June Costas was 17-years old when she met Mick Reva and in no time he had captivated her heart, mind and soul. They married with their first child, Nina, already on the way. Mick was wickedly handsome, extremely talented and soon reached success as a singer, performing in famous venues far away from their home in Malibu. He was charming and attracted people effortlessly, including beautiful women who he never seemed to be able to resist. June had abandoned her own dreams for this man who kept abandoning her until four children later, after each time he wormed his way back in until finally he never returned. See, to understand those four children (Nina, Jay, Hud & Kit), it’s essential to know their history because both parents left an imprint that defined them as adults and drew them to that Malibu surf.
Fast forward twenty years later and it’s the annual Reva family party that is infamous in Malibu. But in the years since they first began hosting the event, it’s become well known beyond Malibu because of the high profile success of Nina, Jay and Hud but especially because of those they’re connected to. It’s in the background for the siblings as they each are focused on their personal life crises. Nina is married to a top ranked tennis player who just walked out on her for another woman; Jay has a medical condition that threatens his livelihood; Hud is in a secret relationship that may disrupt the family; and Kit is grappling with her own self awareness. I was fascinated with them all as that party loomed ominously.
I’d read reviews of this story that were critical, focusing on the debauchery of the party. I firmly believe that the audiobook version made it clearer that the party was a secondary element despite its outrageousness. Julia Whelan always delivers a wonderful performance but here she showed some serious skill in not only distinguishing each of the siblings but telling the story in such a way that the distance between the craziness of the party (and the people that showed up) from the Reva siblings lives was so blatant. I was not distracted by any of it, craving the parts that brought me closer to the climactic moment where the family finally gets to make choices for themselves and not borne out of their family history. It was compelling and Whelan leads you there, building anticipation for that moment that still surpassed my expectations.
There are so many layers to this story and I connected with it strongly. I’ve known people like Nina who were forced to step into adult roles and take care of their siblings when the parents vacated those responsibilities. Of all of them, I rooted for her the most as she’d always made life choices for the sake of her family, selflessly and often humiliating, but not only keeping them together but leading them to success. If you can rise above the metaphorically distracting party, you’ll understand the beauty of Malibu Rising and get the cleverness of that title. Taylor Jenkins Reid remains at the top of my list of auto listen authors.
Book Info
- Release Date: June 1, 2021
- Narrator: Julia Whelan
- Audio Length: 11 hours, 5 minutes
- Publisher: Random House Audio
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Libro.fm
(Thanks to the publisher and Libro.fm for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
I’m glad you didn’t have the issues that some other had.
Melanie @ Books of My Heart
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Melanie💜 Not even close.
LikeLike
I will admit I did have a hard time reading this book, but I am so glad you enjoyed it, Jonetta!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Marialyce💜 I read yours and so many others that had your shared experience. It wasn’t even close to that on audio. But, it’s become a norm for this author where her audiobook editions outpace the experiences of all other edition types. She’s from the “business” and her editing background is obvious from narrator selection to recording structure. That’s why I only listen to her books.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fantastic review Jo! You know I wasn’t too sure if I was going to get this on audio, because the audible sample really did draw me in at. all. However I’ve just listened to this sample and tempted me again! 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Nicki💜 Julia Whelan outdid herself. Highly recommend!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I keep looking at this one. Wonderful review, Jo. Lots of good insight for my contemplation on this book ❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Tessa💜 I’d listen to all 5 minutes of the sample and see for yourself.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I opted for the audio for this one. So glad to read your positive review 💚
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hope you enjoy it, too, Cathy💜
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great review Jo. I really like the sound of this one!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Jacob💜 I couldn’t stop listening.
LikeLike
Nice review Jonetta!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Carol💜
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fascinating review! And I love Julia Whelan. Is this the same author as Dasiy Jones & the Six? It sounds like that kind of musical fame as part of the story.
Anne – Books of My Heart
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Anne💜 Yes, it’s the same author. This time the fame comes from the surfing world but it’s significantly different. The father was a famous singer but he abandoned his entire family. I don’t know how to explain it but it is a much different story.
LikeLike
Terrific review, Jonetta! I’m wildly curious about this one!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Julie💜 Jump right in!
LikeLike
I haven’t read Daisy Jones & The Six but this sounds equally amazing. I get a sense that she’s really good at drawing you in and making the characters very real. Julia Whelan should be on my list of audio narrators that much is clear. Wonderful review, definitely piqued my interest to read it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Inge💜 Julia Whelan ties for my #1 female narrator spot with January LaVoy. They’re both outstanding in every book they narrate. And, this author is an extremely talented writer and storyteller.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fantastic review! I definitely need to find time to read this one soon. xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Yvo💜 I hope you can.
LikeLike
Great review! I’m so glad you loved it — I did too. Sounds like the audiobook was a treat!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Lisa💜 Great to hear you enjoyed it, too. Yes, the audiobook was special.
LikeLike
Great review, Jonetta. Not sure, if I will be able to ignore the distracting party. However, I am glad to know you loved the story.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Debjani💜 Hope you enjoy it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I really loved Nina, too, Jonetta! This is a fantastic review. I completely forgot about the audio when I was reading this one and know I missed out. I need to go back and listen soon! ♥️
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Jennifer💜 I truly believe the audio experience is unique. You really fall for Nina, at least I did, as Whelan got her right. That final confrontation with Mick was outstanding.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Plus, Julia Whelan is my favorite narrator! I just have to listen, don’t I? ♥️
LikeLiked by 1 person