If I had to describe this book in three different ways it would be the movie Project X, meets an extremely dysfunctional family, meets the 1980s. And it is fantastic. It’s been getting a lot of awareness lately with people on Tik Tok sharing it, and though I do not have Tik Tok myself, I knew I had to check it out. I also really enjoy reading books about dysfunctional families as one of the themes as it entertains me greatly.
Malibu Rising follows the life of the Riva family in 1983, Malibu. As the children of one of the most legendary signers of this time, Mick Riva, they know what it is like to be in the public eye and how to keep secrets from not only the press but also each other. Each year they throw a huge end of the summer party and it’s the party that anyone who is anyone will be at. Models, actors, politicians, media, everyone. There is no invitation because if you know the place and date you are welcome to show up. It’s a completely out of control party that everyone will be talking about until next years. Except this year, by morning the next day, the house will have gone up in flames. The story goes on to describe what happened in those 24 hours before the flames and shines light into some of the secrets the Riva’s have been hiding.
This book had be captured from the beginning. I struggled to put it down throughout most of it. I wanted to be let in on the secrets that these family members have been holding on to for years and see how that would all unfold. I think it is very much worth the praise it has been getting and I look forward to reading other novels by Taylor Jenkins Reid. A story that highlights that even in the most extreme cases, a families bond is sometimes stronger than anything else in the world.
Until Next Time, The Library Abroad
The Library Abroad 
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