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47 pages 1 hour read

Malibu Rising

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2021

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Book Brief

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Taylor Jenkins Reid

Malibu Rising

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2021
Book Details
Pages

384

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Malibu, California • 1980s

Publication Year

2021

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid unfolds on August 27, 1983, in Malibu, focusing on family dynamics, fame, and resilience, centered around Nina Riva’s annual summer party. Nina and her siblings—Jay, Hud, and Kit—navigate their troubled past and complex relationships under the shadow of their famous singer father, Mick Riva. Sensitive topics include infidelity and parental abandonment.

Nostalgic

Bittersweet

Emotional

Melancholic

Contemplative

Reviews & Readership

4.1

1,191,578 ratings

77%

Loved it

19%

Mixed feelings

4%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Taylor Jenkins Reid's Malibu Rising is lauded for its evocative 1980s Malibu setting, dynamic family saga, and vivid character development. However, some critiques note a predictable plot and a pacing that falters in the second half. Overall, it offers an engaging summer read rich with emotional depth and beachy nostalgia.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Malibu Rising?

A reader who enjoys Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid likely appreciates multi-generational family dramas with a blend of glamour and emotional depth. This novel appeals to fans of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo and Daisy Jones & The Six, offering a compelling mix of celebrity culture and intricate personal relationships.

4.1

1,191,578 ratings

77%

Loved it

19%

Mixed feelings

4%

Not a fan

Character List

Nina Riva

The eldest Riva sibling who took on the role of guardian after their mother's death, running the family restaurant and nurturing her siblings while finding solace in surfing.

A championship surfer and Nina’s younger brother, grappling with his career’s fragility due to a medical diagnosis and navigating personal relationships.

The youngest Riva sibling who aspires to surf competitively and evolves through the story, growing into her own identity and style.

The loving and gentle Riva brother who shares a complicated relationship with his sibling Jay and is deeply reflective about family and responsibilities.

The Riva siblings’ mother, whose life was marked by her enduring love for Mick and challenges that pushed Nina into a caregiving role.

The absent father of the Riva siblings, whose choices and past profoundly affect his children’s lives and the story’s events.

A young woman potentially connected to the Riva family, she navigates her search for belonging and family connections amidst uncertain paternity.

Book Details
Pages

384

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Malibu, California • 1980s

Publication Year

2021

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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