Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid

This is the second book I’ve read by Reid (along with DAISY JONES & THE SIX), and to me, her writing seems a bit like pop music. There’s a catchy rhythm that hooks you in and makes you feel a certain mood, and the sound is so cool and slick that it almost doesn’t matter if you can fully understand the lyrics. You really don’t care -- it immerses you in a specific atmosphere and mood that you can see and feel and taste.

In particular, she can give you a feel for a particular time and place. In this book, the setting is 1980s Malibu -- putting your life at risk while crossing the PCH before shredding on your board, hanging out in Paradise Cove and living in the thick of the entertainment industry. (I’ve lived in L.A. over twenty years, so I can attest to the fact that everything about the area is perfectly conveyed).

What resonated most with me was the history of June, the mother of the main characters. It’s narrated in a style that feels reminiscent of folklore -- an old tale passed down from the ages, told from a distance, moving quickly through time but carrying an emotional weight. 

I felt for some of the characters (especially June), but I didn’t quite connect with them as strongly as I was hoping -- not the way I did with the characters in DAISY JONES. This is partly due to the second half of the book containing vignettes that briefly introduce new characters who are guests of the huge, blow-out party. This is done in an attempt to give the reader a feel for what crazy Hollywood parties are like and a peek into the lives of people who move to L.A. to chase their dreams. It’s a bold attempt that some readers may appreciate, but I found it distracting enough that by the end, I was disconnected from the story. It felt too much, to me, like putting style over substance.

Although I didn’t find this as unique or powerful as DAISY JONES, this author truly does bring atmosphere and ‘the style’ like almost no one else can, so my guess is that die hard fans will love every word.

This comes out June 1!

Thank you Ballantine Books for the ARC!