Community Reviews
Fast-paced, easy to read, and enjoyable. Not my favorite TJR storyline. However, still a nice summer read.
I loved the stories of the siblings, and the way the book was laid out. But it just didn't deliver. Way too many characters introduced at the party that just didn't really matter overall, a lot packed into one hour and barely anything in another. And some present tense party scenes went back in time with flashbacks.
How do I even begin to describe the genius and delight that is Taylor Jenkins Reid?
When I read the description for 'Malibu Rising,' I was a little nervous that it couldn't possibly live up to 'Daisy Jones' or, my all-time TJR favorite, 'The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo.'
I should never doubt the great Ms. Reid.
How is it that Reid can write such deeply detailed characters that we, as readers, cannot help but fall in love with OR feel intense hatred for AND keep us turning the pages as fast as our fingers will let us? Reading about the lives of the Riva family, past & present, was riveting and heartbreaking. I loved how Reid wrote Part 1 as flashbacks to the love affair of June & Mick Riva and flashing back forward to their children's current (now adult) lives, especially since Part 2 is set only in the present and only within a couple hours at The Party at Nina's modern beachside mansion.
During the party scenes, we see all we need to in what's happening with the Rivas, but, as a fun aside, we get tiny peeks into moments of the other party guests, as well - such a fun sidebar to the drama happening with our main characters.
There are many, many fans of Taylor Jenkins Reid and the beautiful books she creates. However, I know there were also many that were turned off by her change of format with 'Daisy Jones.' (If you are one of those readers, might I suggest giving it a try on audio? Having different actors/voices made all the difference for me and let me sink into the story much easier.) But if you are a lover of all things 'Evelyn Hugo,' and all the other delight from Reid's backlist, you are going to LOVE 'Malibu Rising.'
Fingers crossed Reid keeps this 'Decades' trend going and we'll see her next novel set in the 1990s.
A HUGE THANK YOU to Netgalley & Random House/Ballentine Books for the opportunity to read and review this book. I cannot wait to get my physical copy when it comes out June 1st. Hands down a Five Star Read.
When I read the description for 'Malibu Rising,' I was a little nervous that it couldn't possibly live up to 'Daisy Jones' or, my all-time TJR favorite, 'The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo.'
I should never doubt the great Ms. Reid.
How is it that Reid can write such deeply detailed characters that we, as readers, cannot help but fall in love with OR feel intense hatred for AND keep us turning the pages as fast as our fingers will let us? Reading about the lives of the Riva family, past & present, was riveting and heartbreaking. I loved how Reid wrote Part 1 as flashbacks to the love affair of June & Mick Riva and flashing back forward to their children's current (now adult) lives, especially since Part 2 is set only in the present and only within a couple hours at The Party at Nina's modern beachside mansion.
During the party scenes, we see all we need to in what's happening with the Rivas, but, as a fun aside, we get tiny peeks into moments of the other party guests, as well - such a fun sidebar to the drama happening with our main characters.
There are many, many fans of Taylor Jenkins Reid and the beautiful books she creates. However, I know there were also many that were turned off by her change of format with 'Daisy Jones.' (If you are one of those readers, might I suggest giving it a try on audio? Having different actors/voices made all the difference for me and let me sink into the story much easier.) But if you are a lover of all things 'Evelyn Hugo,' and all the other delight from Reid's backlist, you are going to LOVE 'Malibu Rising.'
Fingers crossed Reid keeps this 'Decades' trend going and we'll see her next novel set in the 1990s.
A HUGE THANK YOU to Netgalley & Random House/Ballentine Books for the opportunity to read and review this book. I cannot wait to get my physical copy when it comes out June 1st. Hands down a Five Star Read.
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