Taylor Jenkins Reid's Malibu Rising is lauded for its evocative 1980s Malibu setting, dynamic family saga, and vivid character development. However, some critiques note a predictable plot and a pacing that falters in the second half. Overall, it offers an engaging summer read rich with emotional depth and beachy nostalgia.

A reader who enjoys Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid likely appreciates multi-generational family dramas with a blend of glamour and emotional depth. This novel appeals to fans of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo and Daisy Jones & The Six, offering a compelling mix of celebrity culture and intricate personal relationships.

Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid unfolds on August 27, 1983, in Malibu, focusing on family dynamics, fame, and resilience, centered around Nina Riva’s annual summer party. Nina and her siblings—Jay, Hud, and Kit—navigate their troubled past and complex relationships under the shadow of their famous singer father, Mick Riva. Sensitive topics include infidelity and parental abandonment.

Nostalgic / Bittersweet / Emotional / Melancholic / Contemplative

- Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid takes place over 24 hours, focusing on the events of a single day in August 1983.
- The novel integrates elements of historical fiction by referencing real-life events and people from the 1980s, adding an authentic touch to its setting.
- Taylor Jenkins Reid has expressed in interviews that her experience living in California heavily inspired the vivid settings and cultural aspects depicted in Malibu Rising.

**Nina Riva**  
The eldest Riva sibling who took on the role of guardian after their mother's death, running the family restaurant and nurturing her siblings while finding solace in surfing.  

**Jay Riva**  
A championship surfer and Nina’s younger brother, grappling with his career’s fragility due to a medical diagnosis and navigating personal relationships.  

**Kit Riva**  
The youngest Riva sibling who aspires to surf competitively and evolves through the story, growing into her own identity and style.  

**Hud Riva**  
The loving and gentle Riva brother who shares a complicated relationship with his sibling Jay and is deeply reflective about family and responsibilities.  

**June Riva**  
The Riva siblings’ mother, whose life was marked by her enduring love for Mick and challenges that pushed Nina into a caregiving role.  

**Mick Riva**  
The absent father of the Riva siblings, whose choices and past profoundly affect his children’s lives and the story’s events.  

**Casey Greens**  
A young woman potentially connected to the Riva family, she navigates her search for belonging and family connections amidst uncertain paternity.

Taylor Jenkins Reid

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In Malibu Rising, the Riva family’s bonds and hidden past come to light during an epic party. Read a detailed summary and thematic insights.

Malibu Rising Summary and Study Guide

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