Malibu Rising

 Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Part one of the book sets up the history and beginning of the Riva family. 

Mick met June while she was waiting tables at her family’s restaurant. They both fall in love at that moment. Mick was just starting to build his career and June loved the idea of what that could mean for her life.  As Mick’s career was taking off, June ended up pregnant with Nina.  They got married and a few years later Jay came along.  Mick had an affair with Carol Hudson.  Carol dropped their son Hudson “HUD” off to June saying she couldn’t do it anymore.  June took Hud and raised him as her own.  June and Mick got a divorce. A few years later they got remarried and had Katherine “Kit”.  It ended in another divorce and Mick disappearing for good.  June started drinking and was forced to work at her parents restaurant to makes ends meet.  One night with all the kids at friends’ houses, June drowned in the tub.  She had seen that Mick had gotten married and started drinking.  Nina was forced to drop out of school and raise her brothers and sister. 

Nina accepted a job as a swimsuit model to have a way to provide for her siblings.  Brandon Randall came along and promised everything she wanted but no one had given her.  Expect a year after getting married, he cheated on her and left.  He did to her what she watched Mick do to her mom.

Part Two is about the Riva Party that Nina throwing every year.  It was a party where invitations weren’t sent out.  You were welcome to attend as long as you knew the address.  

Brandon showed up asking for another chance.  Nina was willing to give him one until Carrie (the affair) showed up.  She then asked them both to leave.  

There was alcohol and food provided.  The people brought weed, LCD, and Cocaine.  People were making out with anyone and everyone, having sex, and trashing the house.  

Casey showed up hoping to talk to Nina.  When her parents died, she found a picture of her birth mother that stated she was the product of a one-night stand with Mick.  

Jay and Hud got into a fight over Ashley who was Jay’s ex and the love of HUD’s life.  The fight is broken up by none other than Mick.  Kit realized she likes women not men. Mick get all of the kids (Nina, Jay, Hud, Kit and Casey) down to the beach.

Mick admits he wasn’t around because he was selfish but wanted a chance now to be part of their lives.  They all decide after the heart to heart that he doesn’t deserve another chance.  

While they were at the beach, the cops were called to break the party up.  It had gotten out of hand with people stealing, throwing items and someone firing a gun.  

In the end, HUD and Ashley get their happy ever after, Nina gets to live her live for herself, and they all accept Casey as a sibling.  

The story was overall enjoyable.  Part One was just enjoyable enough to keep you interested and Part Two was a page turner.  It kept you wanting to know what would happen next.  However, it is not one I’ll probably read a second time.

Reviewed by Shelly