Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid

 I'm back!

Not is this the first book review I've posted in a hot minute, it is also the first book that I've read that's not been YA or middle grade in a hot minute. 

Malibu Rising is a book that I saw on booktok (the book/reader section of TikTok) and it sounded interesting.  I have never read a book by Taylor Jenkins Reid before but I know that Daisy Jones and the Six was insanely popular a few years back as was The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. 

I must say that Malibu Rising was not what I thought it would have been and I was very excited about that! 

Set in 1983, Malibu Rising focuses on the Riva family: Nina, Jay, Hud, Kit, and their father, Mick - looking back at the family history and the current date (that being 1983).   As the reader, you can feel the emotions and the pain that was felt by any one member of the Riva family at any point in the story.   It tells the story of how struggles exist even in the most seemingly perfect relationships, how things aren't always as they seem, and how decisions are made based on survival. 

I don't want to call it a historical fiction novel because it takes place in the 1980s
and while it was 38 years ago, classifying it as historical fiction feels weird to me.  

Nevertheless - amazing book!

Jenkins Reid was set the book in a way that went from past to present (and then from present to past).  The story was information rich and no stone was left unturned.  Even at the ending, there weren't any questions that could be asked about what happened and what might happen. 

I really liked how Jenkins Reid made sure to write about the smaller characters, who they were and what happened to them on that fateful night. 

Totally recommend this read! 

- Jillian