Malibu Rising

“Ain’t no party like a West Coast party
‘Cause a West Coast party don’t stop” – Coolio

True to form, Nina Riva’s party was a west coast party that you do not get an invitation for. If you know about it, you show up. It is a wild party, and it will not stop until it all goes up in flames!!!!

Malibu: August 1983.

The Riva siblings are well known in Malibu (and in other parts of the world). Nina, the oldest and host of the end of summer party, is a supermodel and surfer. She is also the glue which holds her family together. Jay is a championship surfer and Hud is a renowned photographer. Kit is the youngest and a surfer. Their father is the famous singer Mick Riva, an unfaithful husband and absentee father.

Everyone is looking forward to the party but Nina. She has her reasons but goes through the motions. Over the course of the day, readers learn about each sibling, their past and the present. We learn about their passions, their relationships, and their secrets. We know Nina’s husband left her for another woman. Jay has a secret and hopes a certain woman will show up to the party. Hud has a secret himself and knows it will not go over well. Not to be left out, Kit also has a secret. She has invited someone to the party without telling her siblings. It is California and you know it is going to get HOT! The party is going to be the party of the season!

A lot is covered in this book, not only the day in the life of these siblings but also their history. Their mother and father, the beach, even Malibu itself shaped them into who they are today. They have baggage. They also have a tight bond and survival instincts.

In 384 pages, Taylor Jenkins Reid has told their life story. Not only did I learn about the siblings’ collective stories, but I learned the story of their parents as well. This is no small feat. Taylor Jenkins Reid is a gifted storyteller who weaves her magic though the book and all the subplots. The beginning was a little slow for me, but I did not mind as I was being introduced to the characters. But things picked up and by the fifty percent mark, I was drawn in and did not want to put the book down. Then the book became pure magic.

Another breathtaking winner by Reid. Although the beach and party are the backdrop, this book is about family, love, responsibility and taking control of your life.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and it had me reminiscing about all the time I spent in Malibu, the beach, the lazy summer days, the heat, the parties, and the fires.

A tantalizing book to read this summer!

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.