Review of Malibu Rising

What did I think of this summery book centered around a group of siblings and a blowout beach party they’re hosting in 1983? Check out my review of Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid.

What is Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid about?

Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid. Published on June 1, 2021 by Ballentine Books. Thanks to the publisher for providing an advance review copy.

Synopsis: Malibu: August 1983. It’s the day of Nina Riva’s annual end-of-summer party, and anticipation is at a fever pitch. Everyone wants to be around 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. Together the siblings are a source of fascination in Malibu and the world over–especially as the offspring of the legendary singer Mick Riva. By midnight the party will be completely out of control. By morning, the Riva mansion will have gone up in flames. But before that first spark in the early hours before dawn, the alcohol will flow, the music will play, and the loves and secrets that shaped this family’s generations will all come bubbling to the surface.

Review of Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Malibu Rising reminded me of those addictive, sprawling beach books set in Hollywood that I used to devour in the 80s. I love(d) the 80s and loved the vibe that the book set up. To me, Malibu Rising felt a bit like a modern day Jackie Collins book, minus the R rated scenes lol.

This was also my favorite TJR book of the three I’ve read. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo was a fun read but felt a little long. I LOVED the idea of Daisy Jones and the Six but Daisy annoyed me (sorry!) and I would have preferred a little more 70s grit and rock-and-roll atmosphere and a little less relationship drama. So I was really happy to finally jump all the way on the TJR train, as Malibu Rising was more my kind of vibe.

For me, Malibu Rising was a perfect blend of 80s atmosphere, a speedy beach read pace, and just the right amount of drama.

Looking at the other titles of Taylor Jenkins Reid’s books, it seems like Malibu Rising should really be called The Five Offspring of Mick Riva. (The book has a slight crossover with The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. I didn’t remember Mick well, but he was one of Evelyn’s husbands.)

I especially liked the structure of Malibu Rising, which I thought worked well. Like Little Fires Burning, the story starts and ends with fire. In between those fiery bookends, Malibu Rising has a past/present timeline. Those jumpy plot lines don’t always work for me, but in this case, I loved the back and forth. In the present, Nina Riva is getting ready for her family’s annual blowout beach party. The story also delves into the past to look at Mick’s career and the history of his family.

I was happy that this book had a true ensemble cast. I thought that having Malibu Rising rely less on one or two characters worked well for Reid’s writing style, which is breezy and heavy on narrative summary. If you’ve seen the show Shameless, the Riva siblings reminded me a bit of the Gallaghers (minus some of the Gallagher’s wackier shenanigans). Nina and her siblings are a close-knit group who, in a the absence of reliable parents, rely on one another. In the book, each sibling has a mini-subplot related to their hopes and dreams. Malibu Rising draws on some of the themes of Reid’s prior books: a musician on the road tempted to stray, substance abuse, and the benefits and drawbacks of fame.

If you’re looking for a fun, fast-paced read with a summery, beachy feel, you should definitely check out Malibu Rising. If you do (or if you’ve already read it) please tell me what you think in comments.

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