"Malibu Rising" by Taylor Jenkins Reid Review

As Taylor Jenkins Reid continues to grow in popularity from her literary fiction novels, she tends to not fail her readers. Reid has been releasing books that continue to be shelved by adoring fans.

Recently, I read Malibu Rising by T.J.R. and it was captivating. I have read half of her other works and loved every single one of them, so I was looking forward to this specific release. 

The setting of Malibu from the 1950s to the 1980s was enthralling and magnificent. Reid transports you to this world which is also the setting of her other works Daisy Jones and the Six, Carrie Soto is Back, and the infamous The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. Some of the characters show up in her other works, which is so fun and feels like an easter egg. 

Malibu Rising is a story of heartbreak, loss, love and family. We follow the Riva family as they navigate the world after the loss of their mother, June. The first half of the novel includes a past and present perspective of when in the past, Mick and June fall in love and then the timeline switches to the present to how the children of Mick and June are living. The Riva kids throw a huge party annually that hosts other famous people, and we see this party unfold throughout the entire novel. The Riva kids were born into the spotlight because of their father Mick, whom we see in other T.J.R. novels. He ends up marrying June and starts his career as a singer and performer. 

As the story progresses, the character relationships become stronger and some relationships get strained. This novel is very character heavy, and the plot is not very present. Reid includes a plethora of diverse characters that are very realistic. They are lovable yet you also hate their flaws. They are complex with their emotions, and although this novel is told in third person, the reader can truly empathize with her characters. 

In my opinion, Malibu Rising is my third favorite of her works thus far. I would rank the ones that I have read as so:

1. Daisy Jones and the Six

2. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo

3. Malibu Rising

4. Maybe In Another Life

5. After I Do

I am very excited to read Forever, Interrupted, One True Loves, and Carrie Soto is Back. I will read anything Taylor Jenkins Reid releases, even her grocery list. She is one of my favorite authors, and I cannot get enough of her storytelling. 

Overall, reading Malibu Rising was a treat, and I would highly recommend her works to anyone.

"Good Riddance" as fictional characters

Have you ever listened to a song and thought that the story it tells relates exactly to a specific character or couple from a series, movie or even book? I know I have. So in honor of the “Good Riddance” album release by Gracie Abrams, here’s a list of fictional characters I relate to the tracks of her new album.

1. Best 

Paige towards Leo from “The Vow”. Paige treated Leo so badly after the accident when he was just trying to help and love her the way he was used to. He didn’t deserve that. This song is her realizing that wasn’t the best for him.

2. I know it won’t work

Rory and Dean from “Gilmore Girls” after she breaks up with him gets together with Jess. Dean keeps waiting for her to come back to him but she simply doesn’t want that. She doesn’t love him anymore.

3. Full machine

Tom falling for Summer in "500 Days of Summer”. He falls so hard and loves her so deeply while she’s not feeling the same way. He wants someone that doesn’t want him as much as he does.

4. Where do we go now?

Brooke and Gary in “The Breakup”. Their relationship hit a dead end and they both know there's nowhere to go from there but staying for so long, trying to make it work although they know it’s gone.

5. I should hate you

This one was a no-brainer: Kat in “10 things I hate about you” when she gives her speech in class about all the things she hates about Patrick but knowing that, despite all that, she still cares for him and could never hate him at all.

6. Will you cry?

Beth in “He’s just not that into you” with her boyfriend Neil. He shows no interest in getting married and she just wanted to end things to see if he would even care that she left.

7. Amelie

Jo in “Little Women” writes a book, reminiscing about her past life, almost not recognizing the person she is now compared to her younger self.

8. Difficult

Archer in “Archer’s Voice” struggles with a disability and he isolates himself because he thinks that he is a burden to everyone around him.

9. This is what drugs are for

Daisy in “Daisy Jones & The Six” takes every pill and uses whichever distraction to not think about Billy, but it doesn’t really work.

10. Fault line

Babi in “Three Steps Above Heaven” falling for Hache, a guy that has a whole set of problems and knowing he’s a bit dangerous, but she comes with her own set of problems to bring to the table acknowledging that they could crack at any time.

11. The blue

Ezra and Amira in “You People” finding each other and not expecting them to completely change each other’s lives; they fall in love in the best way possible.

12. Right now

Holly in “P.S. I Love You” finding and feeling like herself again after Gerry’s death.

I recommend listening to the album for a deeper understanding. It's heartbreaking yet beautiful. After listening, if you think of any other characters, feel free to let me know. :)