June 2022 Standalone BOTM - Malibu Rising, by Taylor Jenkins Reid

[Alaina]

Four famous siblings throw an epic party to celebrate the end of the summer. But over the course of twenty-four hours, their lives will change forever.

Malibu: August, 1983. It’s the day of Nina Riva’s annual end-of-summer party, and anticipation is at a fever pitch. Everyone wants to be around the famous Rivas: Nina, the talented surfer and supermodel; brothers Jay and Hud, one a championship surfer, the other a renowned photographer; and their adored baby sister, Kit. Together, the siblings are a source of fascination in Malibu and the world over—especially as the offspring of the legendary singer, Mick Riva.

The only person not looking forward to the party of the year is Nina herself, who never wanted to be the center of attention, and who has also just been very publicly abandoned by her pro tennis player husband. Oh, and maybe Hud—because it is long past time to confess something to the brother from whom he’s been inseparable since birth.

Jay, on the other hand, is counting the minutes until nightfall, when the girl he can’t stop thinking about promised she’ll be there.

And Kit has a couple secrets of her own—including a guest she invited without consulting anyone.

By midnight the party will be completely out of control. By morning, the Riva mansion will have gone up in flames. But before that first spark in the early hours before dawn, the alcohol will flow, the music will play, and the loves and secrets that shaped this family’s generations will all come bubbling to the surface.

Malibu Rising is a story about one unforgettable night in the life of a family: the night they each have to choose what they will keep from the people who made them... and what they will leave behind.

**This BOTM thread will be open until July 5th @ Midnight (in your time zone)**

[Ashlyn]

Just got to 1959 (view spoiler)[The back and forth is a little confusing at times, and June's parts seem to go really fast. But it's good so far. I trying to finish Evelyn Hugo now so I can catch all the references to that book. (hide spoiler)]

[Ashlyn]

This book is so good, but the then and now chapters are driving me crazy! I am through 1962 (view spoiler)[ I can’t believe Mick left again! I mean I can, but I can’t! (hide spoiler)]

[Ashlyn]

though part 1 (view spoiler)[June died!!! And Brandon sounds just like mick. (hide spoiler)]

[Ashlyn]

Finished! So much happened! (view spoiler)[I don't understand why we were introduced to all the side characters and their stories. It still doesn't make sense. When Mick set the bushes on fire, I honestly thought Nina was still going to be left in the house. I love how the book ended though. (hide spoiler)]

[Amber]

Can’t wait to read!

[Ashlyn]

Amber wrote: "Can’t wait to read!"

Probably my favorite read so far this year!

[Ellen-Arwen]

Starting this now - hope it's good!

[Ellen-Arwen]

Ashlyn wrote: "Just got to 1959 [spoilers removed]"

1959

(view spoiler)[

I didn't know there were references to Evelyn Hugo! Haven't read that one - I've only read Daisy Jones and the Six. I really enjoyed the flipping back and forward in time actually; I missed it in part 2 (hide spoiler)]

[Ellen-Arwen]

Ashlyn wrote: "This book is so good, but the then and now chapters are driving me crazy! I am through 1962 [spoilers removed]"

1962

Yes! I agree!

(view spoiler)[ Every time he came back (was it three times in total) to June I wanted to believe it was for good because she wanted to believe it so badly. He doesn't seem like a horrible man, but he certainly behaves in a horrible way, so destructive of other people. (hide spoiler)]

[Ellen-Arwen]

Ashlyn wrote: "though part 1 [spoilers removed]"

To end of part 1

(view spoiler)[ I didn't make the connection of Brandon/Mick, but now you say it it seems really obvious!
I loved the time shifting in the first half - I missed only having the one story in part 2. But they'd caught up with themselves - I forget how young Nina is because she's already been married I guess. And has a super posh house etc.

It's amazing what she gave up for her family. I fricking love her. (hide spoiler)]

[Ellen-Arwen]

Ashlyn wrote: "Finished! So much happened! [spoilers removed]"

Finished

(view spoiler)[ The side character storylines were pretty confusing - when they all get arrested at the end, and we were told who was looking at who and who was holding hands with who, who was scowling at who, I was just like, 'Umm, I can't actually remember who most of these people are and how they are connected!' I'm glad you felt the same way - I was feeling pretty stupid at that point. Maybe it's something that would be better on rereading?

I love that they all let Nina do what she wanted; it was the perfect ending. Although, same as you, I thought Nina would still be in the house when it was on fire - and I do like tragic endings so part of me is really evil and wishes it had ended like that... But Nina finally got the life she deserved.

For some reason I thought that they were going to suggest that Casey run the cafe, which would have been really unfair, so I'm glad they sold it.

Twenty-four hours and they're all in such different places:
Nina - off to live a new life
Jay - coming to terms with his heart condition, accepting he has to give up surfing
Hud - going to be a father! and a new career trajectory too
Kit - discovering herself (I guessed earlier on that she might be gay actually) and also FINALLY going to get recognition for how awesome she is at surfing because, in some ways, Nina needed to leave and stop protecting her and she needed to get out of Jay's shadow.

LOVED THIS BOOK! I only wish that I'd been on a beach when reading it - that would have been perfect :) (hide spoiler)]

Thanks for your comments, Ashlyn - I really like buddy reading! Sorry I started so late after you though. Glad we both enjoyed it :)

[Ashlyn]

Ellen-Arwen wrote: "Ashlyn wrote: "Just got to 1959 [spoilers removed]"

1959




I still need to read Daisy Jones and the Six!

[Ashlyn]

Ellen-Arwen wrote: "Ashlyn wrote: "Finished! So much happened! [spoilers removed]"

Finished

The side character storylines were pretty confusing - when they all get arrested at the end, and we were told who was look..."

I actually went to the beach when I was reading this, and I forgot to get a picture of it there.

[Ellen-Arwen]

Ashlyn wrote: "Ellen-Arwen wrote: "Ashlyn wrote: "Finished! So much happened! [spoilers removed]"

Finished

The side character storylines were pretty confusing - when they all get arrested at the end, and we we..."

What a shame you didn't get a picture - it would have been perfect!

[Kira]

Prologue - 1956 : (view spoiler)[I am just waiting for shit to hit the fan, i mean I don’t believe for a moment that everything can just go on so smoothly (hide spoiler)]

[Kira]

10:00 am - 1:00 pm : (view spoiler)[Ugh Mick….having a difficult childhood is no excuse for doing what he did. I feel angry at June for taking him back but like..I also understand where she’s coming from. This is all so complicated (hide spoiler)]

[Kira]

1962 - 1975 : (view spoiler)[I sincerely hope Mick doesn't make an appearance in this book further, he is scum. I feel deeply for Nina....so many responsibilities now at such a young age (hide spoiler)]

[Kira]

5: 00 pm - End of part 1 : (view spoiler)[Why are all the men in this book so.....bad. They treat marriages and wives like just something they get bored of pretty soon and fuck off. I am hating them all, even Jay and Hud because Hud did sleep with Ashley while she was with Jay and Jay won't let Hud date her because of stupid reasons (hide spoiler)]

[Kira]

7:00 pm - 1:00 am : (view spoiler)[Shit is about to hit the fan y'all, I desperately wish for Mick and Brandon to just poof...vanish! Also I am genuinely terrified of what Jay might end up doing in all his rage. This is getting to damn interesting. (hide spoiler)]

[Kira]

2:00 - 3:00 am : (view spoiler)[Someone please punch Mick for me...PRETTY PLEASE! I hope Nina just gets up and leaves all of them to handle their own messes, honestly she deserves so much better. When Tarine said that Nina hasn't actually lived a single day I felt it in my bones. (hide spoiler)]

[Kira]

Finished : (view spoiler)["SO FUCKING HAPPY FOR NINA!!!! Aaahh this book deserves a 5 star just to give Nina the out from the life she never even wanted. LOL @ Brandon, glad that his house burned down!!! I couldn't have asked for a better end tbh, Jay and Hud didn't just magically become best buds again which was a huge plus point for me, they didn't just leave Kit in the background which was another plus and Mick was left alone, PERFECT! (hide spoiler)]

[Kira]

Ashlyn wrote: "Finished! So much happened! [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[I agree! The side characters plots didn't make sense but I am guessing they are gonna lie about Nina dying in the fire and she can finally escape this life which is a perfect end! (hide spoiler)]

[Ellen-Arwen]

Kira wrote: "Finished : [spoilers removed]"

When you think about it like that, it definitely deserves five stars ;) I was happy too!

[Alaina]

Today is the LAST day to get BOTM points for this book. Tomorrow it will be closed.