28150 Cliffside Drive, Point Dunne, Malibu (August 27th, 1983) – The scene of the hottest annual party of the year! Anyone who is anyone is in attendance – actors, pop stars, models, writers, directors, athletes. 

The main players are the four Riva siblings:

Nina (25) – Her mansion is the party venue, and she is the hostess. Her husband, Brandon has recently left her for tennis star Carrie Soto (the protagonist of Taylor Jenkins Reid’s next novel).

Jay (24) – His date for the party is Lara, a waitress he has been infatuated with ever since they met a few weeks ago, and he can’t wait to show her off.

Hud (23) – A half-brother with a different mother but who was raised in the same household as his siblings. Is trying to buck up the courage to tell Jay that he is currently sleeping with his ex-girlfriend, Ashley.

Kit (20) – Has never been kissed and is hoping her sister’s party will change that. 

Malibu Rising definitely captivated my attention – so much soap-opera drama, secrets, lies, and intrigue, and the author’s use of misdirection really threw me for six – applause! The family saga element was conveyed in flashbacks beginning in 1956, the day the siblings father Mick Riva met their mother, June Costas, and following the family unit through the years until 1983. Then the day of the August party unfolded in hourly increments with POV’s alternating between Nina, Jay, Hud, and Kit.

I was immediately drawn to all the characters, especially the four siblings – I relished their closeness, their family rituals, how they were always there for one another through thick and thin, as well as their teasing banter and every interaction. One of my favourite sections of the novel was the real-time format of the party in Part 2 – the short, shifting scenes, and the one-off POV’s of the many guests in attendance including brief backstories, and glimpses into their futures following the party. It was fast paced, kept the drama and excitement high, and had me anticipating what was to come.

I felt that Taylor Jenkins Reid completely captured the essence of not only 1983, but the three decades prior. I adored all the pop culture references, name-dropping, and celebrity sightings. And the setting was vivid and captivating – I really felt like I was there experiencing it all alongside these unforgettable cast of characters.

My favourite and most memorable read by Taylor Jenkins Reid so far.

I’d like to thank Netgalley UK, Random House UK – Cornerstone, and Taylor Jenkins Reid for the e-ARC.