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?

View all my reviews

To learn more about this book or to order a copy, click the links below(affiliate links):

Amazon

Books A Million

Audio Book Review: Before She Was Found by Heather Gudenkauf

Before She Was Found by Heather Gudenkauf
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Published: April 2019
 

Cora Landry is a quiet girl who lives in Pitch, Iowa. She doesn't have a lot of friends, but when Violet Crowe come to town, she becomes friends with Cora. But, the mean girl, Jordan Petty doesn't like this idea. When the girls are put together to work on a project about urban legends, things for Cora get even worse. They decide on Joseph Wither, a legend from their hometown. When Cora begins to receive messages from someone claiming to be Wither, she is determined to prove to herself and her friends, she is not crazy. The girls plan to meet him one night in the train yard, but the three will not come back the same.

Earlier this year, I read another book by Heather Gudenkauf and I really enjoyed her writing so I knew I had to read more by her. Every town has an urban legend. My husband tells my kids the story of Old Man Clutch who was a bus driver. Now if it's Friday the 13th and they have a substitute bus driver, they are afraid to get on the bus.

Cora was so convinced that Joseph Wither was real, she was going to prove it to anyone who doubted her, but what would it cost her and her friends. Having the entire town question you and your family, never knowing who you can trust. This book will have you on the edge of your seat until the very end.

View all my reviews


To learn more about this book or to order a copy, click the book cover below: