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Review: "Malibu Rising" by Taylor Jenkins Reid

 

    I first off would like to say that I listened to the audiobook for Malibu Rising and I believe Julia Whelan did an incredible job, her performance for me really brought out the life in these characters and helped me visualize what was going on so much. It was the first time that I had ever listened to an audiobook all of the way through, and I enjoyed it tons more than I thought I would- I definitely have heard good things about Julia Whelan's performance, and I was not disappointed.

But aside from that, the story itself was very touching and heartbreaking as much as it was super fun and fascinating to hear unfold. Reid does a really good job at building within the world she's creating, explaining in detail the settings traversed- no matter how small they might be. I really love her attention to detail and the life she brings to each and every character. 

Although I couldn’t really personally relate to the characters like a lot of people have, I felt for them and their story, their lives- and I feel Taylor Jenkins Reid is an incredible writer. The way she wrote made me yearn for each detail, and I felt compelled to continue listening day after day- totally understand why people say her writing has an addictive quality to it. I really enjoyed her writing particularly, and honestly I feel like any story she could tell would be one I’d like to read just because of how she writes. 

The family dynamics and general struggle seen throughout the story was gripping to follow, and the ending was satisfying and unexpected. I had a really fun time reading Malibu Rising, and will be looking forward to reading her other novels, including the Carrie Soto book she has releasing this year.


Rating: 4.25 Stars, Goodreads: 4 Stars



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