of summer, 1983 in Malibu, California: time for the last days on the beach, the end of tourist season, the end of tourist season, and the annual bash thrown by a surfing family of local celebrities. But when that family’s secrets bubble up through the course of the day and the party, will it be the end of the celebration and that family’s bond? Taylor Jenkins Reid explores one family’s legacy in her 2021 novel, Malibu Rising. Malibu Rising follows the Riva siblings: bubbly surf supermodel Nina; cocky and suave pro surfer, Jay; Jay’s (sorta) twin and photographer, Hudson; and headstrong youngest child, Kit. As the summer of 1983 winds to a close, the entire town looks forward to the party to end all parties. It defines and reflects your social standing in town; no one in uninvited, but only those “in” enough to know about the party know its location. And this year’s party is at the palatial home that Nina shares with her pro tennis player husband. However, the family looks forward to the party as a distraction from issues both public and private. Nina’s husband has left her—very publicly—for a mercurial tennis pro. Jay has a health secret that could derail his surfing career. Hud has a secret love that would severely damage his relationship with Jay if it ever got out. And Kit secretly deals with figuring herself out while trying to be taken seriously as a surfer. The various dramas crash and roll over the course of a single day, as flashbacks delve into their collective childhood and the background of their parents: Malibu native, June, whose family ran a local seafood restaurant, and 60’s pop icon, Mick Riva. That rise-and-fall love story (tragically) plays out parallel to the main plot, and shows how these kids’ complex relationship with their parents still affect their lives. Taylor Jenkins Reid understands who her characters are, even better than they do, and it’s impressive and fun to see their relationships take shape over the course of the narrative. The siblings’ pack dynamic is effective and—coming from a large family, myself—feels realistic and familiar. Families are complicated and fickle things, and this one is handled beautifully. Also, the specter of their famous father looms large over their lives, even though his presence is sporadic at best. June Riva is a good parent in that she never actively spoke ill of her ex-husband, and that’s another thing that feels accurate. I enjoyed June and Mick’s tragic story, and the role it played in binding these people to one another. Lastly, I appreciate the effort to make this family, who are nearly revered by the locals, seem almost normal. They don’t care who their friends are, in the sense that some were famous, some were not, but everyone was who came to the party was welcomed. Little things like that make me thoroughly enjoy characters. I generally try to find something, a flaw or detail that I didn’t 100% love, to make the case that I’m being objective. Nothing is perfect, art least of all. I can’t find it in this one. It was marvelously executed and I loved it wire-to-wire, as I did with her previous book. What I can say (though with not the least bit of seriousness) is that I found out about an Easter egg from a previous book of hers, and now my completionist ass has to read that book to get the full, 100% understanding of Malibu Rising. Not cool, TJR. That said, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is on my 2022 reading queue. I’ll review that ASAP. Look, when the mind behind Daisy Jones & The Six puts out a new book, you buy and read the book. It’s that simple. Buy the damn thing. Pros: Strong family dynamic, fun plot, well-paced, fascinating character study. Cons: Reference to one of Taylor Jenkins Reid’s previous novels forces completionists to fork over more money for more brilliant writing, adding one more thing to an already overloaded TBR list. Rating: 5 out of 5 stars.

This was the first work of Reid’s which I have read, being aware that she has been highly successful coming off the critical acclaim of 2017’s Evelyn Hugo and 2019’s Daisy Jones. First impressions are everything and when you stumble across such acclaim, it becomes inevitable to ask: what is the it-factor? That quality that makes an author be noticed and admirable in writing talent? You could arguably say that there is only one it-factor. If there is only one factor, then TJR has it. In one word, it is: voice. Reid has one of the most authoritative storytelling voices. And that authority allows her to achieve that one thing that I obsess over and value disproportionate to the tastes and opinions of other people: perfect pacing - or at least 9.9/10 type of pacing. Debating whether a novel is well-paced or too slow and sluggish is something I treat like a crusade when I pick up a book. It can have the best and most well-developed characters, the most interesting setting and plot premise, but if it moves like a snail or a cheetah then I will not want it. It will not be something that holds my attention. An authoritative voice is when the writer makes you pay attention to every page and every little incident, detail, and development. The details do not even have to be all that interesting or thematically deep. The capacity to enthrall a reader is almost separated from the actual events that are happening in the narrative. In other words, it is not the what that is important, it is the how . What you are describing or communicating to the reader is not as important as how you describe and communicate it. I appreciate when an author is committed to developing a unique and strong narrative voice. Malibu Rising is written to be enthralling. From the plot description to the pacing, it is itself obsessed with making the reader fully immersed in the narrative. Its mission: to never want you to close the book. The story follows the famous Rivas - Nina, the talented surfer and supermodel; brothers Jay and Hud, one a championship surfer, the other a renowned photographer; and their adored baby sister, Kit - in the town of Malibu, August 1983, as they are preparing to host their annual party of the year. Where the story begins early at 7 in the morning, we follow the build-up, chaos, and excitement of the subsequent twenty-four hours. In between, we also get glimpses into the stories of their parents: June and Mick Riva. I would say that the character of Mick Riva himself embodies what I mean when I say that Malibu Rising is intent on having you be obsessed with him. He is legendary, he garners all the attention in the room. But even then, he is not the sole star of the show. When a character appears halfway through the novel, previously mentioned only in conversation between characters and in passing at that, Reid only needs about two or three pages before their story appears significant and before they seem like the protagonist of their own stories. In this case, I was referring to the character - Brandon. He is Nina’s professional tennis player ex-husband and he is fully fleshed over the relatively short page-length where his story takes center stage. And the entire cast of characters are like that. All four siblings have their insecurities, flaws, strengths and weaknesses explored and built on. The people who are significant in their own lives receive their moments in the spotlight. Reid’s ability to efficiently characterize her cast considering the standard length of her novel is astounding. Part of the irony that this book is about the “biggest party of the year” in Malibu is that by efficiently exploring the lives of all the people who attended that party, even if they only appeared for half a dozen pages, the reader has this feeling that the scope of this party is large. It feels truly alive because of the reader’s knowledge and understanding of all the characters and what they are going through. And it worked. I loved those Riva kids. I was enraptured in the tumultuous love story of June and Mick Rivas. I was captivated by all of them as people. We see where they come from and where they go and Reid makes sure to deliver all the emotional catharsis necessary to make their stories feel meaningful. By the time we reach the concluding pages, I had this genuine sense that the characters at the start of the story were not the same by the end - for better or worse. I know some people did not like TJR’s insistence on giving attention to all the side characters. I understand that many did not fully buy into the emotional message and themes Reid tried to explore. I also do somewhat agree that the novel never becomes that complex and can come off as more of a melodramatic soap opera. However, I think that the attention and respect given to each of the central characters makes the eventual conflicts genuinely emotional, rather than contrived and overdramatic. There is something about TJR’s writing that is extraordinarily compelling. I hope to go back and read her other works because if they are anywhere as good as Malibu Rising , then this is an author I want to continue to follow.

I definitely loved this novel!!! TJR has a way of creating characters who are real with raw, honest intensity. I loved seeing the characters grow throughout the novel, ending in a way that I thought was empowering and satisfying. To me, it’s really Nina’s story, and I could feel her strength, as well as her compassion. But June (who is a foil to Nina) and the other siblings, Jay, Hud and Kit, and even Mick Riva, are deeply-drawn characters who evoke heartfelt empathy from the reader. We learn that despite the selfish, unkind and sometimes debauched world they live in, the four siblings are shown to be resilient, good, decent people, and the reader sincerely knows it to be true. TJR’s narrator effectively moves among the thoughts and perspectives of each character to create an immersive reality. And let’s not forget the setting. TJR creates a world so rich that one can almost feel the sand beneath one’s feet and smell the brine in the air. I could also sense the ‘cool’ vibe of Malibu in the early 80’s. (I could at least sense it to the point of knowing that I am not cool enough!) The setting and the characters are thoroughly linked, making their interactions with it, especially through connecting with the ocean while surfing, all the more powerful. We are also aware of the looming presence of wildfire. The plot is well-structured and unique. It fully develops the characters through its oscillation of the past and present. It also builds tension and depth as the story unfolds simultaneously over decades and over the course of one day. And all of the signature elements of a good plot are there and masterfully executed. The pacing is precise and keeps the reader engaged. The character arcs are solid. The novel had powerful themes of family and identity, as well as empowerment and ownership of one's whole self. I feel it really gets at in what ways one accepts one's circumstances, what we will ourselves to be, and how we can choose to define ourselves boldly and unapologetically. These themes were effectively woven throughout the plot. And can we talk about Carrie Soto? What a powerful presence, for better or for worse! I highly recommend reading 'Carrie Soto is Back' is back to gain a deeper appreciation of this complex character. And Brandon. Weak just like Mick. What is TJR saying about the ways that men are weak and fail and the ways that women are strong and succeed? It is worth considering how or if this question applies to the novel's characters. Overall, I couldn’t put this book down! I was drawn in and rode the waves all the way through!

This is the first book I’ve read by Taylor Jenkins Reid. I wanted to like it, but the end left me wanting to know more about what happened after the party. An epilogue taking place one year in the future filling us in on what happened with Nina, Jay, Hud, Kit, Casey and Mick would have wrapped the story up for me. I agree with some of the other reviewers who said there was too much sex, drugs and booze, but then again, I was a teenager in the ‘80s and there were parties that went down like that (not quite to that degree in my hometown in WI, but wild parties nonetheless). Overall this book was okay. Will I remember it next week? Probably not, but I won’t regret having read it.

🛑SPOILERS🛑 ⭐️: 4.25/5 What an epic story! After reading the Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo and Daisy Jones & The Six, I was intrigued about Mick Riva. I wanted to know his story and background. But, I knew I wouldn't like his character, especially after I found out he had kids. Seeing him in the previous books, I knew he wasn't around his kids because they never were present. I will say what I didn't like. There were too many perspectives in this book. It felt like I was all over the place, and I couldn't keep up with who was who was as far as characters. I also wanted more scenes with Mick, and he never really owned up to abandoning his kids and leaving the mother of his children. Plus, he, to me, was, to a certain extent, guilty of June's death. I wanted a little bit more of the storyline, and I felt some were condensed, such as Nina's marriage. Even June's story a little. However, this story was amazing! TAYLOR JENKINS REAID WRITING IS PHENOMENAL!! She is an author who I will always read and never doubt. First, the scenes of June broke my heart because her life was not as she wanted. A faithful husband and wealth without having to work at her families restaurant was exactly the opposite of what she received. She was a great person taking in a child that wasn't hers and a great mother that just let 💔 get in the way of her life. For Mick to not even contact them, make excuses for not coming back to his family when they needed him after her passing was not surprising, but I still had hope. I just hope she sees her children thriving and loving each other. As for the Riva's, I liked all of them more so Nina, of course. Kit was funny, and I am glad she accepted who she was at the end. She deserved to be happy and in the end she was with a new friend. Jay, I was surprised by how he was a little and telling a girl he barely knew he loved her 🤣. What the hell? In the end, he accepted his fate and forgave his brother, who I also liked, but I couldn't forgive him 🤷🏾. As for Nina, she reminds me of Fiona from Shameless a little. She dropped out of school to raise her younger siblings and put her life on hold. She was a great human being who found who she was at the end. She is only 25 years old, and I am glad she didn't get back to Brandon and found she never really loved him. I loved her and wished I had a big sister like her. What shocked me the most about this book was Mick? You come back when they are adults and no longer need you and want a relationship with them. Even speaking to them as if they have a relationship already. He was an awful human being who wanted to blame his raising for his non-existent parenting. No excuse, and I am glad the Rivas declined his strive to be back in their lives. I wanted them to give it to him a little more, but they did exactly what needed to be done. They made him realize he would be alone for the rest of his life. His strive to come back was solely due to his testament to not die alone, which he would. The fire at the end showed the Rivas new start and new family with Casey. I recommend this book 100% and want people to know there is always family out there when you think you are alone. Also, live your life because there is a whole world out there. Age is nothing but a number, and you have the right to never let it hold you back. I am intrigued by Carrie Sotos' book because what I saw in this book I do not like her. But, Taylor Jenkins Reid works in mysterious ways, so I know it will be great!

I have a weakness for stories that use parties as a central theme. Oodles of people thrown together, many faking a surface gloss while harboring resentments or grappling with hidden issues. Secrets pile up like kindling waiting for the match to result in a major conflagration. In this case the fire is real. Nina Riva is holding a posh, highly anticipated house party in 1983. A model, and the daughter of legendary singer, Mick Riva, she and her three siblings attract attention merely by the association of their last name—despite the fact Mick hasn’t been part of their lives since they were small children. Nina’s party, attended by actors, agents, models, sports pros, hanger-ons, wannabes, and Malibu’s elite begins on a summer night at 7PM. By 7AM the next morning, the house will be in flames. During the course of that twelve hours, secrets are spilled, relationships are made, others broken, lives altered—all during a night of luxury, drugs, excess, and revelations. There are a lot of characters in this book but they’re surprisingly easy to keep track of—perhaps because of the author’s use of third person POV. Head hopping happens frequently, but is rarely distracting. That might be because the scenes are handled so skillfully or because the characters are fully fleshed out and unique. In addition to Nina, there is Jay, her brother and a champion surfer, Hud, another brother and professional photographer, and Kit, the youngest sister who is struggling to find her footing in life. Chapters in the first half alternate between past and present with a look at Mick Riva, his rise from struggling singer to fame, and his relationship with June, the mother of Nina and her siblings. This is a story of family dynamics. Of how people who love each other pull together, sacrifice for one another, and also sometimes hurt each other. How some obstacles can be overcome, and others are not so easily set aside. I found it intriguing from start to finish, the use of short chapters and the past/present storyline well utilized to keep the plot moving forward. There are characters to admire, others to feel sorry for and still others to loathe. When it was all said and done, I thought the ending was perfect.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 I absolutely love when the pacing and prose of a book match the setting. As I read Malibu Rising, I could literally feel the ebb and flow of the ocean waves that created this epic beach community. Taylor Jenkins Reid's words, the way she interwove the past and present, and the way the chapters flowed between the different characters all combined to make this epic family saga a true delight to read. It is hard to believe that one author can fit so much action and emotion into a twenty-four hour span of time. The Riva Family is filled with a host of personalities that make it easy for almost any reader to identify some part of themselves between the lines. Although, the novel is about a Hollywood Star and his children, the themes included are quite universal and some will hit home for many. This novel is triumphant in its portrayal of a broken family, and the strength they find to stay not only together, but also to stay afloat. The choices the Riva Family members make combined with the choices they don't steer them almost to the brink of collapse. Those same choices direct them to successful places they never imagined they'd find themselves. This story of continuing and breaking toxic family cycles is suspensful and mesmerizing. I also truly enjoyed the eighties culture references combined with the shout outs to many SoCal landmarks. My very favorite parts included easter eggs from previous and future Taylor Jenkins Reid novels. This author has quickly become one for the top of my automatic read list.

The Rivas are an incredible bunch of people with a troubled, heartwarming and inspiring story. The book is so well written I felt I was in each scene. Maybe it was just wishful thinking.

Très bon article correspond tout à fait à la photo un article de bonne qualité

Really impressed by the writing skill. Enjoy the deep stories of each character. Though it often read like a celebrity gossip magazine, in the end it was wrapped up poetically leaving a satisfying, goosebump-inducing aftertaste.

un libro totalmente para summer vibes LO AMO

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Taylor Jenkins Reid has this amazing ability to write biographies for fake people, but you feel like they are so very real. This one was no different. It was heartbreaking, raw and extravagant. Nothing makes me more hooked than a story of a bunch of flawed, and disfunctional people. I adred the brutal story of Mick Riva and June, and I loved the story of their kids. Also both the 50/60's and the 80's were amazingly done. I felt the feel of Malibu, and the times this took place in. Overall it was another amazing book with nteresting characters, and complex story with a very colorful background. In all honesty I truly can't wait for what will be next from TJR