Summary

Malibu: August 1983. It’s the day of Nina Riva’s annual end-of-summer 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. The siblings are a source of fascination – especially as the offspring of legendary singer Mick Riva. 

The only person not looking forward to the party of the year is Nina herself, who has just been very publicly abandoned by her pro tennis player husband. Oh, and maybe Hud – because it is long past time for him to confess something to his dear brother. Jay, on the other hand, is counting the minutes until nightfall, when the girl he can’t stop thinking about promised she’ll be there. And Kit has a couple of secrets of her own…

By morning, the Riva mansion will have gone up in flames. But before that first spark in the early hours before dawn, the alcohol will flow, the music will play, and the loves and secrets that shaped the Rivas will all come rising to the surface. Malibu Rising is a story about one unforgettable night in the life of a family: the night they each have to choose what they will keep from the people who made them… and that they will leave behind.

Why I chose to read this book
I know we should never judge a book by its cover, but I chose this one in part because of it. Something about it attracted me to it. The mesmerizing blue of the water, and the contrasting fun pink and sunny yellow letterings, brought a smile to my face and made me believe that this novel would be a worthy one.

Thoughts & Opinions

I hyped myself up for this one and had high expectations. Admittedly I was also a bit apprehensive because I didn’t like the beginning of the author’s other book The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo so I thought I’d have to read through quite a bit before liking it  (by the way I did end up enjoying the rest of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo – see my review here.

I am happy to report that I was absolutely not disappointed by Malibu Rising. It drew me in right from the beginning. Jenkins Reid has an impressive talent for making characters’ relationships so captivating.

Malibu Rising is a story about the infamous Riva family. We jump through time from the 50s (when the parents met) all the way through the 80s (when Nina Riva is hosting an annual end-of-summer party). We are gifted with little snippets of random characters at the party, all with fascinating stories, making you wonder where their lives are going and how they got there. There is also a preview of who Carrie Soto is and that little introduction makes me want to read Carrie Soto is Back. We get an inside look into Hollywood parties with all the nasty and classless behavior, it is not a party I would want to attend!

Reading about the Riva parents June and Mick was riveting and heartbreaking. A beautiful and ugly love story. I wanted to believe in Mick at first, but he disappointed me at every turn. I felt for June, despite her flaws she did the best she could under the circumstances. Her eldest daughter Nina unknowingly picked up the good and bad traits from her mother. She takes care of her siblings but never takes the time for herself.  The ending was satisfying and I can confirm that Malibu Rising definitely lived up to the hype!

The story would make a great television series and it looks like there is already one in the works! More details here.