BOOK REVIEW: Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid

  “The Malibu fire of 1983 started not in the dry hills but on the coastline. It began at 28150 Cliffside Drive on Saturday, August 27 – at the home of Nina Riva – during one of the most notorious parties in Los Angeles history. The annual party grew wildly out of control sometime around midnight. By 7 a.m., the coastline of Malibu was engulfed in flames. Because, just as it is in Malibu’s nature to burn, so was it in one particular person’s nature to set fire and walk away.”

— “Malibu Rising” by  Taylor Jenkins Reid

This part of the prologue of “Malibu Rising” hooked me from the beginning. Taylor Jenkins Reid did a great job sharing the Riva family story. The story is told in two parts from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. and 7 p.m.-7 a.m. with Nina Riva’s annual end-of-summer party being the focus. 

The book went back and forth between the 50s and 80s to help readers understand the story of siblings Nina, Jay, Hud, and Kit Riva. To know their story, you have to know the story of their parents, legendary pop star Mick Riva, and his wife June.

The book started on the day of the 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.

Nina is not looking forward to this party because she has been very publicly abandoned by her pro tennis player husband. Her brother, Hud, must confess something to Jay that will not go over well with him.

Jay can’t wait because the woman he can’t stop thinking about has promised she will attend.

The youngest sibling Kit has some secrets, which include a guest she invited without consulting anyone.

I loved the Riva siblings. Their bond kind of reminds me of my brother and me. We would do anything to help the other. Nina dropped out of school to make sure her siblings were provided for.  Two of my favorite sibling scenes were when they found out about the death of their mother and when they surfed together.

My only issue with the book was the second half of it. Once the author got to the party, there were too many secondary characters to keep track of. I wish she had just focused on the family and maybe one or two side characters. 

The theme of my book reading this summer has been nothing heavy. It has been a long and tiring summer for me so I want my reading time to be light and frothy. Reid delivered this to me.

Last week, I read that this book is being developed as a TV series for Hulu. I am quite interested in seeing who will be cast for it. 

Stay cool, stay safe, and keep reading!