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Emily May's Reviews > Malibu Rising
Malibu Rising
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2 1/2 stars. I like all kinds of books. I like fast-paced gossipy dramas and slower, character-driven literary works. I like the books that you read desperately, that you can't put down, and the ones that make you stop and contemplate something you hadn't before. But, while I didn't always dislike Malibu Rising, I do think it falls somewhere right between the two-- not quite juicy enough to keep me up late, but a far cry from a complex literary novel.
Maybe it would have felt more like the latter if it hadn't been stretched so thin over its cast of six central characters. As it is, what we have is a lukewarm soap opera. The Riva family interested me and drew me in initially, but I was left unmoved by the skimming over of some of their struggles. The tumultuous relationship between Mick and June Riva-- and the well-drawn setting of 1950s Malibu --was the best part of the book for me, and the pace noticeably slowed when the story returned to their offspring.
Maybe it would have felt more like the latter if it hadn't been stretched so thin over its cast of six central characters. As it is, what we have is a lukewarm soap opera. The Riva family interested me and drew me in initially, but I was left unmoved by the skimming over of some of their struggles. The tumultuous relationship between Mick and June Riva-- and the well-drawn setting of 1950s Malibu --was the best part of the book for me, and the pace noticeably slowed when the story returned to their offspring.
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Reading Progress
December 23, 2020
– Shelved
June 7, 2021
–
Started Reading
June 8, 2021
–
Finished Reading
Comments Showing 1-50 of 178 (178 new)
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Amanda
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rated it 4 stars
Jun 09, 2021 07:54AM
I’m only halfway through the book, but can already agree about Mick and June’s story. I find myself rushing through the chapters about their children because I’m enjoying the history of their parents and growing up in Malibu more. I kind of wish the 1983 part began at the party rather than reading about every hour beforehand. I’m still enjoying it overall!
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I just wrote my review and I wrote something very similar without reading yours
Amanda wrote: "I’m only halfway through the book, but can already agree about Mick and June’s story. I find myself rushing through the chapters about their children because I’m enjoying the history of their paren..."Yes! I think the author started by telling a story about the four Riva siblings and brought their parents in as background, but then their parents became more interesting than they were.
Lucia wrote: "I just wrote my review and I wrote something very similar without reading yours"I agree with you, and I also just adjusted my rating down. I felt bad because I enjoyed Reid's earlier books, but this one just didn't do it for me.
K wrote: "1980s"The kids were in 1980s. The parents' story begins in 1950s.
oh no was really looking forward to this one
I’m so glad to see you agreed. I’ve seen many reviews saying June and Mick’s parts were the best, and I agree.
I felt it was such a disappointment after Daisy and Evelyn, the writing felt very basic compared to her other successes, and the characters were a little cliche and not developed much at all...
I felt it was overall just so bland, and it didn’t give me much of any thought.
Did you see the announcement it’s becoming a tv series?I hope they get Daisy out first, as the cast is all set, but maybe the tv show will fix the issues x
I gave it two stars as well, for me personally I felt it was Taylor’s weakest novel yet...sadly, as I was hyping it’s arrival
Amy wrote: "I’m so glad to see you agreed. I’ve seen many reviews saying June and Mick’s parts were the best, and I agree.
I felt it was such a disappointment after Daisy and Evelyn, the writing felt very bas..."
There are exceptions, but I genuinely think most authors can't successfully handle six protagonists. They almost always seem flat and underdeveloped, IMO.
Oh no! I hate to hear this. This is my Book of the Month pcik.
I couldn't agree more. While I gave a more generous rating, your review pretty much summed up my experience reading it.
I really enjoyed this book - but books hit people differently. It is what I find so amazing about reading!
THANK YOU!!! I was starting to think I was the only person that didn't love this book. I also thought the best parts of the book (although not perfect) were Mick and June's. Definitely not my favorite by this author.
when I say I GASPED-not what I was expecting! As always though, I love hearing your thoughts :)
Your review summarizes my thoughts as well. I expected a juicy family drama and the drama was pretty mild.
I am Shadow I think the books … okay I guess
I could not agree more with your review.
Yes - totally agree with your soap opera observation! And the ending really fell flat for me. I was feeling generous when I gave it 3 stars.
Lukewarm soap opera describes it perfectly!
aw thats too bad! I really loved it
Emily May wrote: "Amy wrote: "I’m so glad to see you agreed. I’ve seen many reviews saying June and Mick’s parts were the best, and I agree.
I felt it was such a disappointment after Daisy and Evelyn, the writing f..."
I agree, it never seems to work out of the majority.
This one really didn’t work at all, sadly...
I hope she can make a great comeback, I really did feel it was her worst novel.
Thank you! This is a perfectly succinct review that convinced me I can keep this off my tbr for now. I saw it has a great tearing but the plot didn't pull me in and with your review, that seals it! Thanks!!
Rating... Not tearing... No idea how that got there
This book was garbage. Could we not have a single male character that was decent??
Hey! Shadow here
This is on my TBR...and I already purchased it. Now I am not sure if I should even take my time to read it...I have liked most (not every single one, but more than I did not) of this author's books. :-(
This is exactly how I felt about Evelyn Hugo as well. Thank you for confirming- and keeping me from this!
I totally agree! And, even though the book was lengthy I felt like there were several unresolved issues and the siblings' character development was way off for me.
Felt the exact same way!
I feel exactly the same!This one was so hyped up and after reading Daisy Jones I was looking forward to this one. But it just didn't do it for me. June and Mick's story seemed more interesting than their children. The ending was too flat as well. I can't get over how disappointed I am. lol
I totally agree! Celebrity children are NOT interesting and that slowed down their plot- which was > 50% of the book. She should have just written on Mick and June.
Thank you! I’m 16% of the way in and wondered if it gets any better. I’m going to switch to something else I can’t put down.
What a letdown! I was really looking forward to this book.Couldn’t agree with you more.
Nobody cares if you felt the same way just shut up
Emily, I agree. I am guilty of “liking” it, but definitely a “far cry from a complex literary novel. I gave it 3 stars for it being likeable. I liked the opening lines. It is an easy read. 3 stars may be generous though. There is just too much competition these days and some truly well written good books out there. Some of this was pretty cheesy. Again, I am guilty of being caught up when Carrie Soto turns up on the lawn threatening to burn Brandon’s clothes, lol. There was a boo boo in a line about I believe Nina already having seen the dress rehearsal. I tried going back and finding the exact wording, but couldn’t locate it. I find this a lot these days. The kissing scenes in this book were weird. I guess that is minor. It was entertaining, but not great.
I felt it was take off of Frank Sinatra and Nancy.
I just started and 50 pages in but it seems slow. Does it pick up?
Wait agreed! The characters and setting interested me but I felt like the ending was just anticlimactic and kinda boring tbh
Agree completely with everything you said in the second paragraph. I enjoyed Daisy Jones and Evelyn Hugo much more.
This review is spot on!!!!
I am in agreement! This book was so disappointing and not interesting at all, you are spot on
why do you hate on every single book
Oh good, I am not alone. After reading so many stellar reviews I was beginning to wonder if I read the same book. I thought the beginning was slow with too many stories that did nothing for me, I thought the characters were one dimensional and I didn't really care what happened to them, and then, once the party started, the story felt rushed and lacking in the exciting drama I thought I was going to find.
You are me!!! I thought I was the only one disappointed in this book. And yes, I agree, the June & Mick sections were the best parts of the book.
I agree completely! The only part of this that I found remotely interesting was the relationship between June and Mick. And we got SO LITTLE of it! I would’ve much preferred to read a book about June and Mick
I'm about halfway through and, so far, I agree completely. This will be a fast read. I have a slight interest in how it all plays out, so I'll finish it, but meh. Too bad, really enjoyed Daisy Jones.
Rubbish you obviously read something different to me. Brilliant book
