Review: Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Published: June 2021

The Riva family has long been known throughout Los Angeles and the world. It started with Mick Riva, the estranged father of the clan. The next generation finds Nina, Hud, Jay, and Kit. Four kids are mostly forced to raise themselves until they are old enough to be on their own. Nina the oldest, makes sure everyone is taken care of even if it means she has to go without. Hud is hiding a big secret from his brother, Jay, who has a secret of his own. Kit is trying to prove to everyone that she's better than the rest of her siblings on the surfboard if they would only give her the chance.
On the night of their annual party, their whole lives are unended. Will this be a positive or a negative change and how will it affect the rest of their lives.

This is the first book I've read by Taylor Jenkins Reid and if I had to base reading the rest of her books on this one, I would not read anymore. But, I've been told by quite a few people that this is the worse of the bunch.

What I liked about this book was the family drama part. It was a lot of back and forth between the past and the "present" which was the 80s. I liked getting to know each character on a personal level and deciding who I liked and didn't. I could really relate to Nina because I am the person in my family who is always taking care of others before myself.

I've heard The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is the next book of hers I should give a try.
What do you recommend?

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Review: Her Name Is Knight by Yasmin Angoe

Her Name Is Knight by Yasmin Angoe
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Published: November 2021

Nena Knight is an assassin. She kills for the greater good of the African People and Black People all around. Her past is one that is quite unbelievable and when her past makes contact with her present, she has to make decisions to protect those she loves.

Nena was born Aninyeh in the African village of N'nkakuwean. One day men came and took away everything from her, and her life was forever changed. When she has been rescued from the torture she endured as a child, she learned that these men were dead and she felt as though she could breathe a little easier. When on a dispatch, she finds that this might not be true. Determined to find the people who destroyed her life, and destroy theirs, may be a dispatch she's just not ready for.

This book was full of twists and turns. I really enjoyed it. It did start a little slow, but like any action story, that's the way it goes sometimes. When the ball drops, it drops hard. This book will have you in tears, angry, and rooting for Nena in more ways than one.

I highly recommend this book for anyone who enjoys a book with action and a strong female lead.

**trigger warnings for murder, sexual abuse, rape, kidnapping**

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Review: An Extraordinary Union by Alyssa Cole

An Extraordinary Union by Alyssa Cole
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Published: March 2017

Elle is a free black woman. She is currently posing as a slave in order to gather intel for the Union Army. In her work, she meets Malcolm McCall, another detective working for the Union. And he quite her opposite. Together they find valuable information to pass along. Not only do they have to hide the fact that they are spies, but there is also a romance growing between them.

I listened to this one on audio, but I don't know if I would have liked it better if I read it myself. I'm not exactly sure what I was looking for from this book, and I'm not sure if I found it. I know this is a work of fiction, but I don't know about any free person who would risk their freedom in order to go back into slavery.

There were parts of this book that were interesting, but I don't think I will continue with this series.

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Review: No One Will Miss Her by Kat Rosenfield

No One Will Miss Her by Kat Rosenfield

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Published: October 2021

 

Lizzie Oullette is a small town girl who sticks to herself. So when she is found dead in her vacation rental, the whole town is in shock. The biggest shock is that her husband is missing. No one knows who could have done this to Lizzie. When a state detective is called to handle the case, he has to take the word of the townspeople about who this woman is and the kind of life she led. So who killed Lizzie and why?

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Audio for the opportunity to read and review this title.

As you may or not know, psychological thrillers are my favorite genre. I love a fast paced book with twists and turns along the way. This book did not disappoint. I listened to this one on audio and since my commute to work is a lot shorter than it used to be, it took me a little longer to get through. I did not see any of the twists coming in this book, but they were great.

Small towns are great for thrillers. Everyone knows everything and you think you can trust them, but the whole town in unreliable. Once you know what's going on, you still don't know who to trust. While listening, I was sure I knew what was going to happen and who had killed Lizzie. I was shook when I found out the truth. This was a great book. First book I've read by Kat Rosenfield, but I really enjoyed it. I can't wait to read more by her.

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