Title: Malibu Rising
Author: Taylor Jenkins Reid
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Genre: Fiction, Historical Fiction
Year of Publication: 2021
Date of Publication: June 1, 2021
Pages: 384
ISBN-10: 1524798657
ISBN-13: 978-1524798659
Audiobook Narrator: Julia Whelan
Summary of Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Malibu Rising is set in the 1980s and follows the lives of the children of a famous singer named Mick Riva. Mick and June Riva had four children—Nina, Jay, Hud, and Kit. The story revolves around the annual end-of-summer party hosted by the siblings, which becomes chaotic as hidden secrets come to light.
“It began at 28150 Cliffside Drive on Saturday, August 27—at the home of Nina Riva—during one of the most notorious parties in Los Angeles history.”— Narrator
Nina, the eldest of the siblings leads the parties yearly. But for the 1983 party, Nina is going through some marriage problems but insists that the party must go on. News broke out earlier that morning that Nina’s husband Brandon had dumped her for another woman. Both Brandon and his new woman, Carrie Soto, are professional tennis players.
We learn about Mick and June Riva. How they first met, what their lives were like before success came along, and how their lives and that of their children changed with Mick’s success.
“When there is only you, you do not get to choose which jobs you want, you do not get to decide you are incapable of anything. There is no room for distaste or weakness. You must do it. All of the ugliness, the sadness, the things most people can’t stand to even think of about, all must live inside of you. You must be capable of everything..”— Nina Riva reflecting on the responsibility that has fallen on her.
The book is about fame, family dynamics, and how complex relationships can sometimes be, but it all culminates in a dramatic and unforgettable night.
“Because just like it is in Malibu’s nature to burn, so was it in one particular person’s nature to set fire and walk away.”— Narrator
Main Plot & Characters
- Nina Riva: The eldest Riva sibling. A famous model and surfer. She’s responsible and has been taking care of her siblings since their mother died.
- Jay Riva: Nina’s younger brother. A professional surfer with a reputation as a heartthrob but he develops feeling for a woman named Lara. He recently found out some information relating to his health.
- Hud Riva: Another brother but not one of June’s biological children. Hud is a talented photographer who documents Jay’s surfing career. He’s hiding a secret that could break the family apart. Hud was conceived from an affair that Mick had but when his biological mother dropped him off at Mick and June’s residence, June agrees to raise him as one of her own.
- Kit Riva: The youngest sibling. She feels a bit overlooked and is trying to figure out who she wants to be.
- Mick Riva: Their famous singer father who abandoned the family multiple times. He is also a character who appears in some of Reid’s other novels.
- June Riva: The Riva siblings’ mother. She was the daughter of Theo and Christina Costas. Her parents owned a struggling restaurant known as Pacific Fish (later renamed Riva’s Seafood) but June always felt like she was destined for much more than selling food at a restaurant. June struggled with alcoholism and died when the kids were still young.
- Brandon Randall: Nina’s famous tennis-player husband, whose betrayal is a catalyst for events in the novel.
- Carrie Soto: She is a tennis player who met Brandon at an event in the 1980s. At the time, Brandon was struggling with his game. Carrie is considered the greatest female tennis player of all time and is a legend in the sport. The affair between Carrie and Brandon leads to the collapse of his marriage to Nina Riva.
- Seth Whittles: He is Jay’s friend.
- Ashley: She started a secret romance with Hud Riva but she used to date Jay Riva.
- Casey Greens: She suspects Mick Riva is her biological father after finding a note behind a picture of her biological mother, who died at child birth.
- Tarine: She is Nina’s closest friend. They met at a photoshoot and are both fashion models.
- Richy Esposito: He admires Jay and Hud and was their junior while they were in school. He runs a photography studio and has a crush on Kit.
- Vanessa: She is Kit’s childhood best friend and is quietly harboring feelings for Hud Riva.
The Riva siblings’ relationships are tested as the story unfolds over the course of a single night.
Writing Style
Taylor Jenkins Reid tells the story in a way that as a reader you feel like you are in the middle of it all. She captures how intense familial love and loyalty can be but at the same time completely holds your attention when the conflicts arise.
Jenkins uses time hops to show things that have happened in the past and current day events. Some of the story is told from the 50’s to show the family’s history and the start of Mick and June’s relationships, while other parts of the story are told during the 70’s and 80’s.
Memorable Quotes
- “Because it is Malibu’s Nature to burn.”— Narrator
- “Alcoholism is a disease with many faces, and some of them look beautiful.”— Narrator
- “It is discernible, when two people feel complete comfort with each other’s skin. It is plain for anyone to see if they are looking.”— Nina Riva
- “It is as if once your heart has been broken, you learn of the deepest reserves it carries.”— Narrator reflecting on Nina’s openness after Mick Riva returns home
- “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.”— Brandon reflecting
- “When you fall in love with your manager’s assistant, fire your manager, promote his gorgeous assistant, marry her, and then divorce her, you’re left with no wife or manager.”— Mick Riva reflecting on his life
- “…letting people love you and care for you is part of how you love and care for them.”— Nina Riva reflecting
Impact of Malibu Rising
Malibu Rising is in the process of being adapted for the screen. Hulu acquired rights to adapt the book into a limited TV series.
