Malibu Rising is an emotional and drama-filled story that will definitely keep you hooked from beginning to end. 

The author, Taylor Jenkins Reid, has really made a name for herself through books such as The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo and Daisy Jones & The Six. Just like those two well-known novels, Malibu Rising did not disappoint. 

Set in the 1980s, the story follows four famous siblings who are the children of the celebrity singer Mick Riva. The Riva siblings (Nina, Jay, Hud, and Kit) throw an annual party at the end of August to celebrate the end of summer.

Told over the span of 24 hours, the story follows Nina’s preparations for the party and how this one particular day will change all four of the Riva siblings’ lives. Something that stands out about this book is how it is written through the course of just one day but also includes many flashbacks.

The story trades off between the day of the party in 1980, and the childhood of the Riva siblings, as well as the background of their parents in the 1950s. I really enjoyed how the author managed to find a flow between writing in flashbacks as well as “present-day.” Despite having an attention-grabbing plot, my favorite part of this book was the way the characters were introduced.

Reid did an amazing job of discussing not only the main characters but also the side characters. This led to a more realistic feel throughout the novel and allowed me to connect with more characters and their personalities. Because the plot was so heavily driven by the characters and their conflicts, the story was able to flow nicely. Many realistic issues and conflicts were presented in the novel as well.

With the Riva family being the main focus, the author was able to display familial issues in a way that was emotional and captivating. Malibu Rising proves that Taylor Jenkins Reid can always provide a unique and interesting story. Her newest book, Carrie Soto is Back, is being released on August 30, and expectations are high!