Taylor Jenkins Reid

Julia Whelan

A Novel

Malibu Rising

A lifetime holding it together.
One party will bring it crashing down.

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.

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 bubbling to the surface.

Malibu Rising is a story about one unforgettable night in the life of a family: the night they each have to choose what they will keep from the people who made them . . . and what they will leave behind.

angie

The story of June and Mick Riva seemed like a tragedy to their oldest child, Nina. It felt like a comedy of errors to their first son, Jay. It was an origin story for their second son, Hud. And a mystery tot he baby of the family, Kit. To Mick himself it was just a chapter of his memoir. But to June, it was, always and forever, a romance.”

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.

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.

Malibu Rising is a story about one unforgettable night in the life of a family: the night they each have to choose what they will keep from the people who made them . . . and what they will leave behind.

Nina May

They had taught her that family  is found that whether it be blood or circumstance or choice, what binds us does not matter. All that matters that we are bound.

Casey knew that in a few years the memories would begin to fade. She might forget whether her father had spilled mustard or ketchup. She might lose the ability to recall the exact smell of Wind Song. She might even forget about the reading glasses altogether after a while as much as it pained her to admit it.

June was gone. Yet here she was, living on through her children.

August,1983, it is the day of Nina Riva's annual end-of-summer party, and anticipation is at a fever pitch. Everyone who is anyone wants to be around the famous Rivas: surfer and supermodel Nina, brothers Jay and Hud, and their adored baby sister Kit. Together, the siblings are a source of fascination in Malibu and the world over - especially as the children of the legendary singer Mick Riva.

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 of dawn, the alcohol will flow, the music will play, and the loves and secrets that shaped this family will all come bubbling to the surface.

Lauren

 What was so hard about dedicating yourself to a woman? It felt so natural to him.

Beautiful but maybe a bit awkward. Awkward but maybe beautiful.

Jack O‘Conner

He was not a good man. Not an honest man. It was how he was born, how he was raised. But a good woman could save him.

She would let the ocean heal her like she always had.

Hud looked at her there, alone and unsure, on the threshold. "Come on, sit down. I don't care who your dad is. You're one of us." 

Kit scooted over to make room. And when asey sat down next to Nina, Jay squeezed her shoulder. Nina patted her knee. 

She needed someone to love her. And they could do that. That would be very easy for them to do. 

Nina looked her father in the eye and her face tightened. She felt for him. But it made her even more angry, that he had allowed her to lose what he himself had lost. He had -all alongknown the cost of it and had done nothing to stop it from happening to her, too.

He needed his children now that he was alone. Now that he was afraid he wasn't going to matter very soon. Now that he had a house that echoed. 

Nina turned and looked at her father. Mick caught her eye and relaxed into the softness of her gaze. "She deserved better," he said softly. "I hope she knew that."

 Nina watched her father's face. She watched his long eyelashes as he blinked, remembering looking at them as a child. 

"She didn't," Nina said, her voice almost as quiet as breath. "She didn't know that."  

Natalie Unsinn 

Every day of your life feels like you’re climbing up the mountain. And then you get there and you stay for a bit. And it’s nice at the top. But then you start sliding down the other side.

He hadn't seen that part coming. And it has hit him hard. 

Our parents live inside us, whether they stick around or not, Hud thought. They express themselves through us in the way we hold a pen or shrug our shoulders, in the way we raise our eyebrow. Our heritage lingers in our blood. The idea of it scared the shit out of him. 

She was a woman, after all. Living in a world created by men. And she had long known that assholes protect their own. They are faithful to no one but surprisingly protective of each other.

And so, in a way, you could say that this is when Mick fell in love with June, if falling in love is a choice. He chose her.

 But for June it wasn't a choice at all. For June it was a free fall.

She opened her eyes. "A family" she said. "Two kids. A boy and a girl. A good husband, who likes to dance with me in the living room and remembers our anniversary. And we never fight. And we have a nice house. Not in the hills or in the city but on the water. Directly on the beach. With two sinks in the bathroom." 

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER * Read with Jenna Book Club Pick as Featured on Today * From the author of Daisy Jones & The Six and The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo . . . ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR: The Washington Post, Time, Marie Claire, PopSugar, Parade, Teen Vogue, Self * "Irresistible . . . High drama at the beach, starring four sexy, surfing siblings and their deadbeat, famous-crooner dad."--People 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 will change forever. 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. Malibu Rising is a story about one unforgettable night in the life of a family: the night they each have to choose what they will keep from the people who made them . . . and what they will leave behind. This edition includes an interview with the author, book club discussion questions, and more!

Kathi

l'm just really sick and tired of people thinking they can treat me like I don‘t have a heart. like mine doesn't break, too."

"Be my guest," Carrie said, gesturing to the door. "And feel free to fuck right off."

She did not seem to care that she was not only handing June a child but also breaking her heart. June narrowed her eyes as she thought of the unique combination of audacity and spinelessness that this woman possessed. Carol Hudson was a bold one indeed.

„…But you’re lucky I’m interested. It's not the other way around. I don t care who your daddy is.“ Jay figured it was then. That moment. When he fell in love with her. 

Sarah Campbell

Hud looked at her there, alone and unsure, on the threshold. 

“Come on, sit down. I don't care who your dad is. You're one of us.”

Kit scooted over to make room. And when Casey sat down next to Nina, Jay squeezed her shoulder. Nina patted her knee. 

I needed something as a break-read between the cycle of reading fantasy books and this turned out to be a pretty decent one. 

On the book cover, Holly Bourne describes this book as 'the perfect beach read, with the emotional depth of the ocean' which sums up the book quite well. 

The writing style is simple and easy to get into. The setting is lavish. The main characters aren't really unique but they are written well. The story flows well even though you kind of know where it's going. 

It served my purpose of being a break-read and I had fun time being the fly on the wall at the messed up party of the decade!

Adwait Kulkarni

I needed something as a break-read between the cycle of reading fantasy books and this turned out to be a pretty decent one. 

On the book cover, Holly Bourne describes this book as 'the perfect beach read, with the emotional depth of the ocean' which sums up the book quite well. 

The writing style is simple and easy to get into. The setting is lavish. The main characters aren't really unique but they are written well. The story flows well even though you kind of know where it's going. 

It served my purpose of being a break-read and I had fun time being the fly on the wall at the messed up party of the decade!

GLOBE AND MAIL BESTSELLER NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER NEW YORK TIMES EDITORS' CHOICE Malibu 1983. Four famous siblings throw an epic party to celebrate the end of the summer. But over the course of one night, each of their lives will be changed forever. 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. Malibu Rising is a story about one unforgettable night in the life of a family: the night they each have to choose what they will keep from the people who made them . . . and what they will leave behind.

Chloé Dupèré

Taylor Jenkins Reid, the author that you are!

Her books are so easy to read and reel you in so fast. The anger was pulsing in my veins at one point. The complexities of being a parent, but how the most important part is just being there, so well portrayed. Funnily enough, this book made me feel so grateful, grateful for the life I could’ve had, but didn’t because I got out sooner, grateful for having the courage that is so much needed at points. I was june, i have been nina, and i strive to be kit. 

Taylor Jenkins Reid, the author that you are!

Her books are so easy to read and reel you in so fast. The anger was pulsing in my veins at one point. The complexities of being a parent, but how the most important part is just being there, so well portrayed. Funnily enough, this book made me feel so grateful, grateful for the life I could’ve had, but didn’t because I got out sooner, grateful for having the courage that is so much needed at points. I was june, i have been nina, and i strive to be kit. 

mick riva when i catch you👊🏻👊🏻

sophie bastow

ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR: The Washington Post, Time, Marie Claire, PopSugar, Parade, Teen Vogue, Self • “Irresistible . . . High drama at the beach, starring four sexy, surfing siblings and their deadbeat, famous-crooner dad.”—People

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 will change forever.

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.

Malibu Rising is a story about one unforgettable night in the life of a family: the night they each have to choose what they will keep from the people who made them . . . and what they will leave behind.

Ani Velasquez

i loooove love it sm 🥹 this book tells about the riva siblings, mainly about nina riva, the first born daughter in the family who went through so much. as a first born daughter, too, in a family, i can relate to some parts and i can understand her point of view. i love every part of this book T____T i enjoyed it a loooot! 

almeera

Megan Christensen

Rebecca Hurd

Good story, lots of different types of characters and points of view!! Full of family drama, lies, secrets, and party shenanigans!!!! The things those people got up to at the party in a house that none of them owned was mind blowing!! Definitely a slow start and took me a while to get into but all in all a decent story of family, relationships, and life!!

Amanda

Nina Riva, the president of the tortured eldest daughter club.

elly

I loved this book. the pacing was perfect. everything the author mentions has relevance. 

love, heartbreak, family drama, overcoming adversity, and an insane party? what more could you ask for!

the characters were real - flawed, but still ultimately likable and redeemable (most of them anyway). I have not related to a character as much as I related to nina in a long, long time… possibly ever. eldest daughters everywhere, nina riva is about to become your new favorite fictional character.

emily learmont

I loved this book. the pacing was perfect. everything the author mentions has relevance. 

love, heartbreak, family drama, overcoming adversity, and an insane party? what more could you ask for!

the characters were real - flawed, but still ultimately likable and redeemable (most of them anyway). I have not related to a character as much as I related to nina in a long, long time… possibly ever. eldest daughters everywhere, nina riva is about to become your new favorite fictional character.

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER - Read with Jenna Book Club Pick as Featured on Today - From the author of Daisy Jones & The Six and The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo . . . "Irresistible . . . High drama at the beach, starring four sexy, surfing siblings and their deadbeat, famous-crooner dad."-People 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 will change forever. 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. Malibu Rising is a story about one unforgettable night in the life of a family: the night they each have to choose what they will keep from the people who made them . . . and what they will leave behind.

Elisavet Rozaki 

I would recommend anything written by Taylor Jenkins Reid!

jax simpson

all i can say is. men aint shit never trust them, but i knew this already. also nina loving jennifer beals is so real of her those are my women fr

arwen

this wasn't a bad book but i wasn't really invested in the characters. RTC

Hanna Rybchynska

This book was really good!
It focuses a lot about family. How it is important to remember our past but be able to change our future. We are our parents creations however we can also mold ourselves during all our life.

maya

3.75 stars! because there were so many filler characters 

nowhere nearly as good as the seven husbands of evelyn hugo but the way taylor jenkins reid writes about emotions and family trauma is just… wow. and nina riva <3

TJR books always find a way to surprise me. It’s been a while since I have read a book but I enjoy all of them. This one is better read after a couple of different ones because you can gather information on this world. That way you aren’t thrown into a clustering world of having to get to know certain people that have had small introductions and even interactions in other books. I will say the downfall of this book was that there was way too much happening. There were so many different people that actually had nothing to do with the main characters and were only included because of the party aspect of the book. Take that out and focus on the Silva siblings like it’s suppose to it would be really good. It tackled some good topics and having that dual part of the timeline really helped me see every aspect and build to the story. While I was frustrated so much by it I predict that to be a good thing while experiencing the book overall. 

Priscilla Stanfield

Darice de Cuba

** spoiler alert **
           The book reads easy and keeps you reading . But for me it was no where close to The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo.
Evelyn Hugo is hands down a much better book in every aspect.

Malibu Rising is set partially in the 80’s and the nostalgia was nice. There is that. 

Loved the Jennifer Beals cameo.

Sarah

mimansa 

** spoiler alert **
           Wow. just wow.
I read Seven husbands last week and since then i’ve been wanting to read this because i absolutely adored TJR’s writing.
I absolutely loved how TJR threw a few easter eggs which connected both(or more) of her books. 
The whole sibling journey throughout the book and the circle being completed at the end was so wholesome. It showed how important siblinghood is, especially during hard times.
It was perfectly set in order, between present day and their past and also showed how similar children are to their parents.
I liked how it focused on each and every character in so much detail that atleast someone would relate to atleast one of the characters. 
In conclusion, It was a whole ass journey reading this book and i loved every bit of it.

A fun read but a little heavy handed. this is a re-read, I always enjoy how her books are fun quick reads 

Daphne Li-Chen

Luke Harkness

I actually really liked this. It struggled in the middle a bit, but the final third rounded off what the rest of the book had been about nicely.
Keep an eye out for my full review on www.lukeharkness.com

Light, easy to read, made references to other Taylor Jenken Reid characters

Malibu Rising A Novel

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