Malibu Rising book by Taylor Jenkins Reid has captured the hearts of readers and critics alike since its release in 2021. Set in the iconic California beach town during the summer of 1983, the novel is a mesmerizing portrayal of four siblings – Nina, Jay, Hud, and Kit – who are the children of a legendary rock star.
Over the course of one fateful night, the family’s glamorous party at their oceanfront mansion spirals out of control, uncovering secrets and long-buried emotions. With her signature storytelling prowess, Taylor Jenkins Reid weaves a vivid and emotionally charged tale that explores the complexities of family, love, and identity.
In this article, we will delve into the intricacies of Malibu Rising and examine what makes it such a compelling read.
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Official Description
Malibu Rising
Four famous siblings throw an epic party to celebrate the end of the summer. But over the course of twenty-four hours, the family drama that ensues will change their lives forever.
Full Description
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. Together the siblings are a source of fascination in Malibu and the world over—especially as the offspring of the legendary singer Mick Riva.
The only person not looking forward to the party of the year is Nina herself, who never wanted to be the center of attention, and who has also 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 the brother from whom he’s been inseparable since birth.
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 secrets of her own—including a guest she invited without consulting anyone.
By midnight the party will be completely out of control. 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 this family’s generations will all come rising to the surface.
Our Overview
“Family is found…whether it be blood or circumstance or choice, what binds us does not matter. All that matters is that we are bound.”
The famous Malibu Rising book by Taylor Jenkins Reid follows the Riva family, a legendary and dysfunctional clan of surfers, on one eventful day in 1983. The novel starts with Nina Riva, the eldest and most responsible sibling, preparing for her annual end-of-summer party at her beachfront mansion in Malibu. As the day progresses, the reader is taken back in time to witness the tumultuous history of the Riva family.
Mick Riva, a famous singer, and father to Nina, Jay, Hud, and Kit, abandoned his family when they were young, leaving their mother June to raise them alone. The siblings’ childhood was marked by poverty and neglect, but they found solace in the ocean and surfing.
On the day of the party, tensions are high between Nina and her ex-husband, Brandon, who has arrived uninvited with his new girlfriend. Nina’s brothers, Jay and Hud, are also dealing with personal issues. Jay, a famous surfer, is hiding a secret from the public, while Hud, a renowned photographer, is struggling with addiction.
As the party begins, old wounds are reopened, and secrets are revealed, culminating in a devastating fire that threatens to destroy everything the Riva family holds dear. In the face of the fire, the Rivas must come together and confront the demons of their past to save themselves and each other.
Overall, Malibu Rising is a gripping family drama that explores the complex dynamics of family, love, and sacrifice. It is a story of resilience and redemption, reminding us that sometimes the only way to move forward is to confront the past.
Our Review
If you’re like us and needed to delve into the glamourous writing of Taylor Jenkins Reid after binging The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo in 3 days, then you’re in for a treat.
Malibu Rising is equally tantalising and captivating as the TikTok sensation of Evelyn Hugo. We follow the lives of the Riva siblings over the course of a single day in 1983. The Rivas are known for their legendary end-of-summer party, which brings together the rich and famous of Malibu.
Reid is excellent at delivering flawed characters. Morally-grey to the point of making the reader question if they like the characters they’re living through. We delve into the personal struggles of each sibling – Nina, Jay, Hud, and Kit – as they navigate fame, family dynamics, and their own inner demons. The story is both heart-wrenching and heartwarming, as the siblings come to terms with their past and the challenges they face in the present.
Reid’s writing is immersive and vivid. You’ll swiftly be transported to the sun-soaked beaches of Malibu, perfect for the lead-up to summer!
Each sibling is seriously unique and vividly flawed, but ultimately sympathetic, and the relationships between them feel authentic and well-developed. Nina, in particular, is a standout character, and her journey throughout the book is both heart-wrenching and empowering.
Overall, Malibu Rising is a beautifully written and emotionally resonant novel that explores the complexities of family, fame, and the human experience. Fans of Taylor Jenkins Reid’s previous works will not be disappointed, and new readers will be drawn in by the compelling story and well-drawn characters.
Overall Rating: ★★★★★
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Malibu Rising LGBTQ?
One of the characters in Malibu Rising is a lesbian, but unlike Evelyn Hugo, this novel doesn’t have any gay romance.
Is Malibu Rising book worth reading?
With summer coming our way, Malibu Rising is perfect to head into the season. Any fan of historical fiction will love this novel. That being said, people who don’t commonly read the genre will still be pleasantly surprised.
What celebrity is Malibu Rising based on?
Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid is the story of Swimsuit Model Nina Riva and her surfing siblings. Told mostly in flashback, the actual story takes place over 24 hours at a big Malibu party that started the fires in the 1980s, and flashes back to the 1950s where her parents met.
However, many speculate that Mick Riva took inspiration from Mick Jagger, and Nina as Liv Taylor.
Is Malibu Rising a romance?
Malibu Rising follows the glitz and glamour of 1980s California, so you’re sure to find some slices of romance. However, the main story is one of despair, excess, and the turbulent life of celebrities.
Taylor Jenkins Reid books?
With the widespread acclaim of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, it’s no surprise that thousands of people are wanting to explore more complex storytelling from author Taylor Jenkins Reid. Her most well-known works include:
- “Daisy Jones & The Six”
- “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo“
- “Maybe in Another Life”
- “Forever, Interrupted”
- “After I Do”
- “One True Loves”
- “The Bride”
- “The Marriage of Opposites”
