Fiction: Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid

8/10

Dear Reader, 

This novel takes readers on the story of the Riva family, particularly the Riva kids: Nina, Jay, Hud, and Kit. These four are the kids of June and Mick Riva, a twice divorced famous couple. Mick Riva is the guy, the guy everyone wanted to be or be with. He was a music star. He was larger than life. He was also a shit father. 

Mick abandoned June and his four kids, to live his life as a single and free man. June was heartbroken, and turned to the superwoman that she had to be in order to raise her kids. These four kids very quickly grew up to learn that Mick was not someone they could count on, and June was not someone that could be trusted. June unfortunately had her own vices that made their lives less than ideal and eventually those vices would lead to her death. 

Now grownups, the Riva kids have grown into their own. They are still learning how to be good people and do the right thing, but they stand by each other. Every year they’re known for throwing this massive party, where everyone was essentially invited. This year, though, each Riva kid will be faced with their own mountain to climb. 

This was the cutest read I’ve read in awhile. It was a quick read, but most of all, it was filled with drama. From the backstory of June and Mick’s love story, to Mick’s childhood, to the Riva’s kd’s personal lives. 

The thing that I didn’t love about this book was that there were so many new names and mentions of people or characters that would later be forgotten about. And with so many alternating points of view, it got hard remembering everyone and their relationships to one another. 

Still, the book had layers. Every character was fully fleshed out into a three dimensional person, it was sort of beautiful to see it done. The best part was seeing the dynamic between characters, especially between the Riva siblings. They were trauma bonded, and it was a miracle for everyday they were happy, so seeing them interact with each other was interesting. Also, spoiler that was kind of obvious from the start, Mick returns to see his kids one final time before the book ends. In this final meeting, Nina really lays into him for abandoning his kids and leaving them when they needed him. This was by far my favorite part of the book. Have you ever wished you could yell at your parents for the childhood trauma they gave you? That was this moment, and I was incredibly jealous of Nina. But it was satisfying to witness. 

-Grace Sofia